U.S. patent application number 14/441628 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-22 for heating system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Martino BASILE, David NORRIS, Alistair SMIT, Scott STYLES. Invention is credited to Scott Styles.
Application Number | 20150300699 14/441628 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47470339 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150300699 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Styles; Scott |
October 22, 2015 |
HEATING SYSTEM
Abstract
A heat exchange system and apparatus comprising: a compressor to
compress a refrigerant, a first condenser heat exchanger to which
the compressed refrigerant is supplied and at which heat is
transferred from the refrigerant to water in a hot water cylinder;
an expansion valve that receives cooled liquid refrigerant from the
first heat exchanger; a thermodynamic panel including a second heat
exchanger heat that receives cool refrigerant from the expansion
valve and is in thermal communication with an environmental heat
source.
Inventors: |
Styles; Scott; (Hockley,
Essex, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BASILE; Martino
SMIT; Alistair
NORRIS; David
STYLES; Scott |
Chelmsford, Esses
Woodham Walter, Essex |
|
US
GB
GB
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47470339 |
Appl. No.: |
14/441628 |
Filed: |
November 11, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
November 11, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2013/052967 |
371 Date: |
May 8, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/498 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24H 4/04 20130101; F25B
13/00 20130101; F25B 30/00 20130101; Y02B 30/70 20130101; F24D
11/0214 20130101; F25B 2600/13 20130101; F25B 30/02 20130101; F25B
2339/047 20130101; F25D 23/10 20130101; Y02B 30/745 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25B 13/00 20060101
F25B013/00; F25D 23/10 20060101 F25D023/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 9, 2012 |
GB |
1220186.9 |
Claims
1. A heat exchange system comprising: a compressor to compress a
refrigerant, a first condenser heat exchanger to which the
compressed refrigerant is supplied and at which heat is transferred
from the refrigerant to water from a hot water cylinder; an
expansion valve that receives cooled liquid refrigerant from the
first heat exchanger; a thermodynamic panel including a second heat
exchanger heat that receives cool refrigerant from the expansion
valve and is in thermal communication with an environmental heat
source.
2. A heat exchange system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
condenser heat exchanger has two flow paths in thermal
communication, a first flow path for refrigerant and a second flow
path for water from the hot water cylinder.
3. A heat exchange system as claimed in claim 2 wherein water is
pumped from the hot water cylinder through the second flow path and
back to the cylinder by a circulating pump.
4. A heat exchange system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
condenser heat exchanger is a block or thermally conductive
material with circuitous flow paths formed therein.
5. A heat exchange system as claimed claim 1 which also includes
one or more of and accumulator or receiver, a filter, a drier, a
sight glass or moisture indicator.
6. A heat exchange system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the
circulating pump operates with a with time delay functionality.
7. A heat exchange system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
condenser heat exchanger is orientated in a way to self-drain the
water therefrom as required.
8. A heat exchange system as claimed in claim 1 wherein an air
bleed valve assembly is provided to remove the air from the
system.
9. A heat exchange system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a solenoid
valve or actuator and control device open/close the refrigeration
circuit in a second panel depending on the conditions.
10. A heat exchange system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second
heat exchanger is a fin-tube evaporator installed outdoor or as
part of a combined unit.
11. A heat exchange system as claimed in claim 10, wherein a fan is
provided to pass air over the evaporator.
12. Heat exchanger apparatus for use in a system as claimed in
claim 1 comprising the compressor; the first condenser heat
exchanger; an expansion valve that receives cooled liquid
refrigerant from the first heat exchanger; means to pump water to
and from the hot water cylinder through the first condenser heat
exchanger; and means to connect to the thermodynamic panel in
thermal communication with an environmental heat source.
13. Heat exchanger apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which all
the components are mounted inside a single unit.
14. Heat exchanger apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the
compressor is mounted in such a way as to absorb or minimise
vibration or noise.
15. Heat exchanger apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the
single unit is mounted in such a way as to absorb or minimise
vibration or noise.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to a heat exchange system which is
based upon the principle of the heat pump.
