EP4686880A1

EP4686880A1 - Hybrid system optimized for space heating and/or sanitary water production

Info

Publication number: EP4686880A1
Application number: EP25191088.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Benedetta BAMBOZZI; Debora DE LUCA; Massimo Pizzichini; Alessandro Zampetti
Original assignee: Ariston SpA
Current assignee: Ariston SpA
Priority date: 2024-08-02
Filing date: 2025-07-22
Publication date: 2026-02-04
Also published as: CN121452588A

Abstract

The object of the present invention is a hydraulic separator (50) configured to allow the hydraulic integration of a fuel boiler (3) and a heat pump (2) of a hybrid system (1) adapted to serve a heating system (4; U). The hydraulic separator (50) is in fluidic connection with a plurality of sleeves (51; 52; 53; 54), crossed by a technical fluid of the hybrid system (1), which are appropriately connected to a respective connection (8; 9), capable of putting the same hydraulic separator (50) in fluid communication with said fuel boiler (3) and/or heat pump (2) and/or with an indoor heating system (4).

A further object of the present invention is a hybrid system (1) comprising said hydraulic separator (50).

Description

The object of the present invention is a hydraulic separator configured to enable and optimise the integration of a boiler and a heat pump of a hybrid system adapted to serve a heating system.
A further object of the present invention is a hybrid "boiler-heat pump" system wherein the boiler, comprising said hydraulic separator, has reduced overall dimensions and costs, as well as an increased ease of installation.
The invention preferably falls within the sector of the "hybrid systems" adapted to serve a heating system for the indoor heating and/or for the production of sanitary hot water, in particular within those systems comprising a fuel boiler and a heat pump, hydraulically and electronically coupled to each other.
Figure 1 shows a well-known hybrid system 1' which uses a combination of at least two different heat generators, integrated and/or cooperating with each other, generally a heat pump 2' and a fuel boiler 3' (e.g. gas), preferably of the condensing type and installable directly on the wall and/or in proximity of the same (referred to as, for brevity, a "wall-mounted boiler" or "boiler").
Preferably, the heat pump 2' may be of the "monoblock" type for indoor or outdoor installation, or, alternatively, of the "split" type, the refrigeration circuit whereof, and related components, well known to a person skilled in the art, are partly located inside the installation environment (e.g., of a residential or commercial building) and partly in an outdoor unit.
These systems, besides being utilised for the indoor heating, may also be arranged for the production of hot water for sanitary uses, in such a case the boiler being of the "combined" type.
In such systems, hereinafter referred to as "hybrid systems 1‴ for simplicity, a hydraulic connection should therefore be created between the various heat generators 2', 3', while suitable shared control logics allow the management of start-ups and shutdowns, the regulation of operating temperatures and heating times, the verification of the correct functionality and/or signalling malfunctions thereof, etc., all with the aim of achieving high levels of efficiency.
Boiler 3' and heat pump 2' of a hybrid system 1' are generally hydraulically connected in two alternative ways: in series or in parallel.
For example, in hybrid systems with series connection, the technical fluid, for example technical water, intended to feed, moved by at least one circulation pump, the heating terminals 40' (radiators, radiant panels, fan coils, etc.) of an indoor heating system 4', is first heated in the heat pump 2' and then possibly in the boiler 3', if such first heating is not sufficient to meet the needs and comfort of a user.
More precisely, the refrigeration circuit 20' of the heat pump 2', for example of the air-water type, wherein a refrigerant fluid circulates and whereof the heat exchanger 21' is shown in figure 1' (operating as a condenser 21', when the heat pump 2' works in "indoor heating" mode), receives heat from the indoor air and cedes it to the technical fluid which, thus preheated, may reach:

the radiators 40' of the indoor heating system 4'; and/or
the boiler 3' in case it is necessary to complete the heating thereof, using the heat produced by its inner burner 32', until the desired/set temperature is reached.

