Unit for conversion of thermal energy

A unit for conversion of thermal energy including a first heat-exchange unit defining a first flow path for a first thermovector fluid, the conversion unit comprising:

• a first inlet port for said first thermovector fluid and a first outlet port for said first thermovector fluid provided with said first heat-exchange unit, said first inlet port and said first outlet port being located on one and the same side of said first heat-exchange unit and having a baffle set in between so as to confer to said first flow path a substantially U-shaped geometry;
• wherein:
• said first inlet port and said first outlet port are set alongside one another straddling said baffle, in correspondence of which a valve is set for control of flow of said first thermovector fluid;
• connected to said first inlet port is a first end of an inlet conduit, whereas a second end of said inlet conduit is configured for receiving said first thermovector fluid;
• connected to said first outlet port is a first end of an outlet conduit, whereas a second end of said outlet conduit is configured for evacuation of said first thermovector fluid;
• the first ends of said inlet conduit and said outlet conduit are moreover in fluid communication with one another and define a chamber that houses said valve and a second flow path that develops through said inlet conduit, said chamber, and said outlet conduit;
• and
• said valve is movable between a first operating position in which it is configured for blocking fluid communication between the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit forcing said first thermovector fluid to pass through said first flow path, and a second operating position in which said valve is configured for enabling fluid communication between the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit, thereby enabling said first thermovector fluid to pass through said second flow path;
• said valve is coupled to said first heat-exchange unit by a bridle, wherein moreover said bridle includes:
• a first flange set in correspondence of said inlet port, receiving part of the first end of the inlet conduit and providing a valve seat for said valve when in the second operating position;
• a second flange set in correspondence of said outlet port, said second flange receiving part of the first end of the outlet conduit;
• and
• a third flange, which provides a further valve seat for said valve when in the first operating position, said third flange having an orientation that is orthogonal to said first and second flanges, wherein moreover said third flange receives a remaining part of the first ends of said inlet conduit and said outlet conduit.

A unit for conversion of thermal energy including a first heat-exchange unit defining a first flow path for a first thermovector fluid, the conversion unit comprising:

• a first inlet port for said first thermovector fluid and a first outlet port for said first thermovector fluid provided with said first heat-exchange unit, said first inlet port and said first outlet port being located on one and the same side of said first heat-exchange unit and having a baffle set in between so as to confer to said first flow path a substantially U-shaped geometry;
• and
• a second heat-exchange unit defining a third flow path for a second thermovector fluid;
• wherein:
• said first inlet port and said first outlet port are set alongside one another straddling said baffle, in correspondence of which a valve is set for control of flow of said first thermovector fluid;
• connected to said first inlet port is a first end of an inlet conduit, whereas a second end of said inlet conduit is configured for receiving said first thermovector fluid;
• connected to said first outlet port is a first end of an outlet conduit, whereas a second end of said outlet conduit is configured for evacuation of said first thermovector fluid;
• the first ends of said inlet conduit and said outlet conduit are moreover in fluid communication with one another and define a chamber that houses said valve and a second flow path that develops through said inlet conduit, said chamber, and said outlet conduit;
• said valve is movable between a first operating position in which it is configured for blocking fluid communication between the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit forcing said first thermovector fluid to pass through said first flow path, and a second operating position in which said valve is configured for enabling fluid communication between the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit, thereby enabling said first thermovector fluid to pass through said second flow path;
• said second heat-exchange unit includes a second inlet port and a second outlet port for said second thermovector fluid, and further includes a plurality of cartridge elements;
• said third flow path developing from said second inlet port, through said plurality of cartridge elements, to said second outlet port;
• and
• said plurality of cartridge elements being at least in part immersed in the first flow path;
• said plurality of cartridge elements are in fluid communication with a first manifold element and a second manifold element having, respectively, said second inlet port- and said second outlet port;
• each cartridge element of said plurality of cartridge elements includes an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice for said second thermovector fluid, a heat exchange area for exchange of thermal energy between said second thermovector fluid and said first thermovector fluid, and a first electrode and a second electrode, which are connected to at least one element made of thermoelectric material of the plurality of cartridge element;
• and
• said first manifold element and said second manifold element each include an interface for connection to said plurality of cartridge elements configured for providing a hydraulic connection, respectively, with the inlet orifices and the outlet orifices of the plurality of cartridge elements, and an electrical connection, respectively, with the first electrodes and the second electrodes of the plurality of cartridge elements.