[0002] Solar panel systems are well established devices for
transferring the radiant energy from the Sun to other locations,
and such panels, in general, also extract ambient heat from their
surroundings. However, they are not currently designed and
manufactured so as to be conveniently, and flexibly, integrated
into existing heating systems.
[0003] Known existing systems whose method of operation is based
upon the principle of the heat pump, have their thermodynamic
elements built into the hot water cylinder, and are not purchasable
without the cylinder. This makes such systems very difficult to
install, both due to their size in comparison with the size of the
existing cylinder which is to be replaced, and with the dimensions
of that cylinder's associated surroundings. Moreover, these
existing systems are also known to be limited to providing hot
water at a maximum temperature of 55 degrees Celsius
[0004] Thus one current system utilises a so-called, thermodynamic
block, which is built into a hot water cylinder system, but
necessitates that the cylinder be 900 mm wide, which consequently
renders it difficult to install within an existing airing cupboard,
or other region of a building suitable for the installation of a
hot water system.
[0005] Consequently, for the system of the present invention, it
was decided that it would be advantageous to separate the
thermodynamic block from the cylinder, so that the system would be
more flexible with respect to installation, and so that it could
consequently be placed in a variety of different locations. A
further advantage of the apparatus of the present invention is that
it can either be connected to an existing cylinder, wherein the
existing immersion heater for that cylinder can be retained as part
of the new system, or it can be purchased together with a new
cylinder.
[0006] The present invention also offers the advantage that it
provides hot water at 65 degrees Celsius.
[0007] There are various types of heat pumps is the market which
absorb heat from various sources such as water, ground, stream,
outer air, exhaust air and others. In general heat pumps are
classified based on where they source their heat. For example
ground source heat pumps get their heat from the ground and air
source heat pumps get their heat from the air.
[0008] Air to water heat pumps currently available in the market
make use of a single unit which is typically located outdoors. The
heat pump has an evaporator within their outdoor unit and there is
a fan that forces the air through the evaporator to absorb the
heat. There is also a condenser to transfer heat to the heating
medium which in most cases is a water/glycol mix.
[0009] According to the present invention, there is provided a heat
transfer system method, and apparatus, which are based upon the
principles of the heat pump, and the Carnot Cycle.
[0010] The system allows the heat energy from the Sun, or the
radiated, convected, or conducted, heat from the surrounding
environment, to be transferred from thermodynamic panels, into the
hot water region of heating systems which utilise other fuels;
thereby allowing considerable flexibility in the application of the
said system to domestic, commercial, and industrial, hot water
systems.
[0011] In a first embodiment of the present invention a heat
exchanger, allows refrigerant to transfer heat from thermodynamic
panels, via a thermodynamic box, to the hot water inside a hot
water cylinder according to the operation of the principles of the
heat pump. Refrigerant passes through the thermodynamic box under
the operation of a compressor pump, and various controls.
[0012] According to the present invention there is provided a heat
exchange system comprising: a compressor to compress a gaseous
refrigerant, a first condenser heat exchanger to which the
compressed refrigerant is supplied and at which heat is transferred
from the refrigerant to water in a hot water cylinder; an expansion
valve that receives cooled liquid refrigerant from the first heat
exchanger; a thermodynamic panel including a second heat exchanger
heat that receives cool refrigerant from the expansion valve and is
in thermal communication with an environmental heat source.
[0013] The condenser heat exchanger can have two flow paths in
thermal communication with each other, a first flow path for
refrigerant and a second flow path for water from the hot water
cylinder. Water may be pumped from the hot water cylinder through
the second flow path and back to the cylinder by a circulating
pump. The condenser heat exchanger may be a block of thermally
conductive material with circuitous flow paths formed therein.
[0014] One or more of an accumulator or receiver, a filter, a
drier, a sight glass or moisture indicator, controller and
temperature sensors may be provided as part of the system.
[0015] The circulating pump may operates with a with time delay
functionality such that it does not start and stop at the same time
as the compressor operates.
