Patent Application
20240328686
The present invention relates to an air conditioning and heat pump system, and more particularly to an air conditioning and heat pump system comprising an energy efficient heat exchanger which is capable of saving a substantial amount of energy.
Conventional air conditioning and heat pump systems, such as an air conditioning and heat pump system comprising an outdoor main unit and several indoor units, have widely been utilized around the world. Some technologies have been developed to control the flow of refrigerant between the outdoor main unit and the indoor units. One such conventional technology is known as “Variable Refrigerant Volume”.
Referring to
As shown in
Several refrigerant control techniques have been developed to control the flow of refrigerant between the outdoor main unit 1P and each of the indoor heat exchangers 401P. One of such techniques is “Variable Refrigerant Volume” technique mentioned above.
Although the above-mentioned air conditioning and heat pump systems have widely been utilized around the world for many years, these systems suffer a common deficiency of a relatively low Coefficient of Performance (COP), which may be defined as a ratio of heat supplied to or removed from a reservoir to the work required.
Accordingly, there is a need to develop an air conditioning and heat pump system which has substantially improved COP.
Certain variations of the present invention provide an air conditioning and heat pump system which is capable of saving a substantial amount of energy when the air conditioning and heat pump system is being operated.
Certain variations of the present invention provide an air conditioning and heat pump system which may selectively utilize cooling water in a cooling tower to cool down the temperature of the refrigerant when the air conditioning and heat pump system is being operated in a comprehensive air conditioning mode.
Certain variations of the present invention provide an air conditioning and heat pump system which is capable of producing more heat to designated indoor space for a given work done by the system as compared with conventional air conditioning and heat pump system as described above.
In one aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides an air conditioning and heat pump system, comprising:
In another aspect of the present invention, it provides an air conditioning and heat pump system, comprising:
This summary is included so as to introduce various topics to be elaborated upon below in the detailed description of the preferred embodiment. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential aspects of the claimed invention. This summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claims.
The following detailed description of the preferred embodiment is the preferred mode of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in any limiting sense. It is presented for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the present invention.
Referring to
The main outdoor unit 1 may comprise at least one compressor 10 having a compressor outlet 101 and a compressor inlet 102, a refrigerant storage tank 20 having a liquid inlet 201 and a liquid outlet 202, a first outdoor heat exchanger 30, a cooling tower 40, and a switching valve 60.
The refrigerant storage tank 20 may be connected to the indoor heat distribution system 2 and the cooling tower 40. The first outdoor heat exchanger 30 may be connected to the compressor 10 through the switching valve 60. The first outdoor heat exchanger 30 may further be connected to the cooling tower 40 and the indoor heat distribution system 2.
The cooling tower 40 may comprise a water collection basin 41, a second outdoor heat exchanger 42 provided in the water collection basin 41, a fill material unit 43 provided underneath the water collection basin 41, and a water storage basin 44 provided underneath the fill material unit 43.
A predetermined amount of ambient air may be arranged to sequentially pass through the fill material unit 43 and the first outdoor heat exchanger 30. At the same time, a predetermined amount of cooling water may circulate between the water storage basin 44 and the water collection basin 41. The cooling water in water storage basin 44 may be arranged to be pumped to the water collection basin 41 for absorbing heat from the refrigerant flowing through the second outdoor heat exchanger 42. The water in the water collection basin 41 may be arranged to be distributed on the fill material unit 43 for releasing heat to the ambient air passing through the fill material unit 43. The cooling water may then be collected in the water storage basin 44 to complete one cooling cycle.
The indoor heat distribution system 2 may comprise at least one indoor heat exchanger 21 connected to the first outdoor heat exchanger 30, the cooling tower 40, and the compressor 10 through at least one of the connecting pipes 100 for allowing heat exchange between refrigerant and air in a designated indoor space.
The indoor heat distribution system 2 may further comprise a ventilating device 22, which may comprise a supporting frame 221, a ventilating heat exchanging unit 222, an energy efficient heat exchanger 223 and a centrifugal fan 224.
The supporting frame 221 may have an air intake opening 2211 exposed to ambient air for allowing intake of air through the air intake opening 2211.
The ventilating heat exchanging unit 222 may be supported in the supporting frame 221 and connected to the switching valve 60 and the first outdoor heat exchanger 30 through at least one of the connecting pipes 100, the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222 and the indoor heat exchanger 21 may be connected in parallel.
The energy efficient heat exchanger 223 may be supported in the supporting frame 221 at a position between the air intake opening 221 and the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222 such that the ambient air is arranged to pass through the energy efficient heat exchanger 223 before passing through the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222. The energy efficient heat exchanger 223 may be connected to the first outdoor heat exchanger 30, the second outdoor heat exchanger 42, and the refrigerant storage tank 20 through at least one of the connecting pipes 100.
The centrifugal fan 224 may be supported in the supporting frame 221 for drawing ambient air through the air intake opening 2211, and delivering fresh air to a predetermined indoor space.
The air conditioning and heat pump system may be selectively operated between an air conditioning mode and a heat pump mode, wherein in the air conditioning mode, the switching valve 60 may be switched such that a predetermined amount of vaporous refrigerant is arranged to leave the compressor and guided to enter the first outdoor heat exchanger 30 for releasing heat thereto, the refrigerant leaving the first outdoor heat exchanger 30 may be guided to flow through the second outdoor heat exchanger 42 for releasing heat to the cooling water circulating in the cooling tower 40, the refrigerant leaving the second outdoor heat exchanger 42 may be guided to flow through the indoor heat exchanger 21 of the indoor heat distribution system 2 for absorbing heat from the indoor heat exchanger 21, the refrigerant leaving the indoor heat exchanger 21 may be guided to flow through the switching valve 60 and flow back to the compressor to complete an air conditioning cycle.
