Heat pump system and method for operating a heat pump system

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat pump system (10) for supplying various heat sinks (80, 82, 84) with thermal energy, comprising a plurality of heat pumps (12, 12', 12"), each heat pump (12, 12', 12") having a refrigeration circuit for generating thermal energy, a heat transfer line network (14) which connects the heat sinks (80, 82, 84) to the refrigeration circuits of the heat pumps (12, 12', 12") in a heat-transferring manner, the heat transfer line network (14) being designed such that a plurality of heat pumps (12, 12', 12") can be connected in a heat-transferring manner to any heat sinks (80, 82, 84) to be supplied with thermal energy, and at least one controller (20) which controls at least one of the heat pumps (12, 12', 12") of the heat pump system (10) and is configured to control the associated heat pump (12) and a plurality of further heat pumps (12', 12") in the heat pump system (10).The controller (20) is further configured to determine a heat surplus and / or a heat deficit at the respective heat sink (80, 82, 84) as a function of a heat quantity provided at a heat sink (80, 82, 84), and upon detection of a heat deficit at a heat sink (80, 82, 84), to control a heat pump (12, 12', 12"), which is assigned to another heat sink (80, 82, 84), in such a way that a defined heat surplus is generated by the heat pump (12, 12', 12") at the assigned heat sink (80, 82, 84), and then this heat pump (12, 12', 12") of the heat pump system (10) is supplied with heat surplus from the heat sink (80, 82, 84) to the Heat sink (80, 82, 84) with heat deficit to switch.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a heat pump system for supplying various heat sinks with thermal energy, comprising a plurality of heat pumps, a heat transfer pipe network and at least one controller which is assigned to at least one of the heat pumps in the heat pump system and is configured to control the assigned heat pump and a plurality of further heat pumps in the heat pump system.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for operating a heat pump system for supplying various heat sinks with thermal energy.

[0003] Heat pumps are increasingly being used to supply buildings with the heat energy they need, for example, for hot water, the heating system, or a pool that needs to be heated, or even for cooling in the summer. When heat demand is higher, several heat pumps are often connected together to form a heat pump system. This simplifies the simultaneous supply of different heat sinks and makes several heat pumps installed in series more cost-effective than a single heat pump with the same output. Each heat pump has its own refrigeration circuit for generating heat energy, with the multiple heat pumps connected to the heat sinks in a building that are to be supplied with heat energy via a heat transfer pipe network.The heat pump system further comprises at least one controller, which is usually assigned to a heat pump in the heat pump system and which is configured to switch the heat pump to which the controller is assigned, as well as several other heat pumps in the heat pump system, on and off again for a demand-based heat supply.

[0004] To supply the heat sinks, each heat sink is assigned a corresponding number of heat pumps in the heat pump system. Should the heat demand at a particular heat sink increase or decrease, the heat pumps assigned to the heat sink are controlled via the pipe network, i.e., switched on or off. Due to the sometimes fixed assignment of heat pumps to the heat sinks, in order to cover the maximum heat demand at each individual heat sink, the heat pump system often contains more heat pumps than are actually needed to supply the entire heat sink system. Heat pump systems that supply several heat sinks of different sizes are therefore often oversized.

[0005] The invention was therefore based on the object of demonstrating a heat pump system and a method for operating a heat pump system, by means of which a simplified and, above all, efficient heat supply to various heat sinks coupled to a heat pump system is possible.

[0006] The invention solves the underlying problem in a heat pump system for supplying various heat sinks with thermal energy with the features of claim 1.In particular, it is provided that the heat transfer line network which connects the heat sinks to the heat pumps in a heat-transferring manner is designed in such a way that a plurality of heat pumps can be connected in a heat-transferring manner to any heat sinks to be supplied with heat energy, and the control is set up to determine a heat surplus and / or a heat deficit at the respective heat sink as a function of a quantity of heat provided at a heat sink, and upon detection of a heat deficit at a heat sink, to control a heat pump which is assigned to another heat sink in such a way that a defined heat surplus is generated at the assigned heat sink, and then to switch this heat pump of the heat pump system from the heat sink with heat surplus to the heat sink with heat deficit.