[0016] The condenser heat exchanger may be orientated in a way to
self-drain the water therefrom as required. Also an air bleed valve
assembly may be is provided to remove air from the system.
[0017] More than one thermodynamic panel may be connected. A
solenoid valve or actuator and control device may be provided to
open/close the refrigeration circuit in a second panel or
subsequent panel depending on the conditions.
[0018] The second heat exchanger may be a fin-tube evaporator
installed outdoors or outdoors. The evaporator may be part of a
combined unit. A fan may be provided to pass air over the
evaporator.
[0019] The present invention also provides heat exchanger apparatus
for use in a system as discussed herein the apparatus comprising
the compressor; the first condenser heat exchanger; an expansion
valve that receives cooled liquid refrigerant from the first heat
exchanger; means to pump water to and from the hot water cylinder
through the first condenser heat exchanger; and means to connect to
the thermodynamic panel in thermal communication with an
environmental heat source.
[0020] Preferably all the components of the heat exchanger
apparatus are mounted inside a single unit or container. This aids
retrofitting. The compressor and or the single unit may be mounted
in such a way as to absorb or minimise vibration and or to minimise
noise.
[0021] It will be shown, in the following description, how the
present invention can be conveniently and flexibly integrated into
domestic, commercial, and industrial, hot water systems, thereby
giving rise to a higher level of efficiency in the distribution of
heat around buildings, and at reduced cost compared with existing
systems.
[0022] The operation of the apparatus of the invention is best
understood by comparison with the way in which a refrigerator
works, and by way of an introductory description of the principles
of the heat pump:
[0023] A heat pump is a device which transfers heat from a source
of low temperature energy to a region of high temperature, by doing
work, and this is the principle behind the operation of the
refrigerator.
[0024] Inside the refrigerator, the working fluid (ore refrigerant)
is, at one stage in the process, a vapour; a vapour being a gas at
a temperature which is below its critical temperature, so that it
can be converted to a liquid by the application of pressure alone.
This vapour is compressed by means of a compressor pump and,
provided that the accompanying change is adiabatic; and thus takes
place without heat entering or leaving the system; the temperature
of the vapour rises, due to work being done on it by the
compressor. It is then passed to a radiator, where heat is given
out to the surroundings when the vapour condenses to a liquid by
giving up its latent heat of condensation. The liquid is then
expanded into an evaporator which reduces the pressure, and allows
work to be done by the liquid, adiabatically wherein it thus takes
in latent heat of vaporisation from the surroundings, and once
again becomes a vapour. It is in this region of the refrigerator
that cooling takes place. The cycle is then repeated, by returning
the vapour to the compressor, along a cyclic path.
[0025] So, commencing with the evaporation of the refrigerant in
the refrigerator, this evaporation is aided by the action of a
so-called compressor pump, which pumps vapour out of an evaporator
which is located inside the refrigerator, and which consists of
several loops of pipe. This pumping out of the refrigerant vapour,
thus reduces the pressure inside the pipe, so that the latent heat
required for the refrigerant to evaporate is taken from the air
surrounding the loops of pipe, and, in turn, from the atmosphere,
and hence from the food, inside the refrigerator, so that cooling
occurs.
[0026] The compressor pump also compresses the refrigerant vapour
inside the condenser pipes of the refrigeration system, which are
located on the outside of the refrigerator, at the rear, and it is
here that the refrigerant gives up its latent heat of condensation
to the surrounding atmosphere, by a process of radiation and
convection.
[0027] The flow of liquid refrigerant back into the evaporator is
controlled by means of a valve, which controls the rate at which
heat is removed from inside the refrigerator.
[0028] In the apparatus of the present invention, and by comparison
with the above descriptions of the operation of a refrigerator, the
cooling effect which takes place inside the refrigerator, is
equivalent to the cooling effect on the ambient
environment/atmosphere surrounding the thermodynamic panel, which
occurs when refrigerant evaporates inside the pipe network of the
panel, and takes in its latent heat of evaporation under the
pumping-out effect of the operation of the compressor pump.
