FR2905750A1 - COMBINED BOILER / SANITARY WATER HEATER. - Google Patents

Abstract

- The invention relates to a combined device for heating a room and producing hot water for sanitary purposes, said device comprising: - at least a first tank (2) intended to contain water for sanitary use (F1 at least one second tank (6) for containing a heat-transfer fluid for heating purposes (F2), said device (1) being characterized in that it comprises at least one heat source (4) connected to a first heat diffusion means (5) located in said first tank (2) and adapted to communicate heat to the sanitary water (F1) and in that the first tank (2) is arranged at least in part inside the second tank (6) so as to transfer heat (Q) from the sanitary water (F1) to the heat transfer fluid (F2) .- Combined heating devices of a room and production of hot water for sanitary purposes.

Description

The present invention relates to the following:

  relates to the general field heating devices for increasing the temperature of one or more fluids, such as water, for their sanitary use and / or their use as heating vector of a local . The present invention more particularly relates to a combined device for heating a room and producing hot water for sanitary purposes, said device comprising: at least a first tank delimited by a first wall and intended to contain water to sanitary use, at least a second tank delimited by a second wall and intended to contain a heat-transfer fluid for heating purposes, such as water. In order to ensure domestic comfort, it is known to produce hot water for various purposes. On the one hand, it is known to produce hot water for sanitary purposes, for personal hygiene (toilet) or daily household chores (dishes). For this purpose, devices of the water-heater type 20 are frequently used, including a tank associated with a heating element, such as an electrical resistance, said heaters being intended to produce and temporarily store said hot water. B70418 / FR 2905750 2 On the other hand, it is known to use hot water as heat transfer fluid intended to circulate in a closed heating circuit in order to temper the living quarters during periods of cold. Typically, such a heating installation may comprise a boiler connected to a circuit comprising for example radiators and / or a heated floor. Although the hot water production apparatus of the prior art generally give satisfaction, they nevertheless have some significant disadvantages.

  In the first place, the production of hot water for sanitary purposes is often separated from the production of heating water. This results in a multiplication of the heaters and, therefore, a significant increase in installation and maintenance costs. In addition, said heaters are frequently installed away from the points of use of the hot water they produce, and moreover often in unheated rooms, such as laundries, cellars or boiler rooms, such that the production and then the transport of said hot water to its point of use are sometimes at the origin of significant heat losses.

  Finally, many prior art heating appliances consume fossil fuels (gas, domestic fuel) and therefore have a relatively unfavorable environmental balance.  The objects assigned to the present invention therefore seek to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and to propose a new combination device for space heating and domestic hot water production which has a particularly high energy efficiency.  Another object assigned to the invention is to propose a new device that is particularly simple, compact and compact design.  Another object assigned to the invention is to propose a new device which requires only a minimum of maintenance and simplifies the maintenance installation operations.  Another object assigned to the invention is to propose a new device that is particularly respectful of the environment.  Another object assigned to the invention is to propose a new device which has a large autonomy and a great flexibility of use.  Another object assigned to the invention is to propose a new device that optimizes the comfort of the user.  Another object assigned to the invention is to propose a new device which has a good responsiveness and an important ability to adapt to the needs of the user.  Finally, another object assigned to the invention is to propose a new device whose manufacture is particularly simple and inexpensive.  The objects assigned to the invention are achieved by means of a combined device 20 for heating a room and for producing hot water for sanitary purposes, said device comprising: at least a first tank delimited by a first wall and intended to contain water for sanitary purposes, 870418 / FR 2905750 4 at least one second tank delimited by a second wall and intended to contain a heat-transfer fluid for heating purposes, such as water, said device being characterized in that it comprises at least one heat source connected to a first heat diffusion means located in said first tank, said first heat diffusion means being adapted to communicate heat to the sanitary water so as to to bring the latter to a first temperature T1, and in that the first tank is arranged at least partly inside the second tank so as to transfer heat from the water to usa sanitary generation to the heat transfer fluid and thus heat the latter to bring it to a second temperature T2, substantially less than or equal to the first temperature T ,.  Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear in more detail on reading the description which follows, and with the aid of the accompanying drawings, provided for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes, among which: FIG. 1 illustrates, in a diagrammatic cross-sectional view, an example of an installation implementing a variant of a combined device according to the invention; FIG. 2 illustrates, in a schematic diagram, an example of a temperature gradient at In the combined device variant shown in FIG. 1, FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate, in schematic cross-sectional views, two alternative arrangements of the first and second tanks within devices conforming to FIG. invention.  B70418 / FR 2905750 5 - Figure 4 illustrates, in a sectional view, an example of a mixing bottle that can be used as a supplementary heat source in a device according to the invention.  