Heat exchange unit

Abstract

A heat exchange unit for heat pumps or air conditioners includes a box-like casing, a lower surface, an upper surface which is opposite the lower surface and which is spaced apart therefrom with respect to an axis of the casing, and a front surface which extends between the lower surface and the upper surface, the surfaces being defined on the casing. The heat exchange unit also includes a first opening and a second opening which are made on the casing, a channel which extends inside the casing between the first and second openings, a fan which is housed inside the casing, along the channel, and which is provided to move an air flow away from and towards the external environment with respect to the casing through the openings, and a heat exchanger which is placed in the channel, at least a portion of the fan and the heat exchanger being one below the other with respect to the axis.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat exchange unit for heat pumps or air conditioners, comprising:
 a box-like casing,   a lower surface, an upper surface which is opposite the lower surface and which is spaced apart therefrom with respect to an axis (X) of the casing, and a front surface which extends between the lower surface and the upper surface, the surfaces being defined on the casing,   a first opening and a second opening which are made on the casing,   a channel which extends inside the casing between the first and second openings,   a fan housed inside the casing, along the channel, and which is arranged to move an air flow away from and towards the external environment with respect to the casing through the openings, the fan being a radial fan, wherein the fan has an open impeller arranged to diffuse the air flow in the channel radially in relation to the rotation axis (Y) of the impeller,   a heat exchanger placed in the channel, in which the heat exchanger has a V-like profile and at least a portion of the fan and the heat exchanger are one below the other with respect to the axis (X),   wherein the first opening is made on the front surface of the casing and the second opening is made on the upper surface and/or on the front surface in a position above the first opening with respect to the axis (X),   wherein the heat exchange unit is an external unit, and   wherein the front surface of the heat exchange unit is directed towards the external environment with respect to a building during use of the heat exchange unit.   
     
     
         2 . A heat exchange unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second openings are made on the front surface and on the upper surface of the casing, respectively. 
     
     
         3 . A heat exchange unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the fan is placed in the channel between the first opening and the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         4 . A heat exchange unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the fan is arranged to promote a circulation of the air flow from the first opening to the second opening. 
     
     
         5 . A heat exchange unit according to  claim 1 , wherein rotation axis (Y) of the impeller of the fan is transverse, in particular orthogonal, to the axis (X). 
     
     
         6 . A heat exchange unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the fan is placed in a position adjacent to the first opening in such a manner that an impeller of the fan faces the first opening. 
     
     
         7 . A heat exchange unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the vertex of the heat exchanger turns towards the upper surface. 
     
     
         8 . A heat exchange unit according to  claim 7 , wherein the heat exchange unit comprises a pair of containers for collecting condensation water, which are placed in the region of respective distal ends of the heat exchanger with respect to the vertex thereof. 
     
     
         9 . A heat exchange unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the box-shaped casing further comprises a rear surface opposite the front surface and a pair of lateral surface which are opposite each other, the lower surface, rear surface and lateral surfaces not being provided with one or more openings for the passage of the air flow away from and towards the external environment with respect to the casing. 
     
     
         10 . A heat exchange unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is at least partially above the fan with respect to the axis (X) of the casing. 
     
     
         11 . A heat exchange unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is substantially aligned with the fan along the axis (X) of the casing. 
     
     
         12 . A heat exchange unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchange unit comprises hydraulic and electrical connection means which are provided to operationally connect the heat exchange unit to one or more internal units of a conditioning installation and/or sanitary water distribution devices and/or refrigeration devices. 
     
     
         13 . The heat exchange unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the second opening is made on the front surface in a position above the first opening with respect to the axis (X). 
     
     
         14 . The heat exchange unit according to  claim 13 , wherein the heat exchange unit comprises an elbow conveyor placed at the second opening for the circulation of the air flow, the second opening being made on the casing in the form of a grid. 
     
     
         15 . The heat exchange unit according to  claim 1 , wherein a seat is formed in an external wall of a building and the heat exchange unit is at least partially arranged inside the seat. 
     
     
         16 . The heat exchange unit according to  claim 15 , wherein the seat is closed with respect to the external environment by means of a front panel in such a manner that the front surface of the casing is substantially near an internal surface of the front panel. 
     
     
         17 . The heat exchange unit according to  claim 2 , wherein a seat is formed in an external wall of a building and the heat exchange unit is at least partially arranged inside the seat so that a space is defined between the upper surface of the casing and an upper surface of the seat, wherein a conveyor is provided in the space between the second opening of the casing and a panel which closes the space at the front, the panel being provided with a grid for the passage of the air flow. 
     
     
         18 . The heat exchange unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the rear surface of the heat exchange unit is provided with first engagement means arranged for being connected in a stable manner to second engagement means, these means being able to be fixed to an external wall of a building in order to support the casing. 
     
     
         19 . The heat exchange unit according to  claim 18 , wherein the first and second engagement means are constructed in an eyelet-like manner and hooklike manner, respectively. 
     
     
         20 . The heat exchange unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the box-shaped casing further comprises a rear surface opposite the front surface and wherein the rear surface is provided with one or more hooks which are provided with respective brackets for fixing the hooks to a wall.