U.S. patent application number 16/948653 was filed with the patent office on 2021-04-29 for thermally enhanced heating.
The applicant listed for this patent is Carrier Corporation. Invention is credited to Abbas A. Alahyari, Abdelrahman ElSherbini.
Application Number | 20210123607 16/948653 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005130712 |
Filed Date | 2021-04-29 |
![](/patent/app/20210123607/US20210123607A1-20210429\US20210123607A1-2021042)
United States Patent
Application |
20210123607 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ElSherbini; Abdelrahman ; et
al. |
April 29, 2021 |
THERMALLY ENHANCED HEATING
Abstract
A thermally enhanced heating system and a method for thermally
enhancing a HVAC system are provided. The thermally enhanced
heating system preferably includes an outdoor HVAC unit and an
indoor HVAC unit. The indoor HVAC unit includes a first heat
exchanger for transferring heat from a refrigerant, a second heat
exchanger for transferring heat from a fuel source, and a third
heat exchanger for transferring heat to the refrigerant. The
outdoor HVAC unit includes an outdoor heat exchanger for
transferring heat from an outdoor air to the refrigerant, a pump
configured to circulate the refrigerant, and an ejector configured
to combine the refrigerant from the outdoor heat exchanger and the
third heat exchanger. Preferably the outdoor HVAC unit is operated
to circulate the refrigerant through a first refrigerant circuit
and a second refrigerant circuit, and combine refrigerant in the
first refrigerant circuit and the second refrigerant circuit.
Inventors: |
ElSherbini; Abdelrahman;
(Windsor, CT) ; Alahyari; Abbas A.; (Glastonbury,
CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Carrier Corporation |
Palm Beach Gardens |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005130712 |
Appl. No.: |
16/948653 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62926768 |
Oct 28, 2019 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24D 12/02 20130101;
F24D 2200/32 20130101; F24D 2200/04 20130101; F24D 2220/0271
20130101; F24D 2220/06 20130101; F24D 5/12 20130101; F24D 2200/12
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24D 5/12 20060101
F24D005/12; F24D 12/02 20060101 F24D012/02 |
Claims
1. A thermally enhanced heating system comprising: an indoor HVAC
unit comprising: a first heat exchanger for transferring heat from
a refrigerant; a second heat exchanger for transferring heat from a
fuel source; and a third heat exchanger for transferring heat to
the refrigerant; and an outdoor HVAC unit comprising: an outdoor
heat exchanger for transferring heat from an outdoor air to the
refrigerant; a pump operably coupled to the first heat exchanger
and the third heat exchanger, the pump configured to circulate the
refrigerant; and an ejector including a first inlet, a second
inlet, and an outlet; wherein the first inlet is operably coupled
to the outdoor heat exchanger, the second inlet is operably coupled
to the third heat exchanger, and the outlet is operably coupled to
the first heat exchanger.
2. The thermally enhanced system of claim 1, wherein the indoor
HVAC unit further comprises a fan.
3. The thermally enhanced system of claim 2, wherein the first heat
exchanger is upstream of the fan, and the second heat exchanger and
third heat exchanger are downstream of the fan.
4. The thermally enhanced system of claim 3, wherein the third heat
exchanger is downstream of the second heat exchanger.
5. The thermally enhanced system of claim 2, wherein the first heat
exchanger, second heat exchanger, and third heat exchanger are
downstream of the fan.
6. The thermally enhanced system of claim 5, wherein the third heat
exchanger is downstream of the second heat exchanger, and the first
heat exchanger is adjacent to the second heat exchanger and the
third heat exchanger.
7. The thermally enhanced system of claim 3, wherein the second
heat exchanger is operably coupled to a conduit, and the third heat
exchanger is disposed within the conduit.
8. The thermally enhanced heating system of claim 1, wherein the
outdoor HVAC unit further comprises a valve operably coupled to the
outdoor heat exchanger and the first heat exchanger.
9. The thermally enhanced heating system of claim 1, wherein the
outdoor HVAC unit further comprises a fan.
