PTAC type heat pump

Abstract

A PTAC-type heat pump (1;101) includes a first heat exchanger (10) and a second heat exchanger (30). The first heat exchanger (10) is configured to exchange heat with the external environment outside the environment to be treated. The heat pump also includes a fan (20) connected to the first heat exchanger (10) to force circulation of outside air through the first heat exchanger (10). The first heat exchanger (10) includes at least two, preferably three, continuous portions (12, 13, 14). This continuous portion includes a central portion (13) and at least one side portion (12, 14). Both side portions are planar. At least one side portion (12, 14) is angled with respect to the central portion (13) to preferably an inward angle in the range of 150 to 175 degrees.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a PTAC (Packaged Terminal Air Conditioning) type heat pump. Background Art

[0002] Heat pumps include heating and cooling systems with autonomous heat pumps, which are commonly installed in hotels, residential structures and other buildings. Unlike split-type heat pumps, which feature two structurally independent units connected by tubes for circulating refrigerant fluid, a PTAC includes all the components of the air conditioner within the same cover. The entire assembly is intended for wall-mounted installation or window installation at a through-sit (sleeve). PTACs are mainly provided with a planar heat exchange battery intended for exchange with the external environment and the environment to be treated (see, for example, U.S. Patent Application No. 2023 / 0025205). The heat exchanger intended to exchange heat with the external environment is usually associated with the larger base of a frustopyramidal plenum chamber, and an axial flow fan is generally arranged at its smaller base, so that the delivered flow covers the heat exchanger. This typical configuration is associated with a number of drawbacks. First, this configuration imposes limitations on the energy efficiency of the system. This limitation is primarily, but not exclusively, due to the geometrical limitations of the heat exchanger that acts as a condenser during cooling. Furthermore, the use of an axial flow fan, as a result of its same characteristics, involves the fan being installed primarily on the "delivery side" or upstream of the heat exchanger with respect to the air flow covering the heat exchanger, which greatly limits the uniformity of the air flow, and the air flow is mainly concentrated in the center of the heat exchanger.

[0003] Furthermore, in the heat exchange airflow, air is drawn into the heat exchanger from one or both sides, and discharged to the other side (in the case of one-sided intake, or discharged to the central part in the case of central intake). In either case, the inlet and outlet are formed in the same vertical space relative to the heat exchanger configuration. As a result, the inflow into the heat exchanger and the outflow from the heat exchanger are not completely separated, so there is a possibility that the treated air may be partially re-inhaled.

[0004] Furthermore, in addition to the large space occupied by the plenum chamber, the heat pump requires other bulky components such as a compressor array and an air treatment unit that may contain an enthalpy exchanger for energy recovery. As a result, this known PTAC configuration is not optimal from both an energy and space perspective.

[0005] Another type of air conditioner with a vertical column is known from European Patent No. 1248049. This relates to an integrated air conditioner suitable for wall mounting, but has a different form from conventional PTACs. In this case, a group of compressors is mounted in the center of the lower heat exchanger, and annular heat exchangers are arranged vertically. These heat exchangers are ventilated in an improved manner compared to the aforementioned example, but this configuration also does not allow for optimal use of dimensions and results in a significant decrease in the overall efficiency of the heat pump.

[0006] Other types of air conditioners are described in International Publication No. WO2013 / 040670 and Japanese Patent Application No. S59-060134. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The problem addressed by the present invention is to provide a PTAC type heat pump that is structurally and functionally configured to overcome at least some of the drawbacks described with reference to the cited prior art.

[0008] In relation to this problem, a key objective of the present invention is to propose a configuration and arrangement of the components of the heat pump. This makes it possible to reduce the dimensions of the heat pump while simultaneously maximizing its energy efficiency.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to configure the use of the internal space of a PTAC-type heat pump such that the presence of unused internal areas is minimized.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a heat pump that minimizes its aesthetic impact on a building by minimizing the protrusion of the heat pump from the outside of the building's facade.

[0011] This problem is solved by a PTAC type heat pump configured according to one or more of the claims set forth in the attached claims, and these objectives are achieved by said PTAC type heat pump. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In a first aspect of the present invention, a PTAC type heat pump includes a first heat exchanger that exchanges heat with an external environment outside the environment to be treated, and a fan connected to the first heat exchanger for forcibly circulating outside air through the first heat exchanger.

