The present invention generally relates to air conditioning and water heating systems that implement thermal energy storage devices.
Air conditioning is a convenience that is ubiquitous in modern society. Within the context of the instant application, ‘air conditioning’ can be understood to refer to the controlling of the properties of air—especially temperature—within a defined space, and is inclusive of both the heating and cooling of air (although note that ‘air conditioning’ is sometimes colloquially interpreted not to refer to heating—i.e. heating is sometimes colloquially understood to be separate from air conditioning). Air conditioning can be implemented using any of a variety of devices, and is typically used, for instance, to help create comfortable indoor environments. Importantly, one critical application for air conditioning is refrigeration, which is generally used to preserve/elongate the shelf life of foods. Typical air conditioning systems—including refrigerators—employ a ‘vapor-compression’ cycle to cool a targeted space. In a ‘vapor-compression’ cycle, a working fluid (e.g. a refrigerant) is circulated proximate the targeted space that is to be cooled, and is made to undergo iterative phase changes to continually remove heat from the targeted space and eject it outside of the targeted space.
Vapor-compression cycles are typically implemented via a compressor, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and a condenser, all operatively connected via piping that facilitates the circulation of a working fluid. Typically, the working fluid—in its liquid phase—is made to pass through the expansion valve and thereby experiences a pressure drop, and a corresponding temperature drop. The working fluid—typically then in a saturated fluid phase—subsequently passes through the evaporator, which is the target of the cooling efforts. This saturated fluid absorbs heat from the evaporator, and consequently is made to substantially evaporate into a vapor phase. The substantially vapor phase working fluid then passes through a compressor where it is compressed to a higher pressure, and relatedly a higher temperature. Thereafter, the high pressure, high temperature vapor phase working fluid passes through a condenser, where it releases heat outside of the evaporator and thereby condenses into a liquid phase working fluid, which can be re-circulated. Accordingly, it is enumerated how vapor-compression cycles are generally implemented to remove heat from a targeted space.
Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement air conditioning systems that are operable to establish/maintain a desired temperature for a target space and simultaneously establish/maintain a desired temperature for an included hot/cold thermal energy storage unit, such that the hot/cold thermal energy storage unit can subsequently be used to establish/maintain a desired temperature for the target space without having to principally rely on the operation of a powered condensing unit. In one embodiment, an air conditioning system includes: a condensing unit, a liquid pressurizer and distributor ensemble, a cold thermal energy storage unit connected to the liquid pressurizer and distributor ensemble by at least one liquid connection, a target space, a suction gas pressurizer and distributor ensemble, a discharge gas distributor, and a hot water storage unit. The hot water storage unit has a storage tank that holds a volume of water. Additionally, the hot water storage unit has a thermal energy transfer unit that is operatively connected to piping containing a supplied working fluid such that the supplied working fluid may be exposed to the thermal energy within the hot water storage unit by way of the thermal energy transfer unit. The condensing unit, the liquid pressurizer and distributor ensemble, the cold thermal energy storage unit, the target space, the suction gas pressurizer and distributer ensemble, the discharge gas distributor, and the hot water storage unit are operatively connected by piping such that vapor compression cycles can be simultaneously implemented that result in the air conditioning of the target space and a thermal energy transfer in the cold thermal energy storage unit and/or the hot water energy storage unit.
In still other embodiments, the suction gas pressurizer and distributor ensemble has a pressure regulator or a compressor, and a flow control apparatus operable to controllably direct vapor phase working fluid to adjoined structures.
In yet other embodiments, the cold thermal energy storage unit comprises a phase change material encased in thermal insulation.
In still yet other embodiments, the liquid pressurizer and distributor ensemble has a pump that is operable to alter the pressure of received liquid phase working fluid, and a flow control apparatus operable to controllably direct received liquid phase working fluid to adjoined structures.
In other embodiments, the condensing unit is operable to output heated vapor phase working fluid.
In still other embodiments, the condensing unit comprises an integrated heating source and is thereby operable to output heated vapor phase working fluid.