[0007] The invention thus pursues the approach of supplying the heat sinks with heat energy by the heat pump system in a more demand-oriented manner. Instead of providing a corresponding number of heat pumps in the heat pump system adapted to the maximum energy requirement of each individual heat sink, the number of heat pumps in the heat pump system is preferably matched to a basic requirement of all heat sinks to be supplied with heat energy by the heat pump system, whereby the basic requirement roughly corresponds to the total requirement of all heat sinks. If there is an increased heat energy requirement at one of the heat sinks, this is met by switching over a heat pump that is also used to supply another heat sink with heat, but only after a sufficiently high heat surplus has been generated at the heat sink to which the heat pump to be switched over is assigned.Before a heat pump switches over, the control system on the heat pump sets an overproduction of heat energy for a defined period of time. A heat pump system designed according to this invention is more cost-effective than conventional heat pump systems and can also be operated more efficiently. The rather detrimental switching on and off of heat pumps can be avoided by continuing to operate them and only switching their heat flow.

[0008] In one possible embodiment, the heat transfer network is designed such that only specific heat pumps can be connected to the various heat sinks for heat transfer. In a further embodiment of the invention, the network is designed such that any heat pump can be connected to any heat sink to be supplied with heat energy. Furthermore, the term "heat energy" is understood here to mean heating energy or cooling energy generated by the heat pump system, which is transferred to a heat sink correspondingly coupled to the heat pump system.

[0009] The control system is configured to determine a heat surplus or a heat deficit at the respective heat sink depending on the amount of heat provided at a heat sink. This preferably enables the heat pump system to detect which heat sink has a surplus and which heat sink, if any, has a deficit, so that simple compensation is possible by switching a heat pump from the heat sink with heat surplus to the heat sink with the heat deficit. A surplus or deficit in heating or cooling energy is preferably determined by means of the control system of the heat pump system by detecting the amount of heat currently generated by the heat pumps using corresponding sensors assigned to the heat sinks. The heat output of the heat pump is then adjusted based on the determined heat surplus or heat deficit.In an alternative embodiment, in order to determine an occurring heat surplus or heat deficit, the control system determines at which power level the heat pumps assigned to the heat sinks are operated and from this the existence of a heat surplus or heat deficit is derived.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the controller is configured to change the number of heat pumps connected to a heat sink depending on a heat surplus or heat deficit determined by a heat sink, at least to minimize the heat surplus or heat deficit. This provides a simple way of balancing an existing heat deficit (heating or cooling energy) at one heat sink with an existing heat surplus at another heat sink by changing the number of heat pumps connected to the respective heat sinks. In this context, the present embodiment provides for a heat pump to switch from one heat sink to another heat sink only if, after the heat pump has been switched over, a heat deficit that may arise at the heat sink with a previous heat surplus is lower than the previous heat deficit at the other heat sink.

[0011] In one possible embodiment, the controller is configured to control the power level of the heat pumps connected to a heat sink depending on a heat surplus or heat deficit determined at a heat sink. In particular, in conjunction with a heat pump switching from one heat sink to another, a defined heat surplus can be specifically generated at the heat sink before the switching process, from which the heat sink draws heat for a predetermined period after the switching. If a heat deficit still exists at the heat sink after the switchover with the previously determined heat deficit, an attempt can be made to compensate for this by adjusting the power of the heat pumps connected to the heat sink.Preferably, the power levels of the minimized heat pumps are increased, and the power levels of the increased heat pumps are reduced, provided these are sufficient to compensate for the previously existing heat deficit. Preferably, the controller estimates the required heat energy at the heat sinks and, based on this estimate, sets or adjusts the speed of the heat pumps fluidly connected to the heat sinks.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the heat pump system according to the invention, heat pumps with different maximum outputs and / or with a different number of adjustable output levels are preferably provided in heat pump systems. In particular, by providing several heat pumps of different output classes, several heat pumps can be switched simultaneously in such a way that a heat deficit or heat surplus existing at a heat sink can also be easily compensated. A heat pump system controlled in this way can be operated efficiently simply through optimized control, i.e., switching a heat pump on or off or adjusting the heat pumps with regard to their set output levels in combination with changing or adjusting the number of heat pumps connected to a heat sink.