[0013] Preferably, the first heat exchanger includes at least two, preferably three, consecutive sections. These sections include a central section and at least one side section. If two side sections are provided, they extend from both sides of the central section, respectively. At least one of the side sections is planar and angled with respect to the central section to an interior angle preferably in the range of 150 to 175 degrees. The interior angle is the angle measured on the concave side of the heat exchanger. In this way, a considerable space saving is achieved with respect to the heat exchange surface to be secured.

[0014] Preferably, the fan is radial. Preferably, the fan is axial / centrifugal. Preferably, the fan is axial / centrifugal with backward-curved blades.

[0015] Preferably, the fan has trapezoidal, preferably tapered, blades, and the exit edges of these blades have a truncated conical profile with a smaller base in the direction of discharge.

[0016] Preferably, the heat exchanger includes two side portions extending from both sides of a central portion. Preferably, these side portions are angled with respect to the central portion to form an inward angle, preferably substantially in the range of 150 to 175 degrees.

[0017] Preferably, the first heat exchanger has an inner surface and an outer surface, and the inner surface forms the wall of a box-shaped plenum chamber.

[0018] Preferably, the heat pump includes a box-shaped housing extending to include a first heat exchanger. The box-shaped housing defines a first auxiliary housing chamber for housing a compressor on the outer surface side in at least one side portion of the region.

[0019] Preferably, on the outer surface, a second auxiliary housing chamber is defined between the box-shaped housing and the other side portion for housing an air processing unit having a cross-flow enthalpy exchanger.

[0020] Preferably, the fan is of the radial type. Preferably, the fan is mounted so as to be located above or below the plenum chamber in the area of ​​the intake opening, and preferably has an outlet formed in the rear panel of the box-shaped housing. This feature minimizes the protrusion of the heat pump from the exterior wall surface of the building in which it is installed. Furthermore, in this way, the intake flow and the discharge flow are separated vertically.

[0021] Preferably, the fan is of the axial / centrifugal type with backward-curved blades. Preferably, the fan has trapezoidal blades. Preferably, the blades have a tapered shape, and the outlet edges of these blades generally form a frustoconical profile with a small base facing the delivery direction.

[0022] Preferably, the fan has a delivery duct located vertically above the suction duct of the first heat exchanger. This feature improves the separation between the inlet flow and the outlet flow of the working air of the first heat exchanger, significantly enhances its thermodynamic output, and avoids the phenomenon of re-suction of heat exchange air in the condenser.

[0023] Preferably, a deflector for enhancing the separation effect is provided at the opening of the delivery duct.

[0024] Furthermore, compared with the conventional configuration in which suction and delivery are separated in the horizontal direction, this assembly allows a larger surface to be used for suction.

[0025] Preferably, a second heat exchanger is provided for performing heat exchange with the interior of the environment to be treated. Preferably, the second heat exchanger includes two heat exchanger sections arranged in a V-shape extending in directions away from each other. Preferably, these heat exchanger sections are arranged so as to extend toward the respective blower units.

[0026] Preferably, the vertex of the heat exchanger section is oriented downward in the region of the collection tray.

[0027] Preferably, the end portion opposite to the vertex of at least one, and preferably both of the heat exchanger sections is chamfered toward the outside of the V-shape by a chamfered portion. Thereby, the flow rate of the air to be treated can be advantageously increased.

[0028] Advantageously, the blower unit includes a tangential type fan. Preferably, the tangential type fan is a fan with an open scroll.

[0029] Preferably, a tangential type fan is provided with a planar cut-off plate for separating a tangential flow from the fan. The cut-off plate is preferably arranged as follows. That is, the cut-off plate is arranged such that an angle formed by the plane of the cut-off plate and the radial direction with respect to the impeller of the fan at the base of the cut-off plate or at the position closest to the impeller on the cut-off plate is less than 180 degrees, preferably in a range of about 120 degrees to about 150 degrees.

[0030] Preferably, by setting the cut-off angle to a closed angle that is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the heat pump main body, that is, the upper panel and the lower panel, the quietness of the fan of the second heat exchanger is improved, and a dual advantage is obtained that it is easy to arrange the corresponding heat exchanger portion in a V-shaped configuration.

[0031] Preferably, the heat pump includes a heat shielding portion disposed between the compressor group and the first heat exchanger.

[0032] Preferably, the fan has a suction collar. The suction collar protrudes into an opposing collar forming an introduction member for air passing through the suction opening over a short section in the plenum chamber. Advantageously, by using the introduction member, the mounting position of the fan can be lowered, and advantageously, the height and dimensions of the chamber can be reduced.

