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FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a conditioning apparatus used for conditioning the temperature of one or more heat-carrying fluids, used by heating and/or cooling plants, installed in domestic or industrial premises. In particular, the apparatus according to the present invention allows to condition selectively and independently the regulation of the temperature of the heat-carrying fluids, depending on the actual thermal requirements and/or the expected energy consumption.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Apparatuses for the conditioning of a heat-carrying fluid are known, in heating and/or cooling plants for rooms.

Known apparatuses normally provide a single containing box, a heating circuit to heat a heat-carrying fluid and/or a cooling circuit to cool the heat-carrying fluid. The two circuits converge in an outlet collector from which the heat energy is taken from the plant.

In known apparatuses, the heat energy at outlet has a determinate temperature, both hot and cold, defined by the functioning mode of the relative heat circuits and is established in advance when the apparatus is set and installed.

Although on the one hand the temperature may be optimum for some determinate applications, on the other hand it may be disadvantageous for other types of conditioning applications, or for different functioning modes of the plant that uses the fluid.

This limitation requires the intervention of specialized staff, or at least specific technical knowledge, in order to reset the known apparatus, with a consequent increase in management costs.

Another disadvantage is that this type of known apparatus, due to its conformation and capacity for supplying the fluid, is difficult to apply directly to conditioning plants that are divided by zone. This disadvantage makes for a lack of flexibility in the installation of the apparatus itself.

Therefore, with known apparatuses, specific auxiliary regulation and distribution units are required, which are connected at the outlet of the apparatus, in order to allow the user the desired and necessary heat regulations of the plant, without the intervention of specialized personnel.

However, this known solution must be provided during the production and installation stage of the whole conditioning plant, with consequent increases in the times and costs of installation, with the need to intervene and coordinate different professional figures to set up the plant, such as bricklayers, electricians, plumbers and others.

Furthermore, possible maintenance interventions and/or repairs on the plant thus set up and its components must be carried out partly on the apparatus and partly on the auxiliary regulation and distribution units. Therefore, there is a considerable increase in the intervention times, and a consequent increase in costs.

Document DE 101 42 779 describes a conditioning apparatus to serve at least two user devices having the characteristics found in the preamble to the main claim 1.

One purpose of the present invention is to achieve a conditioning apparatus that allows to condition in a desired manner the temperature of heat-carrying fluids, without needing auxiliary regulation and distribution units for the apparatus.

Another purpose of the present invention is to achieve an apparatus that has a high heat yield, reduced energy consumption and great flexibility with regard to potential installations, also on pre-existing plants.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, a conditioning apparatus according to the present invention is suitable to serve at least two different user devices, and comprises a containing box and at least a conditioning circuit disposed inside the containing box. The conditioning circuit is conformed so as to allow a heat-carrying gas to flow inside it, and comprises at least a unit for heating the gas provided with at least a compression member, and at least a unit for cooling the gas provided with at least an expansion member.

According to a characteristic feature of the present invention, the ap aratus comprises at least a first conditioned circuit disposed inside the containing box inside which a first thermal liquid flows.

The first conditioned circuit is disposed in a condition of heat exchange with the conditioning circuit by means of first heat exchange means so as to allow a heat exchange between the heat-carrying gas and the first thermal liquid.

Furthermore, the first conditioned circuit comprises at least a first segment, a second segment and a valve mean disposed between the first segment and the second segment and able to regulate the flow rate of the first thermal liquid between the first segment and the second segment. The first segment is abl e to be hydraulically connected to a relative first user device.

The apparatus also comprises at least a second conditioned circuit, di sposed inside the containing box, inside which a second thermal liquid flows.

The second conditioned circuit is disposed in a condition of heat exchange with the second segment of the first conditioned circuit by means of second heat exchange means so as to allow a heat exchange between the first thermal liquid and the second thermal liquid.

The second conditioned circuit is able to be hydraulically connected to a relative second user device.

In this way, through the first conditioned circuit a first thermal li quid is supplied at a determinate first temperature to be supplied to the first user device, and at the same time through the second conditioned circuit a second thermal liquid is supplied at a determinate second temperature to be supplied to the second user device.