10. The thermally enhanced heating system of claim 1, wherein the
fuel source comprises at least one of: a natural gas, a propane
gas, and a heating oil.
11. The thermally enhanced heating system of claim 1, wherein the
ejector is a single phase ejector.
12. A method for thermally enhancing a HVAC system, the method
comprising: operating an outdoor HVAC unit to circulate a
refrigerant through a first refrigerant circuit and a second
refrigerant circuit; operating a heat exchanger to transfer heat to
the first refrigerant circuit; and operating the outdoor HVAC unit
to combine the refrigerant in the first refrigerant circuit and the
second refrigerant circuit.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the outdoor HVAC unit comprises
a pump to circulate the refrigerant through the first refrigerant
circuit and the second refrigerant circuit.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the outdoor HVAC unit comprises
an ejector to combine the refrigerant in the first refrigerant
circuit and the second refrigerant circuit.
15. The method of claim 12, further comprising operating a fan to
circulate an indoor air through an indoor HVAC unit, wherein the
heat exchanger transfers heat from the indoor air to the first
refrigerant circuit.
16. The method of claim 12, further comprising operating a second
heat exchanger to transfer heat from a fuel source, the second heat
exchanger operatively coupled to a conduit, wherein the heat
exchanger is disposed in the conduit.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/926,768 filed Oct. 28, 2019, the contents of
which are hereby incorporated in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to heating
systems. More particularly, the subject matter disclosed herein
relates to a thermally enhanced heating system and method for
thermally enhancing a HVAC system.
[0003] Many houses in areas with colder winters use furnaces to
supply heat to the interior space of the home. Furnaces typically
contain four different components: a burner that produces heat by
burning a fuel source, a heat exchanger to transfer heat to the
air, a fan to direct air through the furnace, and a conduit for
exhausting flue gas produced by the burning of the fuel source. The
fuel sources most commonly used by furnaces are natural gas,
propane gas, or heating oil.
[0004] As an alternative to a furnace, houses in more moderate
climates can use heat pumps and/or electric heaters to supply heat
to the interior space of the home. In addition to being able to
supply heat to the interior space of the home, heat pumps can also
provide cooling in the summer months due to their ability to switch
the flow of the refrigerant. Heat pumps typically contain four
different components: a compressor to both move and increase the
pressure of the refrigerant, a heat exchanger for transferring heat
either to or from the refrigerant, a reversing valve for changing
the direction the refrigerant flows, and an expansion valve for
regulating the flow of the refrigerant. To drive the compressor,
heat pumps ordinarily use electricity as an energy source. Due to
the fact that heat pumps pull heat from outdoor air, as
temperatures drop, less heat is available in the outdoor air, and
thus the heat pump becomes less capable of supplying the necessary
heat for the home.
[0005] To combine the ability of a furnace to provide heating with
lower temperatures and the efficiency of using a heat pump when
temperatures are only moderately low, duel fuel systems have been
developed. Duel fuel systems utilize both a furnace and a heat
pump. A duel fuel system automatically switches the heating source
between the furnace and the heat pump. When temperatures are more
moderately cold the duel fuel system uses the heat pump to supply
heat. When temperatures drop below the level at which the heat pump
is capable of supplying the necessary heat for the home, the duel
fuel system switches to the furnace to supply heat. Although the
duel fuel system provides increased efficiency when compared to a
standalone furnace and increased capability with colder temperature
when compared to a standalone heat pump, the duel fuel system
generally is more expensive due to the need for both systems.
[0006] Accordingly, there remains a need for a thermally enhanced
heating system and method with increased efficiency, while also
considering the overall cost of the system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0007] According to one embodiment, a thermally enhanced heating
system is provided, which includes an indoor HVAC unit and an
outdoor HVAC unit, the indoor HVAC unit including a first heat
exchanger for transferring heat from a refrigerant, a second heat
exchanger for transferring heat from a fuel source, and a third
heat exchanger for transferring heat to the refrigerant, the
outdoor HVAC unit including an outdoor heat exchanger for
transferring heat from an outdoor air to the refrigerant, a pump
operably coupled to the first heat exchanger and the third heat
exchanger, the pump configured to circulate the refrigerant, and an
ejector including a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet,
wherein the first inlet is operably coupled to the outdoor heat
exchanger, the second inlet is operably coupled to the third heat
exchanger, and the outlet is operably coupled to the first heat
exchanger.