[0033] Preferably, the air handling unit has an opening, and is configured to discharge the air treated by the enthalpy heat exchanger toward the second heat exchanger through the opening.

[0034] Preferably, the fan is of a tangential type. This feature allows the fan to be oriented to enable space optimization, facilitating the entire embedding of the heat pump into a wall, which prevents the heat pump from protruding. Preferably, the fan is mounted so as to be disposed below the plenum chamber in the region of the suction opening.

[0035] Preferably, the fan and intake opening have a grille configured to redirect the outgoing and ingoing airflows. Preferably, the grille includes a deflector to more clearly separate the ingoing and outgoing airflows.

[0036] Preferably, the first heat exchanger is formed in multiple rows. Preferably, the heat exchanger includes multiple tube layers. Preferably, the end tube layers facing the fan are formed with a reduced number of rows to form a recess facing the fan. Preferably, the recess is configured to accommodate the fan assembly support.

[0037] Preferably, the first heat exchanger and / or the second heat exchanger are provided with recovery means for recovering condensate. Preferably, the first heat exchanger and / or the second heat exchanger are provided with discharge means for discharging condensate. Preferably, the discharge means includes a pump configured to discharge condensate. Preferably, the pump is of the type that uses vibration to atomize the condensate. Preferably, the discharge means includes at least one nozzle configured to discharge condensate drawn in by the pump. Preferably, the nozzle is directed towards the environment outside the heat pump. This feature allows for easy discharge of condensate produced by the second heat exchanger.

[0038] Preferably, the heat pump includes a diffuser. Preferably, the diffuser extends at least partially along the contour of a box-shaped plenum chamber and is configured to collect condensate released from the second heat exchanger and to pour the condensate onto the first heat exchanger by gravity. These features allow the condensate generated by the second heat exchanger to be discharged, and in particular, the condensate can be used to cool the first heat exchanger.

[0039] Preferably, the diffuser has a loading opening that fluidly connects the second heat exchanger to the condensate collection section. Preferably, the heat pump includes condensate capture means for collecting and transporting condensate from the second heat exchanger to the loading opening. The condensate capture means is preferably comprised of a pump.

[0040] These features allow for efficient recovery of condensed water and reliable transport of the condensed water towards the diffuser's inlet.

[0041] Preferably, the diffuser includes a diffusion portion configured to fluidly communicate the recovery portion with the first heat exchanger.

[0042] Preferably, the diffusion section includes a plurality of channels. Preferably, each channel includes a first end directed toward the recovery section. The first end has a corresponding hole for condensate to pass from the recovery section into the channel. Preferably, the channel includes an open second end directed toward the first heat exchanger, preferably on the opposite side of the first end. This feature allows the recovered condensate to be discharged onto the first heat exchanger to cool the first heat exchanger.

[0043] Preferably, the second end has a serrated contour. This feature allows for more uniform distribution of condensed water on the first heat exchanger.

[0044] Preferably, the heat pump includes multiple diffusers distributed along the upper contour of the outer surface. These features allow for more uniform distribution of condensed water on the heat exchanger.

[0045] Preferably, the diffuser has a substantially L-shaped cross-section. This positions the recovery section and the inlet opening below the diffusion section. This feature allows for a continuous supply of condensate to the diffusion section, which is then uniformly and continuously poured onto the first heat exchanger. Advantageously, the condensate poured onto the outer surface in this manner can cool the rows of the first heat exchanger.

[0046] Preferably, the heat pump includes a plurality of supports extending around the fan. The supports preferably extend in the height direction and preferably have a substantially elliptical cross-section. The supports are preferably distributed around the fan and preferably positioned at locations corresponding to the vertices of a quadrilateral. Preferably, the supports are positioned around the fan to act on the airflow delivered by the blades. Preferably, the major axes of the supports having a substantially elliptical cross-section are oriented tangentially to the fan.

[0047] These features allow for increased fan efficiency.

[0048] Advantageously, these supports support a box-shaped plenum chamber above the fan and / or affect the characteristics of the airflow delivered by the fan blades.

[0049] Preferably, the heat pump includes a pair of wheels that are movable between a lowered operating position and a raised non-operating position. Preferably, in the operating position, the wheels support the heat pump. Preferably, in the non-operating position, the wheels do not support the heat pump. These features allow the heat pump to be moved, and in particular facilitate the process of installing the heat pump into a sleeve. Preferably, the wheels are guided laterally on the housing of the heat pump between the operating and non-operating positions.