[0013] Preferably, the controller is configured to distribute the heat pumps with different maximum outputs and / or different output levels among the multiple heat sinks with different heat requirements, such that a minimal heat surplus or minimal heat deficit is achieved at the multiple heat sinks. In certain constellations, particularly after one or more heat pumps have generated a defined surplus of heating or cooling energy at a heat sink, it may be advantageous, for example, to connect three heat pumps to a heat sink in a heat-transfer manner and then operate these three heat pumps at a lower output level below their maximum output, rather than using only two heat pumps to cover the heat energy requirement, which then have to be operated at a output level close to their maximum outputs.Especially when changing the number of heat pumps connected to the heat sinks for heat transfer, a primary goal is to minimize any existing heat deficit after switching or adjusting the number of heat pumps, regardless of which heat sink it was measured at. By selectively switching and setting minimal differences to the target values ​​to be met, a heat surplus previously generated at a heat sink, where a heat deficit now exists after switching / redistributing the heat pump(s), can be maintained in the system for as long as possible.

[0014] A further development of the invention provides for the heat pumps to be designed as fixed-speed heat pumps and / or speed-controlled heat pumps. Fixed-speed heat pumps are preferably operated at a fixed speed and thus at a consistently effective operating point, so that they can be used in particular to cover a basic heating or cooling energy requirement. Speed-controlled heat pumps can be adjusted in their power output and enable easy adaptation to the varying heat demand of a heat sink.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the heat pump to which the controller is assigned, by means of which the heat pump system is controlled, is the primary heat pump in the system, and all other heat pumps are defined as secondary heat pumps. Controlling the heat pump system is simplified by this direct assignment, since by specifying a priority in the control of the heat pump system, it is clear which of the instructions or commands sent by a heat pump have priority and which are secondary. In one possible embodiment of the invention, the primary heat pump determines which of the secondary heat pumps are controlled or to which of the heat sinks the heat pumps are switched, and at which power levels the controlled heat pumps are to be operated.Preferably, the primary heat pump is signal-conductingly coupled to globally linked sensors of the heat pump system, which are used for calculating the demand of the heat pump system as a whole and are, in particular, accessible only to the primary heat pump. Each heat pump is also assigned additional local sensors, which, however, are used exclusively for internal control of the individual heat pumps.

[0016] A preferred development of the heat pump system provides that the control system is configured to determine an apparent demand for each heat sink in the event of a heat deficit occurring in the heat pump system compared to the total heat sinks to be supplied with heat energy. Using the apparent demand determined in particular, the existing heat pumps are allocated to cover the basic demand at each heat sink, which depends on the maximum heat demand of a respective heat sink. Based on the maximum heat demand, the basic demand of the respective heat sink is preferably defined by the integer multiple of the maximum output of the heat pumps supplying the heat sink. The heat pump system is designed such that the basic demand of each heat sink is covered by the total number of heat pumps present in the heat pump system.The maximum heat deficit between the maximum heat demand and the base demand of a heat sink is therefore lower than the maximum output of a heat pump that can be coupled to it.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the controller is configured to assign a weighting factor to the apparent demand of each heat sink, by means of which a ranking is defined for the activation of a remaining, not yet assigned heat pump. The weighting factors are used to directly influence the apparent demand of the heat sinks and thus regulate which heat sink a possible remaining heat pump of the heat pump system is activated to if a heat deficit occurs across all heat sinks. In this case, the weighting factor is defined by a previously determined relevance of the respective heat sink to be supplied with heat energy. In one embodiment, the weighting factor for the heat sinks can vary, for example, within a range of 0.5 to 2.0.Depending on the weighting factor, a heat sink can then be classified as a priority when allocating the remaining heat pump of the heat pump system due to a higher weighting factor despite a lower apparent demand, and the heat pump can thus be assigned to this heat sink.