[0029] The heat extracted from the ambient atmosphere renders the
refrigerant gas hotter than was the refrigerant liquid, and so, the
hotter, gaseous refrigerant, now compressed enters the first heat
exchanger which is in located inside the hot water cylinder or in
thermal communication with water from the cylinder, and this heat
is thus given up to the water contained within that cylinder.
[0030] The now cooler, refrigerant, is in a thermodynamic state
known as a saturated liquid, and, after entering a filter, it
passes to a throttling device, also known as an expansion valve,
where it undergoes an abrupt reduction in pressure, which results
in the adiabatic flash evaporation of part of the liquid
refrigerant. This, so-called, auto-refrigeration effect which
results from the adiabatic flash evaporation lowers the temperature
of the liquid and vapour refrigerant mixture, to the extent that it
is now colder again, and it now passes back to the thermodynamic
panel, wherein the whole cycle is then repeated.
[0031] The system of the invention can become the primary means for
heating the water, and the existing gas/oil system or any other
energy system, can become the secondary, and i.e. back up, heat
source.
[0032] This arrangement will then allow heating of the water,
without having to remove the existing cylinder, which is likely to
be in satisfactory condition and not in need of replacement, and
this therefore: i) reduces cost; ii) reduces wastage; and iii)
reduces installation time, from between approximately one to two
days, to between three to four hours. An additional option, when
installing the new system, will be to provide extra insulation to
the existing cylinder, by way of a cylinder jacket, in order to
reduce heat loss.
[0033] A major feature of the new system is that the apparatus
("Magic Box") will not have to be installed next to the existing
cylinder; and can, instead, be installed above it, or in any other
workable location, or in the loft, or garage, or any out building,
and the like, wherein the thermodynamic panels can be located away
from the cylinder (up to 15 metres vertically, and 30 metres
horizontally).
[0034] If the existing cylinder is replaced, then this offers the
advantage that a cylinder of a size which is comparable with that
of the original cylinder can be installed, and this will be a
modern one, provided with good, and modern, insulation.
[0035] The new cylinder can also be provided with a secondary coil,
wherein the cylinder and hot water tank are purpose built to
contain a heat exchange coil which transfers heat to the water in
the tank.
[0036] The thermodynamic panels of the present invention are of
such size that two, relatively smaller panels, can be installed by
one Installer, rather than two. Also, during transport, and when
being manipulated by the Installer, the panels are consequently
less flexible, and so are likely to suffer less damage.
[0037] Moreover, by being smaller, there is greater flexibility
with respect to installation in various locations. Thus, for
instance, the panels can be installed; i) one on top of the other,
or ii) side by side; or iii) one on either side of a window,
etc.
[0038] Existing thermodynamic panels are supplied in sizes of 1.9 m
by 0.9 m, and 2 m by 0.8 m, whilst the panels of the present
invention are supplied in sizes of 1.4 m by 0.6 m, and 1.0 m by 0.6
m; each having a thickness of 5 mm, wherein each of the panels of
either size, can be connected in a side-by-side configuration, or
in a one-above-the other, configuration. The weight of a panel
which is 1400 mm by 600 mm and is 5 mm thick is 4.2 Kg.
[0039] The panels may be manufactured from aluminium which absorbs
energy efficiently. For strengthening purposes, the panels have an
aluminium alloy reinforcement rib, having ten holes formed around
their periphery, for fixing purposes. The technical volume of each
panel may be 375 cm.sup.3, .+-.10%, and they are suitable for use
with refrigerants such as R410A, R134a, R22, R407C and other known
refrigerants.
[0040] The means of connection the panels to the refrigerant pipe,
is via conventional means such as welding, or the use of brass
nuts, using braised or flared joints. Depending on the installer
and on the nature of the refrigerant gas utilised installation may
need to be carried out by a qualified Installer.