[0050] Preferably, the wheels are attached to the heat pump via guides provided on both sides of the heat pump. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0051] The features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description relating to non-limiting preferred embodiments illustrated non-limitingly with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] This is a schematic front perspective view showing a PTAC type heat pump according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of the heat pump. [Figure 3] This diagram shows some of the internal elements of the heat pump shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a partial view of the heat pump in Figure 1, with a fan installed. [Figure 5] This is a partial view of the heat pump in Figure 1, without the fan. [Figure 6] This is a side view of the heat pump in Figure 1, without the side panels. [Figure 7] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the heat pump. [Figure 8] This diagram shows some of the internal elements of the heat pump shown in Figure 1. [Figure 9] This figure shows some details of the heat pump shown in Figure 1. [Figure 10] This figure shows an additional cross-sectional view of the heat pump in Figure 1. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the heat pump according to the present invention. [Figure 12] This is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the heat pump according to the present invention. [Figure 13] This is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the heat pump according to the present invention. [Figure 14] Figure 11 is a side view of the heat pump. [Figure 15] Figure 11 is a detailed perspective view of the heat pump. [Figure 16] Figure 11 is a detailed perspective view of the heat pump. [Figure 17] This is a perspective view of one embodiment of the heat pump according to the present invention. [Figure 18]Figure 17 is a front view of the heat pump. [Figure 19] Figure 17 is a partial cross-sectional plan view of the heat pump shown. [Figure 20] This is a perspective view of one embodiment of the heat pump according to the present invention. [Figure 21] Figure 17 is a detailed perspective view of the heat pump. [Figure 22] Figure 17 is a perspective view of the elements of a heat pump. [Figure 23] Figure 22 is a magnified perspective view of the elements in detail. [Figure 24] This is a close-up cross-sectional view of the elements in Figure 22. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0052] Referring to the figure, a PTAC type heat pump constructed according to the present invention is shown as a whole by reference numeral 1.

[0053] The heat pump 1 includes a first part 2 intended to be embedded in an opening in a wall, and a second part 3 intended to protrude from the installation opening so as to be visible within the environment to be air-conditioned. The two parts 2 and 3 are separated externally by a frame 4, which abuts flush with the wall within the environment to be treated when the equipment is installed. The heat pump 1 is provided for summer cooling and winter heating in a manner known to itself, and switching from one operating system to the other is obvious. With this in mind, unless otherwise explicitly stated, the following will explicitly refer to the setting for summer cooling, but it will be understood that the heat pump is capable of operating in both modes shown. The first part 2, which is installed in the wall, includes a box-shaped enclosure 5 which is roughly parallelepiped. The box-shaped enclosure 5 has side panels 5a and 5b, a rear panel 5c, an upper panel 5d, and a lower panel 5e. Two openings 6 and 7 are formed in the rear panel 5c. The first opening 6 is an outlet for discharging treated air, and the second opening 7 is an intake opening for introducing air intended to exchange heat with the first heat exchanger 10. Preferably, the second opening 7 is protected by a screen 8 spaced apart from the rear panel 5c to form a gap. The first outlet 6 is provided with a first deflector 9, such as a grid. The first deflector 9 is positioned to deflect the air discharged from the outlet 6 away from the intake opening 7. During the cooling function, the first heat exchanger 10 acts as a condenser for the refrigerant fluid circulated by the compressor group 11.

[0054] Preferably, the heat exchanger 10 includes three planar portions 12, 13, and 14 that are continuous with each other, namely a central portion 13 and side portions 12 and 14 that extend from both sides of the central portion 13, respectively. Preferably, the side portions 12 and 14 are connected to the central portion 13 by curved connecting portions 15, which are angled with respect to the central portion 13, preferably forming an interior angle in the range of 150 to 175 degrees. The interior angle is the angle measured on the concave side of the heat exchanger.

[0055] More preferably, this angle is in the range of 160 to 170 degrees.

[0056] In this way, the heat exchanger 10 has a generally U-shaped form, with side portions 12 and 14 that extend away from the central portion 13. The heat exchanger 10 has an inner surface 16 and an outer surface 17. The inner surface 16 is further enclosed by a wall 18 that defines a box-shaped plenum chamber 19.

