Artificial environment bin system

Abstract

The invention relates to an artificial environment bin system which can adjust temperature, humidity and oxygen content and comprises an environment bin body and a heat pump cycle, the heat pump cycle comprises a compressor, a four-way valve, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator, the artificial environment bin system further comprises an energy storage box and a surface air cooler, and a secondary refrigerant is contained in the energy storage box; the energy storage box is connected with the heat pump cycle in a heat exchange mode, and when the temperature of the environment bin body reaches a preset value and solar power supply electric energy and / or valley price electric energy exist, the heat pump cycle stores energy into the energy storage box; the surface air cooler can utilize energy in the energy storage box to conduct heat pre-exchange on fresh air when solar power supply electric energy and / or peak price electric energy do not exist, and then the fresh air passes through the evaporator. Compared with the prior art, by optimizing the energy use, improving the flexibility and adaptability of the system and reducing the operation cost, the invention aims to solve the challenges faced by the existing environment control system and provide a more sustainable and economic solution for users.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of heat pump technology, and in particular to an artificial environment chamber system. Background Technology

[0002] With social development and technological advancements, people have increasingly higher demands for comfort in their living and working environments. This is especially true in extreme climatic conditions or specific industrial applications, where artificial environmental control technology becomes crucial. Traditional environmental control methods, such as using air conditioning systems for temperature regulation, while providing a degree of comfort, have some significant limitations. For example, traditional air conditioning systems are typically inefficient in terms of energy use, especially under extreme temperature conditions, resulting in enormous energy consumption and high operating costs. Furthermore, their design often lacks flexibility, making it difficult to adapt to changing environmental conditions and energy supply situations.

[0003] In certain special settings, such as agricultural greenhouses, industrial plants, laboratories, or data storage centers, precise temperature and humidity control is required to ensure the stability of crop growth, industrial production processes, or equipment operation. However, existing environmental control systems often struggle to simultaneously meet the requirements of energy conservation, high efficiency, and precise control. Especially given rising energy costs and increasingly stringent environmental regulations, developing an energy-efficient and highly effective environmental control solution has become particularly urgent.

[0004] Furthermore, existing systems may not fully utilize renewable energy sources, such as solar power, or account for electricity market price fluctuations, thus missing opportunities to reduce operating costs. Additionally, the systems may not be easy to maintain and operate, increasing the complexity and cost of long-term operation. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology by providing an artificial environment chamber system that achieves more efficient, energy-saving, and precise environmental control. By optimizing energy use, improving system flexibility and adaptability, and reducing operating costs, it aims to address the challenges faced by existing environmental control systems and provide users with a more sustainable and economical solution.

[0006] The objective of this invention can be achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0007] This invention provides an artificial environment chamber system, including an environment chamber body and a heat pump cycle for temperature regulation of the environment chamber body. The heat pump cycle includes a compressor, a four-way valve, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. The environment chamber body is equipped with an exhaust valve for exhausting air to the outside, an air supply duct for supplying air to the inside, and a blower matched with the air supply duct. Fresh air passing through the evaporator is blown into the air supply duct by the blower. The artificial environment chamber system also includes an energy storage tank and a surface cooler. The energy storage tank is filled with a refrigerant.

[0008] The energy storage box is connected to the heat pump in a circulating heat exchange manner. When the temperature of the ambient chamber reaches a preset value and there is solar power and / or off-peak electricity available, the heat pump will circulate and store energy in the energy storage box.

[0009] The surface cooler can preheat the fresh air using energy from the energy storage tank when there is no solar power and / or peak-price electricity, and then the fresh air passes through the evaporator.

[0010] Furthermore, the environmental chamber is also equipped with a return air valve, which is used to mix the internal air of the environmental chamber with fresh air, and then carry it through the surface cooler.

[0011] Furthermore, the surface cooler is located on one side of the evaporator, forming a series connection in the fresh air flow path.

