Guiding element for a flow of liquid and device for heating water comprising such guiding element

Abstract

The invention relates to a guiding element (9) for a flow of liquid. A conduit (76) is defined by a tubular body (77) of the guiding element (9) and extends at least between an inlet section (85) and a plurality of outlet orifices (12, 13, 14). The tubular body (77) comprises a side wall (18) which extends parallel to an axis (P) of the tubular body (77) and a bottom wall (19) opposite to the inlet section (85). The tubular body (77) further comprises a transition wall (25) which extends between the side wall (18) and the bottom wall (19). The outlet orifices (12, 13, 14) comprise an outlet orifice (12) formed in the transition wall (25) and a pair of outlet orifice (13, 14) formed in the side wall (18). The invention further relates to an assembly comprising the guiding element (9) and a pair of membranes fixed in a cantilever arrangement to the tubular body (77). The invention finally relates to a device (1) for heating water (2), comprising a tank (3), a connection element (7) applied to the tank (3) and the guiding element (9) housed within the connection element (7).

Description

[0001] Guiding element for a flow of liquid and device for heating water comprising such guiding element’

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Field of the invention

[0004] The present invention has as its object a device for heating water configured to be installed in a line of a thermo-sanitary network. Furthermore, the present invention has as its object a method for manufacturing a device for heating water configured to be installed in a line of a thermo-sanitary network. Finally, the present invention has as its object a guiding element of a flow of liquid usable in a device for heating water configured to be installed in a line of a thermo-sanitary network.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Within the technical field of heating and sanitary appliances for domestic use, devices typically referred to as “water heaters” are finding progressively increasing popularity in the market because of the remarkable predisposition to combine high performance with marked energy optimization characteristics, especially in relation to specimens in which the heating of water occurs by means of a heat pump arrangement. The devices for heating water referred to precisely as “water heaters,” are configured for an installation along a line of a domestic thermo-sanitary network and include a tank of adequate capacity (for example, in the range of 80 to 100 liters) for the purpose of allowing the user to have domestic water at the desired temperature for several hours. These devices are provided with means for heating the water accumulated in the tank, as well as means for insulating the tank, suitable for counteracting and drastically slowing down the transmission of heat between the water inside the tank and the external environment.

[0007] For understandable needs of space containment, more advanced “water heater” devices have a geometry (for example, a cylindrical shape), such that the predominant dimension results in the height direction, so that the tank develops from bottom to top along its own vertical axis. Such conformation of the tank is likely to generate convective motions, whereby, during the operation of the “water heater” devices a stratification is generated in the temperature of the water accumulated inside the tank, which results gradually increasing from the bottom to the top.

[0008] Due to such stratification, it results of primary importance (in order to achieve the desired energy efficiency) that the water is introduced into the reservoir at the lowest possible height and is instead drawn from the tank at the highest possible height, since the lowest possible height and the highest possible height correspond respectively to the minimum and the maximum temperature value inside the tank. For this purpose, architectures of “water heater” devices are known, according to which the tank has its own opening for the inlet of water in correspondence with the bottom and its own opening for the outlet of water in correspondence with the top, both openings being obtained on the side wall of the tank.

[0009] Having said that, according to known construction techniques, even though the water inlet and outlet openings are correctly obtained on the side wall of the tank, difficulties still arise in correctly directing the inlet water flow and the outlet water flow, to the serious detriment of the energy efficiency of the “water heater” devices. For example, the correct stratification in temperature results severely compromised if water is introduced near the bottom of the tank but is directed upward instead of downward.

[0010] Furthermore, additionally, known construction techniques have the critical issue of not ensuring a proper distribution of the incoming water on the transversal surface of the tank, this further undermining the energy efficiency characteristics of “water heater” devices.

[0011] The document US2023 / 0101175A1 discloses a water heater comprising a dip tube that extends vertically and houses a heat trap device. The heat trap device comprises a tubular body, a casing press-fitted into the tubular body, and a thermal deflector unit that is arranged within the casing and supports thermal block inserts. During the assembly of the heat trap device, the press-fitting of the casing into the tubular body generates static friction between the inner surface of the tubular body and the inner surface of the casing.

[0012] The document US2005 / 0263190A1 discloses a water heater comprising a dip tube that extends vertically, a threaded connection that connects the draft tube to the water heater tank, and a double heat trap containing a pair of valves positioned within the threaded connection. The threaded connection comprises an inner layer of polymer material that engages tightly with the body of the double heat trap.

[0013] The document US2023 / 0099397A1 discloses a water heater comprising a dip tube that extends vertically and houses a heat trap device. The heat trap device includes a tubular body, a casing press-fitted into the tubular body and a deflector unit arranged within the casing.

[0014] The document CA953995 discloses a water heater comprising a nipple and a vertical dip tube extending from the nipple. The dip tube comprises an inner tube and an outer tube concentric to each other and is fixed to the nipple by means of a pressure coupling obtained by means of a bushing inserted between the inner tube of the draft tube and the nipple.

[0015] The document US 12,084, 261 B 1 discloses a water heater comprising a nipple on top and a dip- tube that extends vertically from the nipple. The dip tube comprises a tubular body and a tube nipple insert. The insert comprises annular sealing rings that allow the press-fitting of the insert into the nipple and a section of tubular body that comprises slots for inserting heat traps.

[0016] The document US6, 138,614 discloses a dip tube for water heater that extends vertically from the top of the water heater. The dip tube has two upper openings arranged on opposite sides and spaced longitudinally with respect to each other, four lower openings angularly spaced by 90° from each other and all located at the same longitudinal level and a bottom opening arranged in correspondence with the lower end of the tube.

[0017] The document US7, 861,67862 discloses a dip tube for water heater that extends from the top of the water heater. According to an embodiment, slotted orifices are obtained in the wall of the dip tube, and a truncated conical plug is applied to the end of the dip tube, the truncated conical plug having slotted orifices in its surface and a star-shaped opening in correspondence with the outlet end.

[0018] The document US2011 / 0247572A1 discloses a dip tube for water heater, that extends from the top of the water heater along a vertical direction. A diffuser is inserted at the lower end of the dip tube and has a plurality of openings in the side wall, a plurality of intermediate truncated openings, and a central opening at the end.

[0019] Objects of the invention

[0020] The present invention is aimed at making available a device for heating water configured to be installed in a line of a thermo-sanitary network (i.e., a so-called “water heate device), which allows to overcome the drawbacks complained about in relation to the above-mentioned construction techniques.

[0021] Furthermore, the present invention is aimed at making available a “water heater” device and a related method of manufacturing that allow to achieve a desired energy efficiency, ensuring in particular a stratification of water temperature as closely as possible to an ideal stratification.

[0022] Furthermore, the present invention is aimed at making available a “water heater” device and a related method of manufacturing that allows both to maximize the capacity of the tank and to minimize heat losses along the line of the thermo-sanitary network along which the “water heater” device is installed, upstream of the tank as well as downstream of the tank.

[0023] Furthermore, the present invention is aimed at making available a method of manufacturing for a “water heater” device capable of ensuring an adequate repeatability, reducing the susceptibility toward possible assembly errors by the operators in charge.

[0024] Furthermore, the present invention is aimed at making available a component for a “water heater” device (referred to herein as the “guiding element’) associated with the water inlet opening in the tank and such as to ensure optimization relatively to both the direction of water introduction and the distribution of the introduced water along the width of the tank.

[0025] Aspects of the invention

[0026] The above objectives are achieved, together with further advantageous effects, by the present invention as defined by the appended claims and / or the following aspects and / or further aspects, wherein claims, aspects and further aspects may also be considered in combination with each other.

[0027] According to a first aspect of the present invention, such first aspect being an independent aspect, a device (1) for heating water (2) configured to be installed in a line of a thermo-sanitary network, in particular of a domestic thermo-sanitary network, comprises: - a tank (3) configured to allow an accumulation of water (2) available in said thermo-sanitary network, said tank (3) defining an inlet opening (4) and an outlet opening (5), said inlet opening (4) and said outlet opening (5) being respectively configured to allow a conveyance of water (2) to said tank (3) and a withdrawal of water (2) from said tank (3);

[0028] - at least one connection element (7; 8) applied, in particular fluid-tight applied, to said tank (3) and configured to establish a connection between said tank (3) and said line, said at least one connection element (7; 8) being fixed to said tank (3) in correspondence with a first opening (4; 5) between said inlet opening (4) and said outlet opening (5); and

[0029] - at least one guiding element (9; 10) housed at least partially within said at least one connection element (7; 8), said at least one guiding element (9; 10) defining at least one orifice (12, 13, 14; 15) configured to enable a transfer of water (2) between said tank (3) and said line, wherein said at least one guiding element (9; 10) is connected to said at least one connection element (7; 8) by static friction, said at least one guiding element (9; 10) being press-fitted into said at least one connection element (7; 8),

[0030] According to a second aspect of the present invention, such aspect being an aspect depending on the first aspect, the press-fitting of said at least one guiding element (9; 10) into said at least one connection element (7; 8) is such as to allow said at least one orifice (12, 13, 14; 15) to assume a predetermined orientation with respect to said tank (3).

[0031] According to a third aspect of the present invention, such third aspect being an aspect depending on the first aspect or on the second aspect, said tank (3) is partially defined by a side wall (6), in particular by a cylindrical side wall, and said inlet opening (4) and said outlet opening (5) are obtained in said side wall (6).

[0032] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, such fourth aspect being an aspect depending on the third aspect, said tank (3) is further defined by a bottom wall (29) and said bottom wall (29) has a dome-shaped configuration, in particular wherein, given a first imaginary point and a second imaginary point being part of said bottom wall (29), said first imaginary point being closer to an axis (V) of said tank (3) than said second imaginary point, said first imaginary point is located higher than said second imaginary point.

[0033] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, such fifth aspect being an aspect depending on the fourth aspect, said inlet opening (4) and said outlet opening (5) are obtained respectively in a first region and in a second region of said side wall (6), said first region being a region of said side wall (6) located at a minimum distance from said bottom wall (29), said second region being a region of said side wall (6) located at a maximum distance from said bottom wall (29).

[0034] According to a sixth aspect, such aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the first aspect to the fifth aspect, said tank (3) has a roughly axially-symmetric configuration relative to its own axis (V) and said at least a connection element (7; 8) and said at least one guiding element (9; 10) extend along a direction substantially orthogonal to said axis (V), said axis (V) being in particular substantially vertical. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, such seventh aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the first aspect to the sixth aspect, at least one connection element (7; 8) and said at least one guiding element (9; 10) are internally hollow and at least partially have a roughly axially-symmetric configuration, said at least one guiding element (9; 10) being at least partially substantially coaxial with said at least one connection element (7; 8).

[0035] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, such eighth aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the first aspect to the seventh aspect, said static friction is suitable for establishing an effective constraint between an external side surface of said at least one guiding element (9; 10) and an inner side surface of said at least one connection element (7; 8), said at least a guiding element (9; 10) being in particular devoid of threaded connection means.

[0036] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, such ninth aspect being an aspect depending on the eighth aspect, said at least one guiding element (9; 10) comprises a plurality of deformable protrusions (17; 27) projecting from said external side surface, said deformable protrusions (17; 27) being configured to at least partially generate said static friction and / or to ensure a stable maintenance of an orientation of said at least one orifice (12, 13, 14; 15) with respect to said tank (3), in particular wherein said deformable protrusions (17; 27) are arranged in series with each other and each exhibit a substantially annular configuration.

[0037] According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, such tenth aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the first aspect to the ninth aspect, said at least one orifice (12, 13, 14; 15) is formed in correspondence with a first end portion of said at least one guiding element (9; 10), said press-fitting of said at least one guiding element (9; 10) into said at least one connection element (7; 8) resulting in a penetration of said first end portion into said tank (3).

[0038] According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, such eleventh aspect being an aspect depending on the tenth aspect, an end-of-travel abutment is provided in correspondence with a second end portion of said at least one guiding element (9; 10) opposite to said first end portion, said end-of-travel abutment being configured to interrupt said penetration of said first end portion into said tank (3) upon reaching a predetermined penetration depth.

[0039] According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, such twelfth aspect being an aspect depending on the eleventh aspect, said at least one guiding element (9; 10) comprises at least one wall, in particular a wall of a flange (20; 30), which extends away from said second end portion, said end-of-travel abutment being formed by a surface of said wall.

[0040] According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, such thirteenth aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the first aspect to the twelfth aspect, said device (1) comprises a selective interception member associated with said at least one guiding element (9; 10) and functionally operative between said tank (3) and said line, said selective interception member being in particular configured to allow a flow of water (2) between said tank (3) and said line in a first direction and to oppose or prevent a flow of water (2) between said tank (3) and said line in a second direction opposite to said first direction. According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, such fourteenth aspect being an aspect depending on the thirteenth aspect, said selective interception member comprises at least one membrane (21, 22; 31, 32) configured to selectively occlude at least one section of said at least one guiding element (9; 10), said at least one membrane (21, 22; 31, 32) being made of an elastic and / or flexible material.

[0041] According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, such fifteenth aspect being an aspect depending on the fourteenth aspect, said at least one guiding element (9; 10) defines at least one slot (23, 24; 33, 34) configured to allow said at least one membrane (21, 22; 31 , 32) to be introduced in a cantilever arrangement into said at least one guiding element (9; 10) and / or to be anchored to said at least one guiding element (9; 10) in correspondence with one of its edges, said at least one membrane (21, 22; 31 , 32) being in particular introduced into said at least one guiding element (9; 10) through said at least one slot (23, 24; 33, 34) along a direction substantially orthogonal to an axis (P; S) of said at least one guiding element (9; 10).