[0057] Preferably, the fan 20 is a radial or axial / centrifugal fan with backward-curved blades, having trapezoidal and tapered blades. The outlet edges of these blades themselves, as a whole, form a truncated conical profile with a small base toward the discharge direction. The fan 20 is mounted above the plenum chamber 19 in the region of the intake opening 21, through which the plenum chamber 19 communicates with the fan chamber 22. Preferably, the fan 20 has an intake collar 20a. The intake collar 20a protrudes over a short portion within the plenum chamber 19 into the opposing collar 20b, which forms air introduction members 20a and 20b for the intake opening 21. By using introduction members 20a and 20b, the fan 20 assembly can be positioned low, which is advantageous in that the height and dimensions of the chamber 22 can be reduced. Note that the fan 20 does not have a scroll diffuser. Chamber 22 is further connected to the outside through outlet 6. Fan 20 may have a different shape, but the solution shown in the figure achieves the flow rate and pressure performance required for optimal operation of heat pump 1. The solution with trapezoidal blades has the additional advantage of significantly reducing noise, and in particular can reduce the “siren” effect that can occur with scroll-less fans with backward-curved blades.

[0058] A first auxiliary storage chamber 24 and a second auxiliary storage chamber 25 are defined between the box-shaped housing 5 and the outer surface 17 of the first heat exchanger 10, more specifically between the side panels 5a and 5b and the planar side portions 12 and 14 facing them.

[0059] The compressor group 11 is installed in the first auxiliary containment chamber 24.

[0060] Preferably, the heat pump 1 includes a bulkhead 26 positioned between the compressor group 11 and the first heat exchanger 10. The bulkhead 26 is suitable for thermally shielding the compressor group 11 from the first heat exchanger 10, i.e., for insulation. In other words, the compressor group 11 is preferably shielded from the first heat exchanger 10 via the thermal shield 26. This thermal shield 26 prevents the heat generated by the compressor group 11 from being transferred to the first heat exchanger 10 and the air drawn in through the first heat exchanger 10. Alternatively, the thermal shield 26 may be composed of a cap or similar cover. This arrangement plays a role in improving the overall efficiency of the refrigerant cycle of the heat pump 1. In addition to the compressor group 11, a box 27 housing the electronic control and management boards of the heat pump 1 may be located within the housing chamber 24.

[0061] If necessary, an air treatment unit 28 can be installed in the second auxiliary containment chamber 25. The air treatment unit 28 replaces a controlled amount of air in the environment to be treated and, at the same time, recovers heat from the air discharged from the environment to be treated. This arrangement also contributes to improving the thermodynamic efficiency of the heat pump 1. Preferably, the air treatment unit 28 includes a cross-flow enthalpy heat exchanger. Its output to the environment to be treated is provided through an opening 29 so as to reintroduce the exchanged air upstream of the second heat exchanger 30, as will be described later.

[0062] In other words, the air processing unit 28 has an opening 29 and is configured to discharge the air processed by the enthalpy heat exchanger toward the second heat exchanger 30 through the opening 29.

[0063] Preferably, the second heat exchanger 30 is composed of two heat exchanger sections 31. These sections 31 are preferably planar and preferably V-shaped, with their apex facing downwards, i.e., toward the lower panel 5e on which the condensate recovery tray 32 is located.

[0064] Furthermore, the second heat exchanger 30 is preferably closed by plugs 33. These plugs 33 define a box-shaped structure and support for one or more fans 34, which are preferably centrifugal.

[0065] In a preferred solution of the present invention, at least one, preferably both, ends of the heat exchanger portion 31 opposite the apex are chamfered outward in a V-shape by the chamfered portion 31a. This can advantageously increase the airflow rate being processed.

[0066] A blower unit including at least one electric fan 34 is mounted above the chamfered end 31a of the heat exchanger portion. Preferably, the electric fan 34 is a tangential fan having an open scroll 34a.

[0067] Preferably, a planar cutoff plate 35a is positioned on the opposite side of the scroll section 34a to separate the tangential flow from the fan. The cutoff plate 35a is preferably positioned as follows: The cutoff plate 35a is positioned such that the angle C between the plane P of the cutoff plate 35a and the radial direction R of the fan 34 relative to the impeller at the base of the cutoff plate 35a, or at the position on the cutoff plate 35a closest to the impeller, is less than 180 degrees, preferably in the range of about 120 degrees to about 150 degrees. By setting the cutoff angle C to a closed angle that is almost perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the heat pump body, i.e., panels 5d and 5e, two advantages are obtained: the quietness of the fan of the second heat exchanger 30 is improved, and it becomes easier to arrange the corresponding heat exchanger section in a V-shape configuration.

