WO2021044366A1

WO2021044366A1 - Pipe for a distribution net of a heat transfer fluid and method for producing this pipe

Info

Publication number: WO2021044366A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/058257
Authority: WO
Inventors: Guido BOSSINI
Original assignee: RBM Ibox SRL
Current assignee: RBM Ibox SRL
Priority date: 2019-09-04
Filing date: 2020-09-04
Publication date: 2021-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 2022-03-04
Also published as: IT201900015587A1

Abstract

A multi-layer pipe (1) for the creation of a heat transfer fluid distribution net, in particular for a heating and sanitary distribution system, the multi-layer pipe having a first end (4), a second end (5) and comprising: a tubular body (6), which is configured to create a channel for the passage of the heat transfer fluid; at least one conductor (10), which is constrained on the outside of the tubular body and extends from the first end to the second end of the pipe, said at least one conductor being configured to transport a power- supply and/or control electrical signal for electromechanical devices.

Description

PIPE FOR A DISTRIBUTION NET OF A HEAT TRANSFER FLUID AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THIS PIPE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102019000015587 filed on 04/09/2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field in which the invention can offer the greatest advantages is that of "HAVAC" systems, namely heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Therefore, generally speaking, the main technical field of the invention is that of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems used in indoor rooms or confined spaces in order to ensure conditions that are suitable for use by human beings. Examples of confined spaces where there is this need are single housing units, residential complexes with different apartment houses, commercial or industrial buildings, etc. Examples of heating, ventilation and air conditioning needs can be heating or cooling, ventilation, humidification or dehumidification, etc. However, as explained more in detail below, the main component of this invention can also be used in other systems (namely, not necessarily in HAVC systems), where there is a system provided with electromechanical devices and in which a heat transfer fluid circulates. BACKGROUND ART

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems are nowadays widely diffused. These systems are used both in private houses as well as single housing units and in industrial or commercial buildings. A system of this nature is known as HAVAC system, namely heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. Generally speaking, a system of this type comprises a plurality of sub-systems, among which the following ones can be listed: a thermal or cooling power plant for the production (namely, energy transformation) of heat or refrigeration, in which heat is released to or absorbed from a heat transfer fluid (for example water, air, cooling gases/fluids, etc.);

- a distribution net for the aforesaid heat transfer fluid comprising a plurality of pipes; - thermal conditioning terminal devices (for example convection, conduction, irradiation diffusion devices), which can be static or movable (below you can find a non limiting list of some examples of these terminal devices);

- control devices, which are configured to ensure the correct operation of the system based on control parameters which are pre-set or can be pre-set by users (below you can find a non-limiting list of some examples of these control devices);

- a control unit, which is configured to coordinate the thermal or cooling power plant, the thermal conditioning terminal devices and the control devices.

A system of the type described above can be an open system, such as for example the domestic water distribution system, or a closed system, in which the same volume of heat transfer fluid recirculates. Naturally, there are hybrid systems, in which some terminals are open and others are closed.

By way of example, said thermal conditioning terminal devices can comprise radiators, fan coil units, radiant panels, radiant ceilings, cold beams or any other device suitable for using the heat transfer fluid to condition the surrounding atmosphere. As already mentioned above, said terminal devices can be static, namely they condition the surrounding atmosphere due to the sole fact that the heat transfer fluid is caused to circulate inside them (for example radiant panels), or they can comprise moving elements, such as the fan coil units.

By way of example, the control devices can control probes, sensors, pressure switches, pumps, motor-driven valves or any other device configured to ensure the correct operation of the system.