[0042] According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, such sixteenth aspect being an aspect depending on the fourteenth aspect or on the fifteenth aspect, said selective interception member comprises a front membrane (21; 31) and a rear membrane (22; 32) arranged in series with each other, wherein in particular between said front membrane (21; 31) and said rear membrane (22; 32) there is substantial identity of shape and / or size and / or material.

[0043] According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, such seventeenth aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the first aspect to the sixteenth aspect, said at least one connection element (7; 8) is screwed to said tank (3) in correspondence with said first opening (4; 5).

[0044] According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, such eighteenth aspect being an aspect depending on the seventeenth aspect, said tank (3) comprises a first bushing (42; 43), said first bushing (42; 43) surrounding said first opening (4; 5) and defining an at least partially threaded inner surface, and said at least one connection element (7; 8) is screwed to said first bushing (42; 43), said first bushing (42; 43) being welded to a side wall (6) of said tank (3).

[0045] According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, such nineteenth aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the first aspect to the eighteenth aspect, said at least one connection element (7; 8) is made of metallic material, said at least one connection element (7; 8) being in particular a nipple, and / or said guiding element (9; 10) is made at least partially of plastic material.

[0046] According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, such twentieth aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the first aspect to the nineteenth aspect, said device (1) comprises:

[0047] - a casing (35) positioned externally to said tank (3) and separated from said tank (3) by a gap (36), in particular by a roughly axially-symmetric gap (36), said casing (35) defining an inlet hole (37) and an outlet hole (38) respectively arranged in correspondence with said inlet opening (4) and with said outlet opening (5) of said tank (3), said at least one connection element (7; 8) and said at least one guiding element (9; 10) passing through a first hole between said inlet hole (37) and said outlet hole (38); and

[0048] - at least one sealing element (39; 40) applied to said first hole externally to said at least one connection element (7; 8), wherein said tank (3) is thermally insulated by means of insulating material injected into said gap (36) and wherein said at least one sealing element (39; 40) is configured to oppose or prevent a leakage of said insulating material through said first hole.

[0049] According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, such twenty-first aspect being an aspect depending on the twentieth aspect, said device (1) comprises a centering element (16) shaped as a cross or a disk, wherein at least a first groove and a second groove are formed in said centering element (16), said second groove being formed externally to said first groove and being substantially concentric with said first groove, and wherein an edge of said tank (3) and an edge of said casing (35) being housed respectively in said first groove and in said second groove, in particular wherein said device (1) comprises further a base (11) and wherein said centering element (16) is anchored to said base (11).

[0050] According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, such twenty-second aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the first aspect to the twenty-first aspect, said device (1) comprises:

[0051] - an additional connection element (8; 7) applied, in particular fluid-tight applied, to said tank (3) and configured to establish a further connection between said tank (3) and said line, said additional connection element (8; 7) being fixed to said tank (3) in correspondence with a second opening (5; 4) between said inlet opening (4) and said outlet opening (5); and

[0052] - an additional guiding element (10; 9) housed at least partially within said additional connection element (8; 7), said additional guiding element (10; 9) defining at least one additional orifice (15; 12, 13, 14) configured to enable a transfer of water (2) between said tank (3) and said line, wherein said additional guiding element (10; 9) is connected to said additional connection element (8; 7) by static friction, said additional guiding element (10; 9) being press-fitted into said additional connection element (8; 7).

[0053] According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, such twenty-third aspect being an aspect depending on the twenty-second aspect, the press-fitting of said additional one guiding element (10; 9) into said additional connection element (8; 7) is such as to allow said at least one orifice (15; 12, 13; 14) to assume a predetermined orientation with respect to said tank (3).

[0054] According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, such twenty-fourth being an aspect depending on the twenty- second aspect or on the twenty-third aspect, between said at least a connection element (7; 8) and said additional connection element (8; 7) there is a substantial identity of shape and / or size and / or material and / or wherein said at least one guiding element (9; 10) and said additional guiding element (9; 10) differ in shape and / or size and / or material. According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, such twenty-fifth aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the twenty-second aspect to the twenty-third aspect, said at least additional connection element (8; 7) is screwed to said tank (3) in correspondence with said first opening (5; 4).

[0055] According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, such twenty-sixth aspect being an aspect depending on the twenty-fifth aspect, said tank (3) comprises a second bushing (43; 42), said second bushing (43; 42) surrounding said second opening (5; 4) and defining an at least partially threaded inner surface, and said additional connection element (8; 7) is screwed to said second bushing (43; 42), said second bushing (43; 42) being in particular welded to a side wall (6) of said tank (3).

[0056] According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, such twenty-seventh aspect being an aspect depending on the twenty-first aspect and on any of the aspects from the twenty-second aspect to the twenty-sixth aspect, said additional connection element (8; 7) and said additional guiding element (10; 9) pass through a second hole between said inlet hole (37) and said outlet hole (38), said device (1) comprises an additional sealing element (40; 39) applied to said second hole externally to said additional connection element (8; 7) and said additional sealing element (40; 39) is configured to oppose or prevent leakage of said insulating material through said second hole, wherein in particular between said at least one sealing element (39; 40) and said additional sealing element (40; 39) there is a substantial identity of shape and / or size and / or material.

[0057] According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, such twenty-eighth being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the first aspect to the twenty-seventh aspect, said device (1 ) comprises a heating arrangement, wherein said heating arrangement is configured to supply heat to water (2) contained in said tank (3), said heating arrangement being in particular a heat pump or an electric or a gas arrangement.

[0058] According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, such twenty-ninth aspect being an aspect depending on the twenty-eighth aspect, said heating arrangement is a heat pump arrangement and comprises:

[0059] - a thermodynamic unit configured to process a heat-transfer fluid, said thermodynamic unit being arranged in particular above said tank (3); and

[0060] - a tubing integrated with said thermodynamic unit so as to form a closed circulation circuit for said heat-transfer fluid, wherein said tubing defines a plurality of turns (41) that wrap around at least part of said tank (3), so as to allow said heattransfer fluid circulating through said tubing to transfer heat to water (2) contained in said tank (3).

[0061] According to a thirtieth aspect of the present invention, such thirtieth aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the first aspect to the twenty-ninth aspect, said at least one connection element (7; 8) comprises an inlet connection element (7) fixed, in particular screwed, to said tank (3) in correspondence with said inlet opening (4) and wherein said at least one guiding element (9; 10) comprises an inlet guiding element (9), the at least one orifice (12, 13, 14; 15) of said inlet guiding element (9) comprising at least one inlet orifice (12, 13, 14) configured to allow water (2) to enter said tank (3) from said line.

[0062] According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, such thirty-first aspect being an aspect depending on the thirtieth aspect, said at least one inlet orifice (12, 13, 14) is at least partially, in particular predominantly, oriented downward and / or toward a bottom wall (29) of said tank (3).

[0063] According to a thirty-second aspect of the present invention, such thirty-second aspect being an aspect depending on the thirtieth aspect or the thirty-first aspect, said at least one inlet orifice (12, 13, 14) defines a conveyance direction of water (2) in said tank (3), wherein said conveyance direction comprises a first component directed along a vertical direction and a second component lying on a horizontal plane.

[0064] According to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention, such thirty-third aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the thirtieth aspect to the thirty-second aspect, said at least one inlet orifice (12, 13, 14) is arranged in a position adjacent to a bottom wall (29) of said tank (3).

[0065] According to a thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention, such thirty-fourth aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the thirtieth aspect to the thirty-third aspect, said inlet guiding element (9) comprises a side wall (18) with a cylindrical configuration, a bottom wall (19) with a circular segment, in particular semicircle, configuration and a transition wall (25) between said side wall (18) and said bottom wall (19), said transition wall (25) being inclined at a predetermined angle ((B) with respect to an axis (P) of said at least one inlet guiding element (9), in particular wherein said bottom wall (19) and said transition wall (25) are roughly symmetrical with respect to a symmetry plane of said inlet guiding element (9).

[0066] According to a thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention, such thirty-fifth aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the thirtieth aspect to the thirty-fourth aspect, said at least one inlet orifice (12, 13, 14) comprises a first inlet orifice (12), a second inlet orifice (13), and a third inlet orifice (14).

[0067] According to a thirty-sixth aspect of the present invention, this thirty-sixth aspect being an aspect depending on the thirtyfourth aspect and the thirty-fifth aspect, said first inlet orifice (12) is obtained in said transition wall (25), and said second inlet orifice (13) and said third inlet orifice (14) are obtained in said side wall (18).

[0068] According to a thirty-seventh aspect of the present invention, such thirty-seventh aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the thirtieth aspect to the thirty-sixth aspect, said inlet guiding element (9) is a one-piece element, in particular a one-piece element made of plastic material.

[0069] According to a thirty-eighth aspect of the present invention, such thirty-eighth aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the first aspect to the thirty-seventh aspect, said at least one connection element (7; 8) comprises an outlet connection element (8) fixed, in particular screwed, to said tank (3) in correspondence with said outlet opening (5) and wherein said at least one guiding element (9; 10) comprises an outlet guiding element (10), the at least one orifice (12, 13, 14; 15) of said outlet guiding element (10) comprising an outlet orifice (15) configured to allow water (2) to exit said tank (3) toward said line.

[0070] According to a thirty-ninth aspect of the present invention, such thirty-ninth aspect being an aspect depending on the thirtyeighth aspect, said outlet orifice (15) is at least partially, in particular predominantly, more in particular entirely, oriented upward and / or toward a top of said tank (3).

[0071] According to a fortieth aspect of the present invention, such fortieth aspect being an aspect depending on the thirty-eighth aspect or the thirty-ninth aspect, said outlet orifice (15) defines a withdrawal direction of water (2) from said tank (3), and said withdrawal direction is ideally vertical.

[0072] According to a forty-first aspect of the present invention, such forty-first aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the thirty-eighth aspect to the fortieth aspect, said outlet orifice (15) is positioned at a level close to a maximum water (2) fill level in said tank (3) and / or in a position adjacent to an axis (V) of said tank (3).

[0073] According to a forty-second aspect of the present invention, such forty-second aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the thirty-eighth aspect to the forty-first aspect, said outlet guiding element (10) comprises a first member (26) and a second member (28) internally hollow, said first member (26) and said second member (28) being integrally connected, and wherein said second member (28) extends between a first terminal portion and a second terminal portion, said first terminal portion of said second member (28) being housed in a seat of said first member (26), said second terminal portion of said second member (28) defining said outlet orifice (15).

[0074] According to a forty-third aspect of the present invention, said forty-third aspect being an aspect depending on the forty- second aspect, said first terminal portion of said second member (28) is coaxial with said first member (26), and an axis (F) of said second terminal portion of said second member (28) is substantially orthogonal to an axis (V) of said first member (26).

[0075] According to a forty-fourth aspect of the present invention, said forty-fourth aspect being an aspect depending on the forty- second aspect or the forty-third aspect, said first member (26) is made of plastic material and wherein said second member (28) is made of metal material, said second member (28) comprising in particular a partially curved tubular body made of metal material.

[0076] According to a forty-fifth aspect of the present invention, said forty-fifth aspect being an aspect depending on said fortyfourth aspect, said second member (28) is partially inserted into said first member (26) following a temporary and reversible expansion of at least part of said first member (26), said expansion being in particular thermally induced, and / or wherein said first member (26) is co-molded on said second member (28). In embodiments, the second member (28) is in plastic material, of the same or different type than the plastic material of the first member (26). The first member (26) and the second member (28) are preferably co-molded.

[0077] According to a forty-sixth aspect of the present invention, such forty-sixth aspect being an independent aspect, a method of manufacturing a device (1) for heating water (2) configured to be installed in a line of a thermo-sanitary network, in particular of a domestic thermo-sanitary network, comprises the steps of: i) securing a first connection element (7; 8) to a tank (3) in correspondence with a first opening (4; 5) formed in a side wall (6) of said tank (3); and ii) press-fitting a first guiding element (9; 10) into said first connection element (7; 8), said first guiding element (9; 10) comprising at least one orifice (12, 13, 14; 15).

[0078] According to a forty-seventh aspect of the present invention, such forty-seventh aspect being an aspect depending on the forty-sixth aspect, said step i) is preceded by a step of forming said first opening (4; 5) into a side wall (6) of said tank (3), said side wall (6) being in particular a cylindrical wall.

[0079] According to a forty-eighth aspect of the present invention, such forty-eighth aspect being an aspect depending on the forty-sixth aspect or the forty-seventh aspect, said step i) comprises the sub-step of screwing said first connection element (7; 8) to said tank (3), in particular to a first bushing (42; 43) surrounding said first opening (4; 5) and that is welded to said side wall (6) of said tank (3).

[0080] According to a forty-ninth aspect of the present invention, such forty-ninth aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the forty-sixth aspect to the forty-eighth aspect, said tank (3) has a roughly axially-symmetric configuration with a substantially vertical axis (V), and said step ii) comprises the sub-step of press-fitting said first guiding element (9; 10) into said first connection element (7; 8) along a direction substantially orthogonal to said axis (V).