[0018] According to a further development of the invention, the control system is preferably configured to prioritize the heat energy demand at a heat sink configured as a domestic hot water storage tank. By prioritizing the hot water demand, particular priority is given to ensuring the heat energy demand at the heat sink, which has a comparatively small total amount in a building and often has the smallest storage volume, and is therefore subject to larger temperature fluctuations. Generating a surplus of heat energy in a hot water tank before the heat pump responsible for it is switched over can be implemented in a simplified manner.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the heat pump system, at least one of the heat pumps is equipped with a supplementary heater and / or an external heater is arranged within the heat transfer network. Should the heat pump system at a heat sink, with the aid of the multiple heat pumps connected to the heat sink, be unable to achieve the required heat demand for a predetermined period of time, an existing heat deficit can be easily compensated for using an electric supplementary heater, which is usually part of a heat pump, or by means of a separate heater arranged within the heat transfer network. Electric resistance heaters or a gas heater can be used as the supplementary heater or external heater.

[0020] In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for operating a heat pump system for supplying various heat sinks with thermal energy, wherein the heat pump system comprises a plurality of heat pumps, each heat pump having a refrigeration circuit for generating thermal energy, a heat transfer line network which connects the heat sinks to the refrigeration circuits of the heat pumps in a heat-transferring manner, the heat transfer line network being designed such that a plurality of heat pumps can be connected in a heat-transferring manner to any heat sinks to be supplied with thermal energy, and having at least one controller, wherein the controller is assigned to at least one heat pump in the heat pump system and is designed to control the associated heat pump and a plurality of further heat pumps in the heat pump system and, depending on a quantity of heat provided at a heat sink (80, 82, 84), to determine a heat surplus and / or a heat deficit at the respective heat sink (80, 82,84). The method achieves the object underlying the invention with the steps of: detecting a heat deficit at a heat sink by means of the controller; controlling at least one heat pump associated with another heat sink so that a defined heat surplus is generated by the heat pump at the associated heat sink; and switching the heat pump of the heat pump system from the heat sink with the heat surplus generated thereto to the heat sink with an existing heat deficit.

[0021] The method steps according to the invention enable the heat pump system to supply the various heat sinks with heat energy in a needs-based and, above all, efficient manner. The method according to the invention allows the heat pump system to be operated efficiently, as the rather disadvantageous switching on and off of individual heat pumps due to their continued operation is avoided, and the heat energy generated by them can be easily switched to another heat sink. However, before the at least one heat pump switches from one heat sink to another, a defined heat surplus is specifically generated at one heat sink, from which the heat sink can then draw for a defined period of time during which no further heat energy is required.By switching individual heat pumps, the total number of heat pumps in the heat pump system for supplying the associated heat sinks can be reduced to a minimum, the number of which is adjusted to a basic requirement defined by the heat sinks, as defined in more detail above.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, at least one, several, or all of the following steps are provided: determining a heat surplus or heat deficit at a heat sink as a function of a heat quantity provided at a heat sink. This advantageously allows a quantitative statement regarding the amount of heat required or surplus at a heat sink; changing the number of heat pumps connected to a heat sink as a function of a heat surplus or heat deficit determined at a heat sink.By adjusting the number of heat pumps to a heat sink, a simple way is provided for switching individual heat pumps between different heat sinks to compensate for excess or missing heat quantities; changing the number of heat pumps connected to a heat sink depending on the maximum outputs that can be achieved with the heat pumps and / or the number of power levels that can be set on the heat pumps. Instead of simply connecting another heat pump to a heat sink, a simple redistribution or reordering of heat pumps with different maximum outputs can be carried out depending on the maximum outputs that can be achieved with the heat pumps, so that the required heat energy can be supplied to, for example, two heat sinks connected to the heat pump system without connecting another heat pump.In a further step, according to a refinement of the method, an apparent demand is determined for each heat sink in the event of a heat deficit in the heat pump system compared to the total heat sinks to be supplied with heat energy. Based on the apparent demand, which is based in particular on the maximum heat demand of a respective heat sink, a remaining, not yet assigned heat pump in the heat pump system can be assigned. The assignment is made, in particular, depending on the magnitude of the apparent demand or a weighting factor assigned to a respective heat sink.

[0023] The preferred embodiments and further developments described for the heat pump system according to the invention are also preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention.

[0024] Further advantages and embodiments are described in more detail with reference to the attached figures. Fig. 1: a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a heat pump system according to the present invention; Fig. 2: a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a heat pump system according to the present invention; and Fig. 3: a schematic representation of a method according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment.