When air conditioning and heat pump system is in the heat pump mode, the switching valve 60 may be switched such that a predetermined amount of vaporous refrigerant is arranged to leave the compressor 10 and guided to flow into the indoor heat exchanger 21 and the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222 for releasing heat to a designated indoor space and the ambient air drawn from the air intake opening 2211, the refrigerant leaving the indoor heat exchanger 21 and the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222 may be guided to flow through the energy efficient heat exchanger 223 for pre-heating the ambient air drawn from the air intake opening 2211. The refrigerant leaving the energy efficient heat exchanger 223 may be guided to flow through the first outdoor heat exchanger 30 for absorbing heat from ambient air passing therethrough. The refrigerant leaving the first outdoor heat exchanger 30 may be guided to pass through the switching valve 60 and flow back to the compressor 10 for completing a heat pump cycle.
The above-mentioned components may be connected to form a particular configuration to allow refrigerant to perform heat exchange with various mediums such as ambient air. An exemplary configuration is shown in
The outdoor main unit 1 may further comprise at least one fan 12 provided adjacent to the air outlet 113 for drawing ambient air to flow from the air inlet 112 to the air outlet 113. The main casing 11 may further have a compressor compartment 114 for accommodating the compressor 10.
The switching valve 60 may have first through fourth connecting port 61, 62, 63, 64. The switching valve 60 may be switched between an air conditioning switching mode and a heat pump switching mode, wherein in the air conditioning switching mode, the switching valve 60 is switched such that the first connecting port 61 may be connected to the second connecting port 62 so that refrigerant may flow from the first connecting port 61 to the second connecting port 62, while the third connecting port 63 may be connected to the fourth connecting port 64 so that refrigerant may flow from the third connecting port 63 to the fourth connecting port 64.
In the heat pump switching mode, the switching valve 60 may be switched so that the first connecting port 61 may be connected to the fourth connecting port 64 so that refrigerant may flow from the first connecting port 61 to the fourth connecting port 64, while the second connecting port 62 may be connected to the third connecting port 63, so that refrigerant may flow from the second connecting port 62 to the third connecting port 63.
The first outdoor heat exchanger 30 may have a first communicating port 31 and a second communicating port 32 for allowing refrigerant to flow into or out of the first outdoor heat exchanger 30. As shown in
The second outdoor heat exchanger 42 may have a first passage port 421 and a second passage port 422 for allowing refrigerant to flow into or out of the second outdoor heat exchanger 42. The first passage port 41 may be connected to the second communicating port 32 of the first outdoor heat exchanger 30. The second passage port 422 may be connected to the refrigerant storage tank 20 and the indoor heat distribution system 2 through various other auxiliary components (described below).
The second outdoor heat exchanger 42 may be provided in the water collection basin 41 of the water tower 40. Cooling water may be arranged to be collected in the water collection basin 41 in such a manner that the second outdoor heat exchanger 42 may be completely immersed in the cooling water for performing heat exchange therewith. The outdoor heat exchanger 42 may comprise a plurality of heat exchanging tubes 423 extended in the water collection basin 41. Refrigerant may pass through the heat exchanging tubes 423 for performing heat exchange with the cooling water.
The air conditioning and heat pump system may further comprise a refrigerant storage tank 20 having a liquid inlet 201 connected to the second passage port 422 of the second outdoor heat exchanger 42 and the indoor heat distribution system 2, and a liquid outlet 202 connected to the second communicating port 32 of the first outdoor heat exchanger 30, the first passage port 421 of the second outdoor heat exchanger 42, and the indoor heat distribution system 2.
The outdoor main unit 1 may further comprise a filter 80 connected to the liquid outlet 202 of the refrigerant storage tank 20. The outdoor main unit 1 may further comprise an expansion valve 18 connected between the filter 80 and the first passage port 421 second outdoor heat exchanger 42.
The outdoor main unit 1 may further comprise a unidirectional valve 13 for restricting the flow of the refrigerant in one predetermined direction. As shown in
On the other hand, the refrigerant leaving the refrigerant storage tank 20 may be guided to flow through one of the two paths, the first path being toward the second communicating port 32 of the first outdoor heat exchanger 30 and the first passage port 421 of the second outdoor heat exchanger 42, the second path being toward the indoor heat distribution system 2.
The outdoor main unit 1 may further comprise a first electrically-controlled two-way valve 14 connected to the second communicating port 32 of the first outdoor heat exchanger 30, the first passage port 421 of the second outdoor heat exchanger 42, and the liquid outlet 202 of the refrigerant storage tank 20. Specifically, refrigerant coming from the liquid outlet 202 of the refrigerant storage tank 20 may be guided to flow through the filter 80, the first electrically-controlled two-way valve 14, the expansion valve 18, and to reach either the second communicating port 32 of the first outdoor heat exchanger 30 or the first passage port 421 of the second outdoor heat exchanger 42.
The main outdoor unit 1 may further comprise a second electrically-controlled two-way valve 15 connected to the indoor heat distribution system 2, and the liquid outlet 202 of the refrigerant storage tank 20. Refrigerant flowing from the liquid outlet 202 may be selectively guided to flow through the second electrically-controlled two-way valve 15 and reach the indoor heat distribution system 2. Each of the first electrically-controlled two-way valve 14 and the second electrically-controlled two-way valve 15 may be selectively switched off for not allowing refrigerant to pass therethrough. Each of the first electrically-controlled two-way valve 14 and the second electrically-controlled two-way valve 15 may also be selectively switched on for allowing refrigerant to pass therethrough in a predetermined direction.