[0081] According to a fiftieth aspect of the present invention, such fiftieth aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the forty-sixth aspect to the forty-ninth aspect, the implementation of said step ii) results in a portion of said first guiding element (9; 10) penetrating into said tank (3), said at least one orifice (12, 13, 14; 15) being part of said portion.

[0082] According to a fifty-first aspect of the present invention, such fifty-first aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the forty-sixth aspect to the fiftieth aspect, said step ii) is preceded by the step of adjusting the orientation of said first guiding element (9; 10), in particular so as to enable said at least one orifice (12, 13, 14; 15) to assume, at the end of said step ii), a predetermined orientation relative to said tank (3).

[0083] According to a fifty-second aspect of the present invention, such fifty-second aspect being an aspect depending on the fifty-first aspect, said first guiding element (9; 10) has at least in part a roughly axially-symmetric configuration relative to its own axis (P; S), and said adjustment in orientation of said first guiding element (9; 10) is performed by rotating said first guiding element (9; 10) about said axis (P; S). According to a fifty-third aspect of the present invention, such fifty-third aspect being a dependent aspect of the fifty-first aspect or the fifty-second aspect, said first connection element (7; 8) is an inlet connection element (7) and said first guiding element (9; 10) is an inlet guiding element (9), wherein, at the end of said step ii), said at least one orifice (12, 13, 14; 15) of said first connection element (7; 8) is oriented downward and / or toward a bottom wall (29) of said tank (3).

[0084] According to a fifty-fourth aspect of the present invention, such fifty-fourth aspect being a dependent aspect of the fifty- first aspect or the fifty-second aspect, said first connection element (7; 8) is an outlet connection element (8) and said first guiding element (9; 10) is an outlet guiding element (10), wherein, at the end of said step ii), said at least one orifice (12, 13, 14; 15) of said first connection element (7; 8) is oriented upward and / or toward a top of said tank (3).

[0085] According to a fifty-fifth aspect of the present invention, said fifty-fifth aspect being an aspect depending on the fifty-fourth aspect, said first guiding element (9; 10) comprises a first terminal portion and a second terminal portion, said first terminal portion and said second terminal portion defining respective axes (S, F) substantially orthogonal to each other, said at least one orifice (12, 13, 14; 15) being defined in said second terminal portion, wherein, at the end of said step ii), the axis (F) of said second terminal portion is oriented substantially along a vertical direction.

[0086] According to a fifty-sixth aspect of the present invention, such fifty-sixth aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the forty-sixth aspect to the fifty-fifth aspect, said step ii) is preceded by the step of associating a selective interception member with said first guiding element (9; 10).

[0087] According to a fifty-seventh aspect of the present invention, said fifty-seventh aspect being an aspect depending on the fifty-sixth aspect, said selective interception member comprises a front membrane (21; 31) and a rear membrane (22; 32), and said first guiding element (9; 10) defines a front slot (23; 33) and a rear slot (24; 34), wherein said front membrane (21; 31) and said rear membrane (22; 32) are introduced into said first guiding element (9; 10) through said front slot (23; 33) and through said rear slot (24; 34), respectively, and / or wherein said front membrane (21; 31) and said rear membrane (22; 32) are fixed in a cantilever arrangement to said first guiding element (9; 10) in correspondence with said front slot (23; 33) and with said rear slot (24; 34), respectively.

[0088] According to a fifty-eighth aspect of the present invention, such fifty-eighth aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the forty-sixth aspect to the fifty-seventh aspect, said method comprises further the steps of:

[0089] Hi) securing a second connection element (8; 7) to said tank (3) in correspondence with a second opening (5; 4) of said tank (3); and iv) press-fitting a second guiding element (10; 9) into said second connection element (8; 7), said second guiding element (10; 9) comprising at least one orifice (15; 12, 13; 14). According to a fifty-ninth aspect of the present invention, such fifty-ninth aspect being an aspect depending on the fiftyeighth aspect, said second opening (5; 4) is obtained in correspondence with a side wall (6), in particular a cylindrical side wall, of said tank (3).

[0090] According to a sixtieth aspect of the present invention, such sixtieth aspect being an aspect depending on the fifty-eighth aspect or the fifty-ninth aspect, said step Hi) comprises the sub-step of screwing said second connection element (8; 7) to said tank (3), in particular to a second bushing (43; 42) surrounding said second opening (5; 4) and that is welded to said side wall (6) of said tank (3).

[0091] According to a sixty-first aspect of the present invention, such sixty-first aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the fifty-eighth aspect to the sixtieth aspect, said tank (3) has a roughly axially-symmetric configuration with a substantially vertical axis (V), wherein said step iv) comprises the sub-step of press-fitting said second guiding element (10; 9) into said second connection element (8; 7) along a direction substantially orthogonal to said axis (V).

[0092] According to a sixty-second aspect of the present invention, such sixty-second aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the fifty-eighth aspect to the sixty-first aspect, the implementation of said step iv) results in a portion of said second guiding element (10; 9) penetrating into said tank (3), said at least one orifice (15, 12, 13; 14) being part of said portion.

[0093] According to a sixty-third aspect of the present invention, such sixty-third aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the fifty-eighth aspect to the sixty-second aspect, said step iv) is preceded by the step of adjusting the orientation of said second guiding element (10; 9), in particular so as to enable said at least one orifice (15, 12, 13; 14) to assume, at the end of said step iv), a predetermined orientation relative to said tank (3).

[0094] According to a sixty-fourth aspect of the present invention, such sixty-fourth aspect being an aspect depending on the sixty-third aspect, said second guiding element (10; 9) has at least in part a roughly axially-symmetric configuration relative to its own axis (S; P), and said adjustment in orientation of said second guiding element (10; 9) is performed by rotating said second guiding element (10; 9) about said axis (S; P).

[0095] According to a sixty-fifth aspect of the present invention, such sixty-fifth aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the fifty-eighth aspect to the sixty-fourth aspect, said step iv) is preceded by the step of associating a selective interception member with said second guiding element (10; 9).

[0096] According to a sixty-sixth aspect of the present invention, such sixty-sixth aspect being an aspect depending on the sixtyfifth aspect, said selective interception member comprises a front membrane (31; 21) and a rear membrane (32; 22), and said second guiding element (10; 9) defines a front slot (33; 23) and a rear slot (34; 24), wherein said front membrane (31; 21) and said rear membrane (32; 32) are introduced into said second guiding element (10; 9) through said front slot (33; 23) and through said rear slot (34; 24), respectively, and / or wherein said front membrane (31; 21) and said rear membrane (32; 22) are fixed in a cantilever arrangement to said second guiding element (10; 9) in correspondence with said front slot (33; 23) and with said rear slot (34; 24), respectively.

[0097] According to a sixty-seventh aspect of the present invention, such sixty-seventh aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the forty-sixth aspect to the sixty-sixth aspect, said step i) is preceded by the step of positioning a casing (35) externally to said tank (3), so as to create a gap (36) between said casing (35) and said tank (3).

[0098] According to a sixty-eighth aspect of the present invention, such sixty-eighth aspect being an aspect depending on the sixty-seventh aspect, the positioning of said casing (35) with respect to said tank (3) is performed by inserting an edge of said tank (3) and an edge of said casing (35) into a first groove and into a second groove, respectively, of said centering element (16), said second groove being formed externally to said first groove and being substantially concentric with said first groove.

[0099] According to a sixty-ninth aspect of the present invention, such sixty-ninth aspect being an aspect depending on the sixtyseventh aspect or the sixty-eighth aspect, said casing (35) is oriented with respect to said tank (3) so that a first hole (37; 38) formed in said casing (35) is substantially aligned with said first opening (4; 5) and optionally a second hole (38; 37) formed in said casing (35) is substantially aligned with said second opening (5; 4).

[0100] According to a seventieth aspect of the present invention, such seventieth aspect being an aspect depending on the sixtyninth aspect, said step ii) is followed by the step of applying a first sealing element (39; 40) to said first hole (37; 38) externally to said first connection element (7; 8) and optionally applying also a second sealing element (40; 39) to said second hole (38; 37) externally to said second connection element (8; 7).

[0101] According to a seventy-first aspect of the present invention, such seventy-first aspect being an aspect depending on the seventieth aspect, said step ii) is further followed by the step of injecting insulating material into said gap (36).

[0102] According to a seventy-second aspect of the present invention, a device (1) for heating water (2) configured to be installed in a line of a thermo-sanitary network, in particular a domestic thermo-sanitary network, is manufactured by means of the method according to any of the aspects from the forty-sixth aspect to the seventy-first aspect.

[0103] According to a first additional aspect of the present invention, said first additional aspect being an independent aspect, a guiding element (9) of a flow of liquid, particularly intended for a use in a device (1) for heating water (2), comprises a tubular body (77), wherein said tubular body (77) defines a conduit (76), wherein said conduit (76) extends at least between an inlet section (85) and a plurality of outlet orifices (12, 13, 14), wherein said tubular body (77) comprises a side wall (18) and a bottom wall (19), wherein said side wall (18) extends parallel to an axis (P) of said tubular body (77), and wherein said bottom wall (19) is opposite to said inlet section (85), wherein said tubular body (77) further comprises a transition wall (25) extending between said side wall (18) and said bottom wall (19), and in that said outlet orifices (12, 13, 14) comprise at least a first outlet orifice (12) formed in said transition wall (25) and at least a second outlet orifice (13, 14) formed in said side wall (18).

[0104] According to a second additional aspect of the present invention, said second additional aspect being an aspect depending on the first additional aspect, there is at least one imaginary plane parallel to said axis (P) that intersects said side wall (18) and said bottom wall (19) and that does not intersect said transition wall (25).

[0105] According to a third additional aspect of the present invention, such third additional aspect being an aspect depending on the second additional aspect, said at least one imaginary plane is a plane passing through said axis (P).

[0106] According to a fourth additional aspect of the present invention, such fourth additional aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the first additional aspect to the third additional aspect, said bottom wall (19) is shaped as a circular segment, in particular as a semicircle.

[0107] According to a fifth additional aspect of the present invention, such fifth additional aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the first additional aspect to the fourth additional aspect, said transition wall (25) is a wall, in particular a flat wall, inclined with respect to said axis (P) by an inclination angle ((B) between 10° and 60°, in particular between 15° and 45°, more in particular by about 30°.

[0108] According to a sixth additional aspect of the present invention, such sixth additional aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the first additional aspect to the fifth additional aspect, letting X be the extent of said transition wall (25) along said axis (P) and Y be the extent of said tubular body (77) along said axis (P), the ratio X / Y lies between 0.05 and 0.25, in particular between 0.1 and 0.18, more in particular about 0.15.

[0109] According to a seventh additional aspect of the present invention, such seventh additional aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the first additional aspect to the sixth additional aspect, said transition wall (25) is configured to define a plane of symmetry of said tubular body (77).

[0110] According to an eighth additional aspect of the present invention, such eighth additional aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the first additional aspect to the seventh additional aspect, a single outlet orifice (12) is formed in said transition wall (25). According to a ninth additional aspect of the present invention, such ninth additional aspect being an aspect depending on the seventh additional aspect and the eighth additional aspect, said plane of symmetry intersects said single outlet orifice (12), in particular wherein the centroid of said single outlet orifice (12) lies on said plane of symmetry.

[0111] According to a tenth additional aspect of the present invention, such tenth additional aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the first additional aspect to the ninth additional aspect, a pair of outlet orifices (13, 14) are formed in said side wall (18).

[0112] According to an eleventh additional aspect of the present invention, such eleventh additional aspect being an aspect depending on the seventh additional aspect and the tenth additional aspect, the outlet orifices (13, 14) of said pair of outlet orifices (13, 14) are equidistant from said inlet section (85) and are arranged symmetrically with respect to said plane of symmetry.

[0113] According to a twelfth additional aspect of the present invention, such twelfth additional aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the first additional aspect to the eleventh additional aspect, said guiding element (9) is a one- piece element, in particular a one-piece and single-material element.

[0114] According to a thirteenth additional aspect of the present invention, such thirteenth additional aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the first additional aspect to the twelfth additional aspect, said guiding element (9) is made of plastic material and / or is devoid of threaded connection means.

[0115] According to a fourteenth additional aspect of the present invention, such fourteenth additional aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the first additional aspect to the thirteenth additional aspect, said guiding element (9) further comprises a plurality of protrusions (17) projecting from said side wall (18) away from said axis (P), wherein said protrusions (17) are configured to deform upon an insertion of said guiding element (9) into a connection element (7) so as to generate static friction between said guiding element (9) and said connection element (7) thereby connecting said guiding element (9) and said connection element (7), in particular wherein said protrusions (17) have an axially-symmetric shape and / or in particular wherein said protrusions (17) are evenly spaced apart from one another.

[0116] According to a fifteenth additional aspect of the present invention, such fifteenth additional aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the first additional aspect to the fourteenth additional aspect, said guiding element (9) further comprising a flange (20) projecting from said side wall (18) away from said axis (P) and surrounding said inlet section (85), wherein said flange (20) is configured to provide said guiding element with an end-of-travel abutment capable of interrupting an insertion of said guiding element (9) into a connection element (7), in particular wherein said flange (20) has an axially-symmetric shape.

[0117] According to a sixteenth additional aspect of the present invention, said sixteenth additional aspect being an aspect depending on the fourteenth additional aspect and the fifteenth additional aspect, said flange (20) extends away from said axis (P) more than each of said protrusions (17) and / or has a thickness greater than the thickness of each of said protrusions (17).