[0041] The or each thermodynamic panel does not have to be
positioned outside of the premises in which the remainder of the
system is installed, and they can, for instance, be installed in a
loft, wherein, due to the accompanying condensation of water vapour
as a consequence of cooling, condensation trays which collect the
water, can be provided. This will be particularly useful if the
house/premises, is a listed building, and/or is located in a
conservation area, or an area of outstanding natural beauty. When
the apparatus of the invention is installed in a loft, it thus
represents an excellent opportunity for recycling heat that is
otherwise wasted in the loft.
[0042] The thermodynamic panels can also be buried in the ground,
or placed in a lake or other region, of water, or in a tank of
water, or in a greenhouse, in order to extract, and transfer,
heat.
[0043] Other applications can involve the incorporation of the
thermodynamic panels into offices having suspended ceilings, in
order to recover otherwise wasted heat, and yet further
applications can involve the positioning of the panels in a variety
of locations in the home; in food shops; in off licenses; and the
like. A range of alternative locations for the panels are thus:
[0044] i) Behind fridges, adjacent to their condenser piping.
[0045] ii) Adjacent to gas cookers [0046] iii) Adjacent to the
ventilation ports on microcomputers [0047] iv) In the region of
swimming pools [0048] v) Adjacent to the external vents of air
conditioning systems, or similar.
[0049] Wherein, all of these applications will aid the recovery of
otherwise wasted heat, and will also provide an environmental
benefit.
[0050] A particular advantage of the invention is that when it is
applied to refrigeration systems, there is an accompanying
advantage that such systems have been in use since the 1950's, and
consequently benefit from technological improvements which
necessitate minimal maintenance.
[0051] The copper tubing utilised for carrying the refrigerant has
been tested, for the purposes of ensuring safety, and of satisfying
safety legislation, to a pressure of 240 Bar, without damage; and
all pipe runs are well insulated. The copper piping has an outside
diameter of 9 mm on entry to the thermodynamic panel, and 16 mm on
exit from the panel with a wall thickness which is adequate for
safely containing refrigerant.
[0052] In order to describe the invention in more detail, reference
will now be made to the accompanying diagrams in which:
[0053] FIG. 1 represents a two-dimensional schematic view of the
main functional components of a first embodiment of the invention,
with some components enlarged.
[0054] FIG. 2 represents a three-dimensional schematic view of the
main functional components of the invention, with some components
enlarged.
[0055] FIG. 3 represents a two-dimensional schematic view of two of
the thermodynamic panels of the invention in a side-by-side
configuration, with one part enlarged. Panels may be connected in
other configurations such as one-above another.
[0056] FIG. 4 represents a three-dimensional schematic view of that
component of the apparatus referred to as the Magic Wand, and also
shows how this contains both a heat exchange coil, coil and an
electric immersion heater element.
[0057] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a further embodiment where
water is pumped from the cylinder to interact with the hot
refrigerant in a self-contained unit also including the
compressor.
[0058] FIG. 6 is another embodiment similar to FIG. 5 with a
different thermodynamic panel.
[0059] FIG. 7 is a yet another embodiment similar to FIG. 5 with
the thermodynamic panel within the self-contained unit. FIGS. 7a to
7c show possible air venting routes.
[0060] FIG. 8 shows an arrangement for a gravity fed system similar
to that in FIG. 5.
[0061] FIG. 9 shows a system with a heat exchange coil in the
cylinder and connected for no direct contact between the hot water
and the fluid circulating around that heat exchange coil to the
condenser heat exchanger 2 and back.
[0062] With reference to FIG. 1, which represents a two-dimensional
schematic view, a heat transfer system, 1, utilises various items
of equipment to transfer a refrigerant material around the system,
along the path indicated by the arrows, in order to transfer heat
from a thermodynamic panel, 2, to a thermodynamic block, 3, and
thence to a hot water cylinder, 4, and then back again to the
panel, 2.
[0063] With further reference to FIG. 1, liquid refrigerant inside
the thermodynamic panel, 2, is converted to a vapour; which is a
gas at a temperature below its critical temperature; and this
conversion process extracts, from the panel's surroundings, the
latent heat required for vaporisation of the refrigerant. This thus
creates a cooling effect on the ambient atmosphere surrounding the
panel, 2, due to the evaporation of refrigerant inside the pipe
network of the panel, which is caused by the pumping-out effect of
the operation of the compressor pump, 5, which is located inside
the magic box, 3, and which is acting as an evacuator at this stage
in the process.
