WO2010047650A1 - Heat pump apparatus - Google Patents

Heat pump apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010047650A1
WO2010047650A1 PCT/SE2009/051183 SE2009051183W WO2010047650A1 WO 2010047650 A1 WO2010047650 A1 WO 2010047650A1 SE 2009051183 W SE2009051183 W SE 2009051183W WO 2010047650 A1 WO2010047650 A1 WO 2010047650A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
refrigerant
radiator
indoor unit
heat exchanger
heat
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SE2009/051183
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Vilmos TÖRÖK
Original Assignee
Toeroek Vilmos
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Toeroek Vilmos filed Critical Toeroek Vilmos
Priority to SE1150271A priority Critical patent/SE535212C2/en
Priority to EP09822274A priority patent/EP2352952A4/en
Publication of WO2010047650A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010047650A1/en

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D3/00—Hot-water central heating systems
    • F24D3/18—Hot-water central heating systems using heat pumps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D12/00—Other central heating systems
    • F24D12/02—Other central heating systems having more than one heat source
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F5/00—Air-conditioning systems or apparatus not covered by F24F1/00 or F24F3/00, e.g. using solar heat or combined with household units such as an oven or water heater
    • F24F5/0096—Air-conditioning systems or apparatus not covered by F24F1/00 or F24F3/00, e.g. using solar heat or combined with household units such as an oven or water heater combined with domestic apparatus
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H6/00—Combined water and air heaters
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B30/00—Heat pumps
    • F25B30/02—Heat pumps of the compression type
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B40/00—Subcoolers, desuperheaters or superheaters
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B6/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, with several condenser circuits
    • F25B6/04—Compression machines, plants or systems, with several condenser circuits arranged in series
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2200/00—Heat sources or energy sources
    • F24D2200/06—Solid fuel fired boiler
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2200/00—Heat sources or energy sources
    • F24D2200/06—Solid fuel fired boiler
    • F24D2200/065—Wood fired boilers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2200/00—Heat sources or energy sources
    • F24D2200/12—Heat pump
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D3/00—Hot-water central heating systems
    • F24D3/12—Tube and panel arrangements for ceiling, wall, or underfloor heating
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2339/00—Details of evaporators; Details of condensers
    • F25B2339/04—Details of condensers
    • F25B2339/047—Water-cooled condensers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2400/00—General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
    • F25B2400/04—Refrigeration circuit bypassing means
    • F25B2400/0403—Refrigeration circuit bypassing means for the condenser
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
    • F25B2700/21—Temperatures
    • F25B2700/2104—Temperatures of an indoor room or compartment
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
    • F25B2700/21—Temperatures
    • F25B2700/2106—Temperatures of fresh outdoor air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
    • F25B2700/21—Temperatures
    • F25B2700/2115—Temperatures of a compressor or the drive means therefor
    • F25B2700/21152—Temperatures of a compressor or the drive means therefor at the discharge side of the compressor
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
    • F25B2700/21—Temperatures
    • F25B2700/2116—Temperatures of a condenser
    • F25B2700/21163—Temperatures of a condenser of the refrigerant at the outlet of the condenser
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B30/00—Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B30/00—Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
    • Y02B30/12—Hot water central heating systems using heat pumps