[0012] Furthermore, the refrigerant in the energy storage tank is water or other liquids with high specific heat capacity.

[0013] Furthermore, the refrigerant inlet of the energy storage box is connected to the heat pump via a three-way valve;

[0014] The refrigerant outlet of the energy storage tank is connected to the heat pump cycle.

[0015] Furthermore, the first port of the three-way valve is connected to the refrigerant inlet of the energy storage tank, the second port of the three-way valve is connected to the expansion valve, and the third port of the three-way valve is connected to the evaporator;

[0016] The refrigerant outlet of the energy storage tank is connected to the evaporator.

[0017] Furthermore, the refrigerant outlet of the energy storage tank is equipped with a booster pump, the outlet of the booster pump is connected to the inlet of the surface cooler, and the outlet of the surface cooler is connected to the refrigerant inlet of the energy storage tank, thereby forming a refrigerant circulation.

[0018] Furthermore, a condenser fan is matched to one side of the condenser. The exhaust valve mixes the air discharged from the environmental chamber with the fresh air from the outside, and then the air passes through the condenser before being drawn out by the condenser fan.

[0019] Furthermore, a humidifier is also connected to the air supply duct;

[0020] Solenoid valves are installed at the refrigerant outlet of the energy storage box and on the refrigerant pipeline between the evaporator and the four-way valve.

[0021] Furthermore, the artificial environment chamber system also includes a controller, which is used to acquire data obtained by temperature and humidity sensors in the environment chamber, the output power of the solar power generation equipment, and real-time electricity price information;

[0022] When the temperature of the environmental storage chamber reaches the preset value, and there is solar power and / or off-peak electricity available, the controller instructs the heat pump to circulate and store the energy in the energy storage tank.

[0023] When there is no solar power and / or peak-price power, the controller commands the energy in the energy storage tank to preheat the fresh air before it passes through the evaporator.

[0024] The core of the artificial environment chamber system of this invention is a heat pump cycle, including a compressor, a four-way valve, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. Fresh air absorbs heat through the evaporator and is then delivered into the environment chamber via a blower and air duct. Simultaneously, the air inside the environment chamber mixes with the fresh air through a return air valve and undergoes pre-heat exchange through a surface cooler. An energy storage tank, containing refrigerant, is connected to the heat pump cycle via heat exchange. When the temperature inside the environment chamber reaches a preset value and there is solar power and / or off-peak electricity, the heat pump cycle stores energy in the storage tank. When there is no solar power and / or peak electricity, the controller instructs relevant equipment to operate, utilizing the energy in the storage tank to drive the refrigerant cycle via a booster pump for pre-heat exchange of the fresh air. Furthermore, a condenser fan on the condenser side is responsible for extracting the air exhausted from the environment chamber, while a humidifier connected to the air duct is used to regulate the humidity of the supplied air. The entire system is managed by a controller that intelligently adjusts the heat pump cycle and the working status of the energy storage box based on data from temperature and humidity sensors, the output power of the solar power generation equipment, and real-time electricity price information to achieve efficient and energy-saving environmental control.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0026] 1) Energy saving and emission reduction: By storing energy during solar power supply and off-peak electricity, the system reduces its reliance on peak-hour electricity, thereby reducing overall energy consumption and carbon emissions, which has a positive impact on environmental protection.

[0027] 2) Cost-effectiveness: By using energy storage boxes to store energy when electricity prices are low and releasing it when needed, the system can significantly reduce operating costs and provide users with an economical and efficient environmental control solution.

[0028] 3) Flexibility and precision of temperature control: Through the coordinated operation of the heat pump cycle and the surface cooler, the system can flexibly respond to different environmental conditions and achieve precise control of the temperature inside the environmental chamber, providing users with a comfortable environment.

[0029] 4) Intelligent management: The equipped controller can automatically adjust the system's operating status based on real-time data, achieving intelligent management without manual intervention, thus improving the system's operating efficiency and reliability. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the artificial environment chamber system in this invention.

