Installation for heating and / or cooling a dwelling, and for the production of hot water, particularly domestic hot water
The dual refrigerant circuit design with a thermally coupled third heat exchanger and tertiary fluid circuit addresses charge migration and safety concerns, enabling higher refrigerant use and improved efficiency in heating and cooling systems.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ATLANTIC IND
- Filing Date
- 2024-05-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-22
AI Technical Summary
Existing multi-service thermodynamic systems face challenges with high refrigerant charge requirements and charge migration issues due to the presence of a water heater tank, leading to reduced maximum permissible refrigerant charge and increased flammability risks, especially with flammable refrigerants like R290.
The system is redesigned with a primary and secondary refrigerant circuit, where the primary circuit includes a third heat exchanger thermally coupled with the secondary circuit, allowing independent operation and increased refrigerant charge, with the lowest leakage point positioned above 50 cm, and a tertiary heat transfer fluid circuit for indirect thermal coupling, enhancing safety and efficiency.
This configuration allows for a higher refrigerant charge without exceeding safety limits, reducing charge migration and improving the coefficient of performance of the heat pump, while maintaining safety and flexibility in installation locations.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Installation for heating and / or cooling a dwelling, and for the production of hot water, particularly domestic hot water. Technical field
[0001] This disclosure relates to an installation for heating and / or cooling a dwelling, and for the production of hot water, including domestic hot water. Previous technique
[0002] Figure 1 shows a multi-service thermodynamic water heater 1 consisting of three main elements located on a primary circuit 2 of refrigerant fluid in which a first refrigerant fluid is intended to circulate:
[0003] - an outdoor unit 3, located outside the dwelling and visible at the top of the [Fig. 1], comprising a compressor 4, a first heat exchanger 5 between the first refrigerant and the outside air, and at least one expansion valve 6, 7. In the case of a system having both heating / cooling functions, the outdoor unit 3 is reversible. The change of mode between cooling and heating is made via the activation of a four-way valve 8 to which the compressor 4 is connected;
[0004] - one or more indoor units 9 positioned in the different rooms at heating and / or cooling, one of which is shown at the bottom of [Fig. 1], comprising a second heat exchanger 10 between the first refrigerant and the indoor air. This indoor unit 9 performs a heating and / or cooling function.
[0005] - a tank 11 configured to receive a fluid to be heated, in particular water domestic hot water, and a condenser 12 to exchange heat between the fluid to be heated and the first refrigerant fluid.
[0006] A wall 17 is shown schematically to distinguish the interior from the exterior of the dwelling.
[0007] Multi-service systems are particularly effective with the refrigerants R410A (gradually being phased out due to its high global warming potential) and R32, which exhibits high vapor pressures and densities at typical condensing temperatures. The refrigerant R290, used as a replacement for R410A and R32, is flammable, and a maximum charge level of this refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit must not be exceeded for its safe operation. This maximum charge level is defined by standard EN IEC 60335-2-40.
[0008] The various indoor units 9 and the tank 11 are connected in parallel. Solenoid valves 13 allow the indoor unit(s) 9 to be isolated from the tank 11 when necessary.
[0009] This system has a large internal volume because all the circuits are interconnected. This results in the use of a high refrigerant charge and, depending on the configuration, charge migration problems. A charge migration problem consists of the accumulation of refrigerant charge in parts of the circuit that are not in operation.
[0010] One method for calculating the refrigerant charge limit is defined in standard EN IEC 60335-2-40, which considers the lower flammability limit (LFL) of the refrigerant, the effective room area, and the lowest height at which a refrigerant leak could occur. The higher this height, the higher the charge limit value. This results in a variable mass mlim,v that depends on the product's environment. For example, a thermodynamic system with an indoor unit positioned 2.2 m high in a 30 m² room could contain a propane charge mlim,v of approximately 500 g.
[0011] When a thermodynamic system comprises a water heater tank inside a dwelling and an outdoor unit outside the dwelling, the maximum permissible refrigerant charge, in the case of flammable refrigerants according to EN IEC 60335-2-40, is low because the lowest point of leakage in the tank must be considered, which generally corresponds to the bottom of the tank relative to the vertical direction. In other words, the presence of the tank reduces the maximum charge for the entire system.