Definitions

  • This invention generally relates to heat pump apparatus and more particularly is directed to a split heat pump apparatus comprising - an outdoor unit comprising an expansion valve, a radiator adapted to be heated by outdoor air, and a refrigerant compressor, an indoor unit comprising a radiator adaptedto be cooled by air, a refrigerant circulation loop that is provided with the expansion valve and arranged to convey a refrigerant pressurised by the com- pressor from the compressor to the radiator of the indoor unit and back to the compressor, and a control device which comprises a first temperature sensor for sensing the refrigerant temperature at the exit of the compressor, a second temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the refrigerant flowing from the radiator of the indoor unit to the expansion valve, and a third temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of an air flow conveyed to the radiator of the indoor unit.
  • Air-to-air heat pump apparatus of the kind defined above are manufactured as air-conditioners in extremely large numbers by numerous manufacturers fiercely competing with one another. The large volumes of production and the intense competition has furthered a highly cost-effective production and a price that is low in comparison with the cost of heat pump apparatus designed for the production of water-borne heat.
  • the cost-effective air-to-air heat pump apparatus are primarily meant for heating a single room. It is true that air-to-air heat pump apparatus comprising a plurality of indoor units and designed for heating of a plurality of rooms are marketed, but because of the cost these are normally not attractive. From the point of view of heat comfort, low- temperature surface heating, such as underfloor heating, is preferred. With underfloor heating, and in comparison with room heating by introduction of warm air, a lower air temperature at the level of the head of persons occupying the room is adequate to provide the desired heat comfort, so that the energy required for the heating can be reduced. If a heat pump is used for underfloor heating, a plurality of rooms can be heated.
  • a disadvantage of an arrangement of this kind is that the condensed and thus liquid refrigerant formed in the floor-heating heat exchanger has to be transported against the gravity forces from the floor-heating heat exchanger, which is positioned close to the floor level, to the indoor unit, which is usually placed close to the ceiling, by means of bubbles of gaseous refrigerant. This method of transport is unreliable.
  • the refrigerant condenses at a temperature close to the supply temperature of the water in the floor heating system, e.g. slightly above 30 0 C.
  • This refrigerant temperature is not sufficient to provide a material heating of the room air that passes through the indoor unit, particularly so when the fan of the indoor unit is set at a low speed to operate with- out causing disturbing noise as is desirable, especially in the nighttime.
  • An object of the invention is to remedy the above-described disadvan- tages of the prior art and provide an improved heat pump apparatus that is capable of economically producing not only airborne heat energy as in the conventional split-type heat pump apparatus, but also water- borne heat energy.
  • the aforesaid object can advantageously be achieved with an add-on unit by means of which commercial air-to-air heat apparatus of the kind indicated initially can be modified for production of both airborne and waterborne heat energy.
  • This modification can be carried out substantially without any intervention in the outdoor and indoor units.
  • Suppliers of outdoor and indoor units can therefore be expected to apply the terms of their customary product warranties to apparatus modified according to the invention.
  • Figure 1 is an illustration of a prior art heat pump apparatus, namely a split-type air conditioner
  • FIG 2 is an illustration of the heat pump apparatus shown in Figure 1 as modified according to one embodiment of the invention
  • FIG 3 is an illustration of a different modification of the heat pump apparatus shown in Figure 1.
  • the focus is chiefly on the operation of the apparatus for production of warm air for room heating and of waterborne heat for heating of water, such as water for underfloor or other surface heating, or tap water.
  • the heat pump apparatus according to the invention may also be designed to be capable of use in the well-known manner for cooling, the direction of refrigerant flow being then reversed by means of a four- way valve.
  • the direction of refrigerant flow is assumed to be the direction applicable to the heating mode (as opposed to the cooling mode), and designations such as, for example, inlet/ outlet and upstream/ downstream apply to that assumed direction of flow.
  • the prior art heat pump apparatus shown in Figure 1 comprises an outdoor unit 1 and an indoor unit 9 which is connected to the outdoor unit 1 through a refrigerant circulation loop generally designated by C.
  • a refrigerant circulates through an expansion valve 2, a radiator 3 associated with a fan, and through a compressor 4, all included in the outdoor unit, and through a radiator 10 included in the indoor unit 9 and associated with a fan.
  • Included in the outdoor unit 1 is also a control unit 5 which is connected to a temperature sensor 6 for the outdoor air and a temperature sensor 7 for the hot gaseous refrigerant exiting from the compressor.
  • the indoor unit 9 also includes a control unit 11 which is connected to a temperature sensor 12 for the indoor air and a temperature sensor 13 for the partially condensed refrigerant exiting from the radiator 10.
  • the control unit 1 1 operates to keep the indoor air at a desired set value.