[0068] In this configuration, the airflow to be processed, or in the example shown in the figure, the airflow to be cooled, is drawn in by the fan 34, passes through both sections 31, is partitioned by the cutoff plate 35a, and is discharged through the outlet 35, which is protected by a deflector-type grille 36 as needed.

[0069] The operation of the compressor group 11 and the two heat exchangers 10 and 30 follows a conventional Carnot cycle involving the compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation of the refrigerant fluid. Here, the refrigerant fluid follows a controllable flow (particularly a reversible flow) through the valve 40. The arrangement and shape of the first heat exchanger 10 provide several advantages. First, the heat exchanger 10 has a substantially larger heat exchange surface compared to a planar heat exchanger for the same occupied space. Second, the formation of auxiliary housing chambers 24, 25 in which the compressor group 11 and any air processing units 28 are located allows these components to be strategically arranged without assigning different operations to the same space. As a result, the utilization of occupied and available space is improved. This allows the overall dimensions of the heat pump 1 to be favorably reduced for the same supply output. Furthermore, the shielding section 26 that separates the compressor group 11 from the suction area of ​​the first heat exchanger 10 improves the thermodynamic efficiency of the heat pump 1. Furthermore, by arranging the portion 31 of the second heat exchanger 30 in a V-shape, the heat exchange surface can be significantly increased without correspondingly increasing the space occupied by the heat pump, particularly the space occupied by the second portion 3 that is visible in the indoor environment. This allows for the advantageous minimization of the dimensions of the second portion 3 for the same installed heat output, which is advantageous in minimizing the visual presence of this portion.

[0070] Figures 11 to 16 show modified configurations of the present invention. Details similar to those in the above-described examples are given the same reference numerals. In this modification, collectively denoted as 101, the first heat exchanger 10 is positioned above the fan 20. This solution is a 180-degree inversion of the above-described solution and offers the main advantage of improved separation between the airflow delivered by the fan 20 and the airflow drawn in through the heat exchanger 10.

[0071] The above improvements are particularly pronounced when the heat pump 101 is mounted to a wall using a tubular parallelepiped housing 102, which is a so-called sleeve having a grille 103 on the outside. That is, in order to unify the appearance of the exterior wall surface of a building, grilles 103 visible on the exterior wall surface are generally used, and these grilles 103 are unified throughout the building to homogenize the appearance. These grilles 103 usually include a deflector 104 oriented to deflect the discharged flow from the fan downwards. This deflection also serves to protect the containment space from rain. In this case, the discharged flow is naturally separated from the flow drawn in through the heat exchanger 10 by the downward deflection, thereby improving the separation between the two flows.

[0072] The heat pump 101 may include a plurality of supports 20a distributed circumferentially within the chamber 22 and surrounding the fan 20. These supports 22a extend longitudinally so as to be aligned in the height direction with respect to the blades of the fan 20 and have a substantially elliptical cross-section. Preferably, four supports 22a are provided and positioned at locations corresponding to the vertices of a square. The supports 22a are oriented such that their respective major axes are tangential to the fan 20, thus contributing to guiding the airflow by preventing turbulence and pressure loss, thereby increasing its efficiency.

[0073] Furthermore, according to this modification of the PTAC type heat pump 101 according to the present invention, the end tube layer 106 of the heat exchanger 10 is formed with a reduced number of rows so as to form a recess 108 at the coupling interface between the heat exchanger 10 and the support 107 to which the fan 20 is attached, which receives the peripheral frame of the support 107.

[0074] Furthermore, the heat pump 101 may include a diffuser 109 positioned above the first heat exchanger 10. In particular, the diffuser 109 includes an inlet opening 112 that extends along the upper contour of at least one planar portion 12, 13, 14 and / or at least one connecting portion 15, and is configured to allow the introduction of condensed water into the recovery portion 113. This condensed water is removed from the second heat exchanger 10, for example, by a pump (not shown).