When the boiler 3' of the hybrid system 1' is also set up for the production of sanitary hot water (hereinafter referred to as "Combi" or "combined" boiler), a 3-way valve 33', for example of the ON/OFF type, enables the boiler operation to be switched, depending on the requirement, from the "indoor" to the "sanitary heating mode", and vice versa.
The known primary 30' and secondary 31' circuits of said boiler 3' are therefore schematically shown, in which the technical fluid of the hybrid system 1' circulates and comprising, respectively, a primary heat exchanger 34' (hereinafter referred to as "primary exchanger" 34') for the heating of the technical fluid intended for the indoor heating, and a secondary heat exchanger 35' (hereinafter referred to as "secondary exchanger" 35' or "sanitary exchanger" 35') wherein the same technical fluid, or a part thereof, is brought into a heat exchange relationship with the sanitary water to be heated and destined for a user U' (e.g. a tap, a shower or a buffer).
Such hybrid systems 1' also provide for the use and installation of a hydraulic module 5', comprising at least one hydraulic separator 50' (which will be extensively referred to) and adapted, as is known, to enable and optimise the integration of a boiler 3' to a heat pump 2' and capable of coordinating/combining the operation thereof.
As is known, a hydraulic module 5' consists of a box-shaped body 55' capable of being positioned underneath the boiler 3', externally thereto, for example mounted on the lower back wall 60' of the body 6' thereof, wherefrom it stretches downwards along the entire vertical development thereof (see figure 3). It is known that the hydraulic separator 50' of the hydraulic module 5' consists of a device that enables a first heating/preparation circuit of a technical fluid to be decoupled from a second circuit, for example the one for distributing said technical fluid to one or more users, both said circuits being served by their own circulation pump.
In the case of the present description, the hydraulic separator 50' therefore enables the boiler 3' to be hydraulically decoupled from the heating system 4' and the relative heat pump 2', keeping the flow rates and pressures thereof substantially independent.
The use of said hydraulic separator 50' therefore enables the action of mutual influence and potential disturbance between the circulation pump 22' of the heat pump 2' and the circulation pump 36' of the boiler 3', effectively operating a sort of division between said circuits, to be cancelled.
The hydraulic separator 50' is in fact configured to cause a sudden expansion of a flow of the technical fluid coming from a circuit, for example from that of the heat pump 2', said flow being capable of:

directing itself and/or reaching the circuit of the boiler 3',
or
being "short-circuited", so as to continue to circulate only in the aforesaid circuit defined by the heat pump 2' and the radiators 40' of the heating system 4'.

Therefore, the hydraulic separator 50' may allow making the most of the characteristics of energy efficiency of the heat pump 2' and/or of the boiler 3' of a hybrid system 1', by using one or the other, or a combination thereof, based on the load and/or climatic conditions, while also reducing the problems related to the changes in pressure and flow of the technical fluid that may cause malfunctions and inefficiencies.
The use of a hydraulic separator 50' also has positive effects on the operating life and on the number of possible maintenance works on the hybrid system 1', effectively reducing the mechanical and thermal stress of the various components inside the boiler 3' and/or the heat pump 2'.
Since it is a component well known to a person skilled in the art in the many variants thereof (see, in such regard, documents US 2017/363300 A1 and/or DE 92 14 762 and/or EP 3 786 533 A1 ), in such context it will not be necessary to dwell on and delve into the functioning and operation of the hydraulic separator 50', but it will be sufficient to describe only the essential technical and construction characteristics thereof for the purposes of the present description. For example, it is specified that said separator 50' preferably consists of a hollow tubular body, substantially a cylindrical body, defined by a shell 500' closed at the two opposite ends thereof by bottoms 501', 502', and capable of being crossed by the technical fluid circulating through the pipes whereto it is connected.
In general, a known hydraulic separator 50' is in fact in fluidic connection with a plurality of tubular sections/portions 51', 52', 53', 54', of a substantially vertical setup, which develop respectively either upwards or downwards with respect to the same hydraulic separator 50' (see figure 2) to connect, each one, to a respective duct of the hybrid system 1'.
In such regard, it is possible to identify:

a first 51' and second 52' sleeve, of a substantially rectilinear development, parallel to each other and facing upwards to connect respectively to the delivery 300' and return 301' duct of the primary circuit 30', provided at the outlet and inlet from/to the boiler 3';
a third 53' and fourth 54' sleeve, also substantially rectilinear and parallel to each other, which extend downwards to connect respectively to:
- ∘ the supply pipe 302' of the terminals 40' of the heating system 4' with the technical fluid heated in the heat pump 2' and/or in the boiler 3',
- ∘ the delivery pipe 200' of the heat pump 2', wherethrough the same technical fluid, returning from the terminals 40' of the heating system 4', generally reheated in the same heat pump 2', may be brought to the boiler 3' for a possible further heating thereof or directly "recirculated" towards the heating system 4'.