[0031] In the diagram: 1. Environmental chamber body, 2. Compressor, 3. Four-way valve, 4. Condenser, 5. Expansion valve, 6. Evaporator, 7. Exhaust valve, 8. Air supply pipe, 9. Air supply fan, 10. Energy storage box, 11. Surface cooler, 12. Return air valve, 13. Three-way valve, 14. Booster pump, 15. Condenser fan, 16. Humidifier. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Component models, material names, connection structures, control methods, algorithms, and other features not explicitly described in this technical solution are considered common technical features disclosed in the prior art.

[0033] Example 1

[0034] This embodiment describes an artificial environment chamber system; see [link to previous document]. Figure 1 The system includes an environmental chamber body 1 and a heat pump cycle for temperature regulation of the environmental chamber body 1. The heat pump cycle includes a compressor 2, a four-way valve 3, a condenser 4, an expansion valve 5, and an evaporator 6. The environmental chamber body 1 is equipped with an exhaust valve 7 for exhausting air to the outside, an air supply pipe 8 for supplying air to the inside, and a blower 9 matched with the air supply pipe 8. Fresh air passing through the evaporator 6 is blown into the air supply pipe 8 by the blower 9. The artificial environmental chamber system also includes an energy storage box 10 and a surface cooler 11. The energy storage box 10 is filled with a refrigerant.

[0035] The energy storage box 10 is connected to the heat pump in a circulating heat exchange manner. When the temperature of the ambient chamber 1 reaches a preset value and there is solar power and / or off-peak electricity, the heat pump will store energy in the energy storage box 10.

[0036] The surface cooler 11 can preheat the fresh air using the energy in the energy storage box 10 when there is no solar power and / or peak price power, and then the fresh air passes through the evaporator 6.

[0037] In a specific implementation, the environmental chamber 1 is also equipped with a return air valve 12, which is used to mix the internal air of the environmental chamber 1 with fresh air, and then carry it through the surface cooler 11. The surface cooler 11 is located on one side of the evaporator 6, forming a series connection in the fresh air flow path. In a specific implementation, the refrigerant in the energy storage tank 10 is water or other liquids with high specific heat capacity. The refrigerant inlet of the energy storage tank 10 is connected to the heat pump circulation via a three-way valve 13.

[0038] In specific implementation, the refrigerant outlet of the energy storage tank 10 is connected to the heat pump cycle. The first port of the three-way valve 13 is connected to the refrigerant inlet of the energy storage tank 10, the second port of the three-way valve 13 is connected to the expansion valve 5, and the third port of the three-way valve 13 is connected to the evaporator 6; the refrigerant outlet of the energy storage tank 10 is connected to the evaporator 6. The refrigerant outlet of the energy storage tank 10 is equipped with a booster pump 14, the outlet of the booster pump 14 is connected to the inlet of the surface cooler 11, and the outlet of the surface cooler 11 is connected to the refrigerant inlet of the energy storage tank 10, thereby forming a refrigerant cycle.

[0039] In specific implementation, a condenser fan 15 is matched to one side of the condenser 4. The exhaust valve 7 mixes the air discharged from the environmental chamber 1 with the fresh air from the outside, passes through the condenser 4, and is then drawn out by the condenser fan 15.

[0040] In practice, a humidifier 16 is also connected to the air supply duct 8; solenoid valves are provided at the refrigerant outlet of the energy storage box 10 and on the refrigerant pipeline between the evaporator 6 and the four-way valve 3.

[0041] In specific implementation, the artificial environment chamber system also includes a controller, which is a microcontroller or a processor based on x86, ARM, or RISC-V architecture. The controller is used to acquire data from the temperature and humidity sensors in the environment chamber 1, the output power of the solar power generation equipment, and real-time electricity price information. When the temperature of the environment chamber 1 reaches a preset value and there is solar power and / or off-peak electricity, the controller instructs the heat pump to cycle and store the energy in the energy storage tank 10. When there is no solar power and / or peak electricity, the controller instructs the surface cooler 11 to use the energy in the energy storage tank 10 to preheat the fresh air, which is then passed through the evaporator 6.