In yet other embodiments, the air conditioning system further comprising a second liquid connection between the cold thermal energy storage unit and the liquid pressurizer and distributor ensemble.
In other embodiments, the cold thermal storage unit is operable to subcool the supplied working fluid as it is removed from the hot water storage unit thereby capturing and storing an excess of heat from the supplied working fluid.
In still yet other embodiments, the cold thermal energy storage unit is operable to receive a liquid phase working fluid from the condensing unit through the liquid pressurizer distributor ensemble such that the liquid phase working fluid is subcooled and distributed to the target space thereby performing a cooling of the target space while simultaneously the working fluid leaves the target space as a gas phase and is redistributed to the condensing unit by way of the suction gas pressurizer distributor ensemble.
In other embodiments, the discharge gas distributor circulates the supplied heated vapor phase working fluid to the target space thereby providing heating services to the target space.
In still other embodiments, the condensing unit is configured to output heated vapor phase working fluid such that when the heated vapor phase working fluid is directed by piping to the target space and/or the hot water storage unit, it condenses into a liquid phase working fluid.
In yet other embodiments, the air conditioning system has a second liquid connection between the liquid pressurizer and distributor ensemble and the condensing unit.
In still yet other embodiments, the water storage unit further comprises an immersion heater connected to the water storage unit and operable to heat the water disposed therein.
In other embodiments, the thermal energy transfer unit is a heat exchanger coil disposed within the storage tank.
In still other embodiments, the hot water storage unit is operable to act as a heat source; wherein: the hot water storage unit and the target space are operatively connected by piping; and the hot water storage unit is configured to receive liquid phase working fluid, and heat it so that it outputs vapor phase working fluid that thereafter can be directed to the target space to provide heating services.
In yet other embodiments, the air conditioning system is configured such that the vapor phase working fluid that is output by the hot water storage unit and thereafter directed to the target space, transmits heat to the target space and thereby condenses.
In still yet other embodiments, the air conditioning system has a hot thermal energy storage unit operatively connected to the liquid pressurizer distributor ensemble and the discharge gas distributor ensemble by piping.
In other embodiments, the hot thermal energy storage unit has a thermal storage medium encased with an insulating material.
In still other embodiments, the condensing unit has a compressor and a condenser/evaporator in series, and the condensing unit is operable to direct a received liquid phase working fluid through an expansion valve to the condenser/evaporator to output a vapor phase working fluid and direct the vapor phase working fluid into a compressor to compress the vapor phase working fluid such that the compressor can output a high temperature high pressure discharge gas.
In yet other embodiments, the condensing unit has a liquid suction line heat exchanger operatively connected to the compressor and the condenser/evaporator by piping.
In still yet other embodiments, the suction line heat exchanger is operative to simultaneously transfer heat between a liquid line and a suction line.
In other embodiments, the air conditioning system has more than one gas discharge connection.
In still other embodiments, the system is configured such that when the vapor compression cycles are simultaneously implemented that result in the air conditioning of the target space and a thermal energy transfer in the cold thermal storage unit and hot water storage unit, the cold thermal energy storage unit expands and evaporates the supplied working fluid and receives cooling services while the hot water storage unit simultaneously condenses the supplied heated vapor phase working fluid and receives heating services.
Other embodiments of an air conditioning system include a condensing unit, a liquid pressurizer and distributor ensemble, a cold thermal energy storage unit connected to the liquid pressurizer and distributor ensemble by at least two liquid connections, a target space, and a suction gas pressurizer and distributor ensemble. The condensing unit, the liquid pressurizer and distributor ensemble, the cold thermal energy storage unit, the target space, and the suction gas pressurizer and distributer ensemble are operatively connected by piping such that vapor compression cycles can be simultaneously implemented that result in the air conditioning of the target space and a thermal energy transfer in the cold thermal energy storage unit. Additionally, the air conditioning system is configured such that when the vapor compression cycles are simultaneously implemented that result in the air conditioning of the target space and a thermal energy transfer in the cold energy storage unit, the target space receives heating services by a supplied vapor phase working fluid from the condensing unit and supplies a portion of a condensed liquid phase working fluid to the cold thermal energy storage whereby the cold thermal energy storage subcools the condensed liquid phase working fluid by capturing and storing excess heat from the condensed liquid phase working fluid.