The operation of a system of the type described above is known. The control unit controls the thermal or cooling power plant, where heat is released to or absorbed from a heat transfer fluid, which is then fed into the distribution net, which connects the thermal or cooling power plant to the thermal conditioning terminal devices. In particular, the control unit controls the thermal power plant depending on target parameters, which are pre-set or can be selected by users. As it is known, the system comprises probes or sensors, which are configured to monitor the execution of the conditioning (for example a temperature sensor) and to transmits the measured signal to the control unit, which controls the thermal power plant based on the received signals. As it is known, the control unit also controls the control devices (pumps, valves, etc.) and the thermal conditioning terminal devices (if they can be controlled). Obviously, the thermal power plant, the control unit, at least some control devices and at least some thermal conditioning terminal devices must be supplied with power in order for them to correctly operate. Aside from the thermal power plant and the control unit, which are usually located in a substantially isolated or peripheral area relative to the rest of the system, both the control devices and the thermal conditioning terminal devices are substantially placed along the entire path defined by the distribution net. Therefore, from a constructive point of view, when building the buildings/rooms to be conditioned, constructors need to provide a suitable network of electrical raceways (namely, enclosed conduits forming a physical pathway for electrical wiring or current conductors in general), which substantially runs parallel to the heat transfer fluid distribution net in order to supply power to the control devices and to the thermal conditioning terminal devices. There currently is a technical misconception, according to which the heat transfer fluid distribution net and the electric current distribution network must necessarily be separated from one another and be physically divided in different raceways. Providing two different raceway systems obviously causes a significant cost increase, is more time consuming and often is difficult and complicated.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Starting form this prior art, the object of the invention is to provide a novel and inventive pipe, which preferably - though not necessarily - is a multi-layer pipe, for a heat transfer fluid distribution net for a heating and sanitary distribution system, wherein said pipe is suitable for overcoming the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art concerning the current technical prejudice requiring the presence of two different raceway systems for the heat transfer fluid distribution net and the power distribution network to supply power to the electromechanical devices of the system.

According to this object, based on the widest definition, the invention relates to a pipe for the creation of a heat transfer fluid distribution net for a heating and sanitary distribution system, wherein the pipe has a first end, a second end and comprises:

- a tubular body, which is configured to create a channel for the passage of the heat transfer fluid;

- at least one conductor, which is constrained to the outside of the tubular body and extends from the first end to the second end of the pipe; wherein said at least one conductor is configured to transport a power-supply and/or control electrical signal for electromechanical devices that are part, for example, of a heating and sanitary distribution system (said electromechanical devices will be discussed more in detail below). According to this first configuration, the pipe is not a multi-layer pipe and said at least one conductor is electrically insulated on the outside. Said at least one conductor can be constrained to the outer surface of the tubular body in different ways. For example, said at least one conductor can comprise, on the outside, a glue and, therefore, can be directly constrained to the outer surface of the tubular body. According to another example, the tubular body can preliminary be at least partly covered with an adhesive support layer for said at least one conductor. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pipe can be a multi-layer pipe, wherein said tubular body makes up the inner layer of the multi-layer pipe and is made of a material that is configured (i.e. suitable) to come into contact with the aforesaid heat transfer fluid. In this example, the multi-layer pipe further comprises:

- at least one intermediate layer, which is made of an adhesive material, which can be available in the form of a glue applied on the outside of the inner tubular body;

- an outer protective layer in the form of an outer tubular body constrained to said at least one intermediate adhesive layer.

In this example of multi-layer pipe (which is very well known to a person skilled in the art of heating and sanitary distribution systems, so that minor features of the pipe can be left out for the sake of simplicity), according to the invention, said at least one conductor (namely, an element made of an electrically conductor material) is placed between said at least one intermediate adhesive layer and the outer protective layer.

According to the invention, the terms "tubular" and "pipe" used above do not limit the scope of protection to any shape of the cross section of the pipe itself, which, in fact, can be circular, oval, parallelepiped-shaped or variable along the extension of the pipe. The sole necessary limitation lies in the fact that the pipe has to define a channel for the safe circulation of the heat transfer fluid.

Furthermore, according to the invention, in case of a multi-layer pipe, there does not need to be a physical contact between the different layers along the entire section of the pipe. For example, in case the heat transfer fluid is a gas, the outer layer can be available in the form of a tubular body having a smooth outer surface and an inner surface provided with a plurality of axial ribs, so as to create bridges that connect the glue layer and the outer layer to one another and space them apart. This arrangement is known and is used to create gas draining channels in case of leaks. Obviously, this example does not limit the extent of the invention, but serves the sole purpose of pointing out how the invention is not limited to a particular conformation or geometry of the outer layer.