[0118] According to a seventeenth additional aspect of the present invention, such seventeenth additional aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the first additional aspect to the sixteenth additional aspect, said guiding element (9) is provided with at least one reference entity of a visual and / or tactile nature suitable for being used for a verification of the orientation of said guiding element (9).

[0119] According to an eighteenth additional aspect of the present invention, such eighteenth additional aspect being an aspect depending on the fifteenth additional aspect or the sixteenth additional aspect and depending on the seventeenth aspect, said at least one reference entity comprises a notch (48) formed on said flange (20).

[0120] According to a nineteenth additional aspect of the present invention, such nineteenth additional aspect being an aspect depending on the eighteenth additional aspect, said notch (48) is positioned in correspondence with a point on said flange (20) such that, when said guiding element (9) is correctly oriented, said point substantially corresponds to a maximum height of said flange (20).

[0121] According to a twentieth additional aspect of the present invention, such twentieth additional aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the first additional aspect to the nineteenth additional aspect, at least one slot (23, 24) is provided in said side wall (18), said at least one slot (23, 24) being configured to allow at least one membrane (21, 22) intended to selectively occlude a section of said conduit (76) to be introduced into said conduit (76) and / or to be fixed in a cantilever arrangement to said tubular body (77).

[0122] According to a twenty-first additional aspect of the present invention, such twenty-first additional aspect being an aspect depending on the seventh additional aspect and the twentieth additional aspect, said plane of symmetry intersects said at least one slot (23, 24), in particular wherein the centroid of said at least one slot (23, 24) lies on said plane of symmetry.

[0123] According to a twenty-second additional aspect of the present invention, such twenty-second additional aspect being an aspect depending on the twentieth additional aspect or the twenty-first additional aspect, the distance between said at least one slot (23, 24) and said inlet section (85) is less than the distance between said at least one second outlet orifice (13, 14) and said inlet section (85).

[0124] According to a twenty-third additional aspect of the present invention, such twenty-third additional aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the twentieth additional aspect to the twenty-second additional aspect, there is at least one imaginary plane passing through said axis (P) able to divide said side wall (18) into a first half-wall and a second half-wall, said first half-wall being devoid of slots and said second half-wall being devoid of second outlet orifices.

[0125] According to a twenty-fourth additional aspect of the present invention, such twenty-fourth additional aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the twentieth additional aspect to the twenty-third additional aspect, a first slot (23) and a second slot (24) are formed in said side wall (18), said first slot (23) and said second slot (24) being respectively configured to allow a first membrane (21) intended to selectively occlude a first section of said conduit (76) and a second membrane (22) intended to selectively occlude a second section of said conduit (76) to be introduced into said conduit (76) and / or to be fixed in a cantilever arrangement to said tubular body (77).

[0126] According to a twenty-fifth additional aspect of the present invention, an assembly comprises:

[0127] - a guiding element (9) according to the twenty-fourth additional aspect;

[0128] - a first membrane (21) fixed in a cantilever arrangement to said tubular body (77) in correspondence with said first slot (23) and configured to selectively occlude said first section; and

[0129] - a second membrane (22) fixed in a cantilever arrangement to said tubular body (77) in correspondence with said second slot (24) and configured to selectively occlude said second section, wherein there is substantial identity in shape and / or size and / or material between said first membrane (21 ) and said second membrane (22).

[0130] According to a twenty-sixth additional aspect of the present invention, a device (1) for heating water (2) configured to be installed in a line of a thermo-sanitary network, in particular of a domestic thermo-sanitary network, comprises:

[0131] - a tank (3) configured to allow an accumulation of water (2) available in said thermo-sanitary network, said tank (3) defining an inlet opening (4) configured to allow a conveyance of water (2) in said tank (3);

[0132] - a connection element (7) applied, in particular in a fluid-tight manner, to said tank (3) and configured to establish a connection between said tank (3) and said line, said connection element (7) being screwed to said tank (3) at said inlet opening (4), said connection element (7) being in particular a nipple; and

[0133] - a guiding element (9) according to any of the aspects from the first additional aspect to the twenty-fourth additional aspect, said guiding element (9) being at least partially housed within the connection element (7).

[0134] According to a twenty-seventh additional aspect of the present invention, such twenty-seventh additional aspect being an aspect depending on the twenty-sixth additional aspect, said guiding element (9) is press-fitted into said connection element (7), the press-fitting of said guiding element (9) into said at least one connection element (7) being such as to allow each of said outlet orifices (12, 13, 14) to assume a predetermined orientation with respect to said tank (3).

[0135] According to a twenty-eighth additional aspect of the present invention, such twenty-eighth additional aspect being an aspect depending on the twenty-sixth additional aspect or the twenty-seventh additional aspect, said tank (3) is at least partially defined by a side wall (6) and by a bottom wall (29), said side wall defining an axis (V) of said tank (3), wherein said inlet opening (4) is formed in said side wall (6), in particular in a region of said side wall (6) adjacent to said bottom wall (29).

[0136] According to a twenty-ninth additional aspect of the present invention, such twenty-ninth aspect being an aspect depending on the twenty-eighth additional aspect, said bottom wall (29) has a domed configuration, wherein, given a first imaginary point and a second imaginary point belonging to said bottom wall (29), said first imaginary point being closer to said axis (V) of said tank (3) than said second imaginary point, said first imaginary point is located higher than said second imaginary point.

[0137] According to a thirtieth additional aspect of the present invention, such thirtieth additional aspect being an aspect depending on the twenty-eighth additional aspect or the twenty-ninth additional aspect, said axis (V) of said tank (3) is a vertical axis, and said connection element (7) and said guiding element (9) extend along a direction substantially orthogonal to said axis (V) of said tank (3).

[0138] According to a thirty-first additional aspect of the present invention, such thirty-first additional aspect being an aspect depending on any aspects from the twenty-seventh additional aspect to the thirtieth additional aspect, a portion of said guiding element (9) penetrates into said tank (3) and said outlet orifices (12, 13, 14) belong, in particular all belong, to said portion.

[0139] According to a thirty-second additional aspect of the present invention, such thirty-second additional aspect being an aspect depending on the thirty-first additional aspect, at least one of said outlet orifices (12, 13, 14) is at least partially, in particular predominantly, oriented downward.

[0140] According to a thirty-third additional aspect of the present invention, such thirty-third additional aspect being an aspect depending on the thirty-second additional aspect, each of said outlet orifices (12, 13, 14) is at least partially, in particular predominantly, oriented downward.

[0141] According to a thirty-fourth additional aspect of the present invention, such thirty-fourth additional aspect being an aspect depending on any aspects from the thirty-first aspect to the thirty-third aspect, said at least one of said outlet orifices (12, 13, 14) defines a water (2) conveyance direction into said tank (3) and wherein said conveyance direction comprises a first component directed along a vertical direction and a second component lying on a horizontal plane.

[0142] According to a thirty-fifth additional aspect of the present invention, such thirty-fifth additional aspect being an aspect depending on a thirty-fourth aspect, each of said outlet orifices (12, 13, 14) defines a respective water (2) conveyance direction into said tank (3) and wherein each conveyance direction comprises a respective first component directed along a vertical direction and a respective second component lying on a horizontal plane. According to a thirty-sixth additional aspect of the present invention, such thirty-sixth additional aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the thirty-first additional aspect to the thirty-fifth additional aspect, at least one of said outlet orifices (12, 13, 14) is configured to convey water (2) into said tank (3) in correspondence with a minimum level.

[0143] According to a thirty-seventh additional aspect of the present invention, such thirty-seventh additional aspect being an aspect depending on the thirty-sixth additional aspect, each of said outlet orifices (12, 13, 14) is configured to convey water (2) into said tank (3) in correspondence with a minimum level.

[0144] According to a thirty-eighth additional aspect of the present invention, such thirty-eighth additional aspect being an aspect depending on any of the aspects from the twenty-sixth additional aspect to the thirty-sixth additional aspect, said device (1) comprises a heat pump heating arrangement configured to supply heat to water (2) contained in said tank (3).

[0145] Presentation of the drawings

[0146] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below, in a solely explicative and non-limiting way, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0147] - figures 1 - 3 show (respectively in axonometric view, in sectioned axonometric view and in cross-sectional view) a device for heating water according to the present invention, figures 2 and 3 further representing the stratification of water inside the tank;

[0148] - figure 4 shows, in cross-sectional view, elements of the device for heating water according to the present invention of figures 1- 3, which pertain to the inlet in the tank of water coming from the line of thermo-sanitary network;

[0149] - figures 5A - 5D show, sequentially, steps of the method according to the present invention with particular application to the elements of the device for heating water that pertain to the inlet of the water in the tank, i.e. to the elements shown in figure 4;

[0150] - figures 6 and 7 show (respectively in entire cross-sectional view and in detail cross-sectional view) elements of the device for heating water according to the present invention of figures 1 - 3, which pertain to the outlet of water from the tank toward the line of thermo-sanitary network;

[0151] - figures 8A - 8D show, sequentially, steps of the method according to the present invention with particular application to the elements of the device for heating water that pertain to the outlet of the water in the tank, i.e. to the elements shown in figures 6 and 7;

[0152] - figure 9 shows, in axonometric view, a guiding element of a flow of liquid according to the present invention, such guiding element being further shown in figures 2 - 4 installed a device for heating water and in figure 5C in steps of installation in a device for heating water. Detailed description

[0153] Figures 1 - 3 show a device 1 for heating water according to the present invention, that can be referred to as “water heater" device and that is arranged for an installation within a thermo-sanitary network. More in detail, the device 1 is installable along a line of a domestic thermo-sanitary network, in particular between a branch of such line upstream of the device 1 (through which the network water is supplied to the device 1) and a branch of such line downstream of the device 1 (through which water withdrawn from the device 1 is conveyed toward one or more user points such as showers or similar). The branches of the line upstream and downstream of the tank, that are not shown in figures, are formed by hydraulic conduits capable of connecting to the device 1, by being provided for example with female threading at one end.

[0154] The device 1 comprises a tank 3 configured to enable an accumulation of water available in the thermo-sanitary network, according to a predefined capacity (that can be in the range of 80 to 100 liters). In the embodiment shown in figures 1 - 3, the tank 3 predominantly develops in the height direction and has advantageously a substantially axially-symmetric configuration, with a roughly cylindrical side wall 6. The side wall 6 can have a circular transversal section (as shown in figures), being typically obtained by calendering metal sheet, or can alternatively have a different section, for example, a square section.

[0155] The tank 3 is defined at its lower end by a bottom wall 29 secured (preferably welded) to the side wall 6. For the purpose of providing a better resistance to water load, the bottom wall 29 advantageously has a dome-shaped configuration, which is a configuration that defines a concavity. In this regard, it is noted that in the embodiment shown in the figures attached to the present patent application, the concavity of the bottom wall 29 faces downward, so that the bottom wall 29 reaches its maximum height in correspondence with the axis V of tank 3. However, the concavity of the bottom wall 29 can alternatively be oriented upward.

[0156] The device 1 comprises further a casing 35 that is positioned externally to the tank 3 and that determines the outer encumbrance of the device 1. The configuration of the casing 35 optionally traces the one of the tank 3, so that also the casing 35 can have a substantially axially-symmetric configuration, with a roughly cylindrical side wall.

[0157] The casing 35 has transversal section larger than the transversal section of the tank 3, so that between the tank 3 and the casing 35 is formed a gap 36. For the purpose of achieving an adequate insulation of the tank 3, the gap 36 is advantageously filled with insulating material, such as for example a foam with thermal insulation properties injected into the gap 36, typically a polyurethane foam. Alternatively, the thermal insulation of the tank 3 can be obtained with techniques alternative to filling the gap with insulation, for example by placing the gap at a lower pressure than atmospheric pressure.

[0158] It is particularly profitable to have a thermal insulation as uniform as possible along the entire circumferential development of the tank 3, so that the gap 36 has a roughly axially-symmetric configuration. In other terms, the gap 36 has a substantially constant thickness. For this purpose, the device 1 advantageously implements suitable measures to obtain a stable and precise relative positioning of the tank 3 with respect to the casing 35. In an embodiment of the present invention, particularly profitable when the concavity of the bottom wall 29 of the tank 3 is oriented downward (as in the attached figures), the device 1 comprises a centering element 16 (typically of plastic material) that defines at least a groove, in which it is inserted the lower edge of the side wall 6 of the tank 3.

[0159] It can be appreciated that, in the attached figures, the centering element 16 is shown with cross configuration. However, the centering element 16 can have a different configuration, for example a disk configuration. It can be further appreciated that, still in the attached figures, the centering element 16 has a plurality of grooves concentric to each other. The shown configuration of the centering element 16 with two or more concentric grooves is particularly advantageous, since it allows to use the same centering element 16 for tanks with different diameter.

[0160] The centering element 16 is advantageously anchored to a base 11 of the device 1 . For example, the base 11 can have a central pin that protrudes axially and fits into a corresponding hole formed in the centering element 16. In addition, or alternatively, the centering element 16 can be screwed to the base 11 .

[0161] Advantageously, the base 11 shows circumferentially an annular edge extending upward. The positioning of the casing 35 can occur by interposing the lower edge of the side wall of the casing 35 between the centering element 16 and the annular edge of the base 11. Once obtained such a positioning, the casing 35 can be welded to the base 11. Alternatively, the casing 35 can be positioned providing for a dedicated groove in the centering element 16 and then inserting the lower edge of the side wall of the casing 35 in such dedicated groove.

