Patent Application
20240401836
The present disclosure generally relates to an improved system, apparatus and method for operational efficiency and increased electrification and decarbonization of building heating and cooling systems. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to a novel structural and functional integration of a hydronic air handler with the addition of direct expansion technology for dehumidification, air-source heat pump and a water-source heat pump (WSHP) for supplemental cooling or heating within the heating and cooling system of a building in order to achieve maximum flexibility and operational efficiency with a minimum footprint.
Hydronic cooling and heating systems are used in medium and large-sized buildings. Chiller/boiler plants act as a centralized cooling and heating system for an entire building or even multiple buildings. This is because it is often more practical to centralize air conditioning and heating equipment in one location rather than install many unitary pieces of equipment in many different places.
Chillers, Cooling Tower and Air Handling Units (AHUs) generally work together to provide air conditioning (HVAC) to a building. For instance, Chillers generally provide the source of the chilled water that feeds the cooling coil within the air handling unit and fan coils. The two most common types of chillers are air-cooled and water-cooled. An air-cooled chiller uses fans to reject the heat outdoors, while a water-cooled chiller will require a cooling tower that sends water to the chiller to absorb the unwanted heat, and then eject that heat through the tower process.
Conventional water-cooled chiller will usually be more energy efficient, due to the fact that the compressor will have to do less work because water-cooled chillers have lower condensing water temperatures and pressures. Water-cooled chiller usually have a longer equipment life because they're mostly installed indoors, while air-cooled chillers sit outdoors exposed to the elements. Water-cooled chillers have a life expectancy of 20 to 30 years, while air-cooled chillers is around 15 to 20 years. However, water-cooled chillers need a cooling tower, and the tower requires makeup water and a drain. Also some form of chemical treatment will be required for the tower water to remain stable and avoid corrosive buildup. In contrast, an air-cooled chiller needs no cooling tower and the installation is much easier, and it avoids the additional use of water and chemicals.
An AHU provides further benefits as they are designed to take air from the outside and condition it by cleaning it, cooling or heating it and maybe even humidify it depending on the needs of the user. This air is then forced around the building by a series of ductwork and vents, with most systems including additional ductwork and vents to extract the stale air back to the AHU, where it is expelled by a fan back into the atmosphere. One of the main advantages of installing an AHU is a much more comfortable working environment generated when used in building systems. Whilst air conditioning units will either heat or cool the workspace depending on the outside temperature, an AHU will clean the air that is entering your building and even adjust the humidity.
A further advantage can be obtained when a chiller is used along with the AHU. For instance, during operation supply air will blow over the chilled water coil in the air handling units (AHUs) and/or fan coil units (FCUs) to provide cool air to the spaces in the building. The chilled water coil absorbs the heat from the air passes over them and takes the heat back to the chiller where it will be rejected to the outside.
Traditional chillers, cooling towers and AHUs still have many shortcomings since they act as a centralized cooling and heating system for an entire building or even multiple buildings. This is because it is often more practical to centralize air conditioning and heating equipment in one location rather than install many unitary pieces of equipment in many different places.
Further, conventional hydronic systems provide cooling and heating to a building by using chilled or heated water to absorb or reject heat to the building's spaces and/or treat outdoor air. At the heart of the hydronic system, a chiller removes heat from water by means of a refrigeration cycle, and a boiler adds heat via combustion or electricity. Alternatively, an air-source heat pump chiller can provide both cooling and heating functions. The water that exits a chiller is called the chilled water supply (CHWS). The chilled water supply temperature is usually about 45° F. The water that exits a boiler is called hot water supply (HWS). The hot water supply temperature is usually around 120° F.
A hydronic water loop consists of pipes (generally two or four) and pumps that transfer heating or cooling via conditioned water around a building. A hydronic water pump (HWP) pushes conditioned water through the chiller/boiler and through the hydronic water line(s) around the building. The hydronic water supply is first pumped through the chiller/boiler and then to the building's various air conditioning units such as air handling units (AHUs) and fan coil units (FCUs).
