Air-conditioning apparatus for indoor environments

Abstract

An air-conditioning apparatus for air conditioning indoor environments has a containment structure having a casing delimiting a first compartment and a second compartment. A pellet stove configured to operate in heating mode and provided with a first duct for movement of combustion air in input to the pellet stove is housed inside the first compartment. A monoblock portable heat pump configured to operate in heating and / or cooling mode and provided with a second duct for movement of heated air in output from the monoblock portable heat pump is housed inside the second compartment.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102024000006139 filed Mar. 19, 2024, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to an air-conditioning apparatus for indoor environments, comprising a pellet stove combined with an internal monoblock heat pump.BACKGROUND ART

[0003] An indoor environment to be air-conditioned, i.e., to be heated and / or cooled, is understood to be a room or space delimited by walls, possibly provided with doors and / or windows.

[0004] An outdoor environment means the exterior of the dwelling and / or building to be air-conditioned.

[0005] Heating apparatuses, such as particularly stoves or boilers, to be fuelled by solid fuel, e.g., wood or pellets, are known and widely used for heating air and / or water in dwellings.

[0006] Such known apparatuses usually comprise a containment structure in which there are housed, respectively, a combustion chamber, an electric igniter, a solid fuel storage tank, movement means for the fuel in the combustion chamber, a first pumping means, or fan, for the movement of the combustion air under pushing or suction and for the related evacuation of combustion fumes, an air-to-air heat exchanger, and a second pumping means, or fan, for forced heat exchange and conveying of hot air into the home environment.

[0007] The combustion chamber usually houses a brazier in which the fuel is deposited through appropriate devices, usually of the auger type.

[0008] The combustion air is drawn from outside the containment structure by suction due to the action of a first blade fan operable by an electrically powered motor, and conveyed through an inlet duct at the brazier; here, through appropriate ignition means, the combustion is ignited, which generates high-temperature combustion gases.

[0009] The combustion air can be drawn from outside the dwelling to be heated, through a connection duct between the stove structure and the building wall. This is known as an airtight installation.

[0010] An airtight installation requires a hole in the wall of the house to let in the combustion air.

[0011] The combustion gases then pass through a heat exchanger, usually arranged downstream of the combustion chamber, to exchange heat with the containment structure of the apparatus, which in turn dissipates it, by radiation and / or natural convection, into the home installation environment.

[0012] Possibly, second pumping means, such as a second fan operable by an electric motor, may be provided to distribute heat into the outdoor environment in a forced convective manner, improving the thermal efficiency of the apparatus and allowing also heating environments other than that in which the apparatus itself is installed.

[0013] The combustion fumes are then expelled from the apparatus through an appropriate exhaust duct due to the action of the first pumping means.

[0014] Command and control means, such as a conveniently programmed electronic board, are generally provided to manage and coordinate the various electrical utilities provided in the apparatus to allow the correct operation thereof.

[0015] In the case of pellet stoves for household use, a visible flame is generated through a glass, and heat is released into the environment by virtue of the combination of radiation and convection, forced and natural, implemented in the stove structure.

[0016] Pellet stoves are used exclusively for home heating in the winter period, generally from October to March.

[0017] Pellet stoves have seasonal operation and thus remain unused in the summer period, generally from April to September.

[0018] Therefore, during the summer period, portable devices can be used in homes for summer air-conditioning.

[0019] The portable devices are usually heat pumps, which can be used for cooling and / or heating an environment.

[0020] A portable device can be considered as a monoblock heat pump unit, in which all the components of the cooling cycle, such as compressor, condenser, expansion device, evaporator, and control system, are enclosed in a single package.

[0021] For the operation of the monoblock heat pump, a refrigerant medium is used in a closed circuit to move heat from a hot source to a cold source, preferably a natural refrigerant gas, such as R290 gas.

[0022] R290 gas is preferred because it is a refrigerant medium with a low global warming potential.