[0064] Because the hot refrigerant gas is a vapour; that is, a gas
which is below its critical temperature, it can be liquefied by the
application of pressure. Because expansion of the refrigerant has
occurred, the increase in volume has to be allowed for, and thus,
the compressor pump, 5, is connected to a vessel, 6, which provides
room in the whole enclosed system, for the refrigerant vapour,
which has increased in volume. This vapour can then be compressed
by means of the compressor pump, 5, and so that, provided that the
accompanying change is adiabatic; and thus takes place without heat
entering or leaving the system; the temperature of the vapour can
rise, due to work being done on it by the compressor, 5.
[0065] The now hot, gaseous refrigerant, is then passed to a heat
transfer coil, HTC, generally referred to as a primary heat
exchanger coil, which, in this application, is equivalent to the
radiator located at the rear of a refrigerator, where the latent
heat of condensation of the refrigerant is given out, during
compression, to the water, W, in the hot water tank, HWT. This thus
results in the heating of the water, which circulates through the
hot water tank, HWT, after entering at the cold water inlet, CWI,
and leaving via the hot water outlet, HWO. The hot water cylinder,
4, is provided with insulation, INS.
[0066] The now cooler, refrigerant, is now in a thermodynamic state
known as a saturated liquid. Thus, under the circulatory,
pull-push, effect, of the compressor, the now cooler, saturated,
liquid refrigerant, enters a filter, 7, and then passes to a
throttling device, 8, also known as an expansion valve, where it
undergoes an abrupt reduction in pressure, which results in the
adiabatic flash evaporation of part of the liquid refrigerant. This
so-called, auto-refrigeration effect, which results from the said
adiabatic flash evaporation, lowers the temperature of the liquid
and vapour refrigerant mixture, to the extent that it is now colder
again, and it passes back to the panel, 2, wherein the whole cycle
is then repeated, with the now liquid refrigerant able to extract
heat from the ambient surroundings, as before, as evaporation
occurs.
[0067] A display 9 shows the temperature of the hot water in the
hot water tank, HWT, via electronic communication with a
temperature sensor located at that tank.
[0068] With reference to FIG. 2, which represents a
three-dimensional schematic view, with some components enlarged,
this is similar to FIG. 1, but shows additional components. Thus
part of the panel, 2, is shown in enlarged form, and tube, M, is
just one of the matrix of tubes present in the panel, 2.
[0069] Tube, 10, takes in the cooled, refrigerant, from the outlet
of the Block 3, and tube, 11, transfers hot gaseous refrigerant to
the block 3. Other parts of the diagram have already been described
with reference to FIG. 1, and so, need not be described again.
[0070] With reference to FIG. 3, which represents a two-dimensional
schematic view, this shows two panels, (equivalent to that numbered
2 above but herein referred to as P1, and P2), in a side-by side
configuration, with the region of their means of connection,
enlarged. They might be in other configurations such as in a
one-above-the-other, configuration.
[0071] FIG. 4 represents a three-dimensional view of the Magic Wand
of the apparatus, which comprises an outer, heat transfer coil,
HTC, and an inner, immersion loop, IL. The heat transfer coil, HTC,
contains refrigerant, which passes into the coil via entrance port,
12, and leaves the coil via exit port, 13. The immersion heater
loop, IL, has electrical contacts with the electrical supply, at
terminals, T1, and T2.
[0072] This invention can also work on the same initial principle
of an air to water heat pump but takes the concept in a further
innovative direction. Having the evaporator unit located indoor or
outdoor allows the invention to be installed indoor without need to
have glycol in the heating medium.
[0073] Installation indoors allows the heating medium to be
connected directly into the hot water cylinder without the need of
an indirect heat exchanger in the cylinder. The invention therefore
also allows the transfer of heat to the hot water with maximum heat
transfer capacity.