  • the temperature sensor 13 senses the refrigerant condensation temperature, which is an important intermediate quantity for the control of the temperature of the indoor air.
  • FIG 2 in which the reference characters 1 to 13 of Figure 1 are used to designate the same or corresponding elements as in Figure 1 , shows one embodiment of the heat pump apparatus according to the invention.
  • This heat pump apparatus comprises a number of modifications of the prior art apparatus shown in Figure 1.
  • a first heat exchanger 14 is provided which has its primary (heat releasing) side connected into the refrigerant circulation loop C and passes the refrigerant exiting from the radiator 10 to the inlet side of the outdoor unit 1 in which the refrigerant flows through the expansion valve 2, the radiator 3 and the compressor 4 as in Figure 1.
  • the refrigerant then flows back to the indoor unit 9 and its radiator 10 and into the primary side of the heat exchanger 14.
  • the secondary (heat receiving) side of the heat exchanger 14 is connected to a water circulation circuit which includes a circulation pump 15 operating to feed water heated in the heat exchanger 14 to a heating element 16.
  • the heating element is formed of an underfloor heating arrangement in which the water fed to it from the secondary side of the heat exchanger 14 flows through piping connected between the upstream and downstream parts of the secondary side of the heat exchanger 14.
  • the heating element 16 is not shown in full but represented only by four pairs of tubular connectors which convey the hot water to a corres- ponding number of tubular heater loops. Thus, the heater loops are not shown.
  • Figure 2 also shows an optional additional heat exchanger 17 connected in series with the first heat exchanger 14. If desired, more than one such additional heat exchanger may be included in the refrigerant circulation loop. Regardless of the number of such heat exchangers in excess of the first heat exchanger 14, the temperature sensor 13 should be placed downstream of the last heat exchanger, since it has to sense the refrigerant temperature near the expansion valve 2 (for practical purposes, the refrigerant temperature can be regarded as the same throughout the section of the refrigerant circulation loop that extends between the last additional heat exchanger and the inlet of the expansion valve 2).
  • FIG 2 also shows a further, likewise optional heat exchanger 20 which has its primary (heat releasing) side connected into the part of the refrigerant circulation loop C that extends between the exit of the compressor 4 and the radiator 10 of the indoor unit.
  • a bypass conduit is connected between the inlet and the outlet of the radiator 10 of the indoor unit 9 to allow the refrigerant to short-circuit that radiator and pass directly to the primary side of the heat exchanger 14 as shown.
  • Such a bypass conduit is shown in Figure 2 and designated by 18.
  • a bypass flow control element 19 is inserted for controlling the bypass refrigerant flow through the bypass conduit.
  • the bypass flow control element may be, for example, a check valve or a solenoid valve which is operated automatically or manually when the heat pump apparatus is to be used for air-conditioning (cooling of the radiator 10, the direction of refrigerant flow through the radiators 3 and 10 and the expansion valve reversed). It may also simply be formed by the conduit 18 itself, e.g. be a piece of tubing of suitable internal cross- section which short-circuits the inlet and the outlet of the radiator 10 of the indoor unit 9, or an orifice plate or some other fixed or adjustable restrictor element. In some applications of the invention, it may be advantageous to use an adjustable shut-off valve to allow adjustment of the bypass flow rate over a suitable range, including zero flow rate.
  • the bypass conduit 18 should be mounted such that it is descending in the desired direction of condensate flow or at least non-ascending, so that the condensate will be led to that part of the refrigerant circulation loop C which extends from the indoor unit 9 to the outdoor unit 1. If it is also desired that all gaseous refrigerant will be safely led to the radiator 10 of the indoor unit, the bypass conduit should include a condensate valve, which may be of any known type.
  • the heat pump apparatus comprises an auxiliary heat source 22, namely a wood-burning stove provided with a water tank serving as an accumulator of waterborne heat.
  • Reference numerals 1 to 16 and 18 and 19 designate the same elements as the corresponding reference numerals in Figure 2.
  • the auxiliary heat source 22 delivers, by means of an associated circulation pump 21 , hot water to the primary side of the heat exchanger 20, the secondary side of which carries water that has been preheated by the heat exchanger 14 of the heat pump apparatus.
  • the circulation pump 15 feeds hot water from the heat exchanger to the heating element 16, which is formed of underfloor heating coils.
  • the heat pump apparatus and the auxiliary heat source 22 can independently supply hot water to the underfloor heating coils.
  • the heat pump apparatus adjusts, by means of its control device formed by the control units 5 and 11, its heating effect such that the heat pump apparatus operates to keep the indoor air temperature as sensed by the temperature sensor 12 at the desired value.
  • the auxiliary heat source 22 may be activated whenever the user desires to enjoy the comfort of the flames of fire or heating by means of the heat pump apparatus is insufficient.
  • a further auxiliary heat source may be connected to the heat exchangers 17 and 20 shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Steam Or Hot-Water Central Heating Systems (AREA)
  • Central Heating Systems (AREA)
  • Other Air-Conditioning Systems (AREA)