[0023] In a standard heat pump, the closed refrigerant fluid circuit is composed as follows: the compressor sucks in the refrigerant gas by compressing it in the high-pressure zone of the circuit. The compressed gas is pushed into a first heat exchanger (condenser), where it yields heat to the environment and cools down, until it condenses into liquid form. The low-pressure liquid reaches a second heat exchanger (vaporizer), where it absorbs heat from the environment by switching to the gaseous form to be sucked in again by the compressor, beginning the cycle again.

[0024] A monoblock heat pump thus has two inlets for the air drawn from the indoor environment.

[0025] A monoblock heat pump, in the cooling mode, has an inlet, where the indoor air passes through the heat exchanger of the condenser to absorb heat from the refrigerant fluid before exiting towards the outdoor environment by means of an outlet pipe.

[0026] A monoblock heat pump, in the cooling mode, has a second inlet, where the indoor air passes through the exchanger of the evaporator to yield heat to the refrigerant fluid, and then be cooled and / or dehumidified before exiting towards the indoor environment.

[0027] The monoblock heat pump usually has a system for disposing of the condensate water recovered from cooling the condenser, which is disposed of through the air heated by the condenser exiting towards the outdoor environment.

[0028] Indicatively, the use of two separate devices is required to air-condition an indoor environment in both winter and summer.

[0029] This known solution has some disadvantages and drawbacks.

[0030] Indeed, as mentioned above, the use of two air-conditioning devices requires placing the two apparatuses at different locations in the same indoor environment.

[0031] An additional disadvantage of such a solution is the need to provide two holes in the walls of the internal structure to match the two separate apparatuses. Indeed, a first hole is used to channel the input combustion air needed by the pellet stove, and a second hole is used to channel the output of hot air produced by the heat pump in the indoor room cooling operation mode. Examples of the above-described prior art are disclosed by EP 3367006 A1, WO 2006 / 008762 A1, KR 2023 0012743 A and CN 116336569 A.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Therefore, the need is felt to overcome the drawbacks and limitations mentioned with reference to the prior art.

[0033] Such a need is met by an apparatus as described and claimed herein.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Further features and advantages of the present invention will be more comprehensible from the following description of preferred, non-limiting embodiments thereof, in which:

[0035] FIG. 1 shows two front views, with or without a closing partition, of an air-conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 2 shows two rear perspective views, with and without a closing partition, of the air-conditioning apparatus in FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 3 shows diagrammatic views of possible connections between the pellet stove and the heat pump of the air-conditioning apparatus in FIG. 1;

[0038] FIGS. 4-5 show perspective views of a pellet stove of the air-conditioning apparatus in FIG. 1; and

[0039] FIGS. 6-7 show perspective views of a heat pump of the air-conditioning apparatus in FIG. 1.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] In the following embodiments, individual features, given in relation to specific examples, may be interchanged in practice with other different features existing in other embodiments.

[0041] With reference to the figures, in particular FIG. 1, a winter and summer air-conditioning apparatus indicated by reference numeral 1 is shown, which is a containment structure 2 having a casing delimiting a first compartment 90 and a second compartment 92. In particular, a pellet stove 3 is housed in the first compartment 90, and a portable monoblock heat pump 4 configured to operate in heating and / or cooling mode is housed inside the second compartment 92.

[0042] Preferably, the first compartment 90 and the second compartment 92 are airtight.

[0043] Preferably, the first compartment 90 and the second compartment 92 are mutually separate compartments.

[0044] According to a possible embodiment, in the first compartment 90, which houses the pellet stove 3, there are housed, respectively, a storage tank 5 for solid biomass fuel, e.g., pellets 6, an auger 7 for movement of the solid biomass fuel, a combustion chamber 8, a brazier 9, an electric igniter 10, a first fan or fume extractor 11, for movement of combustion air 100 under suction and subsequent evacuation of combustion fumes 200, and a second fan 12 for movement of indoor air 300 drawn from the indoor environment and which is heated before being reintroduced into the indoor environment.