The cooling tower 40 may be utilized to lower a temperature of the refrigerant flowing therethrough. The cooling tower 40 may further comprise a pump 50 for pumping cooling water from the water storage basin 44 back to the water collection basin 41. The cooling water in the water collection basin 41 may absorb heat from the second outdoor heat exchanger 42 and may then be guided to distribute on the fill material unit 43. The cooling water may form a thin film of water dropping down along a vertical direction of the fill material unit 43. At the same time, ambient air is drawn from the air inlet 112 to flow through the thin film of water in the fill material unit 43. The ambient air may then carry away the heat in the cooling water. After that, the cooling water may be collected in the water storage basin 44. The cooling water in the water collection basin 44 will be cooled and ready for being pumped back to the water collection basin 41 to start another cooling cycle.
It is worth mentioning that the cooling tower 40 may further comprise a water level sensor 46 provided in the water storage basin 44 while the outdoor main unit 1 may further comprise a temperature sensor 70 provided at the liquid outlet 202 of the refrigerant storage tank 20 for sensing a temperature of the refrigerant coming out from the refrigerant storage tank 20. The temperature sensor 70 and the water level sensor 46 may be connected to a control unit such that when a temperature of the refrigerant from the refrigerant storage tank 20 is below a predetermined threshold, the pump 45 will be turned off. Moreover, when the water level in the water storage basin 44 falls below a predetermined threshold (such as when public water supply is in shortage), the pump 45 will also be turned off.
As shown in
These ports may serve as connection boundaries between the outdoor main unit 1 and the indoor heat distribution system 2. According to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the indoor heat distribution system 2 may further comprise a first indoor expansion valve 231, a first indoor unidirectional valve 241, a second indoor unidirectional valve 242, and a first indoor flow regulator 26 connected to the indoor heat exchanger 21 to form an indoor heat exchange configuration 27 as a group of components connected in a predetermined configuration. One The of such a configuration may be illustrated in
The indoor heat exchange configuration 27 may comprise the indoor heat exchanger 21, the first indoor expansion valve 231, the first indoor unidirectional valve 241, the second indoor unidirectional valve 242, and the first indoor flow regulator 261. The indoor heat exchanger 21 may have a first passing port 211 and a second passing port 212 which may serve as inlet or outlet of refrigerant. As shown in
On the other hand, the first indoor expansion valve 231 and the second indoor unidirectional valve 242 may be connected to the second passing port 212, and may be connected in parallel with each other. The first indoor expansion valve 231 and the second indoor unidirectional valve 242 may be connected to the third linkage port 303.
The first indoor unidirectional valve 241 may be configured to allow flow of refrigerant from the first passing port 211 toward the second linkage port 302. The second indoor unidirectional valve 242 may be configured to allow flow of refrigerant from the second passing port 212 toward the third linkage port 303.
Note that the indoor heat distribution system 2 may actually comprise a plurality of indoor heat exchange configurations 27 connected in parallel. Each of the indoor heat exchange configurations 27 may have identical components and structure as mentioned above, and may provide conditioned or heated air to a designated indoor space, such as a room.
The indoor heat distribution system 2 may further comprise a third indoor unidirectional valve 243 and a fourth indoor unidirectional valve 244 connected to a first heat exchanging port 2221 and a second heat exchanging port 2222 of the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222 respectively. The first heat exchanging port 2221 and a second heat exchanging port 2222 may serve as an input or output port for refrigerant to enter or leave the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222. The ventilating heat exchanging unit 222 may be connected between the second linkage port 302 and the third linkage port 303. The third indoor unidirectional valve 243 may be configured to allow refrigerant to flow from the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222 toward the second linkage port 302. The fourth indoor unidirectional valve 244 may be configured to allow refrigerant to flow from the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222 toward the third linkage port 303.
The ventilating heat exchanging unit 222 may be configured as a heat exchanger and may have a plurality of heat exchanging tubes for performing heat exchange between refrigerant and the air passing therethrough.
The indoor heat distribution system 2 may further comprise a second indoor flow regulator 262 connected to the first heat exchanging port 2221 of the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222 and in parallel with the third indoor unidirectional valve 243. Moreover, the indoor heat distribution system 2 may further comprise a second expansion valve 232 connected to the second heat exchanging port 2222 of the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222 and in parallel with the fourth indoor unidirectional valve 244.
Moreover, the energy efficient heat exchanger 223 may have a first refrigerant passing port 2231 and a second refrigerant passing port 2232 which may serve as inlet or outlet of refrigerant. The indoor heat distribution system 2 may further comprise a depressurizing valve 28 connected to the second refrigerant passing port 2232 of the energy efficient heat exchanger 223 and to the third linkage port 303. The first refrigerant passing port 2231 may be connected to the first linkage port 301. The indoor heat distribution system 2 may further comprise an indoor electrically-controlled two-way valve 29 connected between the fourth indoor unidirectional valve 244 and the depressurizing valve 28.
Again, the energy efficient heat exchanger 223 may be configured as a heat exchanger and may have a plurality of heat exchanging tubes for performing heat exchange between refrigerant and the air passing therethrough.
In reality, the indoor heat distribution system 2 may comprise a plurality of indoor heat exchangers 21, wherein each of the indoor heat exchangers 21 may be arranged to provide conditioned or heated air or other medium in a designated indoor space (such as a room). On the other hand, a single ventilating device 22 may be provided to supply fresh air to several designated indoor spaces through a plurality of air ducts.
When the air conditioning and heat pump system is in the air conditioning mode, the switching valve 60 may be switched to the air conditioning switching mode. The first electrically-controlled two-way valve 14 may be turned off while the second electrically-controlled two-way valve 15 may be turned on.