Other embodiments of an air conditioning system also include a condensing unit, a liquid pressurizer and distributor ensemble, a cold thermal energy storage unit connected to the liquid pressurizer and distributor ensemble by at least one liquid connection, a first and second target space, a suction gas pressurizer and distributor ensemble, and a discharge gas distributor. The condensing unit, the liquid pressurizer and distributor ensemble, the cold thermal energy storage unit, the first and second target spaces, the suction gas pressurizer and distributer ensemble, and the discharge gas distributor are operatively connected by piping such that vapor compression cycles can be simultaneously implemented that result in the air conditioning of the target space and a thermal energy transfer in the cold thermal energy storage unit. Additionally, the air conditioning system is configured such that the suction gas pressurizer and distributor ensemble enables the cooling of the first and second target spaces to different temperatures.
In still other embodiments, the air conditioning system has a first hot thermal storage unit, the condensing unit, the liquid pressurizer and distributor ensemble, the cold thermal energy storage unit, the first and second target spaces, the suction gas pressurizer and distributer ensemble, the discharge gas distributor, and the hot thermal energy storage unit are operatively connected by piping such that vapor compression cycles can be simultaneously implemented that result in the air conditioning of the target space and a thermal energy transfer in the hot or cold thermal energy storage unit.
Additional embodiments and features are set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the specification or may be learned by the practice of the disclosed subject matter. A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the drawings, which forms a part of this disclosure.
These and other features and advantages of the present apparatus and methods will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying data and figures, which are presented as exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and should not be construed as a complete recitation of the scope of the inventive method, wherein:
Turning now to the drawings, systems and methods for implementing air conditioning and water store systems that are configured such that a direct expansion of a heat transfer material allows for both hot and cold thermal storage. In embodiments of such systems, an included cold thermal energy storage unit can be cooled to a temperature lower than the temperature desired for a target space while the target space is simultaneously cooled to the desired temperature, such that the temperature desired for the target space can subsequently be established and/or maintained by the cold thermal energy storage unit irrespective of whether the cold thermal energy storage unit is being principally relied on to cool the target space or whether an included powered condensing unit is being relied on to cool the target space. In conjunction with this, hot thermal units and water in a water store can be heated. In short, the system allows for the capture of normally ejected heat in the water store.
In a number of embodiments, an air conditioning system is configured to heat/cool the included hot/cold thermal energy storage unit to a temperature desired for the target space such that—when the hot/cold thermal energy storage unit is principally relied on to establish/maintain the desired temperature for the target space—the associated working fluid can be iteratively circulated through the target space and the hot/cold thermal energy storage units such that: (1) as the working fluid passes through the target space it substantially evaporates and absorbs or distributes heat within the target space so that the desired temperature for the target space can be established/maintained, and (2) when the substantially evaporated working fluid passes through the hot/cold thermal energy storage units, the temperature of the hot/cold thermal energy storage unit is low enough to cause the condensation of the substantially vapor phase working fluid, e.g. so that it can be reintroduced to the target space and continue to redistribute heat. In this way, the target space can be held at a precise desired temperature irrespective of whether the air conditioning system is principally relying on the hot/cold thermal energy storage unit to provide cooling or whether the air conditioning system is relying on a powered condensing unit (e.g. continually powered by a connection to a power grid) or heat pump to provide heating/cooling.