[0045] According to an embodiment, in the second compartment 92, which houses the monoblock portable heat pump 4, there are housed, respectively, a condenser 13, a third fan 14, for the movement of the air 400 drawn from the indoor environment which absorbs the heat released by the condenser 13 before exiting towards the outdoor environment by means of a pipe 18, an evaporator 15, and a fourth fan 16, for the movement of the air 500 drawn from the indoor environment that is cooled and dehumidified, yielding heat to the evaporator 15 before being reintroduced into the indoor environment.

[0046] A first duct 17, for the movement of the combustion air 100 input into the pellet stove 3, and a second duct 18, for the movement of the heated air 400 output from the heat pump 4, are present in the air-conditioning apparatus 1.

[0047] According to a possible embodiment, the first duct 17 and the second duct 18 are connected to a junction box 19, which is connected to an outlet hole 20 of the air-conditioning apparatus 1.

[0048] The outlet hole 20 is fluid-dynamically connected to a corresponding hole arranged on the wall of the indoor environment by means of an outlet duct 21.

[0049] According to a possible embodiment, in the junction box 19 there is a valve 22 for alternately opening and closing the first duct 17 and the second duct 18.

[0050] Specifically, in a heating operating mode with a pellet stove 3, the valve 22 closes the second duct 18, while in a cooling operating mode with a heat pump 4, the valve 22 closes the first duct 17.

[0051] The valve 22 allows airtight operation and installation. In both operating modes, the first duct 17 and the second duct 18 are not connected to each other and are in communication only and exclusively with the outdoor environment.

[0052] When using the apparatus in the heating operating mode with the pellet stove 3, the valve 22 closes the outlet duct 21 towards the outside of the heat pump. This avoids the suction of combustion air from the heat pump 4 in the case of a refrigerant fluid leak.

[0053] According to another embodiment, the first duct 17 and the second duct 18 are connected together with a “Y” fitting 23 or a “T” fitting 24. In this variant, a duct opening and closing valve is not necessary to ensure an installation and operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 1.

[0054] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the first duct 17 and the second duct 18 are connected by a concentric fitting 25, where a coaxial pipe 26 is connected, to put the air-conditioning apparatus 1 into communication with the outdoor environment. A duct opening and closing valve is not necessary in this variant to ensure an airtight installation and operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 1.

[0055] An electronic board 50, conveniently programmed, is connected with appropriate wiring to the various electrical utilities. Alternatively, the pellet stove 3 and the heat pump 4 can have two independent electronic boards communicating with each other.

[0056] For example, an electronic panel 51, which allows managing and coordinating the various electrical utilities in the air-conditioning apparatus 1, is provided. Alternatively, the pellet stove 3 and the heat pump 4 can have two separate and independent control panels.

[0057] As can be appreciated from the above description, the present invention allows overcoming the drawbacks of the solutions of the prior art.

[0058] Indeed, the present invention provides a single structure which accommodates both a pellet stove and a monoblock heat pump. The two devices are positioned in two, preferably airtight compartments of the same structure. The finding thus conceived is a single apparatus for the winter and summer air-conditioning of indoor environments.

[0059] As described, the apparatus has a first duct for the input of combustion air for the pellet stove and a second duct for the output of hot air from the heat pump. The first duct and the second duct are mutually fluid-dynamically connected, merging into a junction box and then into a single duct of the finding that leads to the outside.

[0060] Therefore, an advantage of the finding is the use of only one duct towards the outdoor environment. This also allows having only one outlet hole on the partition wall between the indoor environment and the outdoor environment.

[0061] In the junction box, the first and second ducts are selectively selectable, e.g., by means of a valve.

[0062] The apparatus may work as a heat pump for cooling or as a pellet stove for heating. The two functions may not be used together.

[0063] In a variant of the finding, the first and second inner ducts are mutually fluid-dynamically connected by a concentric system, which includes two coaxial pipes with different diameters that connect the product to the hole in the wall of the indoor environment. The hot air output from the heat pump passes through the lower-diameter pipe, while the input combustion air for the pellet stove passes through the section between the two pipes. This variant does not require the use of a valve to selectively open and close the two ducts, which is an added advantage in terms of cost and simplicity of system operation.