[0012] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks. Summary
[0013] This disclosure improves the situation.
[0014] An installation is proposed for heating and / or cooling a dwelling, and for producing hot water, particularly domestic hot water, the installation comprising:
[0015] - a primary refrigerant circuit in which a refrigerant is intended to circulate first refrigerant, comprising:
[0016] - an outdoor unit intended to be installed outside the dwelling and comprising at least: a first compressor, a first heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the first refrigerant and the outside air, and at least a first expansion valve, - an indoor unit intended to be installed inside the dwelling and comprising at least one second heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the first refrigerant and the indoor air,
[0017] - a secondary refrigerant circuit independent of the primary refrigerant circuit refrigerant in which a second refrigerant fluid is intended to circulate, and intended to be installed inside the dwelling and comprising:
[0018] - a water heater comprising a tank configured to receive a fluid to be heated, a condenser, a second compressor and at least a second expansion valve,
[0019] the installation being characterized in that the primary circuit includes at least one third heat exchanger allowing the primary circuit and the secondary circuit to be thermally coupled directly or indirectly.
[0020] The features described in the following paragraphs may optionally be implemented independently of each other or in combination with each other:
[0021] the indoor unit and the third heat exchanger are positioned so that the lowest leakage point of the primary circuit is located at a height above the ground taken in the vertical direction greater than 50 cm;
[0022] the primary circuit includes a first charge of first refrigerant, and the secondary circuit includes a second charge of second refrigerant, the second charge being less than the first charge;
[0023] the primary circuit contains a charge in kg of first refrigerant greater than the product of a reference volume independent of the nature of the fluid and fixed at 4 m3, and the lower flammability limit of the fluid in kg / m3, for example defined in the international standard ISO / FDIS 817;
[0024] the third heat exchanger is arranged in series with the second heat exchanger on the primary circuit;
[0025] the third heat exchanger is positioned on the primary circuit between the second heat exchanger and the first expansion valve;
[0026] the water heater includes a means of communication with the indoor unit;
[0027] the third exchanger is a plate exchanger;
[0028] The installation includes a tertiary heat transfer fluid circuit, in which a heat transfer fluid is intended to circulate and intended to be installed inside the dwelling, the third heat exchanger being configured to exchange heat between the tertiary circuit and the primary circuit, and the heat transfer fluid circuit including a fourth heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the tertiary circuit and the secondary circuit;
[0029] the indoor unit and the water heater tank are located inside a single casing;
[0030] The primary circuit includes a third expansion valve placed between the second heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger. Brief description of the drawings
[0031] Other features, details and advantages will become apparent from reading the detailed description below and from analyzing the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1
[0032] [Fig.1] shows a multi-service thermodynamic water heater according to an embodiment of the prior art. Fig. 2
[0033] [Fig.2] shows an installation architecture for heating and cooling of a dwelling, and for the production of domestic hot water according to a first embodiment. Fig. 3
[0034] [Fig.3] schematically shows an interior room of a dwelling in in which the indoor unit of the installation for heating and cooling a dwelling is located above the domestic hot water production tank. Fig. 4
[0035] [Fig.4] shows an installation architecture for heating and cooling of a dwelling, and for the production of hot water according to a second embodiment. Description of the implementation methods
[0036] The term "interior airflow Fi" refers to an airflow destined for the interior of the dwelling. The term "exterior airflow Fe" refers to an airflow that is not destined for the interior of the dwelling. In other words, this airflow Fe remains outside the dwelling.
[0037] In the rest of the description, the expression "an element is placed between A and B" means that A, the element and B are placed successively on a refrigerant circuit.
[0038] In the following description, the terms "on", "under", "above", "below", "top", "bottom" are understood in relation to the vertical direction Z under normal conditions of positioning an installation inside a dwelling.
[0039] Figure 2 shows an installation 21 for heating and cooling a dwelling, and for the production of hot water, in particular domestic hot water, according to a first embodiment.
[0040] The installation 21 includes a primary refrigerant circuit 22 in which a first refrigerant is intended to circulate.
