Self contained water-to-water heat pump

Abstract

A self-contained water-to-water heat transfer system is provided that mixes hot water produced by a heat exchange with cold output fluid expelled from the heat pump to make source fluid. More specifically, in order to reduce the fluid flow rate required within a heat pump and substantially prevent freezing of evaporator coils within the heat pump, source water fed into the heat pump is taken from a mixture of the output hot water that was generated in the heat pump and the cool water exiting the heat pump. The system alleviates the need to employ an ground loop outside of a structure that is required by traditional geothermal heating systems.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 806,902, filed Jul. 10, 2006, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to a thermoelectric apparatus that transfers thermal energy from one location to another that can be used alternatively to either heat or cool an area.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Heat pumps are basically air conditioning units that function in reverse and are commonplace in many residential and commercial structures. The most common air-to-air pumps employ a conduit filled with a thermally conductive coolant, such as Freon, that transfers heat taken from the air outside of the structure into the structure. The vapor compression cycle that facilitates the heat transfer comprises generally a conduit that carries high pressure, high temperature liquid coolant to an expansion valve that red...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a self-contained water-to-water heat transfer system that does not require the use of a ground loop. The system utilizes a novel method of mixing cooler water with heated water from a heat pump and directing it back into the heat pump for more effective use in a vapor compression cycle. This system is more efficient than air-to-air heat pumps and does not have the drawbacks of ground loop systems. The system is also self-contained, avoiding outside exposure concerns, and can be easily incorporated onto current water-to-water heat pumps or used with traditional ground source heat exchange systems. The system prevents evaporator coils from freezing, reduces the mass flow through the heat pump, and allows for a smaller more energy efficient source pump. The technical effects of the present invention are improved efficiency, self-containment, and prevention of evaporator coil freezing."

Problems solved by technology

One skilled in the art will appreciate that additional compression will be needed in order to sustain the temperature of the water exiting the heat pump, but the system as contemplated herein is more efficient than air-to-air heat pumps and do not have the drawbacks inherent in ground loop systems and / or air-to-air systems.

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