For the reasons that will be hereinafter explained, respective inlet sections 510' and 540' are identified of the sleeves 51', 54', hereinafter referred to as "inlet sleeves 51', 54" of the hydraulic separator 50'; similarly, two respective outlet sections 520', 530' are identified of the sleeves 52', 53', referred to as "outlet sleeves 52', 53" of the separator 50'.
For the sake of clarity, hereinafter, "inlet section" 510', 540' of an inlet sleeve 51', 54' means the passage section wherethrough the technical fluid coming from the duct connected thereto may enter the same sleeve 51', 54' and reach the hydraulic separator 50'; similarly, "outlet section" 520', 530 of an outlet sleeve 52', 53' means a section thereof by means the technical fluid, exiting from the hydraulic separator 50', after having passed through the same sleeve, may pass into the duct with which it is in fluid communication.
For the purposes of the present description, it is useful to specify that:

the aforesaid first 51' and third 53' sleeves define a first pair of sleeves, hereinafter referred to as "delivery pair", as they are intended to enable the technical fluid to reach the heating system 4', passing through the hydraulic separator 50',
the aforesaid second 52' and fourth 54' sleeves define a second pair of sleeves, hereinafter referred to as "return pair" as it is adapted to receive the same technical fluid coming from the heating system 4' and related heat pump 2'.

As clearly shown in figure 2, the inlet 510' and outlet 530' sections respectively of the sleeves 51', 53' that define the "delivery pair" lie respectively on two different horizontal planes P₁-P₁, P₂-P₂; similarly for the outlet 520' and inlet 540' sections of the sleeves 52', 54' of the "return pair".
Said first P₁-P₁ and second P₂-P₂ horizontal plane, both generally substantially orthogonal to the installation wall of the boiler 3', therefore consist of two planes that are:

distinct, spaced and substantially parallel to each other,
opposed with respect to a longitudinal axis A'-A' of the hydraulic separator 50'.

Such a configuration entails a series of drawbacks and unresolved issues for the hydraulic module 5'.
In particular, such a hydraulic module 5' has rather pronounced overall dimensions and volumes, having to house the hydraulic separator 50' and at least a large part of the related sleeves 51', 52', 53', 54' inside the box-shaped body 55' thereof. This is even more evident if even the so-called "energy manager 56ʺʺ, as often happens, i.e. the electronic unit 56' responsible for the integration and management, via logics loaded therein and specific communication lines/channels 57', of the heat pump 2' and of the boiler 3' is housed within the box-shaped body 55' of a hydraulic module 5'.
Furthermore, the hydraulic module 5' may sometimes contain and be arranged to allow the passage of one or more pipes of the secondary circuit 31' of the boiler 3', for example, at least:

the cold water supply duct 310' (mains water at aqueduct temperature), connected to an inlet of the secondary exchanger 35', where said water is heated for sanitary uses,
and/or
of the hot water delivery duct 311' to one or more users U'.

Finally, nothing prevents the gas supply pipe 320' to the boiler 3' from also passing through the hydraulic module 5' in order to reach and feed the burner 32' thereof.
As a consequence of all that has been said, the vertical development h_s of a hydraulic module 5' may reach and correspond to about 35% - 40% of the height h_c of the boiler 3 whereon it is installed (see figure 3).
The large overall dimensions of the hydraulic module 5' therefore make the installation of the hybrid system 1', in particular of the wall-mounted boiler 3' thereof, more complicated, especially in small-sized homes.
Such encumbrances may also limit the possibility of replacing the traditional wall-mounted boilers, already present and operational in a home, with the more performing ones of a hybrid system 1', an increasingly frequent situation in a view of energy efficiency of the buildings and/or to respond to particular regulatory requirements.
It is in fact common practice to install a boiler, of any type, in spaces S of small and limited dimensions, e.g. in technical rooms S, on a balcony, or positioned inside a piece of furniture.
Therefore, in case of replacing the "old" boiler with that of a hybrid system 1', there may not be enough space to properly house the hydraulic module 5' thereof.
Even if there is space available, it is very likely that the installer will need to carry out invasive masonry and/or hydraulic adjustment works to connect the hydraulic module 5' of the new boiler 3' of the hybrid system 1' to the connections of the system for the indoor heating 4' or for the sanitary water U' and/or for the connection to the gas supply network, already present in the installation wall of the same boiler.
As anticipated, in fact, the well-known and current hydraulic modules 5' extend below the boiler 3', externally to it, this possibly requiring a downward movement, and the subsequent restoration, of one or more of said wall connections.
In case it is not possible, or it is not desired to change the position of the existing wall connections, an alternative would be to move the boiler hanging point(s) higher up, an operation that is unfortunately not always possible due to a lack of space or for the presence of structural obstacles (e.g. lintels, columns, ventilation openings, or other building constraints).
This would also require other masonry work, although less invasive than that required for moving one or more wall connections; for example, it may be necessary to make new holes in the installation wall to insert the tie rods whereon hanging the boiler 3' using special brackets or similar means.
It is therefore clear that both procedures require time and may cause considerable discomfort for the user, especially if carried out in apartments and buildings that are already inhabited.
The object of the present invention is to overcome such types of drawbacks by providing a hydraulic separator capable of reducing the overall dimensions of the boiler, preferably wall-mounted, of a hybrid system adapted to serve a heating system, and/or to facilitate the installation thereof.
A further object of the present invention, at least for some of its executive variants, is to provide a hybrid system adapted to serve a heating system wherein the boiler, comprising a hydraulic separator, has overall dimensions and dimensions that are completely similar or comparable to those of a "traditional" wall-mounted boiler already installed and operational but to be replaced.
A further object of the present invention, at least for some of its executive variants, is to provide a hybrid system adapted to serve a heating system wherein the boiler, comprising a hydraulic separator, may be installed without requiring masonry and/or hydraulic adaptations works and/or moving the connections, already provided, for the indoor heating system or for the sanitary water and/or for the connection to the gas supply network.
These and other objects, which shall become clear later, are achieved with a hybrid system adapted to serve a heating system defined by the combination of a boiler and a heat pump, and related hydraulic separator, in accordance with the provisions of the independent claims.
Other objects may also be achieved by means of the additional features of the dependent claims.
Further features of the present invention shall be better highlighted by the following description of a preferred embodiment, according to the patent claims and illustrated, purely by way of a non-limiting example, in the accompanying drawing tables, wherein:

Figure 1 schematically shows a well-known hybrid system comprising a boiler and a heat pump according to the state of the art;
Figure 2 shows a known hydraulic module associated with the boiler of the hybrid system of figure 1 and detailed views of the internal components thereof;
Figure 3 shows a typical wall installation method of the boiler of the hybrid system of figure 1;
Figure 4 schematically shows the hybrid system comprising a boiler and a heat pump according to the invention;
Figures 5.a ÷ 5.c show, in multiple views, a component of the boiler of the hybrid system according to the invention;
Figure 6 shows a section of the component of Figures 5.a ÷ 5.c;
Figures 7.a ÷ 7.b show a preferred and possible positioning in the boiler of the component of Figures 5.a ÷ 5.c.

The features of one or more preferred variants of the hybrid system adapted to serve a heating system, and related hydraulic separator, are now described, using the references contained in the figures.
During the description, the parts and components of the hybrid system of the invention that are functionally equal or equivalent to those described in the state of the art, will be indicated with the same numerals, although those referred to the state of the art are distinguished by a prime.
It is also specified, as already partly anticipated and as shown in figure 4, that during the present description reference shall be made, without any limiting intent, to a hybrid system 1 adapted to serve a heating system 4, U preferably defined by at least:

a system for the indoor heating 4, comprising one or more heating terminals 40 (e.g., radiators, radiant panels, fan coils, or the like) and/or
a sanitary system for the delivery of sanitary hot water comprising one or more users U.

Said hybrid system 1 may therefore comprise:

a wall-mounted fuel boiler 3 (e.g., gas), preferably of the "combined" condensing type, comprising a body 6 wherein at least one primary circuit 30 for the indoor heating and a secondary circuit 31 for the production of sanitary water may be housed, each respectively comprising a primary exchanger 34 and a sanitary exchanger 35, and at least one hydraulic group 7 (which shall be discussed in detail later during the description),
a heat pump 2, preferably of the air-water type, for example, monoblock. Hereinafter, for the sake of brevity, the aforesaid fuel boiler 3 shall be simply referred to as "boiler" 3.

Boiler 3 and heat pump 2 of the hybrid system 1 are hydraulically connected to each other and electronically interfaced.
For the purposes of the invention, nothing obviously prevents the possibility of adopting heat generators 2, 3 different from those just mentioned, for example, "standard" (non-condensing) instantaneous or storage boilers and/or "split" type air-water heat pumps 2, or the like.
Nothing also prevents said hybrid system 1 from also comprising inertial storages, for example a buffer for the storage of the technical fluid.
According to the invention, instead of outside the boiler 3, the hydraulic module 5 of the hybrid system 1, preferably at least the hydraulic separator 50 thereof, is positioned and housed inside the body 6 of the same boiler 3.
For example, as shown in figure 7.a and/or 7.b, the hydraulic separator 50 is preferably positioned and integrated into the hydraulic group 7 of the boiler 3 which, in the case in question, may comprise at least:

the sanitary heat exchanger 35 of the secondary circuit 31, and/or
the circulation pump (or circulator) 36 adapted to move the technical fluid between the primary 30 and secondary 31 circuits, and/or
the 3-way valve 33, for example of the ON/OFF type, to switch the boiler 3 from an "indoor heating" operation to the "sanitary" operation thereof, and vice versa, and/or
a possible siphon 37 for draining the condensation produced by the hot combustion fumes, of which the residual heat is recovered in the boiler, and/or
the gas and/or safety valves (3 bar) 38.a, 38.b, and/or
the automatic filling tap 39, etc.,