With the present invention, two different thermal liquids are supplied at different temperatures to the two different user devices, and can therefore be managed independently from each other heat-wise.

Indeed, the first thermal liquid is supplied to the first user device, with a temperature conditioned by the heat exchange occurring between the conditioning circuit and the first conditioned circuit in the first ieat exchange means, whereas the second thermal liquid is supplied to the second user device, with a temperature conditioned by the heat exchange occurring betrween the first conditioned circuit and the second conditioned circuit in the second heat exchange means.

With the present invention, the temperature of the first thermal liquid is regulated according to the quantity of heat supplied by the conditioning circuit, and hence by the functioning operation of the heating unit and/or the cooling unit. On the contrary, the temperature of the second thermal liquid is regulated according to the quantity of heat supplied by the second segment of the first conditioned circuit, and hence the flow rate of first thermal liquid established by the second valve mean.

Therefore, different thermal liquids are supplied to the user devices from a single containing box; the different liquids can be used directly in an optimum manner, substantially without needing to provide auxiliary regulation and/or distribution units for the liquids.

This solution thus allows to reduce the costs of installation and of maintenance, providing a more flexible installation on pre-existing plants or plants divided into zones.

According to a variant, the apparatus comprises first temperature sensor means disposed in cooperation with the first conditioned circuit in order to detect the temperature of the first thermal liquid, and connected at least to the heating unit, so as to command a variation in its operating parameters, according to the temperature detected and to a predetermined temperature of use.

In this way, depending on the difference between the temperature detected and the temperature of use, the operating parameters at least of the heating unit are varied, so as to guarantee a desired temperature of the first thermal liquid.

Therefore, by varying the setting of the temperature of use, Ll is possible to selectively modulate the temperature of the first thermal liquid depending on the specific heat requirements of the user device to which the first conditioned circuit is connected.

According to a variant, the first sensor means are connected to an inverter element, which acts directly on the functioning state of the compression member of the heating unit.

According to another variant, the apparatus comprises second temperature sensor means disposed in cooperation with the second conditioned circuit in order to detect the temperature of the second thermal li quid, and connected to the second valve mean, so as to command a variation to tl e flow rate in the second segment of the first conditioned circuit, according to the temperature detected and to a predetermined temperature of use.

In this way, depending on the difference between the temperature detected and the temperature of use, the flow rate established by ihe second valve mean is varied, so as to guarantee a desired temperature of the second thermal liquid.

Therefore, by varying the setting of the temperature of use, it is possible to selectively modulate the temperature of the first therm al liquid depending on the specific heat requirements of the user device to which the first conditioned circuit is connected.

With the above variants, the temperatures of the thermal liquids are regulated substantially automatically only by setting the temperatures of use of the user devices, and therefore without needing any intervention by specialized personnel, or with specific technical knowledge, on the apparatus.

According to another variant, the conditioning apparatus also comprises a hygienic and clean water system in which a hygienic and clean liquid is able to flow, such as water, and which is disposed in a condition of heat exchange with the conditioning circuit by means of third heat exchan ge means, so as to allow a heat exchange between the heat-carrying gas and the hygienic and clean liquid. In this way the apparatus according to the present invention also supplies hygienic and clean water, as well as the thermal liquids for the user devices that condition the premises.

According to another variant, the conditioning apparatus also comprises a heat exchange circuit, operatively associated with the cooling unit, in which a geothermal liquid is able to flow, such as well water, and which is disposed in a condition of heat exchange with the conditioning circuit by means of fourth heat exchange means, so as to allow a heat exchange between the geothermal liquid and the heat-carrying gas.

According to another variant, the conditioning circuit comprises at least a selection valve member, which is structured to allow the selective clockwise or anti-clockwise use of a terminal segment of the conditioning circuit, so as to exclude, or not, the action of the cooling unit on the heat-carrying gas, upstream of its passage in the first heat exchange means.

