Self-powered air conditioning system

Abstract

The invention relates to a self-powered air conditioning system. An air conditioning system includes a vapor compression cycle having a heat transfer fluid circulating between a compressor, an expansion device, and at least one heat exchanger. The airflow is associated with at least one heat exchanger of the vapor compression cycle. The energy storage device may selectively be used to power the compressor, and the airflow may be used to cool the energy storage device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 63 / 513,018, filed on July 11, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0002] Embodiments described herein relate to air conditioning systems. Background Art

[0003] Electric energy drives a wide variety of devices and equipment in commercial, industrial, residential applications and data centers. For example, electric energy drives lights, motors, household appliances, medical equipment, computers, air conditioning systems, electric vehicle charging stations, data center processing and cooling requirements, and many other electrical devices. In most areas, power facilities generate electricity and distribute it through the AC power grid. Factors such as shortages and / or increased costs associated with the use of fossil fuels, the intermittent nature of renewable resources, the variability of power demand and supply, and increased energy demand significantly affect the continued availability and cost of electricity supplied to consumers and businesses. In general, shortages and / or increased costs often occur during peak demand times. Peak demand may occur based on the time of day (such as in the morning or in the evening). On a more random basis, peak demand (or demand greater than the available supply) may occur as a result of natural disasters, or if the power from the power grid comes from solar energy, it may occur during a wide range of cloudy times, for example, or if the power from the power grid comes from wind turbines, it may occur due to the variability of wind. For example, a hurricane or earthquake may damage the generator and / or power grid of the power facility, thereby causing a large loss of power supplied to commercial, industrial and residential applications. Repairing these damaged lines and generators may take hours, days or weeks. Various sites may also lose power from the grid for other reasons, including maintenance. During these times of loss of power, sites may not be able to continue operating. In addition, the growing number of data centers has significantly increased the demand for energy from the grid.

[0004] Electric energy from the grid tends to be more expensive during peak demand times. For example, a power utility may employ low-cost generators during periods of minimum demand and further employ high-cost generators during periods of peak demand. Unfortunately, existing infrastructure does not adequately address these different costs associated with peak and minimum demand. As a result, commercial, industrial, data center, and residential applications typically draw electricity from the grid during peak demand times despite the higher costs associated with its generation.

[0005] As described further below, some energy consumers, such as commercial, industrial, data center, and residential users, may be driven by factors other than cost, such as a desire to support sustainable energy options. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to an embodiment, an air conditioning system includes a vapor compression cycle having a heat transfer fluid circulating between a compressor, an expansion device, and at least one heat exchanger. An air flow is associated with at least one heat exchanger of the vapor compression cycle. An energy storage device can selectively be used to power the compressor, and the air flow can be used to cool the energy storage device.

[0007] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include that the energy storage device is arranged within the flow path of the air flow, such that the air flow is configured to directly cool the energy storage device.

[0008] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include an energy storage device including a housing having at least one flow channel formed therein for receiving an air flow.

[0009] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include that the energy storage device is arranged downstream of the at least one heat exchanger with respect to the air flow.

[0010] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include that the energy storage device is arranged in direct contact with a downstream surface of the at least one heat exchanger.

[0011] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include an energy storage device upstream of the at least one heat exchanger relative to the air flow.

[0012] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include an energy storage device being arranged in parallel with at least one heat exchanger relative to the air flow.

[0013] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include the energy storage device being located remote from the flow path of the air flow such that the air flow is configured to indirectly cool the energy storage device.

[0014] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include a coolant loop including a coolant heat exchanger fluidly coupled to an energy storage device.

[0015] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include a coolant heat exchanger being arranged within the flow path of the air flow.

[0016] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include that a coolant heat exchanger is arranged downstream of the at least one heat exchanger with respect to the air flow.

[0017] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include that the coolant heat exchanger is arranged in direct contact with a downstream surface of the at least one heat exchanger.

[0018] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include a coolant heat exchanger upstream of the at least one heat exchanger with respect to air flow.

[0019] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include a coolant heat exchanger being arranged in parallel with at least one heat exchanger relative to the air flow.

[0020] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include a coolant heat exchanger being integrally formed with at least one heat exchanger.

[0021] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include that at least one heat exchanger is part of an outdoor unit and that the coolant heat exchanger is arranged inside the outdoor unit.

[0022] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include that the energy storage device is located remotely from the interior of the outdoor unit.

[0023] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include that at least one heat exchanger is part of the indoor unit, and the coolant heat exchanger is arranged inside the indoor unit.

[0024] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include that the energy storage device is located remotely from the interior of the indoor unit.

[0025] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described herein, further embodiments may include that the energy storage device includes a battery.

[0026] Unless otherwise explicitly indicated, the aforementioned features and elements may be combined into various combinations without exclusivity. In view of the following description and drawings, these features and elements and their operation will become more apparent. However, it should be understood that the following description and drawings are intended to be illustrative and explanatory rather than restrictive in nature. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying figures, in which like references indicate similar elements.

[0028] Figure 1 A system in an example embodiment is depicted.

[0029] Figure 2 Depicting a controller in an example embodiment.

[0030] Figure 3A Depicts the electrical architecture in an example embodiment.

[0031] Figure 3B Depicts the electrical architecture in an example embodiment.

[0032] Figure 4A Depicts the electrical architecture in an example embodiment.

[0033] Figure 4B Depicts the electrical architecture in an example embodiment.

[0034] Figure 5A Depicted is an electrical architecture for a fixed speed compressor having a DC architecture in an example embodiment.

[0035] Figure 5B Depicted is an electrical architecture for a fixed speed compressor having an AC architecture in an example embodiment.

[0036] Figure 5C Depicted is an electrical architecture for a variable speed compressor having a DC architecture in an example embodiment.

[0037] Figure 5D Depicted is an electrical architecture for a variable speed compressor having an AC architecture in an example embodiment.

[0038] Figure 6 Depicted is an electrical architecture for a compressor powered by a multi-level inverter in an example embodiment.

[0039] Figure 7 Depicted is one phase leg of a five-level multiphase inverter in an example embodiment.

[0040] Figure 8 Depicts communications between a controller, a thermostat, and a remote system in an example embodiment.

[0041] Fig. 9Describes the control process in an example embodiment.

[0042] Fig. 10A is a perspective view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioning system having an internal energy storage device in an example embodiment.

[0043] Fig. 10B is a perspective view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioning system having a remotely located energy storage device in an example embodiment.

[0044] Fig.11 is a perspective view of an indoor unit of an air conditioning system having an internal energy storage device in an example embodiment.

[0045] Fig.12 is a schematic diagram of an outdoor unit configured to indirectly cool an energy storage device in an example embodiment.

[0046] Fig.13 is a schematic diagram of an indoor unit configured to indirectly cool an energy storage device in an example embodiment.

[0047] Fig.14 is a schematic diagram of an indoor unit configured to indirectly cool an energy storage device in an example embodiment.

[0048] Fig.15 is a schematic diagram of an indoor unit configured to indirectly cool an energy storage device in an example embodiment.

[0049] Fig.16 is a schematic diagram of an outdoor unit configured to indirectly cool an energy storage device in an example embodiment.

[0050] Fig.17 is a schematic diagram of an indoor unit configured to indirectly cool an energy storage device in an example embodiment.

[0051] Fig.18 is a schematic diagram of an outdoor unit configured to directly cool an energy storage device in an example embodiment.

[0052] Fig.19 is a schematic diagram of an outdoor unit configured to directly cool an energy storage device in an example embodiment.

[0053] Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram of an outdoor unit configured to directly cool an energy storage device in an example embodiment.

[0054] Fig.21 is a schematic diagram of an outdoor unit configured to directly cool an energy storage device in an example embodiment.

[0055] Fig. 22 is a schematic diagram of an outdoor unit configured to directly cool an energy storage device in an example embodiment.

[0056] Fig.23 is a schematic diagram of an outdoor unit configured to directly cool an energy storage device in an example embodiment.

[0057] Fig.24 is a schematic diagram of a vapor compression cycle of an air conditioning system that may be used to cool an energy storage device in a heating mode in an example embodiment.

[0058] Fig.25 is a schematic diagram of a vapor compression cycle of an air conditioning system that may be used to cool an energy storage device in a cooling mode in an example embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] With the current global electrification and decarbonization efforts, the use of efficient, optimized, all-electric air conditioning systems that provide comfort while being dispatchable (on-off, modulating, or variable) under different pricing conditions or upon receipt of a utility signal is encouraged. For example, the utility signal may be received from the electrical AC grid and may include an independent system operator (ISO) or a regional transmission organization (RTO), an ISO may include an independent federally regulated entity established to coordinate regional transmission in a non-discriminatory manner and ensure the safety and reliability of the electrical system, an RTO may operate bulk power systems across a large portion of a geographic area, and is generally an independent, membership-based, non-profit organization that ensures reliability and optimizes supply and demand bids for wholesale power or power from a virtual power plant (generally considered to include a connected aggregation of distributed energy resources (DER) technologies that provide renewable energy integration and demand flexibility). Reference to a utility refers to one or more entities involved in the generation, transmission, and / or distribution of electricity.

[0060] Embodiments described herein relate to an air conditioning system that includes an electrical energy storage system (eg, battery, supercapacitor) to provide the level of dispatchability required for interconnection with an electric power grid.

[0061] Figure 1Depicts a system 100 in an example embodiment. The system 100 includes components of an air conditioning system. The phrase "air conditioning" is intended to include one or more of heating, cooling, ventilation, humidification, dehumidification, refrigeration, hot water heating, cooling water or fluid, air filtration, and other known air handling operations, or a combination of any of the above operations. The air conditioning system may include known types of systems, such as heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, chillers, split systems, packaged systems, integrated systems, and the like. The air conditioning system 100 includes a first unit 200 and one or more second units 250. Depending on the nature of the air conditioning system, the first unit 200 and (one or more) second units 250 may be separately placed (indoors or outdoors) or co-located (indoors or outdoors). For example, in a split system, the first unit 200 is an outdoor unit (e.g., compressor and heat exchanger), and (one or more) second units 250 are indoor units (e.g., expansion mechanism, heat exchanger). In a packaged system (e.g., rooftop or ground), the first unit 200 and the second unit 250 are co-located in a single occupied space outside the building. In the chiller, the first unit 200 and the second unit 250 may be co-located (both indoors or outdoors) or separately located. Some integrated systems may have the first unit 200 and the second unit 250 co-located in a building.

