U.S. patent application number 12/847632 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-26 for heat pump.
Invention is credited to Sim Won CHIN, Yong Hee JANG, Bum Suk KIM, Byoung Jin RYU.
Application Number | 20110120180 12/847632 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43769240 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110120180 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHIN; Sim Won ; et
al. |
May 26, 2011 |
HEAT PUMP
Abstract
A heat pump controls heating and/or cooling using a
refrigeration cycle unit and a booster module, The refrigeration
cycle unit includes a compressor to compress a coolant, a first
heat exchanger to condense the coolant compressed in the
compressor, an expansion mechanism to expand the coolant condensed
in the first heat exchanger, and a second heat exchanger to
evaporate the coolant expanded in the expansion mechanism. The
booster module separates a gaseous coolant from the coolant flowing
from the first heat exchanger to the expansion mechanism and then
allows for compression of the separated gaseous coolant or coolant
evaporated in the second heat exchanger.
Inventors: |
CHIN; Sim Won; (Changwon-si,
KR) ; JANG; Yong Hee; (Changwon-si, KR) ; KIM;
Bum Suk; (Changwon-si, KR) ; RYU; Byoung Jin;
(Changwon-si, KR) |
Family ID: |
43769240 |
Appl. No.: |
12/847632 |
Filed: |
July 30, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/510 ;
62/512 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 1/10 20130101; F25B
2400/23 20130101; F25B 2313/003 20130101; F25B 13/00 20130101; F25B
2400/13 20130101; F25B 2339/047 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/510 ;
62/512 |
International
Class: |
F25B 1/10 20060101
F25B001/10; F25B 43/00 20060101 F25B043/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 20, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0112739 |
Claims
1. A heat pump comprising: a refrigeration cycle unit including a
compressor to compress a coolant, a first heat exchanger to
condense the coolant compressed in the compressor, an expansion
mechanism to expand the coolant condensed in the first heat
exchanger, and a second heat exchanger to evaporate the coolant
expanded in the expansion mechanism; and a booster module, coupled
to the refrigeration cycle unit, to: separate a gaseous coolant
from the coolant flowing from the first heat exchanger to the
expansion mechanism, and compress the separated gaseous coolant,
the compressed gaseous coolant to flow between the compressor and
first heat exchanger, or compress the coolant evaporated in the
second heat exchanger, the compressed coolant to flow between the
compressor and the first heat exchanger.
2. The heat pump of claim 1, wherein the booster module includes: a
first booster expansion mechanism to expand the coolant flowing in
the first heat exchanger; a gas/liquid separator to separate the
coolant expanded in the first booster expansion mechanism into a
liquid coolant and a gaseous coolant; a second booster expansion
mechanism to expand the gaseous coolant separated in the gas/liquid
separator; and a booster compressor to compress the coolant
expanded in the second booster expansion mechanism.
3. The heat pump of claim 2, wherein the booster module further
includes: a booster suction pipe that guides the coolant evaporated
in the second heat exchanger to be sucked into the booster
compressor.
4. The heat pump of claim 3, wherein the booster module further
includes: a gas/liquid separator suction pipe coupled between the
first booster expansion mechanism and the gas/liquid separator, a
gaseous coolant discharging pipe that guides the gaseous coolant
separated in the gas/liquid separator to the second booster
expansion mechanism, a booster compressor suction pipe to allow the
coolant expanded in the second booster expansion mechanism to be
sucked into the booster compressor, and a booster compressor
discharging pipe to guide the coolant discharged from the booster
compressor to flow between the compressor and first heat exchanger,
the booster suction pipe to connect the booster compressor suction
pipe located between the second heat exchanger and the
compressor.
5. The heat pump of claim 4, wherein the booster module further
includes: a check valve, provided over the booster suction pipe, to
prevent the coolant in the booster compressor suction pipe from
being sucked through the booster suction pipe to the
compressor.
6. The heat pump of claim 4, wherein the first boost expansion
mechanism is coupled to the first heat exchanger via a first
booster expansion mechanism suction pipe.
7. The heat pump of claim 4, wherein the gas/liquid separator is
coupled to the expansion mechanism via a gas/liquid separator
outlet pipe.
8. The heat pump of claim 3, wherein the compressor is a capacity
variable compressor and the booster compressor is a constant speed
compressor.
9. The heat pump of claim 3, wherein the booster compressor has a
smaller capacity than the compressor.
10. The heat pump of claim 3, wherein the heat pump includes a
controller to control the compressor, the booster compressor, and
the second booster expansion mechanism based on an operation
mode.
11. The heat pump of claim 10, wherein the controller drives the
compressor, stops the booster compressor, and closes the second
booster expansion mechanism under a general load mode.
12. The heat pump of claim 10, wherein the controller turns off the
compressor, drives the booster compressor, and closes the second
booster expansion mechanism under a partial load mode.
13. The heat pump of claim 10, wherein the controller drives the
compressor and the booster compressor, and closes the second
booster expansion mechanism under a multi operation mode.
14. The heat pump of claim 10, wherein the controller drives the
compressor and booster compressor and opens the second booster
expansion mechanism under a gas injection mode.
15. The heat pump of claim 1, wherein the first heat exchanger is a
water coolant heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between
water and a coolant, and is coupled to a room heating unit for room
heating and a water heating unit for supplying hot water via a
water circulation path.
16. A heat pump comprising: a refrigeration cycle unit that
includes a compressor to compress a coolant, a first heat exchanger
to condense the coolant compressed in the compressor, an expansion
mechanism to expand the coolant condensed in the first heat
exchanger, and a second heat exchanger to evaporate the coolant
expanded in the expansion mechanism; and a booster module
selectively mounted on the refrigeration cycle unit, the booster
module including: a first booster expansion mechanism to expand the
coolant flowing in the first heat exchanger, a gas/liquid separator
to separate the coolant expanded in the first booster expansion
mechanism into a liquid coolant and a gaseous coolant, a second
booster expansion mechanism to expand the gaseous coolant separated
in the gas/liquid separator, and a booster compressor to compress
the coolant expanded in the second booster expansion mechanism,
wherein the heat pump is selectively operated in response to an
indoor load.