[0041] The primary circuit 22 comprises an outdoor unit 23, located outside the dwelling, and one or more indoor units 29, located inside the dwelling in the different rooms to be heated and / or cooled.
[0042] A wall 27 is schematically shown to distinguish the inside from the outside of the dwelling.
[0043] The outdoor unit 23 includes a first compressor 24, a first heat exchanger 25. A heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with an outside airflow Fe to the dwelling, and at least one first expansion valve 26. In the case of a system with both heating and cooling functions, the outdoor unit 23 is reversible. The change of mode between cooling and heating is achieved, for example, by activating a four-way valve 28 to which the first compressor 24 is connected.
[0044] The indoor unit 29 includes a second heat exchanger 30 configured to exchange heat with an indoor airflow Fi to the dwelling.
[0045] This indoor unit 29 performs a heating and / or cooling function depending on the positioning of the four-way valve 28.
[0046] The first refrigerant of the primary refrigerant circuit 22 is here a chemical fluid such as R290, R410A or R32. Preferably, the first refrigerant of the primary circuit 22 is R290.
[0047] The first refrigerant of the primary refrigerant circuit 22 is in particular a flammable fluid.
[0048] The first compressor 24, the second heat exchanger 30, the first expansion valve 26 and the first heat exchanger 25 are arranged successively in series in the primary circuit 22 and are therefore traversed by the first refrigerant. Together they form a heat pump.
[0049] The first heat exchanger 25 is configured to operate at least as an evaporator when the outdoor unit 23 is not reversible. In particular, the first heat exchanger 25 is a finned tubular heat exchanger. A fan can be activated to increase the flow rate of the outside airflow Fe if necessary.
[0050] The second heat exchanger 30 is configured to operate at least as a condenser when the indoor unit 29 is not reversible. In particular, the second heat exchanger 30 is a finned tubular heat exchanger. A fan can be activated to increase the flow rate of the indoor airflow Fi if necessary.
[0051] Thus, in heating mode, the first refrigerant circulates in the first compressor 24 where it is compressed, preferably in a gaseous state. As a result, the temperature and pressure of the first refrigerant are increased in the first compressor 24. The first refrigerant, thus heated, circulates to the second heat exchanger 30 located in the indoor unit 29, which operates as a condenser, where it condenses and transfers heat to an indoor airflow Fi to heat the interior of the dwelling. The pressure of the first refrigerant, preferably in liquid form at the inlet of the first expansion valve 26, decreases in the first expansion valve 26 of the outdoor unit 23. As a result, the temperature of the first refrigerant decreases in the first expansion valve 26. In the first heat exchanger 25, which operates as an evaporator, the refrigerant exchanges heat with an outside airflow Fe to the dwelling to extract heat energy from the outside airflow Fe.
[0052] To switch to air conditioning mode, the four-way valve 28 is changed position. The first refrigerant flows into the first compressor 24 where it is compressed, preferably in a gaseous state. As a result, the temperature and pressure of the first refrigerant are increased in the first compressor 24. The first refrigerant, thus heated, flows to the first heat exchanger 25, which operates as a condenser, where it condenses and transfers heat to an outside air stream Fe to warm it. The pressure of the first refrigerant, preferably in a liquid state at the inlet of the first expansion valve 26, decreases in the first expansion valve 26 of the outdoor unit 23. As a result, the temperature of the first refrigerant decreases in the first expansion valve 26.In the second heat exchanger 30, which operates as an evaporator, the first refrigerant exchanges heat with an indoor airflow Fi of the dwelling to draw heat energy from the indoor airflow Fi and thus cool the interior of the dwelling.
[0053] The installation 21 further includes a secondary refrigerant circuit 32 in which a second refrigerant is intended to circulate. The secondary refrigerant circuit 32 is located inside the dwelling and heats a fluid contained in a tank 33. The fluid to be heated is, in particular, domestic hot water. The secondary circuit 32 consists of a thermodynamic water heater.
[0054] For example, the second refrigerant is identical to the first refrigerant, or different.
