Plate heat exchanger for a hybrid monoblock system

Abstract

An outdoor unit (200) of a hybrid monoblock system, wherein the outdoor unit (200) comprises a heat exchange system having the following: a plate heat exchanger (PHE) (210) that transfers heat between a hot fluid stream and a cold fluid stream, wherein the PHE (210) is arranged partly inside and partly outside the outdoor unit (200); and an air pressure relief valve that is positioned on the PHE (210) outside the outdoor unit (200).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a plate heat exchanger for a hybrid monoblock system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Generally, a hybrid monobloc system, a type of air-to-water heat pump, is used in cold climates to heat cold water for domestic use. Currently, all hybrid monobloc systems are quite large, which is disadvantageous for transport and installation. These systems are manufactured by mounting a plate heat exchanger (PHE) inside an outdoor unit, which requires additional space, thus increasing the overall size of the outdoor unit. This, in turn, reduces productivity and increases transport costs due to the larger size of the outdoor unit. Furthermore, in current designs, the PHE is positioned in such a way that it is not accessible from the outside, and maintenance requires removing several exterior casing panels, complicating PHE servicing.Furthermore, in the current design, the PHE's air pressure relief valve is located inside the outdoor unit, which can cause water to splash onto electrical components, increasing safety risks.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need for a modified design of the PHE mounting of the hybrid monoblock system in order to eliminate the aforementioned disadvantages. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In one aspect of the present invention, an outdoor unit of a hybrid monoblock system is provided. The outdoor unit comprises a heat exchange system. The heat exchange system includes a plate heat exchanger (PHE) that transfers heat between a hot fluid stream and a cold fluid stream. The PHE is arranged partially inside and partially outside the outdoor unit. The heat exchange system also includes an air pressure relief valve positioned on the PHE outside the outdoor unit.

[0005] According to the present invention, 60 to 70% of the PHE is located inside the outdoor unit.

[0006] According to the present invention, 30 to 40% of the PHE is located outside the outdoor unit.

[0007] According to the present invention, the heat exchange system has a connection cover that is located partly inside and partly outside the outdoor unit.

[0008] According to the present invention, the heat exchange system has a right-hand cover that is located partly inside and partly outside the outdoor unit.

[0009] According to the present invention, the heat exchange system comprises one or more plates that are located partly inside and partly outside the outdoor unit.

[0010] According to the present invention, the heat exchange system has at least two PHE covers, which are located partly inside and partly outside the outdoor unit.

[0011] According to the present invention, the heat exchange system has a PHE holder which is located partly inside and partly outside the outdoor unit.

[0012] According to the present invention, the heat exchange system has a compressor PHE box which is located partly inside and partly outside the outdoor unit.

[0013] According to the present invention, the hybrid monoblock system is an air-to-water heat pump. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a conventional hybrid monoblock system; Fig. Figure 2 shows a front view of the conventional hybrid monoblock system; Fig. Figure 3 shows a side view of the conventional hybrid monoblock system; Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic view of a hybrid monoblock system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. Figure 5 shows a front view of the hybrid monoblock system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. Figure 6 shows a side view of the hybrid monoblock system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and Fig. Figure 7 shows an exploded view of a hybrid monoblock system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0015] Embodiments are provided to thoroughly and completely convey the scope of this disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details relating to specific components are presented to provide a complete understanding of the embodiments of this disclosure. It will be clear to the person skilled in the art that the details given in the embodiments should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of this disclosure. In some embodiments, known methods, known device structures, and known techniques are not described in detail.

[0016] The terminology used in this disclosure serves only to explain a particular embodiment and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. As used in this disclosure, the forms "a," "an," and "the" may also include the plural forms unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "consists of," "including," and "with" are open transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of the indicated elements, modules, units, and / or components, but do not prohibit the presence or addition of one or more other elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0017] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a conventional setup of a hybrid split heat pump system, which is an air-to-water heat pump. The split system comprises an indoor unit (not shown) and an outdoor unit (100). The outdoor unit (100) includes a fan (102), a compressor (104), one or more electrical components (106), and refrigerant pipe connections (108). Unlike a split system, the outdoor unit (100) also includes a heat exchange system. The heat exchange system includes a plate heat exchanger (PHE) (110) for heat exchange between a hot and a cold fluid stream. In the conventional hybrid monoblock system ( Fig. 1) the entire PHE (110) is located inside the outdoor unit (100), and in the conventional hybrid split heat pump system ( Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) The entire PHE is located in the indoor unit (not shown). The heat exchange system also includes a pressure relief valve attached to the PHE (110), which is also located inside the outdoor unit (100).