Referring to
The refrigerant may then be arranged to pass through the first indoor expansion valve 231 and enter the indoor heat exchanger 21 through the second passing port 212. The refrigerant may then absorb heat from the indoor space by performing heat exchange with another medium, such as air in the designated indoor space. The refrigerant may then leave the indoor heat exchanger 21 through the first passing port 211 and pass through the first indoor unidirectional valve 241 and may be guided to re-enter the outdoor main unit 1 through the second linkage port 302.
The refrigerant may then be guided to pass through the fourth connecting port 64 and the third connecting port 63 the switching valve 60, and eventually flow back to the compressor 101 through the compressor inlet 102 to complete an air conditioning cycle.
Note that when pump 45 is turned off due to low refrigerant temperature or low water level in the water storage basin 44, the refrigerant circulating in the air conditioning and heat pump system may be solely cooled by ambient air passing through the first outdoor heat exchanger 30.
Thus, when the air conditioning and heat pump system is operated in the air conditioning mode, the refrigerant may be cooled by ambient air and/or cooling water circulating in the cooling tower 40 depending on such environment factors as the temperature of the ambient air or the water level in the water storage basin 44.
When the air conditioning, air heating and water heating unit is in the heat pump mode, the switching valve 60 may be switched to the heat pump switching mode. The first electrically-controlled two-way valve 14 may be turned on while the second electrically-controlled two-way valve 15 may be turned off.
A predetermined amount of vaporous refrigerant is arranged to leave the compressor 10 through the compressor outlet 101 and may be guided to pass through the first connecting port 61 and the fourth connecting port 64 of the switching valve 60. The refrigerant may then be guided to enter the indoor heat distribution system 2 through the second linkage port 302.
In the indoor heat distribution system 2, the refrigerant may be arranged to pass through the first indoor flow regulator 261 and enter the indoor heat exchanger 21 through the first passing port 211 for releasing heat to the designated indoor space. The first indoor flow regulator 261 may determine the amount of refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 21 so as to control the heat exchange performance (such as indoor temperature) between the indoor heat exchanger 21 and designated indoor space. The refrigerant may then be arranged to leave the indoor heat exchanger 21 through the second passing port 212 and pass through the second indoor unidirectional valve 242.
On the other hand, the refrigerant coming from the second linkage port 302 may also pass through the second indoor flow regulator 262 and enter the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222 through the first heat exchanging port 2221, because the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222 is connected in parallel with the indoor heat exchanger 21. The refrigerant may then release heat to the air passing through the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222. The heated air may then be delivered to the designated indoor space, through a plurality of air ducts, so as to supply fresh air to the designated indoor space.
Since the second electrically-controlled two-way valve 15 of the outdoor main unit 1 is turned off, and the indoor electrically-controlled two-way valve 29 of the indoor heat distribution system 2 is turned on, the refrigerant will be guided to pass through the depressurizing valve 28 and enter the energy efficient heat exchanger 223 through the second refrigerant passing port 2232 for releasing heat to the ambient air drawn from the air intake opening 2211. In other words, the ambient air will be pre-heated by the energy efficient heat exchanger 223.
The refrigerant may then be guided to leave the energy efficient heat exchanger 223 through the first refrigerant passing port 2231 and go back to the outdoor main unit 1 via the first linkage port 301. The refrigerant may then be guided to enter the refrigerant storage tank 20 through the liquid inlet 201. The refrigerant may then leave the refrigerant storage tank 20 through the liquid outlet 202 and may be guided to flow through the filter 80, the first electrically-controlled two-way valve 14, the expansion valve 18, and enter the first outdoor heat exchanger 30 through the second communicating port 32 for absorbing heat from the ambient air. The refrigerant may then be guided to leave the first outdoor heat exchanger 30 through the first communicating port 31 and pass through the second connecting port 62 of the switching valve 60, the third connecting port 63 of the switching valve 60, and eventually flow back to the compressor 10 through the compressor inlet 102 to complete a heat pump cycle.
Referring to
According to the second preferred embodiment, the central air conditioning and heat pump system may comprise a plurality of connecting pipes 100′, a main outdoor unit 1′, and an indoor heat distribution system 2′. A predetermined amount of refrigerant may circulate through the various components of the main outdoor unit 1′ and the indoor heat distribution system 2′. The refrigerant may circulate through the various components through a plurality of connecting pipes 100′.
The main outdoor unit 1′ may comprise at least one compressor 10′ having a compressor outlet 101′ and a compressor inlet 102′, a refrigerant storage tank 20′ having a liquid inlet 201′ and a liquid outlet 202′, a first outdoor heat exchanger 30′, a cooling tower 40′, and a switching valve 60′.
The refrigerant storage tank 20′ may be connected to the indoor heat distribution system 2′ and the cooling tower 40′ through a plurality of other components. The first outdoor heat exchanger 30′ may be connected to the compressor 10′ through the switching valve 60′, the cooling tower 40′, and the indoor heat distribution system 2′.
The cooling tower 40′ may be configured as a multiple effect evaporative condenser, and may comprise first through third water collection basin 411′, 412′, 413′, a water storage basin 44′, a second outdoor heat exchanger 42′ provided in the first water collection basin 411′, the second water collection basin 412′ and the third water collection basin 413′, a first fill material unit 431′ provided underneath the first water collection basin 411′, a second fill material unit 432′ provided underneath the second water collection basin 412′, a third fill material unit 433′ provided underneath the third water collection basin 413′. The water storage basin 44′ may be provided underneath the third fill material unit 433′.