As can be appreciated, the removal or addition of heat from or to a targeted space (e.g. as happens in air conditioning systems) and the need to heat water for household purposes can be a substantially energy intensive operation. Moreover, given the reliance by modern society on the creation of comfortable living environments and water of a desirable temperature, it can further be appreciated how such systems can impose a substantial burden on power generation facilities. To mitigate these potential burdens on power infrastructure, many electricity providers impose a time-of-use (TOU) pricing schedule—e.g. charging more for providing electricity during the day where the demand for electricity/cooling is typically greater—so as to address load balancing/intermittency problems on the grid. Consequently, to take advantage of the tiered pricing, many electricity consumers have focused on developing/implementing energy storage technologies enabling them to purchase energy at a lower rate (e.g. during middle of the night), and store it for use during the day (when the cost of electricity is higher). As can be appreciated, this energy storage behind-the-meter can provide a substantial economic benefit for such TOU customers. Note that this economic benefit is accentuated when the consumer has a very small load factor defined as the average load divided by maximum load in a given time period.
Thermal energy storage (TES) refers to accruing thermal energy, and storing it for later use, and is often implemented in the context of air conditioning systems. For example, in some instances, flake and slushy ice is regularly generated to maintain the temperature of products during transport or display; such methods surround the products such as poultry and fish directly with a phase change material (PCM) such as ice or brine. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,335, a method for utilizing an ice bank PCM to provide cooling load for cooled display cases and the ‘heating ventilating, and air conditioning’ (“HVAC”) system of a supermarket is enumerated. In this method, coolant in the form of liquid water is produced from the ice bank and is pumped to display cases and the HVAC system to offset energy consumption. The disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,335 is incorporated by reference herein. Other notable prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,339, which presents an apparatus that couples to an existing refrigeration system to cool a PCM. This PCM TES is then utilized to offset electricity demand by subcooling the liquid refrigerant of a second auxiliary refrigeration circuit in order to increase its cooling capacity and improve the refrigeration system's efficiency during discharge mode. The disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,339 is incorporated by reference herein.
Although previous methods for storing thermal energy within the context of air conditioning systems have been effective to some extent, the current state of the art can benefit from more robust and effective methods for storing and using stored thermal energy. For example, many prior art air conditioning systems that rely on the implementation of a vapor-compression cycle and incorporate thermal energy storage mechanisms are not configured such that the associated thermal energy storage unit can be principally relied on to provide cooling to the same extent as when the air conditioning system utilizes a powered condenser/compressor (e.g. powered by the grid). Rather, many such systems utilize an included thermal energy storage unit as a supplemental mechanism to facilitate cooling; e.g. in many such systems, separate compressor and condenser units are still relied on to effectuate the vapor-compression cycle. Alternatively, in a number of such systems, the included thermal energy storage unit can be principally relied on to provide for cooling, but not to the same extent as when the air conditioning system utilizes condenser/compressor units. Although not as robust, such systems may find use where precise cooling temperatures are not required—e.g. the cooling of a living quarters. By contrast, such systems may not be sufficient in situations such as refrigeration, where precise cooling temperatures are desired.
Against this backdrop, many embodiments of the invention implement air conditioning systems whereby a hot/cold thermal energy storage units and potentially a hot water storage system are included within an air conditioning circuit, where the air conditioning system is configured such that a desired temperature for a target space can be maintained irrespective of whether the hot/cold thermal energy storage unit is being principally relied on to heat/cool the target space or whether the air conditioning system is relying on a separately powered condensing unit (e.g. including a compressor unit and a condenser unit) to help heat/cool the target space, and where heat energy created during the process can be used for a secondary purpose, such as, for example heating water. For example, in a number of embodiments, an air conditioning system incorporates a hot/cold thermal energy storage devices that are configured to be heated/cooled to a temperature lower than that desired for a targeted space. For instance, the air conditioning system can utilize an incorporated powered condensing unit to heat/cool the hot/cold thermal energy storage unit to a temperature higher/lower than that desired for a targeted space; note that the air conditioning system can be configured such that it can simultaneously utilize the powered condensing unit to establish/maintain the desired temperature for the targeted space. The air conditioning system can further be configured such that the thermal energy stored in the hot/cold thermal energy storage units (which was heated/cooled to a temperature higher/lower than that desired for the target space) can thereafter be principally relied on (e.g. substantially without the assistance of a powered condensing unit) to establish/maintain the desired temperature for the targeted space for at least some period of time. In many embodiments, the air conditioning system is configured such that the hot/cold thermal energy storage units can be heated/cooled to a temperature higher/lower than that desired for the target space such that—when the hot/cold thermal energy storage unit is principally relied on to heat/cool the target space—the associated working fluid is iteratively circulated through the target space and the hot/cold thermal energy storage unit such that: (1) as the working fluid passes through the target space it redistributes heat within the target space so that the desired temperature for the target space can be established/maintained, and (2) when the working fluid passes through the hot/cold thermal energy storage unit, the temperature of the hot/cold thermal energy storage unit is sufficient to cause a change in the vapor phase of the working fluid, e.g. so that it can be reintroduced to the target space to continue to redistribute heat.