[0025] Fig. 1 shows a heat pump system 10 for supplying various heat sinks 80, 82, 84 with thermal energy. The first heat sink 80 is, for example, a pool, the second heat sink 82 can be a hot water tank, and the third heat sink 84 can be a heating system to be supplied by the heat pump system.

[0026] The heat pump system 10 comprises several heat pumps 12, 12', 12", in the present embodiment, three heat pumps 12, 12', 12" are shown. The number of heat pumps can vary and range from 2 to 10 or even 15 heat pumps and more. The number of heat pumps 12, 12', 12" present in the heat pump system 10 depends in particular on the basic demand of the heat sinks 80, 82, 84 to be supplied by the heat pump system 10.

[0027] Each heat pump 12, 12', 12" comprises a refrigeration circuit (not shown in detail) for generating thermal energy. The refrigeration circuits of the heat pumps 12, 12', 12" (not shown in detail), within which a refrigerant, such as a glycol-water mixture, is contained, which is used to generate the thermal energy, are connected via brine lines 86, 86' to a geothermal source (not shown in detail).

[0028] The heat pump system 10 further comprises a heat transfer line network 14 with a plurality of fluid lines 16, 16', 18, 18', which connects the heat sinks 80, 82, 84 to the heat pumps 12, 12', 12", in particular their refrigeration circuits, in a heat-transfer manner. The fluid lines 16, 18 form the supply lines, and the fluid lines 16', 18' form the return lines in the heat transfer line network 14. The fluid flowing in the fluid lines 16, 16' has a higher temperature than the fluid flowing in the fluid lines 18, 18' and is used to generate hot water.

[0029] The heat pump system 10 comprises a controller 20, which is assigned to at least one of the heat pumps 12, 12', 12", in this case the heat pump 12 of the heat pump system 10. The controller 20 is configured to control the assigned heat pump 12 and several further heat pumps, in particular all remaining heat pumps 12', 12", in the heat pump system 10. In one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the heat pump 12, to which the controller 20, by means of which the heat pump system is controlled, is assigned, is the primary heat pump in the system 10, and all further heat pumps 12', 12" are defined as secondary heat pumps. The heat pump system 10 is thus controlled primarily by the controller 20 of the primary heat pump 12.

[0030] The heat transfer line network 14 is designed according to the invention such that a plurality of heat pumps 12, 12', 12" can be connected in a heat-transfer manner to any heat sinks 80, 82, 84 to be supplied with heat energy. The controller 20 of the primary heat pump 12 is configured to switch individual heat pumps 12, 12', 12" of the heat pump system 10 from one heat sink 80, 82, 84 to another heat sink 80, 82, 84 depending on the current heat demand at the various heat sinks 80, 82, 84.

[0031] How Fig. 1As illustrated, all heat pumps 12, 12', 12" are each connected with their domestic water connections 22, 22' via the fluid lines 16, 16' of the pipe network 14 to the heat sink 82 designed as a hot water storage tank. The heat pumps 12, 12', 12" are also coupled with their heating connections 24, 24' via the fluid lines 18, 18' of the pipe network 14 to any heat sinks 80, 82, 84 in a heat-transfer manner. The heat pump 12 is particularly designed to supply heat energy via its heating connections 24, 24' in the direction of the buffer storage tank 88 assigned to the second heat sink 82 (hot water storage tank) or in the direction of the third heat sink 84 (heating system).

[0032] The heat pump 12' is configured to supply heat energy exclusively to the heat sink 84 (heating system) via its heating connections 24, 24'. The heat pump 12", on the other hand, is configured to supply heat energy to the first heat sink 80, the pool, and the third heat sink 84, the heating system, via its heating connections 24, 24'.

[0033] The controller 20 of the heat pump 12, as the primary heat pump, is signal-conductingly connected to the controllers 20' of the heat pumps 12, 12' as secondary heat pumps and is configured to determine which of the heat pumps 12, 12', 12" is heat-transfer connected to which of the heat sinks 80, 82, 84 depending on the current heat demand. The controller 20 primarily assumes control of the entire heat pump system 10.