[0062] exist Figure 1 In the example shown in , the first unit 200 can be an outdoor unit of a split system located on the ground next to the building 102, on the roof of the building 102, or in any other location. The second unit(s) 250 can be located inside the building 102, as is common with split systems. It is to be understood that Figure 1 is an example, and embodiments are not limited to split systems.

[0063] System 100 includes a controller 220 , a power converter 230 , and an energy storage device (ESD) 240 . Figure 1 is an example embodiment, and the location of the components is not limited to Figure 1. For example, the power converter 230, the energy storage device 240, and the controller 220 may be separate from the first unit 200 that houses the compressor 242, the drive 244, the fan 246, and (one or more) loads 248. The first unit 200 may include a control unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of the first unit 200. This allows the components of the described embodiments to be retrofitted to the first unit 200 of an existing air conditioning system and / or the second unit 250 of an air conditioning system. One or more of the power converter 230, the energy storage device 240, and the controller 220 may be located in the first unit 200. One or more of the power converter 230, the energy storage device 240, and the controller 220 may be located near or outside the first unit 200. One or more of the power converter 230, the energy storage device 240, and the controller 220 may be located in the building 102.

[0064] The first unit 200 may include a heat exchanger (not shown) that will function as a condenser / gas cooler and / or as an evaporator as part of a vapor compression refrigeration cycle.

[0065] In the drawings, the positions of all components in the drawings are examples, and embodiments include modifications to the positions of components shown in the drawings. For example, components illustrated as being connected to the first unit 200 may be retrofit components added to an existing first unit 200. Although shown as separate boxes, the elements may be combined into subassemblies and assemblies anywhere in the system (indoors or outdoors) without departing from embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0066] Controller 220 may communicate with an air conditioning controller system controller and / or an energy storage device controller. In some embodiments, a single controller may implement all functions of controller 220, an air conditioning controller, and an energy storage device controller. Controller 220 communicates with components of the described system using wired and / or wireless connections, which are not shown in the figure.

[0067] Figure 1 The system and embodiments thereof (described herein) allow one or more components of the air conditioning system and other loads not associated with the air conditioning system to be powered only by the AC grid, only by the energy storage device 240, and jointly by the AC grid and the energy storage device 240. The one or more components of the air conditioning system include components in the first unit 200 and components in the second unit 250.

[0068] Figure 2Depicts a controller 220 according to an embodiment. The controller 220 includes a sensor interface 222 that can obtain operating parameters of the air conditioning system, such as pressure, temperature, etc. As is known in the art, the controller 220 can adjust the operation of the air conditioning system based on the sensed operating parameters. The controller 220 includes a processor 224 that controls the operation of the system 100. The processor 224 can be implemented using a general-purpose microprocessor that executes a computer program stored on a storage medium to perform the operations described herein. Alternatively, the processor 224 can be implemented in hardware (e.g., ASIC, FPGA) or in a combination of hardware / software. The processor 224 allows the controller 220 to perform calculations locally, also known as edge computing. The processor 224 can send commands to other components of the air conditioning system 100 based on the results of the local calculations.

[0069] The controller 220 includes a memory 226 that can store computer programs, reference data, sensor data, etc. that can be executed by the processor 224. The memory 226 can be implemented using known devices such as random access memory. The controller 220 includes a communication unit 228 that allows the controller 220 to communicate with other components of the system 100 (such as the first unit 200, the second unit 250, and the thermostat 260). The communication unit 228 can be implemented using a wired connection (e.g., LAN, Ethernet, twisted pair, etc.) and / or a wireless connection (e.g., Wi-Fi, near field communication ("NFC"), Bluetooth, etc.).

[0070] In some embodiments, the communication unit 228 can provide high-speed data communication based on the existing wiring system and / or communication with newer equipment with a high-speed bus, while maintaining communication with existing equipment (e.g., with an RS-485 communication bus). In some embodiments, the HVAC equipment may include 4 wires for data communication, power, ground, data+ and data-. Of these wires, data+ and data- are used to carry low-speed standard RS-485 data. The power line is used to power the wall controller and comes from the second unit 250. This same power line is sent to the first unit 200, although it is generally not used. The ability to utilize the power and ground lines of the 4-wire system (referred to as "power line communication" (PLC) technology) allows digital / data signals to be sent over the power lines. In some embodiments, PLC technology can allow data to be transmitted at gigabit or near-gigabit rates using standard 2-conductor wiring. This includes 2 wires represented by the power and ground of the HVAC equipment. It should be appreciated that other data transmission speeds may be possible. In some embodiments, the communication unit 228 of the present disclosure may be configured so that: while PLC high-speed communication is occurring on the power and ground wires of a 4-wire system, low-speed RS-485 communication may also occur on the data + and data- wires. In some embodiments, the ability to use high-speed communication or a combination of high-speed and low-speed communication enables the controller 220 to utilize machine learning (ML)-based or artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithms. In some embodiments, high-speed and low-speed communications may occur almost simultaneously (e.g., within a few milliseconds of each other). This may allow standard HVAC wires to communicate with both RS-485-controlled devices and HVAC devices that include additional PLC transceivers. This may be advantageous because both new high-speed HVAC equipment and existing RS-485 HVAC equipment can coexist on the existing wiring of a building.

[0071] refer to Figure 1 , power converter 230 is used to perform any necessary power conversion, including one or more of AC-AC, AC-DC, DC-AC, and DC-DC. Power converter 230 may include several power converters at different locations in system 100. (One or more) power converters 230 may operate in a bidirectional manner, so that one or more power conversions are bidirectional. Figure 1 As shown in , power converter 230 is connected to AC and / or DC power sources and / or loads. Power converter 230 can also provide power to loads in building 102, including second unit 250 (if in building 102), thermostat 260, and load 270. In traditional mode, loads in building 102 will receive AC power directly from the AC grid. Controller 220 can select whether power will come from the AC grid or from power converter 230. Example embodiments of power converter 230 are described herein.

[0072] The energy storage device 240 is configured to provide at least a portion of the power in certain situations to operate one or more of the components of the air conditioning system, such as the first unit 200, (one or more) second units 250 together with (one or more) indoor loads 270 and any other loads. The energy storage device 240 can be implemented using a device for storing electrical energy, the device including, for example, one or more of a battery, a battery module, a battery cell, a supercapacitor, etc. The battery 240 may include a number of cells in either a modular form or as an independent multi-cell array. The battery 240 may be made of a single or multiple packaged self-contained system, a battery module or individual batteries. The battery 240, such as a complete plug-and-play battery, may include a box, wires, cells, and modules. For example, the battery 240 may include a group of batteries configured as a self-contained electromechanical unit. Energy storage device 240 may include other components (eg, an ESD management system (ESDMS)) electrically coupled to energy storage device 240 , and may be adapted to communicate with controller 220 directly or through the ESDMS.

[0073] The first unit 200 also includes components used as part of an air conditioning system and includes a compressor 242, one or more drivers 244, a fan 246 and other loads 248, and a control unit (not shown). The heat exchanger (not shown) in the first unit 200 can act as an evaporator or a condenser / gas cooler. These components will be described in further detail herein when relevant to the embodiments.

[0074] In a split system, within the building 102, one or more second units 250 are positioned to condition one or more zones of the building 102. The second unit 250 may be utilized using a variety of known second units that typically include a heat exchanger, including a variable air volume (VAV) unit, a liquid-cooled second unit, a fan coil unit, a furnace, an air handler(s), etc. In other types of systems (e.g., packaged or chillers), the second unit(s) 250 may be located outdoors and include any form of heat exchanger, such as a cooling tower, etc.

[0075] The optional thermostat 260 provides a user interface for the air conditioning system 100 and allows the user to input an operating mode for the air conditioning system 100, input set points for various zones of the system 100, etc. The indoor load 270 may be supplied with power by the first unit 200. The indoor load 270 includes a variety of loads such as appliances, lighting, electric vehicle chargers, etc. For control of the air conditioning system, the thermostat 260 is not required, and other techniques may be used.

[0076] Figure 3A Depicts the electrical architecture in an example embodiment. Figure 3A The locations of the components in are examples, and any of these components may be placed as part of the first unit 200, part of the second unit(s) 250, or separate from the first unit 200 or the second unit(s) 250. This allows the components to be retrofitted to an existing air conditioning system. Although shown as separate boxes, the elements may be combined into subassemblies and assemblies anywhere in the system (indoors or outdoors) without departing from embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0077] like Figure 3A As shown in FIG, the AC grid 302 is connected to the first unit 200 via a grid breaker 304, which is controlled by the controller 220. This allows the first unit 200 to be powered by the energy storage device 240 independently of the AC grid 302. The first unit 200 can also be powered by both the AC grid 302 and the energy storage device 240. The breaker 304 can also be implemented as a mechanical switch controlled by the controller 220, for example, or implemented by the controller 220 by controlling one or more power converters using software.

[0078] The AC grid 302 is connected to an indoor AC load 308 (such as an air handler, or any fixed device in a residential, commercial, industrial building, or data center). The AC grid 302 is also provided to an AC / AC converter 310, which supplies conditioned AC power to the compressor driver 244 of the compressor 242 and the fan 246. The AC / AC converter 310 can control the amplitude, frequency, phase, etc. of the AC power provided to the compressor driver 244 of the compressor 242 and the fan 246.

[0079] The AC grid 302 may also be connected to one of the unidirectional or bidirectional AC / DC converters 312, which interface the AC power bus 305 with the DC power bus 313. The DC power bus 313 provides power to the DC load 248, which may be located in the first unit 200. Under certain conditions, the DC power bus 313 provides power to one or more of the components of the air conditioning system (e.g., the compressor 242 and the fan 246) through the bidirectional AC / DC converter 312 and the AC / AC converter 310. This allows one or more of the components of the air conditioning system to operate independently of or in conjunction with the AC grid 302. The bidirectional AC / DC converter 312 also allows power from the DC bus 313 to be directed to the AC grid 302.