[0064] In a further variant, the first and second ducts can be connected with a “Y” fitting or a “T” fitting, without the need for a valve to selectively open and close the two ducts. In this case, the installation is not airtight.

[0065] In order to meet contingent, specific needs, those skilled in the art may make several changes and variations to the solutions described above.

[0066] The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the following claims.LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS1: air-conditioning apparatus

[0068] 2: containment structure

[0069] 3: pellet stove

[0070] 4: monoblock portable heat pump

[0071] 5: storage tank

[0072] 6: pellets

[0073] 7: auger

[0074] 8: combustion chamber

[0075] 9: brazier

[0076] 10: electric igniter

[0077] 11: first fan or fume extractor

[0078] 12: second fan

[0079] 13: condenser

[0080] 14: third fan

[0081] 15: evaporator

[0082] 16: fourth fan

[0083] 17: first duct

[0084] 18: second duct

[0085] 19: junction box

[0086] 20: outlet hole

[0087] 21: outlet duct

[0088] 22: valve

[0089] 23: “Y” fitting

[0090] 24: “T” fitting

[0091] 25: concentric fitting

[0092] 26: coaxial pipe

[0093] 90: first compartment

[0094] 92: second compartment

[0095] 100: combustion air

[0096] 200: combustion fumes

[0097] 300: indoor air

[0098] 400: air drawn from the indoor environment which absorbs the heat released by condenser 13

[0099] 500: air drawn from the indoor environment which is cooled and dehumidified yielding heat to evaporator 15

Claims

1. An air-conditioning apparatus for air conditioning indoor environments, comprising a containment structure having a casing delimiting a first compartment and a second compartment,wherein a pellet stove is housed inside the first compartment, configured to operate in heating mode and provided with a first duct for movement of combustion air in input to the pellet stove, andwherein a monoblock portable heat pump is housed inside the second compartment, configured to operate in heating and / or cooling mode and provided with a second duct for movement of heated air in output from the monoblock portable heat pump.

2. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pellet stove and the monoblock portable heat pump operate independently and have no mechanical parts in common.

3. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first compartment and the second compartment are airtight.

4. The air conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first duct and the second duct are mechanically and fluidically separated from each other.

5. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first duct and the second duct are connected to a junction box, which is connected to an outlet hole of the air-conditioning apparatus connected to an outdoor environment.

6. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 5, wherein the outlet hole is fluid-dynamically connected with a corresponding hole arranged on a wall of an indoor environment by an outlet duct.

7. The air conditioning apparatus of claim 5, wherein in the junction box a valve is found for alternately opening and closing the first duct and the second duct.

8. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 7, wherein in a heating operating mode with the pellet stove, the valve closes the second duct, while in a cooling operating mode with the monoblock portable heat pump, the valve closes the first duct.

9. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first duct and the second duct are not connected to each other and are in communication only and exclusively with the outdoor environment by the valve, which allows an airtight operation and installation.

10. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 7, wherein the valve is configured so that, when using the air-conditioning apparatus in the heating operating mode with the pellet stove, the valve closes the outlet duct towards an outside of the monoblock portable heat pump.

11. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first duct and the second duct are connected to each other with a “Y” fitting or with a “T” fitting.

12. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first duct and the second duct are connected by a concentric fitting, where a coaxial pipe is connected, to put the air-conditioning apparatus in communication with an outdoor environment.

13. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first compartment houses a storage tank for solid biomass fuel, an auger for movement of the solid biomass fuel, a combustion chamber, a brazier, an electric igniter, a first fan or fume extractor for the movement of combustion air in suction and subsequent evacuation of combustion fumes, and a second fan for movement of indoor air drawn from an indoor environment which is heated before being reintroduced in the indoor environment.

14. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second compartment houses a condenser, a third fan for movement of air drawn from an indoor environment which absorbs heat released by the condenser before exiting towards an outdoor environment by a pipe, an evaporator, and a fourth ventilator for movement of air drawn from the indoor environment which is cooled and dehumidified, yielding heat to the evaporator before being reintroduced in the indoor environment.

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