In the conventional AHUs and FCUs, the conditioned water is passed through a heat exchanging coil to reduce or increase the temperature of the coil and while heat is exchanged through the coil, a fan moves air through the coil to provide conditioned air to the building's space. The supply air temperature that is blown out of AHUs and FCUs is usually about 55° F. in cooling, and 100° F. in heating. After exiting the heat exchanging coil, the water returns to the chiller/boiler, where it is conditioned again, and the process repeats. Use of such technologies makes it quite common that each floor of the building may have at least one AHU or FCU.
As illustrated in
Other options for individual AHU reheating such as fossil fuel heating or electric reheating equipment are generally forbidden by local codes. To provide both heating and cooling, a more costly and complex four-pipe system is required. A four-pipe system must provide both heated and chilled water circulated throughout the building at all times whether it is required or not, as shown in
Conventional hydronic air handlers have been generally viewed as superior due to cost and operating efficiencies due to central plant design. However, as new regulations are being implemented related to energy consumption, use of natural gas, increased electrification and decarbonization, building efficiency requirements and indoor air quality increase, the conventional air handlers or AHUs cannot provide the necessary efficiency improvements and comply with the new regulations.
Conventional heat pumps are widely used in the HVAC industry as part of heating and cooling systems for various facilities. A typical heat pump is an electrical device that extracts heat from one place and transfers it to another in order to maintain a constant temperature-primarily by using a refrigerant. A heat pump can be used for both heating and cooling of the facility. Attempts have been made to use a traditional water-source heat pump or a chilled water supply system for producing energy savings, decarbonization and/or operational efficiency. However, the per unit, electrical, other fuel and initial start-up costs are significantly higher.
In addition, conventional hydronic air handlers in millions of buildings around the world do not have many options for reheating and dehumidification without using fossil fuel and/or electric resistance for reheating processes. This, of course, increases costs and fails to meet the current codes and new regulations.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art to overcome the foregoing challenges and shortcomings in existing hydronic systems that complies with current codes and the new regulations, is cost effective, reduces energy consumption relative to added functionality, reduces or eliminates the need to use of fossil fuels or electrical energy to add additional functionality and increases building efficiency and indoor air quality.
In other words there is a need for an improved and advanced system, apparatus and method for air ventilation comprising a conditioned water source and an air handling unit structurally and functionally integrated with a direct expansion refrigeration system utilizing compressor(s) (e.g., fixed speed, staged or variable), one or more heat exchangers and one or more hydronic coils. The system, apparatus and method further comprises a controller (configured to execute a control algorithm) connected to and in communication with the conditioned water source and the air handling unit, the controller configured to operate the conditioned water source and the air handling unit in response to desired operational demands for a conditioned space, as disclosed herein.
This disclosure is directed to the concept of structurally and functionally combining a traditional two-pipe hydronic air handler, direct expansion technology associated with a heat pump and water-source heat pump technology in order to achieve maximum operational efficiency and energy savings with a minimum footprint and dehumidification via reduced hydronic supply load for more efficient heating and cooling of a building.
The hybrid air handler system, apparatus and method as disclosed herein of comprise a structural and functional integration of a hydronic air handler (or a hydronic system as depicted in
In an aspect of the present disclosure, an air ventilation system comprises (1) a conditioned water source, wherein the conditioned water source comprises one of a chiller to provide a supply of chilled water and a boiler to provide a supply of heated water and (2) an air handling unit. The air handling unit further comprises a housing that defines an inlet and an outlet end and a fan disposed between the inlet end and outlet end to generate and define an airflow from the inlet end to the outlet end. The air handling unit assembly further comprises a compressor, a first heat exchanger, an expansion valve and a second heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger is disposed downstream of the compressor, the expansion valve is dispose downstream of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger is disposed downstream of the expansion valve, wherein the compressor, first heat exchanger, the expansion valve and the second heat exchanger are fluidly coupled in series to the compressor to form a refrigerant closed loop. An hydronic coil is disposed between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, wherein the hydronic coil is fluidly coupled to the conditioned water source to circulate one of the supply of chilled water and the supply of heated water through the hydronic coil in a water closed loop.