A predetermined amount of ambient air may be arranged to pass through the first through third fill material unit 431′, 432′, 433′ and the first outdoor heat exchanger 30′. At the same time, a predetermined amount of cooling water may circulate between the water storage basin 44′, the first through third water collection basin 411′, 412′, 413′, and first through third fill material unit 431′, 432′, 433′. The cooling water in water storage basin 44′ may be arranged to be pumped to the first water collection basin 411′ for absorbing heat from the refrigerant flowing through the second outdoor heat exchanger 42′. The water in the water collection basin 41′ may be arranged to be distributed on the first fill material unit 431′ for releasing heat to the ambient air passing through them. The cooling water may then be collected in the second water collection basin 412′ for absorbing heat from the second outdoor heat exchanger 42′. The cooling water may then go on to flow down to the second fill material unit 432′ so that the cooling water may be cooled by the ambient air passthrough therethrough. The cooling water may then be collected in the third water collection basin 413′ for absorbing heat from the second outdoor heat exchanger 42′. The cooling water may then go on to flow down to the third fill material unit 433′ so that the cooling water may be cooled by the ambient air passthrough therethrough. Eventually, the cooling water may then be collected in the water storage basin 44′ to complete one cooling cycle.
The indoor heat distribution system 2′ may comprise at least one indoor heat exchanger 21′ connected to the first outdoor heat exchanger 30′, the cooling tower 40′, and the compressor 10′ through at least one of the connecting pipes 100′ for allowing heat exchange between refrigerant and air in a designated indoor space.
The indoor heat distribution system 2′ may further comprise a ventilating device 22′, which may comprise a supporting frame 221′, a ventilating heat exchanging unit 222′, an energy efficient heat exchanger 223′ and a centrifugal fan 224′.
The supporting frame 221′ may have an air intake opening 2211′ exposed to ambient air for allowing intake of air through the air intake opening 2211′.
The ventilating heat exchanging unit 222′ may be supported in the supporting frame 221′ and connected to the switching valve 60′, the cooling tower 40′, the first outdoor heat exchanger 30′ and the refrigerant storage tank 20′ through at least one of the connecting pipes 100′ and other auxiliary components. The ventilating heat exchanging unit 222′ and the indoor heat exchanger 21′ may be connected in parallel, as shown in
The energy efficient heat exchanger 223′ may be supported in the supporting frame 221′ at a position between the air intake opening 221′ and the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222′ such that the ambient air is arranged to pass through the energy efficient heat exchanger 223′ before passing through the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222′. The energy efficient heat exchanger 223′ may be connected to the first outdoor heat exchanger 30′, the cooling tower 40′ and the refrigerant storage tank 20′ through at least one of the connecting pipes 100′ and other auxiliary components.
The centrifugal fan 224′ may be supported in the supporting frame 221′ for drawing ambient air through the air intake opening 2211′, and delivering fresh air to a predetermined indoor space.
The air conditioning and heat pump system may be selectively operated between an air conditioning mode and a heat pump mode, wherein in the air conditioning mode, the switching valve 60′ may be switched such that a predetermined amount of vaporous refrigerant is arranged to leave the compressor 10′ and guided to enter the first outdoor heat exchanger 30′ for releasing heat thereto, the refrigerant leaving the first outdoor heat exchanger 30′ may be guided to flow through the second outdoor heat exchanger 42′ for releasing heat to the cooling water circulating in the cooling tower 40′, the refrigerant leaving the second outdoor heat exchanger 42′ may be guided to flow through the indoor heat exchanger 21′ of the indoor heat distribution system 2′ for absorbing heat from the indoor heat exchanger 21′, the refrigerant leaving the indoor heat exchanger 21′ may be guided to flow through the switching valve 60′ and flow back to the compressor 10′ to complete an air conditioning cycle.
When the air conditioning and heat pump system is in the heat pump mode, the switching valve 60′ may be switched such that a predetermined amount of vaporous refrigerant is arranged to leave the compressor 10′ and guided to flow into the indoor heat exchanger 21′ and the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222′ for releasing heat to a designated indoor space and the ambient air drawn from the air intake opening 2211′, the refrigerant leaving the indoor heat exchanger 21′ and the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222′ may be guided to flow through the energy efficient heat exchanger 223′ for pre-heating the ambient air drawn from the air intake opening 2211′. The refrigerant leaving the energy efficient heat exchanger 223′ may be guided to flow through the first outdoor heat exchanger 30′ for absorbing heat from ambient air passing therethrough. The refrigerant leaving the first outdoor heat exchanger 30′ may be guided to pass through the switching valve 60′ and flow back to the compressor for completing a heat pump cycle.
The above-mentioned components may be connected to form a particular configuration to allow refrigerant to perform heat exchange with various mediums such as ambient air. An exemplary configuration is shown in
The outdoor main unit 1′ may further comprise at least one fan 12′ provided adjacent to the air outlet 113′ for drawing ambient air to flow from the air inlet 112′ to the air outlet 113′. The main casing 11′ may further have a compressor compartment 114′ for accommodating the compressor 10′.
The switching valve 60′ may have first through fourth connecting port 61′, 62′, 63′, 64′. The switching valve 60′ may be switched between an air conditioning switching mode and a heat pump switching mode, wherein in the air conditioning switching mode, the switching valve 60′ is switched such that the first connecting port 61′ may be connected to the second connecting port 62′ so that refrigerant may flow from the first connecting port 61′ to the second connecting port 62′, while the third connecting port 63′ may be connected to the fourth connecting port 64′ so that refrigerant may flow from the third connecting port 63′ to the fourth connecting port 64′.
In the heat pump switching mode, the switching valve 60′ may be switched so that the first connecting port 61′ may be connected to the fourth connecting port 64′ so that refrigerant may flow from the first connecting port 61′ to the fourth connecting port 64′, while the second connecting port 62′ may be connected to the third connecting port 63′, so that refrigerant may flow from the second connecting port 62′ to the third connecting port 63′.
