Patent Grant
10113776
The present subject matter relates generally to heat pump systems, such as packaged terminal air conditioner units, and sealed systems for the same.
Certain packaged terminal air conditioner units (PTACs) include a sealed system for chilling and/or heating air. The sealed systems include various components for treating a refrigerant in order to cool or heat air. The sealed system components are generally positioned within a casing that can be mounted within a wall or window of an associated building. Due to space constraints within the casing, selection of sealed system components for packaged terminal air conditioner units can be limited to relatively small components.
Packaged terminal air conditioner units are frequently classified and sold by efficiency. Customers generally prefer efficient packaged terminal air conditioner units because small improvements in heating and cooling efficiency can provide a significant reduction in utility bills. Energy efficiency in packaged terminal air conditioner units is generally a function of compressor size and efficiency, heat exchanger size, design, and airflow, and fan design among other factors. However, high efficiency compressors are typically very expensive, and large heat exchangers may not fit within the limited space available in the casing of a packaged terminal air conditioner unit.
Accordingly, a packaged terminal air conditioner unit with features for assisting with increasing an efficiency of the packaged terminal air conditioner would be useful. In particular, a packaged terminal air conditioner unit with features for assisting with increasing an efficiency of the packaged terminal air conditioner without requiring a high efficiency compressor and/or a large heat exchanger would be useful.
The present subject matter provides a packaged terminal air conditioner unit. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit includes a casing. A compressor, an interior coil, an exterior coil and a reversing valve are positioned within the casing. The reversing valve is configured for selectively reversing a flow direction of compressed refrigerant from the compressor. The packaged terminal air conditioner also includes at least one ejector for combining a stream of refrigerant from a primary loop with a stream of refrigerant from an auxiliary cooling loop, thereby improving system efficiency. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In a first exemplary embodiment, a packaged terminal air conditioner unit is provided. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit includes a casing extending between an exterior side portion and an interior side portion. A compressor is positioned within the casing, the compressor being operable to compress a refrigerant. An exterior coil is positioned within the casing at the exterior side portion of the casing, a primary interior coil is positioned within the casing at the interior side portion of the casing and a secondary interior coil is positioned within the casing at the interior side portion of the casing. A reversing valve is positioned within the casing, the reversing valve being in fluid communication with the compressor in order to receive compressed refrigerant from the compressor and selectively direct the compressed refrigerant from the compressor. An ejector is configured for combining two or more streams of refrigerant. A primary loop has a first portion extending between the reversing valve and the exterior coil, a second portion extending between the exterior coil and the ejector, a third portion extending between the ejector and the primary interior coil, and a fourth portion extending between the primary interior coil and the reversing valve. An auxiliary loop conduit has a first portion extending between the third portion of the primary loop and the secondary interior coil, a second portion extending between the secondary interior coil and the second portion of the primary loop, and a third portion extending between the secondary interior coil and the ejector.
In a second exemplary embodiment, a packaged terminal air conditioner unit is provided. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit includes a casing extending between an exterior side portion and an interior side portion. A compressor is positioned within the casing, the compressor being operable to compress a refrigerant. An exterior coil is positioned within the casing at the exterior side portion of the casing, a primary interior coil is positioned within the casing at the interior side portion of the casing and a secondary interior coil is positioned within the casing at the interior side portion of the casing. A reversing valve is positioned within the casing, the reversing valve being in fluid communication with the compressor in order to receive compressed refrigerant from the compressor and selectively direct the compressed refrigerant from the compressor. An ejector is configured for combining two or more streams of refrigerant. A primary loop has a first portion extending between the reversing valve and the exterior coil, a second portion extending between the exterior coil and the ejector, a third portion extending between the ejector and the primary interior coil, and a fourth portion extending between the primary interior coil and the reversing valve. An auxiliary loop conduit has a first portion extending between the third portion of the primary loop and the secondary interior coil, and a second portion extending between the secondary interior coil and the ejector. The second portion of the primary loop comprises a check valve configured to prevent the flow of refrigerant back in to the exterior coil and an expansion device plumbed in parallel.
In a third exemplary embodiment, a packaged terminal air conditioner unit is provided. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit includes a casing extending between an exterior side portion and an interior side portion. A compressor is positioned within the casing, the compressor being operable to compress a refrigerant. An exterior coil is positioned within the casing at the exterior side portion of the casing, a primary interior coil is positioned within the casing at the interior side portion of the casing and a secondary interior coil is positioned within the casing at the interior side portion of the casing. A reversing valve is positioned within the casing, the reversing valve being in fluid communication with the compressor in order to receive compressed refrigerant from the compressor and selectively direct the compressed refrigerant from the compressor. An ejector is configured for combining two or more streams of refrigerant. A primary loop has a first portion extending between the reversing valve and the exterior coil, a second portion extending between the exterior coil and the ejector, a third portion extending between the ejector and the primary interior coil, and a fourth portion extending between the primary interior coil and the reversing valve. An auxiliary loop conduit has a first portion extending between the third portion of the primary loop and a three-way valve, a second portion extending between the three way valve and the secondary interior coil, a third portion extending between the secondary interior coil and the ejector, and a fourth portion extending between the three-way valve and the second portion of the primary loop.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.
Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
As may be seen in
Casing 110 defines a mechanical compartment 116. Sealed system 120 is disposed or positioned within mechanical compartment 116 of casing 110. A front panel 118 and a rear grill or screen 119 are mounted to casing 110 and hinder or limit access to mechanical compartment 116 of casing 110. Front panel 118 is mounted to casing 110 at interior side portion 112 of casing 110, and rear screen 119 is mounted to casing 110 at exterior side portion 114 of casing 110. Front panel 118 and rear screen 119 each define a plurality of holes that permit air to flow through front panel 118 and rear screen 119, with the holes sized for preventing foreign objects from passing through front panel 118 and rear screen 119 into mechanical compartment 116 of casing 110.
Packaged terminal air conditioner unit 100 also includes a drain pan or bottom tray 128 and an inner wall 130 positioned within mechanical compartment 116 of casing 110. Sealed system 120 is positioned on bottom tray 128. Thus, liquid runoff from sealed system 120 may flow into and collect within bottom tray 128. Inner wall 130 may be mounted to bottom tray 128 and extend upwardly from bottom tray 128 to a top wall of casing 110. Inner wall 130 limits or prevents air flow between interior side portion 112 of casing 110 and exterior side portion 114 of casing 110 within mechanical compartment 116 of casing 110. Thus, inner wall 130 may divide mechanical compartment 116 of casing 110.
Packaged terminal air conditioner unit 100 further includes a controller 132 with user inputs, such as buttons, switches and/or dials. Controller 132 regulates operation of packaged terminal air conditioner unit 100. Thus, controller 132 is in operative communication with various components of packaged terminal air conditioner unit 100, such as components of sealed system 120 and/or a temperature sensor, such as a thermistor or thermocouple, for measuring the temperature of the interior atmosphere. In particular, controller 132 may selectively activate sealed system 120 in order to chill or heat air within sealed system 120, e.g., in response to temperature measurements from the temperature sensor.
Controller 132 includes memory and one or more processing devices such as microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of packaged terminal air conditioner unit 100. The memory can represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. The processor executes programming instructions stored in the memory. The memory can be a separate component from the processor or can be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 132 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.
During operation of sealed system 150, compressor 152 operates to increase a pressure of the refrigerant within compressor 152. In particular, vapor refrigerant from interior coil 154 is directed to compressor 152 in the cooling mode. Vapor refrigerant from interior coil 154 may be a fluid in the form of a superheated vapor. Upon exiting interior coil 154, the refrigerant may enter compressor 152, and compressor 152 may operate to compress the refrigerant. Accordingly, the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant may be increased in compressor 152 such that the refrigerant becomes a more high-pressure superheated vapor.
Exterior coil 156 is disposed downstream of compressor 152, and when sealed system 150 is operating in the cooling mode, exterior coil 156 acts as a condenser. Thus, exterior coil 156 is operable to reject heat into the exterior atmosphere, e.g., at exterior side portion 114 of casing 110, when sealed system 150 is operating in the cooling mode. For example, the superheated vapor from compressor 152 may enter exterior coil 156 via suitable conduit or piping 158 that extends between and fluidly connects compressor 152 and exterior coil 156. Within exterior coil 156, the refrigerant from compressor 152 transfers energy to the exterior atmosphere and condenses into a saturated liquid, a liquid-vapor mixture, and/or a subcooled liquid. An exterior air handler or fan (not shown) may be positioned adjacent exterior coil 156 to facilitate or urge a flow of air from the exterior atmosphere across exterior coil 156 in order to facilitate heat transfer.
An expansion device 160 is disposed on conduit 158 between exterior coil 156 and interior coil 154. In the cooling mode, liquid refrigerant from exterior coil 156 travels through expansion device 160 before flowing through interior coil 154. Expansion device 160 may generally expand the refrigerant, thereby lowering its pressure and temperature. The refrigerant may then be flowed through interior coil 154.
