Air conditioning installation in a building

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air conditioning installation (I) for a building (B), which includes a thermodynamic machine (M) in which a refrigerant circulates, the heat exchanger (1) of this machine (M) being in a heat exchange situation on the one hand with water circulating in a water network (R) and, on the other hand with the refrigerant, this heat exchanger (1) being connected, considering the direction of water circulation in the network (R), to an upstream water inlet pipe (2) (AE) and to a downstream water outlet pipe (3) (SE), the upstream water inlet pipe (2) (AE) being equipped with a two-way valve or a three-way valve (4) mounted in relief which is configured to regulate the flow of water entering said heat exchanger (1) according to the fluctuation of the temperature and / or the flow of water upstream of the valve (4). Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Building air conditioning system FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning (i.e., air conditioning, namely heating or cooling) system for a building. PRIOR TECHNOLOGY

[0002] High energy efficiency thermodynamic heat pump technology has existed for a long time. It is efficient and well-established.

[0003] Heat pumps enable the transfer of heat from one source to another. Air-to-air heat exchange systems (usually referred to as "RR") capture heat from one air source (generally outside air) and transfer it to another air source (generally the indoor air of a building) for heating purposes. Conversely, the transfer of heat from one air source to another enables air conditioning.

[0004] This principle of function applies to all types of fluid, whether air or water.

[0005] WATER / AIR exchange systems (usually referred to as "OR These systems use a water network as a source / discharge of heat to treat ambient air. These widely used systems eliminate dependence on outside air conditions (and therefore climate), thus maximizing system efficiency and performance year-round.

[0006] This OR system performs well year-round but is highly dependent on the performance of the water network to which it is connected. This performance consists of:

[0007] - Stability of the water inlet temperature regime;

[0008] - Available water flow rate.

[0009] Indeed, the flow rate / water inlet temperature pair directly defines the heating / cooling power available on this source.

[0010] In practice, many systems are connected to the same water network of the building equipped with the installation. These systems interfere massively, rejecting / capturing heat but also making untimely starts / stops of water flow, and this independently.

[0011] These interferences are all the more random and unbalanced as they depend on numerous factors:

[0012] - Power and water regimes of equipment connected to the water source;

[0013] - Positioning of each piece of equipment on the circuit;

[0014] - "Circuiting" of the network according to best practices, as well as production management flow rate (variable flow pump or not...);

[0015] - Production system of the source itself (terminal heat pump for offloading the entire network to the outside, geothermal energy, etc.);

[0016] The multitude of these parameters leads to recurring fluctuations in temperature and flow which affect each connected system and which greatly disrupt the operation of the thermodynamic system, causing it to shut down safely, or even break down.

[0017] To overcome this problem, one solution is to isolate each system connected to this network by connecting it to an intermediate water loop and integrating a pump that maintains a permanent flow to the system.

[0018] An example of an embodiment of this type of known installation I is shown schematically in the attached [Fig.1].

[0019] In this figure, M is a water / air thermodynamic machine comprising a compressor, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and a condenser, the latter two acting as heat exchangers. In a reversible machine, each of the exchangers can function as either a condenser or an evaporator. A refrigerant circulates within this machine.

[0020] For the sake of simplicity, only one of the heat exchangers 1 of machine M is shown. It is traversed by water which flows via pipes 2 and 3, the arrows AE (for water inlet) and SE (for water outlet) symbolizing the direction of fluid flow.

[0021] A three-way valve 4 is mounted on pipe 2. It is connected to a branch 5 connected to pipe 3. At the outlet of the exchanger 1 and upstream of branch 5 (considering the direction of water flow) a regulating valve 7 is provided. This forms a recirculating water loop.

[0022] Downstream of the valve 4 (considering the direction of water flow) is mounted an electronic pump 6. The common part of the three-way valve 4 is on the side of the electronic pump 6.

[0023] Thus, thanks to the electronic pump 6 and the mounting direction of the valve 4, a regular flow of water into the exchanger 1 is ensured, while the branch 5 and the three-way valve 4 allow a portion of the water that exits to be recirculated into the exchanger 1.

[0024] This system is effective, but on the other hand it is complex to install and expensive, in particular because of the use of an electronic pump and the resulting electricity consumption.