The first outdoor heat exchanger 30′ may have a first communicating port 31′ and a second communicating port 32′ for allowing refrigerant to flow into or out of the first outdoor heat exchanger 30′. As shown in
The second outdoor heat exchanger 42′ may have a first passage port 421′ and a second passage port 422′ for allowing refrigerant to flow into or out of the second outdoor heat exchanger 42′. The first passage port 421′ may be connected to the second communicating port 32′ of the first outdoor heat exchanger 30′. The second passage port 422′ may be connected to the refrigerant storage tank 20′ through various other auxiliary components (described below). As shown in
The second outdoor heat exchanger 42′ may comprise a plurality of heat exchanging tubes 424′ immersed into first through third water collection basin 411′, 412′, 413′ respectively. The heat exchanging tubes 424′ in the first through third water collection basin 411′, 412′, 413′ may be connected to the three input branches 4211′, 4212′, 4213′ and the three output branches 4221′, 4222′, 4223′ respectively. Cooling water may be arranged to be collected in the first through third water collection basin 411′, 412′, 413′ in such a manner that the second outdoor heat exchanger 42′ may be completely immersed in the cooling water for performing heat exchange therewith.
The air conditioning and heat pump system may further comprise a refrigerant storage tank 20′ having an liquid inlet 201′ connected to the second passage port 422′ of the second outdoor heat exchanger 42′ and the indoor heat distribution system 2′, and a liquid outlet 202′ connected to the second communicating port 32′ of the first outdoor heat exchanger 30′, the first passage port 421′ of the second outdoor heat exchanger 42′, and the indoor heat distribution system 2′ through various auxiliary components.
The outdoor main unit 1 may further comprise a filter 80′ connected to the liquid outlet 202′ of the refrigerant storage tank 20′. The outdoor main unit 1′ may further comprise an expansion valve 18′ connected to the second communicating port 32′ of the first outdoor heat exchanger 30′.
The outdoor main unit 1 may further comprise a unidirectional valve 13′ for restricting the flow of the refrigerant in one predetermined direction. As shown in
On the other hand, the refrigerant leaving the refrigerant storage tank 20′ may be guided to flow to the filter 80′. The refrigerant leaving the filter 80′ may be guided to flow through one of the two paths, the first path being toward the second communicating port 32′ of the first outdoor heat exchanger 30′, the second path being toward the indoor heat distribution system 2′.
The outdoor main unit 1′ may further comprise a first electrically-controlled two-way valve 14′ connected to the second communicating port 32′ of the first outdoor heat exchanger 30′, the first passage port 421′ of the second outdoor heat exchanger 42′, and the liquid outlet 202′ of the refrigerant storage tank 20′. Specifically, refrigerant coming from the liquid outlet 202′ of the refrigerant storage tank 20′ may be guided to flow through the filter 80′, the first electrically-controlled two-way valve 14′, the expansion valve 18′, and reach either the second communicating port 32′ of the first outdoor heat exchanger 30′ or the first passage port 421′ of the second outdoor heat exchanger 42′. This is one of the paths for the refrigerant coming out from the refrigerant storage tank 20′.
The main outdoor unit 1′ may further comprise a second electrically-controlled two-way valve 15′ connected to the indoor heat distribution system 2′, and the liquid outlet 202′ of the refrigerant storage tank 20′. Refrigerant flowing from the liquid outlet 202′ may be selectively guided to flow through the second electrically-controlled two-way valve 15′ and reach the indoor heat distribution system 2′. This is the other path for the refrigerant coming out from the refrigerant storage tank 20′.
Each of the first electrically-controlled two-way valve 14′ and the second electrically-controlled two-way valve 15′ may be selectively switched off for not allowing refrigerant to pass therethrough. It is when they are switched on that the refrigerant may be allowed to pass through.
The main outdoor unit 1′ may further comprise a third electrically-controlled two-way valve 16′ connected to the indoor heat distribution system 2′, and the liquid inlet 201′ of the refrigerant storage tank 20′. The third electrically-controlled two-way valve 16′ may allow refrigerant to flow from the indoor heat distribution system 2′ toward the liquid inlet 201′ of the refrigerant storage tank 20′.
The cooling tower 40′ may be utilized to lower a temperature of the refrigerant flowing therethrough. The cooling tower 40′ may further comprise a pump 45′ for pumping cooling water from the water storage basin 44′ back to the first water collection basin 411′.
The cooling water in the first through third water collection basins 411′, 412′, 413′ may absorb heat from the second outdoor heat exchanger 42′ and may then be guided to distribute on the first through third fill material units 431′, 432′, 433′ in the manner described above. The cooling water may form a thin film of water dropping down along a vertical direction of the first through third fill material unit 431′, 432′, 433′. At the same time, ambient air is drawn from the air inlet 112′ to flow through the thin film of water in first through third fill material unit 431′, 432′, 433′. The ambient air may then carry away the heat in the cooling water. After that, the cooling water may be collected in the water storage basin 44′. The cooling water in the water collection basin 44′ will be cooled and ready for being pumped back to the water collection basin 41′ to start another cooling cycle.
It is worth mentioning that the outdoor main unit 1′ may further comprise a temperature sensor 70′ provided at the liquid outlet 202′ of the refrigerant storage tank 20′ for sensing a temperature of the refrigerant coming out from the refrigerant storage tank 20′. The temperature sensor 70′ may be connected to a control unit such that when a temperature of the refrigerant from the refrigerant storage tank 20′ is below a predetermined threshold, the pump device 45′ will be turned off.
