A system for air conditioning the interior space of a building

Abstract

A system for air conditioning interior spaces (4) of a building (6) connected via at least one exhaust air channel (10), wherein one or more interior spaces (4) are provided with an air conditioning device (34) having an outside air supply pipe (38) and discharging supply or circulating air into one or more of said interior spaces (4) and connected to a fluid circuit (32) of a heat pump (30), wherein the exhaust air channel (10) and another fluid circuit (28) of the heat pump are connected to an energy storage device (14) arranged outside the building (6), wherein the energy storage device (14) is configured as comprising a heat exchanger (18) in a liquid storage tank (16) connected to the other fluid circuit (28) of the heat pump (30) via the heat exchanger (18) for energy transfer and energy storage, and wherein the exhaust air is led into the liquid storage tank (16) via a heat transferer (26).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for air conditioning the interior space of a building. [Background technology]

[0002] From the general state of the art, it is known to take appropriate measures during the change of seasons in order to maintain the temperature of the interior space within a temperature range that is comfortable for the user: while the reduction of the temperature is often achieved by an air conditioner that appropriately cools the outside air via a refrigeration compressor and directs it into the interior space, to increase the temperature, heaters of different embodiments are used.

[0003] Modern systems are used as so-called air conditioning systems, in which outside air can be directed as supply air by a radial fan through a heat exchanger into the interior space of a building. In this case, exhaust air is often supplied to the heat exchanger by an evaporative cooler, and air drawn in by another radial fan leaves the building as outlet air. In addition to various filters for cleaning the air, additional heaters can also be used to allow ventilation of the interior space.

[0004] An example of such an air conditioning system is known from Patent Document 1. This publication describes an air conditioning device comprising: an apparatus housing with an exhaust opening, an intake opening, an outlet opening, and an outside air opening; an intake air fan and an outlet air fan; crossflow heat exchangers arranged front to back in a circulating air mode of an outside air-outlet airflow and an exhaust air-intake airflow, and arranged above and below in a fresh air mode of an exhaust air-outlet airflow and an outside air-intake airflow, respectively, with a heat exchanger bypass valve for transferring thermal energy between the air flows arranged in the flow paths of the outside air-intake airflow and the exhaust air-outlet airflow; a hybrid refrigeration system having a compressor, an evaporator, a condenser, and a water / water-glycol refrigerant heat exchanger as a further condenser; a reheat device; a device for adiabatic spray humidification; a valve for controlling the airflow; and a device for adjusting the humidity and temperature of at least a part of the airflow.

[0005] It is further known to supply outside air to the interior spaces, in which case all of the interior spaces of a building are connected via a common exhaust channel that can supply the exhaust air of the heat pump, so that the energy contained in the exhaust air can be supplied by the heat pump, for example to a hot water storage tank, before leaving the building as outflow air. Such exhaust air heat pumps contribute to the energy efficiency of the building.

[0006] From patent document 2, a storage facility is known for providing input energy at a low temperature level for a heat pump installation, which absorbs this energy and releases it again at a higher temperature level, wherein the water tank is configured in such a way that the water content can be frozen without damaging the tank, and that the cooling and freezing heat of the water tank can be supplied to the cold side of the heat pump by a heat exchanger system at or embedded in the bottom of the tank.

[0007] In addition to using artificial aquaria, it is also known to utilize natural bodies of water as a storage medium.

[0008] For example, from patent document 3, an energy storage installation is known which comprises a heat exchanger, which is arranged floating on a lower water tank, preferably formed as a lake, which can be filled with water via a first conduit, and to which water from the lower water tank via a second conduit and the cooling medium of a heat pump flowing through the heat exchanger via a third conduit can be supplied in separate circuits, so that energy can be extracted via the heat exchanger in the form of sensible heat from or upon freezing of the water in the lower water tank and transferred to consumers for heat and / or cold release.

[0009] Furthermore, from Patent Document 4, a floating device for introducing thermal energy into and extracting thermal energy from a body of water is known, the floating device comprising a water heat exchanger that is submerged in the body of water after the device is placed in the body of water and that comprises an inlet and an outlet for a heat transfer fluid that can release thermal energy into or extract thermal energy from the body of water. The device also comprises an air heat exchanger that can be flowed through by ambient air and that further comprises an inlet and a corresponding outlet for water coming from the body of water, so that water from the body of water can flow through the air heat exchanger and thermal energy can be transferred between the ambient air flowing through the air heat exchanger and the water flowing through the air heat exchanger.