[0025] The problems of temperature or flow rate fluctuations in the water loop at the inlet of the thermodynamic machine M mechanically lead to fluctuations of the evaporation temperature TO when the thermodynamic machine is in "heating mode", or of the condensation temperature Tk when the thermodynamic machine is in "cooling mode".

[0026] These temperatures TO or Tk follow linearly the evolution of the temperature or fluid flow rate and can therefore cause the compressor to operate outside its operating range (generally known as "MAP"), at the risk of causing the system to stop or break down.

[0027] The present invention aims to provide a solution to this problem. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] This objective is achieved according to the invention by means of a building air conditioning installation, which includes a thermodynamic machine in which a refrigerant circulates, the heat exchanger of this machine being in a heat exchange situation on the one hand with water circulating in a water network and, on the other hand with the refrigerant, this heat exchanger being connected, considering the direction of water circulation in the network, to an upstream water inlet pipe and to a downstream water outlet pipe characterized by the fact that the upstream water inlet pipe is equipped with a two-way valve or a three-way valve mounted in relief which is configured to regulate the flow of water entering said heat exchanger according to the fluctuation of the temperature and / or the flow of water upstream of the valve.

[0029] Thus, thanks to the invention, it is possible to overcome variations in temperature and / or flow in the water circulation network, and to obtain operation of the thermodynamic machine under the best conditions, with an economy of operation since the use of a pump, in particular an electric one, is eliminated.

[0030] According to other advantageous and non-limiting features of this installation, taken alone or according to a technically compatible combination of at least two of them:

[0031] - said thermodynamic machine is a reversible machine.

[0032] Thanks to this feature, the installation can be used in summer as well as winter, in air conditioning mode or in heating mode.

[0033] - said valve is a three-way valve mounted in a discharge configuration, and it communicates with a bypass pipe which is connected to said downstream pipe.

[0034] Thus, if necessary, part of the water that is "bypassed" by the three-way valve is recycled into the water circulation circuit, so that there is no loss.

[0035] - the installation includes a programmable logic controller configured to control the operation of said valve based on temperature and flow measurements water upstream of the valve, as well as the condensation pressure and evaporation pressure of the refrigerant.

[0036] Thanks to these characteristics, it is possible to achieve particularly fine control of the installation.

[0037] - said water network also supplies complementary equipment which equip said building.

[0038] Thus, even if this additional equipment consumes a variable amount of water over time, the installation according to the invention is not affected. DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES - DRAWINGS

[0039] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which will now be given, with reference to the attached drawings, which represent, by way of example but not limitation, one possible embodiment.

[0040] On these drawings:

[0041] Fig. 1 is a very schematic view of a known installation from the prior art, which has been commented on above and whose drawbacks we want to overcome;

[0042] Fig. 2 is a very schematic view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Fig. 3 is a very schematic view of another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] Throughout the description and unless otherwise stated, identical references designate identical or similar equipment.

[0045] Figures [Fig.2] and [Fig.3] show an installation according to the present invention. This installation I is represented in a similar way to that of [Fig.1] discussed above, which means that only a thermodynamic machine M which equips a building B has been schematically represented, and only an exchanger 1 which is present within it has been identified.

[0046] As in the prior art installation, the refrigerant circulating in the machine M is in a situation of heat exchange on the one hand with the water circulating in the aforementioned pipes and on the other hand with the air of the building B which we propose to condition.

[0047] Focusing more particularly on the embodiment of [Fig.2], we observe that the exchanger 1 is supplied with water by an upstream water inlet pipe 2, this water exiting the exchanger 1 by a downstream water outlet pipe 3.

[0048] A three-way valve 4, mounted in a relief configuration, is mounted on pipe 2. Its function will be explained below. It is connected to a branch 5 connected to the pipe 3. In such a discharge arrangement, the common part of the three-way valve is located on the water inlet side AE.

[0049] According to the invention, the valve 4 is configured to regulate the flow of water entering said exchanger 1 as a function of the temperature and / or the flow of water upstream of the valve 4. Equivalent sensors or detection means, not shown, are provided for this purpose.