The present invention relates to a heating device 1 of at least two fluids FI, F2, such as water, for their sanitary use and their use as a heating vector of a room, respectively. .  Within the meaning of the invention, the device 1 is therefore capable of supplying heat to fluids, gaseous and / or liquid, so as to increase the temperature of said fluids.  By sanitary use means the use of a fluid, and particularly preferably the use of water, for personal hygiene (toilet) or domestic duties, such as dishes.  By heating vector, it is indicated that the fluid in question is used as heat transfer fluid intended to transport heat from the heating device to a dissipation member, such as a radiator or a heated floor, which is suitable for heat a room.  Within the meaning of the invention, the operation of heating a room consists in providing heat in a place, preferably closed, so as to maintain in this place a temperature substantially higher than that of its environment.  More specifically, the device 1 according to the invention comprises: - at least a first tank 2 delimited by a first wall 3 and intended to contain water for sanitary use (hereinafter first fluid) FI, 870418 / FR 2905750 6 at least a second tank 6 delimited by a second wall 7 and intended to contain a coolant (hereinafter second fluid) F2.  In other words, the device 1 according to the invention constitutes a combined type of heating apparatus for heating a room and for producing domestic hot water, the first tank 2 of which substantially forms a water heater and the second tank 6 substantially forms the balloon of a boiler.  In a particularly preferred manner, said device 1 constitutes a domestic heating appliance, intended for example for collective or private dwellings, such as apartments, lodges, etc.  Of course, the present invention is intended for any type of premises without restriction of destination or area, including any premises for commercial use, storage or housing, such as an apartment, a pavilion , an office building etc.  Moreover, it is remarkable that the room within the meaning of the invention can be integrated in a fixed building, or in a nomadic structure, including housing, temporary accommodation or transport.  In particular, the device 1 can be adapted to be installed in a nomadic structure of the motorhome, caravan, mobile home, boat, train, prefabricated module, or construction site.  According to an important characteristic of the invention, the device 1 comprises at least one heat source 4 which is connected to a first heat diffusion means 5 located in said first tank 2, said first heat diffusion means 5 being designed to communicating the heat with water for sanitary use F1 to bring it to a first temperature T1.  Of course, the expression heat diffusion does not prejudge the mode of exchange and propagation of heat, for example by conduction, convection and / or radiation, and simply indicates that the heat diffusion means 5 is able to provide , or dispense, heat to the first fluid F1.  According to another important characteristic of the invention, the first tank 2 is arranged at least partly inside the second tank 6 so as to transfer heat Q from the sanitary water F1 to the coolant F2 and thus heat said coolant F2 to bring it to a second temperature T2, substantially less than or equal to the first temperature T1.  Thus, the device 1 according to the invention is advantageously arranged so that its energy losses by heat loss in its environment are minimized.  Indeed, the heat is produced (or introduced) substantially in its heart, then is, at least partly, transferred from its heart to its periphery.  In other words, the arrangement of the device 1 according to the invention aims to organize the different functional areas of said device by arranging them in the space between the first heat diffusion means 5 and the outside of the device. in successive layers ordered according to their decreasing order of normal operating temperature.  Within the meaning of the invention, a functional zone designates a region of the space of the device 1 which contains a fluid intended for a particular use and whose temperature, preferably substantially homogeneous, is predetermined according to this use.  Thus, the space occupied in the first tank 2 by the first fluid F1 may constitute a first functional zone, while the space occupied by the second fluid F2 in the second tank 6 constitutes a second functional zone.  Thus, the heat from said first diffusion means 5 is passed successively through these different functional zones, according to a natural decreasing thermal gradient.  More precisely, the heat Q supplied by the source 4 is firstly communicated from the first diffusion means 5 to the first hot fluid F1, then from the first fluid F1 to the second fluid F2 that is lukewarm through the first wall 3.  The second wall 7 preferably forms the interface, at least partially, between the inside of the device 1 and the external environment of the latter.  Thus, when said external environment is at a temperature TE less than the second temperature T2, the second fluid F2 advantageously buffers between the first tank 2, and more precisely the first fluid F1 and the outside of the device 1, such that so that the temperature gradient on either side of the second wall 7 is generally as small as possible, since it corresponds to the T2-TE temperature difference between the second warm fluid F2 and the outside, and not between the first hot fluid FI and the outside.  More generally, it is of course conceivable to heat more than two fluids and to order the corresponding functional zones so that the hot functional zones are preserved from the strong heat losses by the warm zones which separate them at least 5. in part from the outside of the device, the temperature difference between the peripheral functional zone, the most exposed to losses, and the outside of the device 1 is therefore minimized.  Preferably, the second tank 6, and more precisely the second wall 7, is furthermore covered, at least in part and preferably entirely, with a thermally insulating material 12.  Advantageously, said insulating material 12 forms a barrier, shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1, which confines the heat produced or supplied within the device 1 in said device 1, that is to say limits the thermal losses of the interior. outwardly of said device.  