As shown in
These ports may serve as connection boundaries between the outdoor main unit 1′ and the indoor heat distribution system 2′. According to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the indoor heat distribution system 2′ may further comprise a first indoor expansion valve 231′, a first indoor unidirectional valve 241′, a second indoor unidirectional valve 242′, and a first indoor flow regulator 261′ connected to the indoor heat exchanger 21′ to form an indoor heat exchange configuration 27′ as a group of components connected in a predetermined configuration. One of such a configuration may be illustrated in
The indoor heat exchange configuration 27′ may comprise the indoor heat exchanger 21′, the first indoor expansion valve 231′, the first indoor unidirectional valve 241′, the second indoor unidirectional valve 242′, and the first indoor flow regulator 261′. The indoor heat exchanger 21′ may have a first passing port 211′ and a second passing port 212′ which may serve as inlet or outlet of refrigerant. As shown in
On the other hand, the first indoor expansion valve 231′ and the second indoor unidirectional valve 242′ may be connected to the second passing port 212′ and may be connected in parallel with each other. The first indoor expansion valve 231′ and the second indoor unidirectional valve 242′ may be connected to the third linkage port 303′.
The first indoor unidirectional valve 241′ may be configured to allow flow of refrigerant from the first passing port 211′ toward the second linkage port 302′. The second indoor unidirectional valve 242′ may be configured to allow flow of refrigerant from the second passing port 212′ toward the third linkage port 303′.
Note that, as in the first preferred embodiment, the indoor heat distribution system 2′ may actually comprise a plurality of indoor heat exchange configurations 27′ connected in parallel. Each of the indoor heat exchange configurations 27′ may have identical components and structure as mentioned above, and may provide conditioned or heated air to a designated indoor space, such as a room.
The indoor heat distribution system 2′ may further comprise a third indoor unidirectional valve 243′ and a fourth indoor unidirectional valve 244′ connected to a first heat exchanging port 2221′ and a second heat exchanging port 2222′ of the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222′ respectively. The first heat exchanging port 2221′ and a second heat exchanging port 2222′ may serve as an input or output port for refrigerant to enter or leave the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222′. The ventilating heat exchanging unit 222′ may be connected between the second linkage port 302′ and the third linkage port 303′. The third indoor unidirectional valve 243′ may be configured to allow refrigerant to flow from the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222′ toward the second linkage port 302′. The fourth indoor unidirectional valve 244′ may be configured to allow refrigerant to flow from the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222′ toward the third linkage port 303′.
The ventilating heat exchanging unit 222′ may be configured as a heat exchanger having a plurality of heat exchanging tubes for performing heat exchange between refrigerant and the air passing therethrough.
The indoor heat distribution system 2′ may further comprise a second indoor flow regulator 262′ connected to the first heat exchanging port 2221′ of the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222′ and in parallel with the third indoor unidirectional valve 243′. Moreover, the indoor heat distribution system 2′ may further comprise a second expansion valve 232′ connected to the second heat exchanging port 2222′ of the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222′ and in parallel with the fourth indoor unidirectional valve 244′.
Moreover, the energy efficient heat exchanger 223′ may have a first refrigerant passing port 2231′ and a second refrigerant passing port 2232′ which may serve as inlet or outlet of refrigerant. The indoor heat distribution system 2′ may further comprise a depressurizing valve 28′ connected to the second refrigerant passing port 2232′ of the energy efficient heat exchanger 223′ and to the third linkage port 303′. The first refrigerant passing port 2231′ may be connected to the third linkage port 303′ through a second indoor electrically-controlled two-way valve 290′. The indoor heat distribution system 2′ may further comprise a first indoor electrically-controlled two-way valve 29′ connected to the second refrigerant passing port 2232′ and in parallel with the depressurizing valve 28′.
The second refrigerant passing port 2232′ may also be connected to the second heat exchanging port 2222′ through the first indoor electrically-controlled two-way valve 29′
The indoor heat distribution system 2′ may further comprise a third indoor electrically-controlled two-way valve 291′ and a fourth indoor electrically-controlled two-way valve 292′. The third indoor electrically-controlled two-way valve 291′ may be connected in parallel with the second indoor electrically-controlled two-way valve 290′.
Again, the energy efficient heat exchanger 223′ may be configured as having a plurality of heat exchanging tubes for performing heat exchange between refrigerant and the air passing therethrough.
In reality, the indoor heat distribution system 2′ may comprise a plurality of indoor heat exchangers 21′, wherein each of the indoor heat exchangers 21′ may be arranged to provide conditioned or heated air or other medium in a designated indoor space (such as a room). On the other hand, a single ventilating device 22′ may be provided to supply fresh air to several designated indoor spaces through a plurality of air ducts.
When the air conditioning and heat pump system is in the air conditioning mode, the switching valve 60′ may be switched to the air conditioning switching mode. The first electrically-controlled two-way valve 14′ may be turned off while the second electrically-controlled two-way valve 15′ may be turned on.
Referring to
The refrigerant may then be arranged to pass through the third indoor electrically-controlled two-way valve 291′ and the first indoor expansion valve 231′ and enter the indoor heat exchanger 21′ through the second passing port 212′. The refrigerant may then absorb heat from the indoor space by performing heat exchange with another medium, such as air in the designated indoor space. The refrigerant may then leave the indoor heat exchanger 21′ through the first passing port 211′ and pass through the first indoor unidirectional valve 241′ and may be guided to re-enter the outdoor main unit 1′ through the second linkage port 302′.
The refrigerant may then be guided to pass through the fourth connecting port 64′ and the third connecting port 63′ the switching valve 60′, and eventually flow back to the compressor 10′ through the compressor inlet 102′ to complete an air conditioning cycle.
