DOUBLE HYBRID HEAT PUMP SYSTEM AND METHODS OF USE AND OPERATION

Abstract

A double hybrid heat pump, system, and method of operation provides improved efficiency in both heating and cooling modes, hot water, and other benefits. The system includes a compressor for compressing a low-pressure vapor refrigerant to a high-pressure vapor refrigerant, a refrigerant condensing heat exchanger for condensing the refrigerant to a high-pressure liquid refrigerant, and a refrigerant cooling heat exchanger for subcooling the condensed high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The high-pressure subcooled liquid refrigerant is further subcooled in a refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger and then expanded through an expansion device to produce a low-pressure cooled liquid refrigerant or a low-pressure cooled two-phase refrigerant. The low-pressure cooled liquid refrigerant or two-phase refrigerant is then vaporized in a refrigerant evaporator heat exchanger to produce a low-pressure vapor refrigerant, which is heated through a refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger and returned to the compressor.

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