17. The heat pump of claim 16, wherein the booster module further
includes: a gas/liquid separator suction pipe coupled between the
first booster expansion mechanism and the gas/liquid separator, a
gaseous coolant discharging pipe to guide the gaseous coolant
separated in the gas/liquid separator to the second booster
expansion mechanism, a booster compressor suction pipe to allow the
coolant expanded in the second booster expansion mechanism to be
sucked into the booster compressor, and a booster compressor
discharging pipe to guide the coolant discharged from the booster
compressor to flow between the compressor and first heat
exchanger.
18. The heat pump of claim 17, wherein the first boost expansion
mechanism is coupled to the first heat exchanger via a first
booster expansion mechanism suction pipe.
19. The heat pump of claim 18, wherein the gas/liquid separator is
coupled to the expansion mechanism via a gas/liquid separator
outlet pipe.
20. The heat pump of claim 17, wherein the compressor is a capacity
variable compressor and the booster compressor is a substantially
constant speed compressor.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0112739, filed
on Nov. 20, 2009 in Korea, the entirety of which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] One or more embodiments described herein relate to thermal
control.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] Heat pumps are in widespread use for heating and cooling
homes. However, they have drawbacks. For example, heat pumps fail
to provide sufficient cooling/heating performance for larger homes
or buildings. As a consequence, many homeowners must over time buy
new larger-capacity heat pumps to either supplement or replace the
systems they have.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a heat pump
before a booster module is attached to a refrigeration cycle
unit.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a heat pump
after a booster module has been attached to a refrigeration cycle
unit.
[0008] FIG. 3 is diagram showing a heat pump wherein a water
heating unit and a room heating unit are coupled with a
refrigeration cycle unit.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a heat pump
wherein a booster module is separated from a refrigeration cycle
unit.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a heat pump
wherein a booster module is attached to a refrigeration cycle
unit.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a P-H graph comparing performance of a heat pump
operating with and without a booster module.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another embodiment of a heat
pump.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the flow of coolant when one
embodiment of a heat pump is subjected to a general load mode.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the flow of coolant when one
embodiment of a heat pump is subjected to a partial load mode.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of coolant when one
embodiment of a heat pump is subjected to a multi-operation
mode.
[0016] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the flow of coolant when one
embodiment of a heat pump is subjected to a gas injection mode.
[0017] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a booster module of a heat pump
mounted on a refrigeration cycle unit.
[0018] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the flow of coolant in one
embodiment of a heat pump operating in a general load mode.
[0019] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the flow of a coolant in one
embodiment of a heat pump operating in a gas injection mode.
[0020] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a heat pump
before a booster module is mounted on a refrigeration cycle
unit.
[0021] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a heat pump
after a booster module has been mounted on a refrigeration cycle
unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a heat pump before a booster
module is attached to a refrigeration cycle unit, FIG. 2 shows the
heat pump after a booster module has been attached to a
refrigeration cycle unit, and FIG. 3 shows a water heating unit and
a room heating unit coupled with the refrigeration cycle unit.
[0023] In accordance with at least one embodiment, the
refrigeration cycle unit may be used for room cooling/heating or
water heating, and the booster module may be provided to increase
room cooling/heating or water heating performance when the
refrigeration cycle unit fails to provide sufficient room
cooling/heating or water heating performance, or when a user wants
to raise room cooling/heating or water heating performance.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the refrigeration cycle unit 1
may include a compressor 10 that compresses a coolant, a first heat
exchanger 14 that condenses the coolant compressed in the
compressor 10, an expansion mechanism 16 that expands the coolant
condensed in the first heat exchanger 14, and a second heat
exchanger 18 that evaporates the coolant expanded in the expansion
mechanism 16. The refrigeration cycle unit may be provided for room
cooling or heating, or both room cooling and heating.
[0025] The refrigeration cycle unit may perform room heating by
blowing air from a room to first heat exchanger 14 and then
discharging the air back to the room, and room cooling by blowing
air from the room to second heat exchanger 18 and then discharging
the air back to the room.
[0026] That is, the refrigeration cycle unit may perform direct
heat exchange between indoor air and one of the first heat
exchanger or the second heat exchanger. The refrigeration cycle
unit may include an indoor fan that circulates indoor air between
the room and one of the first heat exchanger or the second heat
exchanger.
[0027] In the refrigeration cycle unit, the first heat exchanger 14
or the second heat exchanger 18 may be configured as a water
coolant heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between water
and a coolant. A cooling/heating coil around for heating or cooling
mixed air derived from indoor air and outdoor air may be connected
to the water coolant heat exchanger through a water circulation
path.
[0028] The water cools/heats the cooling/heating coil while
circulating the water coolant heat exchanger and the
cooling/heating coil, the mixed air of the indoor air and the
outdoor air is cooled/heated by the cooling/heating coil, and then
is discharged to the room. That is, the water heat exchanged with
the coolant in the refrigeration cycle unit 1 may be used in an air
handling unit ("AHU") that cools/heats the mixed air of the indoor
air and the outdoor air and discharges it to the room.
[0029] In the refrigeration cycle unit, the first heat exchanger or
the second heat exchanger may be configured as a water coolant heat
exchanger that performs heat exchange between water and a coolant.
The water cooled or heated in the water coolant heat exchanger may
be used for room cooling/heating or water heating.
[0030] When the refrigeration cycle unit is provided for room
cooling, the second heat exchanger may be configured as a water
coolant heat exchanger, and a room cooling unit for room cooling
may be connected to the water coolant heat exchanger through a
water circulation path. The water cools the room cooling unit while
circulating between the water coolant heat exchanger and the room
cooling unit, and thus the room cooling unit may cool the room.
[0031] When the refrigeration cycle unit is provided for room
heating, first heat exchanger 14 may be configured as a water
coolant heat exchanger, and a room heating unit for room heating
may be connected to the water coolant heat exchanger through a
water circulation path so that water heats the room heating unit
while circulating between the water coolant heat exchanger and the
room heating unit, and thus the room heating unit may heat the
room.
[0032] When the refrigeration cycle unit is provided for water
heating, first heat exchanger 14 may be configured as a water
coolant heat exchanger, and a water heating unit for supplying hot
water to the room may be connected to the water coolant heat
exchanger through a water circulation path. As such, water heats
the water heating unit while circulating between the water coolant
heat exchanger and the water heating unit, and thus the water
heating unit may supply hot water to the room.