More specifically, said insulating material 12 may be single-layer or multilayer, for example formed in a synthetic honeycomb polymer which encapsulates the device 1 and which may in particular be attached to and / or integrated with the outer walls of said device, and more specifically on the second wall 7.  According to an alternative embodiment, the heat source 4 is placed, preferably in its entirety, inside the first tank 2, and particularly preferably substantially in the center of the latter, so as to be immersed in the first fluid Fi.  Thus, the production of heat, that is to say the generation of calories, is carried out directly on site, inside the device 1, and preferably substantially in the heart of said device, so that There is no heat loss inherent in the transfer between the heat source 4 and the first heat diffusion means 5.  This naturally optimizes the energy efficiency of the device 1 since most, if not substantially all, of the heat produced within said device 1 actually contributes to heating the first and second fluid, even if a small part of said heat is likely to be finally dissipated 'to the outside of the device, after having passed through the various successive functional zones.  Preferably, as shown in FIG. 1, the heat source 4 comprises an electric heating resistor 10, optionally sheathed with a sleeve 11.  Said sheath 11 is preferably made of a refractory material allowing on the one hand the protection of said resistor 10 against calcareous deposits and on the other hand the distribution or accumulation of heat.  In addition, the sheath 11 is preferably placed directly in contact with the first fluid at its outer surface to form a first diffusion means 5 allowing at least conductive heat transfer.  Furthermore, the device 1 is preferably provided with at least one hot water outlet connection 20 designed to put the first tank 2 in communication with a sanitary plumbing installation 21 (or domestic hot water circuit), to feed the latter.  B70418 / FR 2905750 11 Conventionally, such a connection may be formed by a tubular element which passes through the first wall 3 and at the end of which is fixed an annular flange.  According to the invention, the first tank 2 may advantageously form a water heater, that is to say be designed both for the production and storage of domestic hot water.  In addition, the device 1 is preferably provided with one or more heating connections 30, 30 ', 31, 31' designed to put the second tank 6 in communication with a heating installation 32 (or heating circuit).  In addition, the heat transfer fluid for heating F2 is preferably formed by water, optionally containing an additive such as antifreeze.  Advantageously, the use of water simplifies the supply of the second fluid F2 and contributes to minimizing the cost of the installation.  In a particularly preferred manner, the heating installation 32 forms a closed circuit, a section of which is formed by the interior of the second tank 6.  More precisely, said heating installation 32 can connect a starting heating connection 30, 30 'through which the second fluid leaves the second tank 6 to a return heating connection 31, 31' by which said second fluid returns to inside said second tank 6.  Preferably, the hot water outlet fitting 20 and the starting heating connection 30, 30 'are preferably arranged in the respective upper parts of the first and second tanks, so that they respectively take the first and second fluids in the hottest layers of said fluids.  B70418 / EN 2905750 12 In addition, the flow and / or return connections of the heating circuit may be equipped with non-return valves to guarantee the unidirectional circulation of the coolant.  Conventionally, the heating installation 32 may comprise a circulator 33, as well as dissipation members 34, such as radiators, fan heaters, a floor heating, or any other equivalent means.  According to an alternative embodiment, as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1, the device 1 may comprise several sets of 10 heating connections, and more specifically several starting connections 30, 30 ', in particular formed by standard diameter elements. 26/34, and a plurality of return connectors 31, 31 '.  Thus, it will be possible for example to assign at least a first set, that is to say a first pair of feed and return connections, to the supply 15 of a floor heating and a second set (or second pair) , separate from the first, to supply a separate circuit of radiators.  Preferably, each of the two independent heating circuits will furthermore have its own circulator.  Moreover, it is remarkable that the inventors have found that it is generally useless, in temperate latitudes, to carry the heat transfer fluid F2 at a very high temperature in order to obtain an ambient temperature, in a suitably insulated dwelling, of the order of 20 C.  More specifically, for use in underfloor heating, it is sufficient to have a temperature T2 of the heat transfer fluid F2 in the second tank 25 between 25 C and 50 C, and preferably between 28 C and 870418 / FR 2905750 13 40 C, while for a radiator circuit, a temperature T2 of said heat transfer fluid F2 of the order of 40 C to 55 C is satisfactory.  On the other hand, the temperature TI of the water for sanitary use contained in the first tank 2 is preferably both to ensure user comfort and to meet sanitary standards in the fight against microorganisms. , substantially between 60 C and 70 C, and preferably is substantially equal to 65 C.  Therefore, the device 1 advantageously uses the hot water FI as a hot source for heating the heat transfer fluid F2.  Thus, the device 1 does not waste energy to overheat said heat transfer fluid F2, either directly for heating or indirectly to heat the water F1 for sanitary use.  In addition, the inventors have found that, while it is frequently necessary, or at least useful for the user's comfort, to have a large supply of hot water for sanitary use FI, it is necessary to on the contrary to minimize the amount of heat transfer fluid F2 in the boiler (here, the second tank 6) so as to promote and accelerate the heating thereof, and thus optimize the reactivity of the heating system 32.  This is why the volume of water for sanitary use FI contained in the device 1, and more precisely the first tank 2, is preferably greater than or equal to the volume of heat transfer fluid F 2 contained in said device 1, and more precisely the second tank 6.  