[0034] The control 20 is, as in Fig. 1As further illustrated, the heat pump system 10 is connected in a signal-conducting manner to a series of sensors 26, 26' or other components 28, 28' of the heat pump system 10. The sensors 26, 26' can be, for example, sensors for detecting the heat demand 30 or flow sensors 30'. The components 28, 28', which are coupled in a signal-conducting manner to the controller 20 for controlling the components, can be, for example, distribution units 32, 32', such as distribution valves, an external heater 36, or a circulation pump 38.

[0035] The signal-conducting connection can be made, for example, by cable, for example by means of signal lines 40, 40' and / or wirelessly via a home network not shown in detail.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment of the heat pump system, the heat pumps 12, 12', 12" can have different maximum outputs or a different number of adjustable output levels. The controller 20 of the primary heat pump 12 is in particular configured to change the number of heat pumps 12, 12', 12" connected to the heat sink 80, 82, 84 depending on a heat surplus or heat deficit determined at a heat sink 80, 82, 84, for at least minimizing the heat surplus or heat deficit.

[0037] Fig. 2 shows a heat pump system 10' for supplying various heat sinks 80', 82, 84 with thermal energy. The first heat sink 80' is, for example, a cooling tank, the second heat sink 82 can be a hot water tank, and the third heat sink 84 can be a heating system to be supplied by the heat pump system 10'.

[0038] In the embodiment shown here, the heat pump system 10' comprises two heat pumps 12, 12', with reference to the above explanations regarding the heat pump system 10, e.g. concerning the heat transfer line network 14 or the control 20 on the heat pump 12, with regard to its basic design.

[0039] The heat pump system 10' is used not only to generate heating energy but also to generate cooling energy. The heat sink 80', designed as a cooling tank, is connected to the brine line 86' of the heat pump system 10', designed as a return line. If cooling energy is required, the fluid flowing back to the geothermal source in the brine line 86' is first directed via the cooling tank 80' by means of distribution units 42, 42' arranged in the brine line 86', cooling it down before the fluid can then be directed further toward the geothermal source.

[0040] When cooling energy is generated, heating energy is generated that can be used to heat the heat sinks 82, 84. However, the cooling tank 80' may require more cooling energy than can be removed by the heat sinks on the heating energy side of the heat pumps 12, 12'. For this case, a waste heat exchanger 90 is additionally arranged in the pipe network 14 of the heat pump system 10', through which the unused heating energy is dissipated. The waste heat exchanger 90 is connected to an air-water cooler 92, by means of which the available waste heat is released into the environment.

[0041] With the help of Fig. 1 and 2 schematically illustrated heat pump systems 10, 10' is an example in Fig. 3The method shown for operating a heat pump system 10, 10' for supplying various heat sinks 80, 80', 82, 84 with thermal energy can be implemented. The method 100 comprises at least the steps: detecting 102 a heat deficit at a heat sink 80, 80', 82, 84 by means of the controller 20; Controlling 104 the refrigeration circuits of several heat pumps 12, 12', 12" and generating heat energy by means of the controlled refrigeration circuits, and switching 106 individual heat pumps 12, 12', 12" of the heat pump system 10, 10' from one heat sink 80, 80', 82, 84 to another heat sink 80, 80', 82, 84 depending on the current heat demand at the various heat sinks 80, 80', 82, 84.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the method 100 according to the invention can comprise at least one or more intermediate steps between the steps essential to the invention of controlling 104 the refrigeration circuits and switching 106 individual heat pumps 12, 12', 12" in the heat pump system 10, 10'. One possible intermediate step is determining 108 a heat surplus or heat deficit at a heat sink 80, 80', 82, 84 as a function of a heat quantity provided at a heat sink 80, 80', 82, 84. In particular, depending on the detected heat surplus or heat deficit, the power levels of the heat pumps 12, 12', 12" connected to the heat sinks 80, 80', 82, 84 can be changed in order to compensate for a possible surplus or deficit.