[0074] Air to water heat pumps in the market typically need a heat
exchanger inside the hot water cylinder to transfer the heat from
the air to water heat pump into the hot water cylinder via this
internal heat exchanger in the cylinder. The main reason for the
need of this internal heat exchanger is because of the location of
the air to water heat pump which is normally housed in the outdoor
unit which is exposed to the outside environment. Due to the
potential freezing problems the heating medium has to be a
water/glycol mixture to stop the freezing of the heat medium.
[0075] As the heating medium is a water/glycol mixture the design
of the system requires the internal heat exchanger in the hot water
cylinder to transfer the heat without mixing it into the water in
the cylinder.
[0076] Conversely by heating the water in the cylinder directly
without the need of a heat exchanger allows the invention to
achieve higher temperature levels in the hot water cylinder without
the need to increase the condensing pressure and thereby a higher
compressor efficiency can be achieved. The invention can also be
installed to the heat exchanger coil inside the cylinder as in FIG.
9.
[0077] FIG. 5-9 shows various embodiments in which water is drawn
from the cylinder and passed through a condenser heat exchanger 2
that forms part of the a single unit 11 including the compressor 1.
The compressor which is electrically driven compresses the low
pressure refrigerant from the evaporator unit 13 to increase its
pressure and therefore the temperature. The condenser 2 which
receives the high pressure high temperature refrigerant from the
compressor transfers its heat to the heating medium and the
refrigerant condenses to become a high pressure liquid.
[0078] The Invention also consists of additional auxiliary
components which are a receiver, filter and drier which can be a
single assembly or individual components. The main function of
these components in the invention is to store the refrigerant in
the receiver, remove any foreign particles through the filter and
absorb the presence of any moisture in the refrigerant with the
drier.
[0079] Additionally the invention incorporates a sight
glass/moisture indicator which enables all the auxiliary components
to be monitored as to their performance. The sight glass therefore
provides vital information to an engineer so he can diagnose the
efficient operation of the refrigeration cycle and whether the
right amount of refrigerant is in the system. The sight glass has
an in-built moisture indicator which indicates the presence of any
moisture in the refrigerant.
[0080] One of the features of the invention is that it heats water
in cylinder directly. There is a circulating pump 7 within the
design of the system. If the hot water in the cylinder is used for
domestic use then the invention will have the pump suitable for the
potable water such as bronze body, composite body or other
materials which are suitable for potable water applications.
[0081] The condenser 2 includes a plate heat exchanger. The said
plate heat exchanger transfers the heat from the high pressure high
temperature refrigerant in the primary circuit of the heat
exchanger to the heating medium in the secondary circuit where the
heating medium is circulated by the circulating pump from the hot
water cylinder.
[0082] The condenser can be a plate heat exchanger made from
stainless steel or any other material suitable for hot water
applications. It can be a shell-tube heat exchanger where the
refrigerant can be passed through the tube and the heating medium
flows over the tube which sits inside the outer shell.
[0083] The invention incorporates a bleed valve assembly 8 in the
water circulating pipe which allows the invention to remove trapped
air that may have arisen during the installation or servicing of
the system. This bleed valve is located in place and orientation
that it becomes the highest point of the water circuit so that the
air can be removed effectively.
[0084] This invention having a bleed valve assembly uniquely allows
the invention to be able to be installed in a traditional gravity
feed system where the pressure in the water circuit can be very low
and the potential problem of air therefore getting trapped in the
water circuit is very high and it is very difficult to remove due
to the lower pressure in the water circuit.
[0085] The presence of this air in the water circuit can be very
hazardous potentially causes pump cavitation which could lead to
higher condensing pressures in the condenser which in turn
decreases the efficiency of the compressor and its life. Inclusion
of the bleed valve assembly in the invention eliminates this
potential problem.