In particular, the ratio of the volume of sanitary water to the volume of heat transfer fluid within the device may be substantially greater or equal to 1 (i.e. the device contains at least as much water for sanitary use as heat transfer fluid), preferably substantially greater than or equal to 2 (that is to say that the device 1 contains twice as much water for sanitary use as heat transfer fluid), and particularly preferably 5 greater than or equal to 3, or even greater than or equal to 5, or even greater than or equal to 10.  Of course, in order to ensure a certain stability of the temperature of the first fluid FI within the first tank 2, especially when the user draws hot water, the first tank 2 will preferably contain a significant volume, for example example between 100 liters and 300 liters, which gives it a certain thermal inertia.  Finally, it is remarkable that the device 1 allows to have all year long a large reserve of domestic hot water without having for that need to maintain a large volume of heat transfer fluid 15 when no longer necessary to heat the room, which limits the necessary heating power and energy consumption of said device 1, while improving the stability and responsiveness of its water heater function.  Preferably, the device 1 is arranged in such a way that the first and second fluids F1, F2 are separated without the possibility of mixing with each other and can not escape from said device 1 other than by means of ports (connections) provided for this purpose.  That is why the first and second walls 3, 7 are preferably perfectly sealed, especially in the foreseeable conditions of normal operating temperature and pressure of the device 1.  According to a preferred embodiment, the first tank 2 is arranged with respect to the second tank 6 so that the first wall 3 is in contact with the heat transfer fluid F2 for at least 50%, preferably on at least 75%, and particularly preferably at least 90% of its outer surface.  In other words, the first tank 2 is then mostly covered by the second fluid F2 in which it is immersed and is preferably completely immersed (with the possible exception of the surfaces necessary for the mechanical fixing of the first and second tanks, of course).  According to an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the first tank 2 is completely contained in the second tank 6, that is to say that the volume occupied by the first tank 2 is included in the volume occupied by the second tank 6.  Thus, the volume occupied by the second tank 6 and marked by the second wall 7 may substantially define the overall size of the device 1.  Within the meaning of the invention, the device 1 therefore preferably comprises a first substantially internal or central vessel 2, associated with a second substantially external or peripheral vessel 6.  Of course, the first and second tanks can adopt various shapes and volumes, without departing from the scope of the invention.  However, particularly preferably, the first and / or the second vessel 2, 6, and more precisely the first and / or second wall 3, 7, will have a substantially cylindrical shape of extension axis (XX ') of circular section, and closed at each of its ends by a straight or curved base surface (for example spherical cap type).  In a particularly preferred manner, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the first and the second vats may be arranged substantially vertically, and nested one inside the other, in a substantially coaxial manner.  In addition, the first and second vessels are preferably fixed in connection with each other, for example by a weld bead, so as to eliminate any mobility relative to one another.  Of course, the present invention is not limited to a particular arrangement of the first and the second tank 2, 6, said arrangement 10 may further constitute an invention in its own right, regardless of the destination (sanitary use or heating) respective first and second fluid.  Thus, the first wall 3 may have a lower portion 31 and an upper portion 3S connected by a lateral portion 3L, while, as shown schematically in FIG. 3A, the second tank 6 may form a cap that covers substantially said upper portion 3S and at least a portion of said lateral portion 3L.  According to another variant embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, the first tank 2 can be substantially immersed in the heat transfer fluid F2, with the exception, however, of the areas covered by a support 47, of relatively small dimensions, which connects stably to the second wall 7.  Said support 47 may in particular be formed by a collar or a boss stamped into the interior of the second tank 6 from its lower portion.  B70418 / FR 2905750 17 Preferably, the first wall 3 and the second wall 7 are mostly disjoint and define an interstitial space 40 containing the heat transfer fluid F2.  Mostly disjointed, it is indicated that, in a configuration of the device 1 according to which the second tank 6 would be contiguous to the first tank 2, or even made of material with the latter, this wall community would be only partial and limited.  More specifically, the proportion of the first wall 3 contiguous directly in contact with the second wall 7, or a fortiori merged with the latter, does not exceed 50%, preferably 30%, and particularly preferably 10% in area. .  In other words, the first and second tanks are advantageously substantially separated from each other so as to maximize the exchange surface between the first and the second fluid through the first wall.  In addition, such an arrangement limits the direct exposure areas of the first tank 2 to the outside temperature TE.  By direct exposure zones are meant areas of the device in which a short-circuit thermal bridge is formed by which heat can flow directly from the sanitary water FI to the outside of the device, through the first wall 3 and if necessary through the layer of insulating material 12, without intermediate passage by the heat transfer fluid F2.  Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, the first vessel 2 may have a base diameter substantially smaller than that of the second vessel 6 and said first and second tanks may be attached to each other only 25 by their lower base so that the second fluid F2 bathes the lateral and upper portions of the first wall 3.  