In a number of embodiments, these configurations can allow for any included compressors or condensers to be deactivated when the thermal energy storage unit is being principally relied on to provide heating/cooling; in other words, the target space can be heated/cooled to the desired temperature even in the absence of the operation of condensers and compressors. As can be appreciated, the operation of the compressors and condensers is the principal source of energy consumption for many air conditioning systems. Accordingly, many embodiments utilize various configurations of components and operational modes to reduce the energy consumption from the condensers and compressors that may be used. Likewise the use of hot/cold thermal energy stores can reduce the component redundancy that can arise one or more system may be needed for the same space. Furthermore, the systems may also be able to scavenge and store heat from space heating and/or hot water generation services in the hot/cold thermal store to be used to heat a water store and/or provide space heating when it is inefficient to run a heat pump (such as when the environmental temperature is very low).
In general, such air conditioning systems can provide for substantial energy efficiency and financial savings. Moreover, such systems can further be utilized for their inherent ability to provide effective backup services, e.g. in the case of a power disruption. Configurations for air conditioning systems, along with their respective operation, in accordance with many embodiments of the invention are now discussed below.
Configurations for, and the Operation of Air Conditioning Systems Incorporating Hot and Cold Thermal Energy Storage Devices
In many embodiments, air conditioning systems incorporate both hot and cold thermal energy storage units within a refrigerant circuit such that a desired temperature for a target space can be established/maintained irrespective of whether an included condensing unit is being relied on or whether an included cold thermal energy storage unit is being relied on—e.g. without the assistance of the powered condensing unit. In numerous embodiments, air conditioning systems are configured to be operable to establish and/or maintain a temperature for the included cold thermal energy storage unit that is lower than the temperature desired for the target space, while simultaneously cooling the target space to the desired temperature. In this way, the thermal energy storage unit can thereafter be principally relied on—e.g. without the assistance of a powered condensing unit—to cool the target space to the same extent that the included, powered, condensing unit can. Note that, as can be appreciated, the air conditioning system may still require power for operation of ancillary components.
In many embodiments, air conditioning systems are configured with a hot thermal store with one discharge connection, a cold thermal store with one suction connection, and a bypass connection between the liquid pressurizer/distributor ensemble and the suction gas pressurizer/distributor ensemble, as illustrated in
The condensing unit 102 is generally operable to pressurize and/or condense received low pressure, low temperature vapor phase working fluid (e.g. exiting from the target space 104 and/or the thermal energy storage unit (112/110)) such that it changes phase to a high temperature, high pressure liquid, e.g. within the context of a vapor-compression cycle. In addition, the condensing unit 102 is also generally operable to expand, evaporate and/or pressurize received high pressure liquid phase working fluid (e.g. exiting from the target space 104 and/or the thermal energy storage unit (112/110) such that it changes phase to a high temperature, high pressure vapor, e.g. within the context of a vapor-compression cycle. Although the condensing unit 102 is depicted schematically, it should be appreciated that it can be implemented using any of variety of schemes. For example, in many embodiments, the condensing unit 102 comprises a compressor—to compress received vapor phase working fluid—and a heat exchanger and expansion valve to act as condenser to condense the high pressure vapor phase working fluid to a liquid phase working fluid or act as an evaporator to expand and evaporate high pressure liquid phase working fluid to a vapor phase working fluid. Of course, to be clear, a condensing unit can be effectuated in any of a variety of ways in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Examples of some of the condensing units that can be implemented in the depicted figures are discussed in subsequent sections below.