Back to the main aspect of the invention, in the pipe described herein (both in the form of a single tubular body carrying the conductor on the outside and in the form of a multi-layer pipe in which at least one conductor is buried in the pipe itself between the intermediate adhesive layer and the outer layer), the conductor advantageously extends substantially along the entire pipe and can have an end connected to a device for the generation of an electrical signal or of electric current so as to allow said electrical signal to be transported along the entire extension of the pipe (and of the relative distribution net) and, from there, reach the electromechanical devices making up the system (for example, a heating and sanitary distribution system). Since the transported electrical signal can be a power or power-supply electrical signal, thanks to the invention constructors are not required to provide a dedicated raceway system for the power supply network needed by the electromechanical devices that are part of the heating and sanitary distribution system. However, the invention is not limited to the sole supply of power to the aforesaid electromechanical devices, but, in addition, an electrical signal for the adjustment and the control of the aforesaid electromechanical devices can circulate in the pipe according to the invention (namely, in said at least one conductor transported by it). To this aim, it is simply necessary to provide a suitable number of conductor elements and a correct transmission of the signals in them. By mere way of example, the system (which will be better described below) can comprise a sensor or probe (for example a temperature sensor) which is supplied with power by the pipe according to the invention. In this case, the signal measured by the probe can directly be transmitted to an electronic control unit of the system (for example in a wireless mode) or can be transmitted to the multi-layer pipe and, through the latter, reach the control unit. Based on said measured value and depending on parameters or functions that are pre set or can be selected by users, the control unit controls the electromechanical devices of the system. This control can take place, as mentioned above, in a wireless mode or the control unit can deliver these instructions to the pipe and, through the latter, reach the electromechanical devices of the system. Therefore, generally speaking, electrical control signals can circulate from the pipe towards the control unit and the electromechanical devices and vice versa. The control of the thermal power plant of the system can also be operated by the control unit by delivering instructions to the conductor pipe instead of directly communicating with the thermal power plant itself. Hence, generally speaking, in the system according to the invention, the supply of power to all the components making up the system and the transmission of all the electrical signals used to control said components can travel through the pipe in the absence of any other power distribution network. Nonetheless, some components can have, due to their own nature, an independent power supply. For example, the control unit and the thermal power plant, which are usually placed in a peripheral area of the system and can be connected to a power supply network of their own.

In the multi-layer version, the inner layer and the outer layer are preferably made of a plastic material (for example polyethylene) staring from an extruded granulate. The invention is not limited to any specific material making up the inner and outer layers. However, as far as the outer layer is concerned, two limits are set for the material used. The first limit lies in the fact that the material used has to be electrically insulating so as to avoid the dispersion of the electrical signal going through the conductor. The second limit lies is the fact that the material has to be suitable for being cut, namely allows small incisions to be made in order to permit an electrical connection between the electromechanical devices of the system and the conductor. For example, to this aim, suitable connections can be provided between the electromechanical devices and the multi-layer pipe according to the invention, wherein said connections are configured to reach the conductor. Alternatively, some windows can be directly created by users in the outer exposed layer of the conductor during the laying of the system.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention (which will be described with reference to the accompanying figures), the multi-layer pipe described above can comprise a further intermediate layer. In particular, this configuration comprises a first (inner) and a second (outer) intermediate adhesive layers, which are separated by an intermediate reinforcement layer. The intermediate reinforcement layer can be available in the form of an aluminium sheet with exact dimensions, which is bent on the inner adhesive layer and has ends that are longitudinally electro-welded to one another along the axis of the pipe. Therefore, in this configuration, a first or inner intermediate adhesive layer is arranged between the inner layer and the intermediate reinforcement layer; the second or outer intermediate adhesive layer is arranged between the intermediate reinforcement layer and the outer layer; said at least one conductor is arranged between the second intermediate adhesive layer and the outer layer.

In all the embodiments described above, each conductor can preferably be available in the form of a strip of conductor material, for example aluminium. In this configuration, each strip of conductor material can extend parallel or as a spiral relative to the axis of the pipe.

The pipe can preferably comprise a plurality of strips of conductor material (for example three strips), which are parallel to the axis of the pipe and are arranged so as to be angularly equally spaced apart from one another. In order to further avoid possible dispersions, each strip of conductor material can be covered, in turn, with an electrically insulating material (in particular, for the configuration with one single layer or one single tubular body).