In this particular configuration, the second tank 6 caps the first tank 2 forming a kind of bell in which the second fluid F2 surrounds the first wall 3.  The interstitial space 40, here corresponding to the region of the space between the outside of the first wall 3 and the inside of the second wall 7, will naturally be dimensioned so as to allow the circulation of the second fluid F2 around of the first tank 2, and more particularly between the return heating connection 31, 31 'and the starting heating connection 30, 30', while ensuring a sufficiently efficient heat transfer from the first tank 2 to the second fluid F2.  As such, it is conceivable to have in the interstitial space 40, and more particularly to the inner surface of the wall 7, means for counteracting the flow of said second fluid F2 within said interstitial space 40, such as asperities. or baffles, or even rendering said flow turbulent to improve heat transfer between the first and second fluid.  In addition, those skilled in the art will be able to appreciate, on a case-by-case basis, the dimensions of the first and second tanks, as well as the power of the heat source 4, as well as the number and size of the dissipators 34 or the flow rate of the second fluid F2 in the heating system 32.  Of course, it is perfectly conceivable to thus have more than two nesting vats which wrap each other, preferably in a substantially coaxial or concentric manner, and delimit several consecutive separated interstitial spaces which contain as many fluids to be heated.  In addition, in order to compensate for the volume of water taken from the first tank 2 by the user when the latter draws domestic hot water, the device 1 is preferably provided with an orifice of 41 which communicates with the outside of said device 1 and allows the connection thereof to a cold water supply network (not shown).  According to a particularly advantageous embodiment shown in Figure 1, the device 1 further comprises a preheating circuit 42 of the sanitary water, said preheating circuit 42 joining the inlet port 41 to the first tank 2 by means of a pipe 43 immersed in the heat transfer fluid F2.  Thus, said tubing 43 advantageously serves as a heat exchanger between the second fluid F2, or directly the first wall 3, and the cold water admitted into the tank 1, so that the cold water from the network is warmed up before entering the heart of the first tank 2.  In addition, the point of entry of the water of the network into the first tank 2 is preferably located in the lower part of said first tank, and in the immediate vicinity of the first heat diffusion means 5.  Thus, the admission of cold water, in the context of normal operation, does not lead to a significant variation, and in any case no abrupt variation, in the average temperature of the water for sanitary use F1 contained in the first tank 2 and drawn by the user, so that the comfort and safety of the latter are assured.  Of course, the tubing 43 may have any shape, including a substantially flattened section and / or parallelepiped.  However, it will preferably be formed by a circular section tube and particularly preferably coiled wound around the first vessel 2, in contact with or at a distance from the latter, in the interstitial space 40.  Of course, the materials constituting the first tank 2 and the second tank 6, as well as the preheating tubing 43 will be chosen so as to be physically and chemically compatible with the first and second fluids F1, F2 with which they are brought into contact, as well as with the temperature and pressure ranges corresponding to the operation of the device 1.  In addition, the elements involved in heat transfer, such as the preheating pipe 43 or the first wall 3, in the zones where said first wall is interposed between the first and the second fluid F1, F2, will naturally be realized. based on materials having a high thermal conductivity.  Thus, the first wall 3 may in particular be made of metal, and more particularly of stainless steel, aluminum, copper or a copper-based alloy.  The second wall 7 may be formed for example based on stainless steel or enamelled steel.  Preferably, as shown in FIG. 1, the device 1 can be provided with an access orifice 45 provided with fixing means, such as a circular screw flange, designed so that one can report sealingly on said access port 45 a removable shutter panel 46.  Such a removable panel 46 may furthermore form a base serving as a support for the first heat diffusion means 5, and, more specifically, for the electrical resistance 10.  B70418 / FR 2905750 21 Advantageously, such an arrangement simplifies the maintenance of the device 1 since it makes it possible, on the one hand, to replace, as the case may be, the heat source 4 or the diffusion means 5 in the event of failure or degradation of these devices. ci, and secondly to access the interior of the first tank 2 or even the second tank 6, for example to carry out a descaling.  Of course, the device may be provided with filling means connected to the water supply network, as well as purge means connected to the sewage network, such as ball valves (not shown) placed at the low points of the first and the second tank, so as to allow additional filling, or conversely the emptying of one or the other of said tanks.  In addition, the device 1 may be provided with one or more air purge means, preferably located at the high points of said tanks.  Moreover, for safety reasons, said device will preferably be associated with one or more pressure-limiting means capable of evacuating fluid from the first and / or the second tank in the event of abnormal rise in the pressure in them. breast.  In addition, the device 1 according to the invention will preferably be provided with a first and a second temperature probe 50, 51 respectively immersed in the first fluid F1 and the second fluid F2.  Said probes can naturally be coupled to a regulating member, for example electronic or electromechanical, which triggers the activation of the heat source 4 when the temperature of one and / or the other fluid F 1, F 2 goes down. a predetermined threshold, and, conversely, which cuts off the heat source 4 when one and / or the other temperature exceeds a predetermined upper threshold.  Such a control system makes it possible in particular to maintain a sufficiently high temperature of the domestic hot water to eliminate certain pathogenic germs, while avoiding bringing said water to a boil.  