[0033] When the refrigeration cycle unit is provided for room
cooling/heating and water heating, first heat exchanger 14 may be
configured as a water coolant heat exchanger, and a room
cooling/heating unit for room cooling/heating may be connected to
the water coolant heat exchanger through a water circulation path.
As such, water cools/heats the room cooling/heating unit while
circulating between the water coolant heat exchanger and the room
cooling/heating unit.
[0034] Alternatively, a water heating unit for supplying hot water
to the room may be connected to the water coolant heat exchanger
through a water circulation path so that water heats the water
heating unit while circulating between the water coolant heat
exchanger and the water heating unit.
[0035] That is, the water heat exchanged with the coolant in the
refrigeration cycle unit may be used for the room heating unit for
room heating, the room cooling unit for room cooling, or the water
heating unit for supplying hot water to the room.
[0036] Hereinafter, it is assumed that, in the refrigeration cycle
unit, first heat exchanger 14 is configured as a water coolant heat
exchanger, that water heated in the first heat exchanger is used
for a water heating unit 4, and that water heated or cooled in the
first heat exchanger 14 is used for a room heating unit 5.
[0037] In the heat pump, compressor 10, first heat exchanger 14,
expansion mechanism 16, and second heat exchanger 18 may be
installed in the refrigeration cycle unit. The refrigeration cycle
unit may further include a room cooling/heating switching valve 12
that may perform switching between room heating and room
cooling.
[0038] Under a room heating mode for room heating, room
cooling/heating switching valve 12 makes the coolant compressed in
compressor 10 flow to the first heat exchanger and the coolant
evaporated in the second heat exchanger flow to the compressor, so
that the coolant is condensed in the first heat exchanger and
evaporated in the second heat exchanger.
[0039] Under a room cooling mode for room cooling or defrosting
mode for defrosting, room cooling/heating switching valve 12 makes
the coolant compressed in the compressor flow to the second heat
exchanger and the coolant evaporated in the first heat exchanger
flow to the compressor, so that the coolant is evaporated in the
first heat exchanger and condensed in the second heat
exchanger.
[0040] The refrigeration cycle unit may be configured as a single
unit or this unit may include or be coupled to an indoor unit 6 and
an outdoor unit 7.
[0041] In a case where the refrigeration cycle unit is configured
to be a single unit, compressor 10, room cooling/heating switching
valve 12, first heat exchanger 14, expansion mechanism 16, and
second heat exchanger 18 may be installed in a single casing or
housing.
[0042] In a case where the refrigeration cycle unit is configured
to include or be coupled to indoor unit 6 and outdoor unit 7,
compressor 10, room cooling/heating switching valve 12, expansion
mechanism 16, and second heat exchanger 18 may be installed in the
outdoor unit, first heat exchanger 14 may be installed in the
indoor unit, and the outdoor unit and indoor unit may be connected
to each other via a coolant pipe.
[0043] The compressor 10 may be connected to the room
cooling/heating switching valve via a compressor discharging pipe
11. The compressor discharging pipe may include a check valve 11'
to prevent coolant discharged from a booster compressor 90 (as will
be described later) from flowing into compressor 10.
[0044] The room cooling/heating switching valve 12 may be connected
to first heat exchanger 14 via a pipe 13 between room
cooling/heating switching valve 12 and the first heat exchanger,
and to the compressor via a compressor suction pipe 20.
[0045] The first heat exchanger 14 may be connected to expansion
mechanism 16 via a pipe 15 between the first heat exchanger and the
expansion mechanism. The first heat exchanger may be a water
coolant heat exchanger performing heat exchange between water and a
coolant, and may include a heat radiation path that radiates heat
while the coolant passes therethrough, a heat absorption path that
absorbs heat while the water passes therethrough, and a heat
transfer member between the heat radiation path and the heat
absorption path.
[0046] The first heat exchanger 14 may be connected to a water
circulation path 22 that forms a closed path along with water
heating unit 4 and room heating unit 5.
[0047] The expansion mechanism 16 may be connected to second heat
exchanger 18 via pipe 17 between the expansion mechanism and the
second heat exchanger. The expansion mechanism 16 may be
configured, for example, as an electronic expansion valve.
[0048] The second heat exchanger 18 may be connected to room
cooling/heating switching valve 12 via a pipe 19 between the second
heat exchanger and the room cooling/heating switching valve. The
second heat exchanger may be configured as an air cooled heat
exchanger that blows outdoor air to the second heat exchanger to
evaporate the coolant. The refrigeration cycle unit may further
include an outdoor fan (not shown) that blows outdoor air to second
heat exchanger 18.
[0049] The water circulation path 22 may couple first heat
exchanger 14 with water heating unit 4 and room heating unit 5, so
that water heat exchanged with the coolant in the first heat
exchanger passes through at least one of the water heating unit or
the room heating unit and then returns to the first heat
exchanger.
[0050] The water circulation path 22 may include a refrigeration
cycle unit pipe 23 located in refrigeration cycle unit 1, a water
heating pipe 24 that allows water heated in first heat exchanger 14
to pass through water heating unit 4, a room cooling/heating pipe
25 that allows water heated in the first heat exchanger to pass
room heating unit 5, and a connection pipe 27 that couples the
refrigeration cycle unit pipe with water heating pipe 24 and the
room cooling/heating pipe.
[0051] The connection pipe 27 may include a water adjustment valve
28 that guides water heated or cooled in first heat exchanger to at
least one of water heating pipe 24 or room cooling/heating pipe 25.
The water heating pipe and room cooling/heating pipe may be
connected to water adjustment valve 28 via connection pipe 27.
[0052] Now, the refrigeration cycle unit 1, water heating unit 4,
and room heating unit 5 will be described in greater detail.
[0053] The refrigeration cycle unit may be an air to water heat
pump ("AWHP"), and may include a flow switch 32 that senses the
flow of water passing through refrigeration cycle unit pipe 23, an
expansion tank 33 positioned over the refrigeration cycle unit pipe
to be spaced from the flow switch, a water collection tank 34 that
is connected to the refrigeration cycle unit pipe and includes
therein an auxiliary heater 35, and a circulation pump 36 that is
positioned over the refrigeration cycle unit pipe to pump the water
for water circulation.
