Climate control unit for a single room

Abstract

The present invention relates to energy-saving ventilation systems adapted for use in northern climatic regions, and more particularly to decentralized ventilation systems with a heat exchanger which allow natural air circulation and the humidification of air in a room. The invention is a decentralized ventilation system that provides for natural and / or forced air circulation modes and consists of a ventilation subsystem with a heat exchanger having a system of ventilation channels arranged at an angle that allows condensate to drain naturally from the inner and outer surfaces of the ventilation channels inward towards the ventilated room and to be fed into a condensate collection system for the subsequent evaporation of the collected moisture in order to regulate the level of humidity in the ventilated room.

Description

Air conditioning system for one room Field of technology

[0001] This invention relates to energy-saving ventilation systems adapted for use in northern climate zones, in particular, to decentralized ventilation systems with a heat exchanger, with the possibility of natural air circulation and air humidification in the room. State of the art

[0002] Ventilation systems with a heat exchanger are known from the prior art.

[0003] Document CN207179846U describes a centralized ventilation system with a heat exchanger, forced air circulation via fans, and a condensate collection device. Disadvantages of this system include the lack of a natural air circulation mode. The condensate collection system does not collect condensate from the interior surfaces of ventilation ducts and use it to regulate humidity in the ventilated space. This system lacks the ability to prevent ice formation in ventilation ducts when used in low-temperature conditions, such as those found in northern climates.

[0004] Document DE19810357A1 by MANTEL KLAUS describes a decentralized ventilation system using natural circulation with a heat exchanger and integrated air heater. Disadvantages of this system include the lack of a system for collecting condensate from the interior surfaces of the ventilation ducts and its use for humidity control in the ventilated space. This system lacks the ability to prevent ice formation in the ventilation ducts when used in low-temperature conditions, such as those found in northern climates.

[0005] Document DE102021104192A1 by KNOOP THOMAS describes a decentralized ventilation system with forced circulation using a heat exchanger and air humidification provided by an external water source. This system prevents ice formation in ventilation ducts by varying the flow rate when used in low-temperature conditions, such as in northern climates. Disadvantages of this system include the lack of a system for collecting condensate from the interior surfaces of the ventilation ducts and its use for humidity control in the ventilated space.

[0006] The article "A review of heat recovery technologies and their frost control for residential building ventilation in cold climate regions" (sciencedirect.com) describes ways to prevent ice formation in ventilation ducts when using ventilation systems in cold climates, such as in northern climates, by preheating incoming air, preheating exhaust air, reducing heat transfer, or bypassing the heat exchanger and directing air into the room.

[0007] Thus, the objective of the present invention is to create an energy-saving, decentralized ventilation system with a heat exchanger, maintaining a mode of natural or forced air circulation and with the ability to humidify the air in the room, solving the problems of technical solutions presented in the prior art, namely, the ability to use the advantages of maintaining a given humidity in the room due to the partial return of moisture from the air removed from the room and the ability to prevent the formation of ice by supplying air heated by a heating element to the exhaust ventilation duct. The essence of the invention

[0008] This invention is a decentralized ventilation system with the provision of modes of natural and / or forced air circulation and consists of a ventilation subsystem with a heat exchanger with a system of ventilation ducts located at an angle, providing for the natural removal of condensate from the internal and external surfaces of said ventilation ducts into the ventilated room and supply to the condensate collection system, with subsequent evaporation of the collected moisture to regulate the humidity level of the ventilated room, with an ice formation prevention system preventing the formation of ice in the air outflow ventilation duct by supplying air heated by a heating element to the duct through a reserve air duct with a controlled damper.

[0009] In one embodiment, the ventilation subsystem consists of two isolated ducts for the outflow and inflow of air from and into the room, respectively, wherein the outlet of the ventilation duct for the outflow of air is located outside the room, and the inlet is located inside the room and contains a damper, while the inlet for the ventilation duct for the inflow of air is located outside the room, and the outlet is inside the room and contains a damper.

[0010] In one embodiment, the corresponding inlets and outlets of the channels for the inflow of air into the room and the outflow of air to the outside are spaced apart in height to ensure the possibility of natural circulation.

[0011] In one embodiment, the ice formation prevention subsystem comprises a heating element and an additional air duct equipped with a damper and providing the supply of air heated by the heating element to the air outflow duct to prevent the formation of ice on its walls during the cold season.