The discharge gas distributor ensemble 106 and liquid pressurizer and distributor ensemble 108 generally operate to regulate pressure and/or circulate working fluid as desired to facilitate the operation of the air conditioning system in accordance with any of its various operating modes. For example, the liquid pressurizer and distributor ensemble 108 can circulate working fluid through the thermal energy storage units (110/112), through the target space 104, or simultaneously through each of the hot/cold thermal energy storage unit (110/112) and the target space 104. In general, the liquid pressurizer and distributor ensemble 108 functions to accept liquid phase flow from any connected components, alter the flow pressure as necessary (if appropriate), and/or distribute the received flow to an appropriate connected component in accordance with any of the air conditioning system's operating modes. Additionally, note that the liquid pressurizer and distributor ensemble 108 can be implemented using any of a variety of components. For example, any suitable pump can be used to pressurize received liquid phase working fluid, and any suitable control apparatus can be implemented to redirect the working fluid as desired. To be clear, embodiments of the invention are not limited to the implementation of particular configurations for liquid pressurizer and distributor ensembles. Examples of some of the liquid pressurizer and distributor ensembles that can be incorporated are discussed in subsequent sections below. Importantly, within the context of the instant application, the term ‘liquid pressurizer and distributor ensemble’ can reference even those devices that are only operable to controllably distribute liquid phase working fluid. Additionally, within the context of this application, the liquid pressurizer and distributor ensemble is sometimes referred to as the ‘liquid pressurizer/distributor ensemble’ or ‘liquid pressurizer/distributor,’ or the like.
The target space 104 includes the target of the heating/cooling efforts. As can be appreciated, in many embodiments, the target space may further include an expansion device operable to reduce the pressure and temperature of a received working fluid (e.g. such that a vapor-compression cycle can be implemented). Although the target space 104 is depicted schematically, it should be appreciated that any suitable target space can be implemented in accordance with many embodiments of the invention, including other heating/cooling racks and units that may be used in combination with the current system. For example, in many embodiments, the target space 104 is a living quarters. In a number of embodiments, the target space 104 is an evaporator (e.g. in the context of refrigeration). Additionally, while
The suction gas pressurizer and distributor ensemble 116 generally operates to prepare and/or distribute received vapor phase working fluid for further treatment, e.g. for sending to the condensing unit 102 or sending to the cold thermal energy storage unit 110. In a number of embodiments, the suction gas/equalizer ensemble 116 is configured to pressurize (or depressurize) received vapor phase working fluid so that it is suitable to be received by further respective treatment modules. For example, in some embodiments, the condensing unit 102 requires receipt of vapor phase working fluid within a specified pressure range. Similarly, in a number of embodiments, the cold thermal energy storage unit 110 requires receipt of vapor phase working fluid within a specified pressure range. Moreover, as with the liquid pressurizer and distributor ensemble 108, the suction gas/equalizer ensemble 116 can be implemented using any of a variety of components. For example, any of a number of pressure regulating mechanisms (e.g. compressors and pressure regulators) can be incorporated with any of a variety of fluid control mechanisms to implement the suction gas/equalizer ensemble. Examples of some of the suction gas/equalizer ensembles are discussed in subsequent sections below.
In accordance with many embodiments, the condensing unit 102, the discharge gas distributor 106, the hot thermal storage unit 112, water store 114, the target space 104, and the liquid pressurizer and distributor ensemble 108 may be operatively connected by piping so as to allow for the circulation of a heated fluid through the target space 104 to heat it, as well as allow the circulation of a heated fluid through the hot thermal energy storage unit and/or water store to store thermal energy. As can be appreciated, the hot thermal energy storage 112 unit and water store 114 can be implemented in any of a variety of ways. For instance, in many embodiments, the hot thermal energy storage 112 unit includes a heat exchanger element embedded in a thermal storage medium encased in thermal insulation. Further examples of embodiments of hot thermal energy storage units that can be incorporated in accordance with embodiments of the invention are discussed below.