Abstract

A heat pump apparatus of the split type comprises a heat exchanger ( 14) which has its primary side connected to the refrigerant circulation loop (C) between the exit of the radiator (9) of the indoor unit (9) and the inlet of the outdoor unit ( 1) and has its secondary side connected to a heating element ( 16) in which water is heated. A bypass refrigerant conduit ( 18) is provided to allow the refrigerant to short-circuit the radiator ( 10) of the indoor unit (9) and pass directly to the primary side of the heat exchanger ( 14). A bypass flow control element ( 19) is provided in the bypass conduit ( 18) to control the bypass refrigerant flow through the bypass refrigerant conduit.

Description

Heat pump apparatus
This invention generally relates to heat pump apparatus and more particularly is directed to a split heat pump apparatus comprising - an outdoor unit comprising an expansion valve, a radiator adapted to be heated by outdoor air, and a refrigerant compressor, an indoor unit comprising a radiator adaptedto be cooled by air, a refrigerant circulation loop that is provided with the expansion valve and arranged to convey a refrigerant pressurised by the com- pressor from the compressor to the radiator of the indoor unit and back to the compressor, and a control device which comprises a first temperature sensor for sensing the refrigerant temperature at the exit of the compressor, a second temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the refrigerant flowing from the radiator of the indoor unit to the expansion valve, and a third temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of an air flow conveyed to the radiator of the indoor unit.
Air-to-air heat pump apparatus of the kind defined above are manufactured as air-conditioners in extremely large numbers by numerous manufacturers fiercely competing with one another. The large volumes of production and the intense competition has furthered a highly cost-effective production and a price that is low in comparison with the cost of heat pump apparatus designed for the production of water-borne heat.
The cost-effective air-to-air heat pump apparatus are primarily meant for heating a single room. It is true that air-to-air heat pump apparatus comprising a plurality of indoor units and designed for heating of a plurality of rooms are marketed, but because of the cost these are normally not attractive. From the point of view of heat comfort, low- temperature surface heating, such as underfloor heating, is preferred. With underfloor heating, and in comparison with room heating by introduction of warm air, a lower air temperature at the level of the head of persons occupying the room is adequate to provide the desired heat comfort, so that the energy required for the heating can be reduced. If a heat pump is used for underfloor heating, a plurality of rooms can be heated.
Air-to-water heat pumps exist, but their prices are several times the prices of air-to-air heat pumps with a single indoor unit and they only heat water.
It is known (Mitsubishi) to use an add-on unit to produce waterborne heat energy together with air-borne heat energy from the indoor unit by allowing the hot gaseous refrigerant pass through a heat exchanger for waterborne heat for floor heating before the refrigerant reaches the indoor unit of the heat pump apparatus.
A disadvantage of an arrangement of this kind is that the condensed and thus liquid refrigerant formed in the floor-heating heat exchanger has to be transported against the gravity forces from the floor-heating heat exchanger, which is positioned close to the floor level, to the indoor unit, which is usually placed close to the ceiling, by means of bubbles of gaseous refrigerant. This method of transport is unreliable.
Moreover, in a properly dimensioned heat exchanger for floor heating the refrigerant condenses at a temperature close to the supply temperature of the water in the floor heating system, e.g. slightly above 300C. This refrigerant temperature is not sufficient to provide a material heating of the room air that passes through the indoor unit, particularly so when the fan of the indoor unit is set at a low speed to operate with- out causing disturbing noise as is desirable, especially in the nighttime.
An object of the invention is to remedy the above-described disadvan- tages of the prior art and provide an improved heat pump apparatus that is capable of economically producing not only airborne heat energy as in the conventional split-type heat pump apparatus, but also water- borne heat energy.
This object is achieved through the features which are set forth in the independent claim and described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.
The aforesaid object can advantageously be achieved with an add-on unit by means of which commercial air-to-air heat apparatus of the kind indicated initially can be modified for production of both airborne and waterborne heat energy. This modification can be carried out substantially without any intervention in the outdoor and indoor units. Suppliers of outdoor and indoor units can therefore be expected to apply the terms of their customary product warranties to apparatus modified according to the invention.
Brief description of the drawings:
Figure 1 is an illustration of a prior art heat pump apparatus, namely a split-type air conditioner;
Figure 2 is an illustration of the heat pump apparatus shown in Figure 1 as modified according to one embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3 is an illustration of a different modification of the heat pump apparatus shown in Figure 1. In the following description of the heat pump apparatus according to the invention the focus is chiefly on the operation of the apparatus for production of warm air for room heating and of waterborne heat for heating of water, such as water for underfloor or other surface heating, or tap water. As is readily appreciated, the heat pump apparatus according to the invention may also be designed to be capable of use in the well-known manner for cooling, the direction of refrigerant flow being then reversed by means of a four- way valve. The direction of refrigerant flow is assumed to be the direction applicable to the heating mode (as opposed to the cooling mode), and designations such as, for example, inlet/ outlet and upstream/ downstream apply to that assumed direction of flow.
The prior art heat pump apparatus shown in Figure 1 comprises an outdoor unit 1 and an indoor unit 9 which is connected to the outdoor unit 1 through a refrigerant circulation loop generally designated by C. In operation of the heat pump apparatus, a refrigerant circulates through an expansion valve 2, a radiator 3 associated with a fan, and through a compressor 4, all included in the outdoor unit, and through a radiator 10 included in the indoor unit 9 and associated with a fan. Included in the outdoor unit 1 is also a control unit 5 which is connected to a temperature sensor 6 for the outdoor air and a temperature sensor 7 for the hot gaseous refrigerant exiting from the compressor. The indoor unit 9 also includes a control unit 11 which is connected to a temperature sensor 12 for the indoor air and a temperature sensor 13 for the partially condensed refrigerant exiting from the radiator 10. The control units 5 and 11 in the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 9, respectively, communicate electrically with one another through a signal line 8 and form a control device for the heat pump apparatus. Assuming heat pump operation, the cold, partially gaseous refrigerant exiting from the expansion valve 2 is preheated as it flows through the radiator 3, whereupon the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 4. The heated refrigerant condenses in the radiator 10 of the indoor unit 9, in which it releases its latent heat before it returns to the outdoor unit 1.