As used herein, expansion device may refer to any device suitable for throttling or expanding the refrigerant flowing through a conduit. For example, according to the illustrated embodiment, expansion device 160 is a capillary tube that allows refrigerant to expand after leaving exterior coil 156 prior to entering interior coil 154. According to other exemplary embodiments, expansion device 160 may be a J-T valve or an electronic expansion valve that enables controlled expansion of refrigerant. In this regard, expansion device 160 may be configured to precisely control the expansion of refrigerant to maintain, for example, a desired temperature differential of the refrigerant across the interior coil 154 or exterior coil 156, or to ensure that the refrigerant is in the gaseous state prior to entering compressor 152. Other types, configurations, and locations of expansion devices are possible and within the scope of the present subject matter.
Interior coil 154 is disposed on conduit 158 between expansion device 160 and compressor 152. In this manner, when sealed system 150 is operating in the cooling mode, interior coil 154 is disposed downstream of expansion device 160 and acts as an evaporator. Thus, interior coil 154 is operable to heat refrigerant within interior coil 154 with energy from the interior atmosphere, e.g., at interior side portion 112 of casing 110, when sealed system 150 is operating in the cooling mode. For example, within interior coil 154, the refrigerant from expansion device 160 receives energy from the interior atmosphere and vaporizes into superheated vapor and/or high quality vapor mixture. An interior air handler or fan (not shown) may be positioned adjacent interior coil 154 to facilitate or urge a flow of air from the interior atmosphere across interior coil 154 in order to facilitate heat transfer.
During operation of sealed system 150 in the heating mode, a reversing valve (not shown) reverses the direction of refrigerant flow through sealed system 150. Thus, in the heating mode, interior coil 154 is disposed downstream of compressor 152 and acts as a condenser, e.g., such that interior coil 154 is operable to reject heat into the interior atmosphere at interior side portion 112 of casing 110. The refrigerant from interior coil 154 travels through expansion device 160, which may generally expand the refrigerant, thereby lowering its pressure and temperature, as described above. The refrigerant may then flow through exterior coil 156.
Exterior coil 156 is disposed on conduit 158 between expansion device 160 and compressor 152. In this manner, when sealed system 150 is operating in the heating mode, exterior coil 156 is disposed downstream of expansion device 160 and acts as an evaporator. Thus, exterior coil 156 is operable to heat refrigerant within exterior coil 156 with energy from the exterior atmosphere, e.g., at exterior side portion 114 of casing 110, when sealed system 150 is operating in the heating mode. For example, within exterior coil 156, the refrigerant from expansion device 160 receives energy from the exterior atmosphere and vaporizes into superheated vapor and/or high quality vapor mixture. From exterior coil 156, refrigerant is directed back to compressor 152, and the heat pump cycle may be repeated.
Like sealed system 150 (
More specifically, compressor 202 and exterior coil 206 may be fluidly coupled by a first portion 220 of primary loop 208, exterior coil 206 and ejector 212 may be fluidly coupled by a second portion 222 of primary loop 208, ejector 212 and primary interior coil 204 may be fluidly coupled by a third portion 224 of primary loop 208, and primary interior coil 204 may be fluidly coupled with compressor 202 by a fourth portion 226 of primary loop 208.
As shown in
In this manner, when sealed system 200 is operating, the flow of refrigerant from compressor 202 through ejector 212 entrains vapor phase refrigerant from auxiliary loop 210, i.e., via secondary interior coil 230. In particular, ejector 212 may be configured for combining streams of refrigerant via the Venturi effect or any other suitable means. Ejector 212 is positioned between second portion 222 and third portion 224 of primary loop and receives vapor phase refrigerant from secondary interior coil 230 via second portion 242 of auxiliary loop 210 that extends between and fluidly connects secondary interior coil 230 and ejector 212. Ejector 212 directs or urges the vapor phase refrigerant from second portion 242 of auxiliary loop 210 and refrigerant flowing through second portion 222 of primary loop 208 into third portion 224 of primary loop 208.
As illustrated in
Sealed system 300 may be used with or in any suitable packaged terminal air conditioner unit. For example, sealed system 300 may be used in packaged terminal air conditioner unit 100 (
Sealed system 300 generally operates in either a refrigeration cycle or a heat pump cycle. Sealed system 300 includes similar components to sealed system 200 and operates in a similar manner. For example, sealed system 300 includes a compressor 302, a primary interior heat exchanger or coil 304, an exterior heat exchanger or coil 306, and a primary loop 308 of conduit that operably couples these components. Sealed system 300 also includes an auxiliary cooling loop 310 including an ejector 312 and several additional components configured to control the flow and behavior of the refrigerant within sealed system 300, as described below.
Primary loop 308 includes a plurality of piping or conduit sections that connect or fluidly couple various components of sealed system 300. More specifically, compressor 302 and exterior coil 306 may be fluidly coupled by a first portion 320 of primary loop 308, exterior coil 306 and ejector 312 may be fluidly coupled by a second portion 322 of primary loop 308, ejector 312 and primary interior coil 304 may be fluidly coupled by a third portion 324 of primary loop 308, and primary interior coil 304 may be fluidly coupled with compressor 302 by a fourth portion 326 of primary loop 308.