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, the air handling unit assembly comprises a housing that defines an inlet and an outlet and a fan disposed between the inlet end and outlet end to generate and define an airflow from the inlet end to the outlet end. The air handling unit assembly further comprises a first heat exchanger, an expansion valve, a second heat exchanger and a third heat exchanger, wherein the first heat exchanger is disposed downstream of the compressor, the expansion valve is dispose downstream of the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger is disposed downstream of the expansion valve, wherein the compressor, first heat exchanger, the expansion valve, the second heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger are fluidly coupled in series to the compressor to form a refrigerant closed loop. An hydronic coil is disposed between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, wherein the hydronic coil is fluidly coupled to the conditioned water source to circulate one of the supply of chilled water and the supply of heated water through the hydronic coil in a water closed loop.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, the air handling unit assembly comprises a housing that defines an inlet and an outlet end and a fan disposed between the inlet end and outlet end to generate and define an airflow from the inlet end to the outlet end. The air handling unit assembly further comprises a compressor, a heat exchanger, an expansion valve and a water control valve, wherein the heat exchanger is disposed downstream of the compressor, the expansion valve is disposed downstream of the heat exchanger, wherein the compressor, heat exchanger, the expansion valve are fluidly coupled in series to the compressor to form a refrigerant closed loop. An hydronic coil is disposed upstream of the heat exchanger, wherein the hydronic coil is fluidly coupled to the water control valve and the conditioned water source to circulate one of the supply of chilled water and the supply of heated water through the hydronic coil in a water closed loop.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, the air handling unit assembly comprises a housing that defines an inlet and an outlet end and a fan disposed between the inlet end and outlet end to generate and define an airflow from the inlet end to the outlet end. The air handling unit assembly further comprises a compressor, a first heat exchanger, an expansion valve, a second heat exchanger, a plurality of water control valves, wherein the first heat exchanger is disposed downstream of the compressor, the expansion valve is disposed downstream of the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger and the plurality of water control valves are disposed downstream of the expansion valve, wherein the compressor, first heat exchanger, the expansion valve, the second heat exchanger and the plurality of the water control valves are fluidly coupled in series to the compressor to form a refrigerant closed loop. An hydronic coil is disposed between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, wherein the hydronic coil is fluidly coupled to the plurality of water control valves and conditioned water source to circulate one of the supply of chilled water and the supply of heated water through the hydronic coil in a water closed loop.
In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the air handling unit assembly comprises a housing that defines an inlet and an outlet end and a fan disposed between the inlet end and outlet end to generate and define an airflow from the inlet end to the outlet end. The air handling unit assembly further comprises a compressor, a heat exchanger, an expansion valve, a plurality of water control valves, wherein the heat exchanger is disposed downstream of the compressor, the expansion valve is disposed downstream of the heat exchanger, wherein the compressor, heat exchanger, the expansion valve and the plurality of water control valves are fluidly coupled in series to the compressor to form a refrigerant closed loop. An hydronic coil is disposed upstream of the heat exchanger, wherein the hydronic coil is fluidly coupled to the plurality of water control valves and conditioned water source to circulate one of the supply of chilled water and the supply of heated water through the hydronic coil in a water closed loop.
In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the air handling unit assembly comprises a housing that defines an inlet and an outlet end and a fan disposed between the inlet end and outlet end to generate and define an airflow from the inlet end to the outlet end. The air handling unit assembly further comprises a compressor, a heat exchanger, an expansion valve, a plurality of water control valves, and a reversing valve wherein the heat exchanger is disposed downstream of the compressor, the expansion valve is disposed downstream of the heat exchanger, wherein the compressor, heat exchanger, the expansion valve, the plurality of water control valves and the reversing valve are fluidly coupled in series to the compressor to form a refrigerant closed loop. An hydronic coil is disposed upstream of the heat exchanger, wherein the hydronic coil is fluidly coupled to the plurality of water control valves and conditioned water source to circulate one of the supply of chilled water and the supply of heated water through the hydronic coil in a water closed loop.