As already mentioned at the beginning of the description of the multi-layer pipe according to the invention, its preferred application is within a heating and sanitary distribution system. To this regard, the invention also relates to a system, preferably a heating and sanitary distribution system, comprising said pipe, namely a plurality of said pipes connected to one another so as to create a distribution net for the heat transfer fluid. For the purposes of the invention, the system, preferably a heating and sanitary distribution system, preferably comprises: a thermal or cooling power plant for the thermal conditioning of a heat transfer fluid (already mentioned above); - electromechanical terminal devices, preferably thermal conditioning terminal devices, which will be described more in detail below;

- the aforesaid distribution net for the heat transfer fluid, which extends from the thermal or cooling power plant to the electromechanical terminal devices; control devices (described more in detail below), which are configured to monitor and control the operation of the system in an active manner;

- a control unit, which is configured to coordinate and/or control the thermal or cooling power plant, the electromechanical terminal devices and the control devices.

By way of example, the electromechanical terminal devices can be conditioning devices and can comprise radiators, fan coil units, radiant panels, radiant ceilings, cold beams or any other device suitable for using the heat transfer fluid to condition the surrounding atmosphere. Said terminal devices can be static, namely they condition the surrounding atmosphere due to the sole fact that the heat transfer fluid is caused to circulate inside them (for example radiant panels), or they can comprise moving elements that can be operated, such as the fan coil units.

In the system described above, according to the invention, at least some electromechanical terminal devices and/or at least some control devices are electrically connected to said at least one conductor of the pipes so as to allow the electromechanical terminal devices and/or the control devices to be supplied with power and electrically controlled .

For some devices, power-supply and control electrical signals are solely transferred from the pipe to the devices (for example the pumps or the fan coil units); for other devices (for example the probes or the sensors), the signals are transmitted from and to the pipe.

Between the control unit and the devices there can be a direct electrical connection (for example of the wireless type) or the control unit can assign to the pipe the task of transmitting the control signals to the different devices.

Finally, the invention further relates to a method for the production of a pipe of the type described above in order to create a heat transfer fluid distribution net, preferably for a heating and sanitary distribution system.

In case of a pipe with the sole inner tubular body, the method comprises the steps of: a) producing a tubular body, which is made of a material configured to come into contact with a heat transfer fluid and comprises a first end and a second end; b) applying, on the outside of the tubular body, at least one conductor, which extends from the first end to the second end of the pipe and is configured to transport an electrical signal for the supply of power to and/or the control of electromechanical devices (14, 15, 17), preferably of a heating and sanitary distribution system.

In case of a multi-layer pipe, the method can comprise the steps of: a) producing an inner layer of the multi-layer pipe comprising a first end and a second end with a material configured to come into contact with a heat transfer fluid; c) covering the inner layer, on the outside, with at least one intermediate adhesive layer; d) covering said at least one intermediate adhesive layer, on the outside, with an outer protective layer.

According to this example, between step b) and step c) the method comprises the step of applying on said at least one intermediate adhesive layer at least one conductor, which extends from the first end to the second end of the multi- layer pipe and is configured to transport an electrical signal for the supply of power to and/or the control of electromechanical devices.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner layer and the outer layer are manufactured through extrusion of a plastic material (for example polyethylene) originally in a granular form.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method, for a multi-layer pipe, two glue laying steps are provided, which are spaced apart from one another by a step for the creation of an intermediate reinforcement layer. Said step for the creation of an intermediate reinforcement layer is carried out by wrapping a sheet of metal material (for example aluminium) around the first or inner glue layer. Then, the ends of said sheet are electro-welded to one another. In this embodiment, the step laying said at least one conductor follows the step of laying the second or outer adhesive layer.

LIST OF THE FIGURES

Further features and advantages of the invention will be best understood upon perusal of the following description of a non-limiting embodiment thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

- figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a non-limiting example of a pipe according to the invention; - figure 2 is cross section view of the pipe of figure 1;