By means of the temperature sensor 12 in the indoor unit 9 the control unit 1 1 operates to keep the indoor air at a desired set value. The temperature sensor 13 senses the refrigerant condensation temperature, which is an important intermediate quantity for the control of the temperature of the indoor air.
Figure 2, in which the reference characters 1 to 13 of Figure 1 are used to designate the same or corresponding elements as in Figure 1 , shows one embodiment of the heat pump apparatus according to the invention. This heat pump apparatus comprises a number of modifications of the prior art apparatus shown in Figure 1. Thus, a first heat exchanger 14 is provided which has its primary (heat releasing) side connected into the refrigerant circulation loop C and passes the refrigerant exiting from the radiator 10 to the inlet side of the outdoor unit 1 in which the refrigerant flows through the expansion valve 2, the radiator 3 and the compressor 4 as in Figure 1. Likewise as in Figure 1 , the refrigerant then flows back to the indoor unit 9 and its radiator 10 and into the primary side of the heat exchanger 14.
The secondary (heat receiving) side of the heat exchanger 14 is connected to a water circulation circuit which includes a circulation pump 15 operating to feed water heated in the heat exchanger 14 to a heating element 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the heating element is formed of an underfloor heating arrangement in which the water fed to it from the secondary side of the heat exchanger 14 flows through piping connected between the upstream and downstream parts of the secondary side of the heat exchanger 14. It should be noted that the heating element 16 is not shown in full but represented only by four pairs of tubular connectors which convey the hot water to a corres- ponding number of tubular heater loops. Thus, the heater loops are not shown.
Figure 2 also shows an optional additional heat exchanger 17 connected in series with the first heat exchanger 14. If desired, more than one such additional heat exchanger may be included in the refrigerant circulation loop. Regardless of the number of such heat exchangers in excess of the first heat exchanger 14, the temperature sensor 13 should be placed downstream of the last heat exchanger, since it has to sense the refrigerant temperature near the expansion valve 2 (for practical purposes, the refrigerant temperature can be regarded as the same throughout the section of the refrigerant circulation loop that extends between the last additional heat exchanger and the inlet of the expansion valve 2).
Figure 2 also shows a further, likewise optional heat exchanger 20 which has its primary (heat releasing) side connected into the part of the refrigerant circulation loop C that extends between the exit of the compressor 4 and the radiator 10 of the indoor unit. A bypass conduit is connected between the inlet and the outlet of the radiator 10 of the indoor unit 9 to allow the refrigerant to short-circuit that radiator and pass directly to the primary side of the heat exchanger 14 as shown. Such a bypass conduit is shown in Figure 2 and designated by 18. In the bypass conduit 18 a bypass flow control element 19 is inserted for controlling the bypass refrigerant flow through the bypass conduit.
The bypass flow control element may be, for example, a check valve or a solenoid valve which is operated automatically or manually when the heat pump apparatus is to be used for air-conditioning (cooling of the radiator 10, the direction of refrigerant flow through the radiators 3 and 10 and the expansion valve reversed). It may also simply be formed by the conduit 18 itself, e.g. be a piece of tubing of suitable internal cross- section which short-circuits the inlet and the outlet of the radiator 10 of the indoor unit 9, or an orifice plate or some other fixed or adjustable restrictor element. In some applications of the invention, it may be advantageous to use an adjustable shut-off valve to allow adjustment of the bypass flow rate over a suitable range, including zero flow rate.
If the optional heat exchanger 20 is provided, it may happen that at least part of the refrigerant will condense on the primary side of that heat exchanger. If the heat exchanger 20 is placed at a lower level than the radiator 10 of the indoor unit 9, so that there is a risk that any condensate will not be led to and through the radiator and beyond it on the outlet side of the radiator, the bypass conduit 18 should be mounted such that it is descending in the desired direction of condensate flow or at least non-ascending, so that the condensate will be led to that part of the refrigerant circulation loop C which extends from the indoor unit 9 to the outdoor unit 1. If it is also desired that all gaseous refrigerant will be safely led to the radiator 10 of the indoor unit, the bypass conduit should include a condensate valve, which may be of any known type.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 3 the heat pump apparatus comprises an auxiliary heat source 22, namely a wood-burning stove provided with a water tank serving as an accumulator of waterborne heat. Reference numerals 1 to 16 and 18 and 19 designate the same elements as the corresponding reference numerals in Figure 2. When the auxiliary heat source 22 is in operation, it delivers, by means of an associated circulation pump 21 , hot water to the primary side of the heat exchanger 20, the secondary side of which carries water that has been preheated by the heat exchanger 14 of the heat pump apparatus. The circulation pump 15 feeds hot water from the heat exchanger to the heating element 16, which is formed of underfloor heating coils. Obviously, the heat pump apparatus and the auxiliary heat source 22 can independently supply hot water to the underfloor heating coils. When the heat pump apparatus and the auxiliary heat source 22 produce heat simultaneously, the heat pump apparatus adjusts, by means of its control device formed by the control units 5 and 11, its heating effect such that the heat pump apparatus operates to keep the indoor air temperature as sensed by the temperature sensor 12 at the desired value. The auxiliary heat source 22 may be activated whenever the user desires to enjoy the comfort of the flames of fire or heating by means of the heat pump apparatus is insufficient. Alternatively, or additionally, a further auxiliary heat source may be connected to the heat exchangers 17 and 20 shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Claims