[0042] The working process of the artificial environment chamber system in this invention includes:

[0043] Environmental monitoring: The controller continuously monitors the data obtained by the temperature and humidity sensors in the environmental chamber 1.

[0044] Energy supply monitoring: The controller simultaneously monitors the output power of the solar power generation equipment and real-time electricity price information.

[0045] Energy storage: When the temperature of the environmental chamber 1 reaches the preset value and there is solar power and / or off-peak electricity, the controller instructs the heat pump to circulate and store the energy in the energy storage box 10.

[0046] Fresh air treatment: Fresh air is delivered into the environmental chamber 1 through the air supply duct 8.

[0047] If the surface cooler 11 is in an active state, the fresh air will first undergo preheating through the surface cooler.

[0048] Temperature regulation: After the fresh air passes through the surface cooler 11 for preheating, it continues to flow through the evaporator 6 for further temperature regulation.

[0049] Heat pump cycle operation: The heat pump cycle includes the compressor 2, four-way valve 3, condenser 4, expansion valve 5 and evaporator 6 working together to regulate the temperature inside the ambient chamber.

[0050] Energy utilization of the energy storage box: When there is no solar power and / or peak price power, the controller commands the energy stored in the energy storage box 10 to drive the refrigerant circulation through the booster pump 14 to provide cooling capacity for the surface cooler 11.

[0051] Internal air circulation: The air inside the environmental chamber 1 can be mixed with fresh air through the return air valve 12, and then the temperature is regulated again through the surface cooler 11 and the evaporator 6.

[0052] Condenser and exhaust operation: A condenser fan 15 is matched to one side of the condenser 4. The exhaust valve 7 mixes the air discharged from the environmental chamber 1 with the outside fresh air, then passes through the condenser 4, and is finally drawn out by the condenser fan 15.

[0053] Humidification: A humidifier 16 is connected to the air supply duct 8, which can humidify the air supplied to the environmental chamber as needed.

[0054] In cooling mode, the artificial environment chamber system of this invention activates a heat pump cycle, utilizing the coordinated operation of a compressor, four-way valve, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator. Fresh air is pre-cooled by a surface cooler before being delivered to the environment chamber, further cooled by the evaporator, and finally delivered to the chamber by a blower, thus lowering the temperature. In heating mode, the system switches the refrigerant flow via the four-way valve, transforming the component that was originally a condenser into an evaporator. This evaporator absorbs heat from the outside air, and the refrigerant, after being throttled and depressurized by the expansion valve, releases heat in the evaporator, heating the air before it is delivered to the environment chamber to raise the temperature. In defrost mode, upon detecting frost on the evaporator surface, the system switches the functions of the evaporator and condenser via the four-way valve. The refrigerant absorbs heat in the original evaporator and releases heat in the original condenser to melt the frost. Simultaneously, the system may coordinate with the exhaust valve and condenser fan to accelerate the defrosting process, maintaining the system's high efficiency.

[0055] The artificial environment chamber system of the present invention has the following technical advantages:

[0056] The system design allows for energy storage during solar power and / or off-peak electricity pricing, effectively utilizing renewable energy and off-peak electricity market periods, thereby reducing operating costs and improving energy efficiency. Through the coordinated operation of the heat pump cycle and surface cooler, the system can adapt to different external environmental conditions, ensuring a stable and comfortable internal environment. The controller can automatically adjust system operation based on temperature and humidity sensor data within the environmental chamber, solar power output, and real-time electricity price information, achieving intelligent management. The energy storage tank 10 is designed to store energy when energy is abundant and release it when energy is scarce or prices are high, improving the system's energy utilization efficiency and economy. Utilizing solar energy and off-peak electricity reduces dependence on traditional energy sources, lowers carbon emissions, and aligns with the trend of green and environmentally friendly development. The system design considers possible future technological upgrades and expansions, possessing good flexibility and scalability to adapt to constantly changing technological needs and market environments.