[0080] The DC power bus 313 may be powered by the energy storage device 240. In charging mode, the DC power bus 313 is used to charge the energy storage device 240 (charger not shown). The DC power bus 313 may also be powered by one or more auxiliary DC sources 314 (such as solar DC power, wind DC power, geothermal DC power, fuel cells, etc.). A DC / DC converter 316 may be used to couple the auxiliary DC source 314 to the DC power bus 313. The DC power bus 313 may provide power to an indoor DC load 318. The DC / DC converter 320 may be used to couple the indoor DC load 318 to the DC power bus 313. The AC / DC converter 347 may be used to couple the DC power bus 313 to the indoor AC load 308 via a circuit breaker 348. In some operating modes, the energy storage device 240 is used to power the indoor AC load 308. The AC / AC converter 310, the AC / DC converter 312, the DC / DC converter 320, the DC / DC converter 316, and the AC / DC converter 347 may be Figure 1 In some embodiments, one or more auxiliary DC sources 314 are connected to the AC power bus 305 via a DC / AC converter (not shown). In other embodiments, one or more auxiliary power sources provide AC power that is connected to the AC bus 305 and / or the DC bus 313 via an appropriate AC / AC converter or AC / DC converter.

[0081] The compressor driver 244 can be implemented in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, the compressor driver 244 is a switch, such as a contactor or a relay, that connects the compressor 242 to the output of the AC / AC converter 310. In other embodiments, the compressor driver 244 can be a power converter, such as an AC / AC converter or an AC / DC converter.

[0082] An optional DC / DC converter 241 may provide power conversion between the energy storage device 240 and the DC power bus 313. The DC / DC converter 241 may be a bidirectional converter for stepping up or down a DC voltage so that the energy storage device 240 may power the DC power bus 313 and the DC power bus 313 may charge the energy storage device 240. The DC / DC converter 241 may be part of the energy storage device 240 or may be a separate component from the energy storage device 240.

[0083] Figure 3AThe electrical architecture allows one or more components of the air conditioning system (the first unit 200 and / or (one or more) second units 250) to be powered solely by the AC grid 302, solely by the energy storage device 240, or jointly by the energy storage device 240 and the AC grid 302. The power supplied by the AC grid 302 can be limited by the controller 220 that controls various power converters. Other loads such as indoor DC loads 318 and indoor AC loads 308 can be powered solely by the AC grid 302, solely by the energy storage device 240, or both by the energy storage device 240 and the AC grid 302. One or more auxiliary DC sources 314 can also power one or more components of the air conditioning system (the first unit 200 and / or (one or more) second units 250) and / or other loads, either alone or in conjunction with the AC grid 302 and / or the energy storage device 240. Whether to supply power from AC grid 302, energy storage device 240, one or more auxiliary DC sources 314, or a combination thereof is based on a variety of factors, such as facility conditions, facility power prices, conditions of energy storage device 240, consumer preferences, etc. Fig. 9 Discuss example conditions.

[0084] Figure 3B Depicts the electrical architecture in an example embodiment. Figure 3B The locations of the components in are examples, and any of these components may be placed as part of the first unit 200, part of the second unit(s) 250, or separate from the first unit 200 or the second unit(s) 250. This allows the components to be retrofitted to an existing air conditioning system. Although shown as separate boxes, the elements may be combined into subassemblies and assemblies anywhere in the system (indoors or outdoors) without departing from embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0085] Figure 3B Similar to Figure 3A , except that the AC / AC converter 310 is eliminated. Power is provided to the compressor 242 from the compressor driver 244A. The compressor driver 244A can be a switch, such as a contactor or a relay, that connects the compressor 242 to the AC power bus 305. In other embodiments, the compressor driver 244A can be a power converter, such as an AC / AC converter or an AC / DC converter. The compressor driver 244A can be controlled by the controller 220.

[0086] Power is provided to the fan 246 from the fan driver 244B. The fan driver 244B may be a switch, such as a contactor or a relay, that connects the fan 246 to the AC power bus 305. In other embodiments, the fan driver 244B may be a power converter, such as an AC / AC converter or an AC / DC converter. The fan driver 244B may be controlled by the controller 220.

[0087] Figure 3B The electrical architecture allows one or more components of the air conditioning system (the first unit 200 and / or (one or more) second units 250) to be powered solely by the AC grid 302, solely by the energy storage device 240, or jointly by the energy storage device 240 and the AC grid 302. The power supplied by the AC grid 302 can be limited by the controller 220 that controls various power converters. Other loads such as indoor DC loads 318 and indoor AC loads 308 can be powered solely by the AC grid 302, solely by the energy storage device 240, or both by the energy storage device 240 and the AC grid 302. One or more auxiliary DC sources 314 can also power one or more components of the air conditioning system (the first unit 200 and / or (one or more) second units 250) and / or other loads, either alone or in conjunction with the AC grid 302 and / or the energy storage device 240. Whether to supply power from AC grid 302, energy storage device 240, one or more auxiliary DC sources 314, or a combination thereof is based on a variety of factors, such as facility conditions, facility power prices, conditions of energy storage device 240, consumer preferences, etc. Fig. 9 Discuss example conditions.

[0088] Figure 4A Depicted is an electrical architecture in another example embodiment. Figure 4A The locations of the components in are examples, and any of these components may be placed as part of the first unit 200, part of the second unit(s) 250, or separate from the first unit 200 or the second unit(s) 250. This allows the components to be retrofitted to an existing air conditioning system. Although shown as separate boxes, the elements may be combined into subassemblies and assemblies anywhere in the system (indoors or outdoors) without departing from embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0089] exist Figure 4AIn the embodiment of the present invention, compressor drive 244 and fan 246 are DC powered, and therefore, there is no need for AC / AC converter 310. Under certain conditions, bidirectional AC / DC converter 312 allows energy storage device 240 to power one or more components of the air conditioning system and / or feed power from DC bus 313 to AC grid 302. Bidirectional AC / DC converter 312 interfaces AC power bus 305 with DC power bus 313.

[0090] The compressor driver 244 may be a switch, such as a contactor or a relay, that connects the compressor 242 to the DC power bus 313. In other embodiments, the compressor driver 244 may be a power converter, such as a DC / AC converter or a DC / DC converter. The compressor driver 244 may be controlled by the controller 220.

[0091] Figure 4A The electrical architecture allows one or more components of the air conditioning system (the first unit 200 and / or (one or more) second units 250) to be powered solely by the AC grid 302, solely by the energy storage device 240, or jointly by the energy storage device 240 and the AC grid 302. The power supplied by the AC grid 302 can be limited by the controller 220 that controls various power converters. Other loads such as indoor DC loads 318 and indoor AC loads 308 can be powered solely by the AC grid 302, solely by the energy storage device 240, or both by the energy storage device 240 and the AC grid 302. One or more auxiliary DC sources 314 can also power one or more components of the air conditioning system (the first unit 200 and / or (one or more) second units 250) and / or other loads, either alone or in conjunction with the AC grid 302 and / or the energy storage device 240. Whether to supply power from AC grid 302, energy storage device 240, one or more auxiliary DC sources 314, or a combination thereof is based on a variety of factors, such as facility conditions, facility power prices, conditions of energy storage device 240, consumer preferences, etc. Fig. 9 Discuss example conditions.

[0092] Figure 4B Depicted is an electrical architecture in another example embodiment. Figure 4B The locations of the components in are examples, and any of these components may be placed as part of the first unit 200, part of the second unit(s) 250, or separate from the first unit 200 or the second unit(s) 250. This allows the components to be retrofitted to an existing air conditioning system. Although shown as separate boxes, the elements may be combined into subassemblies and assemblies anywhere in the system (indoors or outdoors) without departing from embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0093] Figure 4B Similar to Figure 4A , except that fan 246 includes fan driver 244B. Fan driver 244B can be a switch, such as a contactor or a relay, that connects fan 246 to DC power bus 313. In other embodiments, fan driver 244B can be a power converter, such as a DC / AC converter or a DC / DC converter. Fan driver 244B can be controlled by controller 220.

[0094] Figure 4B The electrical architecture allows one or more components of the air conditioning system (the first unit 200 and / or (one or more) second units 250) to be powered solely by the AC grid 302, solely by the energy storage device 240, or jointly by the energy storage device 240 and the AC grid 302. The power supplied by the AC grid 302 can be limited by the controller 220 that controls various power converters. Other loads such as indoor DC loads 318 and indoor AC loads 308 can be powered solely by the AC grid 302, solely by the energy storage device 240, or both by the energy storage device 240 and the AC grid 302. One or more auxiliary DC sources 314 can also power one or more components of the air conditioning system (the first unit 200 and / or (one or more) second units 250) and / or other loads, either alone or in conjunction with the AC grid 302 and / or the energy storage device 240. Whether to supply power from AC grid 302, energy storage device 240, one or more auxiliary DC sources 314, or a combination thereof is based on a variety of factors, such as facility conditions, facility power prices, conditions of energy storage device 240, consumer preferences, etc. Fig. 9 Discuss example conditions.

[0095] Figure 5A A DC electrical architecture for pacing the first unit 200 in an example embodiment is depicted. Figure 5A The locations of the components in are examples, and any of these components may be placed as part of the first unit 200, part of the second unit(s) 250, or separate from the first unit 200 or the second unit(s) 250. This allows the components to be retrofitted to an existing air conditioning system. Although shown as separate boxes, the elements may be combined into subassemblies and assemblies anywhere in the system (indoors or outdoors) without departing from embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0096] For ease of illustration and explanation, not all components of the first unit 200 are shown. The power converter 230 may be used in conjunction with the embodiments described above or other embodiments. For example, one or more auxiliary DC sources 314 may be connected to the energy storage device 240 (via a DC bus) to supplement the power from the energy storage device 240. Figure 5A As shown in FIG. 1 , AC power from AC grid 302 is supplied to power converter 230 through grid breaker 304. Power converter 230 includes AC / DC converter 370 and DC / AC converter 372. The output of DC / AC converter 372 is provided to compressor 242 through compressor driver 244A. Since compressor 242 is fixed speed, compressor driver 244A may be a switch, such as a contactor or a relay.