[0043] A possible further intermediate step involves changing 110 the number of heat pumps connected to a heat sink 80, 80', 82, 84 depending on a heat surplus or heat deficit determined at a heat sink 80, 80', 82, 84. In particular, by means of the controller 20 of the primary heat pump 12, the number of the plurality of heat pumps 12, 12', 12" with different maximum output and / or different output levels is changed (step 110') or redistributed to the plurality of heat sinks 80, 80', 82, 84 with different heat requirements, so that a minimal heat surplus or minimal heat deficit is established at the plurality of heat sinks 80, 80', 82, 84.

[0044] A further intermediate step of the method 100 concerns the determination of an apparent demand 112 for each heat sink 80, 80', 82, 84 in the event of a heat deficit occurring in the heat pump system 10, 10' compared to the total heat sinks to be supplied with heat energy. Preferably, each heat sink 80, 80', 82, 84 to be supplied with heat energy is assigned a weighting factor, by means of which the apparent demand of the respective heat sinks 80, 80', 82, 84 is increased or decreased, and based on the adjusted apparent demand, it is regulated which of the heat sinks is connected to a remaining, not yet assigned heat pump. The intermediate steps 108 to 112 can, but do not necessarily have to, be part of the method 100 according to the invention. List of reference symbols

[0045] 10 Heat pump system 12, 12', 12" Heat pump 14 Heat transfer pipe network 16, 16` Fluid line 18, 18` Fluid line 20 Control 22, 22' Domestic hot water connection 24, 24' Heating connection 26, 26' Sensors 28, 28' Component 30 Heat demand sensor 30` Flow sensor 32, 32' Distribution unit 34 Pump 36 External heater 38 Circulation pump 40, 40' Signal line 42 Distribution unit 80 Heat sink (pool) 80 Heat sink (cooling tank) 82 Heat sink (hot water tank) 84 Heat sink (heating system) 86, 86' Brine line 88 Buffer tank 90Waste heat exchanger 92Air-water cooler 100Procedure 102Step Control 104Step Switch 106Step Determine 108Step Change 108'Step Change 110Step Determine Apparent demand

Claims

1. A heat pump system (10, 10') for supplying various heat sinks (80, 80', 82, 84) with thermal energy, comprising - a plurality of heat pumps (12, 12', 12"), each heat pump (12, 12', 12") having a refrigeration circuit for generating thermal energy, - a heat transfer line network (14) which connects the heat sinks (80, 80', 82, 84) to the refrigeration circuits of the heat pumps (12, 12', 12") in a heat-transfer manner, the heat transfer line network (14) being designed such that a plurality of heat pumps (12, 12', 12") can be connected in a heat-transfer manner to any heat sinks (80, 80', 82, 84) to be supplied with thermal energy, and - at least one controller (20), which is assigned to at least one of the heat pumps (12, 12', 12") of the heat pump system (10, 10') and is designed to control the assigned heat pump (12) and at least one further heat pump (12', 12") in the heat pump system (10, 10') and, depending on a signal applied to a heat sink (80, 80', 82,84) to determine a heat surplus and / or a heat deficit at the respective heat sink (80, 80', 82, 84), wherein the controller (20), upon detecting a heat deficit at a heat sink (80, 80', 82, 84), is configured to control at least one heat pump (12, 12', 12"), which is assigned to another heat sink (80, 80', 82, 84), in such a way that a defined heat surplus is generated by the heat pump (12, 12', 12") at the assigned heat sink (80, 80', 82, 84), and then to supply this heat pump (12, 12', 12") of the heat pump system (10) from the heat sink (80, 80', 82, 84) with Heat surplus to switch to the heat sink (80, 80', 82, 84) with heat deficit., 2. Heat pump system according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe controller (20) is configured to change the number of heat pumps (12, 12', 12") connected to the heat sink (80, 80', 82, 84) as a function of a heat surplus or heat deficit determined at a heat sink (80, 80', 82, 84) for at least minimizing the heat surplus or heat deficit.

3. Heat pump system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the controller (20) is configured to control the heat pumps (12, 12', 12") connected to the heat sink (80, 80', 82, 84) with regard to their power levels as a function of a heat surplus to be generated at a heat sink (80, 80', 82, 84) or a heat deficit to be compensated.