[0055] The second refrigerant is a chemical fluid such as R290, R410A or R32. Preferably, the second refrigerant of the secondary circuit 32 is R290.
[0056] The second refrigerant is in particular a flammable fluid.
[0057] Following the example of [Fig.2], the secondary circuit 32 comprises a second compressor 34, a condenser 35 thermally coupled to the fluid to be heated contained in the tank 33, a second expansion valve 36 and a third heat exchanger 37 configured to exchange heat with the first refrigerant of the primary refrigerant circuit 22.
[0058] The third heat exchanger 37 is placed on the primary circuit 22 between the second heat exchanger 30 and the first expansion valve 26.
[0059] The second compressor 34, the condenser 35, the second expansion valve 36 and the third heat exchanger 37 are arranged successively in series in the secondary circuit 32 and are therefore traversed by the second refrigerant.
[0060] Alternatively, the third heat exchanger 37 is arranged in parallel with the second heat exchanger 30.
[0061] During operation, the second refrigerant circulates in the second compressor 34 where it is compressed, preferably in a gaseous state. As a result, the temperature and pressure of the second refrigerant are increased in the second compressor 34. The heated second refrigerant then flows to the condenser 35, where it condenses and transfers heat to the fluid to be heated inside the tank 33. The pressure of the second refrigerant, preferably in a liquid state at the inlet of the second expansion valve 36, decreases in the second expansion valve 36. Consequently, the temperature of the second refrigerant decreases in the second expansion valve 36. In the third heat exchanger 37, the second refrigerant exchanges heat with the first refrigerant of the primary circuit 22.
[0062] In heating mode, the heating of the fluid contained in the tank 33 leads to subcooling of the first refrigerant circulating in the primary circuit 22, following the heating of the internal airflow Fi as the refrigerant passes through the second heat exchanger 30. The second refrigerant exchanges heat with the first refrigerant in the primary circuit 22 to extract heat energy from the first refrigerant. The coefficient of performance of the heat pump in the primary circuit 22 is thus improved. It is possible to achieve temperatures below 20°C at the inlet of the first expansion valve 26.
[0063] In air conditioning mode, the first refrigerant circulating in the primary circuit 22 is cooled after expansion in the first expansion valve 26 during the passage of the refrigerant through the second heat exchanger 30. The second refrigerant exchanges heat with the first refrigerant in the primary circuit 22 to extract heat energy from the first refrigerant. The performance of the heat pump is improved with the recovery of some of the heat in the tank 33. Such a phenomenon is also called "free cooling".
[0064] According to this embodiment, the primary refrigerant circuit 22 and the secondary refrigerant circuit 32 are directly thermally coupled.
[0065] Thus, the indoor unit 29 and the tank 33 are arranged on two different refrigerant circuits.
[0066] Thanks to the installation 21 described above, it is possible to increase the maximum refrigerant charge in the primary and secondary circuits since these two circuits are now independent of each other.
[0067] The load migration problem is greatly limited.
[0068] Preferably, the primary circuit 22 comprises a first charge of the first refrigerant, and the secondary circuit 32 comprises a second charge of the second refrigerant, the second charge being less than the first charge. Since the secondary circuit 32 is more often positioned closer to the floor than the indoor unit 29, the maximum refrigerant charge is lower in the secondary circuit 32 than in the primary circuit 22. Thus, it is advantageous for the second charge of the first refrigerant to be less than the first charge of the second refrigerant.
[0069] The primary circuit 22 contains, for example, a charge in kg of first refrigerant greater than the product of a reference volume independent of the nature of the fluid and fixed at 4 m3, and the lower flammability limit of the fluid in kg / m3, for example defined in the international standard ISO / FDIS 817.
[0070] Preferably, the indoor unit 29 and the third heat exchanger 37 are positioned so that the lowest leakage point of the primary circuit 22 is located at a height H relative to the ground taken along the vertical direction Z greater than 50 cm, preferably greater than 150 cm.
[0071] In particular, the indoor unit 29 and the third heat exchanger 37 are positioned at a distance from the ground taken along the vertical direction Z which is higher than the tank 33 ([Fig.3]).