[0057] The above description of the embodiments is provided to enable those skilled in the art to understand and use the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to these embodiments, and the general principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without inventive effort. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and any improvements and modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention should be within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An artificial environment chamber system, comprising an environment chamber body (1) and a heat pump cycle for temperature regulation of the environment chamber body (1), the heat pump cycle comprising a compressor (2), a four-way valve (3), a condenser (4), an expansion valve (5), and an evaporator (6), wherein the environment chamber body (1) is provided with an exhaust valve (7) for exhausting air to the outside, an air supply duct (8) for supplying air to the inside, and a blower (9) matched with the air supply duct (8), wherein fresh air passing through the evaporator (6) is blown into the air supply duct (8) by the blower (9), characterized in that, The artificial environment chamber system also includes an energy storage tank (10) and a surface cooler (11), wherein the energy storage tank (10) is filled with a refrigerant; The energy storage box (10) is connected to the heat pump in a circulating heat exchange manner. When the temperature of the environmental chamber (1) reaches a preset value and there is solar power and / or off-peak electricity, the heat pump will store energy in the energy storage box (10). The surface cooler (11) can preheat the fresh air by using the energy in the energy storage box (10) when there is no solar power and / or peak price power, and then pass it through the evaporator (6).

2. The artificial environment chamber system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The environmental chamber body (1) is also provided with a return air valve (12), which is used to mix the internal air of the environmental chamber body (1) with fresh air, and then carry it through the surface cooler (11).

3. The artificial environment chamber system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The surface cooler (11) is located on one side of the evaporator (6), forming a series connection in the fresh air flow path.

4. The artificial environment chamber system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The refrigerant in the energy storage tank (10) includes water.

5. The artificial environment chamber system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The refrigerant inlet of the energy storage tank (10) is connected to the heat pump via a three-way valve (13); The refrigerant outlet of the energy storage tank (10) is connected to the heat pump cycle.

6. The artificial environment chamber system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first port of the three-way valve (13) is connected to the refrigerant inlet of the energy storage box (10), the second port of the three-way valve (13) is connected to the expansion valve (5), and the third port of the three-way valve (13) is connected to the evaporator (6). The refrigerant outlet of the energy storage box (10) is connected to the evaporator (6).

7. The artificial environment chamber system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The refrigerant outlet of the energy storage tank (10) is equipped with a booster pump (14), the outlet of the booster pump (14) is connected to the inlet of the surface cooler (11), and the outlet of the surface cooler (11) is connected to the refrigerant inlet of the energy storage tank (10), thereby forming a refrigerant circulation.

8. The artificial environment chamber system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A condenser fan (15) is provided on one side of the condenser (4). The exhaust valve (7) mixes the air discharged from the environmental chamber (1) with the fresh air from the outside, passes through the condenser (4), and is then drawn out by the condenser fan (15).

9. The artificial environment chamber system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A humidifier (16) is also connected to the air supply pipe (8); Solenoid valves are provided at the refrigerant outlet of the energy storage box (10) and on the refrigerant pipeline between the evaporator (6) and the four-way valve (3).

10. The artificial environment chamber system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The artificial environment chamber system also includes a controller, which is used to acquire data from the temperature and humidity sensors in the environment chamber (1), the output power of the solar power generation equipment, and real-time electricity price information; When the temperature of the environmental storage chamber (1) reaches the preset value and there is solar power and / or off-peak electricity, the controller instructs the heat pump to cycle and store the energy in the energy storage box (10); The surface cooler (11) can, when there is no solar power and / or peak price power, use the energy in the energy storage box (10) to preheat the fresh air before it passes through the evaporator (6).

Images