Note that when pump 45′ is turned off due to low refrigerant temperature in the water storage basin 44′, the refrigerant circulating in the air conditioning and heat pump system may be solely cooled by ambient air passing through the first outdoor heat exchanger 30′.
Thus, when the air conditioning and heat pump system is operated in the air conditioning mode, the refrigerant may be cooled by ambient air and/or cooling water circulating in the cooling tower 40′ depending on such environment factors as the temperature of the ambient air or the water level in the water storage basin 44′.
It is worth mentioning that the purpose of first indoor electrically-controlled two-way valve 29′ is to allow residual refrigerant from the energy efficient heat exchanger 223′ to flow back to the compressor 10′ in the air conditioning mode because the energy efficient heat exchanger 223′ may become idle when the air conditioning and heat pump system is operated in the air conditioning mode. In the air conditioning mode, the first indoor electrically-controlled two-way valve 29′ may be opened while the second indoor electrically-controlled two-way valve 290′ and the fourth indoor electrically-controlled two-way valve 292′ may be closed. The residual refrigerant in the energy efficient heat exchanger 223′ may be allowed to pass through the first indoor electrically-controlled two-way valve 29′ and enter the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222′ through the second heat exchanging port 2222′. The residual refrigerant leaving the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222′ through the first heat exchanging port 2221′ may pass through the third indoor unidirectional valve 243′ and return to the outdoor main unit 1′ through the second linkage port 302′. The residual refrigerant may be guided to pass through the fourth connecting port 64′, the third connecting port 63′ and go back to the compressor 10′.
When the air conditioning, air heating and water heating unit is in the heat pump mode, the switching valve 60′ may be switched to the heat pump switching mode. The first electrically-controlled two-way valve 14′ may be opened (turned on) while the second electrically-controlled two-way valve 15′ may be closed (turned off).
A predetermined amount of vaporous refrigerant is arranged to leave the compressor 10′ through the compressor outlet 101′ and may be guided to pass through the first connecting port 61′ and the fourth connecting port 64′ of the switching valve 60′. The refrigerant may then be guided to enter the indoor heat distribution system 2′ through the second linkage port 302′.
In the indoor heat distribution system 2′, the refrigerant may be arranged to pass through the first indoor flow regulator 261′ and enter the indoor heat exchanger 21′ through the first passing port 211′ for releasing heat to the designated indoor space. On the other hand, some refrigerant may also pass through the second indoor flow regulator 262′ and enter the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222′ through the first heat exchanging port 2221′.
The first indoor flow regulator 261′ may determine the amount of refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 21′ so as to control the heat exchange performance (such as indoor temperature) between the indoor heat exchanger 21′ and designated indoor space. The second indoor flow regulator 262′ may determine the amount of refrigerant flowing into the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222′ so as to control the heat exchange performance (such as indoor temperature) between the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222′ and ambient air from the air intake opening 2211′.
The refrigerant may then be arranged to leave the indoor heat exchanger 21′ through the second passing port 212′ and pass through the second indoor unidirectional valve 242′. The refrigerant in the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222′ may then be arranged to leave the ventilating heat exchanging unit 222′ through the second heat exchanging port 2222′ and pass through the fourth indoor unidirectional valve 244′.
In this heat pump mode, the third indoor electrically-controlled two-way valve 291′ may be closed while the fourth indoor electrically-controlled two-way valve 292′ may be opened. The refrigerant passing through the second indoor unidirectional valve 242′ and the fourth indoor unidirectional valve 244′ may then merge and be guided to pass through the fourth indoor electrically-controlled two-way valve 292′ and the depressurizing valve 28′ and enter the energy efficient heat exchanger 223′ for releasing heat to the ambient air drawn from the air intake opening 2211′. In other words, the ambient air will be pre-heated by the energy efficient heat exchanger 223′. The first indoor electrically-controlled two-way valve 29′ may be closed at this time.
The refrigerant may then be guided to leave the energy efficient heat exchanger 223′ through the first refrigerant passing port 2231′ and pass through the second indoor electrically-controlled two-way valve 290′ (which may be opened) and go back to the outdoor main unit 1′ via the third linkage port 303′.
In the outdoor main unit 1′, the second electrically-controlled two-way valve 15′ may be closed while the third electrically-controlled two-way valve 16′ and the first electrically-controlled two-way valve 14′ may be opened. The refrigerant may then be guided to pass through the third electrically-controlled two-way valve 16′ (which may be opened) and enter the refrigerant storage tank 20′ through the liquid inlet 201′. The refrigerant may then leave the refrigerant storage tank 20′ through the liquid outlet 202′ and may be guided to flow through the filter 80′, the first electrically-controlled two-way valve 14′, the expansion valve 18′, and enter the first outdoor heat exchanger 30′ through the second communicating port 32′ for absorbing heat from the ambient air. The refrigerant may then be guided to leave the first outdoor heat exchanger 30′ through the first communicating port 31′ and pass through the second connecting port 62′ of the switching valve 60′, the third connecting port 63′ of the switching valve 60′, and eventually flow back to the compressor 10′ through the compressor inlet 102′ to complete a heat pump cycle.
The present invention, while illustrated and described in terms of the preferred embodiments and several alternatives, is not limited to the particular description contained in this specification. Additional alternative or equivalent components could also be used to practice the present invention.
This is divisional application of a non-provisional application Ser. No. 18/264,147 with a filing date of Aug. 3, 2023, which is a national phase national application of an international patent application number PCT/US2021/016683 with a filing date of Feb. 4, 2021. The contents of these specifications, including any intervening amendments thereto, are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 18264147 | Aug 2023 | US |
| Child | 18737826 | US |