[0072] The term "lowest leak point" means a point in the primary refrigerant circuit through which refrigerant can leak from the primary circuit. This point is the lowest point with respect to the vertical direction Z. The height of the lowest leak point determines the maximum refrigerant charge that can be used in the circuit, for example, according to EN IEC 60335-2-40.
[0073] The secondary circuit 32 preferably contains a refrigerant charge lower than the limit charge value without additional safety constraints.
[0074] The secondary circuit 32 contains, for example, a charge in kg of first refrigerant less than the product of a reference volume independent of the nature of the fluid and fixed at 4 m3, and the lower flammability limit of the fluid in kg / m3, for example defined in the international standard ISO / FDIS 817.
[0075] Thus, the secondary circuit 32 can be installed in a room regardless of its surface area and regardless of the minimum height of the secondary circuit 32, according to standard EN IEC 60335-2-40.
[0076] The third heat exchanger 37 is preferably a plate heat exchanger. In particular, the third heat exchanger 37 is a single- or double-walled plate heat exchanger.
[0077] The secondary circuit 32 advantageously includes a means of communication with the indoor unit 29. The means of communication uses, for example, a wireless or wired type communication protocol.
[0078] This makes it possible in particular to ensure the start-up of the indoor unit 29 in the event of a need to heat the fluid to be heated contained in the tank 33.
[0079] According to one aspect, the indoor unit 29, the third heat exchanger 37, and the tank 33 form a single unit and are located within a single casing. Preferably, the tank 33 and the third heat exchanger 37 are hermetically sealed. For example, the tank 33 and the third heat exchanger 37 are hermetically sealed by brazing.
[0080] According to a variant of the first embodiment, a third expansion valve 40 is placed between the second heat exchanger 30 and the third heat exchanger 37. This third expansion valve 40 allows operation at different pressure levels between the second heat exchanger 30 and the third heat exchanger 37.
[0081] In particular, in heating mode, the refrigerant at the outlet of the second heat exchanger 30 is cooled in the third expansion valve 40 and changes to a liquid-vapor mixture before entering the third heat exchanger 37. The efficiency of the heat exchange in the third heat exchanger 37 is thus improved and the safety of the installation 21 increased.
[0082] In particular, in air conditioning mode, the refrigerant at the outlet of the third heat exchanger 37 is cooled again in the third expansion valve 40 before entering the second heat exchanger 30. The efficiency of the heat exchange in the second heat exchanger 37 is thus improved and the safety of the installation 21 increased.
[0083] Figure 4 shows an installation 21 for heating and cooling a dwelling, and for the production of hot water, in particular domestic hot water, according to a second embodiment.
[0084] In this embodiment, the primary refrigerant circuit 22 is unchanged compared to the first embodiment. The secondary refrigerant circuit 32 is also unchanged.
[0085] The installation 21 further includes a tertiary circuit 42 of heat transfer fluid disposed between the primary circuit 22 and the secondary circuit 32, in which a heat transfer fluid is intended to circulate, and intended to be installed inside the dwelling.
[0086] The heat transfer fluid is, for example, water.
[0087] The tertiary circuit 42 of heat transfer fluid includes a third heat exchanger 37 configured to exchange heat between the tertiary circuit 42 and the primary circuit 22, and a fourth heat exchanger 46 configured to exchange heat between the tertiary circuit 42 and the secondary circuit 32. The tertiary circuit 42 advantageously includes a pump 44.
[0088] The pump 44, the fourth heat exchanger 46 and the third heat exchanger 37 are arranged successively in series in the tertiary circuit 42 and are therefore traversed by the heat transfer fluid.
[0089] In the primary circuit 22, the third heat exchanger 37 is arranged between the second heat exchanger 30 and the first expansion valve 26 in series.
[0090] Alternatively, the third heat exchanger 37 is arranged in parallel with the second heat exchanger 30.
[0091] In the secondary circuit 32, the fourth heat exchanger 46 is arranged between the second expansion valve 36 and the second compressor 34 in series.