[0008] In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments,
the indoor HVAC unit further includes a fan.
[0009] In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments,
the first heat exchanger is upstream of the fan, and the second
heat exchanger and third heat exchanger are downstream of the
fan.
[0010] In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments,
the third heat exchanger is downstream of the second heat
exchanger.
[0011] In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments,
the first heat exchanger, second heat exchanger, and third heat
exchanger are downstream of the fan.
[0012] In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments,
the third heat exchanger is downstream of the second heat
exchanger, and the first heat exchanger is adjacent to the second
heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger.
[0013] In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments,
the second heat exchanger is operably coupled to a conduit, and the
third heat exchanger is disposed within the conduit.
[0014] In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments,
the outdoor HVAC unit further includes a valve operably coupled to
the outdoor heat exchanger and the first heat exchanger.
[0015] In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments,
the outdoor HVAC unit further includes a fan.
[0016] In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments,
the fuel source includes at least one of: a natural gas, propane,
and a heating oil.
[0017] In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments,
the ejector is a single phase ejector.
[0018] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method for
thermally enhancing a HVAC system is provided. The method
including, operating an outdoor HVAC unit to circulate a
refrigerant through a first refrigerant circuit and a second
refrigerant circuit, operating a heat exchanger to transfer heat to
the first refrigerant circuit, and operating the outdoor HVAC unit
to combine the refrigerant in the first refrigerant circuit and the
second refrigerant circuit.
[0019] In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments,
the outdoor HVAC unit includes a pump to circulate the refrigerant
through the first refrigerant circuit and the second refrigerant
circuit.
[0020] In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments,
the outdoor HVAC unit includes an ejector to combine the
refrigerant in the first refrigerant circuit and the second
refrigerant circuit.
[0021] In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments,
the method further includes operating a fan to circulate an indoor
air through an indoor HVAC unit, wherein the heat exchanger
transfers heat from the indoor air to the first refrigerant
circuit.
[0022] In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments,
the method further includes operating a second heat exchanger to
transfer heat from a fuel source, the second heat exchanger
operatively coupled to a conduit, wherein the heat exchanger is
disposed in the conduit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The subject matter, which is regarded as the disclosure, is
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at
the conclusion of the specification. The following descriptions of
the drawings should not be considered limiting in any way. With
reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered
alike:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a thermally enhanced
heating system in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a thermally enhanced
heating system in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a thermally enhanced
heating system in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an ejector in accordance
with one aspect of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] As will be described below, a thermally enhanced heating
system and a method for thermally enhancing a HVAC system are
provided. The thermally enhanced heating system includes an indoor
HVAC unit and an outdoor HVAC unit. The outdoor HVAC unit enables
the combination of heat generated by the indoor HVAC unit with heat
generated by the outdoor HVAC unit. The outdoor HVAC unit includes
a pump to circulate a refrigerant through a first refrigerant
circuit and a second refrigerant circuit.
[0029] The pump in the outdoor HVAC unit is different than the
compressor typically used in a heat pump. Instead of increasing the
pressure of a vapor refrigerant, as a compressor does within a heat
pump, the pump in the outdoor HVAC unit increases the pressure of a
liquid refrigerant. By utilizing a pump instead of a compressor,
the thermally enhanced heating system and method for thermally
enhancing a HVAC system are able to reduce the overall cost of the
system and reduce electricity consumption, as the pump uses much
less electricity than a typical compressor.