[0075] The recovery section 113 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section and communicates with the diffusion section 115 through its respective holes 114. The diffusion section 115 has a plurality of flow channels 116. The first end 116a of each flow channel 116 has a corresponding hole 114 that communicates directly with the recovery section 113. On the other hand, the second end 116b of the flow channel 116, opposite to the first end 116a, has a serrated contour, is open, and is directed toward the first heat exchanger 10. The flow channels 116 are appropriately inclined so that the fluid flows along each flow channel 116 and is guided until it reaches the open end 116b of each flow channel 116. Thus, in use, condensed water is transported to the recovery section 113 through the inlet opening 112, accumulates and reaches the holes 114, thereby entering each flow channel 116. The fluid flows through the flow channels 116 until it reaches the serrated ends and is uniformly distributed over the first heat exchanger 10. The diffuser 109 has a substantially L-shaped cross-section. As a result, the collection section 113 and the introduction opening 112 are positioned below the diffusion section 115.

[0076] The diffuser 109 further includes a cover 117 formed to open the serrated second end 116b of the flow path 116.

[0077] In another configuration of this modified 101 of the PTAC type heat pump according to the present invention, a configuration is provided for condensate generated in the heat exchangers 10 and 30 and recovered at the bottom of the heat exchangers 10 and 30 by a suitable recovery tray 32. The condensate thus recovered is atomized by a pump 110, which is preferably a vibrating type, and discharged by one or more atomizing nozzles 111 communicating with the external environment. This is shown, for example, with respect to the second heat exchanger 30 in Figure 6. When this process is operated at appropriate pressure parameters typically achievable by the vibrating pump, the condensate can be discharged without transporting it to a drain pipe through a suitable pipeline. This simplifies the installation of the PTAC type heat pump in environments where appropriate equipment is not available.

[0078] The heat pumps 1 and 101 may further include a pair of wheels 2a provided on both sides of the box-shaped enclosure 5. In particular, the wheels 2a are configured to facilitate the insertion of the heat pump 1 into a tubular housing 102, which is a so-called sleeve formed in the installation wall. The wheels 2a are movable between an operating position and a non-operating position along a flow path 2b formed in the box-shaped enclosure 5. In the operating position, the wheels 2a descend and protrude over the lower panel 5e, supporting the heat pumps 1 and 101 on the floor surface, thereby making the heat pumps 1 and 101 movable. In the non-operating position, the wheels 2a are raised by sliding along the channel 2b and positioned along the corresponding side panels 5a and 5b, without supporting the heat pumps 1 and 101.

Claims

1. A PTAC type heat pump (1;101) including a first heat exchanger (10) and a second heat exchanger (30), The first heat exchanger (10) is configured to exchange heat with the external environment which is outside the environment to be processed. The heat pump includes a fan (20) connected to the first heat exchanger (10) to forcibly circulate outside air through the first heat exchanger (10). The first heat exchanger (10) comprises at least two, preferably three, continuous portions (12, 13, 14), each of which comprises a central portion (13) and at least one side portion (12, 14), the side portions (12, 14) being both planar and angled to the central portion (13) to preferably form an inner angle in the range of 150 to 175 degrees. heat pump.

2. The heat pump according to claim 1, wherein the fan (20) is a radial fan or an axial / centrifugal fan having backward-curved blades.

3. The heat pump according to claim 1, wherein the fan (20) has trapezoidal, preferably tapered, blades, and the outlet edge of the blades has a truncated conical contour with a small base in the direction of discharge.

4. The heat pump according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first heat exchanger (10) includes two side portions (12, 14) extending from both sides of the central portion (13), and the side portions (12, 14) are angled with respect to the central portion (13) to form an inner angle in the range of 150 to 175 degrees.

5. The heat pump according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first heat exchanger (10) has an inner surface (16) and an outer surface (17), and the inner surface (16) constitutes the wall (18) of a box-shaped plenum chamber (19).

6. A heat pump according to claim 5, dependent on claim 4, comprising a box-shaped housing (5) extending to include the first heat exchanger (10), wherein the box-shaped housing (5) defines a first auxiliary housing chamber (24) for housing a group of compressors (11) on the side of the outer surface (17) in the region of at least one of the side portions (12, 14).

7. The heat pump according to claim 6, wherein a second auxiliary housing chamber (25) for housing an air processing unit (28) having a cross-flow enthalpy heat exchanger is defined on the outer surface (17) between the box-shaped housing (5) and the other side portion (12, 14).

8. The heat pump according to claim 6 or 7, dependent on claim 5, wherein the fan (20) is mounted so as to be located above the box-shaped plenum chamber (19) in the region of the intake opening (21).

9. The heat pump according to claim 6 or 7, dependent on claim 5, wherein the fan (20) is mounted so as to be located below the box-shaped plenum chamber (19) in the region of the intake opening (21).