As shown in
Sealed system 300 may further include one or more one-way valves, e.g., check valves, that are positioned on primary loop 308 or auxiliary loop 310 to prevent the flow of refrigerant in a particular direction. More specifically, as shown in
A second check valve 354 may be coupled to second portion 322 of primary loop 308 between exterior coil 306 and ejector 312, i.e., upstream of ejector 312 when in the cooling mode. In this manner, second check valve 354 prevents the flow of refrigerant back into exterior coil 306 from ejector 312.
A third check valve 356 may be coupled to third portion 344 of auxiliary loop 310, i.e., downstream of secondary interior coil 330 when in the cooling mode. In this manner, third check valve 356 prevents the flow of refrigerant back into secondary interior coil 330 from exterior coil 306.
As may be seen in
As shown in
The refrigerant then flows through second portion 322 of primary loop 308 and into ejector 312. Notably, third check valve 356 prevents refrigerant from flowing through third portion 344 of auxiliary loop 310 toward secondary interior coil 330. The refrigerant passes through ejector 312, which combines a stream of refrigerant from primary loop 308 with a stream of refrigerant from auxiliary loop 310, thereby improving system efficiency as described above. More specifically, the flow of refrigerant from compressor 302 through ejector 312 entrains vapor phase refrigerant from auxiliary loop 310, i.e., via secondary interior coil 330. From ejector 312, the combined refrigerant stream is passed through both primary interior coil 304 (via third portion 324 of primary loop 308) and through secondary interior coil 330 (via first expansion device 332). In particular, ejector 312 may be configured for combining streams of refrigerant via the Venturi effect or any other suitable means.
Therefore, when sealed system 300 is operating in the cooling mode (
As shown in
Upon exiting secondary interior coil 330, refrigerant flows through third portion 344 of auxiliary loop 310 through the forward-biased third check valve 356 and second expansion device 334. Second expansion device 334 may generally expand the refrigerant, thereby lowering its pressure and temperature. The refrigerant may then be flowed through exterior coil 306.
When sealed system 300 is operating in the heating mode, exterior coil 306 acts as an evaporator and absorbs heat energy from the exterior atmosphere, e.g., at exterior side portion 114 of casing 110, when sealed system 300 is operating in the heating mode. For example, within exterior coil 306, the refrigerant from second expansion device 334 receives energy from the exterior atmosphere and vaporizes into superheated vapor and/or high quality vapor mixture. An exterior air handler or fan (not shown) may be positioned adjacent exterior coil 306 to facilitate or urge a flow of air from the exterior atmosphere across exterior coil 306 in order to facilitate heat transfer. From exterior coil 306, refrigerant is directed back to compressor 302, and the cycle is repeated.
In addition to the efficiency improvements described above with respect to sealed system 200, sealed system 300 may exhibit additional performance advantages. For example, sealed system 300 operates with ejector 312 and auxiliary cooling loop 310 in the cooling mode, but acts similar to a conventional sealed system (but with two evaporators) when operating in the heating mode. More specifically, in the heating mode, refrigerant flows through primary interior coil 304 and secondary interior coil 330 in series, thereby condensing and rejecting heat into the room.
Sealed system 400 may be used with or in any suitable packaged terminal air conditioner unit. For example, sealed system 400 may be used in packaged terminal air conditioner unit 100 (
Like sealed system 300 (
Primary loop 408 includes a plurality of piping or conduit sections that connect or fluidly couple various components of sealed system 400. More specifically, compressor 402 and exterior coil 406 may be fluidly coupled by a first portion 420 of primary loop 408, exterior coil 406 and ejector 412 may be fluidly coupled by a second portion 422 of primary loop 408, ejector 412 and phase separator 414 may be fluidly coupled by a third portion 424 of primary loop 408, phase separator 414 and primary interior coil 404 may be fluidly coupled by a fourth portion 426 of primary loop 408, and primary interior coil 404 may be fluidly coupled with compressor 402 by a fifth portion 428 of primary loop 408. Moreover, phase separator 414 may further include a vapor bypass conduit 470, which fluidly couples phase separator 414 with fifth portion 428 of primary loop 408, as explained below.
As shown in
Sealed system 400 may further include one or more one-way valves, e.g., check valves, that are positioned on primary loop 408 or auxiliary loop 410 to prevent the flow of refrigerant in a particular direction. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, a first check valve 452 may be coupled to fourth portion 426 of primary loop 408, i.e., downstream of phase separator 414 when in the cooling mode but upstream of the junction where auxiliary loop 410 splits off primary loop 408. In this manner, first check valve 452 prevents the flow of refrigerant back into phase separator 414 from primary interior coil 404 and from auxiliary loop 410.