Claims
1. Heat pump apparatus, comprising an outdoor unit (1) comprising an expansion valve (2), a radiator (3) adapted to be heated by outdoor air, and a refrigerant compressor (4), an indoor unit (9) comprising an air-cooled radiator (10), a refrigerant circulation loop (C) which contains the expansion valve (2) and is arranged to pass a refrigerant pressurized by the compressor (4) from the compressor to the radiator (10) and back to the compressor, and a control device (5, 1 1) comprising a first temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the refrigerant exiting from the compressor (4), a second temperature sensor (13) for sensing the temperature of the refrigerant passing from the radiator (10) of the indoor unit (9) to the expansion valve (2), and a third temperature sensor (12) for sensing the temperature of an air flow passing through the radiator (10) of the indoor unit (9), characterised by a first heat exchanger (14) having its primary side included in the refrigerant circulation loop (C) between the outlet side of the radiator (10) of the indoor unit (9) and the expansion valve (2) and having its secondary side connected to a heating element ( 16) operating with water as a heat carrier, a bypass refrigerant conduit ( 18) forming a refrigerant flow path that short-circuits the section of the refrigerant flow path which extends through the radiator (10) of the indoor unit (9) to allow refrigerant to bypass that radiator into the primary side of the first heat exchanger (14) and the second temperature sensor (13) of the control device 5, 1 1) being positioned to sense the refrigerant temperature downstream of the heat exchanger (14) and upstream of the expansion valve (2).
2. Heat pump according to claim 1 , in which a bypass flow control element (19) is provided in the bypass conduit (18) to control the bypass refrigerant flow through the bypass refrigerant conduit.
3. Heat pump apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, in which at least one further heat exchanger (17) has its primary side included in the refrigerant circulation loop (C) between the exit of the radiator (10) of the indoor unit (9) and the expansion valve (2) and has its secondary side connected to a further heater, the second temperature sensor (13) is positioned to sense the temperature of the refrigerant exiting from the radiator (10) of the indoor unit (9) to the expansion valve (2) at a sensing point between the further heat exchanger ( 17) and the expansion valve (2) or, if there is more than one further heat exchanger, downstream of the further heat exchanger that is closest to the outdoor unit (1).
4. Heat pump apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 in which at least one additional heat exchanger (20) has its primary side included in the refrigerant circulation loop (C) between the exit of the outdoor unit ( 1 ) and the inlet of the radiator ( 10) of the indoor unit (10).
5. Heat pump apparatus according to any of the preceding claims in which the bypass refrigerant conduit (18) is non-ascending to convey condensate to the section of the refrigerant circulation loop (C) that is situated between the exit of the radiator (10) of the indoor unit (9) and the expansion valve (2).
6. Heat pump apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which an auxiliary heat source (22) is connected to the secondary side of the heat exchanger (14) or to one of the heat exchangers (14, 17, 20) in the refrigerant circulation loop (C).
7. Heat pump according to claim 5, in which the auxiliary heat source comprises water heat accumulator.
PCT/SE2009/051183 2008-10-20 2009-10-19 Heat pump apparatus WO2010047650A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE1150271A SE535212C2 (en) 2008-10-20 2009-10-19 Heat pump assembly
EP09822274A EP2352952A4 (en) 2008-10-20 2009-10-19 Heat pump apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE0802227-9 2008-10-20
SE0802227A SE0802227A2 (en) 2008-10-20 2008-10-20 Heat pump assembly