Of course, those skilled in the art will be able to appreciate the dimensioning of the device 1, and in particular the respective capacities and dimensions of the first and the second tank, the nominal operating temperatures TI and T2, the power of the 10 heat source 4 and the flow rate of the circulator 33, depending on the anticipated consumption of domestic hot water, the climate under which the device is installed, the area and the quality of the insulation of the room to be heated.  For example, at temperate latitudes, electrical resistance powers of the order of 1000 to 5000 Watts and preferably 2000 to 3000 Watts may be employed for first tank volumes of substantially 100 at 300 liters.  As such, and although the first heat diffusion means 5, and especially the heat source 4, is preferably the sole means of communicating heat to the device 1, it is conceivable that the device 1 comprises in addition, an auxiliary heat source 60, such as a solar panel 61 or an additional heating resistor, said auxiliary heat source 60 being connected to a second heat diffusion means 62 located outside the first tank 2 and arranged to communicate heat to the heat transfer fluid F2.  B70418 / FR 2905750 23 Advantageously, this auxiliary heat source 60 makes it possible firstly to increase the overall heating power of the device 1, particularly in the event of a very cold, and secondly to regulate more precisely the temperature T2, relatively independently of the gradient existing between the first temperature TI and the temperature of the environment TE.  Thus, the auxiliary heat source 60 may advantageously be implemented in order to limit the volume of the sanitary water reserve FI while preserving the regulating effect of said reserve.  Indeed, said volume would otherwise tend to increase when it is desired to have a high heating power while ensuring relative stability of the temperature of water for sanitary use.  In other words, the auxiliary source 60 allows the user to have a water heater whose volume is not excessive while maintaining a large boiler power output, capable of covering a wide range of situations Climatic conditions to which the room to be heated is exposed.  Preferably, however, the power of the additional heat source remains substantially less than that of the heat source 4 and / or the first heat diffusion means 5, which form the main heat supply members of the device 1 .  The second heat diffusion means 62 may for example be formed by a coil or an equivalent heat exchanger disposed inside the second tank 6 and immersed in the second fluid F2, so that the heat transfer fluid contained in the circuit booster 64 which connects said coil to the booster source 60 does not mix with the second fluid F2.  However, as illustrated in FIG. 1, it will preferably be the same heat transfer fluid F2 which will circulate in the booster circuit 64 and in the heating circuit 32, the mixture being made of preferably in a section common to the two circuits within the interstitial space 40.  As a variant, it is of course conceivable for the booster circuit 64 to communicate heat to the heating circuit 32 in an area outside the tank 2, and more specifically substantially to the heating return connection 31.  According to such a variant, the auxiliary circuit 64 may connect the solar panel 61 to an exchanger 65 connected to the heating pipe upstream of the heating return connection 31.  It is remarkable that the use of a solar thermal panel 61 advantageously contributes to the ecological operation of the booster circuit 64.  According to an alternative embodiment which may constitute an invention as such, independently of the device 1, the auxiliary source 60 may comprise a mixing bottle 80 such as that represented in FIG. 4.  Said mixing bottle 80 has an inlet port 81 to be connected to the heating circuit 32, preferably provided with a check valve, and an outlet port 82, preferably connected to the return fitting 30.  Said bottle 80 also preferably comprises a heat source 83, of the electrical resistance type, and / or connection means 84 to an exchanger, as well as a heat sensor 85 designed to thermally regulate the calorie intake of the source. and / or from the exchanger to the heat transfer fluid 2 within the bottle 80.  It is noteworthy that the volume of the mixing bottle 80 is advantageously restricted in order to allow a rapid rise in the temperature of the coolant F 2, especially at the start of the device 1, without it being otherwise essential. to overcome previously the thermal inertia of the volume of water for sanitary use Fi.  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the device 1 may comprise a power generation unit 70, offset with respect to the tanks, as well as electrical connection means 71 connecting said electricity production unit. to the heating resistor 10.  Of course, it is conceivable for the power generation unit 70 to produce electrical energy from any source of energy, including fossil energy.  Thus, said unit 70 may for example consist of a generator, the drive may possibly be provided by the same combustion engine as that for the propulsion of the nomadic structure, boat or camper, within which device is installed 1.  However, particularly preferably, the electricity generating unit 70 is designed to produce electricity from a renewable energy source and may include a photovoltaic solar panel or a wind turbine.  Advantageously, such an alternative embodiment allows the device 1 to operate, at least partially, independently and in a particularly environmentally friendly manner.  In particular, in the hot period, when the second fluid F2 is maintained in the second tank 6 and does not circulate in the heating circuit 32, that is to say that the energy supplied to the device 1 is essentially, or even 25 dedicated exclusively to the production of hot water in the first tank 2, such a photovoltaic power supply system can perfectly suffice for the autarkic operation of the device 1.  In addition, the device 1 may comprise an electrical energy storage unit 72, battery-type, which is connected to the heating resistor 10 so as to power the latter electrically.  Particularly advantageously, by connecting the power generation unit 70 to the battery 72, a power supply system is created capable of accumulating electrical energy, for example during a sunny day, and then restoring it.