[0054] The expansion tank 33 may be a buffer that absorbs water
heated while passing through first heat exchanger 14 when water is
expanded beyond an appropriate level. The expansion tank may be
filled with nitrogen and may include a diaphragm that moves
depending on the volume of water.
[0055] The water collection tank 34 may collect water and auxiliary
heater 35 may be selectively operated when a defrosting operation
is necessary or when first heat exchanger 14 does not reach a
required performance level.
[0056] The circulation pump 36 circulates water among refrigeration
cycle unit 1, water heating unit 4, and room heating unit 5 and may
be provided downstream of water collection tank 34 over
refrigeration cycle unit pipe 23.
[0057] The water heating unit may supply hot water necessary for,
for example, showering, bathing, or dish washing and may include a
hot water tank 41 containing water and an auxiliary heater 42 for
water heating installed in the hot water tank. The hot water tank
41 may be connected to a cool water inlet 43 that introduces cool
water to the hot water tank and a hot water outlet 44 that
discharges hot water out of the hot water tank.
[0058] A water heating pipe 24 is provided in hot water tank 41 to
heat water in the hot water tank. The hot water outlet 44 may be
connected to a hot water discharging device 45, such as a shower
head. A cool water inlet 46 may be connected to hot water outlet 44
so that cool water may be discharged to the outside through hot
water discharging device 45.
[0059] The room heating unit 5 may include a floor cooling/heating
unit 51 for cooling/heating the indoor floor, and an air
cooling/heating unit 52 for cooling/heating indoor air. The floor
cooling/heating unit may be configured as a meander line embedded
in the indoor floor, and the air cooling/heating unit 52 may be
configured as a fan coil unit or a radiator.
[0060] Water adjustment valves 53 and 54 may be positioned over the
room cooling/heating pipe 25 to guide water to at least one of the
floor cooling/heating unit 51 and the air cooling/heating unit 52.
The floor cooling/heating unit may be connected to the water
adjustment valves via air cooling/heating pipe 55 and air
cooling/heating unit 52 may be connected to the water adjustment
valves floor cooling/heating pipe 56.
[0061] When the water adjustment valve 28 is subjected to a water
heating mode for water heating upon driving the circulation pump
36, the water heated in first heat exchanger 14 may pass through
refrigeration cycle unit pipe 23 and connection pipe 27 to water
heating pipe 24 to heat the water in the hot water tank 41, and
then return to the first heat exchanger via connection pipe 27 and
refrigeration cycle unit pipe 23.
[0062] When the water adjustment valve is subjected to a room
cooling/heating mode for room cooling/heating upon driving
circulation pump 36, the water heated or cooled in the first heat
exchanger may pass through refrigeration cycle unit pipe 23 and
connection pipe 27 to room cooling/heating pipe 25 to heat or cool
at least one of floor cooling/heating unit 51 or air
cooling/heating unit 52, and then return to the first heat
exchanger via the room cooling/heating pipe, the connection pipe,
and the refrigeration cycle unit pipe.
[0063] When water adjustment valves 53 and 54 are subjected to an
air cooling/heating mode for air cooling/heating, the water heated
or cooled in first heat exchanger 14 may pass through room
cooling/heating pipe 25, air cooling/heating unit 52, and air
cooling/heating pipe 55 and discharge through the room
cooling/heating pipe. And, when the water adjustment valves are
subjected to a floor cooling/heating mode for floor
cooling/heating, the water heated in first heat exchanger 14 may
pass through floor cooling/heating pipe 56 floor cooling/heating
unit 51, and discharge through room cooling/heating pipe 25.
[0064] After installation of the refrigeration cycle unit, as
necessary, the booster module 2 may be additionally provided to the
refrigeration cycle unit. The booster module may be connected to
the refrigeration cycle unit to separate a gaseous coolant from the
coolant flowing from first heat exchanger 14 to expansion mechanism
16, compress the separated gaseous coolant, and then make the
compressed gaseous coolant flow between compressor 10 and the first
heat exchanger.
[0065] Independently from compressor 10 included in refrigeration
cycle unit 1, the booster module may compress the coolant by using
a booster compressor 90 included in the booster module (as will be
described later), and inject to the booster compressor a gaseous
coolant which has a pressure higher than the condensation pressure
of the first heat exchanger and lower than the evaporation pressure
of the second heat exchanger 18, thus capable of raising
operational efficiency.
[0066] The booster module 2 may include a first booster expansion
mechanism 62 that expands the coolant condensed in first heat
exchanger 14, a gas/liquid separator 70 that separates the coolant
expanded in first booster expansion mechanism 62 into a liquid
coolant and a gaseous coolant, a second booster expansion mechanism
80 that expands the gaseous coolant separated in gas/liquid
separator 70, and booster compressor 90 that compresses the coolant
expanded in second booster expansion mechanism 80.
[0067] In accordance with one embodiment, when the booster module
is installed in the heat pump, pipe 13 connected between first heat
exchanger 14 and room cooling/heating switching valve 12 and pipe
15 connected between the first heat exchanger and expansion
mechanism 16 may be separated into pipes 13A and 13B and pipes 15A
and 15B, respectively. The booster module is connected between
pipes 13A and 13B and may be connected to between the pipes 15A and
15B.
[0068] The first booster expansion mechanism 62 may be connected to
the first heat exchanger via a first booster expansion mechanism
suction pipe 64 that may be connected to one 15A of the separated
pipes 15A or 15B. The first booster expansion mechanism 62 may be
configured, for example, as an electronic expansion valve.
[0069] The gas/liquid separator 70 separates the coolant condensed
in first heat exchanger 14 into a gaseous coolant and a liquid
coolant, and may be connected to the expansion mechanism 16 via a
gas/liquid separator outlet pipe 72 that may be connected to the
other 15B of the separated pipes 15A and 15B.