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WO2010047650A1 true WO2010047650A1 (en) 2010-04-29

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CN102269485A (en) * 2011-07-12 2011-12-07 天津美意机电设备工程有限公司 Buried-pipe-type ground-source heat pump set
CN101957034B (en) * 2010-05-14 2012-07-04 法凯涞玛冷暖设备（杭州）有限公司 Energy storage heat pump air conditioner
WO2012109057A3 (en) * 2011-02-08 2012-10-11 Carrier Corporation Brazed plate heat exchanger for water-cooled heat rejction in a refrigeration cycle
CN114963612A (en) * 2022-01-17 2022-08-30 青岛海尔新能源电器有限公司 Heat exchange system and water heater

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CN101957034B (en) * 2010-05-14 2012-07-04 法凯涞玛冷暖设备（杭州）有限公司 Energy storage heat pump air conditioner
WO2012109057A3 (en) * 2011-02-08 2012-10-11 Carrier Corporation Brazed plate heat exchanger for water-cooled heat rejction in a refrigeration cycle
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CN114963612A (en) * 2022-01-17 2022-08-30 青岛海尔新能源电器有限公司 Heat exchange system and water heater

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE1150271A1 (en) 2011-03-28
SE535212C2 (en) 2012-05-22
SE0802227A1 (en) 2010-04-21
SE0802227A2 (en) 2010-07-20
EP2352952A1 (en) 2011-08-10
EP2352952A4 (en) 2012-03-21

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