In still yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the air handling unit assembly comprises a housing that defines an inlet and an outlet end; a fan disposed between the inlet end and outlet end to generate and define an airflow from the inlet end to the outlet end; a compressor, a heat exchanger, an expansion valve, a plurality of water control valves, and a reversing valve wherein the heat exchanger is disposed downstream of the compressor, the expansion valve is disposed downstream of the heat exchanger, wherein the compressor, heat exchanger, the expansion valve, the plurality of water control valves and the reversing valve are fluidly coupled in series to the compressor to form a refrigerant closed loop. An hydronic coil disposed upstream of the heat exchanger, wherein the hydronic coil is fluidly coupled to the plurality of water control valves and conditioned water source to circulate one of the supply of chilled water and the supply of heated water through the hydronic coil in a water closed loop
During operation of the system, airflow moves between the inlet end and the outlet end contacts, in series, the one or more heat exchangers and the hydronic coil and the compressor, when operated, circulates a refrigerant through the refrigerant closed loop so that (1) the heat exchanger (one or more, depending on the configuration) adjust a temperature and humidity of the airflow and (2) the conditioned water source, when operated, circulates one of the supply of chilled water and the supply of heated water through the hydronic coil in the water closed loop so that the hydronic coil adjusts the temperature and humidity of the airflow. The system further comprises a controller connected to and in communication with the conditioned water source and the air handling unit, the controller configured to operate the conditioned water source and the air handling unit in response to desired operational demands for a conditioned space.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, a method for conditioning the air in a space comprises operating an air ventilation system, wherein the air ventilation system comprises an air handling unit integrated with a direct expansion refrigeration system and providing a conditioned water source, wherein the conditioned water source comprises one of a chiller to provide a supply of chilled water and a boiler to provide a supply of heated water to the air handling unit. The method further comprises the step of configuring a programmable logic controller integrated with the air handling unit, the controller having a memory and in electronic communication with at least one processor such that controller is configured to run a control algorithm in order to operate the air ventilation system as described in the detailed description and the accompanying figures.
The hybrid air handler disclosed herein can be installed or integrated anywhere a conventional hydronic air handler or AHU or FCU as currently used, including from the smallest to the largest air-source chillers designed around currently available defrost-free technology in order to deliver an electrification and decarbonization solution to a building heating and cooling system. There is no practical technological limitation to the improved apparatus and method disclosed herein As used herein throughout the disclosure and the accompanying figures, the acronyms means the following:
The system, apparatus and method disclosed herein solves the problem by leveraging the structure and functionality of a hybrid air handler system-combination of hydronic air handler, direct expansion and water-source technology in order to achieve maximum energy savings (minimizing the per unit electrical or fossil fuel costs) with a minimum infrastructure footprint that can be applied to both existing and new infrastructure for a building heating and cooling system.
The system, apparatus and method disclosed herein further allows for dehumidification, energy recovery, more efficient heating and cooling and reduced chiller load, and opens new opportunities for further electrification and decarbonization of a building heating and cooling system. The novel hybrid concept, by integrating hydronic air handlers and direct expansion technologies as well as a water-source heat pump, provides for more efficient cooling, reheating and dehumidification.
One of the many immediate advantages of the development disclosed herein is the ability to considerably lower the requirements for a building hydronic loop, while significantly increasing energy efficiency and occupant comfort for the building. Additionally, the ability to retrofit older equipment with more capacity/flexibility will increase the rate of adoption by new and existing building owners.
Certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. However, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.
For the purposes of promoting and understanding the principles disclosed herein, reference is now made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language is used to describe the same. Embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure provide a novel and improved method and apparatus of operating a hybrid air handler system by reducing or eliminating the need of fossil fuels and/or electric-resistant heat for reheating and providing significant operational reliability and efficiency during operation.
A heat pump is generally used for a building heating and cooling operation, the heat pump comprising an expansion valve for expanding a liquid refrigerant, a compressor for compressing the refrigerant vapor, a suction accumulator, a first heat exchange coil (functioning as the outside or outdoor source coil), a second heat exchange coil (functioning as the inside or indoor load coil) and a discharge valve (also known as a discharge gas injection valve)—the various components arranged in a closed loop system for heating a space or a certain volume of air. During operation, the heat pump circulates the refrigerant by pressurizing a liquid refrigerant, heating the liquid refrigerant to form a refrigerant vapor, compressing refrigerant vapor by the compressor and supplying the heat exchange coils with refrigerant from the compressor—the refrigerant transferring heat by circulating through a cycle of evaporation and condensation, thereby enabling the exchange and transfer of heat between the indoor and outdoor heat exchange coils.