[0097] Both the AC / DC converter 370 and the DC / AC converter 372 operate under the control of the controller 220. Between the AC / DC converter 370 and the DC / AC converter 372 is a DC link 371, which is optionally connected to the energy storage device 240 through the DC / DC converter 241. In this arrangement, the energy storage device 240 can be charged by the power converter 230. Alternatively, the energy storage device 240 can provide DC power to the DC link 371 to power the DC / AC converter 372 and the compressor 242. This allows the first unit 200 to operate independently of or in conjunction with the AC grid 302. The AC / DC converter 370 can be bidirectional to allow the energy storage device 240 to provide power to the AC grid 302 and to be charged from the AC grid 302.

[0098] Controller 220, power converter 230, energy storage device 240, DC / DC converters 320 and 316, AC / DC converter 347, and DC / DC converter 241 can be retrofitted to an existing first unit 200. This allows energy storage device 240 to be added to an existing air conditioning system to enable first unit 200 to operate independently of AC grid 302, or to operate under power from both AC grid 302 and energy storage device 240. It also allows auxiliary power sources to be added in a modular manner.

[0099] Figure 5AThe electrical architecture allows one or more components of the air conditioning system (the first unit 200 and / or (one or more) second units 250) to be powered solely by the AC grid 302, solely by the energy storage device 240, or jointly by the energy storage device 240 and the AC grid 302. The power supplied by the AC grid 302 can be limited by the controller 220 that controls various power converters. Other loads such as indoor DC loads 318 and indoor AC loads 308 can be powered solely by the AC grid 302, solely by the energy storage device 240, or both by the energy storage device 240 and the AC grid 302. One or more auxiliary DC sources 314 can also power one or more components of the air conditioning system (the first unit 200 and / or (one or more) second units 250) and / or other loads, either alone or in conjunction with the AC grid 302 and / or the energy storage device 240. Whether to supply power from AC grid 302, energy storage device 240, one or more auxiliary DC sources 314, or a combination thereof is based on a variety of factors, such as facility conditions, facility power prices, conditions of energy storage device 240, consumer preferences, etc. Fig. 9 Discuss example conditions.

[0100] Figure 5B An AC electrical architecture for pacing the first unit 200 in an example embodiment is depicted. Figure 5B The locations of the components in are examples, and any of these components may be placed as part of the first unit 200, part of the second unit(s) 250, or separate from the first unit 200 or the second unit(s) 250. This allows the components to be retrofitted to an existing air conditioning system. Although shown as separate boxes, the elements may be combined into subassemblies and assemblies anywhere in the system (indoors or outdoors) without departing from embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0101] For ease of illustration and explanation, not all components of the first unit 200 are shown. The power converter 230 can be used in conjunction with the embodiments described above or other embodiments. For example, one or more auxiliary DC sources 314 can be connected to the energy storage device 240 (via a DC bus) to supplement the power from the energy storage device 240.

[0102] exist Figure 5B , power converter 230 includes a DC / DC converter 241 coupled to energy storage device 240 and AC / DC converter 370. AC / DC converter 370 may be bidirectional to allow energy storage device 240 to provide power to AC grid 302 and to be charged from AC grid 302. Since compressor 242 is fixed speed, compressor driver 244A may be a switch, such as a contactor or a relay.

[0103] The controller 220, power converter 230, and energy storage device 240 can be retrofitted to an existing first unit 200. This allows the energy storage device 240 to be added to an existing air conditioning system to enable the first unit 200 to operate independently of the AC grid 302, or to operate under power from both the AC grid 302 and the energy storage device 240.

[0104] Figure 5B The electrical architecture allows one or more components of the air conditioning system (the first unit 200 and / or (one or more) second units 250) to be powered solely by the AC grid 302, solely by the energy storage device 240, or jointly by the energy storage device 240 and the AC grid 302. The power supplied by the AC grid 302 can be limited by the controller 220 that controls various power converters. Other loads such as indoor DC loads 318 and indoor AC loads 308 can be powered solely by the AC grid 302, solely by the energy storage device 240, or both by the energy storage device 240 and the AC grid 302. One or more auxiliary DC sources 314 can also power one or more components of the air conditioning system (the first unit 200 and / or (one or more) second units 250) and / or other loads, either alone or in conjunction with the AC grid 302 and / or the energy storage device 240. Whether to supply power from AC grid 302, energy storage device 240, one or more auxiliary DC sources 314, or a combination thereof is based on a variety of factors, such as facility conditions, facility power prices, conditions of energy storage device 240, consumer preferences, etc. Fig. 9 Discuss example conditions.

[0105] Figure 5C Depicted is a DC electrical architecture for a speed-changing first unit 200 in an example embodiment. Figure 5C The locations of the components in are examples, and any of these components may be placed as part of the first unit 200, part of the second unit(s) 250, or separate from the first unit 200 or the second unit(s) 250. This allows the components to be retrofitted to an existing air conditioning system. Although shown as separate boxes, the elements may be combined into subassemblies and assemblies anywhere in the system (indoors or outdoors) without departing from embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0106] Figure 5C Similar to Figure 5A , except that the compressor driver 244A provides for variable speed operation of the compressor 242. Other loads 248 of the first unit 200 may be powered from the output of the DC / AC converter 372.

[0107] The controller 220, the power converter 230, the energy storage device 240, and the DC / DC converter 241 can be retrofitted to an existing first unit 200. This allows the energy storage device 240 to be added to an existing air conditioning system to enable the first unit 200 to operate independently of the AC grid 302, or to operate under power from both the AC grid 302 and the energy storage device 240.

[0108] For ease of illustration and explanation, not all components of the first unit 200 are shown. The power converter 230 can be used in conjunction with the embodiments described above or other embodiments. For example, one or more auxiliary DC sources 314 can be connected to the energy storage device 240 (via a DC bus) to supplement the power from the energy storage device 240.

[0109] Figure 5C The electrical architecture allows one or more components of the air conditioning system (the first unit 200 and / or (one or more) second units 250) to be powered solely by the AC grid 302, solely by the energy storage device 240, or jointly by the energy storage device 240 and the AC grid 302. The power supplied by the AC grid 302 can be limited by the controller 220 that controls various power converters. Other loads such as indoor DC loads 318 and indoor AC loads 308 can be powered solely by the AC grid 302, solely by the energy storage device 240, or both by the energy storage device 240 and the AC grid 302. One or more auxiliary DC sources 314 can also power one or more components of the air conditioning system (the first unit 200 and / or (one or more) second units 250) and / or other loads, either alone or in conjunction with the AC grid 302 and / or the energy storage device 240. Whether to supply power from AC grid 302, energy storage device 240, one or more auxiliary DC sources 314, or a combination thereof is based on a variety of factors, such as facility conditions, facility power prices, conditions of energy storage device 240, consumer preferences, etc. Fig. 9 Discuss example conditions.

[0110] Figure 5D Depicted is an AC electrical architecture for a speed-changing first unit 200 in an example embodiment. Figure 5D The locations of the components in are examples, and any of these components may be placed as part of the first unit 200, part of the second unit(s) 250, or separate from the first unit 200 or the second unit(s) 250. This allows the components to be retrofitted to an existing air conditioning system. Although shown as separate boxes, the elements may be combined into subassemblies and assemblies anywhere in the system (indoors or outdoors) without departing from embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0111] Figure 5D Similar to Figure 5B , except that the compressor driver 244A provides for variable speed operation of the compressor 242. Other loads 248 of the first unit 200 may be powered from the AC power bus 305.

[0112] For ease of illustration and explanation, not all components of the first unit 200 are shown. The power converter 230 can be used in conjunction with the embodiments described above or other embodiments. For example, one or more auxiliary DC sources 314 can be connected to the energy storage device 240 (via a DC bus) to supplement the power from the energy storage device 240.

[0113] The controller 220, power converter 230, and energy storage device 240 can be retrofitted to an existing first unit 200. This allows the energy storage device 240 to be added to an existing air conditioning system to enable the first unit 200 to operate independently of the AC grid 302, or to operate under power from both the AC grid and the energy storage device 240.

[0114] Figure 5D The electrical architecture allows one or more components of the air conditioning system (the first unit 200 and / or (one or more) second units 250) to be powered solely by the AC grid 302, solely by the energy storage device 240, or jointly by the energy storage device 240 and the AC grid 302. The power supplied by the AC grid 302 can be limited by the controller 220 that controls various power converters. Other loads such as indoor DC loads 318 and indoor AC loads 308 can be powered solely by the AC grid 302, solely by the energy storage device 240, or both by the energy storage device 240 and the AC grid 302. One or more auxiliary DC sources 314 can also power one or more components of the air conditioning system (the first unit 200 and / or (one or more) second units 250) and / or other loads, either alone or in conjunction with the AC grid 302 and / or the energy storage device 240. Whether to supply power from AC grid 302, energy storage device 240, one or more auxiliary DC sources 314, or a combination thereof is based on a variety of factors, such as facility conditions, facility power prices, conditions of energy storage device 240, consumer preferences, etc. Fig. 9 Discuss example conditions.

[0115] Figure 6 An electrical architecture having a variable speed compressor drive including a multi-level inverter in an example embodiment is depicted. For ease of illustration and explanation, not all components of the first unit 200 are shown. Figure 6The locations of the components in are examples, and any of these components may be placed as part of the first unit 200, part of the second unit(s) 250, or separate from the first unit 200 or the second unit(s) 250. This allows the components to be retrofitted to an existing air conditioning system. Although shown as separate boxes, the elements may be combined into subassemblies and assemblies anywhere in the system (indoors or outdoors) without departing from embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0116] like Figure 6 As shown in , AC power from the AC grid 302 is supplied to the power converter 230 through the grid breaker 304. The power converter 230 includes an AC / DC converter 380 and a multi-level inverter 382. The output of the multi-level inverter 382 is provided to the compressor 242. The output of the multi-level inverter 382 can be a multi-phase multi-level waveform configured to drive a multi-phase motor of the compressor 242. In an example embodiment, the multi-level inverter 382 is a five-level three-phase inverter. In another example embodiment, the multi-level inverter 382 is a three-level three-phase inverter.