Preferably, the hydraulic separator 50 of the invention may be arranged with the longitudinal axis A-A thereof substantially horizontal, for example parallel to the lying plane of the support plate 70.
Preferably, the hydraulic separator 50 may be positioned for convenience on the back of the hydraulic group 7, i.e. in substantial proximity to the wall 62 that defines the back 62 of the body 6 of the boiler 3.
Preferably, the hydraulic separator 50 may be positioned in an area/space comprised between the possible sanitary exchanger 35 and/or the adjacent circulator 36, and the underlying support plate 70, as shown, without any limiting intent, in figure 7.a.
Such a position is among the most preferred ones, as it is convenient for connecting the hydraulic separator 50 to the connections of the heating 4 and/or sanitary U system, already existing in the installation wall of the boiler 3 or in proximity to the same.
This avoids the need to carry out those masonry and/or hydraulic adjustment works for the connection of the boiler 3 to said heating 4 and/or sanitary U system, especially if the boiler 3 of the hybrid system 1 is intended to replace a boiler already installed, for which specific wall connections had already been prepared and provided (not explicitly shown in the accompanying figures). Similarly to the state of the art, the hydraulic separator 50 of the invention also comprises and cooperates with a plurality of sleeves 51, 52, 53, 54 in fluid communication with at least said boiler 3 and/or the heat pump 2 and the heating system 4, served by said heat generators 2, 3.
Also for the hydraulic separator 50 of the invention, two outlet sleeves 52, 53 and two inlet sleeves 51, 54 are identified.
However, said sleeves 51, 52, 53, 54, instead of being directly connected to the respective delivery 300 and return 301 ducts of the primary circuit 30 of the boiler 3, to the supply duct 302 of the heating system 4 and to the delivery duct 200 of the heat pump 2, as in the state of the art, are instead connected to at least one connection 8, 9, preferably to a pair of connections 8, 9 (see figure 4 and/or 5), belonging to said separator 50.
According to the invention, said connections 8, 9 allow the same hydraulic separator 50 and in particular the relative sleeves 51, 52, 53, 54 to be connected respectively to the boiler 3 and to the heat pump 2 of the hybrid system 1, as well as to the heating system 4 served by said heat generators 2, 3.
As shown in the accompanying figures, in each connection 8, 9, preferably of similar structure, at least the following are therefore identified:

a first passage section 510, 540 for the technical fluid in fluid communication with the inlet sleeve 51, 54 of the hydraulic separator 50,
a second passage section 520, 530 of said technical fluid in fluid communication with the outlet sleeve 52, 53 of the same hydraulic separator 50.

For clarity, said first passage section 510, 540 substantially represents the section whereat the relative inlet sleeve 51, 54 is inserted into the respective connection 8, 9; similarly, said second passage section 520, 530 substantially represents the coupling section of the relative outlet sleeve 52, 53 in the same respective connection 8, 9. In other words:

the first passage section 510, 540 of the connection 8, 9 consists of the section 510, 540 wherethrough the technical fluid circulating in the hybrid system 1 may enter an inlet sleeve 51, 54 and then reach the hydraulic separator 50, while,
the second passage section 520, 530 of the connection 8, 9 consists of the section 520, 530 wherethrough the same technical fluid, coming from the hydraulic separator 50, exits from an outlet sleeve 52, 53 to return to the hybrid system 1.

Said first passage section 510, 540 of the connection 8, 9 is therefore referred to as "inlet section" 510, 540 for the technical fluid towards the hydraulic separator 50; similarly, said second passage section 520, 530 of the connection 8, 9 is considered as the "outlet section" 520, 530 for the technical fluid coming from the same hydraulic separator 50.
Similarly to what provided in the state of the art, the inlet sleeve 51 and the outlet sleeve 53 define between them a first pair of sleeves, referred to as "delivery pair" as they are intended to allow the technical fluid to reach the heating system 4, passing through the hydraulic separator 50, while the inlet sleeve 54 and the outlet sleeve 52 together identify a second pair of sleeves referred to as the "return pair" as it is adapted to receive the same technical fluid coming from the heating system 4 and related heat pump 2.
According to the invention:

said sleeves 51 and 53 of the "delivery pair" are connected to a first shared connection 8,
said sleeves 52 and 54 of the "return pair" are connected to a second shared connection 9.