The present disclosure is directed to an improved system, apparatus and method of providing high operational reliability and efficiency in heating and cooling capacity of a building via reduced chiller load and integration/coupling of a hydronic system with direct expansion technologies of a heat pump. In addition, the present disclosure is directed to improve the heating and cooling capacity of a building by further integrating and fluidly coupling a WSHP within the heating and cooling system of a building.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a hybrid air handler system comprises a structural and functional integration of a hydronic air handler (a hydronic water coil) and direct expansion utilizing compressor(s) (fixed speed, staged or variable) fluidly coupled to a pre-refrigerant to air heat exchanger coil and a post-refrigerant to air heat exchanger coil. In one or more embodiments of the disclosure, an expanded version of the hybrid air handler system can be provided via adding a reversable, or straight cool/heat, direct-expansion water-source heat pump or WSHP fed from a load loop (leaving) side water of the air handler. As further disclosed herein, the integration of the hydronic system with the direct expansion technologies (e.g., a heat pump) provides a system efficiency and reliability benefit by simultaneously increasing its cooling capacity and lowering the dew point for dehumidification while reducing/eliminating carbon footprint (fossil fuels) or the need for electric-resistant heat for the reheat.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a WSHP is structurally and functionally integrated with an air handler for efficient heating, cooling, reheating and dehumidification of a building heating and cooling system. As disclosed herein, the WSHP is a reversible, direct-expansion WSHP that is directly integrated and fluidly coupled to the system from a load loop side water (the leaving side) of the air handler. As further illustrated in the detailed accompanying figures, the reversible direct-expansion WSHP is configured to use waste heat that would normally be rejected by the chiller or fluid cooler bank and can be instrumental in lowering the overall water loop temperatures and enhance operational efficiency of the air handler such as reheating outdoor air in dedicated outside air system (DOAS) operation or other operations as discussed herein and disclosed in the accompanying figures.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the use of the hybrid air handler system—the combination of hydronics, direct expansion and water-source heat pump technologies provides maximum energy savings with a minimum infrastructure footprint that can be integrated into both existing and new building heating and cooling systems. The improved apparatus and method by utilizing a traditional hydronic air handler and enhancing it with integration of the direct expansion and/or the water-source heat pump allow for increased flexibility in the overall building heating and cooling system operation.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the improved apparatus and method can overcome the requirement of specific water loop temperatures and/or potentially higher water flow rates of a traditional water-source heat pump to perform the same work and provide the same operational efficiency as disclosed herein. The apparatus and method disclosed herein could also be paired with air-source heat pump chillers designed around Addison's defrost-free technology to deliver an electrification and decarbonization solution no other manufacturer could deliver.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the hybrid air handler systems disclosed herein eliminate the need to use fossil fuels or electric-resistant heat for reheating, while simultaneously precooling and lowering the dew point for dehumidification. By utilizing refrigerant to air heat exchangers and additional variations adding water-source heat pump technology in combination with traditional hydronic air handlers, the hybrid air handler systems can be configured to achieve various operational benefits.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the hybrid air handler system disclosed herein can be configured to pretreat the outdoor air and reheat it to neutral (e.g., to a temperature of adjustable 72° F.) before being delivered to the space by recapturing some of the excess condenser water energy. Such pretreatment and reheating of the outdoor air to a neutral temperature reduces or eliminates the need for inefficient electric heat or gas heat to accomplish the same task.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the hybrid air handler system disclosed herein reduces the surface area of the hydronic coil while providing the same desired operational level as of a larger hydronic coil. The availability of such configurations allows an older (larger footprint) air handler to be refitted with smaller footprint option and thereby saves space in building installation.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the hybrid air handler system disclosed herein reduces the required flow rate (gallons per minute or GPM) within the building water loop which in turn reduces energy use by lowering pumping system requirements for a building.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the hybrid air handler system disclosed herein is configured for additional system capacity without the need to increase the size of the chiller plant of the building.