[0012] In one embodiment, the walls of the heat exchanger provide heat exchange between the incoming and outgoing flows.

[0013] In one embodiment, the ventilation duct for air outflow contains a fan that provides air flow in the direction from the room to the outside.

[0014] In one version, the ventilation ducts are telescopic to allow installation in walls of varying thicknesses.

[0015] In one option, condensate is collected in an open container that allows the collected condensate to evaporate.

[0016] In one embodiment, the condensate collection container is in thermal contact with the heating element.

[0017] In one of the options, filters can be additionally installed in the inlet air ducts of the external and internal modules to clean the air passing through them.

[0018] In one version, the system has a built-in automatic controller that provides preset ventilation modes depending on the conditions inside and outside the room.

[0019] In one version, the controller has the ability to integrate with external devices to interact with smart home systems.

[0020] The present invention proposes an air conditioning system that supplies a single room with air at a predetermined temperature and air exchange rate with the outside atmosphere through natural or forced circulation, controlled by an automatic controller via dampers and a fan. For energy conservation purposes, the system utilizes a heat exchanger in which energy from the outgoing air is transferred to the incoming air and vice versa. Condensate formed on the internal and external surfaces of the heat exchanger flows into a collection system. The system's heating element, receiving heat from a central heating system, for example, automatically maintains the predetermined room temperature and evaporates the condensate collected in an open container back into the room.The air conditioning system is controlled by an automatic controller that receives data from standard sensors and optional external devices to create a comfortable indoor climate based on the indoor and outdoor conditions. If the automatic controller detects conditions that could lead to icing of ventilation system components, air heated by the heating element is automatically supplied to the exhaust duct.

[0021] The invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0022] - the main perspective view of the air conditioning system from the room side with the housing removed, reflecting a significant part of the main elements of the system.

[0023] - a perspective view with a vertical section of the heat exchanger module, external and internal modules, reflecting the movement of air flows.

[0024] - a perspective view with a vertical section of the heat exchanger module and the internal module, reflecting the operation of the condensate collection subsystem.

[0025] - a perspective view from the room side with a vertical section of the internal ventilation module, external casing, and condensate tank, reflecting the operation of the ice prevention subsystem.

[0026] An embodiment of an air conditioning system according to the present invention is shown in a perspective view from the room side without showing the outer casing. The heat exchanger module 1 of the ventilation subsystem is installed inside an opening made in the outer wall of the room. On the street side, an external module 4 is connected to the heat exchanger module 1 under the means of a connecting pipe 4.3, which has an inlet air duct 4.2 for the inflow of air from the street and an outlet air duct 4.1 for the outflow of air from the room. On the room side, an internal module 3 is connected to the heat exchanger module 1 under the means of a connecting pipe 3.4, which has an inlet air duct 3.3 for the outflow of air from the room and an outlet air duct 3.5 for the inflow of air from the atmosphere into the room. The internal module 3 is located on the inner surface of the outer wall of the room next to the heating element 12 and is separated from it by a heat-insulating wall 13.The condensate collection tank 5 is located along the surface of the heating element 12. The automatic controller with the control panel 9 (attached to the outer casing of the air conditioning unit) controls the drive 6.1, which turns the air outflow damper from the room 6 in the inlet opening 3.3. The air temperature sensor 11, the pressure sensor 19 in the air outflow duct installed in the external module 4, the pressure sensor in the air inflow duct 24 and the room temperature control sensor 14 (attached to the outer casing of the air conditioning unit 21) transmit signals to the automatic controller 9.

[0027] For the sake of clarity of the air flow movement inside the unit, a vertical section is shown in perspective view, showing a variant of the internal module 3, the external module 4 and the heat exchanger module 1 in the version with the internal chamber of the heat exchanger 2 in the form of a single tube. The heat exchanger module 1 is placed at an angle in the provided opening in the external wall of the room 15. In the heat exchange mode, the damper 8 is open. The incoming air 16 from the street, passing through the air duct 4.2 of the external module 4, enters the heat exchanger module 1, then the incoming air 16, passing along the outer side of the internal chamber of the heat exchanger 2, exchanges heat with the outgoing air from the room 17, which moves inside the internal chamber of the heat exchanger 2. Then the air from the street 16, passing under the main damper 8, enters the internal module 3 in the area under the partition 3.1, from where the air flow 16 descends and through the outlet air duct 3.5 is supplied to the area beneath the heating element, then passes through the openings provided in the unit's casing and enters the room. Air is exhausted from room 17 through the inlet duct of indoor module 3. Air 17 then moves to the area above partition 3.1, passes into the inlet opening of heat exchanger tube 2, and, driven if necessary by fan 18 or naturally moves within the internal chamber of heat exchanger 2, exchanging heat through its walls with incoming air 16 from outside. Then, through outlet duct 4.1 of outdoor module 4, the exhaust air from room 17 exits to the outside.