A second check valve 454 may be coupled to second portion 422 of primary loop 408 between exterior coil 406 and ejector 412, i.e., upstream of ejector 412 when in the cooling mode. In this manner, second check valve 454 prevents the flow of refrigerant back into exterior coil 406 from ejector 412.
A third check valve 456 may be coupled to third portion 444 of auxiliary loop 410, i.e., downstream of secondary interior coil 430 when in the cooling mode. In this manner, third check valve 456 prevents the flow of refrigerant back into secondary interior coil 430 from exterior coil 406.
As may be seen in
As shown in
The refrigerant then flows through second portion 422 of primary loop 408 and into ejector 412. Notably, third check valve 456 prevents refrigerant from flowing through third portion 444 of auxiliary loop 410 toward secondary interior coil 430. The refrigerant passes through ejector 412, which combines a stream of refrigerant from primary loop 408 with a stream of refrigerant from auxiliary loop 410, thereby improving system efficiency as described above. More specifically, the flow of refrigerant from compressor 402 through ejector 412 entrains vapor phase refrigerant from auxiliary loop 410, i.e., via secondary interior coil 430, and the combined refrigerant stream is passed through phase separator 414. In particular, ejector 412 may be configured for combining streams of refrigerant via the Venturi effect or any other suitable means.
Phase separator 414 is configured for separating liquid refrigerant within phase separator 414 from vapor refrigerant within phase separator 414, e.g., when sealed system 400 is operating in the cooling mode. By separating liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant, phase separator 414 may improve a performance and/or efficiency of packaged terminal air conditioner unit 100. For example, the addition of phase separator 414 may further reduce the pressure drop in primary interior coil 404 and/or secondary interior coil 430 by bypassing the vapor flow.
It should be understood that phase separator 414 (as well as other phase separators described herein) may be any suitable type of phase separator. For example, phase separator 414 may be constructed in the same or similar manner to the phase separator described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0143836 and/or the phase separator described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0300710, both of which are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. Within a casing of phase separator 414, liquid phase refrigerant may collect or pool at a bottom portion of phase separator 414 and vapor phase refrigerant may collect or pool at a top portion of phase separator 414, e.g., due to density differences between the liquid and vapor phase refrigerants.
Fourth portion 426 of primary loop 408 may extend between and fluidly couple the bottom portion of phase separator 414 and the primary interior coil 404. In addition, vapor bypass conduit 470 may extend between and fluidly couple the top portion of phase separator 414 and fifth portion 428 of primary loop 408. In this manner, liquid phase refrigerant in phase separator 414 may pass to primary interior coil 404 as well as secondary interior coil 430 (via first expansion device 432), while vapor phase refrigerant in phase separator 414 may pass through vapor bypass conduit 470 to compressor 402. A vapor bypass check valve 472 may be coupled to vapor bypass conduit 470, i.e., downstream of phase separator 414 when in the cooling mode. In this manner, vapor bypass check valve 472 prevents the flow of refrigerant back into phase separator 414 from compressor 402 or fifth portion 428 of primary loop 408.
Therefore, when sealed system 400 is operating in the cooling mode (
As shown in
Upon exiting secondary interior coil 430, refrigerant flows through third portion 444 of auxiliary loop 410 through the forward-biased third check valve 456 and second expansion device 434. Second expansion device 434 may generally expand the refrigerant, thereby lowering its pressure and temperature. The refrigerant may then be flowed through exterior coil 406.
When sealed system 400 is operating in the heating mode, exterior coil 406 acts as an evaporator and absorbs heat energy from the exterior atmosphere, e.g., at exterior side portion 114 of casing 110, when sealed system 400 is operating in the heating mode. For example, within exterior coil 406, the refrigerant from second expansion device 434 receives energy from the exterior atmosphere and vaporizes into superheated vapor and/or high quality vapor mixture. An exterior air handler or fan (not shown) may be positioned adjacent exterior coil 406 to facilitate or urge a flow of air from the exterior atmosphere across exterior coil 406 in order to facilitate heat transfer. From exterior coil 406, refrigerant is directed back to compressor 402, and the cycle is repeated.
Sealed system 400 is identical to that described above, except that phase separator 414 is positioned between the point on primary loop 408 where auxiliary loop 410 splits off and primary interior coil 404. In this manner, phase separator 414 feeds liquid phase refrigerant only to primary interior coil 404 (and not secondary interior coil 430) when sealed system 400 operates in the cooling mode. As explained above, by separating liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant, phase separator 414 may improve a performance and/or efficiency of packaged terminal air conditioner unit 100, e.g., by reducing the pressure drop in primary interior coil 404 by bypassing the vapor flow.