In still yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the hybrid air handler system disclosed herein can optimize the temperature of a building hydronic loop during both heating and cooling which in turn reduces the energy usage of a building. As compared to typical building chilled water and hot water supply temperatures running at 45° F. and 130° F. (adjustable) respectively—the improved apparatus and method of the hybrid air handler system disclosed herein can, for example, raise the supply temperature to 50° F. (adjustable) for cooling and lower it to 70° F. (adjustable) for heating. Such temperatures represent a substantial reduction in chiller/boiler load and significant energy savings for the heating and cooling system of the building.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the hybrid air handler system disclosed herein allows for configuration and coupling of multiple hybrid air handlers within a system. The fully integrated multiple hybrid air handlers are configured to communicate with one another for load balancing and/or load shifting during operation of the building heating and cooling system.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the hybrid air handler system disclosed herein can enhance the flexibility of each of the air handlers to heat or cool the spaces they serve by being able to heat or cool with a more stable water loop temperature and eliminating the need to have an additional heating loop for performing the same task.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the hybrid air handler system disclosed herein can be configured to provide more unit capacity in a smaller footprint for building retrofits and/or expansions of a building heating and cooling system.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the hybrid air handler system disclosed herein can further couple with reversible air source heat pump chillers to eliminate the need for fossil fuels.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the hybrid air handler system disclosed herein is configured to allow for shoulder-season heating and cooling capacity on a more economical two-pipe water loop installation system.
In still yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the hybrid air handler system disclosed herein can implement a control scheme via a controller (as further discussed below) configured to select the most efficient operation from an energy and comfort standpoint for a building heating and cooling system.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the hybrid air handler system 200 (as shown in
The controller is configured to run a control algorithm in order to operate the air ventilation system by executing the steps as illustrated in
Once the desired set points have been achieved (2014), the HAH 200 continues the operation until the operation call is disabled (2016). However, if the EWLT temperature is not able to condition the entering air to a certain desired set points (2008) and the desired setpoints are still not being achieved after engaging the fan (2010) and monitoring the supply air temperature and humidity (2012)—the HAH 200 is configured to make another attempt (on a continuous feedback loop basis) to set the desired set points, as discussed below.
During its second attempt to set the desired set points, the HAH 200 (1) starts monitoring the supply air temperature and humidity (2018); (2) engages the refrigeration system and begins modulation (2020) while continuing to check if the desired set points are being achieved for the system (2022). If the set points are achieved in the second attempt, the HAH 200 checks if the refrigeration operation is still required to meet the desired set points and, if so, continues such operation until the operation call is disabled (2026). However, if the set points are still not achieved (2022), the HAH 200 is further configured to increase modulation in order to increase the refrigeration capacity (2028) until the desired set points are achieved (2022). Alternatively, if the refrigeration operation is not required anymore to meet the set points, the HAH 200 is configured to shut down the refrigeration and return to water coil operation (2026).
The hybrid air handler system 300 (HAH 300) in
In addition, as shown in
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the hybrid air handler system 300 (as shown in
Once the desired set points have been achieved (3014), the HAH 300 continues the operation until the operation call is disabled (3016). However, if the EWLT temperature is not able to condition the entering air to a certain desired set points (3008) and the desired setpoints are still not being achieved after engaging the fan (3010) and monitoring the supply air temperature and humidity (3012), the HAH 300 is configured to make another attempt (on a continuous feedback loop basis) to set the desired set points, as discussed below.
During its second attempt to set the desired set points, the HAH 300 (1) starts monitoring the supply air temperature and humidity (3018); (2) engages the refrigeration system (3020) and begins modulation (3020). Next, the HAH 300 checks if the condenser reheating is enough to balance the system. If the condenser reheating is enough to balance the system, the HAH 300 checks if the desired set points are being achieved for the system (3024). Alternatively, if the condenser reheating is not enough to balance the system, the HAH 300 is configured to engage the liquid subcooling coil 304 and modulate the condenser (3030)—on a continuous feedback loop basis. If the set points are achieved in the second attempt, the HAH 300 checks if the refrigeration operation is still required to meet the desired set points and, if so, continue such operation until the operation call is disabled (3028). However, if the set points are still not achieved (3024), the HAH 300 is further configured to increase modulation in order to increase the refrigeration capacity (3032) until the desired set points are achieved (3024). Alternatively, if the refrigeration operation is not required anymore to meet the set points, the HAH 200 is configured to shut down the refrigeration and return to water coil operation (3034).