  when it is necessary to provide heating power to the device 1, for example at night. It is remarkable that such an arrangement is particularly well suited to the use of the device 1 in a residential structure away from the distribution networks, or a mobile housing structure, such as motorhome , caravan, cruise ship, etc., especially in abundantly sunny latitudes. The operation of a preferred embodiment of the device 1 will now be briefly described. For this purpose, it is considered that the device 1 forms a boiler / boiler combination whose heat source 4 is formed by an electrical resistor 10, the second tank of which is connected to a heating circuit 32 and the first tank to a circuit for domestic hot water distribution 21. In a first step, it is considered that the circulator 33 of the heating circuit is cut and that the first and second tanks 2 and 6 are both filled with balanced cold water whose temperature is Substantially equal to the environmental temperature of the device TE. As a minimum setpoint temperature for the first temperature T1, the value T1M, N, for example equal to 65.degree. C., is set as the maximum setpoint, and the value Timax, preferably substantially equal to 70.degree. C., is the maximum setpoint.

The first temperature sensor 50 then measures TI equal to TE (for example 20 C), which triggers, via the regulator, the production of heat by the resistor 10. Said heat is transmitted firstly to the first fluid F1, in particular by conduction, from the sheath 11 to the proximal water layers of the first fluid FI placed in contact with it, and then from said proximal water layers to the distal water layers of the first fluid FI, located remote from said The heat then diffuses through the first wall 3 to be transmitted from the first fluid F1 to the second fluid F2 located in the interstitial space 40. More precisely, the heat Q propagates through the second fluid F2, from the layers located near the first wall 3 (hot) to the layers located at the periphery of the device, against the inner face of the second wall 7 (cold). Said second wall 7 being covered or lined with a thermally insulating material 12, the propagation of heat is considerably reduced between the inside of the second tank 6 and the outside of the device 1. In other words, it confines substantially the heat supplied by the resistor 10 within the device 1. The first temperature of the first fluid rises substantially as long as the power supply of the resistor 10 is maintained (and the losses B70418 / FR 2905750 28 do not balance not the production of heat by said resistance, of course). When the temperature of the first fluid exceeds the lower setpoint T1MIN, and preferably when it reaches the upper setpoint T1, the supply of the resistor 10 is interrupted and the acquired heat substantially retained within the device 1. If the user draws hot water by means of the domestic hot water circuit 21, he creates a call for cold water which enters the device through the admission port 41 and travels through the tubing 43 until The cold water receives, through the wall of the coil 43, heat from the second fluid F2, which has the effect of warming it. If the water supply is large enough, it causes a significant decrease in the temperature of the first fluid F1 contained in the first tank 2, which falls below the set value T1M, N, which has the effect of It is again remarkable that the sheath 11 may comprise a large mass of refractory material, capable of accumulating thermal energy and then of restoring it and having a sufficient inertia to maintain the temperature of the first fluid at an acceptable level without the need to reactivate the resistor for several hours. Suppose now that it is necessary to heat the premises served by the device 1 because of the arrival of the cold season. The circulator 33 is then started, which takes the second fluid F2, which until now was stored at a second equilibrium temperature T2 substantially in the vicinity of the temperature TI, from the second tank 6. 'hot water. The second fluid then travels through the dissipator circuit 34 by which it communicates heat to the room before returning, substantially cooled, to the second tank 2. By entering the interstitial space 40, said second fluid F2 flows in contact with the first wall 3 which is substantially at the first temperature T1. In doing so, the second fluid takes heat from the first wall 3, 10 which in return takes heat from the first fluid F1 which therefore sees its temperature drop. When the temperature of the first fluid falls below its lower reference value T1MIN, the resistor 10 is energized so as to compensate for the heat loss corresponding to the consumption of the heating circuit 32. Thus, in the steady state, it is possible to observe within the device 1 a spatial temperature gradient such as that schematized by the diagram of FIG. 2, which represents the temperature (ordinate axis) as a function of the distance to the extension axis (XX ') according to the transverse direction (YY ') 20 shown in FIG. 1. By convention, it is considered here that the first and second temperatures T1 and T2 reflect average values in the fluids concerned, said temperatures being able in particular to depend on the flow conditions of the coolant 2 and the altitude of the measurement point considered. 