According to another variant, the conditioning circuit comprises at least a diversion valve member, which is structured to selectively divert at least part of the heat-carrying gas toward a relative third user device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferential form of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a schematic view of a conditioning apparatus according to the present invention;

- fig. 2 shows the apparatus in fig. 1 emphasizing the operating parts in a first condition of use;

- fig. 3 shows the apparatus in fig. 1 emphasizing the operating parts in a second condition of use;

- fig. 4 shows the apparatus in fig. 1 emphasizing the operating parts in a third condition of use;

- fig. 5 shows the apparatus in fig. 1 emphasizing the operating parts in a fourth condition of use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERENTIAL FORM OF

EMBODIMENT

Fig. 1 shows schematically in its entirety a conditioning apparatus 10 used to feed a domestic heating plant, in this case of the type provided with a floor-based conditioning circuit "A", a battery of conditioners/radiators "B", a dehumidifier "C" and a hygienic and clean water plant "D'

The floor-based conditioning circuit "A", the battery of conditioners/radiators "B", the dehumidifier "C" and the hygienic and clean water plant "D" are all of a substantially known type and are only shown schematically with rectangles in the attached drawings.

In particular, the apparatus 10 comprises a containing box 1 1, shown schematically by a line of dashes in the attached drawings, inside which are provided: a conditioning circuit 1 2, a first conditioned circuit 13 and a second conditioned circuit 15.

In this case, a hygienic and clean water circuit 30 and a heat exchange circuit 50 and four heat exchange devices or heat exchangers are part of the apparatus 10. The four heat exchangers are identified in the description and claims respectively as first heat exchanger 25, second heat exchanger 40, third heat exchanger 21 and fourth heat exchanger 29.

The conditioning circuit 12 comprises a pipe 12a inside which a heat-carrying gas is able to flow. For example, some types of heat-carrying gases that can be used are those known by the acronyms R407C, R410A, R134A or others.

The pipe 12a comprises an initial segment 16 and a final segment 17 of the conditioning circuit 12.

A compressor 19, an oil separator 20, the third heat exchanger 21 and a diversion valve 22 are associated Avith the initial segment 16 of the conditioning circuit 12.

The compressor 19 is of the type where the power is commanded by an inverter, and is able to determine the compression and hence the temperature of the heat-carrying gas inside the conditioning circuit 12. The inverter command allows to modulate the working power of the compressor 19 and therefore the temperature of the heat-carrying gas flowing inside the conditioning circuit 12.

The third heat exchanger 21 is located downstream of the compressor 19 and the oil separator 20 with respect to the direction in which the heat-carrying gas flows inside the conditioning circuit 12.

The third heat exchanger 21 is the type with plates and is connected both to the initial segment 16 of the conditioning circuit 12 and also to the hygienic and clean water circuit 30 of the apparatus 10, so as to define the heat exchange between the conditioning circuit 12 and the hygienic and clean water circuit 30 and to heat the water flowing inside the latter.

The hygienic and clean water circuit 30 comprises a pump 31 that takes the hygienic and clean water to a desired pressure inside the hygienic and clean water circuit 30, when hot water is required from the hygienic and clean water plant D to which the hygienic and clean water circuit 30 is connected.

The diversion valve 22 is disposed downstream of the third heat exchanger 21 with respect to the direction in which the heat-carrying gas flows inside the conditioning circuit 12.

The diversion valve 22 allows to selectively direct the heat-carrying gas to return toward the compressor 19, or toward the dehumidifier C outside the apparatus 10, or toward the final segment 17 of the conditioning circuit 12.

A selection va e 23, the first heat exchanger 25, an expansion valve 26, an external battery and another fourth heat exchanger 29 are fluidically associated with the final segment 17 of the conditioning circuit 12.

The selection alve 23 allows to selectively direct the heat-carrying gas arriving from the initial segment 16 toward the terminal segment 17 in a clockwise direction of flow, or anti-clockwise direction of flow, or to return to the initial segment 16 and then toward the compressor 19.

For example, following the terminal segment 17 in a clockwise direction, the first heat exchanger 25 is disposed downstream of the selection valve 23 and is the plate type.

The first heat exchanger 25 is connected both to the final segment 17 of the conditioning circuit 12, and also to the first conditioned circuit 13 of the apparatus 10, so as to define the heat exchange between the conditioning circuit 12 and the first conditioned circuit 13.

The expansion valve 26 is provided downstream of the second heat exchanger 25, again in a clockwise direction of flow of the heat-carrying gas, and is the type traditionally able to effect an expansion of the heat-carrying gas in order to lower its temperature.