[0010] The above-mentioned devices usually work together with a heat pump installed in the building, which can be supplied with electrical energy, for example via the power grid or via its own power storage facility. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] German Patent Application Publication No. 102018213274 [Patent Document 2] DE 2926610 [Patent Document 3] German Patent Application Publication No. 102015104909 [Patent Document 4] German Patent Application Publication No. 102015121177 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] Given this background, the challenge is to develop a system for air conditioning interior spaces that can be used year-round, is highly energy efficient, and has low installation costs compared to conventional systems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1. Further advantageous configurations of the invention are the subject matter of the respective dependent claims, which may be combined with one another in any technically meaningful way. The description, particularly in conjunction with the drawings, further characterizes and specifies the invention.

[0014] According to the present invention, there is provided a system for air conditioning internal spaces of a building connected via at least one exhaust air channel, wherein one or more internal spaces are provided with an air conditioning device having an outside air supply pipe, discharging supply air or circulating air into one or more of said internal spaces and connected to a fluid circuit of a heat pump, said exhaust air channel and another fluid circuit of said heat pump being connected to an energy storage device arranged outside the building, said energy storage device being formed as comprising a heat exchanger in a liquid storage tank connected via a heat exchanger to said another fluid circuit of said heat pump for energy transfer and energy storage, and said exhaust air being led into said liquid storage tank via the heat transferer.

[0015] According to the invention, a system for conditioning an interior space uses an air conditioning unit to heat and cool outdoor air via a heat pump. Space heating, often present in areas with high heating demand, can be eliminated. Exhaust air from the interior space of a building is routed through an energy storage device and released as outflow air. A large portion of the energy is then recovered by the heat pump via an additional fluid circuit. In contrast to space heating, which was previously used in conjunction with an air conditioning unit, installation costs are significantly reduced. Air conditioning units often do not function in areas with high heating demand, for example, in winter, because underfloor heating is used for space heating for comfort reasons. Known air conditioning units also have a connection for supplying outdoor air as supply air. However, this outdoor air must be mixed with the supply air in a predetermined ratio only in connection with the air circulation function and must often be supplied in a preheated state as so-called primary air. Overall, the energy efficiency of the system for conditioning an interior space according to the invention is higher than that of systems known from the prior art, since energy-intensive air ventilation is largely eliminated.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, after leaving the heat exchanger in the liquid reservoir, the exhaust air is led as outflow air to an air heat exchanger that is also connected to the heat pump, where the outflow air can be mixed with outside air before the air heat exchanger.

[0017] The concept of the present invention is thus extended to the extent that the outlet air leaving the system after flowing through the heat transfer device in the liquid reservoir is supplied to an air heat exchanger, where it can be mixed with outside air before the air heat exchanger. In this way, the energy still contained in the outlet air can also be utilized by the air heat exchanger, but it has been found to be advantageous to first supply the exhaust air to the heat exchanger with the liquid reservoir and not immediately mix it with outside air, since in this way large temperature differences can be avoided. The combination of the first heat exchanger in the liquid reservoir and the second heat exchanger as an air heat exchanger combined with the supply of outside air allows for very efficient operation of the system according to the present invention.

[0018] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the air heat exchanger is arranged above the liquid reservoir so that a radially inward air flow consisting of outflow air and outside air can be generated by an internally arranged fan through the air heat exchanger, the air flow leaving the system in a central region.

[0019] Advantageously, the air flow consisting of the outflow air leaves the liquid reservoir along the outer periphery of the liquid reservoir, so that the flow through the air heat exchanger is advantageously radially inward again, so that the air flow can leave the system in the central region. In this way, the air flow can follow the arrangement of the individual components without significant turns around obstacles, resulting in a simple structure of the energy storage device as a whole.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the invention, an air inlet for fresh air is formed in the form of a slit along the periphery of the lid, and an air outlet for fresh air and outflow air is preferably formed in the center of the lid.

[0021] The flow of outside air through the air heat exchanger can be easily achieved in this way, and as a result the compact structure of the energy storage device contributes to reducing the overall installation costs of the system for air conditioning the indoor space.

[0022] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the air conditioning unit is arranged in the ceiling, in the wall or in the ridge wall of the interior space.