[0162] The device 1 according to the invention comprises a heating arrangement configured to supply heat to the water contained in the tank 3. In the embodiment of the present invention to be considered as preferred embodiment, the heating arrangement installed in the device 1 is of the heat pump typology. However, it should be specified that the present invention is not to be considered limited in any way in this respect, since, for example, either a heating arrangement of the electric type or a heating arrangement of the gas type could be alternatively installed in the device 1.

[0163] Having necessarily stated this, returning to the particular heat pump embodiment, it is intended to note that this embodiment form makes use of a heat-transfer fluid (typically a refrigerant fluid) which transfers part of its thermal content to the water contained within the tank 3, such thermal content being supplied to the heat-transfer fluid by means of a thermodynamic unit which, during operation of the device 1, processes the heat-transfer fluid by implementing a refrigeration cycle. Such thermodynamic unit will not be hereafter described in detail with reference to its components, these being singularly known components (compressor, evaporator, and so on) and completely unrelated to the characteristics of the present invention.

[0164] The thermodynamic unit is advantageously arranged in correspondence with the top of the device 1 , that is above the tank 3. To the thermodynamic unit can be associated suitable cooling means to avoid undesirable overheating, wherein such cooling means may be, in an embodiment, of the forced-air typology. In addition to the thermodynamic unit, the device 1 comprises also a tubing inside through which the heat-transfer fluid processed by the thermodynamic unit is circulated, the tubing and the thermodynamic unit being integrated with each other according to a closed circuit configuration.

[0165] The tubing of the heat pump heating arrangement is housed at least partially (in particular predominantly) in the gap 36 and is typically embedded in the insulation material. To achieve a suitable heat transfer from the heat-transfer fluid to the water contained in the tank 3, a part of the tubing (in particular a predominant part) runs in contact with the side surface 6 of the tank 3 defining a plurality of turns 41. It is observed that, in the example of device 1 shown in figures 2 and 3, the turns 41 of the tubing of the heat pump heating arrangement are arranged according to two rows arranged respectively in correspondence with the lower portion and the central portion of the tank 3. Different arrangements of the turns 41 in relation to both the number of rows and the positioning of the rows are also possible. As an explanatory but not limiting example, turns 41 can be evenly distributed along the entire height of tank 3.

[0166] In addition to the heating arrangement, the device 1 can include additional functional components such as control elements, sensor devices, control and safety valves, and so on, which are not described in detail here, being singularly known functional components and the present invention being entirely independent of the characteristics of such functional components.

[0167] It can be appreciated that, in figures 2 and 3, the device 1 is shown in a use condition, in which there is accumulation of water 2 inside the tank 3. The filling that is applied inside the tank 3 in figures 2 and 3 and that becomes increasingly blurred as the height increases is intended to represent the stratification of the temperature of water 2 that ideally sets inside the tank 3 when the device 1 is in a use condition. Based on such ideal stratification, which is due to convective motions occurring within tank 3 due to the temperature dependent nature of water density, the temperature gradually varies between a minimum value reached in correspondence with the bottom wall 29 and a maximum value reached in correspondence with the top of tank 3.

[0168] Since the energy efficiency of device 1 is the greater the lesser the perturbations to the ideal temperature stratification of water 2 within the tank 3, the present invention proposes to make the points and directions of supply of the water 2 into the tank 3 and / or of withdrawal of the water 2 from the tank 3 as repeatable as possible, so that these supply and withdrawal points can be located respectively as low as possible and as high as possible, and so that these directions can be properly oriented. In fact, the Applicant has found that known construction techniques do not provide any reliability about the positioning of the conveyance points of water 2 in the tank 3 and / or withdrawal of water 2 from the tank 3 and about the orientation of the flows of water entering the tank 3 and / or exiting the tank 3.

[0169] The tank 3 comprises a pair of openings 4 and 5 that respectively allow the inlet of water in the tank 3 from a thermo- sanitary line that acts as a supply line and the outlet of water from the tank 3 to a thermo-sanitary line that acts as a utilization line. Advantageously, both the openings 4 and 5 are obtained in correspondence with the side wall 6 of the tank 3. However, the present invention is not limited in this sense, since for example at least one between the openings 4 and 5 may be obtained in correspondence with the top of the tank 3. The openings 4 and 5 are advantageously identical or similar in terms of geometry and extension. In particular, the openings 4 and 5 are both circular-shaped openings. The opening 4 through which occurs the inlet of water in the tank 3, is advantageously located in a lower region of the tank 6 (i.e., in a position adjacent to the bottom wall 29), while the opening 5, through which the water outlet from the tank 3 occurs, is advantageously located in an upper region of the tank 3 (i.e., in a position remote from the bottom wall 29).

[0170] The casing 35 comprises a pair of holes 37 and 38 corresponding to the openings 4 and 5 of the tank 3. In particular, the hole 37 is arranged in a lower region of the casing 35 and is substantially coaxial to the opening 4 of the water inlet in the tank 3, while the hole 38 is arranged in a higher region of the casing 35 and is substantially coaxial to the outlet opening 5 of the water from the tank 3. Advantageously, sealing elements 39 and 40 (preferably made of plastic material) are associated with holes 37 and 38 with the purpose of avoiding that an appreciable leakage of the insulating material through the holes 37 and 38, when the insulating material is injected into the gap 36. In a possible embodiment (shown in figures), the sealing elements 39 and 40 both have a configuration that provides for a tubular portion housed in the gap 36 and a flange portion that extends away from the tubular portion in correspondence with one of the ends, the flange portion being configured to press against the outer surface of the casing 35 so as to create a seal.

[0171] For the purpose of fluidically connecting the tank 3 with the supply thermo-sanitary line and the utilization thermo-sanitary line, the device 1 comprises a pair of connection elements 7 and 8 wherein the connection element 7 acts as an inlet connection element, being associated with the inlet opening 4, and wherein the connection element 8 acts instead as an outlet connection element, being associated with the outlet opening 5. The connection elements 7 and 8 are advantageously identical or similar to each other, having both preferably tubular configuration with circular-shaped transversal section.

[0172] The connection elements 7 and 8 are both screwed to the tank 3 in correspondence with one of their ends and screwed to the hydraulic conduit of the respective line. Where appropriate for the purpose of improving the sealing between the tank 3 and the connecting elements 7 and 8, gaskets can be provided.

[0173] In order to allow the connection elements 7 and 8 to be screwed to the tank 3, the tank 3 is provided with a pair of bushings 42 and 43 which, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are connected to the tank 3 by means of welding. Both bushings 42 and 43 protrude from the outer surface of the tank 3, in particular from the outer surface of the side wall 6. The bushings 42 and 43 preferably have an annular shape and have a circular-shaped transversal section. The bushings 42 and 43 are applied to the tank 3 so as to respectively surround the inlet opening 4 and the outlet opening 5, in particular there being a condition of substantial coaxiality between each bushing 42 and 43 and the corresponding one between the openings 4 and 5. As can be seen from the attached figures, the bushings 42 and 43 are advantageously used for the connection to the tank 3, further than of the connection elements 7 and 8 but also of sealing elements 39 and 40.

[0174] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connection elements 7 and 8 are both provided with male threading in correspondence with each of its own ends. It should be noted that a connection element provided with male threading at each end is commonly referred to as a “nipple” in the technical field of thermo-sanitary plants, so in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, connection elements 7 and 8 are both nipples. For the purpose of allowing the connection elements 7 and 8 configured as nipples to be screwed to tank 3, bushings 42 and 43 are consequently provided with female threading. The screwing of connection elements 7 and 8 to bushings 42 and 43 causes the ends of connection elements 7 and 8 that operate the connection to tank 3 to be positioned inside the bushings 42 and 43. The connection elements 7 and 8 advantageously have a respective length that exceeds the thickness of the gap 36, so that the ends of the connection elements 7 and 8 by means of which the connection to the thermo- sanitary network lines occurs are located outside the encumbrance of the enclosure 35.

[0175] The connection elements 7 and 8, in particular nipples, have an axially-symmetric configuration. The axis of the connection element 7 is substantially orthogonal to a plane tangent to the surface of the tank 3 in correspondence with the inlet opening 4, as the axis of the connection element 8 is substantially orthogonal to a plane tangent to the surface of the tank 3 in correspondence with the outlet opening 5. In other terms, the axis of the connection elements 7 and 8 are both arranged radially with respect to the development directions of the tank 3.

[0176] It should be specified that, in light of the axially-symmetry of connection elements 7 and 8, a relatively higher or a relatively lower screwing of the connection elements 7 and 8 respectively to the bushings 42 and 43 does not determine any variation regarding the flows of water entering the tank 3 and exiting the tank 3, in particular with respect to the directions of such flows. In other terms, the present invention does not in any way assume that connecting elements 7 and 8, in particular nipples, must assume a predetermined orientation. The orientation of the connection elements 7 and 8 with respect to the tank 3 can in fact be any.

[0177] For the purpose of allowing water to be supplied into the tank 3 according to a predetermined position and orientation (compatible with the above-described stratification and thus functional in achieving significant energy efficiency benefits), the device 1 comprises a guiding element 9 that is partially housed in the nipple (or more generally of the connection element 7) associated with the inlet opening 4 of the tank 3 and that has one or more orifices through which the water deriving from the supply line of the thermo-sanitary network is conveyed into the tank 3. Since water transits through these orifices in the flow direction that goes from the guiding element 9 to the tank 3, the orifices of the guiding element 9 can be defined “inlet orifices” considering as reference the tank 3 or “outlet orifices” considering as reference the guiding element 9.

[0178] Relevant characteristics of the guiding element 9 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention can be especially appreciated in figure 4 and figure 9, which respectively represent a sectional view of a particular of the device 1 and an axonometric view of the sole guiding element 9. As it can be appreciated in figures 4 and 9, the guiding element 9 is optionally a tubular element substantially coaxial to the connection element 7, that defines therein a conduit by means of which the water is conveyed from the thermo-sanitary line to the tank 3 and that communicates with the tank 3 through orifices formed in correspondence with a portion of the guiding element 9 inside the tank 3.

[0179] Analogously, for the purpose of allowing water to be withdrawn from the tank 3 according to a predetermined position and a predetermined orientation (compatible with the above-described stratification and thus functional in achieving significant energy efficiency benefits), the device 1 comprises an additional guiding element 10 that is partially housed in the nipple (or more generally of the connection element 8) associated with the outlet opening 5 of the tank 3 and that has one or more orifices (typically a sole orifice) through which the water withdrawn from the tank 3 is supplied to the utilization line of the thermo-sanitary network. Since water transits through these orifices in the flow direction that goes from the tank 3 to the guiding element 10, each orifice of the guiding element 10 can be defined “outlet orifice” considering as reference the tank 3 or “inlet orifice” considering as reference the guiding element 10.

[0180] Relevant characteristics of the guiding element 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention can be especially appreciated in figure 6 and figure 7, which respectively represent a sectional view of a particular of the device 1 and a detail of the sectional view of figure 6. From figures 6 and 7 it is clearly inferred that the guiding element 10 is optionally a tubular element that defines therein a conduit and that shows, in correspondence with an its own end advantageously positioned near the axis V of the tank 3, an open section through which the water is withdrawn from the tank 3 to be conveyed into the thermo-sanitary line.

[0181] As it is unequivocally inferred from figures, it constitutes a peculiar characteristic of both the guiding element 9, and the guiding element 10, to be shaped as inserts that press-fit in the respective connection elements 7 and 8, so that the guiding elements 9 and 10, once the respective insertions have been completed, result connected to the corresponding connection elements 7 and 8 by static friction. Advantageously, the connection of the guiding elements 9 and 10 to the corresponding connection elements 7 and 8 occurs exclusively by static friction, in particular the guiding elements 9 and 10 being devoid of threaded connection means. More in particular, the outer surfaces of the guiding elements 9 and 10 are devoid of threaded connection means. Consequently, also the outer surfaces of the connection elements 7 and 8 are devoid of threaded connection means.

[0182] The configuration of the guiding elements 9 and 10 as press-fitted inserts allows the guiding elements 9 and 10 to be inserted in the corresponding connection elements 7 and 8 by means of a respective translation that occurs along the axial development direction of the connection elements 7 and 8 (that, in the embodiment of the invention shown in figures, coincides with the radial development direction of the tank 3). In particular, no rotation of the guiding elements 9 and 10 is necessary for their insertion in the connection elements 7 and 8.

[0183] In light of the above, it is understood that the orientation assumed by the guiding elements 9 and 10 at the beginning of their respective insertion in the corresponding connection elements 7 and 8 is then kept substantially unaltered during the insertion, determining thereby the orientation assumed by the guiding elements 9 and 10 once installed in the device 1 .

[0184] It is extremely advantageous, since the present invention, distinctly distinguishing from the known art, allows a precise and reliable control of the orientation of the guiding elements 9 and 10. Consequently, once a desired orientation of the guiding elements 9 and 10 has been defined, is sufficient to arrange the guiding elements 9 and 10 according to such desired orientation at the beginning of their respective insertion in the connection elements 7 and 8, so that such desired orientation is then obtained when the guiding elements 9 and 10 are brought to arrange themselves in their respective installation positions in the tank 3. This desired orientation is then steadily kept thanks to the static friction that acts between each one of the guiding elements 9 and 10 and the corresponding one of the connection elements 7 and 8 and that prevents in particular the guiding elements 9 and 10 from rotating with respect to the connection elements 7 and 8.