Preferably, in accordance with a preferred variant of the invention, the inlet 510 and outlet 530 sections respectively of the sleeves 51 and 53 of the "delivery pair" both lie substantially on the same horizontal plane P3-P3, passing through the centres thereof and generally orthogonal to the installation wall of the boiler 3.
Similarly, both the inlet 540 and outlet 520 section of the respective sleeves 54 and 52 of the "return pair" lie on the same horizontal plane P4-P4, also passing through their centres, not necessarily coinciding with the first P3-P3.
Therefore, while in the state of the art the inlet section 510', 540' and the outlet section 520', 530' of a pair of sleeves, more precisely of the sleeves 51', 53' of the "delivery pair" and of the sleeves 52', 54' of the "return pair", lie on two different and parallel horizontal planes P1-P1 and P2-P2 (see figure 2), according to the invention, the homologous inlet 510, 540 and outlet 520, 530 sections preferably lie on a single and common horizontal plane P3-P3 or P4-P4 (see figure 6).
In other words, differently from the state of the art, which provides for sleeves that branch off and develop substantially above and below the hydraulic separator 50' with a substantially rectilinear and vertical setup (see again figures 1 and/or 2), according to the invention, since the connection 8, 9 defines a single common lying plane for the inlet 510, 540 and outlet 520, 530 sections of the respective sleeves 51, 54 and 52, 53, it is provided that the latter are appropriately shaped to connect and link the hydraulic separator 50.
In general, according to the invention, both the sleeves 51, 53 of the "delivery pair" and the sleeves 52, 54 of the "return pair" define therebetween and in combination with the hydraulic separator 50 and the corresponding connection 8, 9, a circulation ring R wherein the technical fluid circulates.
Such configuration allows the assembly "hydraulic separator 50 - sleeves 51, 52, 53, 54" to be compacted and "flattened", reducing the vertical dimensions thereof.
In essence, as shown in figures 5.a - 5.c and/or 6, said sleeves 51, 52, 53, 54 occupy a small volume/space located around the hydraulic separator 50; therefore, said sleeves 51, 52, 53, 54 develop and extend, at least partially, around the longitudinal axis A-A of said hydraulic separator 50, rather than "moving away" vertically with rectilinear setups from the same, as instead provided in the state of the art solutions.
For such purpose, without any limiting intent, at least one, preferably both, of the sleeves 51, 53 and 52, 54 that are part of a respective circulation ring R may take a substantially curvilinear configuration.
Furthermore, in each connection 8, 9, said inlet 510, 540 and outlet 520, 530 sections are preferably placed side by side and adjacent to each other, separated by a partition 80, 90.
Consequently, the attachments of the sleeves 51, 53 of the delivery pair and of the sleeves 52, 54 of the return pair in the respective connection 8, 9 (see figure 5.a) are also placed side by side and substantially adjacent to each other.
All to this facilitates and makes possible, as partly anticipated, the integration of the hydraulic separator 50 in the hydraulic group 7 inside the body 6 of the boiler 3, in particular a housing thereof in the space, usually very limited, which may be identified and/or obtained between the sanitary exchanger 35 and/or the adjacent circulator 36, and the underlying support plate 70 of the same hydraulic group 7.
According to a possible embodiment of the invention, said inlet 510, 540 and outlet 520, 530 sections of the sleeves 51, 52, 53, 54 may be in fluid communication respectively with first 81, 91 and second 82, 92 couplings of the connection 8, 9 which each define a connection and coupling interface with the respective delivery 300 or return 301 duct of the primary circuit of the boiler 3, or supply duct 302 of the heating system 4 or delivery duct of the heat pump 2. Therefore, as shown without any limiting intent in figure 5.b and/or 6:

a first coupling 81 connects the delivery duct 300 of the primary circuit 30 of the boiler 3 to the inlet section 510 of the first connection 8 and therefore to the corresponding inlet sleeve 51 of the hydraulic separator 50,
a second coupling 82 connects the outlet section 530 of the first connection 8, and the relative outlet sleeve 53 of the hydraulic separator 50, to the supply duct 302 of the heating system 4,
a third coupling 91 connects the delivery duct 200 of the heat pump 2 to the inlet section 540 of the second connection 9 and therefore to the corresponding inlet sleeve 54 of the hydraulic separator 50,
a fourth coupling 92 connects the outlet section 520 of the second connection 9, and the relative outlet sleeve 52 of the hydraulic separator 50, to the return duct 301 of the primary circuit 30 of the boiler 3.

