Hybrid Space And Hot Water Heating Heat Pump

Abstract

A hybrid space and water heating heat pump system includes a heat pump including an outdoor assembly and an indoor assembly; a hot water module including a first heat exchanger, a controller, and a water pump connected to a water line, the first heat exchanger being configured for heating water; and a water heater in fluid communication with the hot water module, the water heater configured for receiving heated water from the first heat exchanger; wherein the controller is configured to select between one of conditioning an interior space or heating of the water in the first heat exchanger; and wherein the heat pump is configured for circulating a refrigerant through a first refrigerant circuit in response to the conditioning of the interior space and circulating the refrigerant through a second refrigerant circuit in response to the heating of the water in the first heat exchanger.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61 / 554,651 filed Nov. 2, 2011, the entire contents of which of incorporating herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to a hybrid heat pump system and, more particularly, to a hot water module coupled to an existing heat pump system and water heater for supplementing the heating needs of the water heater when the heat pump system is not providing space heating or cooling.DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART[0003]Reversible heat pumps are commonly used for cooling and heating a climate controlled comfort zone such as a residence or a building. A conventional heat pump includes a compressor, a suction accumulator, a reversing valve, an outdoor heat exchanger with an associated outdoor fan, an indoor heat exchanger with an associated indoor fan, an expansion device operatively associated with the outdoor heat exchanger and a seco...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a heat pump system that can heat both water and space inside a building. The system has a heat pump with two refrigerant circuits, one for conditioning the interior space and one for heating water. The system uses a hot water module with a first heat exchanger and a water pump to heat water. The main benefit of this system is that it allows for efficient heating of both water and space, without having to use a separate hot water tank. This saves money and reduces space needed for the heating system.

Problems solved by technology

However, the desuperheater water heater is limited in its capacity to heat water as it only does so while there is a demand for space cooling.

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