[0185] The benefits of the present invention in terms of controlling the orientation of the guiding elements 9 and 10 are most prominently manifested when the configuration of these latter is such that the flow characteristics, as well as the perturbation effects affecting the ideal stratification of the temperature of water 2 within the tank 3, depend on the orientation assumed by the guiding elements 9 and 10. In conjunction with such configurations of guiding elements 9 and 10 (which are in particular the configurations shown in the attached figures), it is in fact sufficient that the guiding elements 9 and 10 are, at the beginning of their insertion into the connection elements 7 and 8, arranged according to their respective orientation of least perturbation to the ideal temperature stratification, so that substantially the same orientation is then obtained upon reaching the respective installation position for guiding elements 9 and 10.

[0186] From the above, it is then unequivocally inferred that the present invention, ensuring a reliable and notably precise control of the orientation of the guiding elements 9 and 10, significantly contributes to the energy efficiency of the device 1 .

[0187] From a constructive point of view, the guiding elements 9 and 10 can have common characteristics, in particular at least some of the shared constructive characteristics that will be shown below according to a discussion common to guiding elements 9 and 10.

[0188] A first possible common characteristic among the guiding elements 9 and 10 is represented by providing deformable formations on the respective outer surface, which, in the course of inserting guiding elements 9 and 10 within the corresponding connection elements 7 and 8, lose their original configuration in favor of a deformed configuration capable of determining an increase in static friction between the external side surface of the guiding elements 9 and 10 and the inner side surface of the corresponding connection elements 7 and 8. The above-mentioned deformable formations can be formed integrally with the guiding elements 9 and 10. Alternatively, the above mentioned deformable formations can be applied to the external side surface of the guiding elements 9 and 10 and eventually differ from the remaining components of guiding elements 9 and 10 by material, as they may be made of rubber or silicone for example. The increase of static friction obtained by means of the deformable formations allows a stabilization of the position and orientation of the guiding elements 9 and 10, acting as an effective resistance in particular toward undesired rotations of the guiding elements 9 and 10 that would change their orientation with respect to the tank 3.

[0189] In the embodiment of the present invention that is shown in the attached figures in a solely explicative and non-limiting way, the above-mentioned formations are realized as deformable protrusions 17 (as far as the guiding element 9 is concerned) and 27 (as far as the guiding element 10 is concerned), which, in the respective original configuration, have a substantially ring shape, projecting from the external surface of the guiding elements 9 and 10 orthogonally to the axis of these latter. The deformable protrusions 17 and 27 are substantially evenly spaced apart from one another.

[0190] A second possible common characteristic among the guiding elements 9 and 10 is represented by providing a respective end-of-travel abutment that, during the insertion, comes into abutment against a corresponding surface of the connection elements 7 and 8, causes the stop of the insertion when a predetermined penetration is reached and thus determines the position assumed by the guiding elements 9 and 10 within the device 1.

[0191] In the embodiment of the present invention that is shown in the attached figures in a solely explicative and non-limiting way, the above-mentioned end-of-travel abutment is obtained providing the guiding elements 9 and 10 each with a respective flange 20 (as far as the guiding element 9 is concerned) and 30 (as far as the guiding element 10 is concerned), which projects from a respective end of the guiding elements 9 and 10 starting from the external side surface, until reaching a diameter that exceeds the inner diameter of the respective one among the connection elements 7 and 8. Alternatively to the flanges 20 and 30 that develop seamlessly along the circumferential direction, the end-of-travel abutments can be obtained providing the guiding elements 9 and 10 with a discrete number of projections distributed along the circumferential direction. Both flanges 20 and 30 and distributed projections are advantageously obtained as one piece with the respective guiding elements 9 and 10.

[0192] A third possible common characteristic among the guiding elements 9 and 10 is represented by providing visual and / or tactile reference means conceived to assist the operators in charge of assembling the guiding elements 9 and 10 to the tank 3, with the purpose of making the orientation of the guiding elements 9 and 10 even more reliable and precise.

[0193] According to what is represented, in an explicative and non-limiting way, in figures, the reference means comprise notches

[0194] 48 and 49 (interpretable as indicators) attached to the guiding elements 9 and 10 in correspondence with respective points that must be at the top when the guiding elements 9 and 10 are oriented correctly. Advantageously, the notches 48 and

[0195] 49 are obtained in correspondence with points of the guiding elements 9 and 10 that remain visible both during the insertion of the guiding elements 9 and 10 in the corresponding connection elements 7 and 8, and subsequently to the completion of the insertion of the guiding elements 9 and 10, so as to enable the operators to perform a visual check about the correctness of the orientation of the guiding elements 9 and 10, once completed the assembly of these latter to the tank 3.

[0196] A fourth possible common characteristic among the guiding elements 9 and 10 is represented by the association to the guiding elements 9 and 10 of means suitable for preventing that the water 2 accumulating in the tank 3 can lose an appreciable part of its thermal content, due to convective phenomena that would otherwise cause an undesired leakage of water 2 heated inside the tank 3 to the supply and withdrawal lines, which contain water at a significantly lower temperature. These means are known in the technical field of the invention with the designation “heat trap” and can comprise valves, tubing rings or similar.

[0197] In the embodiment of the present invention that is shown in the attached figures in an explicative and non-limiting way, to each among the guiding elements 9 and 10 is associated a respective pair of membranes of elastic and / or flexible material, which have the function of heat traps, behaving as selective shut-off members. In fact, the membranes are configured each one to determine, in the absence of flow, the occlusion of a respective section of the guiding elements 9 and 10, in order to prevent or oppose the phenomena of natural convection, which otherwise would cause an undesired leakage of heated water from the tank 3. The membranes are further configured to flex in presence of flow along guiding elements 9 and 10, thus temporarily suppressing the previously described sealing. The membranes have among them preferably an identity or similarity in shape and / or size and / or material.

[0198] In order to allow the membranes to be each one anchored in a cantilever arrangement to the respective one between the guiding elements 9 and 10, the guiding elements 9 and 10 have slots (formed in particular in correspondence with the side wall) that allow advantageously the membranes to be inserted in the respective guiding elements 9 and 10 along a direction orthogonal to the axis and then to be fixed to the guiding elements 9 and 10 in correspondence with one of their edges.

[0199] In the example of the implementation of the present invention shown in figures, the guiding element 9 (that is the guiding element arranged in correspondence with the inlet opening 4 of the tank 3) comprises the pair of membranes 21 and 22, respectively anchored to the guiding element 9 by means of slots 23 and 24, whereas the guiding element 10 (that is the guiding element arranged in correspondence with the outlet opening 5 of the tank 3) comprises the pair of membranes 31 and 32, respectively anchored to the guiding element 10 by means of the slots 33 and 34.

[0200] From a constructive point of view, the guiding elements 9 and 10 have furthermore characteristics among them specific and distinct, due to the peculiarities of the function performed by each one of the guiding elements 9 and 10. Such specific and distinct characteristics will be detailed hereafter, first by showing the guiding element 9 (that is the guiding element arranged in correspondence with the inlet opening 4 of the tank 3) according to the embodiment of the invention shown in particular in figures 4 and 9 and then the guiding element 10 (that is the guiding element arranged in correspondence with the outlet opening 5 of the tank 3) according to the embodiment of the invention shown in particular in figures 6 and 7.

[0201] The guiding element 9 (i.e., the guiding element which, in device 1 , is responsible for directing into tank 3 the incoming flow of water from the supply line of the thermo-sanitary network) in itself has characteristics that result distinctive with respect to the state of the art, so that an invention must be recognized in the configuration of the guiding element 9 itself (even considered independently of the additional elements of device 1 ). Such inventive configuration of the guiding element 9 will be hereinafter described, referring mainly to the representations of figures 4 and 9.

[0202] The guiding element 9 (advantageously made as a one-piece element of plastic material) comprises a tubular body 77, that develops along an axis P and that defines therein a conduit 76. The tubular body 77 comprises in turn a side wall 18 that extends parallel to the axis P from a section 85, which, in use, acts as inlet section for the water from a line of a thermo-sanitary network for the guiding element 9. The tubular body 77 comprises, furthermore, in a position opposite with respect to the section 85, a bottom wall 19. A plurality of orifices are obtained on the tubular body 77, such orifices allowing, in use, the water that flows along the conduit 76 to exit the guiding element 9 typically for reaching the inside of the tank 3.

[0203] Characteristically, the tubular body 77 further comprises a transition wall 25 interposed between the side wall 18 and the bottom wall 19. In the embodiment of the guiding element 9 shown in an explicative and non-limiting way in figures 4 and 9, the bottom wall 19 has a semicircle, or, more generally, circular segment configuration. There is then an imaginary plane (that is passing through the axis P or parallel to the axis P and that is substantially horizontal when the guiding element 9 is correctly installed in the device 1) that intersects the side wall 18 and the bottom wall 19, but that does not intersect the transition wall 25.

[0204] The transition wall 25 can be formed by a flat wall. In particular, as it can be seen in figure 4, the transition wall 25 defines an inclination angle p with respect to the axis P. Preferably, the inclination angle p is between 10° and 60°. More preferably, the inclination angle p is in particular between 15° and 45°. Even more preferably, the inclination angle p is about 30°. It should be specified, however, that, the transition wall 25 can assume configurations different with respect to the flat one. For example, the transition wall 25 can be configured as curved wall with concavity oriented downward.

[0205] Independently of the flat or curved configuration of the transition wall 25, it results in any case profitable to arrange a transition wall 25 substantially symmetrical with respect to its own symmetry plane. In an embodiment particularly advantageous of the present invention, the symmetry plane of the transition wall 25 coincides with a symmetry plane of the entire guiding element 9.

[0206] Regarding to the extension of the transition wall 25 along the axis P of the guiding element 9, the dimensions X and Y in figure 4 represent the extension along the axis P respectively of the transition wall 25 and the tubular body 77. In advantageous embodiments of the present invention, the ratio X / Y lies between 0.05 and 0.25, in particular between 0.1 and 0.18, more in particular about 0.15.

[0207] Characteristically, the orifices of the guiding element 9 (which act in particular as outlet orifices) comprise at least one orifice formed in the transition wall 25 and at least an orifice formed in the side wall 18.

[0208] In the embodiment of the guiding element 9 represented in an explicative and non-limiting way in figures 4 and 9, a first orifice 12 is formed in the transition wall 25, whereas a second orifice 13 and a third orifice 14 are formed in the side wall 18. The orifices can assume any shape among circular shape, oval shape, quadrangular shape, and so on. As it can be seen in particular in figure 9, in a possible example of guiding element 9, the positioning of the orifices replicates an ideally isosceles triangle distribution, being the distance between the first orifice 12 and the second orifice 13 substantially equal to the distance between the first orifice 12 and the third orifice 14. In other terms, there is an imaginary plane (that passes through the axis P and that is substantially vertical when the guiding element 9 is correctly installed in the device 1) that bisects the first orifice 12 (acting in particular as symmetry plane for this latter) and with respect to which the second orifice 13 and the third orifice 14 are arranged in positions mirroring each other.

[0209] Consequently, the distance between the second orifice 13 and the inlet section 85 is substantially equal to the distance between the third orifice 14 and the inlet section 85. In other terms, the second orifice 13 and the third orifice 14 are arranged on the side wall 18 of the tubular body 77 along a circumferential direction. The guiding element 9 is advantageously configured as an insert, so that it can be press-fitted into a connection element substantially coaxial to the guiding element 9, thereby remaining steadily constrained to the connection element (so that the rotations of the guiding element 9 around the axis of the connection element are in particular prevented). Coherently with its predisposition to be press-fitted within a connection element, the guiding element 9 is devoid (at least on the external surface of the side wall 18) of threaded connection means.

[0210] In order to increase the static friction that sets between the external side surface of the tubular body 77 and the inner side surface of the connection element upon the insertion of the tubular body 77, the guiding element 9 comprises further a plurality of protrusions 17 projecting from the side wall 18, away from the axis P of the tubular body 77, the protrusions 17 being configured to deform upon the insertion of the guiding element 9 in the connection element 7 and being preferably evenly spaced apart from one another. In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the protrusions 17 have axially-symmetric shape, in particular annular shape.

[0211] Advantageously, the guiding element 9 comprises a flange 20 that protrudes from the side wall 18 so as to surround the inlet section 85. The extension of the flange 20 in radial direction, as well as in axial direction, exceeds the extension of any of the protrusions 17. Alternatively to the flange 20 that develops seamlessly along the circumferential direction, the guiding element 9 can be provided with a discrete number of projections distributed along the circumferential direction.

[0212] The annular surface of the flange 20 oriented toward the bottom wall 19 is suitable for acting as end-of-travel abutment, stopping the insertion of the guiding element 9 in the connection element once the correct position of installation of the guiding element 9 has been reached. The annular surface opposite to the flange 20 can be instead used for providing a visual evidence on the correct orientation of the guiding element 9. In the embodiment shown in the attached figures, the annular surface opposite to the flange 20 defines in particular a notch 48 that is positioned at the top when the guiding element 9 is correctly oriented.

[0213] Advantageously, the guiding element 9 comprises means suitable for performing the function of heat trap or is arranged for the application of means suitable for performing the function of heat trap. In particular, the guiding element 9 is arranged for the application of one or more membranes configured to prevent, when the guiding element 9 is installed in a device for heating water, the leakage of heated water from the tank of the device due to the onset of convective phenomena.