[0023] Depending on the design of the interior space, the cooling device can be placed in different locations, where different configurations of the cooling device can also be selected when used in residential or office buildings. In addition to the connection lines with the heat pump and the outside air supply, a connection with an exhaust channel must also be created for the cooling device.

[0024] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the air conditioning device is configured as a chest-type device.

[0025] In this way, installation is easier, especially in residential spaces, since technical details can no longer be perceived by the observer.

[0026] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the air conditioner heats outside air in the fluid circuit of the heat pump when there is a heating demand, before discharging it as supply air into the interior space.

[0027] The energy stored in the liquid reservoir of the energy storage device can be used by a heat pump to heat the outside air correspondingly using a fluid circuit, so that a comfortable indoor climate prevails when there is a heating demand. The discharged exhaust air is again fed to the energy storage device so that the energy contained therein can be extracted.

[0028] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the air conditioner cools outside air in the fluid circuit of the heat pump when there is a cooling demand, before discharging it as supply air into the interior space.

[0029] In addition to its space heating function, the system of the present invention may also be used to air condition interior spaces.

[0030] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the air conditioner operates in recirculated air mode.

[0031] When neither heating nor cooling of the indoor air is desired, the air conditioner can operate in circulating air mode to replace the used indoor air, thereby making it possible to stay indoors under improved conditions.

[0032] In the following, some embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic side view of the system of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an energy storage device for use in the system of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a top view of the energy storage device of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner for use in the system of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] In the drawings, identical or functionally similar elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0035] 1 shows, in one embodiment, a system 2 according to the invention for conditioning interior spaces 4 of a building 6. The building 6 can be, for example, a residential building or an office building. However, the invention can be applied to different types of buildings, and the example shown should therefore be considered non-limiting. Each of the interior spaces 4 is connected via an exhaust opening 8 to an exhaust channel 10 which discharges exhaust air from the interior spaces 4.

[0036] The exhaust channel 10 is connected via a supply pipe 12 to an energy storage device 14, which comprises a liquid storage tank 16 at its bottom, inside which a heat exchanger 18 is arranged. The energy storage device 14 is arranged outside the building 6 and is typically buried underground. Above the liquid storage tank 16, an air heat exchanger 22 is arranged above an insulating layer 20.

[0037] In this case, the air heat exchangers 22 are arranged in a number of segments around a central region 24 of the energy storage device 14. The exhaust air supplied via the supply pipe 12 is first conducted through a heat transfer device (not shown in FIG. 1 ) located below the insulating layer 20 and designated by the reference numeral 26 in FIG. 1 so that the energy contained in the exhaust air is first supplied to the liquid storage tank 16.

[0038] After passing through the heat transferer 26, the air is directed radially outward through the air heat exchanger 22 and leaves the system 2 in the central region 24. For the operation of the heat exchanger 18, a fluid circuit 28 is provided, which fluid circuit connects the heat exchanger 18 to a heat pump 30, which is preferably located inside the building 6. Another fluid circuit 32 connects the heat pump 30 to an air conditioning device 34 which, in addition to being connected to the other fluid circuit 32, has a supply of outside air through an opening 36 by a supply pipe 38.

[0039] Furthermore, the heat pump 30 may be connected to further components, such as a hot water tank 40 connected to a heater 42. However, these components do not form part of the present invention and therefore a detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0040] 2, the energy storage device 14 is again shown in cross section. It has a number of pipes in a liquid reservoir 16 connected to a heat pump 30 via a fluid circuit 28. Typically, the liquid reservoir 16 is filled with water or a paraffin compound. Above the liquid is a heat transfer device 26, which is passed radially outward by the building's 6 exhaust air, which leaves as outlet air 44 in the gap region between the insulation layer 20 and the outer shell 46. In the central region 24 is a fan 48, which draws the outlet air 44, along with outside air 50 that may enter radially outward between the shell 26 and the lid 52, toward the central region 24, where it leaves the system 2.

[0041] The air heat exchanger 22 is located above the liquid storage tank 16 and above the thermal insulation layer 20. The exhaust air supplied via the supply pipe 12 is first conducted through the heat exchanger 26 so that the energy contained in the exhaust air is first supplied to the liquid storage tank 16. After passing through the heat exchanger 26, the air is conducted radially outward through the air heat exchanger 22 and leaves the system 2 in the central region 24. For the operation of the heat exchanger 18, in addition to the fluid circuit 28 connecting the heat exchanger 18 to a heat pump 30 preferably arranged inside the building 6, another fluid circuit (not shown) is provided connecting the air heat exchanger 22 to the heat pump 30 arranged inside the building 6.