[0070] When opened, second booster expansion mechanism 80 allows
gaseous coolant from gas/liquid separator 70 to flow to booster
compressor 90, and when closed the second booster expansion
mechanism stops the flow of the gaseous coolant from the gas/liquid
separator to the booster compressor. The second booster expansion
mechanism may expand the gaseous coolant flowing from the
gas/liquid separator to the booster compressor upon adjusting the
degree of opening. The second booster expansion mechanism may be
configured, for example, as an electronic expansion valve.
[0071] The booster module 2 may include a gas/liquid separator
suction pipe 74 connected between first booster expansion mechanism
62 and gas/liquid separator 70. That is, first heat exchanger 14
and expansion mechanism 16 may be connected to each other via pipe
15, connected between the first heat exchanger and expansion
mechanism 16 before installation of the booster module, and via one
15A of the pipes 15A or 15B, first booster expansion mechanism
suction pipe 64, first booster expansion mechanism 62, gas/liquid
separator suction pipe 74, gas/liquid separator 70, gas/liquid
separator outlet pipe 72, and other 15B of the separated pipes 15A
and 15B, the pipe 15B after installation of the booster module.
[0072] The booster module may further include a gaseous coolant
discharging pipe 76 that guides the gaseous coolant separated in
gas/liquid separator 70 to second booster expansion mechanism 80, a
booster compressor suction pipe 92 that allows the coolant expanded
in the second booster expansion mechanism to be sucked to the
booster compressor 90, and booster compressor discharging pipes 94
and 95 that guide the coolant discharged from the booster
compressor to between first heat exchanger 14 and compressor 10 of
refrigeration cycle unit 1.
[0073] The booster compressor discharging pipes 94 and 95 may
include a first booster compressor discharging pipe 94 connecting
between pipes 13A and 13B and a second booster compressor
discharging pipe 95 guiding the coolant discharged from booster
compressor 90 to the first booster compressor discharging pipe
94.
[0074] That is, room cooling/heating switching valve 12 and first
heat exchanger 14 may be connected to each other via pipe 13
connected between the room cooling/heating switching valve and
first heat exchanger before installation of the booster module, as
shown in FIG. 1, and via one pipe 13A of pipes 13A and 13B, first
booster compressor discharging pipe 94, and the other pipe 13B of
pipes 13A and 13B, after installation of the booster module, as
shown in FIG. 2.
[0075] A check valve 95' may be provided over booster compressor
discharging pipes 94 and 95 to prevent the coolant compressed in
compressor 10 from flowing to the booster compressor. According to
one arrangement, check valve 95' may be provided over the second
booster compressor discharging pipe 95.
[0076] The booster module 2 may further include a bypass pipe 99
leading the coolant flowing out of the gas/liquid separator 70 via
the gas/liquid separator outlet pipe 72 to the first booster
expansion mechanism suction pipe 64. A check valve 99' may be
provided over the third booster suction pipe 99 to prevent the
coolant in the first booster expansion mechanism suction pipe from
flowing to the gas/liquid separator outlet pipe through the third
booster suction pipe, and the gaseous coolant flowing from the
gas/liquid separator to the booster compressor suction pipe 92 may
be maximized.
[0077] The booster module 2 may compress the coolant evaporated in
the second heat exchanger 18 using booster compressor 90 and then
have the compressed coolant flow between compressor 10 and the
first heat exchanger 14.
[0078] The booster module may be configured so that the gaseous
coolant separated in gas/liquid separator 70 and the coolant
evaporated in second heat exchanger 18 may be together or
selectively sucked to booster compressor 90.
[0079] The booster module may connect booster compressor suction
pipe 92 to between the second heat exchanger and compressor 10
through a booster suction pipe 96 to guide part of the coolant
evaporated in second heat exchanger 18 to the booster compressor
suction pipe. One end of booster suction pipe 96 may be connected
to compressor suction pipe 20 and the other end may be connected to
booster compressor suction pipe 92.
[0080] The booster suction pipe 96 may include a first booster
suction pipe 97 that is provided in refrigeration cycle unit 1 to
be connected to compressor suction pipe 20, a second booster
suction pipe 98 provided in booster module 2 to be connected to
booster compressor suction pipe 92, and a third booster suction
pipe 99 that is connected between the first booster suction pipe
and second booster suction pipe 98.
[0081] The booster module 2 may further include a check valve 96'
that is provided over booster suction pipe 96 to prevent the
coolant in booster compressor suction pipe 92 from being sucked to
compressor 10 through the booster suction pipe. Check valve 96' may
be provided over second booster suction pipe 98.
[0082] FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a heat pump where a booster
module is separated from a refrigeration cycle unit, and FIG. 5
shows a heat pump where a booster module is attached to a
refrigeration cycle unit.
[0083] In a case where refrigeration cycle unit 1 is configured as
a single unit, booster module 2 may be separated from or joined to
the refrigeration cycle unit.
[0084] In a case where the refrigeration cycle unit is configured
to have indoor unit 6 and outdoor unit 7, booster module 2 may be
separated from the indoor unit and the outdoor unit or joined to
one of the indoor unit or the outdoor unit.
[0085] The refrigeration cycle unit may be configured as a
separation type as shown in FIG. 4 where the refrigeration cycle
unit is separated from outdoor unit 7, or as an integration type as
shown in FIG. 5 where the refrigeration cycle unit is integrally
mounted on the outdoor unit. That is, room heating unit 5 may be
selectively mounted on the outdoor unit as shown in FIGS. 4 and
5.
[0086] FIG. 6 shows a P-H relationship that compares performance of
a heat pump with and without booster module 2. Without the booster
module, coolant is subjected to a general procedure of compression,
condensation, expansion, and evaporation--that is,
"a->b'->c->f->a" as depicted in dashed lines in FIG.
4.
[0087] On the other hand, when the booster module is included,
coolant is subjected to a procedure of compression, condensation,
expansion, expansion, and evaporation; that is,
a->b->c->d->e->f->a as depicted by solid lines in
FIG. 6. Part of the coolant discharged from first heat exchanger 14
is subjected to expansion and compression in the booster module;
that is, d->g->h->b as depicted in FIG. 6.
[0088] When the booster module is included, the heat pump may show
improved overall efficiency with reduced compression work compared
to when the booster module is absent. That is, entire consumption
power supplied to compressor 10 and booster compressor 90 may be
reduced and performance may be enhanced especially when the outdoor
temperature is low. Also, when the booster module is included, the
maximum management temperature of compressor 10 may be lowered and
reliability of this compressor may be increased compared to when
the booster module is not included.