[0050] Thus, when the water flow rate and its temperature are compatible with the operating range of the compressor of the thermodynamic machine M, the entire water flow is directed towards the exchanger, in a mode which can be described as "normal".

[0051] Conversely, when the water flow and / or temperature is / are subject to fluctuations (for example because the water circulating in the network supplies other equipment in building B), then valve 4 regulates the water flow into the exchanger in order to ensure thermodynamic operation of the compressor within its operating range (MAP).

[0052] Advantageously, the installation includes a programmable logic controller (not shown) configured to control the operation of said valve 4 based on measurements of the temperature and / or water flow upstream of said valve 4.

[0053] This programmable logic controller controls the operation of valve 4 according to the condensation pressure and evaporation pressure of the refrigerant circulating in machine M, in order to allow even finer adjustment of this control.

[0054] Thus, the regulation embedded in the PLC allows the control of valve 4 to regulate the flow of water entering the exchanger 1. By doing so, and because valve 4 is mounted in discharge, the excess water is directed into the bypass pipe 5 and is recycled into the water network via pipe 3.

[0055] Advantageously, the condensing pressure (Pk) in cooling mode or the evaporating pressure (PO) of the compressor of machine M in heating mode is regulated so that it is maintained within the operating range of this compressor. To achieve this, the controller influences the water flow rate entering the heat exchanger.

[0056] Depending on the operating mode, a temperature fluctuation is compensated by increasing or decreasing the flow rate through valve 4.

[0057] Depending on the operating mode, an operating range output of the compressor of machine M, due to flow variations, is also regulated by valve 4.

[0058] This regulation function makes it possible to correct the variability of 2 parameters at the same time on the system.

[0059] The installation of such a system can follow the following steps: - Sizing of hydraulic and thermodynamic equipment; - Creation of a three-dimensional plan to model the integration of the system; - Drafting a program specification incorporating proportional integral derivative (PID) control; - Creation of prototypes to validate integration and performance.

[0060] In the embodiment of [Fig.3], we are dealing with an installation I similar to the previous one, except that we are dealing with a two-way valve 4. In this case, if the water flow into the exchanger 1 needs to be regulated, the controller controls the valve 4, in order to retain upstream of it a part of the water flow intended to pass through it.

[0061] The installation according to the invention makes it possible to:

[0062] - Adapting to fluctuating water networks;

[0063] - Reduce integration costs;

[0064] - Reduce operating costs related to the customer-side circulation pump;

[0065] - Maximize the availability rate of the equipment and therefore energy savings produced by the water / air solution;

[0066] - Maximize the reliability of the equipment.

[0067] Finally, the installation according to the invention can be applied to air treatment for existing sites, in the context of renovation, in order to avoid additional costs, and to air treatment for sites on fluctuating hydraulic networks. Furthermore, it can adapt to various water regimes and is therefore robust in applications with temperature drift (geothermal, etc.).

Claims

Demands

1. A building air conditioning system (I) comprising a thermodynamic machine (M) through which a refrigerant circulates, the heat exchanger (1) of this machine (M) being in a heat exchange situation on the one hand with water circulating in a water network (R) and, on the other hand, with the refrigerant, this heat exchanger (1) being connected, considering the direction of water flow in the network (R), to an upstream water inlet pipe (2) (AE) and to a downstream water outlet pipe (3) (SE), characterized in that the upstream water inlet pipe (2) (AE) is equipped with a two-way valve or a three-way valve (4) mounted in a relief configuration which is configured to regulate the flow rate of water entering said heat exchanger (1) according to the fluctuation of the temperature and / or the water flow rate upstream of the valve (4).

2. Installation (I) according to claim 1, characterized in that said thermodynamic machine (M) is a reversible machine.

3. Installation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said valve (4) is a three-way valve mounted in discharge, characterized in that this valve (4) communicates with a bypass line (5) which is connected to said downstream line (3).

4. Installation (I) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a programmable logic controller configured to control the operation of said valve (4) based on measurements of the temperature and water flow upstream of the valve (4), as well as the condensation pressure and evaporation pressure of the refrigerant.

5. Installation (I) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said water network (R) also supplies complementary equipment which equips said building (B).