By way of example and not of limitation,
Once the desired set points have been achieved, the HAH 400 continues the operation call is disabled (4016). However, if the EWLT is not able to condition the entering air to certain desired set points (4008) and the desired setpoints are still not being achieved after engaging the fan (4010) and monitoring the supply air temperature and humidity (4012)—the HAH 400 is configured to make another attempt (on a continuous feedback loop basis) to set the desired set points, as discussed below
During its second attempt to set the desired set points, the HAH 400 (1) opens the three-way leaving water control valve (4018); (2) engages the fan 414 (4020); (3) starts monitoring the supply air temperature and humidity (4022); (4) engages the refrigeration system (3020) and begins modulation (3020) and continues to check if the desired set points are being achieved for the system (4026). If the set points are achieved in the second attempt, the HAH 400 checks if the refrigeration operation is still required to meet the desired set points (4028) and, if so, continue such operation until the operation call is disabled (4030). However, if the set points are still not achieved (4026), the HAH 400 is further configured to increase modulation in order to increase the refrigeration capacity (4032) until the desired set points are achieved (4026). Alternatively, if the refrigeration operation is not required anymore to meet the set points (4028), the HAH 400 is configured to shut down the refrigeration and return to water coil operation (4034).
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the hybrid air handler system 500 discussed below (and shown in
Once the desired set points have been achieved, the HAH 500 continues the operation until the operation call is disabled (5016). However, if the EWLT temperature is not able to condition the entering air to a certain desired set points (5008) and the desired setpoints are still not being achieved after engaging the fan (5010) and monitoring the supply air temperature and humidity (5012)—the HAH 500 is configured to make another attempt (on a continuous feedback loop basis) to set the desired set points, as discussed below.
During its second attempt to set the desired set points, the HAH 500 (1) opens the three-way leaving water control valve (5018); (2) engages the fan 514 (5020); (3) starts monitoring the supply air temperature and humidity (5022); and (4) engages the refrigeration system and begins modulation (5024) and continues to check if the desired set points are being achieved for the system (5026). If the set points are achieved in the second attempt, the HAH 500 checks (a) if the heat of rejection via reheating is enough to balance refrigeration operation (5028) and, if so, the HAH 500 begins closing the three-way leaving water control valve and continues the operation until the operation call is disabled (5032); and (b) if the refrigeration operation is still required to meet the desired set points (5042) and, if so, continue such operation until operation call is disabled (5040). However, if the set points are still not achieved at this stage (5026), the HAH 500 is further configured to increase modulation in order to increase the refrigeration capacity (5034) until the desired set points are achieved (5026) in a continuous feedback loop. It is to be noted that the HAH 500, performs the following steps: checking if the heat of rejection via reheating is enough to balance refrigeration operation (5028) and, if so, begin closing the three-way leaving water control valve in a continuous feedback-driven loop until the point where the heat of rejection via reheating is not enough to balance refrigeration operation (5028). Once the HAH 500 realizes that the heat of rejection via reheating (5028) is not enough to balance refrigeration, the HAH 500 continues utilizing the leaving water loop (5036) and continues the operation until the operation call is disabled (5032). Alternatively, if the refrigeration operation is not required anymore to meet the set points (5042), the HAH 500 is configured to shut down the refrigeration and return to water coil operation (5044).
The hybrid air handler system 600 disclosed herein uses the water leaving the air handler 622 fluidly coupled with a direct-expansion refrigeration system to further cool the leaving air from the hydronic coil 605. By way of example and not of limitation,
Once the desired set points have been achieved, the HAH 600 continues the cooling boost water source operation until the operation call is disabled (6016). However, if the EWLT temperature is not able to condition the entering air to a certain desired set points (6008) and the desired setpoints are still not being achieved after engaging the fan (6010) and monitoring the supply air temperature and humidity (6012), the HAH 600 is configured to make another attempt (on a continuous feedback loop basis) to set the desired set points, as discussed below.