[0089] FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a heat pump, FIG. 8 shows
an embodiment of a heat pump subjected to a general load mode, FIG.
9 shows an embodiment of a heat pump subjected to a partial load
mode, FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a heat pump subjected to a
multi operation mode, and FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a heat
pump subjected to a gas injection mode.
[0090] One or more embodiments of the foregoing heat pump may
include a manipulation unit 100 that inputs various instructions
including operation/stop of the heat pump, a load sensor 110 that
senses the load of the heat pump, and a controller 120 that
controls compressor 10, expansion mechanism 16, outdoor fan 22',
first booster expansion mechanism 62, second booster expansion
mechanism 80, and booster compressor 90 based on operation of the
manipulation unit and a sensing result of load sensor 110. The load
sensor may include a water temperature sensor that senses the load
of water heating unit 4 and room heating unit 5.
[0091] The water temperature sensor may be provided at a side of
water circulation path 22 to sense the temperature of water
circulating first heat exchanger 14 and at least one of water
heating unit 4 or room heating unit 5. The water temperature sensor
may sense the temperature of water which passes through at least
one of the water heating unit or the room heating unit and then
returns to the first heat exchanger. According to one arrangement,
the water temperature sensor may be provided over refrigeration
cycle unit pipe 23.
[0092] The load sensor 110 may include an outdoor temperature
sensor that determines whether the outdoor temperature is low or
not. The outdoor temperature sensor may be installed in second heat
exchanger 18 to sense the temperature of outdoor air blowing to the
second heat exchanger.
[0093] When the load sensor senses a load, controller 120 may
perform control under the partial load mode, general load mode,
and/or multi operation mode. And, when the load sensor senses an
outdoor low temperature load (that is, determines that the outdoor
temperature is low), the controller may perform control under the
gas injection mode.
[0094] If the temperature of water sensed by load sensor 110 is
less than a first predetermined temperature, controller 120 may
determine that the load of the heat pump is a partial load.
[0095] If the temperature of water sensed by the load sensor is not
less than the first predetermined temperature and less than a
second predetermined temperature higher than the first determined
temperature by a predetermined value, the controller may determine
that the load of the heat pump is a general load.
[0096] And, if the temperature of water sensed by load sensor is
not less than the second predetermined temperature, the controller
may determine that the load of the heat pump is a multi operation
load (that is, overload).
[0097] If the outdoor temperature sensed by the load sensor is not
more than a predetermined temperature, the controller may determine
that the load of the heat pump is an outdoor low temperature
load.
[0098] Depending on the mode, controller 120 may control compressor
10, booster compressor 90, and second booster expansion mechanism
80 at the same time.
[0099] Various operation modes are possible according to the load.
For example, in a case where the load is smaller than a general
load, the controller may operate the compressor, booster
compressor, and second booster expansion mechanism in the partial
load model.
[0100] If the load is equal to the general load, the controller may
control the compressor, booster compressor, and second booster
expansion mechanism in the general load mode.
[0101] If the load is larger than the general load, the controller
may control the compressor, booster compressor, and second booster
expansion mechanism in the multi operation mode.
[0102] If the load is the low temperature load, the controller may
control the compressor, booster compressor, and second booster
expansion mechanism in the gas injection mode.
[0103] According to one embodiment, compressor 10 may be a capacity
variable compressor and booster compressor 90 may be a constant
speed compressor. Furthermore, the booster compressor may have a
smaller capacity than compressor in order to efficiently respond to
various loads.
[0104] Under the partial load mode, the controller turns off
compressor 10, drives booster compressor 90, and closes second
booster expansion mechanism 80. The controller may fully open first
booster expansion mechanism 62 and adjust expansion mechanism 16 at
a predetermined degree of opening to allow the expansion mechanism
to expand the coolant. In one embodiment, the controller may
control the degree of opening of the expansion mechanism so that
suction superheat of the booster compressor reaches a predetermined
value.
[0105] Under the above-mentioned control, as shown in FIGS. 2 and
8, coolant in compressor suction pipe 19 may be sucked into booster
compressor 90 via booster suction pipe 96 and booster compressor
suction pipe 92 without being introduced into compressor 10. The
coolant may then be compressed in the booster compressor and then
made to flow into first heat exchanger 14 via first booster
compressor discharging pipe 94 and compressor discharging pipe
13.
[0106] The coolant flowing into first heat exchanger 14 may be
condensed in the first heat exchanger to heat the water passing
through the first heat exchanger, expanded in expansion mechanism
16 while passing through first booster expansion mechanism 62 and
gas/liquid separator 70, and then flow into second heat exchanger
18.
[0107] The coolant flowing into the second heat exchanger may
evaporate by outdoor air blowing from outdoor fan 22' and then
recovered to compressor suction pipe 19. That is, coolant may be
subjected to compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation
while circulating booster compressor 90, first heat exchanger 14,
expansion mechanism 16, and second heat exchanger 18. Thus, the
heat pump may respond to the partial load with lower consumption
power than in the case of driving compressor 10.
[0108] Under the general load mode, controller 120 drives
compressor 10, stops booster compressor 90, and closes second
booster expansion mechanism 80. The controller may fully open first
booster expansion mechanism 62 and adjust expansion mechanism 16 at
a predetermined degree of opening to allow the expansion mechanism
to expand the coolant. The controller may control the degree of
opening of the expansion mechanism so that suction superheat of the
compressor reaches a predetermined value.
[0109] Under the above-mentioned control, coolant in compressor
suction pipe 19 may be sucked and compressed in compressor 10
without being introduced into booster compressor 90 and then be
made to flow to first heat exchanger 14 via compressor discharging
pipe 13, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9.
[0110] The coolant flowing to first heat exchanger 14 may be
condensed in the first heat exchanger to heat the water passing
through the first heat exchanger, expanded in expansion mechanism
16 while passing through first booster expansion mechanism 62 and
gas/liquid separator 70, and then be made to flow to second heat
exchanger 18.