The cold thermal energy storage unit 110 generally operates to store thermal energy for subsequent utilization. For instance, as can be appreciated, the cold thermal energy storage unit can be cooled to a low temperature, and can operate to retain the cold temperature for extended periods of time (e.g. substantially without assistance). For example, thermal energy or cooling services can be stored within the cold thermal energy storage unit 110 at a time when electricity rates are low, and then used to cool the target space 104 at a time when electricity rates are high, thereby mitigating the use of the condensing unit 102. Any suitable cold thermal energy storage unit 110 can be implemented in accordance with many embodiments of the invention. For example, in many embodiments, a heat exchanger element embedded in a phase change material encased in thermal insulation is implemented to effectuate the cold thermal energy storage unit 110. Additionally, as alluded to above, in many embodiments, the air conditioning system is configured to be operable to establish a temperature for the cold thermal energy storage unit 110 that is lower than that desired for the target space 104. This can be achieved in any of a variety of ways. For example, the cold thermal energy storage unit 110 may include an expansion valve configured to reduce the pressure and temperature of received working fluid to a greater extent than any expansion valves incorporated within the target space 104. Examples of some cold thermal energy storage units that can be incorporated in accordance with embodiments of the invention are discussed below.
Importantly, as can be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art and as discussed above, although the configuration depicted in
The embodiment illustrated in
Configurations for and the Operation of Air Conditioning Systems Incorporating Hot and Cold Thermal Energy Storage Devices with Multiple Discharge Gas Connections
In many embodiments, air conditioning systems as described in
In many embodiments, air conditioning systems are configured with a hot thermal store with two discharge connections, a cold thermal store with one suction connection, and a bypass connection between the liquid pressurizer/distributor ensemble and the suction gas pressurizer/distributor ensemble, as illustrated in
The representational cycle implemented in the configuration shown in
Configurations for and the Operation of Air Conditioning Systems Incorporating Hot and Cold Thermal Energy Storage Devices without Water Store
In many embodiments, an air conditioning system includes distinct hot and cold thermal energy storage units, and is operable to use them to heat and/or cool, a targeted space, but does not include a water store. For example, in many embodiments, a hot thermal energy storage unit is in fluid communication with a discharge gas distributor ensemble in communication with a condensing unit. The condensing unit can be made to implement an operating mode whereby it can boil working fluid such that the vapor phase working fluid can be transmitted to the target space for the purposes of heating. This operating mode can be achieved, for instance, by using a compressor within the condensing unit to compress low temperature gas to high temperature gas. In this way, the condensing unit can be considered to include an integrated heat source, insofar as the integrated compressor can be used to provide heat as desired. In effect, these configurations can operate to store thermal energy within the hot and cold thermal energy units using a powered condensing unit. In this way, a target space can be air conditioned either via the condensing unit, or either of the hot thermal energy storage unit or the cold thermal energy storage unit as appropriate.