870418 / FR 2905750 As illustrated in said diagram, the heating resistor 10 is carried and substantially maintained at a temperature TR which enables it to transfer calories to the first fluid F1 and thus to maintain the temperature T, of this substantially between the lower and upper set point values, despite the extraction of calories operated by the second fluid F2 through the first wall 3 to the heated premises. Of course, as long as said second fluid F2 flows in the heating circuit 32 and is cooled in the dissipating members 34, its temperature T2 remains substantially lower than that T1 of the hot source 10 that constitutes the water body to sanitary use, so that the heat provided by the resistance spontaneously moves from the sanitary water to the coolant. Thus, the device 1 according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to centralize the production of heat, and more particularly of hot water, in a single device which is furthermore arranged so as to minimize thermal losses, by ordering the production and distribution of heat according to operating temperature levels which gradually decrease with the removal of the heat source. In addition, the device 1 according to the invention on the one hand optimizes 20 heat transfers between the hot source (domestic water) and the cold source (heat transfer fluid) by maximizing the exchange surface between these sources, and d on the other hand increases the efficiency of the heat taken on the hot source and reduces its influence on said hot source by minimizing the volume of coolant relative to the volume of sanitary water. In addition, the device 1 according to the invention is, in its electric version, particularly safe, low dirt, low pollutant and requires minimal maintenance. Thus, such a device is particularly suitable for renovation projects to the extent that it can easily replace a previously installed boiler, and in particular without requiring fuel or fuel storage fuel or gas type. Furthermore, its clean and quiet operation and its relatively small size allows its installation in the immediate vicinity of the point or points of hot water use, which helps to reduce the costs of realization of heating installations and / or domestic hot water, as well as considerably limiting the heat loss between the heating device and the final point of use. Finally, the device 1 according to the invention comprises a small number of parts, which are moreover likely to be manufactured in large series by the implementation of perfectly controlled technologies, so that the cost of manufacturing said device is particularly low. B70418 / EN

Claims (8)

  1 - Combined device for heating a room and producing hot water for sanitary purposes, said device comprising: at least a first tank (2) delimited by a first wall (3) and intended to contain water to sanitary use (F1), at least a second tank (6) delimited by a second wall (7) and intended to contain a heat-transfer fluid for heating purposes (F2), such as water, said device (1) being characterized in that it comprises at least one heat source (4) connected to a first heat diffusion means (5) located in said first tank (2), said first heat diffusion means (5) being adapted to communicating heat to the sanitary water (F1) to bring the latter to a first temperature (T1), and in that the first tank (2) is arranged at least partly within the second tank (6) to transfer heat (Q) from the sanitary water (F1) to the heat transfer fluid (F2) and thus heat the latter to bring it to a second temperature (T2), substantially less than or equal to the first temperature (T1).   2 - Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the first vessel (2) is arranged relative to the second vessel (6) so that the first wall (3) is in contact with the heat transfer fluid (F2) on the at least 50%, preferably at least 75%, and particularly preferably at least 90%, of its outer surface. B70418 / FR 2905750 33   3 - Device according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the volume of sanitary water (FI) it contains is greater than or equal to the volume of heat transfer fluid (F2) it contains, the ratio of the volume of water for sanitary use on the volume of heat transfer fluid within the device being substantially greater than or equal to 1, preferably substantially greater than or equal to 2, and particularly preferably greater than or equal to 3.   4 - Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the first wall (3) has a lower portion (31) and an upper portion (3S) connected by a side portion (3L) and that the second tank (6) forms a cap which substantially covers said upper portion (3S) and at least a portion of said lateral portion (3L).   5 - Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the first vessel (2) is integrally contained in the second vessel (6).   6 - Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the first and the second wall (3,   7) are mostly disjoint and delimit an interstitial space (40) containing the heat transfer fluid (F2). 7 - Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the heat source (4) is placed inside the first vessel (2).   8 - Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the heat source (4) comprises an electric heating resistor (10). B70418 / FR 2905750 34 9 Device according to claim 8 characterized in that it comprises a power generation unit (70) and electrical connection means (71) connecting said unit (70) to the heating resistor (10). ). 10 - Device according to claim 9 characterized in that the electricity production unit (70) is designed to produce electricity from a renewable energy source, and preferably comprises a photovoltaic panel or a wind turbine. 11 - Device according to claim 9 or 10 characterized in that it comprises a battery-type electrical energy storage unit (72), connected to the heating resistor (10) so as to power the latter electrically. 12 -Dispositif according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a preheating circuit (42) of water for sanitary use (F1), said preheating circuit (42) joining an inlet port 15 ( 41), communicating with the outside of the device (1), to the first tank (2) by means of a pipe (43) immersed in the coolant (F2). 13 -Dispositif according to claims 6 and 12 characterized in that the tubing (43) of the preheating circuit (42) is wound in a coil 20 around the first vessel (2) in the interstitial space (40). 14 -Dispositif according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a supplementary heat source (60), such as a solar panel (61), which is connected to a second means of heat diffusion ( 62) located outside the first tank (2) and arranged to impart heat to the coolant (F2). 8 -Dispositif according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the second tank (2) is covered, at least in part, an insulating material (12). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it constitutes a domestic heating appliance. 17 -Dispositif according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it is installed in a nomadic housing structure of the kind motorhome, caravan, mobile home, boat, prefabricated module, or construction hut. B70418 / EN