[0214] Optionally, the guiding element 9 provides for at least one slot formed in correspondence with the side wall 18 and configured to allow the cantilever fixing of a membrane capable of occluding selectively a section of the conduit 76 between the inlet section 85 and the orifice arranged at the shortest distance from the inlet section 85. In the embodiment shown in figures, the guiding element 9 provides for a pair of slots 23 and 24, configured to allow the cantilever fixing of the respective membranes 21 and 22 capable of determining a selective occlusion of corresponding sections of conduit 76, the membranes 21 and 22 being preferably identical or similar to each other in shape and / or size and / or material .

[0215] Advantageously, between the slots 23 and 24 there is a spacing exclusively along the axial direction, being instead the slots 23 and 24 substantially aligned to each other along the circumferential direction. Since a symmetry plane exists for the transition wall 25, such plane acts preferably also as symmetry plane for each of the slots 23 and 24. In a preferred embodiment, the slots 23 and 24 are obtained in a region of the side wall 18 radially opposite to the region of the side wall wherein the at least one orifice is formed, in particular the orifices 13 and 14. In other terms, the side wall 18 can be divided into two half-walls separated from each other by an imaginary plane passing through the axis P, so that a first half-wall (that can be defined “lower half-wall”) includes the orifices 13 and 14, but is devoid of slots, whereas a second half-wall (that can be defined “upper half-wall”) includes the slots 23 and 24, but is devoid of orifices.

[0216] The above-described configuration of the guiding element 9, that can be defined “flute-mouth shaped”, with the provision of a transition wall 25 and with the distribution of the orifices between the side wall 18 and the transition wall 25, is entirely functional to the obtaining of a higher energy efficiency of the device 1, resulting particularly advantageous for a use of such guiding element 9 for the inlet of water from the line of the thermo-sanitary network to the tank 3, especially in correspondence with a conformation of the bottom wall 29 of the tank 3 with concavity oriented downward (as the conformation of the bottom wall 29 represented in figures 2 and 3).

[0217] In fact, the reliability and the precision of the orientation of the guiding element 9 made possible by the present invention ensure that, when the guiding element 9 is applied to the device 1 , the orifices are all oriented downward, so that the mains water, at the supply in the tank 3, is subject to a push that tends to move it in the direction of the bottom wall 29, i.e. toward the zone of the inner volume of the tank 3 wherein the temperature of the water has its own minimum value. It results that the disruptions to the ideal stratification of the temperature of the water induced by the introduction of the network water are minimized and, consequently, the characteristics of the energy efficiency of the device 1 are increased.

[0218] It is underlined that, according to the above-described configuration of the guiding element 9, from the arrangement of the first orifice 12 in correspondence with the transition wall 25, it results that the flow of the inlet water to the tank 3 through the first orifice 12 has, further than an axial component, also a radial component. Furthermore, from the arrangement of the second orifice 13 and of the third orifice 14 in correspondence with the positions mirroring each other of the side wall 18, it results that the flows of the inlet water to the tank 3 through the second orifice 13 and the third orifice 14 have, further than an axial component, also respective components tangential to each other. In light of the above, it results that the inlet water is distributed rather evenly across the entire plan extent of the tank 3, for a further advantage of the energy efficiency of the device 1.

[0219] Therefore, the above-described isosceles triangle distribution of orifices acts synergistically with respect to the reliability and precision of the orientation of the guiding element 9 in making the device 1 more efficient from an energetic point of view. It is underlined that the above-described isosceles triangle distribution of orifices allows, by calibrating the size of the second orifice 13 and of the third orifice 14 with respect to the size of the first orifice 12, to vary the distribution of the inlet water in the tank 3, according to needs, for example by adapting it to the characteristics of the bottom wall 29 of the tank 3.

[0220] The configuration of the guiding element 10 (i.e. of the guiding element that, in the device 1, is designed to direct towards the use line of the thermo-sanitary network the water flow exiting from the tank 3) will be then described below, referring mainly to the sectional views of figure 6 and figure 7 wherein figure 6 shows the guiding element 10 in its entirety, while figure 7 represents a detail particularly important of the above shown in figure 6.

[0221] The guiding element 10 comprises a first member 26 and a second member 28, where the first member 26 acts as connection member of the guiding element to the tank 3 by means of the connection element 8 while the second member 28 acts as a draw-off member of the water in the tank 3.

[0222] The first member 26 of the guiding element 10 is formed by a tubular body typically made of plastic material. The first member 26 defines, in correspondence with an its own end, a section 93 suitable for acting, in use, as outlet section. The first member 26 develops along an axis S that, when the guiding element 10 is installed in the device 1, is substantially orthogonal to the axis V of the tank 3.

[0223] The first member 26 of the guiding element 10 is responsible for establishing a connection by static friction between the guiding element 10 and the connection element 8. To this end, the first member 26 is advantageously configured as an insert, so that it can be press-fitted in the connection element 8 with respect thereto the first member 26 of the guiding element 9 results substantially coaxial. The first member 26 is devoid of threaded connection means at least on its outer surface.

[0224] Analogously to what has been described above with particular reference to the guiding element 9 also the first member 26 of the guiding element 10 advantageously comprises a plurality of protrusions 27 that project from the side wall of the first member away from the axis S. At the insertion of the guiding element 10 in the connection element 8, the protrusions 27 are intentionally subjected to deformation, such as to increase the static friction and to prevent rotations of the guiding element 10 that would change undesirably its orientation.

[0225] Analogously to what has been described above with particular reference to the guiding element 9 also the first member 26 of the guiding element 10 advantageously comprises a flange 30 projecting from the side wall, surrounding the section 93. The flange 30 defines an annular surface suitable for acting as end-of-travel abutment, stopping the insertion of the guiding element 10 in the connection element 8 once reached the correct position of installation of the guiding element 10.

[0226] Analogously to what has been described above with particular reference to the guiding element 9 also the first member 26 of the guiding element 10 advantageously has a notch 49 defined in the annular surface of the flange 30, opposite to the one that acts as end-of-travel abutment and that is suitable for providing a visual evidence on the correct orientation of the guiding element 10, having to be above when the insertion of the guiding element 10 in the connection element 8 is completed.

[0227] The second member 28 of the guiding element 10 is also formed by a tubular body. The second member 28 can be made of metallic material. Alternatively, the second member 28 can be made of a plastic material that can differ from the plastic material of which is made the first member 26 or coincide with the plastic material of which it is made the first member 26. The second member 28 develops from an orifice 15 that has the function of a draw-off section of the water in the tank 3 until reaching an interface section with the first member 26. The second member 28 has an extension notably higher with respect to the extension of the first member 26, such difference being intentionally conceived in order to obtain a positioning of the orifice 15 in proximity of the axis V of the tank 3.

[0228] The second member 28 is assembled to the first member 26 in such a way that, following the assembly, a single body is formed, thereby preventing the second member 28 from sliding with respect to the first member 26 along the direction of the axis S, and from varying its orientation with respect to the first member 26 by rotating around the axis S. This single body can be obtained by thermally inducing a temporary and reversible expansion of the first member 26 and then inserting the second member 28 into the first member 26, until bringing the end of the second member 28 that defines the interface section in contact with a shoulder 82 obtained in the first member 26. Alternative technical solutions for obtaining such single body are also possible, including the option of molding the first member 26 directly on the second member 28. A particularly advantageous option provides that the first member 26 and the second member 28 are obtained through a comolding process.

[0229] In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the tubular body forming the second member 28 of the guiding element 10 is curved, exhibiting in particular a J-shape or saber shape. The curvature of the second member 28 varies preferably in a gradual way, both in order to not complicate the insertion of the guiding element 10 into the connection element 8, and in order to avoid the occurrence of unwanted load losses along the tubular body forming the second member 28.

[0230] Preferably, as shown in figures 3 and 6, the second member 28 of the guiding element 10 is configured to exhibit a curve with a width of approximately 90°, so that the terminal portion of the second member 28 to which the orifice 15 belongs defines an axis F substantially orthogonal to the axis defined by the opposite terminal portion of the second member 28 to which instead the interface section with the first member 26 belongs, such latter axis substantially coinciding with the axis S that is defined by the first member 26 (and which develops substantially along a radial direction).

[0231] The orientation of the guiding element 10 with respect to the tank 3 is such that the axis F of the terminal portion of the second member 28 to which belongs the orifice 15 results substantially parallel to or coinciding with the axis V of the tank 3 (i.e. is an ideally vertically oriented axis) and is such that the orifice 15 is oriented toward the top of the tank 3. Therefore, the orientation of the guiding element 10 with respect to the tank 3 that is herein described and that is represented in figures 3 and 6 is the orientation to which corresponds the maximum height of the orifice 15 in the tank 3.

[0232] The orientation of the guiding element 10 represented in figures 3 and 6, that the present invention allows to obtain in an accurate and reliable way, has undoubted benefits, as it allows the drawing of water from tank 3 in correspondence with the region where the water temperature reaches the highest values, thereby minimizing the disruptions affecting the ideal stratification of the water temperature. Furthermore, drawing water at the maximum height inside tank 3 allows the capacity of tank 3 to be fully exploited. In order to maximize the energy efficiency characteristic of device 1 , the guiding element 10 comprises means suitable for performing the function of a heat trap or is designed for the application of means suitable for performing the function of a heat trap, such means suitable for performing the function of a heat trap being preferably included in the first member 26 or applied to the first member 26. Advantageously, in a way entirely analogous to what has been previously described, in particular with reference to the guiding element 9, also the first member 26 of the guiding element 10 provides for a pair of slots 33 and 34 configured to allow the cantilevered fixing of respective membranes 31 and 32, capable of determining a selective occlusion of corresponding sections of the conduit obtained inside the first member 26. The membranes 31 and 32 are preferably identical or similar in shape and / or size and / or material.

[0233] In addition to the configuration of device 1, in particular to the guiding elements 9 and 10, the present invention also has as its object a method for manufacturing the device 1 , the method comprising the particular step of press-fitting at least one of the guiding elements 9 and 10 into the corresponding one between the connection elements 7 and 8, following the fastening (in particular screwing) of the latter to the tank 3 in correspondence with one of the openings 4 and 5. This particular step, together with further steps of the method according to the invention, is shown in figures 5A-5D and 8A- 8D, where figures 5A - 5D show the steps of the method according to the present invention with in particular reference to the guiding element 9 and where figures 8A - 8D show instead the steps of the method according to the present invention with particular reference to the guiding element 10.

[0234] Figures 5A and 8A show the step of mutual positioning between the tank 3 as above described (therefore with openings 4 and 5 respectively for water inlet and water outlet, obtained preferably in correspondence with the side wall 6 and preferably surrounded by respective bushings 42 and 43 threaded preferably inside them and fixed to the tank 3 for example by welding) and the casing 35 as above described (therefore with a pair of holes 37 and 38 corresponding to the openings 4 and 5 of the tank 3).

[0235] The step shown in figures 5A and 8A provides that the casing 35 is arranged externally to the tank 3, in such a way as to enclose the side wall 6 and preferably obtain a substantial coaxiality between the side wall 6 and the casing 35, so as to obtain, between the casing 35 and the tank 3, a gap 36 of substantially constant thickness along the circumferential direction. Furthermore, the step shown in figures 5A and 8A is performed in such a way as to obtain a substantial alignment between the opening 4 and the hole 37 and between the opening 5 and the hole 38, so that, once the step in figures 5A and 5B has been completed, holes 37 and 38 result substantially coaxial with their respective openings 4 and 5.

[0236] The step shown in figures 5A and 8A is advantageously preceded by a step of associating functional groups with tank 3. In the specific case of device 1 provided with a heat pump heating arrangement, such association concerns at least the thermodynamic unit and the tubing for the circulation of the heat-transfer fluid, in particular the turns 41 which are wound around the side wall 6 of the tank 3 before the positioning of the casing 35.

[0237] In the case of tank 3 comprising a bottom wall 29 with a concavity oriented upwards, the step shown in figures 5A and 8A is advantageously performed with the aid of the above-described centering element 16 (cross-shaped or disc-shaped), by inserting the lower edge of the side wall 6 of the tank 3 into a groove of the centering element 16 and then arranging the lower edge of the side wall of the casing 35 immediately outside the centering element 16, so as to surround the centering element 16. The correct positioning of the casing 35 finally ensures its association with the base 11.

[0238] Figures 5B and 8B show the subsequent step of fixing the connection element 7 and the connection element 8 to the tank 3, respectively. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which provides for the use of nipples as connection elements 7, such step is performed by screwing a threaded end of each nipple to the respective one of the bushings 42 and 43, the length of the nipples being such as to occupy the entire thickness of the gap 36 and to protrude with a threaded end thereof from the respective hole 37 and 38 of the casing 35.

[0239] With regard to the step shown in figures 5B and 8B, it should be pointed out that such step can be performed without paying any attention to the orientation of connection elements 7 and 8, also considering that the nipples have an axial ly- symmetric configuration.

[0240] Figures 5C and 8C show the subsequent step of press-fitting respectively the guiding element 9 into the connection element 7 and the guiding element 10 into the connection element 8, respectively, i.e., the step of the method of manufacturing the device 1 specific to the present invention.