Sealed system 500 may be used with or in any suitable packaged terminal air conditioner unit. For example, sealed system 500 may be used in packaged terminal air conditioner unit 100 (
Like sealed system 300 (
Primary loop 508 includes a plurality of piping or conduit sections that connect or fluidly couple various components of sealed system 500. More specifically, compressor 502 and exterior coil 506 may be fluidly coupled by a first portion 520 of primary loop 508, exterior coil 506 and ejector 512 may be fluidly coupled by a second portion 522 of primary loop 508, ejector 512 and primary interior coil 504 may be fluidly coupled by a third portion 524 of primary loop 508, and primary interior coil 504 may be fluidly coupled with compressor 502 by a fourth portion 526 of primary loop 508. A primary loop expansion device 528 may be coupled to second portion 522 of primary loop 508. Primary loop expansion device 528 may generally expand the refrigerant, thereby lowering its pressure and temperature, as explained above.
As shown in
Sealed system 500 may further include one or more one-way valves, e.g., check valves, that are positioned on primary loop 508 to prevent the flow of refrigerant in a particular direction. More specifically, as shown in
As may be seen in
As shown in
The refrigerant then flows through second portion 522 of primary loop 508 through second check valve 554 and into ejector 512. The refrigerant passes through ejector 512, which combines a stream of refrigerant from primary loop 508 with a stream of refrigerant from auxiliary loop 510, thereby improving system efficiency as described above. More specifically, the flow of refrigerant from compressor 502 through ejector 512 entrains vapor phase refrigerant from auxiliary loop 510, i.e., via secondary interior coil 530. From ejector 512, the combined refrigerant stream is passed through both primary interior coil 504 (via third portion 524 of primary loop 508) and through secondary interior coil 530 (via first expansion device 532). In particular, ejector 512 may be configured for combining streams of refrigerant via the Venturi effect or any other suitable means.
Therefore, when sealed system 500 is operating in the cooling mode (
As shown in
Upon exiting secondary interior coil 530, refrigerant flows through second portion 542 of auxiliary loop 510 and through ejector 512. Second check valve 554 forces the flow of refrigerant through primary loop expansion device 528, which may generally expand the refrigerant, thereby lowering its pressure and temperature. The refrigerant may then be flowed through exterior coil 506.
When sealed system 500 is operating in the heating mode, exterior coil 506 acts as an evaporator and absorbs heat energy from the exterior atmosphere, e.g., at exterior side portion 114 of casing 110, when sealed system 500 is operating in the heating mode. For example, within exterior coil 506, the refrigerant from primary loop expansion device 528 receives energy from the exterior atmosphere and vaporizes into superheated vapor and/or high quality vapor mixture. An exterior air handler or fan (not shown) may be positioned adjacent exterior coil 506 to facilitate or urge a flow of air from the exterior atmosphere across exterior coil 506 in order to facilitate heat transfer. From exterior coil 506, refrigerant is directed back to compressor 502, and the cycle is repeated.
Sealed system 600 may be used with or in any suitable packaged terminal air conditioner unit. For example, sealed system 600 may be used in packaged terminal air conditioner unit 100 (
Like sealed system 300 (
Primary loop 608 includes a plurality of piping or conduit sections that connect or fluidly couple various components of sealed system 600. More specifically, compressor 602 and exterior coil 606 may be fluidly coupled by a first portion 620 of primary loop 608, exterior coil 606 and ejector 612 may be fluidly coupled by a second portion 622 of primary loop 608, ejector 612 and phase separator 614 may be fluidly coupled by a third portion 624 of primary loop 608, phase separator 614 and primary interior coil 604 may be fluidly coupled by a fourth portion 626 of primary loop 608, and primary interior coil 604 may be fluidly coupled with compressor 602 by a fifth portion 628 of primary loop 608. Moreover, phase separator 614 may further include a vapor bypass conduit 670, which fluidly couples phase separator 614 with fifth portion 628 of primary loop 608, as explained below.
As shown in
Sealed system 600 may further include one or more one-way valves, e.g., check valves, that are positioned on primary loop 608 to prevent the flow of refrigerant in a particular direction. More specifically, as shown in
A second check valve 654 may be coupled to second portion 622 of primary loop 608 between exterior coil 606 and ejector 612, i.e., upstream of ejector 612 when in the cooling mode. In this manner, second check valve 654 is plumbed in parallel with a second expansion device 680 and is configured to prevent the flow of refrigerant back into exterior coil 606 from ejector 612, thereby forcing the flow of refrigerant from ejector 612 into exterior coil 606 through second expansion device 680 when the sealed system 600 is operating in the heating mode.