- figure 3 is a schematic view of a non-limiting example of a heating and sanitary distribution system, in which the heat transfer fluid distribution net is obtained with a plurality of pipes according to the invention. DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the accompanying figures, figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a non-limiting example of a pipe 1 according to the invention; in particular, figure 1 shows a multi-layer pipe 1 for the creation of a heat transfer fluid distribution net (schematically shown in figure 3 with number 2) for a heating and sanitary distribution system (schematically shown in figure 3 with number 3). According to the example shown in figure 1, the pipe 1 has an axis A, a first end 4 and a second end 5. The pipe 1 is a multi-layer pipe and can be laid along a straight direction or a curved direction depending on the needs of the constructor. Taking a look at the layers, from the inside towards the outside, the pipe of the example of figure 1 comprises: - an inner tubular body 6, which is made of a plastic material, defines the channel for the passage of the heat transfer fluid and forms the inner layer of the pipe 1;

- a first intermediate adhesive layer 7 (namely, made of a gluing material); - a reinforcement layer 12 made of aluminium;

- a second intermediate adhesive layer 8;

- an outer tubular body 9 made of a plastic material, which forms the outer layer of the pipe 1.

Figure 1 also shows a strip of conductor material 10 (made of aluminium) arranged between the second intermediate adhesive layer 8 and the outer layer 9 of the pipe 1. Said strip of conductor material 10 as well as all the other layers substantially extend from the first end 4 to the second end 6 and in figure 1 are shown in an intermediate position only to make the representation simpler. Figure 2 shows a schematic cross section view of the multi-layer pipe of figure 1 along a plane that is orthogonal to the axis A of the pipe 1. This example shows how the pipe 1 comprises three strips of conductor material 10 arranged parallel to the axis A and angularly equally spaced apart from one another (namely, at 120° from one another). In the area of these strips there is no thickening of the pipe 1; in these positions the thickness of the outer layer 9 is simply reduced so as to allow the conductors 10 to be easily accessible when needed. The proportions of the layers of figure 2 are merely schematic and do not correspond to the actual proportions (for example, the adhesive layers are, in reality, much smaller than the inner layer and the outer layer made of a plastic material). Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a non-limiting example of a heating and sanitary distribution system 3, in which the heat transfer fluid distribution net 2 is obtained with a plurality of multi-layer pipes 1 according to the invention. In this example, the system comprises a thermal or cooling power plant 13, from which a first pipe 1 of a heat transfer fluid distribution net 2 starts. The net 2 of figure 1 is further provided with two further second pipes 1, which form a T with the previous one. This naturally is a mere example of a distribution net 2, which can have any geometry or length. Each second pipe 1 is associated with a fan coil unit 14, the first pipe 1 is associated with a pump 17 and one of the two second pipes is associated with a temperature sensor 15. The fan coil units 14, the sensor 15 and the pump 17 are mere examples of electromechanical devices currently used in known heating and sanitary distribution systems. The novelty of the invention lies in the fact that the fan coil units 14, the sensor 15 and the pump 17 are not supplied with power by means of a dedicated power supply network, but are electrically connected to the conductor 10 of the pipe 1 and are supplied with power by means of a current circulating in the conductor (the current generator was not represented for the sake of simplicity, but it is present and is connected to an end of the conductor 10). Obviously, there is a hydraulic and electrical continuity among the pipes 1. Number 18 indicates the physical connection between these devices and the pipes 1, whereas arrows 11 indicate the passage of the power-supply electrical signal. Some devices, for example the sensor 15, not only receive the electrical signal from the conductor 10, but, in turn, can also introduce an electrical signal addressed to the control unit 16 into the pipe 1. Number 19 indicates this passage of information in the form of electrical signals from the sensor 15 to the pipe 1, whereas number 21 indicates the delivery of the information from the pipe to the control unit 16. Alternatively, the sensor 15 can directly transmit the signal to the control unit 16 in a wireless mode (number 20). The control unit 16, based on programs that are pre-set or can be adjusted by users, controls the pump 17, the power plant 13 and the fan coil units 14. The passage of this command from the control unit to the fan coil units 14 (for example) can be a direct wireless passage or the control electrical signal can be introduced into the pipe 1 (number 22) in order to be then delivered to the fan coil units 14 as signal 11. Similarly, the power plant 13 can communicate with the control unit 16 (number 23) either directly or through the pipe 1. In conclusion, the diagram of figure 3 is a mere possible embodiment of the invention, the main aspect thereof being the fact that at least some of the electromechanical devices making up the system are supplied with power by the current circulating in the conductors buried in the pipes 1 and that the electrical signal used to control them can be delivered to them through the conductors buried in the pipes 1.