[0117] The multi-level inverter 382 synthesizes a sinusoidal current waveform to operate and control the compressor 242. This is traditionally accomplished with a two-level inverter. Integration with the energy storage device 240 allows a natural progression to higher order inverters. Three-level and five-level inverters require independent power supplies to set the voltage levels. Figure 6 In an embodiment, the energy storage device 240 can set the voltage level. The energy storage device 240 may include internal battery modules connected in series. The multi-level inverter 382 directly uses the battery modules to obtain each necessary voltage level, thereby realizing the benefits of the multi-level inverter. The multi-level inverter 382 benefits from lower harmonic output and lower dv / dt device stress. The multi-level inverter 382 increases reliability by the ability to reconfigure to a lower number of levels after a fault has occurred, through the integration of back-to-back switches or relays, to connect or disconnect the battery modules together.

[0118] Figure 7One phase leg of a five-level multiphase inverter in an embodiment of a multilevel inverter 382 is shown. The energy storage device 240 includes at least four battery modules 240A, 240B, 240C, and 240D connected in series. The combination of the battery modules 240A, 240B, 240C, and 240D and the neutral point n provides five voltage levels for creating a sinusoidal output waveform on one phase. In general, N battery module voltages are used to provide N+1 level output waveforms for each phase. Switches S1-S4 and S'1-S'4 are controlled by the controller 220 to generate a sine wave as known in the art. The multilevel inverter 382 can be reconfigured into fewer levels by integrating back-to-back switches or relays to connect or disconnect the battery modules together.

[0119] The voltage levels used in the multi-level inverter 382 do not need to be supplied by separate battery modules. Those voltage levels used to create a sinusoidal output waveform can be created using one battery module, where the battery voltage is split, for example, by a capacitor.

[0120] refer to Figure 6 , the AC / DC converter 370 and the multi-level inverter 382 are both operated under the control of the controller 220. Between the AC / DC converter 370 and the multi-level inverter 382 is a DC link 381, which is connected to the energy storage device 240. In this arrangement, the energy storage device 240 can be charged by the power converter 230. Alternatively, the energy storage device 240 can provide DC power to the DC link 381 to power the multi-level inverter 382 and the compressor 242. This allows the first unit 200 to operate independently of the AC grid 302, or to operate under power from both the AC grid 302 and the energy storage device 240. The AC / DC converter 380 can be bidirectional to allow the energy storage device 240 to provide power to the AC grid and to be charged from the AC grid.

[0121] Figure 6The electrical architecture allows one or more components of the air conditioning system (the first unit 200 and / or (one or more) second units 250) to be powered solely by the AC grid 302, solely by the energy storage device 240, or jointly by the energy storage device 240 and the AC grid 302. The power supplied by the AC grid 302 can be limited by the controller 220 that controls various power converters. Other loads such as indoor DC loads 318 and indoor AC loads 308 can be powered solely by the AC grid 302, solely by the energy storage device 240, or both by the energy storage device 240 and the AC grid 302. One or more auxiliary DC sources 314 can also power one or more components of the air conditioning system (the first unit 200 and / or (one or more) second units 250) and / or other loads, either alone or in conjunction with the AC grid 302 and / or the energy storage device 240. Whether to supply power from AC grid 302, energy storage device 240, one or more auxiliary DC sources 314, or a combination thereof is based on a variety of factors, such as facility conditions, facility power prices, conditions of energy storage device 240, consumer preferences, etc. Fig. 9 Discuss example conditions.

[0122] In the above embodiments, one or more auxiliary DC sources 314 may be used to provide DC power. The one or more auxiliary DC sources 314 may include sources such as solar DC power, wind DC power, geothermal DC power, fuel cells, and the like.

[0123] Figure 8 Depicts the communication between the controller 220, the thermostat 260, and the remote system 410 in an example embodiment. As described above, the controller 220 may be integrated as part of the air conditioning controller and / or the battery controller, or may be independent and communicate with the air conditioning controller and / or the energy storage controller. The controller 220 communicates with the thermostat 260 via a local link 400. The local link 400 may be a wired connection (e.g., twisted pair, four-wire, power line communication, Modbus, CAN bus, etc.) and / or a wireless connection (e.g., WiFi, radio or Bluetooth, NFC, etc.). The thermostat 260 may also be implemented using a software application operating on a user device (e.g., a mobile phone, tablet, laptop). The thermostat 260 may also provide occupancy, past performance, and weather information to the controller 220.

[0124] One or both of the controller 220 and the thermostat 260 may communicate with the remote system 410 via a network 406. The network 406 may be a long-distance network and may be implemented via a variety of communication protocols. The network 406 may be implemented via one or more networks such as, but not limited to, WiMax, a local area network (LAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a personal area network (PAN), a campus area network (CAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless wide area network (WWAN), or any broadband network, and may further enable technologies such as, for example, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Personal Communications Service (PCS), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Matter, fixed wireless data, 2G, 2.5G, 3G (e.g., 3G networks based on WCDMA / UMTS), 4G, advanced IMT, pre-4G, advanced LTE, 5G, 6G, mobile WiMax, WiMax 2. Advanced wireless MAN networks, Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced GPRS, iBurst, UMTS, HSPDA, HSUPA, HSPA, HSPA+, UMTS-TDD, 1xRTT, EV-DO, messaging protocols (such as TCP / IP, SMS, MMS), Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP), Real-time Messaging Protocol (RTMP), Instant Messaging and Presence Protocol (IMPP), Instant Messaging, USSD, IRC, or any other wireless data network, broadband network, or messaging protocol.

[0125] The remote system 410 may be implemented as any type of processor-based computing or computer device capable of performing the functions described herein, including but not limited to computers, servers, workstations, desktop computers, laptop computers, notebook computers, tablet computers, mobile computing devices, wearable computing devices, network appliances, World Wide Web appliances, distributed computing systems (e.g., cloud computing), processor-based systems, and / or consumer electronic devices. The remote system 410 provides information that is used by the controller 220 and / or the thermostat 260 to implement energy management routines that control how one or more components of the air conditioning system and the load 270 consume power. The information provided by the remote system 410 may include facility pricing indicating the cost of powering the AC grid 302 and weather information, which may be used to predict future facility pricing and usage of one or more components of the air conditioning system. The facility pricing and weather may be pushed to the remote system 410 or pulled by the remote system 410 using known networking techniques. The facility pricing and / or weather may be determined in real time or may be a prediction of future conditions.

[0126] In the embodiments described above, the controller 220 communicates with the components of the described system using wired and / or wireless connections, which are not illustrated in the figure. Depending on the power source used in the operating mode (e.g., one or more of AC grid power, energy storage device power, auxiliary power source, etc.), the controller 220 sends command signals to various system components (e.g., AC / AC converter 310, AC / DC converter 312, AC / DC converter 347, DC / DC converter 320, DC / DC converter 316, DC / DC converter 241, AC / DC converter 370, DC / AC converter 372, AC / DC converter 380 and / or multi-level inverter 382, ​​AC circuit breaker 304, etc.) to route power to one or more components of the air conditioning system, such as the first unit 200, (one or more) second unit 250 together with (one or more) indoor loads 270 and any other loads.

[0127] Fig. 9 An energy management process in an example embodiment is depicted. The process may be performed by the controller 220 and / or by the thermostat 260. At 600, the controller 220 determines whether there is a request to reduce energy usage, or any other communication signal such as a change or incentive in energy pricing. A facility provider may request a reduction in energy usage during a certain time period to avoid a service explanation (e.g., brownout), or other penalties or incentives, such as a change in pricing. A request to reduce energy usage may be accompanied by an incentive (e.g., $5 off the next energy bill). Requests for reductions may also originate from energy consumers such as data centers, where data centers need to maintain their processing and / or cooling loads and encourage other users to reduce their consumption to ensure energy availability.

[0128] If there is a request to reduce energy usage, the process proceeds to 602, where a user (e.g., a customer of the facility) can approve or deny the request to reduce energy usage. The decision to approve or deny can be pre-established by the user and pre-programmed into the controller 220 and / or the thermostat 260. For example, the user may wish to always reduce energy consumption, regardless of terms. The user may wish to never reduce energy consumption, regardless of terms. The user may wish to reduce energy consumption only when the facility provides an incentive. The decision to approve or deny at 602 can also be real-time, where the user enters approval or denial of the reduction in energy consumption through the thermostat 260 or through a mobile device.

[0129] If the user approves the reduction in energy usage at 602, the process proceeds to 604, where one or more components of the air conditioning system (if necessary) and / or other loads are at least partially powered by energy storage device 240. This may require opening AC breaker 304 (e.g., power from AC grid 302 is zero) and using only energy storage device 240 to power one or more components of the air conditioning system and / or other loads. Operating one or more components of the air conditioning system and / or other loads may also include using both AC grid 302 and energy storage device 240 in conjunction with powering one or more components of the air conditioning system and / or other loads. The controller 220 can limit the amount of power drawn from the AC grid 302 by controlling various power converters 230 in the system (e.g., AC / AC converter 310, AC / DC converter 312, AC / DC converter 347, DC / DC converter 320, DC / DC converter 316, DC / DC converter 241, AC / DC converter 370, DC / AC converter 372, AC / DC converter 380, and / or multi-level inverter 382) to reduce the amount of AC power drawn from the AC grid 302. The energy storage device 240 and the AC grid 302 are used in conjunction to power one or more components and / or one or more loads of the air conditioning system.