For example,
In many embodiments, an air conditioning system 400 includes only a cold thermal energy storage 410 unit, in combination with a condensing unit 402, a liquid pressurizer/distributor ensemble 408, and a suction gas conditioner/distributor 416 to cool and/or heat, a targeted space 404. For example,
The representational cycle implemented in the configuration shown in
In some embodiments, the cold thermal store 410 may be used for target space cooling as a subcooler in a manner similar to but opposite to the heating method previously described. For example,
Turning now to
In other embodiments, the condensing unit 402 may be used in to heat the cold thermal store 410 by working in connection with the suction gas pressurizer/distributor ensemble 416 to pull heated discharge gas from the condensing unit 402 and distributing it to the cold thermal store 410. For example,
Similar to
Accordingly,
Configurations for and the Operation of Air Conditioning Systems Incorporating Cold Thermal Energy Storage in Conjunction with a Water Store
In accordance with many embodiments, the air conditioning system as illustrated above may be augmented with other components that can aid in the efficiency of heating and cooling. For example,
Many such embodiments can be illustrated by the flow of working fluid diagram in
In other embodiments, illustrated in
Similar to
As previously discussed, many air conditioning systems may implement a condensing unit to pressurize and/or condense received low pressure, low temperature vapor phase working fluid (e.g. exiting from a target space and/or a thermal energy storage unit such that it changes phase to a high temperature, high pressure liquid, e.g. within the context of a vapor-compression cycle. For example,
As can be understood by embodiments of an air conditioning system, many embodiments of a condensing unit 600 may be configured to function in one or more manners or modes of operation within the context of a vapor-compression cycle. For example,
In accordance with many embodiments, the condensing unit 600 may incorporate other components with one or more fluid connections that can help improve the functionality of the condensing unit. For example,
In some embodiments, the liquid suction line heat exchanger may operate to transfer heat between the liquid line 610 and the suction line 612 within the context of a vapor-compression cycle and/or embodiments of an air conditioning system. Accordingly, some embodiments may only implement a single discharge line 614.
Referring now to
Embodiments of a Water Store for Implementation within Air Conditioning Systems
In many embodiments, water stores 700 may be implemented that are suitable to be incorporated within many of the above described air conditioning system configurations. For example,
In accordance with many embodiments, the heat exchanger 704 may be in the form of heat exchanging coils that are present within a tank volume 702. In such embodiments, a heat pump water tank configuration is implemented whereby hot gaseous refrigerant is sent through the coils, condenses and transfers heat into the volume of water contained in the tank. In other embodiments, as shown in
Turning now to
For example,
Alternatively, some embodiments many be operable to provide cooling or heating of the cold thermal store based on the temperature of the entering working fluid as illustrated in
In accordance with many embodiments, it should be understood that many embodiments of an air conditioning system and various components used therein may implement additional elements such as control systems and mechanisms that can allow for embodiments to be utilized at different times to take advantage of the efficiencies of the embodiments of the invention. For example, many embodiments may incorporate computer control systems to control various elements of embodiments of the invention, such as the cold thermal store, such that they can be used in the most efficient manner possible, such as during peak or off-peak energy usage times.
Ejectors for Implementation within Air Conditioning Systems
In many embodiments, configurations of ejectors are implemented that are suitable to be incorporated within many of the above described air conditioning system configurations.
Conventional systems use normal pumps in combination with a special valve ejector. In a vapor compression cycle the most efficient configuration uses an expander (high pressure liquid), which provides no entropy gain. However, expanders are expensive and complex so it is preferable to use a simple expansion valve. However, the use of simple expansion valves destroys usable work in the process of expanding the fluid and reduces the cycle efficiency. An ejector enables work that would otherwise be lost to be transferred to another fluid. In practice high pressure fluid would go into a valve and expand, but would create a low pressure region to suck in other fluids and create high pressure fluids. The biggest drawback to the use of expansion valves is that their performance is dependent on the internal geometry and dimensions. Accordingly, a single fixed geometry can't operate across a wide variety of conditions. In the current system it is possible to know what pressure addition is needed and the relative mass flow rates. Accordingly, in many embodiments the inlet condition is configured so the ejector sees the same condition, such as, for example, by cooling the injector and increasing the pressure to an arbitrarily high pressure.
In many embodiments, as shown in
While several alternative configurations for robust air conditioning systems have been depicted, it should be clear that any of a variety of robust air conditioning system configurations can be implemented in accordance with many embodiments of the invention.
More generally, as can be inferred from the above discussion, the above-mentioned concepts can be implemented in a variety of arrangements in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, although the present invention has been described in certain specific aspects, many additional modifications and variations would be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that the present invention may be practiced otherwise than specifically described. Thus, embodiments of the present invention should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/696,712 filed on Jul. 11, 2018. The enclosure of which is included herein by reference in its entirety
Number | Date | Country | |
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62696712 | Jul 2018 | US |