[0030] With reference now to the Figures, a thermally enhanced
heating system 100, in accordance with various aspect of the
disclosure, is shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3. The thermally
enhanced heating system 100 may be described as a HVAC system. The
thermally enhanced heating system 100 includes an indoor HVAC unit
300 and an outdoor HVAC unit 200. The indoor HVAC unit 300 includes
a first heat exchanger 310 for transferring heat from a
refrigerant, a second heat exchanger 320 for transferring heat from
a fuel source, and a third heat exchanger 330 for transferring heat
to the refrigerant. The outdoor HVAC unit 200 includes an outdoor
heat exchanger 210 for transferring heat from an outdoor air 240 to
the refrigerant, a pump 220 operatively coupled to the first heat
exchanger 310 and the third heat exchanger 330, the pump 220
configured to circulate the refrigerant, and an ejector 230
including a first inlet 231, a second inlet 232, and an outlet 233
(shown in FIG. 4), wherein the first inlet 231 is operatively
coupled to the outdoor heat exchanger 210, the second inlet 232 is
operatively coupled to third heat exchanger 330, and the outlet 233
is operatively coupled to the first heat exchanger 310. In various
instances, the outdoor HVAC unit 200 includes a fan to move the
outdoor air 240 through the outdoor heat exchanger 210.
[0031] To circulate an indoor air 350 through the indoor HVAC unit
300, in certain instances, the indoor HVAC unit 300 includes a fan
340. In certain instances, the thermally enhanced heating system
100 includes the first heat exchanger 310 upstream of the fan 340,
and the second heat exchanger 320 and the third heat exchanger 330
downstream of the fan 340. Potential examples of thermally enhanced
heating systems 100 depicting such configuration are shown in FIG.
1 and FIG. 3.
[0032] To transfer heat to the refrigerant, in certain instances,
the third heat exchanger 330 is downstream of the second heat
exchanger 320. In instances where the third heat exchanger 330 is
downstream of the second heat exchanger 320, at least a portion of
the heat being transferred to the refrigerant occurring in the
third heat exchanger 330 may be generated by the second heat
exchanger 320. Potential examples of thermally enhanced heating
systems 100 depicting such configuration are shown in FIG. 1 and
FIG. 2.
[0033] In various instances, the first heat exchanger 310, second
heat exchanger 320, and third heat exchanger 330 are downstream of
the fan 340. A thermally enhanced heating system 100 depicting such
configuration is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In one embodiment, the
first heat exchanger 310, second heat exchanger 320, and third heat
exchanger 330 are configured to effectuate the transfer of heat
either to or from the refrigerant. In certain instances, the third
heat exchanger 330 is downstream of the second heat exchanger 320,
and the first heat exchanger 310 is adjacent to the second heat
exchanger 320 and the third heat exchanger 330. An example of a
thermally enhanced heating system 100 depicting such configuration
is shown in FIG. 2
[0034] The third heat exchanger 330 is configured to transfer heat
to the refrigerant. In certain instances, the second heat exchanger
320 is operably coupled to a conduit 360, the third heat exchanger
330 being disposed within the conduit 360. In instances where the
third heat exchanger 330 is disposed within the conduit 360, at
least a portion of the heat being transferred to the refrigerant
occurring in the third heat exchanger 330 may be received from
within the conduit. In various instances, the conduit 360 provides
for the exhausting of a flue gas generated in the second heat
exchanger 320. An example of a thermally enhanced heating system
100 depicting a third heat exchanger 330 disposed within the
conduit is shown in FIG. 3.
[0035] To control the flow of refrigerant through the thermally
enhanced heating system 100, in certain instances, the outdoor HVAC
unit 200 of the thermally enhanced heating system 100 includes a
valve 250. When incorporating a valve 250, in certain instances,
the valve 250 is operably coupled to the outdoor heat exchanger 210
and the first heat exchanger 310.
[0036] In certain instances the second heat exchanger 320 in the
indoor HVAC unit 300 is capable of transferring heat from a fuel
source. In certain instances, the fuel source used by the second
heat exchanger 320 includes at least one of: a natural gas, propane
gas, and a heating oil.