[0130] Using the energy storage device 240 to operate one or more components of the air conditioning system may also include limiting the amount of power used from the AC grid 302 to a certain power limit (e.g., 1 kW during 2 hours). The controller 220 may limit the amount of power drawn from the AC grid 302 by controlling various power converters 230 in the system (e.g., AC / AC converter 310, AC / DC converter 312, AC / DC converter 347, DC / DC converter 320, DC / DC converter 316, DC / DC converter 241, AC / DC converter 370, DC / AC converter 372, AC / DC converter 380, and / or multi-level inverter 382) to reduce the amount of AC power drawn from the AC grid 302. At 604, other loads may be powered by the energy storage device 240, including (one or more) indoor loads 270, which may include (one or more) indoor DC loads 318 and / or (one or more) indoor AC loads 308. The process returns to 600.

[0131] At some point, the energy storage device 240 will lack sufficient charge such that one or more components of the air conditioning system will need to be powered solely by the AC grid 302. The controller 220 can detect when the condition of the energy storage device 240 (such as state of charge (SOC), state of health (SoH), voltage, temperature, etc.) is not within acceptable limits for powering one or more components of the air conditioning system or other loads. If the condition of the energy storage device 240 is not within acceptable limits, one or more components of the air conditioning system and / or other loads need to be powered by the AC grid 302. This results in stopping discharging the energy storage device 240 and / or initiating charging of the energy storage device 240.

[0132] If the facility or some other source has not requested a reduction in energy use at 600, the process proceeds to 606, where the controller 220 determines whether the system 100 should use electricity from the energy storage device 240. An example of a situation in which the system 100 should use electricity from the energy storage device 240 occurs when the facility electricity is at least one of peak price, close to grid capacity, or reaching grid capacity. This determination can be made in real time, or can be made in advance using a forecast and communicated from the facility to the air conditioning system. Peak price does not necessarily require that the price of electricity is at a maximum, but is generally known in the art as a period of time above the average energy cost. Whether the facility is at a peak price can be determined by facility pricing obtained from the remote system 410 or current or future weather information obtained from the remote system 410. This information can also be stored locally in the controller 220. If the facility is at least one of peak price, close to grid capacity, or reaching grid capacity, the process proceeds to 604, where one or more components and loads 270 of the air conditioning system (including indoor AC loads 308 and / or other loads) are powered by the energy storage device 240 alone or in conjunction with the AC grid 302. As described above, controller 220 can limit the amount of power drawn from AC grid 302 by controlling various power converters 230 in the system. Facility power being at peak prices and grid capacity are not the only factors that can be relied upon in determining that the system should use power from energy storage device 240.

[0133] Regarding grid capacity, information about grid capacity and current grid load may be obtained from a remote system such as a source of utility pricing. If AC grid 302 is at or near grid capacity (e.g., within a threshold range of grid capacity, and optionally, increasing), it may be prudent to use power from energy storage device 240 to avoid a power outage.

[0134] Another example of a situation in which the system should use power from energy storage device 240 occurs when a user requests a reduction in energy usage. The user can use thermostat 260 to place system 100 in a reduced energy usage mode (e.g., an eco-friendly mode), which causes the system to use power from energy storage device 240 to power one or more components of the air conditioning system.

[0135] In another example, the system may use power from energy storage device 240 based on a machine learning (ML) and / or artificial intelligence (AI) control algorithm implemented by controller 220 based on data from box 602 (e.g., user consent) or based on data from box 600 (e.g., a request to reduce energy usage).

[0136] If at 606, the system should not use power from the energy storage device 240, the process proceeds to 608, where the energy storage device 240 is charged using the AC grid 302. At 610, the controller 220 determines whether the battery condition is within acceptable limits, including state of charge (SOC), state of health (SoH), temperature, voltage, or a condition that exceeds safety and / or operating limits. If so, the process returns to 600. At 610, the controller 220 can detect parameters of the energy storage device 240 to confirm that parameters such as the battery's state of health, operating range, temperature range, voltage, capacity, etc. are within valid limits.

[0137] It should be noted that it is possible to charge energy storage device 240 even when facility power is at peak price. This may include fault mode, test mode, etc. Thus, charging energy storage device 240 is not limited to off-peak facility power price times.

[0138] If at 610, the energy storage device has a condition that is not within acceptable limits, the process proceeds to 612, where the energy storage device 240 can be charged if the SoC is low, or the energy storage device 240 can be completely disconnected if the energy storage device 240 is not operating within safety and / or operating limits.

[0139] Although Fig. 9 Involving operating one or more components of the air conditioning system and / or other loads to reduce power consumption, but other techniques may be used to reduce power consumption, such as using a variable speed drive to reduce compressor speed, changing thermostat set points, etc. In other embodiments, the facility may request an increase in energy usage. This request may be real-time, or a future request based on predicted conditions. Increasing energy usage may include charging the energy storage device 240.

[0140] If the thermostat 260 is equipped with a processor 261, then Fig. 9One or more operations of the process may be performed by the thermostat 260. The processor 261 may be implemented using a general-purpose microprocessor that executes a computer program stored on a storage medium to perform the operations described herein. Alternatively, the processor 261 may be implemented in hardware (e.g., ASIC, FPGA) or in a combination of hardware / software. The controller 220 and the thermostat may jointly or individually perform Fig. 9 All or some of the operations.

[0141] In other embodiments, the controller 220 and / or the thermostat 260 perform system enhancement routines to improve the performance of the entire air conditioning system based on optimization (including model predictive control) or machine learning techniques, taking into account carbon impact, energy performance, energy cost, life cycle cost, impact on the life of the equipment, reliability. The system enhancement routines can operate with or without information about weather, occupancy, historical use, customer preferences, equipment performance maps (HVAC, battery), the possibility of energy outages, etc. Customer preferences, machine learning techniques used, decision flexibility regarding temperature, cost, environmental issues, etc. can be used to improve control logic and optimization. Other control strategies that have advantages in cost, performance, efficiency, environment, comfort, reliability, such as pre-cooling and pre-heating, can be implemented by the controller 220 and / or the thermostat 260.

[0142] As described above, embodiments may take the form of processor-implemented processes and apparatus for practicing those processes (such as controller 220 and / or thermostat 260). Embodiments may also take the form of computer program code containing instructions implemented in a tangible medium such as a network cloud storage device, an SD card, a flash drive, a floppy disk, a CD ROM, a hard drive, or any other computer-readable storage medium, wherein when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the embodiments. Embodiments may also take the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and / or executed by a computer, or transmitted through some transmission medium, loaded into and / or executed by a computer, or transmitted through some transmission medium, such as through electrical wiring or cabling, through optical fiber, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the embodiments. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits.

[0143] Reference now Fig. 10A, an example of an outdoor unit 1000 of an air conditioning system is illustrated. As shown, the outdoor unit 1000 includes a heat exchanger 1002 having a generally square structure, such as, for example, a C-shape or a U-shape, however, embodiments in which the heat exchanger 1002 is rectangular, cylindrical, V-shaped, N-shaped, or other shapes are also within the scope of the present disclosure. As shown, the outdoor unit 1000 may additionally include a chassis 1004, which is arranged at the bottom of the outdoor unit 1000 and is configured to hold the heat exchanger 1002 in place. The chassis 1004 may also be configured to prevent condensed water from collecting in the chassis 1004. A compressor 1006 is arranged to be in fluid communication with the heat exchanger 1002. As shown, the compressor 1006 is mounted to the chassis 1004, such as at a central position within the interior of the outdoor unit 1000 defined by the heat exchanger 1002. The compressor 1006 can be used to pump a heat transfer fluid through a vapor compression cycle. Examples of heat transfer fluids contemplated for use in the outdoor unit 1000 described herein include, but are not limited to, refrigerants, such as those with low global warming potential, CO2, oils, brine, and other suitable fluids. Disposed in communication with the surface of the heat exchanger 1002 is a fan assembly 1008 configured to draw ambient air radially inwardly through the heat exchanger 1002 and thereafter exhaust the air upwardly through the opening 1010.

[0144] Continue to refer Fig. 10A , when the energy storage device 1100 is associated with the outdoor unit 1000, the energy storage device 1100 can be located within the interior 1012 of the outdoor unit 1000, such as within the area defined between the inner surface of the heat exchanger 1002, the chassis 1004, and the fan assembly 1008. Positioning the energy storage device 1100 within the interior 1012 of the outdoor unit 1000 has the benefit of protecting the energy storage device 1100 from direct contact with the elements, such as rain and snow. Alternatively or additionally, the energy storage device 1100 can be located outside the outdoor unit 1000, such as beneath the chassis 1004 of the outdoor unit, for example, the energy storage device 1100 can be within the same footprint as the outdoor unit 1100. Alternatively or additionally, the energy storage device 1100 can even be located remotely from the outdoor unit (see Fig. 10B ).

[0145] In other embodiments, Fig.11As shown in , the energy storage device 1100 can be associated with an indoor unit 1020 of an air conditioning system. An example of an indoor unit 1020 in the form of a fan coil unit is illustrated. As shown, the fan coil unit includes a cabinet 1022, a heat exchanger assembly 1024, and a fan assembly or blower 1026 positioned within the cabinet 1022. The fan assembly 1026 is configured to circulate an air flow through the heat exchanger assembly 1024 to condition (heat or cool) the air before the air is delivered to the area to be conditioned. Although the fan assembly 1026 is illustrated as being located downstream of the heat exchanger assembly 1024 relative to the air flow through the cabinet 1022, it should be appreciated that embodiments in which the fan assembly 1026 is located upstream of the heat exchanger assembly 1024 (see Fig.21 and Fig. 22 ) are also within the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, it should be appreciated that indoor units 1020 having another configuration are also contemplated herein, such as including, for example, a furnace. Regardless of the configuration of the indoor unit 1020, the energy storage device 1100 can be located within the interior 1028 of the cabinet 1022, or alternatively away from it.