As may be seen in
As shown in
The refrigerant then flows through second portion 622 of primary loop 608, through forward-biased second check valve 654, and into ejector 612. The refrigerant passes through ejector 612, which combines a stream of refrigerant from primary loop 608 with a stream of refrigerant from auxiliary loop 610, thereby improving system efficiency as described above. More specifically, the flow of refrigerant from compressor 602 through ejector 612 entrains vapor phase refrigerant from auxiliary loop 610, i.e., via secondary interior coil 630. From ejector 612, the combined refrigerant stream is passed through both phase separator 614 (via third portion 624 of primary loop 608) and through secondary interior coil 630 (via first expansion device 632). In particular, ejector 612 may be configured for combining streams of refrigerant via the Venturi effect or any other suitable means.
Phase separator 614 is configured for separating liquid refrigerant within phase separator 614 from vapor refrigerant within phase separator 614, e.g., when sealed system 600 is operating in the cooling mode. More specifically, within a casing of phase separator 614, liquid phase refrigerant may collect or pool at a bottom portion of phase separator 614 and vapor phase refrigerant may collect or pool at a top portion of phase separator 614, e.g., due to density differences between the liquid and vapor phase refrigerants. By separating liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant, phase separator 614 may improve a performance and/or efficiency of packaged terminal air conditioner unit 100, as discussed in greater detail below.
Fourth portion 626 of primary loop 608 may extend between and fluidly couple the bottom portion of phase separator 614 and the primary interior coil 604. In addition, vapor bypass conduit 670 may extend between and fluidly couple the top portion of phase separator 614 and fifth portion 628 of primary loop 608. In this manner, liquid phase refrigerant in phase separator 614 may pass to primary interior coil 604 while vapor phase refrigerant in phase separator 614 may pass through vapor bypass conduit 670 to compressor 602. A vapor bypass check valve 672 may be coupled to vapor bypass conduit 670, i.e., downstream of phase separator 614 when in the cooling mode. In this manner, vapor bypass check valve 672 prevents the flow of refrigerant back into phase separator 614 from compressor 602 or fifth portion 628 of primary loop 608.
Therefore, when sealed system 600 is operating in the cooling mode (
As shown in
Upon exiting secondary interior coil 630, refrigerant flows through second portion 642 of auxiliary loop 610 and through ejector 612. Second check valve 654 is plumbed in parallel with second expansion device 680 and is configured to prevent the flow of refrigerant back in to exterior coil 606 through second check valve 654 when in the heating mode, thereby forcing the refrigerant through second expansion device 680. In this manner, refrigerant flows through forward-biased second check valve 654 when sealed system 600 is operating in the cooling mode (
When sealed system 600 is operating in the heating mode, exterior coil 606 acts as an evaporator and absorbs heat energy from the exterior atmosphere, e.g., at exterior side portion 114 of casing 110, when sealed system 600 is operating in the heating mode. For example, within exterior coil 606, the refrigerant from second expansion device 680 receives energy from the exterior atmosphere and vaporizes into superheated vapor and/or high quality vapor mixture. An exterior air handler or fan (not shown) may be positioned adjacent exterior coil 606 to facilitate or urge a flow of air from the exterior atmosphere across exterior coil 606 in order to facilitate heat transfer. From exterior coil 606, refrigerant is directed back to compressor 602, and the cycle is repeated.
Like sealed system 300 (
Primary loop 708 includes a plurality of piping or conduit sections that connect or fluidly couple various components of sealed system 700. More specifically, compressor 702 and exterior coil 706 may be fluidly coupled by a first portion 720 of primary loop 708, exterior coil 706 and ejector 712 may be fluidly coupled by a second portion 722 of primary loop 708, ejector 712 and primary interior coil 704 may be fluidly coupled by a third portion 724 of primary loop 708, and primary interior coil 704 may be fluidly coupled with compressor 702 by a fourth portion 726 of primary loop 708.
As shown in
Three-way valve 714 assists with switching sealed system 700 between the cooling mode and the heating mode, e.g., by modifying the flow of refrigerant between components of sealed system 700. For example, three-way valve 714 may be configured for selectively adjusting the flow of refrigerant between a first portion 740, a second portion 742, and a fourth portion 746 of auxiliary loop 710. More specifically, three-way valve 714 may be configured to switch between a first state (i.e., the cooling mode) that fluidly couples first portion 740 to second portion 742 and a second state (i.e., the heating mode) that fluidly couples second portion 742 and fourth portion 746 of auxiliary loop 710. First expansion device 732 may be coupled to first portion 740 of auxiliary loop 710 and second expansion device 734 may be coupled to fourth portion 746 of auxiliary loop 710.