[0092] The interposition of a tertiary heat transfer fluid circuit 42 between the primary circuit 22 and the secondary circuit 32 allows for the physical separation of said primary 22 and secondary 32 circuits, for example, to install them in two separate rooms of the dwelling. Indeed, the heat transfer fluid is not a flammable fluid and does not present a maximum pressure requirement to be met in the circuit.
[0093] In the case where the heat transfer fluid is water, the heat losses in the tertiary circuit 42 are reduced, and the water can be maintained in the tertiary circuit 42 at temperatures between 20°C and 30°C.
[0094] Thus, in heating mode, the first refrigerant circulates in the first compressor 24 where it is compressed, preferably in a gaseous state. As a result, the temperature and pressure of the first refrigerant are increased in the first compressor 24. The first refrigerant thus heated circulates to the second heat exchanger 30 located in the indoor unit 29 which operates as a condenser, where it condenses and transfers heat to an indoor airflow Fi to heat the interior of the dwelling. The first refrigerant then flows to the third heat exchanger 37, where it transfers heat to the heat transfer fluid of the tertiary circuit 42. The pressure of the first refrigerant, preferably in liquid form at the inlet of the first expansion valve 26, decreases in the first expansion valve 26 of the outdoor unit 23. As a result, the temperature of the first refrigerant decreases in the first expansion valve 26.In the first heat exchanger 25 which operates as an evaporator, the refrigerant exchanges heat with an outside airflow Fe to the dwelling to draw heat energy from the outside airflow Fe. .
[0095] In the tertiary circuit 42, the heat transfer fluid heated after passing through the third heat exchanger 37 circulates towards the fourth heat exchanger 46, where it transfers heat to the second refrigerant circulating in the secondary circuit 32.
[0096] In the secondary circuit 32, the second refrigerant flows through the first compressor 34 where it is compressed, preferably in a gaseous state. As a result, the temperature and pressure of the second refrigerant are increased in the second compressor 34. The heated second refrigerant then flows to the condenser 35, where it condenses and transfers heat to the fluid to be heated inside the tank 33. The pressure of the second refrigerant, preferably in a liquid state at the inlet of the second expansion valve 36, decreases in the second expansion valve 36. Consequently, the temperature of the second refrigerant decreases in the second expansion valve 36. In the fourth heat exchanger 46, the second refrigerant exchanges heat with the heat transfer fluid of the tertiary circuit 42 to extract heat energy from the heat transfer fluid.
[0097] Thus, in this embodiment, the primary refrigerant circuit 22 and the secondary refrigerant circuit 32 are thermally coupled indirectly via the tertiary heat transfer fluid circuit 42.
[0098] To switch to air conditioning mode, the four-way valve 28 is changed position. The first refrigerant flows into the first compressor 24 where it is compressed, preferably in a gaseous state. As a result, the temperature and pressure of the first refrigerant are increased in the first compressor 24. The first refrigerant, thus heated, flows to the first heat exchanger 25, which operates as a condenser, where it condenses and transfers heat to an outside air stream Fe to warm it. The pressure of the first refrigerant, preferably in liquid form at the inlet of the first expansion valve 26, decreases in the first expansion valve 26 of the outdoor unit 23. As a result, the temperature of the first refrigerant decreases in the first expansion valve 26. The first refrigerant then circulates to the third heat exchanger 37, where it transfers heat to the heat transfer fluid of the tertiary circuit 42.In the second heat exchanger 30, which operates as an evaporator, the first refrigerant exchanges heat with an indoor airflow Fi of the dwelling to draw heat energy from the indoor airflow Fi and thus cool the interior of the dwelling.
[0099] In the tertiary circuit 42, the heat transfer fluid heated after passing through the third heat exchanger 37 circulates towards the fourth heat exchanger 46, where it transfers heat to the second refrigerant circulating in the secondary circuit 32.
[0100] In the secondary circuit 32, the second refrigerant flows through the first compressor 34 where it is compressed, preferably in a gaseous state. As a result, the temperature and pressure of the second refrigerant are increased in the second compressor 34. The heated second refrigerant flows to the condenser 35, where it condenses and transfers heat to the fluid to be heated inside the tank 33. The pressure of the second refrigerant, preferably in a liquid state at the inlet of the second expansion valve 36, decreases in the second expansion valve 36. As a result, the temperature of the second refrigerant decreases in the second expansion valve 36. In the fourth heat exchanger 46, the second refrigerant exchanges heat with the heat transfer fluid of the tertiary circuit 42 to extract heat energy from the heat transfer fluid.