[0146] like Figure 10A-11 The energy storage device 1100 illustrated in and described herein will generate heat when operating and when charging. Therefore, regardless of the location of the energy storage device 1100 relative to the air conditioning system, thermal management of the energy storage device 1100 is required to reduce the risk of a thermal runaway event. Figure 10A-11 , and further reference Figure 12-22 , thermal management of the energy storage device 1100, and in particular cooling, can be performed using air flow through the corresponding indoor unit 1020 or outdoor unit 1000 of the air conditioning system. In some embodiments, the energy storage device 1100 is part of a closed-loop coolant cycle including a coolant heat exchanger 1102. A pump or other moving mechanism 1104 can be configured to circulate the coolant C within the coolant loop. The coolant C is configured to absorb heat as it flows over or through the surface of the energy storage device 1100, and then reject the heat to the air flow A at the coolant heat exchanger 1102.

[0147] As shown, the coolant heat exchanger 1102 may be disposed inside the indoor unit 1020 or the outdoor unit 1000, regardless of whether the energy storage device 1100 is also disposed inside the indoor unit 1020 or the outdoor unit 1000. Figure 12-15 In the illustrative, non-limiting embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 , the coolant heat exchanger 1102 is separate from or located away from the heat exchangers 1002, 1024 of the outdoor unit 1000 or the indoor unit 1020 configured to receive the heat transfer fluid flow. Figure 12-14 1002, 1024, but wherein the coolant heat exchanger 1102 is arranged to be in direct contact with the interior or downstream surface of the heat exchanger 1002, 1024. Fig.15 Embodiments other than those shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0148] The configuration of the coolant heat exchanger 1102 may be the same as the configuration of the heat exchangers 1002, 1024 configured to receive a flow of heat transfer fluid, or may be different, as shown in the figure. Fig.13 and Fig.14 In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the heat exchanger assembly 1024 configured to receive a flow of heat transfer fluid has a plurality of heat exchanger coils 1030 arranged in a V-shaped configuration; however, the coolant heat exchanger 1102 has a generally rectangular configuration with both heat exchanger coils 1030 oriented at an angle. As a result, in some embodiments, only a portion of the air flow A passing through the indoor unit 1020 or the outdoor unit 1000 flows through both the coolant heat exchanger 1102 and the heat exchangers 1002, 1024.

[0149] In some embodiments, the coolant heat exchanger 1102 is arranged downstream of the heat exchangers 1002, 1024 with respect to the air flow. Fig.12 The outdoor unit 1000 shown in FIG. 1 draws air from outside the outdoor unit 1000 through the heat exchanger 1002 via the fan assembly 1008 in operation. Heat can be transferred to the air flow from the heat transfer fluid circulating through the heat exchanger 1002. This portion of heated air is then configured to flow through the coolant heat exchanger 1102. However, because the heat generated by the energy storage device 1100 may be large, the temperature of the heated coolant C is much higher than the temperature of the heated air flow. Therefore, the heated air flow A output from the heat exchanger 1002 can act as a radiator to absorb heat from the heated coolant C. Then, the resulting coolant at a relatively cold temperature is returned to the energy storage device 1100 to repeat the coolant cycle. The hot air A is then drawn through the fan assembly 1008 and discharged into the ambient atmosphere surrounding the outdoor unit 1000. It should be appreciated that in embodiments in which the energy storage device 1100 is located outside the outdoor unit 1000 , the hot air A is discharged in a direction away from the energy storage device 1100 .

[0150] Similarly, refer to Fig.13 and Fig.14, the coolant heat exchanger 1102 may be arranged in the cabinet 1022 of the indoor unit 1020. As shown, the coolant heat exchanger 1102 may be located at or downstream of the heat exchanger 1024 relative to the air flow A through the indoor unit 1020 ( Fig.13 ) or upstream of heat exchanger 1024 ( Fig.14 ). For example, something like Fig.12 In an embodiment of the outdoor unit 1000, the air flow A in the cabinet 1022 may be cooled in the heat exchanger 1024 before absorbing heat from the coolant C in the coolant heat exchanger 1102. Alternatively, the air A may first be heated by the coolant C in the coolant heat exchanger 1102, and then the heat from the air may be transferred to the heat transfer fluid in the heat exchanger 1024.

[0151] Reference now Fig.16 and Fig.17 In other embodiments, the coolant heat exchanger 1102 may be integrally formed with the heat exchangers 1002, 1024 configured to receive a heat transfer fluid. As shown, a single heat exchanger 1110 has a body including a plurality of heat exchange tubes divided into a first portion 1112 serving as the heat exchangers 1002, 1024 and a second portion 1114 serving as the coolant heat exchanger 1102. As shown, the second portion 1114 may be located closer to the energy storage device 1100 than the first portion. In addition, the total number of heat exchange tubes disposed within the second portion is selected to appropriately cool the coolant C therein, and thus may be greater than, equal to, or less than the total number of heat exchange tubes disposed within the first portion 1112. Therefore, during operation of either the indoor unit 1020 or the outdoor unit 1000, the operation of the fan assemblies 1008, 1026 is configured to simultaneously draw air flow A through both the first portion 1112 and the second portion 1114 of the heat exchanger 1110.

[0152] Reference now Figure 18-22 In some embodiments, the energy storage device 1100 is directly cooled by the air flow A passing through the indoor unit 1020 or the outdoor unit 1000. In such embodiments, the energy storage device 1100 is directly mounted within the flow path of the air A. The housing of the energy storage device 1100 may be configured with a plurality of holes, channels, or vents formed on one or more sides thereof to define at least one flow channel 1120 so that the air A passes through the energy storage device 1100.

[0153] exist Figure 18-19In the outdoor unit 1000 illustrated in FIG. 1 , the energy storage device 1100 may be mounted directly downstream of the heat exchanger 1002 relative to the air flow A. In such embodiments, the configuration of the energy storage device may be selected to position the energy storage device 1100 inside the heat exchanger 1002 while optimizing the surface area of ​​the energy storage device 1100 that faces the heat exchanger 1002 and is configured to receive the air flow A therefrom ( Fig.18 ). In other embodiments, such as for example Fig. 20 , the energy storage device 1100 may be located inside the outdoor unit 1000, such as directly below the heat exchanger 1002. In such embodiments, one or more vents 1032 may be formed on those sides of the outdoor unit 1000 that are close to the energy storage device 1100 to allow air A to flow through the vents and the heat exchanger 1002 simultaneously and in parallel. The air A from the vents 1032 is configured to flow over the energy storage device 1100, and in some embodiments, through the energy storage device 1100, before mixing with the air output from the heat exchanger 1002.

[0154] Reference now Fig.21 and Fig. 22 , the energy storage device 1100 may be disposed directly at any suitable location within the air flow A through the cabinet 1022. Fig.18 and Fig.19 , energy storage device 1100 is shown positioned directly downstream of heat exchanger assembly 1024 relative to air flow A. In other embodiments, energy storage device 1100 is disposed directly upstream of at least a portion of heat exchanger assembly 1024 relative to air flow A through cabinet 1022.

[0155] Alternatively, or in addition to the previously described systems for thermally managing energy storage device 1100, energy storage device 1100 can be cooled by a flow of heat transfer fluid circulating within an air conditioning system. In some embodiments, energy storage device 1100 is directly cooled by a flow of heat transfer fluid circulating within an air conditioning system. In such embodiments, one or more flow channels 1120 configured to receive a heat transfer fluid can extend through the housing of energy storage device 1100.

[0156] In other embodiments, the energy storage device may be cooled indirectly via a flow of heat transfer fluid within the air conditioning system. Figure 24-25 , the energy storage device 1100 may include a coolant loop, and the coolant C within the coolant loop may be cooled via a heat exchange relationship or heat interaction with a vapor compression cycle of the air conditioning system. Fig.24 and Fig.25Schematic diagrams of an exemplary air conditioning system 1200 in a heating mode and in a cooling mode, respectively. The air conditioning system 1200 may be a heat pump having a first or indoor portion 1202 positioned within a building to be conditioned and a second or outdoor portion 1204 positioned outside the building. It should be understood that embodiments in which the heat pump 1200 is installed in a single housing that is partially or completely located within the building or outside the building are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0157] At least one compressor 1210 may be located in the indoor portion 1202 or the outdoor portion 1204 of the heat pump 1200. The one or more compressors 1210 may be any suitable single-stage or multi-stage compressors, including but not limited to screw compressors, reciprocating compressors, centrifugal compressors, scroll compressors, rotary compressors, or axial compressors. The compressors 1210 may be driven by an electric motor or another suitable energy source.

[0158] The first heat exchanger 1212 is arranged in the first or indoor part 1202 and is directly or indirectly fluidically coupled to one or more compressors 1210. The first heat exchanger 1212 can be a heat exchanger of any suitable type configured to transfer heat between a refrigerant and air or another medium. For example, the first heat exchanger 1212 may include one or more coils of a thermally conductive material (such as copper, aluminum, its alloy, or a combination thereof). In other embodiments, the first heat exchanger 1212 can be a shell and tube heat exchanger, a printed circuit heat exchanger, a plate fin heat exchanger, a microchannel heat exchanger, or any combination thereof. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, air or other media is moved (drawn or blown) above the first heat exchanger 1212 via a first moving mechanism 1214 (such as, for example, a fan).

[0159] Heat pump 1200 includes at least one expansion device. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a plurality of expansion devices are included. For example, indoor expansion device 1216 is positioned within indoor portion 1202, and outdoor expansion device 1218 may be positioned within outdoor portion 1204. In such embodiments, the heat transfer fluid is configured to flow through only one of the expansion devices in each direction of the loop. However, embodiments having only a single expansion device are also within the scope of the present disclosure. First heat exchanger 1212 is fluidly coupled to indoor expansion device 1216.

[0160] The second heat exchanger 1220 is disposed within the second or outdoor portion 1204 of the heat pump 1200 and is fluidly coupled to the outdoor expansion device 1218. Similar to the first heat exchanger 1212, the second heat exchanger 1220 can be any suitable type of heat exchanger configured to transfer heat between a refrigerant and air or another medium. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, the second heat exchanger 1220 is disposed near the outer limit of the outdoor portion 1204. However, embodiments in which the second heat exchanger 1220 is disposed at another location (such as within or near the outdoor portion 1204) are also contemplated herein.