Sealed system 700 may further include one or more one-way valves, e.g., check valves, that are positioned on primary loop 708 or auxiliary loop 710 to prevent the flow of refrigerant in a particular direction. More specifically, as shown in
As may be seen in
As shown in
The refrigerant then flows through second portion 722 of primary loop 708. Notably, three-way valve 714 is in its first state (i.e., cooling mode) such that fourth portion 746 is disconnected from second portion 742 of auxiliary loop 710. Therefore, refrigerant will not flow through fourth portion 746, but is instead forced through second portion 722 of primary loop 708 into ejector 712. The refrigerant passes through ejector 712, which combines a stream of refrigerant from primary loop 708 with a stream of refrigerant from auxiliary loop 710, thereby improving system efficiency as described above. More specifically, the flow of refrigerant from compressor 702 through ejector 712 entrains vapor phase refrigerant from auxiliary loop 710, i.e., via secondary interior coil 730. From ejector 712, the combined refrigerant stream is passed through both primary interior coil 704 (via third portion 724 of primary loop 708) and through secondary interior coil 730 (via first expansion device 732). In particular, ejector 712 may be configured for combining streams of refrigerant via the Venturi effect or any other suitable means.
Therefore, when sealed system 700 is operating in the cooling mode (
As shown in
Upon exiting secondary interior coil 730, refrigerant flows through second portion 742 of auxiliary loop 710, through three-way valve 714, and into fourth portion 746 of auxiliary loop 710. Second expansion device 734 is coupled to fourth portion 746 of auxiliary loop 710 and may generally expand the refrigerant prior to entering exterior coil 706, thereby lowering its pressure and temperature.
After exiting second expansion device 734, refrigerant enters exterior coil 706. When sealed system 700 is operating in the heating mode, exterior coil 706 acts as an evaporator and absorbs heat energy from the exterior atmosphere, e.g., at exterior side portion 114 of casing 110, when sealed system 700 is operating in the heating mode. For example, within exterior coil 706, the refrigerant from second expansion device 734 receives energy from the exterior atmosphere and vaporizes into superheated vapor and/or high quality vapor mixture. An exterior air handler or fan (not shown) may be positioned adjacent exterior coil 706 to facilitate or urge a flow of air from the exterior atmosphere across exterior coil 706 in order to facilitate heat transfer. From exterior coil 706, refrigerant is directed back to compressor 702, and the cycle is repeated.
Phase separator 770 may be coupled to third portion 724 of primary loop 708. As explained above, phase separator 770 is configured for separating liquid refrigerant within phase separator 770 from vapor refrigerant within phase separator 770, e.g., when sealed system 700 is operating in the cooling mode. More specifically, within a casing of phase separator 770, liquid phase refrigerant may collect or pool at a bottom portion of phase separator 770 and vapor phase refrigerant may collect or pool at a top portion of phase separator 770, e.g., due to density differences between the liquid and vapor phase refrigerants. By separating liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant, phase separator 770 may improve a performance and/or efficiency of packaged terminal air conditioner unit 100, as discussed above.
Liquid phase refrigerant is routed directly to primary interior coil 704 through third portion 724 of primary loop 708. Phase separator 770 may further include a vapor bypass conduit 772, which extends between and fluidly couples a top portion of phase separator 770 with fourth portion 726 of primary loop 708. In this manner, liquid phase refrigerant in phase separator 770 may pass to primary interior coil 704 while vapor phase refrigerant in phase separator 770 may pass through vapor bypass conduit 772 to compressor 702. A vapor bypass check valve 774 may be coupled to vapor bypass conduit 772, i.e., downstream of phase separator 770 when in the cooling mode. In this manner, vapor bypass check valve 774 prevents the flow of refrigerant back into phase separator 770 from compressor 702.
Notably, sealed system 700, whether configured as illustrated in
One skilled in the art will appreciate that sealed systems 150, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 are used only for the purposes of explaining aspects of the present subject matter. The components used and the configurations described may be adjusted as needed depending on the application to improve the energy efficiency ratio and performance of the sealed systems. These sealed systems may include additional features or components, and these components may be positioned at any suitable location within the sealed system while remaining within the scope of the present subject matter. Other components and configurations are also possible and within the scope of the present subject matter.
In addition, although refrigerant may be referred to herein as vapor phase or liquid phase refrigerant, one skilled in the art will appreciate that this does not mean that the refrigerant must be entirely in the liquid or vapor phase. Indeed, depending on the refrigerant, operating conditions, and other system parameters, refrigerant at any point in the exemplary sealed systems described herein may be a sub-cooled liquid, a liquid, a liquid-vapor mixture, a vapor, a superheated vapor, or some mixture thereof.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
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