4. Heat pump system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein heat pumps (12, 12', 12") with different maximum powers and / or with a different number of adjustable power levels are provided in the heat pump system (10).

5. Heat pump system according to claim 4, characterized in that the controller (20) is configured to distribute the heat pumps (12, 12', 12") with different maximum outputs and / or different output levels to the plurality of heat sinks (80, 80', 82, 84) with different heat requirements, such that a minimal heat surplus or minimal heat deficit is achieved at the plurality of heat sinks (80, 80', 82, 84).

6. Heat pump system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat pumps (12, 12', 12") are designed as fixed-speed heat pumps and / or speed-controlled heat pumps.

7. Heat pump system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat pump (12) to which the controller (20) by means of which the heat pump system (10, 10') is controlled is assigned is the primary heat pump in the system and all further heat pumps (12', 12") are defined as secondary heat pumps.

8. Heat pump system according to one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the controller (20) is configured to determine an apparent demand for each heat sink (80, 80', 82, 84) in the event of a heat deficit occurring in the heat pump system (10) compared to the total heat sinks (80, 80', 82, 84) to be supplied with heat energy.

9. Heat pump system according to claim 8, characterized in that the controller (20) is configured to assign a weighting factor to the apparent requirements of each heat sink (80, 80', 82, 84), by means of which a ranking is defined for the connection of a remaining, not yet assigned heat pump (12, 12', 12").

10. Heat pump system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the controller (20) is designed to prioritize the heat energy requirement at a heat sink (82) designed as a domestic hot water storage tank.

11. Heat pump system according to one of the preceding claims characterized in thatat least one of the heat pumps (12, 12', 12") is equipped with an auxiliary heater and / or an external heater (36) is arranged within the heat transfer line network (14).

12. Method (100) for operating a heat pump system (10, 10') for supplying various heat sinks (80, 80', 82, 84) with thermal energy, wherein the heat pump system (10) comprises a plurality of heat pumps (12, 12', 12"), each heat pump (12, 12', 12") having a refrigeration circuit for generating thermal energy, a heat transfer line network which connects the heat sinks (80, 80', 82, 84) to the refrigeration circuits of the heat pumps (12, 12', 12") in a heat-transferring manner, wherein the heat transfer line network (14) is designed such that a plurality of heat pumps (12, 12', 12") can be connected to any heat sinks (80, 80', 82, 84) to be supplied with thermal energy. are connectable, and has at least one control (20) which is assigned to at least one heat pump (12, 12', 12") in the heat pump system and is set up to control the associated heat pump (12) and a plurality of further heat pumps (12', 12") in the heat pump system (10,10') and to determine a heat surplus and / or a heat deficit at the respective heat sink (80, 80', 82, 84) as a function of a heat quantity provided at a heat sink (80, 80', 82, 84), comprising at least the steps: - detecting (102) a heat deficit at a heat sink (80, 80', 82, 84) by means of the controller (20); - controlling (104) at least one heat pump (12, 12', 12") which is assigned to another heat sink (80, 82, 84) so that a defined heat surplus is generated by the heat pump (12, 12', 12") at the assigned heat sink (80, 82, 84), and - switching (106) the heat pump (12, 12', 12") of the heat pump system (10) from the heat sink (80, 80', 82, 84) with heat surplus to the heat sink (80, 80', 82, 84) with heat deficit.

13. The method (100) according to claim 12, comprising at least one, several or all of the following steps: - determining (108) a heat surplus or heat deficit at a heat sink (80, 80', 82, 84) as a function of a quantity of heat provided at a heat sink (80, 80', 82, 84); - changing (110) the number of heat pumps (12, 12', 12") connected to a heat sink (80, 80', 82, 84) as a function of a heat surplus or heat deficit determined at a heat sink (80, 80', 82, 84);- changing (110') the number of heat pumps (12, 12', 12") connected to a heat sink (80, 80', 82, 84) depending on the maximum power to be achieved with the heat pumps and / or the number of power levels adjustable at the heat pumps (12, 12', 12"), and - determining (112) an apparent demand for each heat sink (80, 80', 82, 84) in the event of a heat deficit occurring in the heat pump system compared to the total heat sinks (80, 80', 82, 84) to be supplied with heat energy;

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