[0101] According to a variant of the second embodiment, a third expansion valve 40 is placed between the second heat exchanger 30 and the third heat exchanger 37. This third expansion valve 40 allows operation at different pressure levels between the second heat exchanger 30 and the third heat exchanger 37.
[0102] In particular, in heating mode, the refrigerant exiting the second heat exchanger 30 is cooled in the third expansion valve 40 and changes to a liquid-vapor state before entering the third heat exchanger 37 to transfer heat energy to the heat transfer fluid. The efficiency of the heat exchange in the third heat exchanger 37 is thus improved and the safety of the installation 21 increased.
[0103] In particular, in air conditioning mode, the refrigerant at the outlet of the third heat exchanger 37 is cooled again in the third expansion valve 40 before entering the second heat exchanger 30 to cool the indoor airflow Fi. The efficiency of the heat exchange in the second heat exchanger 37 is thus improved and the safety of the installation 21 increased.
Claims
Demands
1. Installation (21) for heating and / or cooling a dwelling, and for the production of hot water, in particular domestic hot water, the installation (21) comprising: - a primary circuit (22) of refrigerant fluid in which a first refrigerant fluid is intended to circulate, comprising: - an outdoor unit (23) intended to be installed outside the dwelling and comprising at least: a first compressor (34), a first heat exchanger (25) configured to exchange heat between the first refrigerant fluid and the outside air, and at least a first expansion valve (26), - an indoor unit (29) intended to be installed inside the dwelling and comprising at least a second heat exchanger (30) configured to exchange heat between the first refrigerant fluid and the inside air,- a secondary refrigerant circuit (32) independent of the primary refrigerant circuit (22) in which a second refrigerant is intended to circulate, and intended to be installed inside the dwelling and comprising: - a water heater including a tank (33) configured to receive a fluid to be heated, a condenser (35), a second compressor (34) and at least one second expansion valve (36), the installation (21) being characterized in that the primary circuit (22) includes at least one third heat exchanger (37) allowing the primary circuit (22) and the secondary circuit (32) to be thermally coupled indirectly, the installation (21) including a tertiary heat transfer fluid circuit (42) in which a heat transfer fluid is intended to circulate and intended to be installed inside the dwelling,the third heat exchanger (37) being configured to exchange heat between the tertiary circuit (42) and the primary circuit (22), and the heat transfer fluid circuit comprising a fourth heat exchanger (46) configured to exchange heat between the tertiary circuit (42) and the secondary circuit (32).
2. Installation (21) according to claim 1, wherein the indoor unit (29) and the third heat exchanger (37) are positioned so that the lowest leakage point of the circuit primary (22) is located at a height (H) relative to the ground taken along the vertical direction (Z) greater than 50 cm.
3. Installation (21) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the primary circuit (22) comprises a first charge of first refrigerant, and the secondary circuit (32) comprises a second charge of second refrigerant, the second charge being less than the first charge.
4. Installation (21) according to claim 3, wherein the primary circuit (22) contains a charge in kg of first refrigerant greater than the product of a reference volume (Vo) independent of the nature of the fluid and fixed at 4 m3, and the lower flammability limit (LFL) of the fluid in kg / m3.
5. Installation (21) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the third heat exchanger (37) is arranged in series with the second heat exchanger (30) on the primary circuit (22).
6. Installation (21) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the third heat exchanger (37) is positioned on the primary circuit (22) between the second heat exchanger (30) and the first expansion valve (26).
7. Installation (21) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the water heater includes a means of communication with the indoor unit (29).
8. Installation (21) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the third exchanger is a plate exchanger.
9. Installation (21) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the indoor unit (29) and the tank (33) of the water heater are located inside a single enclosure.
10. Installation (21) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the primary circuit (22) includes a third expansion valve placed between the second heat exchanger (30) and the third heat exchanger (37).