[0037] To combine the refrigerant from the first heat exchanger 310
and the third heat exchanger 330, the outdoor HVAC unit 200
includes an ejector 230. In certain instances, the ejector 230 is a
single phase ejector (ex. a vapor to vapor ejector). In certain
instances, the ejector 230 is used in the outdoor HVAC unit 200 to
combine the refrigerant in a first refrigerant circuit 500 and a
second refrigerant circuit 400. An example of an ejector 230 is
shown in FIG. 4.
[0038] These refrigerant circuits 400, 500 may be configured such
that heat is transferred either to or from the refrigerant within
the thermally enhanced heating system 100. Preferably the
refrigerant is circulated between a first refrigerant circuit 500
and a second refrigerant circuit 400 to thermally enhance the HVAC
system. The method for thermally enhancing the HVAC system
preferably includes operating an outdoor HVAC unit 200 to circulate
the refrigerant through the first refrigerant circuit 500 and the
second refrigerant circuit 400, operating a heat exchanger 330 to
transfer heat to the first refrigerant circuit 500, and operating
the outdoor HVAC unit 200 to combine the refrigerant in the first
refrigerant circuit 500 and the second refrigerant circuit 400. In
certain instances, the outdoor HVAC unit 200 includes a pump to
circulate the refrigerant through the first refrigerant circuit 500
and the second refrigerant circuit 400. In certain instances, the
outdoor HVAC unit includes an ejector 230 to combine the
refrigerant in the first refrigerant circuit 500 and the second
refrigerant circuit 400. The method may, in certain instances,
further include operating a fan to circulate air 350 through an
indoor HVAC unit 300, where the heat exchanger 330 transfers heat
from the indoor air 350 to the first refrigerant circuit 500. The
method may, in certain instances, further include operating a
second heat exchanger 320 to transfer heat from a fuel source, the
second heat exchanger 320 operatively coupled to a conduit, where
the heat exchanger 330 is disposed in the conduit.
[0039] The method may, in various instances, provide for the
circulating of the refrigerant through the first refrigerant
circuit 500 and the second refrigerant circuit 400 between an
indoor HVAC unit 300 and an outdoor HVAC unit 200. In certain
instances, heat is transferred to the first refrigerant circuit 500
in the indoor HVAC unit 300, either from the indoor air 350
circulating through the indoor HVAC unit 300 or from flue gas
exhausting through the conduit 360. In certain instances, heat is
transferred from the second refrigerant circuit 400 in the indoor
HVAC unit 300 to the indoor air 350. By transferring heat to the
first refrigerant circuit 500 in the heat exchanger 330, the
outdoor HVAC unit 200 is capable of taking advantage of heat
generated in the indoor HVAC unit 300 to further drive the
thermally enhanced heating system 100. In various instances, the
heat being transferred to the first refrigerant circuit 500 in the
heat exchanger 330 is a waste heat. The thermally enhanced heating
system 100 and method for thermally enhancing an HVAC system, in
certain instances, captures this waste heat to generate additional
heat. The capturing of waste heat to generate additional heat may,
in certain instances, increase the efficiency of the thermally
enhanced heating system 100.
[0040] At least a portion of the increased efficiency of the
thermally enhanced heating system 100 may be due to reduced
electrical consumption by outdoor HVAC unit 200. By generating
additional heat from the heat generated in the indoor HVAC unit
300, less heat is needed to be generated in the outdoor HVAC unit
200. With the reduced need for heat production by outdoor HVAC unit
200, the outdoor HVAC unit 200 consumes less electricity.
[0041] In certain instances, the refrigerant in the first
refrigerant circuit 500 and the second refrigerant circuit 400
includes at least one of: R410A, R32, R452B, R454B, R134a, R515,
R513, R1234ze, R1234yf, and R1233zd.
[0042] While the present disclosure has been described with
reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be
made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In
addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure
without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it
is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present
disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of
the claims.
* * * * *