The presently disclosed embodiments generally relate to appliances for heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), and more particularly, to a device and method for reducing the power consumption of a reversing valve.
In a residential heat pump the flow direction of the refrigerant is reversed when altering the mode of operation of the heat pump. In particular, during a cooling mode, the refrigerant flows from compressor discharge outlet to an outdoor coil, and from a vapor line to a compressor suction inlet. During a heating mode, the refrigerant flows from the compressor discharge outlet to the vapor line, and from the outdoor coil to the compressor suction inlet. The flow direction between the modes is generally controlled by a solenoid valve, which is called a “reversing valve.” Reversing valves that are currently used in residential heat pump systems utilize a solenoid that requires that the actuating motor stay energized. Accordingly, during operation, the valve consumes approximately 10 watts of power during the cooling cycle. Additionally, the current design of reversing valves requires a differential pressure of approximately 10 psi to 20 psi to properly engage.
In one aspect, a heat pump is provided including a plurality of lines having refrigerant flowing therethrough. A reversing valve is provided including a selector mechanism having a plurality of cavities formed therein and extending therethrough. In one embodiment, the selector mechanism is a plate or the like. A source of motion is coupled to the selector mechanism for movement of the selector mechanism. Each one of the plurality of cavities fluidly couples at least two of the plurality of lines. The selector mechanism is movable between a cooling mode and a heating mode so that the cavities fluidly couple different ones of the plurality of lines in each of the cooling mode and the heating mode. The selector mechanism will maintain its position with respect to the plurality of lines when the source of motion is de-energized, regardless of a pressure differential between different ones of the plurality of lines.
In another aspect, a reversing valve for a heat pump having a plurality of lines with refrigerant flowing therethrough is provided. The reversing valve includes a selector mechanism having a plurality of cavities formed therein and extending therethrough. A source of motion is coupled to the selector mechanism for movement of the selector mechanism. Each one of the plurality of cavities fluidly couples at least two of the plurality of lines. The selector mechanism is movable between a cooling mode and a heating mode so that the cavities fluidly couple different ones of the plurality of lines in each of the cooling mode and the heating mode. The selector mechanism will maintain its position with respect to the plurality of lines when the source of motion is de-energized, regardless of a pressure differential between different ones of the plurality of lines.
In another aspect, a method for changing the operation of a heat pump is provided. The heat pump includes a plurality of lines including a compressor discharge outlet, a compressor suction inlet, an outdoor coil, and a vapor line. The method includes rotating a selector mechanism having a plurality of cavities between a cooling mode and a heating mode with a source of motion. The selector mechanism is rotated so that one of the plurality of cavities fluidly couples the compressor discharge outlet to the vapor line and the other cavity fluidly couples the compressor suction inlet to the outdoor coil in the cooling mode. The selector mechanism is rotated so that one of the cavities fluidly couples the compressor discharge outlet to the outdoor coil and another cavity fluidly couples the compressor suction inlet to the vapor line in the heating mode. A position of the selector mechanism is maintained with respect to the plurality of lines when the source of motion is de-energized, regardless of a pressure differential between different ones of the plurality of lines.
The embodiments and other features, advantages and disclosures contained herein, and the manner of attaining them, will become apparent and the present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following description of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended.
A HVAC system 20 is illustrated in
In one embodiment, the heat pump 22 includes a series of lines 38 that are coupled to the valve 28 for flow of refrigerant through the valve 28. The lines include a compressor discharge outlet 40, a compressor suction inlet 42, a vapor line 44, and an outdoor coil 46.
As shown in
The motor 52 rotates the selector mechanism 50 between the cooling mode configuration 70 and the heating mode configuration 72. In one embodiment, the selector mechanism 50 is rotated approximately 90 degrees between the cooling mode configuration 70 and the heating mode configuration 72. In an embodiment, the selector mechanism 50 rotates only clockwise. Accordingly, as the selector mechanism 50 rotates into the cooling mode configuration 70, either the first cavity 62 or the second cavity 66 may fluidly couple the compressor discharge outlet 40 and the outdoor coil 46; and the other of the first cavity 62 and the second cavity 66 fluidly couples the compressor suction inlet 42 and the vapor line 44. Likewise, in the heating mode configuration 72, either the first cavity 62 or the second cavity 66 may fluidly couple the compressor discharge outlet 40 and the vapor line 44, and the other of the first cavity 62 and the second cavity 66 fluidly couples the compressor suction inlet 42 and the outdoor coil 46.
In one embodiment, the motor 52 is a direct current motor that rotates the selector mechanism 50 when energized. Particularly, ratchets (not shown) are positioned in the housing 51 adjacent an outer periphery 49 (shown in
The embodiments described herein only require a power draw when the motor 52 is activated to rotate the selector mechanism 50. Accordingly, a continuous power draw is not required. Additionally, the selector mechanism 50 is held in position either by the set of ratchets, when using a direct current motor, or the gears of the motor, when using a stepper motor. Accordingly, the embodiments described herein do not require a continuous pressure to maintain a position of the valve. By eliminating the need for continuous power draw and continuous pressure, the embodiments described herein provide an increased energy efficiency for the heat pump 22.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only certain embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.
The present application is related to, and claims the priority benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/887,269 filed Oct. 4, 2013, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety into the present disclosure.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61887269 | Oct 2013 | US |