The external battery 27 is of the substantially traditional type and intervenes in the cooling cycle of the heat-carrying gas.

The fourth heat exchanger 29 is located downstream of the external battery 27, again with respect to the clockwise direction of the heat-carrying gas inside the terminal segment 1 7.

The fourth heat exchanger 29 is also of the plate type and is connected both to the terminal segment 17 of the conditioning circuit 12, and also to the heat exchange circuit 50 of the apparatus 10, so as to define the heat exchange between the conditioning circuit 12 and the heat exchange circuit 50.

The heat exchange circuit 50 comprises a regulation valve 51 and is connected to a geothermal well from which it takes the water to effect the heat exchange inside the fourth heat exchanger 29. The regulation valve 51 allows to selectively open/close the passage of the water through the fourth heat exchanger 29.

The first conditioned circuit 13 comprises a pipe 13a inside which a thermal liquid is able to flow, for example water, in this case fed by the hygienic and clean water circuit 30 through a connector pipe 30a.

The pipe 13a comprises a first segment 32 and a second segment 33 of the conditioned circuit 13.

The first conditioned circuit 13 also comprises a pump 35 which induces the circulation of the water inside the first conditioned circuit 13.

The first segment 32 is suitable to feed water to the batteries of conditioners/radiators B.

A temperature sensor 36 and a valve 37 to regulate the flow rate are fluidically associated with the first segment 32 of the conditioned circuit 13.

The temperature sensor 36 is disposed so as to detect the temperature of the water inside the first segment 32, and is electronically connected to the inverter of the compressor 19, so as to command a possible variation in the working power of the compressor 19, depending on the temperature detected and on determinate functioning temperatures and parameters.

The regulation valve 37 is suitable to intercept the stream of water inside the first segment 32 and to selectively vary the flow rate thereof before it is introduced into the battery of conditioners/radiators B, according to programmed or programmable parameters.

The second segment 33 is suitable to feed the water to the floor-based conditioning circuit A.

A valve 39 to regulate the flow rate and a hydraulic separator 40 are fluidically associated with the second segment 32 of the conditioned circuit 13.

The regulation valve 39 is suitable to intercept the stream of water inside the second segment 33 and to selectively vary the flow rate thereof before it is introduced into the floor-based conditioning circuit A, according to programmed or programmable parameters.

The hydraulic separator 40 is connected both to the second segment 33 of the first conditioned circuit 13, and also to the second conditioned circuit 15, so as to determine a heat exchange between the first conditioned circuit 13 and the second conditioned circuit 15 and to heat the water flowing inside the latter.

The second conditioned circuit 15 comprises a pipe 15a inside which a thermal liquid is able to flow, such as for example water.

The second conditioned circuit 15 also comprises a pump 41 which induces the circulation of the water inside the second conditioned circuit 15, and a temperature sensor 42.

The temperature sensor 42 is disposed so as to detect the temperature of the water inside the second conditioned circuit 15, and is electronically connected to the regulation valve 39 of the first conditioned circuit 13, so as to command a possible variation in the flow rate of the water in the second segment 33, thus varying the heat exchange conditions in the hydraulic separator 40 and therefore the quantity of heat exchanged between the first and second conditioned circuit 13, 15.

This variation is commanded as a function of the temperature detected and of determinate functioning temperatures and parameters.

A first among the possible functioning modes of the apparatus 10 as described heretofore is shown in fig. 2.

The first functioning mode concerns a use of the apparatus 10 for heating water in the first and second conditioned circuit 13, 15 for example during the winter.

The pipes 12a, 13a, 15a and the relative segments 16, 17, 32, 33 used in this mode are shown with greater thickness in fig. 2. The arrows indicate the direction and sense of flow of the fluids inside the relative pipes 12a, 13 a, 15 a.

In this mode the heat-carrying gas is compressed by the compressor 19 and, after flowing in delivery through the whole of the initial segment 16, is directed by the selection valve 23 to flow in a clockwise direction through the terminal segment 17.

Then a heat exchange occurs with the water flowing in the first conditioned circuit 13, through the heat exchanger 25.

