System for controlled fluid heating using air conditioning waste heat

Abstract

A system is disclosed which utilizes air conditioning waste to heat a second fluid such as swimming pool water. The second condenser for pool water heating is connected in parallel with the air conditioning condenser. An accumulator is connected between the condensers and the expansion valve to absorb fluctuations in refrigerant level due to different operating conditions caused by the pool water heating, thereby ensuring that liquid refrigerant is always supplied to the expansion valve. A controller reads the ambient air temperature at the air conditioning condenser and reads the air conditioning system condensing pressure and uses an algorithm to compute ambient air fan speed at the air conditioning condenser based on these two inputs to maintain a consistent heated pool water temperature.An alternate system includes first and second condensers connected in series with an accumulator connected between the second condenser and the expansion valve and a pressure equalization line connected between the compressor and the accumulator. A controller reads the ambient air temperature at the air conditioning condenser and reads the air conditioning system condensing pressure and uses an algorithm to compute ambient air fan speed at the air conditioning condenser based on these two inputs to maintain a consistent heated pool water temperature.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to the recovery of waste heat from a refrigeration or an air conditioning system, to provide a heated fluid at a controlled, consistent temperature.BACKGROUND[0002]The use of a heater to warm swimming pool water is quite common among swimming pool owners. Many existing systems use electric, gas, or fuel oil-heating units, which are costly to operate. Attempts to utilize air conditioning waste heat to provide a safe, economical, and low energy consuming pool water heating system, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,976,123 issued to Davies, have not been commercially successful as previous systems did not maintain a constant discharge temperature, were inefficient to operate, and could cause equipment damage.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0003]It is a general object of the present invention to provide a pool water heater that uses the waste heat from a refrigeration or an air conditioning system to heat pool water, or other fluids, to useful ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0003]It is a general object of the present invention to provide a pool water heater that uses the waste heat from a refrigeration or an air conditioning system to heat pool water, or other fluids, to useful and desired temperatures, and to do such water heating with consistent, controlled output water temperatures, with optimum air conditioning system efficiency, and without equipment damage.

Problems solved by technology

Many existing systems use electric, gas, or fuel oil-heating units, which are costly to operate.

Attempts to utilize air conditioning waste heat to provide a safe, economical, and low energy consuming pool water heating system, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,976,123 issued to Davies, have not been commercially successful as previous systems did not maintain a constant discharge temperature, were inefficient to operate, and could cause equipment damage.

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