[0111] The coolant flowing to the second heat exchanger may
evaporate by outdoor air blowing from outdoor fan 22' and then
recovered to compressor suction pipe 19. That is, coolant may be
subjected to compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation
while circulating compressor 10, first heat exchanger 14, expansion
mechanism 16, and second heat exchanger 18. Thus, the heat pump may
respond to the general load, which is larger than when the booster
compressor 90 is driven.
[0112] Under the multi operation mode, controller 120 drives
compressor 10 and booster compressor 90 and closes second booster
expansion mechanism 80. The controller may fully open first booster
expansion mechanism 62 and adjust expansion mechanism 16 at a
predetermined degree of opening to allow the expansion mechanism 16
to expand the coolant. The controller may control the degree of
opening of the expansion mechanism so that suction superheat of
compressor 10 reaches a predetermined value.
[0113] Under the above-mentioned control, coolant in compressor
suction pipe 19 is partially sucked and compressed in compressor 10
and then discharged through compressor discharging pipe 13. The
remainder of the coolant is sucked via booster suction pipe 96 and
booster compressor suction pipe 92 to booster compressor 90 for
compression, and the compressed coolant is discharged through
compressor discharging pipe 13 and mixed with the coolant
discharged from compressor 10, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 10.
[0114] The coolant discharged through compressor discharging pipe
13 flows in first heat exchanger 14 for compression. The coolant is
condensed in the first heat exchanger to heat the water passing
through the first heat exchanger, expanded in expansion mechanism
16 while passing first booster expansion mechanism 62 and
gas/liquid separator 70, and then made to flow into second heat
exchanger 18.
[0115] The coolant flowing into the second heat exchanger may
evaporate by outdoor air blowing from outdoor fan 22' and then
recovered to compressor suction pipe 19. That is, the coolant may
be subjected to compression, condensation, expansion, and
evaporation while circulating compressor 10, booster compressor 90,
first heat exchanger 14, expansion mechanism 16, and second heat
exchanger 18. Thus, the heat pump may respond to the larger load
compared with the case of driving booster compressor 90 alone or
compressor 10 alone.
[0116] Under the gas injection mode, controller 120 may drive
compressor 10 and booster compressor 90 and open second booster
expansion mechanism 80. The controller may open first booster
expansion mechanism 62 and adjust expansion mechanism 16 at a
predetermined degree of opening to allow the expansion mechanism to
expand the coolant.
[0117] The controller 120 may control the degree of opening of the
first booster expansion mechanism and the degree of opening of the
second booster expansion mechanism so that pressure of the coolant
sucked into the booster compressor is lower than the evaporation
pressure of second heat exchanger 18 and higher than the
compression pressure of first heat exchanger 14, and may control
the degree of opening of expansion mechanism 16 so that suction
superheat of compressor 10 reaches a predetermined value.
[0118] Under the above-mentioned control, coolant in compressor
suction pipe 19 may be sucked and compressed in compressor 10,
discharged through compressor discharging pipe 13, made to flow
into first heat exchanger 14 to heat the water passing through the
first heat exchanger, expanded in first booster expansion mechanism
62, and introduced into the gas/liquid separator 70, as shown in
FIGS. 2 and 11.
[0119] The coolant introduced in the gas/liquid separator is
separated into gaseous coolant and liquid coolant. The gaseous
coolant may be discharged through gaseous coolant discharging pipe
76 and the liquid coolant may be made to flow into expansion
mechanism 16 through gas/liquid separator outlet pipe 72 for
expansion.
[0120] The coolant expanded in expansion mechanism 16 may be made
to flow and evaporated in second heat exchanger 18, recovered to
compressor suction pipe 19, compressed in compressor 10, and
discharged through compressor discharging pipe 13.
[0121] On the other hand, the coolant discharged through gaseous
coolant discharging pipe 76 is expanded in second booster expansion
mechanism 80, made to flow into booster compressor suction pipe 92,
and then compressed in booster compressor 90. The coolant
compressed in the booster compressor is discharged through first
booster compressor discharging pipe 94, made to flow into
compressor discharging pipe 13, and mixed with the coolant
discharged from compressor 10.
[0122] That is, the coolant may be subjected to compression,
condensation, expansion, expansion, and evaporation while
circulating through compressor 10, first heat exchanger 14, first
booster expansion mechanism 62, expansion mechanism 16, and second
heat exchanger 18. Gaseous coolant of the coolant condensed in the
first heat exchanger is then expanded and injected to booster
compressor 90. Thus, the heat pump may further raise efficiency and
reduce compression work than in case of driving booster compressor
90 and compressor 10 without gas injection. The heat pump may
provide improved performance particularly under low outdoor
temperature.
[0123] FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a heat pump where a booster
module is mounted on a refrigeration cycle unit, FIG. 13 shows the
flow of a coolant in one embodiment of a heat pump operating in
general load mode, and FIG. 14 shows the flow of a coolant in one
embodiment of a heat pump operating in gas injection mode. The heat
pump in these figures may be identical or similar in construction
to one or more of the aforementioned heat pump embodiments except
that booster suction pipe 96 and check valve 96' are absent.
[0124] The heat pump according to these embodiments may operation
in a general load mode in which compressor 10 is driven, booster
compressor 90 is not driven, and second booster expansion mechanism
80 stops gaseous coolant from passing therethrough as shown in FIG.
12.
[0125] When operating in gas injection mode, compressor 10 and
booster compressor 90 are driven and second booster expansion
mechanism 80 allows gaseous coolant to pass therethrough, as shown
in FIG. 14. More specifically, if a low temperature load is sensed
by load sensor 110, compressor 10 and booster compressor 90 are
driven and second booster expansion mechanism 80 allows gaseous
coolant to pass, so that the compressor may compress the coolant
evaporated in second heat exchanger 18 and booster compressor may
compress gaseous coolant separated in gas/liquid separator 70.
[0126] On the other hand, unless a low temperature load is sensed
by the load sensor, compressor 10 may be driven while booster
compressor 90 may not be driven and second booster expansion
mechanism 80 may stop gaseous coolant from passing, so that
compressor 10 may compress the coolant evaporated in the
compressor.
