A hydraulic system includes at least one pump assembly and a switching device which includes at least two switch positions. The switching device is configured such that on operation of the pump assembly in a first operating condition, the switching device is held in a stable manner in each of the at least two switch positions in each case by the hydraulic forces in the system. In a second operating condition of the pump assembly, the switching device is moved from a first switch position into a second switch position, assisted by switching energy stored in the first operating condition. The hydraulic system is configured such that in the first operating condition, the switching energy is stored independently of a switching-over of the switching device between the switch positions. A method is provided for operating such a hydraulic system.

A method switches a switching device (4) between two switch positions in a hydraulic system. The hydraulic system apart from the switching device (4) includes a pump assembly (2). The pump assembly (2) can assume at least two different operating conditions. A switching-over of the switching device (4) is initiated by the pump assembly (2) via the hydraulic system. The switch positions of the switching device (4) are reached depending on a stay duration of the pump assembly (2) in at least one of the two operating conditions. Further, a hydraulic system for carrying out the method is provided.

A valve includes a valve body having a groove and a fluid guiding element, wherein the fluid guiding element defines at least three channels and a cavity for receiving the valve body therewithin, so as to enable the communication among the channels to be adjusted by rotating the valve body.

A 6-way valve (20) comprises two similar 3-way sub-valves (20a, 20b) being mechanically coupled with each other, such that both sub-valves (20a, 20b) are always in the same position, whereby each sub-valve (20a, 20b) has three different valve ports (33, 34, 35) and a valve member (22) with an internal connecting channel (29), which valve member (22) can moved between first and second end positions via an intermediate position such that in said first end position the first (33) and third (35) valve ports are connected with each other by means of said connecting channel (29), in said second end position the second (34) and third (35) valve ports are connected with each other by means of said connecting channel (29), and in said intermediate position said connecting channel (29) is disconnected from said first and second valve ports (33, 34). A simple and effective volume/pressure relief means (28) is provided at one of said valve members (22), which volume/pressure relief means (28) establishes a hydraulic relief connection between said first or second valve port (33, 34) and said third valve port (35) of the respective sub-valve (20a or 20b), when said sub-valves (20a, 20b) are in said intermediate position, and is inactive, when said sub-valves (20a, 20b) are in the first or second end positions.

A system for regulating a thermo-hydraulic circuit has a thermal machine, a heat exchange terminal, a carrier fluid circulation system having a delivery duct, a return duct, and a three-way valve. The system has a pump, a first temperature sensor measuring post-valve delivery temperature of the carrier fluid downstream of the three-way valve, a second temperature sensor measuring pre-valve delivery temperature of the carrier fluid, and a third temperature sensor measuring temperature of the carrier fluid downstream of the heat exchange terminal. A flow or flow rate sensor measures a mass or volumetric flow rate of the carrier fluid. An electronic control unit has a storage device in which a model function of the thermo-hydraulic circuit is stored. A processing unit calculates values of a valve control signal and a pump control signal as function of a mass or volumetric flow rate error and a carrier fluid delivery temperature error.

A multiway valve, comprising integrally connected first and second valves. Each valve comprises a valve body comprising a user port, a source port and an intermediate chamber placed therebetween, and a shutter inside the intermediate chamber, having a passage orifice for fluid to pass therethrough. The multiway valve comprises movement means allowing the shutters to move between a closed position where each passage orifice faces the inner walls of the respective intermediate chamber to an open position allowing the passage of the fluid between the user and the source ports through the passage orifice. The first valve comprises a bypass duct formed in the shutter opening in fluid communication with the passage orifice. The bypass duct allows fluid communication between the intermediate chamber, the passage orifice, the duct, and the user and source ports of the first valve when the shutter is in its closed position.

A water heating system includes a first water heater having a first heating source of a first type, and a second water heater having a second heating source of a second type. The system further includes a valve having a first interface connected to the cold water source, a second interface connected to the first cold water inlet of the first water heater, a third interface connected to a second hot water outlet of the second water heater, and a fourth interface connected to the first hot water outlet of the first water heater. A motor positions the valve to one of at least three positions Finally, the system also includes a control circuit including a temperature sensor near the first hot water outlet of the first water heater, and a controller configured to control the motor based on a sensed temperature by the temperature sensor.

A heat pump system includes: a compressor for compressing refrigerant; a first heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant compressed by the compressor and a heating medium; a second heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant compressed by the compressor and the heating medium; a first pipe through which the refrigerant is fed from the compressor to the first heat exchanger; a second pipe through which the refrigerant returns from the first heat exchanger to the compressor; a third pipe through which the refrigerant is fed from the compressor to the second heat exchanger after returning from the first heat exchanger; and switching apparatus for switching a flow of the heating medium between a first mode and a second mode. The heating medium flows through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger in series in the first mode. The heating medium flows through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger in parallel in the second mode.

A control system for a heating system, including a blending valve configured to be connected to a heat source and a heating circuit conduit. The blending valve is configured to mix a heating water supply with the return flow from the heating circuit and supply the mixed water to the heating circuit. The blending valve has a first temperature threshold corresponding to the desired operating temperature of the heating circuit and a second temperature threshold that is substantially lower than the return temperature. An actuator is provided the switches the blending valve to the first temperature threshold to activate the heating circuit and to the second temperature circuit to deactivate the heating circuit. The actuator is connected to the pump and operates the pump when activating the heating circuit.

A heat pump heating system (1A) includes: a refrigerant circuit (3) including a compressor (21), a radiator (22), and an expansion member (25A), and an evaporator (26); a circulation path (5) for circulating a liquid through the radiator (22) to produce a heated liquid; and a heater (4) for dissipating heat of the heated liquid. The refrigerant circuit (3) is provided with an internal heat exchanger (23A) for transferring heat from a high pressure refrigerant that has released heat in the radiator (22) to a low pressure refrigerant. The liquid flowing through the circulation path (5) is cooled in a liquid cooling heat exchanger (24) by means of the high pressure refrigerant flowing out of the internal heat exchanger (23A), before the liquid flows into the radiator (22).