[0161] The second heat exchanger 1220 may have any suitable configuration. For example, the second heat exchanger 1220 may include one or more coils of a thermally conductive material such as copper, aluminum, an alloy thereof, or a combination thereof. In other embodiments, the second heat exchanger 1220 may be a shell and tube heat exchanger, a printed circuit heat exchanger, a plate fin heat exchanger, a microchannel heat exchanger, or any combination thereof. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, the outdoor portion 1204 includes a second moving mechanism 1222, such as, for example, a fan assembly, to move air or another medium over the second heat exchanger 1220.

[0162] The heat pump 20 additionally includes a reversing valve 1224 configured to redirect the flow of the refrigerant R therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the reversing valve 1224 is disposed within the outdoor portion 1204 and includes a first flow path and a second flow path that are fluidly separated. In the first state, as shown in FIG. Fig.24 , a first flow path fluidly connects the outlet of the one or more compressors 1210 to the first heat exchanger 1212, and a second flow path fluidly connects the second heat exchanger 1220 to the inlet of the one or more compressors 1210. In a second state, the first flow path fluidly connects the outlet of the one or more compressors 1210 to the second heat exchanger 1220, and the second flow path fluidly connects the first heat exchanger 1212 to the inlet of the one or more compressors 1210. It should be understood that the heat pump 1200 illustrated and described herein is intended to be an example only, and heat pumps having another configuration and / or additional components arranged along the fluid flow paths are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0163] During normal operation of heat pump 1200, the heat pump may operate in a "heating" mode ( Fig.24). When the reversing valve 1224 is in the first state, the refrigerant is configured to flow from the compressor 1210 through the closed refrigeration circuit to the first heat exchanger 1212 acting as a condenser. In the first heat exchanger 1212, heat is transferred from the refrigerant to the air passing through the first heat exchanger 1212 by the first moving mechanism 1214. This warmed air can be used to heat one or more areas to be conditioned in the building. Partially or completely condensed liquid refrigerant is provided from the first heat exchanger 1212 to the indoor expansion device 1216, where the pressure is reduced, causing the refrigerant to expand and cool to a temperature below the ambient temperature. In the second heat exchanger 1220, heat is transferred from the air passing through the second heat exchanger 1220 to the refrigerant by the second moving mechanism 1222. This heat causes the liquid portion of the refrigerant to evaporate into a gas phase. The refrigerant returns to the compressor 1210 from the second heat exchanger 1220 via the reversing valve 1224.

[0164] During normal operation of the heat pump 1200, frost may accumulate on the second heat exchanger 1220. To eliminate or at least reduce such frost, the heat pump 1200 may be switched to a defrost mode, such as by switching the reversing valve 1224 to a second state. Fig.25 ), the flow direction of the refrigerant through the closed refrigerant circuit is reversed. Therefore, the warm high-pressure refrigerant output from at least one compressor 1210 is routed to the second heat exchanger 1220, so that the second heat exchanger 1220 acts as a condenser rather than an evaporator. In the defrost mode, the second moving mechanism 1222 can be disabled to prevent air from passing through the second heat exchanger 1220, thereby enabling the temperature of the second heat exchanger 1220 to increase to a greater degree than the ambient air temperature. The refrigerant from the second heat exchanger 1220 expands in the indoor expansion device 1216 and is then delivered to the first heat exchanger 1212, which is configured to operate as an evaporator. Within the first heat exchanger 1212, the refrigerant can absorb heat from the medium passing through the first heat exchanger 1212 via the first moving mechanism 1214. The refrigerant returns to the compressor 1210 from the first heat exchanger 1212 via the reversing valve 1224. It should be appreciated that the air conditioning system illustrated and described herein is intended only as an example and that air conditioning systems having any suitable vapor compression cycle are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0165] In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, the energy storage heat exchanger 1230 is fluidly coupled to the fluid flow path of the heat transfer fluid R at a location downstream of the heat exchanger 1212 or 1220 acting as a condenser and upstream of the corresponding expansion device 1216, 1218. The energy storage heat exchanger 1230 may be configured as a heat sink to remove heat from the coolant C circulating within the coolant loop. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, the energy storage heat exchanger 1230 is a heat storage device filled with any suitable phase change material, such as, for example, ice or wax.

[0166] During the cooling of the energy storage device 1100, the air conditioning system 1200 may not be in operation. The heated coolant C flows through, around and / or through the heat storage device 1230, causing heat to be transferred from the coolant C to the phase change material within the heat storage device. This heat transfer not only cools the coolant C, but also causes at least a portion of the phase change material within the heat storage device 1230 to change from a first state (such as, for example, a solid) to a second state (such as, for example, a liquid). However, embodiments in which the first state is a liquid and the second state is a gas are also contemplated herein. Based on the heat generated by the energy storage device 1100 and / or the heat to be removed from the energy storage device 1100, the size of the heat storage device 1230 and, in some embodiments, the phase change material stored therein may be selected to sufficiently cool the coolant C circulating through the coolant loop. Once the energy storage device 1100 is cooled to the desired temperature, the heat storage device 1230 may be "recharged" by removing heat therefrom. This heat removal is performed by directing a portion of the flow of cold heat transfer fluid R output from the heat exchangers 1212, 1220 operating as condensers to the thermal storage device 1230. In an embodiment, the coolant expansion device 1232 is arranged directly upstream of the thermal storage device 1230 with respect to the flow of the heat transfer fluid R. In an embodiment in which the thermal storage device 1230 is filled with a phase change material, refilling the thermal storage device 1230 via a cold flow of heat transfer fluid causes the phase change material to change from the second phase back to the first phase. The hot heat transfer fluid R output from the thermal storage device 1230 may be returned directly to the inlet of the compressor 1210. Once the thermal storage device 1230 is refilled, the flow of heat transfer fluid R provided to the thermal storage device 1230 may be stopped.

[0167] In some embodiments, the energy storage heat exchanger 1230 can be used to transfer heat to the coolant C circulating within the coolant loop, such as to warm the energy storage device 1100 when the ambient temperature around the energy storage device 1100 or the outdoor unit 1204 is cool. In such embodiments, the heat transfer fluid R is configured to bypass the coolant expansion device 1232 and be provided directly to the energy storage heat exchanger 1230. For example, Fig.24As shown in FIG. 1 , the bypass conduit 1234 is arranged in parallel with the coolant expansion device 1232. The bypass conduit 1234 includes a valve V, which can be used to control the flow of the heat transfer fluid through the bypass conduit 1234.

[0168] A management system including a controller C may be used to monitor the temperature of the energy storage device 1100. The controller C may be any of the controller 220, the HVAC controller, or the energy storage device controller as described previously herein. The management system may include one or more sensors S that may be used to monitor the temperature of each of the battery cells of the energy storage device 1100. When the sensed temperature exceeds a heating temperature threshold or is below a cooling temperature threshold, the controller C of the management system will activate the pump 1104 to cause the coolant C within the coolant loop to circulate. Once the temperature of the energy storage device 1100 has dropped below a threshold or reached a predetermined temperature, the operation of the pump 1104 may be stopped.

[0169] The terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "a", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well. It will be further understood that the terms "include" and / or "comprise" when used in this specification specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0170] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various example embodiments are shown and described herein, each having certain features in a specific embodiment, but the present disclosure is not limited thereby. On the contrary, the present disclosure can be modified to incorporate any number of changes, alterations, substitutions, combinations, sub-combinations, or equivalent arrangements that have not been described heretofore but are commensurate with the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, although various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the present disclosure may include only some of the described embodiments. Therefore, the present disclosure is not to be considered as being limited by the foregoing description, but only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An air conditioning system, comprising: a vapor compression cycle having a heat transfer fluid circulating between a compressor, an expansion device, and at least one heat exchanger; an air stream associated with said at least one heat exchanger of said vapor compression cycle; as well as An energy storage device is selectively operable to power the compressor, and the air flow is operable to cool the energy storage device.

2. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein: The energy storage device is disposed within a flow path of the air flow such that the air flow is configured to directly cool the energy storage device.

3. An air conditioning system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The energy storage device includes a housing having at least one flow channel formed therein for receiving the air flow.

4. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The energy storage device is arranged downstream of the at least one heat exchanger with respect to the air flow.

5. The air conditioning system according to claim 4, wherein: The energy storage device is arranged in direct contact with a downstream surface of the at least one heat exchanger.

6. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The energy storage device is upstream of the at least one heat exchanger relative to the air flow.

7. The air conditioning system according to claims 1-3 and 6, wherein: The energy storage device is arranged in parallel with the at least one heat exchanger relative to the air flow.

8. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein: The energy storage device is located remote from a flow path of the air flow such that the air flow is configured to indirectly cool the energy storage device.

9. The air conditioning system of claim 8, further comprising a coolant loop including a coolant heat exchanger fluidly coupled to the energy storage device.

10. The air conditioning system according to claim 9, wherein: The coolant heat exchanger is disposed within the flow path of the air flow.

11. The air conditioning system according to claim 10, wherein: The coolant heat exchanger is arranged downstream of the at least one heat exchanger with respect to the air flow.

12. The air conditioning system according to claim 11, wherein: The coolant heat exchanger is arranged in direct contact with a downstream surface of the at least one heat exchanger.

13. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein: The coolant heat exchanger is upstream of the at least one heat exchanger relative to the air flow.

14. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein: The coolant heat exchanger is arranged in parallel with the at least one heat exchanger relative to the air flow.

15. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein: The coolant heat exchanger is integrally formed with the at least one heat exchanger.

16. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein: The at least one heat exchanger is a part of an outdoor unit, and the coolant heat exchanger is arranged inside the outdoor unit.

17. The air conditioning system according to claim 16, wherein: The energy storage device is located away from the interior of the outdoor unit.

18. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein: The at least one heat exchanger is a part of an indoor unit, and the coolant heat exchanger is arranged inside the indoor unit.

19. The air conditioning system according to claim 18, wherein: The energy storage device is located away from the interior of the indoor unit.

20. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein: The energy storage device includes a battery.

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