Finally, it is clear that the invention described herein can be subjected to changes and variations, without for this reason going beyond the scope of protection of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pipe (1) for realizing a distribution net (2) of a heat transfer fluid, in particular for a heating and sanitary distribution system (3), the pipe (1) having a first end (4), a second end (5) and comprising:

- a tubular body (6) configured for realizing a channel for the passage of the heat transfer fluid;

- at least a conductor (10) constrained outside the tubular body and extending from the first end (4) to the second end (5) of the pipe (1), the at least a conductor being configured for transferring an electric signal (11) of feeding and/or controlling electromechanical devices (14, 15, 17).

2. Pipe as claimed in claims 1, wherein the at least a conductor (10) is externally electrically isolated.

3. Pipe as claimed in claims 2, wherein the at least a conductor (10) externally comprises glue and is directly constrained on the outer surface of the tubular body (6) or the pipe (1) comprises a adhesive layer externally applied on the tubular body (6) for supporting the at least a conductor (10).

4. Pipe as claimed in claims 1, wherein the pipe (1) is a multilayer pipe and wherein the tubular body (6) is the inner layer (6) configured for entering in contact with the heat transfer fluid, the pipe (1) moreover comprising: - at least an adhesive intermediate layer (7, 8);

- an outer protective layer (9); the at least a conductor being applied between the at least a adhesive intermediate layer (7, 8) and the outer protective layer (9).

5. Pipe as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pipe comprises a first (7) and a second (8) adhesive intermediate layers separate by an intermediate reinforcement layer (12); wherein: - the first adhesive intermediate layer (7) is between the inner layer (6) and the intermediate reinforcement layer (12);

- the second adhesive intermediate layer (8) is between the intermediate reinforcement layer (12) and the outer protective layer (9); the at least a conductor (10) is between the second adhesive intermediate layer (8) and the outer protective layer (9).

6. Pipe as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, wherein each conductor (10) is realized in form of a strip of conductor material.

7. Pipe as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pipe (1) has an axis (A); each strip of conductor material (10) extending parallel to the axis (A) of the pipe (1).

8. Pipe as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pipe (1) comprises a plurality of strips of conductor material (10) arranged angularly equidistant with respect to the axis (A) of the pipe (1).

9. Pipe as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims from 1 to 6, wherein the pipe (1) has an axis (A); each strip of conductor material (10) extending as a spiral around the axis (A) of the pipe (1).

10. Pipe as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims from 4 a 9, wherein the outer layer (9) is made of electrically insulating material.

11. Plant (3), in particular a heating and sanitary distribution system, comprising:

- a thermal or cooling power plant (13) for the thermal conditioning of a heat transfer fluid; - electromechanical terminal devices (14), in particular for the thermal conditioning; a distribution net (2) for the heat transfer fluid extending from thermal or cooling power plant (13) to the electromechanical terminal devices (14); - control devices (15, 17) configured for controlling the operating of the plant (3);

- a control unit (16) configured for coordinating each other the thermal or cooling power plant (13), the electromechanical terminal devices (14), and the control devices (15, 17); wherein the distribution net (2) for the heat transfer fluid comprises a plurality of pipes (1) as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims; the electromechanical terminal devices (14) and/or the control devices (15, 17) being electrical connected to the at least a conductor (10) of the pipes (1) for allowing the electrical feeding and the electrical control of the electromechanical terminal devices (14) and/or the control devices (15, 17).

12. Method for producing a pipe (1) for realising a distribution net (2) of a heat transfer fluid, in particular for a heating and sanitary distribution system (3); the method comprising the steps of: a) producing a tubular body (6) made of a material suitable for entering in contact with a heat transfer fluid and comprising a first end (4) and a second end (5); b) applying at least a conductor (10) externally to the tubular body (6), the conductor (10) extending from the first end (4) to the second end (5) of the pipe (1) and configured for transporting an electric signal (11) for feeding and/or controlling electromechanical devices (14, 15, 17).

13. Method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the method comprises moreover the steps of: c) externally covering the inner layer (6) with at least a an adhesive intermediate layer (7, 8); d) externally covering the at least an adhesive intermediate layer (7, 8) with an outer protective layer (9); wherein the step b) being implemented between the step c) and the step d).