For such purpose, as shown in the accompanying figures, said couplings 81, 82, 91, 92 may comprise threaded and/or suitably shaped portions (e.g. equipped with grooves) or similar so as to define a threaded or elastic or shaped or similar coupling with the respective ducts 200, 300, 301, 302 of the hybrid system 1, just listed above.
Preferably, the ends 511, 541 and 521, 531 respectively of said inlet 51, 54 and outlet 52, 53 sleeves, opposite to that of connection to the connections 8, 9, may be indifferently connected to the hydraulic separator 50 or at the shell 500 thereof and/or in one, or both, of the bottoms 501, 502 thereof.
In the figures 5.a - 5.c and/or 6, a variant is shown, without any limiting intent, according to which the ends 511, 541 and 521, 531 of the inlet 51, 54 and outlet 52, 53 sleeves are preferably connected to the shell 500 of the hydraulic separator 50 in a portion considered as the most appropriate and advantageous from a functional and/or constructive point of view, for example in an area substantially close to the relative bottoms 501, 502.
In accordance with a possible non-limiting executive variant, both the ends 511, 531 of the sleeves 51, 53 that define the "delivery pair" and the ends 521, 541 of the homologous sleeves 52, 54 of the "return pair", are respectively fastened/connected to said shell 500 of the hydraulic separator 50 in diametrically opposed positions to the longitudinal axis A-A thereof.
For descriptive completeness (see, for example, figure 7.a), it is necessary to further specify that the aforesaid support plate 70 of the hydraulic group 7, inside the boiler 3, may comprise, without any limiting intent, at least:

first seats 71, 72 for housing respectively said connections 8, 9 of the invention, and/or
second seats 73 for housing specific known attachments 312, 313 whereon the cold water supply and domestic hot water supply pipes 310, 311 on one hand, and the delivery and return ducts from/to the secondary exchanger 35 of the boiler 3 on the other may be connected, and/or
at least one third possible seat 74 arranged for the passage of at least the gas supply pipe directed to the burner 32 of the same boiler 3,

All of this contributes to compact and reduce the dimensions of the hydraulic module 5 of the invention, reducing the overall dimensions thereof to those already substantially provided for the hydraulic group 7 of the boiler 3 alone. Still with a view to minimising the overall dimensions, the electronic unit 56 (also known as "energy manager 56") designed to manage, through logics loaded therein, the integration of the heat pump 2 and of the boiler 3, which together with the separator 50 forms the hydraulic module 5, may be positioned and housed inside the body 6 of the boiler 3; for example, said electronic unit 56 may be fixed to one of the walls 60, 61, 62 of the body 6 of the boiler 3, inside it, preferably in substantial proximity to the hydraulic group 7.
It is clear that with the hybrid system 1, and related hydraulic separator 50, of the invention for indoor heating and/or for the production of domestic hot water, the stated objects are therefore achieved, in particular, that of providing a wall-mounted boiler with reduced overall dimensions, i.e. similar or comparable to those of a traditional wall-mounted boiler that may be normally installed. Furthermore, the hybrid system 1 of the invention allows the wall-mounted boiler thereof to be installed in place of a traditional one without requiring masonry and/or hydraulic adjustment works and/or moving the attachments, already provided, of the system for indoor heating or for the sanitary water and/or for the connection to the gas supply network.

Claims

Hydraulic separator (50) configured to enable the hydraulic integration of a fuel boiler (3) and a heat pump (2) of a hybrid system (1) adapted to serve a heating system (4; U) comprising at least a system for indoor heating (4), said hydraulic separator (50) comprising a hollow tubular body in fluidic connection with a plurality of sleeves (51; 52; 53; 54) adapted to be crossed by a technical fluid of said hybrid system (1), said plurality of sleeves (51; 52; 53; 54) comprising at least:
- a first pair of sleeves (51; 53), defined as delivery pair,

- a second pair of outlet sleeves (52; 54), defined as return pair, characterised in that said hydraulic separator (50) comprises connections (8; 9), each pair of said first pair of the sleeves (51; 53) and second pair of sleeves (52; 54) being connected to a respective connection (8; 9) capable of putting said hydraulic separator (50) into fluid communication with at least said fuel boiler (3) and/or heat pump (2) and/or indoor heating system (4), each connection (8; 9) comprising at least:

- an inlet section (510; 540) whereon an inlet sleeve (51; 54) of said delivery pair or said return pair is inserted,

- an outlet section (530; 520) whereon an outlet sleeve (52; 53) of said delivery pair or said return pair is inserted.
Hydraulic separator (50) according to claim 1, characterised in that said inlet section (510; 540) and said outlet section (530; 520) of each connection (8; 9) lie on a single and common horizontal plane (P3-P3; P4-P4).
Hydraulic separator (50) according to claim 2, characterised in that said inlet section (510; 540) and said outlet section (530; 540) are, in each connection (8; 9), side by side and substantially adjacent to each other.
Hydraulic separator (50) according to claim 3, characterised in that said inlet section (510; 540) and said outlet section (530; 540) of each connection (8; 9) are separated by a partition (80; 90).
Hydraulic separator (50) according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said inlet sleeve (51; 54) and said outlet sleeve (52; 53) of said delivery and return pairs define, between them and in combination with the respective connection (8; 9) whereon they are inserted and said hydraulic separator (50), a circulation ring (R), the attachments of said inlet (51; 54) and outlet (52; 54) sleeve on the respective connection (8; 9) resulting side by side and adjacent to each other.
Hydraulic separator (50) according to one or more of the previous claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the end (511; 541) of said one inlet sleeve (51; 54) and the end (521; 531) of said one outlet sleeve (52; 53) are connected to said hydraulic separator (50) at the shell (500) thereof.
Hydraulic separator (50) according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said inlet section (510; 540) and said outlet section (520; 530) respectively of said inlet (51; 54) and outlet (52; 53) sleeve are in fluid communication with first (81; 91) and second (82; 92) couplings of said connection (8; 9), said first (81; 91) and second (82; 92) couplings each defining a connection and coupling interface with respective connection ducts to said fuel boiler (3) and/or heat pump (2) and/or indoor heating system (4).
Hybrid system (1) adapted to serve a system for the at least indoor heating (4) equipped with one or more heating terminals (40) and comprising at least:
- a fuel boiler (3),

- a heat pump (2), hydraulically connected to said gas boiler (3), and

- a hydraulic module (5) comprising at least a hydraulic separator (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
Hybrid system (1) according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said fuel boiler (3) comprises a body (6), and said hydraulic separator (50) is housed inside the body (6) of said fuel boiler (3).
Hybrid system (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that said fuel boiler (3) further comprises a hydraulic group (7), and said hydraulic separator (50) is:
- positioned and integrated with said hydraulic group (7), comprising at least a circulator (36) of said fuel boiler (3),

- arranged with the longitudinal axis A-A thereof substantially horizontal and parallel to the lying plane of a support plate (70) of said hydraulic group (7) which is part of, or element constrainable to, a wall (60; 61, 62) of the body (60) of said fuel boiler (3).
Hybrid system (1) according to claim 10, characterised in that said hydraulic separator (50) is positioned on the back of said hydraulic group (7), in substantial proximity of the wall (62) that defines the back (62) of the body (60) of said fuel boiler (3).
Hybrid system (1) according to any previous claim from 8 onwards, characterised in that said fuel boiler (3) is a condensing boiler of combined type arranged for said indoor heating and for the production of sanitary hot water, said hydraulic group (7) further comprising at least a sanitary heat exchanger (35) of a secondary circuit (31) of said gas boiler (3).
Hybrid system (1) according to claim 12, characterised in that said hydraulic separator (50) is positioned in a space between said secondary heat exchanger (35) and/or the adjacent circulator (36) and said underlying support plate (70).
Hybrid system (1) according to one or more of the previous claims from 8 onwards, characterised in that said support plate (70) comprises:
- first seats (71; 72) for housing each connection (8; 9), and/or

- second seats (73) for housing attachments (312; 313) for at least the connection, on one side, of a cold water supply duct (310) and a sanitary hot water delivery duct (311), on the other, of the delivery and return ducts of said secondary heat exchanger (35), and/or

- a third seat (74) arranged for the passage of at least the gas supply pipe directed to a burner (32) of said fuel boiler (3).
Hybrid system (1) according to at least claim 8, characterised in that said hydraulic module (5) further comprises an electronic unit (56) designed to manage the integration of said fuel boiler (2) and said heat pump (2), said one electronic unit (56) being positioned and housed inside the body (6) of said fuel boiler (3).
Hybrid system (1) according to any previous claim from 8 onwards, characterised in that said heat pump (2) is an air-water heat pump.