[0028] For clarity of presentation of the condensate collection subsystem, a perspective view with a vertical section of a variant of a part of the heat exchanger module 1 and a part of the internal module 3 is shown. For simplicity of the image, the fan and the heat-insulating wall are not shown in the figure. In the cold season, due to the difference in air temperatures at the inlet and outlet, condensation may form on the walls of the heat exchanger 1 in the air outflow duct. Since the walls of the internal chamber of the heat exchanger 2 have a circular cross-section and are located at an angle, the resulting condensate 25 will flow into a recess for collecting condensate 2.1 located at the lowest point of the internal chamber of the heat exchanger 2, then through pipeline 10.1 condensate 25 will flow into the flow combining device 23, from where condensate 25 will flow through pipeline 10.3 into the condensate collection tank 5 for further heating by the heating element 12 and evaporation into the room air.During operation in summer or in other modes, condensation may appear on the outer side of the inner chamber of heat exchanger 2 or the inner surface of the body of heat exchanger 1, also located at an angle; in this case, the resulting condensation will flow into the condensate collection recess 1.1, located at the lower point of the heat exchanger module 1, from where the condensate will flow into the flow combining device 23, and then through pipeline 10.3 the condensate will flow into the condensate collection tank 5.

[0029] For clarity of the presentation of the ice prevention subsystem, a perspective view with a vertical section is shown of a variant of the indoor module 3 with controlled dampers 7 and 6, the external housing of the unit 21, and the condensate tank 5. As shown in the figure, in most operating modes of the air conditioning system, the backup damper 7 is closed, and the inlet damper 6 is open, passing the outflow of air from the room 17 through the inlet air duct 3.3, then into the area above the partition 3.1 of the indoor ventilation module 3, from where, bypassing the fan 18, the outflow of air 17 enters the heat exchanger located inside the outer wall 15, and then the outflow of air from the room through the external ventilation module goes outside. In case of freezing weather and the threat of icing of the heat exchanger, damper 6 is closed automatically by means of the drive 6.1, and damper 7 automatically opens under its drive, thereby passing air 20, heated by heating element 12, through the reserve air duct of inner casing 3 into the area above partition 3.1. The heated air then mixes with room air 17, passes into the heat exchanger, warming it, from where the air is exhausted. Dampers 6 and 7 rotate synchronously, controlled by controller 9, under electric drives, until the risk of icing on the heat exchanger is eliminated. Implementation of the invention