[0018] The Fig. , Fig. until Fig. Figure 1 shows a hybrid monoblock system which, according to the present disclosure, is an air-to-water heat pump. The hybrid monoblock system comprises an indoor unit (not shown) and an outdoor unit (200). The outdoor unit (200) includes a fan (202), a compressor (204), one or more electrical components (206), and refrigerant pipe connections (208) located within the outdoor unit (200). The outdoor unit (200) also includes a heat exchange system. The heat exchange system includes a plate heat exchanger (PHE) (210) for heat exchange between a hot fluid stream and a cold fluid stream. In the illustrated embodiment, the PHE (210) is located partly inside the outdoor unit (200) and partly outside the outdoor unit (200). More precisely, 60 to 70% of the PHE (210) is located inside the outdoor unit (200) and 30 to 40% of the PHE (210) is located outside the outdoor unit (200).The heat exchange system also includes an air pressure relief valve attached to the PHE (210) located outside the outdoor unit (200).

[0019] With reference to Fig. 7 The heat exchange system also includes a connection cover, a right cover (212), one or more plates (214), at least two PHE covers (216), a PHE holder (220) and a compressor PHE box (218) and the like, which are located partly inside and partly outside the outdoor unit (200).

[0020] In the present invention, the PHE is arranged partly inside the outdoor unit and partly outside the outdoor unit, so that the overall size, production costs and transport costs of the hybrid monoblock system remain unchanged and are comparable to those of the hybrid split heat pump ( Fig. 2 and Fig.3) correspond. With this feature, the present invention offers a compact design for the hybrid monoblock system. Furthermore, critical parts of the PHE are located outside the outdoor unit, so technicians do not need to open the entire outdoor unit for maintenance, thus ensuring easy access to critical parts for servicing and / or repair work. Additionally, the pressure relief valve is located outside the outdoor unit, eliminating the risk of water splashing onto the electrical components, which enhances safety and prevents potential damage to one or more components of the hybrid monoblock system.

[0021] The embodiments described herein, along with their various features and advantageous details, are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of known components and processing techniques are omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments described herein. The examples used herein serve only to facilitate understanding of the possibilities for implementing the embodiments described herein and to enable those skilled in the art to implement them. Accordingly, the examples should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein.

[0022] Any discussion of devices, articles, or similar items included in this description serves solely to provide context for the disclosure. It is not to be construed as an admission that some or all of these matters are part of the prior art or were common knowledge in the field of disclosure at the priority date of this application.

Claims

[1] An outdoor unit (200) of a hybrid monoblock system, wherein the outdoor unit (200) comprises a heat exchange system having the following: a plate heat exchanger (PHE) (210) that transfers heat between a hot fluid stream and a cold fluid stream, wherein the PHE (210) is arranged partly inside and partly outside the outdoor unit (200); and an air pressure relief valve that is positioned on the PHE (210) outside the outdoor unit (200). [2] The outdoor unit (200) according to claim 1, wherein 60 to 70% of the PHE (210) is located inside the outdoor unit (200). [3] The outdoor unit (200) according to claim 2, wherein 30 to 40% of the PHE (210) is located outside the outdoor unit (200). [4] The outdoor unit (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heat exchange system has a connection cover which is located partly inside and partly outside the outdoor unit (200). [5] The outdoor unit (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the heat exchange system has a right cover (212) which is located partly inside and partly outside the outdoor unit (200). [6] The outdoor unit (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the heat exchange system comprises one or more plates (214) which are located partly inside and partly outside the outdoor unit (200). [7] The outdoor unit (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the heat exchange system has at least two PHE covers (216) which are located partly inside and partly outside the outdoor unit (200). [8] The outdoor unit (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the heat exchange system has a PHE holder (220) which is located partly inside and partly outside the outdoor unit (200). [9] The outdoor unit (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the heat exchange system comprises a compressor PHE box (218) which is located partly inside and partly outside the outdoor unit (200). [10] The outdoor unit (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the hybrid monoblock system is an air-to-water heat pump.

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