During its second attempt to set the desired set points, the HAH 600 (1) opens the three-way leaving water control valve (6018); (2) engages the fan 614 (6020); (3) starts monitoring the supply air temperature and humidity (6022); and (4) checks if operation call is a cooling operation call (6024). If the system recognizes the call as a cooling operation call, the HAH 300 engages (a) the reversing valve (if equipped) (6026) and (b) the refrigeration system and begins modulation (6028) while continuing to check if the desired set points are being achieved for the system (6030). If the set points are achieved in the second attempt, the HAH 600 checks if the refrigeration operation is still required to meet the desired set points (6042) and, if so, continue such operation until operation call is disabled (6044). However, if the set points are still not achieved (6034), the HAH 600 is further configured to increase modulation in order to increase the refrigeration capacity (6040) in a continuous feedback loop basis until the desired set points are achieved (6034). Alternatively, if the refrigeration operation is not required anymore to meet the set points (6042), the HAH 600 is configured to shut down the refrigeration and return to water coil operation (6046).
Once the desired set points have been achieved, the HAH 700 continues the cooling boost water source operation until the operation call is disabled (7016). However, if the EWLT temperature is not able to condition the entering air to certain desired set points (7008) and the desired setpoints are still not being achieved after engaging the fan (7010) and monitoring the supply air temperature and humidity (7012), the HAH 700 is configured to make another attempt (on a continuous feedback loop basis) to set the desired set points, as discussed below.
During its second attempt to set the desired set points, the HAH 700 (1) opens the three-way leaving water control valve (7018); (2) engages the fan 714 (7020); and (3) checks if operation call is a cooling operation call (7024).
If the system recognizes the call as a cooling operation call, the HAH 700 engages (a) the reversing valve (if equipped) (7026) and (b) the refrigeration system and begins modulation (7028) while continuing to check if the desired set points are being achieved for the system (7030). If the set points are achieved in the second attempt, the HAH 700 checks if the refrigeration operation is still required to meet the desired set points (7042) and, if so, continue such operation until the operation call is disabled (7044). However, if the set points are still not achieved (7034), the HAH 700 is further configured to increase modulation in order to increase the refrigeration capacity (7040) in a continuous feedback loop basis until the desired set points are achieved (7034). Alternatively, if the refrigeration operation is not required anymore to meet the set points (7042), the HAH 700 is configured to shut down the refrigeration and return to water coil operation (7046).
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the hybrid air handler system 700 is configured for switchable operation of the system based on space demand without the need to change over the building loop temperature and/or to have a separate loop for heating or cooling. The hybrid air handler system 700 depicted and illustrated in
It is understood that the preceding is merely a detailed description of some examples and embodiments of the present disclosure, and that numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments may be made in accordance with the disclosure made herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. For instance, various embodiments of a hydronic air handler, a heat pump or a water source heat pump disclosed herein can be designed and configured to generate the hybrid air handler system disclosed herein. The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention,” “the present invention,” “disclosure,” “the disclosure” and “the present disclosure” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below.
Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are also defined by the claims below. In addition, “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed.
The appearance of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. It is further understood that certain terms may be used herein merely describe points of reference and do not necessarily limit embodiments of the present disclosure to any particular orientation or configuration. Furthermore, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., merely identify one of a number of portions, components, steps, operations, functions and/or points of reference as disclosed herein, and likewise do not necessarily limit embodiments of the present disclosure to any particular configuration or orientation.
The preceding description, therefore, is not meant to limit the scope of the disclosure but to provide sufficient disclosure to allow one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the disclosure without undue burden. The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including but not limited to”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein, if any, are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.
The apparatus and methods described and disclosed herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. It is understood that the preceding is merely a detailed description of some examples and embodiments of the present disclosure and that numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments may be made in accordance with the disclosure made herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. The preceding description, therefore, is not meant to limit the scope of the disclosure, but to provide sufficient disclosure to allow one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the disclosure without undue burden.
It is further understood that the scope of the present disclosure fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art. Features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used in another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and it is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure, which broader aspects are embodied in the exemplary constructions.
This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/471,127 filed Jun. 5, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63471127 | Jun 2023 | US |