[0030] [Corrected in accordance with rule 91, 10 / 09 / 2025] The air conditioning system provides air exchange between the street and the room using a ventilation subsystem that regulates the outflow 17 and inflow 16 of air using controlled dampers 6, 7 and 8. () For effective air exchange between the room and the atmosphere, the air ducts of the ventilation subsystem for incoming and outgoing air from the room are insulated along their entire length, the outlet openings are located at a distance from the inlet ones. Heat exchanger module 1 is located inside the outer wall 15 and has a slope towards the room. As indicated in the explanation to, the walls of the inner chamber of heat exchanger 2 have a circular cross-section and are located at an angle, and the resulting condensate 25 will flow into a recess for collecting condensate 2.1 located at the lowest point of the inner chamber of heat exchanger 2, then through pipeline 10.1 condensate 25 will flow into the flow combining device 23, from where through pipeline 10.3 Condensate 25 will flow into condensate collection tank 5 for further heating by heating element 12 and evaporation into the room air. To effectively heat condensate tank 5, its walls are located lengthwise and close to heating element 12 for the purpose of rapid evaporation of water formed in the system, to ensure the return of moisture to the room for humidification of the usually overdried air during the cold season. For the purpose of additional humidification of the air in the room, additional tanks replenished with water can be added to the unit. Flow combining device 23 collects condensate separately from the outer and inner walls of heat exchanger 2, then combines the flows and directs them into condensate collection tank 5. Flow combining device 23 is equipped with a check valve to prevent air circulation through pipelines 10. The outflow of air 17 () from the room enters the unit through the main air duct 3.3 with a controlled damper 6.1 through the provided opening in the unit casing 21. The space inside the outer casing of the unit 21 is divided by a heat-insulating wall 13 into two volumes. One contains the internal ventilation module 3, and the other contains the heating element 12 and the condensate collection tank 5. The reserve air duct 3.6 connects the internal module 3 with the volume where the heating element 12 is located. The reserve air duct 3.6 is mainly blocked by a damper 7 installed inside it, and is used only when it is necessary to supply heated air 20 from the heating element 12 to the internal chamber of the heat exchanger module to prevent possible ice formation on the walls of the heat exchanger in frosty weather. The heating element 12, in addition to supplying heated air to the ice prevention subsystem and heating the condensate tank 5, ensures the main supply of heated air to the room to ensure a comfortable stay of people.The air conditioning system's heating element may be a radiator with coolant heated by the central heating system, an electric convector, or other indoor heat sources. For energy conservation purposes, the system's automatic controller 9 can control the heating element's power, for example, by turning a damper on the coolant pipe supplied by the central heating system. The automatic controller 9 utilizes data from standard temperature, pressure, and condensate level sensors, as well as any external devices, interacting with them, including via wireless protocols. The outer walls of the heat exchanger 1 may be made of thermal insulation material. The shape of the outlet air duct 4.1 of the external module 4 () is sufficiently long and has a significant slope toward the outside, preventing rain from entering the heat exchanger's internal chamber.

[0031] Automatic controller 9 controls the air conditioning system's operating modes based on indoor and outdoor temperatures, air exchange rate, humidity, room usage, and other user preferences. Thus, all necessary elements for comprehensive control of key climate parameters within a single room can be compactly housed within a single external enclosure 21, minimizing the number of individual devices in the room and creating the additional option of using simplified window structures without vents.

[0032] For the sake of brevity and clarity, only the basic operating modes of the air conditioning system have been described above. A skilled practitioner will recognize that the use of this invention as a whole or its individual components is not limited to the situations described above.

Claims

A ventilation unit with a heat exchanger comprising: a ventilation subsystem including ventilation ducts for the outflow and inflow of air, located at an angle towards the room, ensuring the natural removal of condensate from the internal and external surfaces of said ventilation ducts into the ventilated room; a condensate collection subsystem ensuring the reception of said condensate and its evaporation into the ventilated room; an ice formation prevention subsystem including a heating element ensuring air heating and an additional air duct with a controlled damper ensuring the supply of heated air into the air outflow duct from the room. A ventilation system according to claim 1, in which the ventilation subsystem consists of an outflow ventilation duct and an inflow ventilation duct, isolated from each other, wherein the outlet of the outflow ventilation duct is located outside the room, and the inlet is located inside the room and contains a damper, wherein the inlet of the inflow ventilation duct is located outside the room, and the outlet is inside the room and contains a damper. A ventilation unit according to paragraph 2, in which the inlets and outlets of the ventilation ducts for air inflow and air outflow are spaced apart in height to ensure the possibility of natural air circulation. A ventilation unit according to any of the preceding claims, in which heat exchange between the incoming and outgoing flows is provided through the walls of the heat exchanger. A ventilation system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the air exhaust ventilation duct comprises a fan providing a flow of air in the direction from the room to the outside. A ventilation system according to any of the preceding paragraphs, in which the ventilation ducts are telescopic to allow installation in walls of varying thicknesses. A ventilation system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the condensate collection subsystem comprises an open container for collecting and evaporating condensate, which is in thermal contact with the heating element. A ventilation system according to any of the preceding paragraphs, in which the air inlet and outlet ducts are provided with filters for cleaning the air A ventilation unit according to any of the preceding paragraphs, in which the built-in automatic controller provides specified ventilation modes depending on the conditions inside and outside the room. A ventilation unit according to claim 9, in which the automatic controller is designed with the possibility of integration with external devices for interaction in scenarios in smart home systems.

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