The water thus heated is introduced both into the first segment 32 to feed the battery of conditioners/radiators B, and also into the second segment 33, to carry out a heat exchange with the water in the second conditioned circuit 15, by means of the hydraulic separator 40.

The water in the second conditioned circuit 15 thus heated is fed to the floor- based conditioning circuit A.

The temperature sensors 36 and 42 detect the temperatures of the relative waters and, depending on the programmed or programmable parameters, respectively command the compressor 19 and the regulation valve 39 to vary the working temperatures.

In this functioning mode, the expansion valve 26 regulates the temperature of the gas returning from the heat exchanger 25, so as to manage the correct gaseous state of the gas entering the compressor 19.

A second of the possible functioning modes of the apparatus 10 as described heretofore is shown in fig. 3.

The second functioning mode concerns a use of the apparatus 10 for cooling water in the first and second conditioned circuit 13, 15, for example during the summer.

In this case too, the lines with a greater thickness and the arrows indicate the pipes 12a, 13a, 15a and the segments 16, 17, 32, 33 used and the direction of flow of the fluids.

In this functioning mode the heat-carrying gas is compressed by the compressor 19 and, after flowing in delivery through the whole of the initial segment 16, is directed by the selection valve 23 to flow in an anti-clockwise direction through the terminal segment 17.

Alternatively, or in combination, a heat exchange may take place with the water flowing in the heat exchange circuit 50, through the fourth heat exchanger 29, or through the external battery 27, to supply heat energy to the heat-carrying gas.

Subsequently, the heat-carrying gas is subjected to expansion inside the expansion valve 26.

Then a heat exchange occurs with the water flowing in the first conditioned circuit 13 through the first heat exchanger 25.

The water thus cooled is introduced both into the first segment 32 to feed the battery of conditioners/radiators B, and also into the second segment 33, to carry out a heat exchange with the water in the second conditioned circuit 15 by means of the hydraulic separator 40, and to feed the floor-based conditioning circuit A.

As in the previous functioning mode, the temperature sensors 36 and 42 detect the temperatures of the relative waters and, as a function of the programmed or programmable parameters, respectively command the compressor 19 and the regulation valve 39 to vary the working temperatures.

A third functioning mode of the apparatus 10 as described heretofore is shown in fig. 4.

The third functioning mode concerns the use of the apparatus 10 for heating water for use in the hygienic and clean water circuit 30.

In this case too, the lines with greater thickness and the arrows indicate the pipe 12a and the segment 16 used, and the direction of flow of the fluids.

In this functioning mode the heat-carrying gas is compressed by the compressor 19 and is directed to a heat exchange with the water flowing in the hygienic and clean water circuit 30 through the third heat exchanger 21.

The hygienic and clean water thus heated is fed to the hygienic and clean water plant D.

The gas exiting from the third heat exchanger 21 flows through the first segment 16 until the exchange valve 22 directs it to return toward the compressor 19 through the initial segment 16.

A fourth of the possible functioning modes of the apparatus 10 as described heretofore is shown in fig. 5.

The fourth functioning mode concerns the use of the apparatus 10 to supply heat-carrying gas to the dehumidifier C.

In this case too, the lines with greater thickness and the arrows indicate the pipe 12a and the segment 16 used, and the direction of flow of the fluids.

In this functioning mode the heat-carrying gas is compressed by the compressor 19 and flows through the initial segment 16 until the exchange valve 22 directs it in delivery to the dehumidifier C. The exchange valve 22 manages the return of the heat-carrying gas toward the compressor 19, directing it toward the initial segment 16.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the apparatus 10 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention. For example, it comes within the field of the present invention to provide that on the various circuits 12, 13, 15, 30 and 50, or on the relative segments 16, 17, 32 and 33, control and safety devices can be fluidically mounted, such as pressure transducers, safety valves, taps, non-return valves, electro-valves, indicators, expansion valves, breathers or others that might be necessary for the operating optimization of the apparatus 10. One example is the possibility of a heat control at exit from the compressor 19, to prevent overheating and to guarantee the life of the compressor 19.

It also comes within the field of the present invention to provide a parallel connection of the external battery 27 and the fourth heat exchanger 29, with a second expansion valve 26.