[0241] As it can be seen from figures 5C and 8C, the guiding elements 9 and 10 (to which the heat traps have been optionally associated, in particular by respectively cantilever mounting membranes 21 and 22 in correspondence with slots 23 and 24 and membranes 31 and 32 in correspondence with slots 33 and 34) are preliminarily arranged in such a way as to substantially assume a predefined orientation, corresponding to the desired orientation for the guiding elements 9 and 10 once their installation in the device 1 is complete. The step of press-fitting the element uses, as an aid to arrange the guiding elements 9 and 10 according to the predefined orientation, respective visual and / or tactile reference means which, in figures 5C and 8C, are implemented in the form of notches 48 and 49 which must be positioned at the top so that the guiding elements 9 and 10 assume the respective correct orientation.

[0242] Once the predefined orientation has been obtained, the press-fitting of the guiding elements 9 and 10 occurs by translating the guiding elements 9 and 10 along the axis of the respective connection elements 7 and 8, so as to bring the orifices of the guiding elements 9 and 10 inside the tank 3. During the press-fitting, the protrusions 17 and 27 deform progressively increasing the static friction between the guiding elements 9 and 10 and the respective connection elements 7 and 8. The press-fitting of the guiding elements 9 and 10 stops when the respective flanges 20 and 30 come into contact with the ends of the corresponding connection elements 7 and 8. Once the press-fitting is complete, the orientation of the guiding elements 9 and 10 can be controlled, by checking if the respective notches 48 and 49 are positioned at the top.

[0243] Once the press-fitting of the guiding elements 9 and 10 has been finalized, the latter result correctly oriented with the purpose of maximizing the energy efficiency of device 1, i.e., regarding the guiding element 9 (responsible for the supply of water to tank 3), with the orifices facing the bottom wall 29 of tank 3, while, regarding the guiding element 10 (responsible for the withdrawal of water from tank 3), with the draw-off section oriented towards the top of tank 3 and arranged at the maximum height. Figure 5D and 8D show finally the subsequent step of applying the sealing elements 39 and 40 to the respective holes 37 and 38, in order to create, in correspondence with hole 37 and hole 38, a sealing that acts to counteract possible leakages of material from the gap 36 through such holes 37 and 38. In a possible method of application, the bushings 42 and 43 are press-fitted into the tubular portion of the respective sealing elements 39 and 40, until the corresponding flange portions come into contact with the surfaces of the casing 35 surrounding holes 37 and 38.

[0244] The method of manufacturing device 1 is then completed by injecting insulating material, typically in the form of foam, into the gap 36, thus insulating the tank 3. Alternatively, the tank 3 can be thermally insulated by bringing the gap 36 to a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure.

[0245] Advantages of the invention

[0246] It results clear from the above description and the attached drawings that the present invention fully achieves all the set objectives.

[0247] In fact, the present invention achieves the object of providing a “water heater” device that allows to obtain an optimal energy efficiency and to exploit the tank capacity to the maximum.

[0248] Furthermore, the present invention reaches the object of providing a method of manufacturing a “water heater” device characterized by a high repeatability and by a minimum susceptibility towards mounting errors, in particular towards mounting errors that could determine a degradation of the characteristics of energy efficiency of the device.

[0249] Finally, the present invention achieves the object of providing a component for a “water heater” device, in particular a guiding element usable for water supply, capable of optimizing both the direction of water introduction into the tank and the distribution of the introduced water over the plan extent of the tank.

[0250] These advantages, together with further equally important ones, are obtained by means of the object of the following claims, as well as any possible variant that shares its inventive concepts.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Guiding element (9) for a flow of liquid, in particular intended for use in a device (1) for heating water (2), wherein said guiding element (9) comprises a tubular body (77), wherein said tubular body (77) defines a conduit (76), wherein said conduit (76) extends at least between an inlet section (85) and a plurality of outlet orifices (12, 13, 14), wherein said tubular body (77) comprises a side wall (18) and a bottom wall (19), wherein said side wall (18) extends parallel to an axis (P) of said tubular body (77), and wherein said bottom wall (19) is opposite to said inlet section (85), wherein said tubular body (77) further comprises a transition wall (25) extending between said side wall (18) and said bottom wall (19), and wherein said outlet orifices (12, 13, 14) comprise at least a first outlet orifice (12) formed in said transition wall (25) and at least a second outlet orifice (13, 14) formed in said side wall (18), characterised in that said transition wall (25) is a wall inclined with respect to said axis (P) by an inclination angle (£) ranging from 10° to 60°.

2. Guiding element (9) according to claim 1, wherein there is at least one imaginary plane parallel to said axis (P) that intersects said side wall (18) and said bottom wall (19) and that does not intersect said transition wall (25).

3. Guiding element (9) according to claim 2, wherein said at least one imaginary plane is a plane passing through said axis (P).

4. Guiding element (9) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said bottom wall (19) is shaped as a circular segment, in particular as a semicircle.

5. Guiding element (9) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said transition wall (25) is a flat wall.

6. Guiding element (9) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said inclination angle ((B) is ranging from 15° to45°, in particular about 30°.

7. Guiding element (9) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein, letting X be the extent of said transition wall (25) along said axis (P) and Y be the extent of said tubular body (77) along said axis (P), the ratio X / Y lies between 0.05 and0.25, in particular between 0.1 and 0.18, more in particular about 0.15.

8. Guiding element (9) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein said transition wall (25) is configured to define a plane of symmetry of said tubular body (77).

9. Guiding element (9) according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein a single outlet orifice (12) is formed in said transition wall (25).

10. Guiding element (9) according to claim 9, wherein said plane of symmetry intersects said single outlet orifice (12).

11. Guiding element (9) according to claim 10, wherein the centroid of said single outlet orifice (12) lies on said plane of symmetry.

12. Guiding element (9) according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein a pair of outlet orifices (13, 14) are formed in said side wall (18).

13. Guiding element (9) according to claim 12, wherein the outlet orifices (13, 14) of said pair of outlet orifices (13, 14) are equidistant from said inlet section (85) and are arranged symmetrically with respect to said plane of symmetry.

14. Guiding element (9) according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein said guiding element (9) is a one-piece element, in particular a one-piece and single-material element.

15. Guiding element (9) according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein said guiding element (9) is made of plastic material.

16. Guiding element (9) according to any of claims 1 to 15, wherein said guiding element (9) is devoid of threaded connection means.

17. Guiding element (9) according to any of claims 1 to 16, wherein said guiding element (9) further comprises a plurality of protrusions (17) projecting from said side wall (18) away from said axis (P), wherein said protrusions (17) are configured to deform upon an insertion of said guiding element (9) into a connection element (7) so as to generate static friction between said guiding element (9) and said connection element (7), thereby connecting said guiding element (9) and said connection element (7).

18. Guiding element (9) according to claim 17, wherein said protrusions (17) have an axially-symmetric shape.

19. Guiding element (9) according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein said protrusions (17) are evenly spaced apart from one another.

20. Guiding element (9) according to any of claims 1 to 19, wherein said guiding element (9) further comprises a flange (20) projecting from said side wall (18) away from said axis (P) and surrounding said inlet section (85), wherein saidflange (20) is configured to provide said guiding element with an end-of-travel abutment capable of interrupting an insertion of said guiding element (9) into a connection element (7).

21. Guiding element (9) according to claim 20, wherein said flange (20) has an axially-symmetric shape.

22. Guiding element (9) according to claim 20 or to claim 21, wherein said flange (20) extends away from said axis (P) more than each of said protrusions (17).

23. Guiding element (9) according to any of claims 20 to 22, wherein said flange (20) has a thickness greater than the thickness of each of said protrusions (17).

24. Guiding element (9) according to any of claims 1 to 23, wherein said guiding element (9) is provided with at least one reference entity of a visual and / or tactile nature, suitable for being used for a verification of the orientation of said guiding element (9).

25. Guiding element (9) according to claim 24, wherein said at least one reference entity comprises a notch (48) formed on said flange (20).

26. Guiding element (9) according to claim 25, wherein said notch (48) is positioned in correspondence with a point on said flange (20) such that, when said guiding element (9) is correctly oriented, said point substantially corresponds to a maximum height of said flange (20).

27. Guiding element (9) according to any of claims 1 to 26, wherein at least one slot (23, 24) is provided in said side wall (18), said at least one slot (23, 24) being configured to allow at least one membrane (21, 22) intended to selectively occlude a section of said conduit (76) to be introduced into said conduit (76) and / or to be fixed in a cantilever arrangement to said tubular body (77).

28. Guiding element (9) according to claim 27, wherein said plane of symmetry intersects said at least one slot (23, 24).

29. Guiding element (9) according to claim 28, wherein the centroid of said at least one slot (23, 24) lies on said plane of symmetry.

30. Guiding element (9) according to any of claims 27 to 29, wherein the distance between said at least one slot (23, 24) and said inlet section (85) is less than the distance between said at least one second outlet orifice (13, 14) and said inlet section (85).

31. Guiding element (9) according to any of claims 27 to 30, wherein there is at least one imaginary plane passing through said axis (P) able to divide said side wall (18) into a first half-wall and a second half-wall, said first half-wall being devoid of slots and said second half-wall being devoid of second outlet orifices.

32. Guiding element (9) according to any of claims 27 to 31 , wherein a first slot (23) and a second slot (24) are formed in said side wall (18), said first slot (23) and said second slot (24) being respectively configured to allow a first membrane (21) intended to selectively occlude a first section of said conduit (76) and a second membrane (22) intended to selectively occlude a second section of said conduit (76) to be introduced into said conduit (76) and / or to be fixed in a cantilever arrangement to said tubular body (77).

33. Assembly comprising:- a guiding element (9) according to claim 32;- a first membrane (21) fixed in a cantilever arrangement to said tubular body (77) in correspondence with said first slot (23) and configured to selectively occlude said first section; and- a second membrane (22) fixed in a cantilever arrangement to said tubular body (77) in correspondence with said second slot (24) and configured to selectively occlude said second section, wherein there is substantial identity in shape and / or size and / or material between said first membrane (21 ) and said second membrane (22).

34. Device (1) for heating water (2), configured to be installed in a line of a thermo-sanitary network, in particular of a domestic thermo-sanitary network, said device (1) comprising:- a tank (3) configured to allow an accumulation of water (2) available in said thermo-sanitary network, said tank (3) defining an inlet opening (4) configured to allow a conveyance of water (2) in said tank (3);- a connection element (7) applied, in particular in a fluid-tight manner, to said tank (3) and configured to establish a connection between said tank (3) and said line, said connection element (7) being screwed to said tank (3) at said inlet opening (4), and- a guiding element (9) according to any of claims 1 to 32, said guiding element (9) being at least partially housed within the connection element (7).

35. Device (1) according to claim 34, wherein said connection element (7) is a nipple.

36. Device (1) according to claim 34 or to claim 35, wherein said guiding element (9) is press-fitted into said connection element (7), the press-fitting insertion of said guiding element (9) into said at least one connection element (7) being such as to allow each of said outlet orifices (12, 13, 14) to assume a predetermined orientation with respect to said tank (3).

37. Device (1) according to any one of claims 34 to 36, wherein said tank (3) is at least partially defined by a side wall (6) and by a bottom wall (29), said side wall (6) defining an axis (V) of said tank (3), wherein said inlet opening (4) is formed in said side wall (6), in particular in a region of said side wall (6) adjacent to said bottom wall (29).

38. Device (1 ) according to claim 37, wherein said bottom wall (29) has a domed configuration, wherein, given a first imaginary point and a second imaginary point belonging to said bottom wall (29), said first imaginary point being closer to said axis (V) of said tank (3) than said second imaginary point, said first imaginary point is located higher than said second imaginary point.

39. Device (1) according to claim 37 or to claim 38, wherein said axis (V) of said tank (3) is a vertical axis, wherein said connection element (7) and said guiding element (9) extend along a direction substantially orthogonal to said axis (V) of said tank (3).

40. Device (1 ) according to any of claims 34 to 39, wherein a portion of said guiding element (9) penetrates into said tank (3), and wherein said outlet orifices (12, 13, 14) belong, in particular all belong, to said portion.

41. Device (1) according to any of claims 34 to 40, wherein at least one of said outlet orifices (12, 13, 14) is at least partially, in particular predominantly, oriented downward.

42. Device (1) according to claim 41 , wherein each of said outlet orifices (12, 13, 14) is at least partially, in particular predominantly, oriented downward.

43. Device (1) according to any of claims 34 to 42, wherein at least one of said outlet orifices (12, 13, 14) defines a water (2) conveyance direction into said tank (3) and wherein said conveyance direction comprises a first component directed along a vertical direction and a second component lying on a horizontal plane.

44. Device (1) according to claim 43, wherein each of said outlet orifices (12, 13, 14) defines a respective water (2) conveyance direction into said tank (3) and wherein each conveyance direction comprises a respective first component directed along a vertical direction and a respective second component lying on a horizontal plane.

45. Device (1 ) according to any of claims 34 to 44, wherein at least one of said outlet orifices (12, 13, 14) is configured to convey water (2) into said tank (3) in correspondence with a minimum level.

46. Device (1) according to claim 45, wherein each of said outlet orifices (12, 13, 14) is configured to convey water (2) into said tank (3) in correspondence with a minimum level.

47. Device (1) according to any of claims 34 to 46, wherein said device (1) comprises a heat pump heating arrangement configured to supply heat to water (2) contained in said tank (3).

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