10. The heat pump according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the fan (20) is an axial flow / centrifugal fan having backward-curved blades and having trapezoidal blades.

11. The heat pump according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second heat exchanger (30) is configured to exchange heat with the interior of the environment to be treated and includes two heat exchanger portions (31) arranged in a V-shape that spread out toward each other, and the heat exchanger portions are arranged to spread toward each blower unit (34).

12. The heat pump according to claim 11, wherein a condensate recovery tray (32) is positioned in the apex region of the second heat exchanger (30).

13. The heat pump according to claim 11 or 12, wherein at least one, preferably both, ends of the heat exchanger portion (31) opposite to the apex are chamfered outward in a V-shape to form a chamfered portion (31a).

14. The heat pump according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the blowing unit preferably includes at least one tangential fan (34) having an open scroll (34a).

15. The heat pump according to claim 14, wherein a planar cutoff plate (35a) is arranged on the opposite side of the open scroll (34a) to separate the tangential flow from the tangential fan (34).

16. The heat pump according to claim 14, wherein the cutoff plate (35a) is positioned such that the angle between the plane (P) of the cutoff plate (35a) and the base of the cutoff plate (35), or the position on the cutoff plate closest to the impeller, and the radial direction of the tangential fan (34) with respect to the impeller, is less than 180 degrees, preferably in the range of about 120 degrees to about 150 degrees.

17. A heat pump according to any one of claims 7 to 16 dependent on claim 6, comprising a shielding section (26) disposed between the compressor group (11) and the first heat exchanger (10).

18. The heat pump according to any one of claims 8 to 17 dependent on claim 7, wherein the air processing unit (28) has an opening (29) and is configured to discharge the air processed by the cross-flow enthalpy heat exchanger toward the second heat exchanger (30) through the opening (29).

19. The heat pump according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the first heat exchanger (10) is formed in multiple rows and includes multiple tube layers (106), and the end tube layers (106) of the first heat exchanger (10) on the fan (20) side are formed with a reduced number of rows to form a recess (108) that receives the peripheral frame of the support (107) at the coupling interface between the first heat exchanger (10) and the support (107) to which the fan (20) is attached.

20. The heat pump according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the second heat exchanger (30) is provided with a recovery means (32) for recovering condensate and a discharge means (110, 111) for discharging condensate, the discharge means (110, 111) includes a pump (110), preferably a vibrating pump (110), for discharging condensate and at least one nozzle (111) configured to discharge condensate sucked in by the pump (110), the nozzle (111) being directed toward the environment outside the heat pump (1; 101).

21. A heat pump according to any one of claims 10 to 20 dependent on claim 9, comprising a diffuser (109) that extends at least partially along the contour of the box-shaped plenum chamber (19) and is configured to collect condensate released from the second heat exchanger (30) and to pour the condensate onto the first heat exchanger (10) by gravity.

22. The heat pump according to claim 21, wherein the diffuser (109) has an inlet opening (112) that fluidly connects the second heat exchanger (30) to a condensate recovery section (113), and includes a diffusion section (115) configured to fluidly connect the recovery section (113) to the first heat exchanger (10).

23. The heat pump according to claim 22, wherein the diffusion portion (115) includes a plurality of channels (116), each of which includes a first end (116a) directed toward the recovery portion (113), the first end having a corresponding hole (114) for allowing condensate to pass through, and each of which includes an open second end (116b) opposite to the first end (116a), the second end being directed toward the first heat exchanger (10) for releasing the condensate.

24. The heat pump according to claim 23, wherein the second end (116b) directed toward the heat exchanger (10) has a serrated contour, thereby enabling uniform distribution of condensed water.

25. The heat pump according to any one of claims 1 to 24, comprising a plurality of supports (22a) extending in the height direction around the fan (20) and having an elliptical cross-section.

26. The heat pump according to claim 25, wherein the support (22a) is arranged around the fan (20), preferably at positions corresponding to the vertices of a rectangle, and preferably the long axis of each is oriented tangentially to the fan (20).

27. A heat pump according to any one of claims 1 to 26, comprising a pair of wheels (2a) movable between a lowered operating position and a raised non-operating position, wherein in the operating position the wheels support the heat pump (1;101), and in the non-operating position the wheels (2a) are located to the side of the heat pump (1;101) without supporting the heat pump (1;101).

28. The heat pump according to claim 27, wherein the wheel (2a) is guided laterally along the housing of the heat pump (1; 101) between the operating position and the non-operating position.

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