[0086] This invention also has designed a unique and new plumbing
installation method to connect the pipe where within all gravity
fed hot water cylinders when installing the invention into the
system in such a way that it removes air bubbles in the system
through the dual vent pipe design as per FIG. 8. The dual vent
pipes 19 20 are either two separate branches of pipe going in to
the feed tank or the two branches of pipe can be interlinked to
have a single pipe going in to the feed tank.
[0087] For clarity the feed tank here is generally a vessel which
feeds the hot water cylinder and is normally located in the highest
place in the house such as the loft. The feed tank receives the
water from the main water supply.
[0088] The invention can have a "self-drain" capability in the
water circuit components such as the plate heat exchanger which is
the condenser, water circulating pump and the pipe works connecting
all of these components. This is achieved by positioning and
locating the components in such a way within the design of the
invention such that the water circuit drains itself naturally.
[0089] This eliminates the potential problem of freezing the
heating medium components in the water circuit where the user has
had to drain the system down during the winter time where there is
no usage of hot water from the cylinder in the places like holiday
homes, mobile homes or others for example.
[0090] In the present invention the said compressor can be mounted
on a plate with selected anti-vibration mounts that generally
accompany a compressor. Additionally the main chassis can be
mounted with additional anti-vibration mounts to act as twin layer
anti-vibration method to reduce any further possible vibration that
may travel to the main chassis of the invention.
[0091] When the invention is installed on a wall, additional
external anti-vibration mounts are supplied to be installed on the
back of the invention between the invention and the wall. The back
plate of invention has been uniquely designed to receive these
mounts. Having the anti-vibration mounts on the back of the
invention with these twin-layer anti-vibrations on the bottom of
the compressor within the invention removes any potential vibration
travelling into the building.
[0092] There are several air to water heat pumps in the market and
most of them need a circulating pump to circulate the water from
the cylinder to the heat pump. These pumps typically are set by the
controller to run before the compressor in the heat pump
starts.
[0093] Since the present invention has a compressor and a
circulating pump this invention includes a controller but uniquely
it allows the circulating pump to run before the compressor starts
and after the compressor stops with time delay on/off function.
[0094] This delay function is significant as it allows the water
flowing though the heat exchanger with a circulating pump to remove
any residual heat left in the condenser before the compressor
operates which starts the compressor smoothly thereby increasing
the compressor life.
[0095] This invention can have both functions such as delay on and
delay off or can have a single function. This function can be
achieved either electronically or mechanically.
[0096] This invention uses the evaporator to absorb the heat from
the environment which either can either be a thermodynamic panel or
fin-tube evaporator with or without forced air circulation.
[0097] These inventions also incorporate in its design a
thermodynamic evaporator panel that can be used as single or
multiples depending on the application and the location. This
present invention allows operating the two panels in different
modes. For example during the winter period both panels can be used
to extract the heat in the design and in the summer time it can be
optionally selected that only one panel can be used to extract the
heat.
[0098] Functionality of the dual mode with two panels can be
achieved by use of the solenoid valve 14 which can be uniquely
operated and controlled by a controlling device as a part of the
invention.
[0099] Where the evaporator is a fin-tube heat exchanger a fan is
used as part of the invention. The fan can be controlled by the
controlling device 18 which can be an electronic or mechanical
device.
[0100] If the fin-tube heat exchanger is used as evaporator this
invention allows installation outdoors, typically outside the wall
of the building as per FIG. 6 with fan controlling devices
[0101] This invention also allows the evaporator (Fin-tube heat
exchanger) to be integrated within the main unit with a fan (FIG.
7). When the fin-tube evaporator is used as an integral part of the
main unit the fan will have control device to handle different air
volume and the different static pressure.
[0102] The unique feature of having control device for the fan will
allow the main invention to be installed in various locations of
the building with a duct to push the cold air out (See FIG.
7a-7c).
[0103] If the installation is as per FIG. 7a with shorter ducting
then the fan control device can be set to allow the fan to run in
lower speed to keep the optimum performance of the whole invention.
If the installation is as in FIG. 7b with long ducting then the fan
control can be set to allow the fan to higher speed level to keep
the same performance as the smaller ducting.
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