[0042] 3, the distribution of exhaust air from building 6 is shown in more detail, and it can be seen that the exhaust air is fed into heat transferer 26 at certain locations so that after passing through heat transferer 26 it leaves again radially outward. Heat transferer 26 can be made from metal with a number of fins, particularly radially oriented fins, which direct the air flow as shown in FIG.

[0043] 4, a schematic diagram of the air conditioning device 34 is shown. In addition to the supply of outside air via the piping 38, air can also be supplied via an opening 60 and a connecting piece 62, via a fan 64, to a cooling or heating device 66 connected to the fluid circuit 32. The air thus temperature-conditioned then leaves the air conditioning device 34 via an outlet opening 68. Naturally, additional components can be added within the knowledge of a specialist, such as, for example, a bypass piping for bridging the cooling or heating device 66 in air circulation mode.

[0044] In the system 2 for conditioning the interior space 4, the air conditioning device 34 is used to heat and cool the outside air by means of the heat pump 30. Space heating, which is often present in areas with a high heating demand, can be omitted. The exhaust air from the interior space 4 of the building 6 is directed through the energy storage device 14 and released as outflow air. A large part of the energy is then recovered in the heat pump 30 via the further fluid circuit 28.

[0045] The features mentioned above and presented in the claims, as well as those which can be seen from the drawings, can be advantageously implemented both individually and in various combinations. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but can be modified in various ways within the capabilities of those skilled in the art. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 2. System 4. Interior space 6. Building 8 Exhaust opening 10 Exhaust Channel 12 Supply piping 14 Energy storage devices 16 Liquid storage tank 18 Heat exchanger 20 Insulation layer 22 Air heat exchanger 24 Central area 26 Heat Transfer Device 28 Fluid circuit 30 Heat Pump 32 Alternative fluid circuits 34 Air conditioner 36 Aperture 38 Supply piping 40 Hot Water Tank 42 Heater 44 Outflow Air 46 outer shell 48 Ventilator 50 Outdoor air opening 52 Lid 60 Entrance opening 62 Connecting parts 64 Ventilator 66 Heating device 68 Exit opening

Claims

1. A system for conditioning interior spaces (4) of a building (6) connected via at least one exhaust air channel (10), wherein one or more interior spaces (4) are provided with an air conditioning device (34) having an outside air supply pipe (38) and discharging supply or circulating air into one or more of said interior spaces (4) and connected to a fluid circuit (32) of a heat pump (30), wherein said exhaust air channel (10) and another fluid circuit (28) of said heat pump are connected to an energy storage device (34) arranged outside the building (6). and an energy storage device (14) connected to the heat pump (30), the energy storage device (14) being formed as comprising a heat exchanger (18) in a liquid reservoir (16) connected to the other fluid circuit (28) of the heat pump (30) via the heat exchanger (18) for energy transfer and energy storage, wherein exhaust air is directed into the liquid reservoir (16) via a heat transferer (26), and air can be supplied to the air conditioner via a fan from a cooling or heating device connected to the fluid circuit of the heat pump.

2. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the exhaust air, after leaving the heat exchanger (18) in the liquid reservoir (16), is directed as outlet air to an air heat exchanger (22) also connected to the heat pump (30).

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the outflow air is mixed with ambient air before the air heat exchanger (22).

4. 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the air heat exchanger is disposed above the liquid reservoir such that a radially inward air flow consisting of outflow air and outside air can be generated through the air heat exchanger by an internally disposed fan, the air flow leaving the system in a central region.

5. 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein an air inlet (50) for fresh air is formed in the form of a slit along the outer periphery of the lid (42), and an air outlet for fresh air and effluent air is preferably formed in the center of the lid.

6. The system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the air conditioner (34) is located in a ceiling, a wall, or in a ridge wall of the interior space.

7. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the air conditioning device (34) is configured as a chest-type device.

8. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the air conditioning device (34) heats the outside air by the fluid circuit (32) of the heat pump (30) before discharging it as supply air into the interior space (4) when there is a heating demand.

9. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the air conditioning device (34) cools the outside air by the fluid circuit (32) of the heat pump (30) before discharging it as supply air into the interior space (4) when there is a demand for cooling.

10. The system of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the air conditioner (34) operates in air circulation mode.

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