[0127] FIG. 15 shows one embodiment of a heat pump before a booster
module is mounted on a refrigeration cycle unit, and FIG. 16 shows
an embodiment of a heat pump after a booster module has been
mounted on a refrigeration cycle unit. These embodiments may only
be used for room heating and may not include room cooling/heating
switching valve 12. Otherwise, the embodiments may be similar to
one or more of the aforementioned embodiments.
[0128] In refrigeration cycle unit 1, compressor 10 may be
connected to first heat exchanger 14 via compressor discharging
pipe 11, first heat exchanger 14 to the expansion mechanism 16 via
pipe 15 between the first heat exchanger and expansion mechanism
16, the expansion mechanism to second heat exchanger 18 via pipe 17
between the expansion mechanism and second heat exchanger, and the
second heat exchanger to compressor 10 via compressor suction pipe
20'.
[0129] Upon mounting booster module 2, compressor discharging pipe
11 and pipe 15 connected between first heat exchanger 14 and
expansion mechanism 16 may be separated into pipes 11A and 11B and
pipes 15A and 15B, respectively. The booster module may be
connected between pipes 11A and 11B and pipes 15A and 15B.
[0130] In the booster module, booster compressor discharging pipes
94 and 95 may include a first booster compressor discharging pipe
94 connected between separated pipes 11A and 11B and a second
booster compressor discharging pipe 95 that guides coolant
discharged from booster compressor 90 to the first booster
compressor discharging pipe.
[0131] That is, compressor 10 and first heat exchanger 14 may be
connected to each other via compressor discharging pipe 11 before
installation of the booster module as shown in FIG. 14, and via
pipe 11A, first booster compressor discharging pipe 94, and pipe
11B after installation of the booster module as shown in FIG. 15.
One end of booster suction pipe 96 may be connected to compressor
suction pipe 20' and the other end may be connected to booster
compressor suction pipe 92.
[0132] One or more embodiments therefore provide a heat pump that
includes a booster module to reinforce the capacity of a
refrigeration cycle unit.
[0133] One or more of these embodiments also provide a heat pump
that may raise heating performance under a low temperature
condition by injecting a gaseous coolant into a booster compressor
of the booster module.
[0134] One or more of these embodiments also provide a heat pump
that may perform various operations according to loads and thus
efficiently respond to the loads while minimizing consumption
power.
[0135] In accordance with one embodiment, a heat pump is provided
to including a refrigeration cycle unit that includes a compressor
for compressing a coolant, a first heat exchanger for condensing
the coolant compressed in the compressor, an expansion mechanism
for expanding the coolant condensed in the first heat exchanger,
and a second heat exchanger for evaporating the coolant expanded in
the expansion mechanism; and a booster module that is connected to
the refrigeration cycle unit, wherein the booster module separates
a gaseous coolant from the coolant flowing from the first heat
exchanger to the expansion mechanism, compresses the separated
gaseous coolant, and then has the compressed gaseous coolant flow
between the compressor and the first heat exchanger, or compresses
the coolant evaporated in the second heat exchanger and then has
the compressed coolant flow between the compressor and the first
heat exchanger.
[0136] The booster module includes a first booster expansion
mechanism that expands the coolant flowing in the first heat
exchanger, a gas/liquid separator that separates the coolant
expanded in the first booster expansion mechanism into a liquid
coolant and a gaseous coolant, a second booster expansion mechanism
that expands the gaseous coolant separated in the gas/liquid
separator, and a booster compressor that compresses the coolant
expanded in the second booster expansion mechanism.
[0137] The booster module further includes a booster suction pipe
that guides the coolant evaporated in the second heat exchanger to
be sucked into the booster compressor.
[0138] The booster module further includes a gas/liquid separator
suction pipe that connects between the first booster expansion
mechanism and the gas/liquid separator, a gaseous coolant
discharging pipe that guides the gaseous coolant separated in the
gas/liquid separator to the second booster expansion mechanism, a
booster compressor suction pipe that allows the coolant expanded in
the second booster expansion mechanism to be sucked into the
booster compressor, and a booster compressor discharging pipe that
guides the coolant discharged from the booster compressor to
between the compressor and the first heat exchanger, wherein the
booster suction pipe connects the booster compressor suction pipe
to between the second heat exchanger and the compressor.
[0139] The booster module further includes a check valve that is
provided over the booster suction pipe to prevent the coolant in
the booster compressor suction pipe from being sucked through the
booster suction pipe to the compressor.
[0140] The first boost expansion mechanism is connected to the
first heat exchanger via a first booster expansion mechanism
suction pipe. The gas/liquid separator is connected to the
expansion mechanism via a gas/liquid separator outlet pipe. The
compressor is a capacity variable compressor and the booster
compressor is a constant speed compressor. The booster compressor
has a smaller capacity than the compressor.
[0141] The heat pump includes a controller to control the
compressor, booster compressor, and second booster expansion
mechanism based on an operation mode.
[0142] The controller drives the compressor, stops the booster
compressor, and closes the second booster expansion mechanism under
a general load mode.
[0143] The controller turns off the compressor, drives the booster
compressor, and closes the second booster expansion mechanism under
a partial load mode. The controller drives the compressor and the
booster compressor, and closes the second booster expansion
mechanism under a multi operation mode. The controller drives the
compressor and booster compressor and opens the second booster
expansion mechanism under a gas injection mode.
[0144] The first heat exchanger is a water coolant heat exchanger
that performs heat exchange between water and a coolant, and
connects to a room heating unit for room heating and a water
heating unit for supplying hot water via a water circulation
path.
[0145] Since the booster module is additionally coupled with the
refrigeration cycle unit, the heat pump according to the present
invention, as configured above, may simply raise a heating capacity
in a cold region that requires a sufficient heating capacity.
Further, the heat pump may respond to various load conditions
difficult to handle only with the compressor of the refrigeration
cycle unit, thus capable of providing the optimum performance with
lowest costs.
[0146] Any reference in this specification to "one embodiment," "an
embodiment," "example embodiment," etc., means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the
invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the
specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it
is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the
art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in
connection with other ones of the embodiments.
[0147] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a
number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood
that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by
those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope
of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various
variations and modifications are possible in the component parts
and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within
the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims.
In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts
and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to
those skilled in the art.
* * * * *