Split dehumidification system for pool environment

Abstract

A split dehumidification system may include an evaporator coil. A split dehumidification system may include an indoor condenser coil. A split dehumidification system may include a filter. A split dehumidification system may include an outdoor unit including: a compressor, an outdoor condenser coil, and a valve manifold controlling communication between the compressor, the indoor condenser coil, the outdoor condenser coil, and the evaporator coil.

Description

MCC Docket No. 11709-003W01 SPLIT DEHUMIDIFICATION SYSTEM FOR POOL ENVIRONMENTCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 753,752 filed on February 4, 2025, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 756,597 filed on February 10, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND

[0002] This disclosure relates to dehumidification systems. More particularly, the disclosure relates to pool dehumidifier systems supporting multiple functions (e.g., reheating, air-cooled condenser, and reclaimed heat).SUMMARY

[0003] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a split dehumidification system including: an indoor unit including: an evaporator coil, an indoor condenser coil, and a filter; and an outdoor unit including: a compressor, an outdoor condenser coil, and a valve manifold controlling communication between the compressor, the indoor condenser coil, the outdoor condenser coil, and the evaporator coil.

[0004] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a split dehumidification system, wherein the indoor unit further includes a fan for moving air from a return air space to a supply air space.

[0005] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a split dehumidification system, wherein liquid refrigerant is supplied from the outdoor condenser coil to the indoor condenser coil and the evaporator coil, wherein one-way check valves are positioned to provide a one-way liquid refrigerant flow to the indoor condenser coil and the evaporator coil from the outdoor condenser coil.

[0006] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a split dehumidification system, wherein the indoor unit includes an indoor controller structured to receive input information from a space temperature and relative humidity sensor and a supply air temperature and relative humidity sensor and control operation of a refrigerant control valve to selectively provide and inhibit a flow of liquid refrigerant to the evaporator coil.

[0007] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a split dehumidification system, wherein the outdoor unit further includes an accumulator.MCC Docket No. 11709-003W01

[0008] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a split dehumidification system, wherein the valve manifold includes an outdoor condenser refrigerant control valve and an outdoor condenser soft start solenoid valve that selectively provide a flow of hot gas from the compressor to the outdoor condenser coil, wherein the valve manifold includes an indoor condenser refrigerant control valve and an indoor condenser soft start solenoid valve that selectively provide a flow of hot gas from the compressor to the indoor condenser coil

[0009] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a split dehumidification system, wherein the outdoor unit further includes a check valve inhibiting flow of hot gas from the outdoor condenser coil to the compressor.

[0010] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a split dehumidification system, wherein the split dehumidification system is operable in a dehumidification mode, a cooling mode, and a fan mode.

[0011] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a split dehumidification system including: an indoor unit including: an evaporator coil, an indoor condenser coil, and a filter; and an outdoor unit including: a compressor arranged in communication with the evaporator coil, a refrigerant pump arranged in communication with the indoor condenser coil, an outdoor condenser coil in communication with the refrigerant pump, and a valve manifold controlling communication between the compressor and the indoor condenser coil, and the refrigerant pump, the outdoor condenser coil, and the indoor condenser coil.

[0012] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a split dehumidification system, wherein outdoor unit further includes a refrigerant heat exchanger receiving cooled refrigerant and providing heated refrigerant to the refrigerant pump.

[0013] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a split dehumidification system, wherein the refrigerant heat exchanger receives hot gas from the compressor, the refrigerant heat exchanger exchanges heat between the hot gas and the cooled refrigerant, and wherein the refrigerant heat exchanger provides liquid refrigerant to the evaporator coil.

[0014] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a split dehumidification system, wherein the valve manifold include an outdoor refrigerant control valve and an indoor refrigerant control valve, and wherein the outdoor refrigerant control valve and the indoor refrigerant control valve are inversely controlled such that the more open the outdoor refrigerant control valve the less the less open the indoor refrigerant control valve.MCC Docket No. 11709-003W01

[0015] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a split dehumidification system, wherein during operation in a cooling mode, refrigerant is pumped from a refrigerant heat exchanger to the outdoor condenser coil, wherein during operation in a dehumidification mode, refrigerant is pumped from the refrigerant heat exchanger to the indoor condenser coil.

[0016] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a split dehumidification system, wherein a controller is structured to control operation of the valve manifold to proportionally control operation of the split dehumidification system between the cooling mode and the dehumidification mode.

[0017] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a method including: compressing refrigerant with a compressor positioned in an outdoor unit; selectively providing hot gas refrigerant from the compressor to an evaporator coil positioned in an indoor unit; selectively heating an indoor condenser coil positioned in the indoor unit via the hot gas refrigerant; selectively heating an outdoor condenser coil positioned in the outdoor unit via the hot gas refrigerant; and operating a valve manifold to provide a cooling mode by heating the outdoor condenser coil; and operating the valve manifold to provide a dehumidification mode by heating the indoor condenser coil.

[0018] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a method, wherein the heating the indoor condenser coil includes pumping glycol through a glycol heat exchanger that receives heat from the hot gas refrigerant.

[0019] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a method, wherein the heating the outdoor condenser coil includes pumping glycol through a glycol heat exchanger that receives heat from the hot gas refrigerant.

[0020] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a method, further including controlling the valve manifold to selectively open and close glycol control valves that control flow of glycol from a glycol pump positioned in the outdoor unit to the outdoor condenser coil and the indoor condenser coil.

[0021] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a method, further including condensing hot gas refrigerant from the compressor with a glycol heat exchanger positioned in the outdoor unit.MCC Docket No. 11709-003W01

[0022] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a method, further including providing outdoor airflow via an outdoor fan positioned in the outdoor unit, and providing indoor airflow via an indoor fan positioned in the indoor unit.

[0023] This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices or processes described herein will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] The device is explained in even greater detail in the following drawings. The drawings are merely exemplary and certain features may be used singularly or in combination with other features. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0025] FIG. l is a schematic representation of an indoor unit of a split dehumidification system, according to some implementations.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an outdoor unit of the split dehumidification system, according to some implementations.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an indoor unit of another split dehumidification system that includes a liquid (e.g. glycol) reheat circuit, according to some implementations.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an outdoor unit of the split dehumidification system of FIG. 3, according to some implementations.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Following below are more detailed descriptions of concepts related to, and implementations of, methods, apparatuses, and systems for pool environment control. The figures illustrate exemplary implementations in detail and the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, an indoor unit 100 of a split dehumidification system is sized to be positioned on a floor of a utility room in a pool environment. The split dehumidification system provides dehumidification and reheating. The indoor unit 100 includes a space temperature and relative humidity sensor 101 that measures the temperature and relative humidity of return air fromMCC Docket No. 11709-003W01 the conditioned space (e.g., a pool room). A filter 102 is positioned to receive and clean the return air. In some implementations, the filter 102 includes a bank of four-inch high-capacity pleated filters.

[0031] Inside the indoor unit 100 an evaporator coil 103 and a reheat / condenser coil 104 are positioned to condition the return air. A direct drive fan 105 moves the return air across the evaporator coil 103 and the condenser coil 104 and provides conditioned air to the space. Liquid refrigerant 106 is supplied to the evaporator coil 103 and the condenser coil 104 via two check valves, a refrigerant control valve 109, and a thermostatic expansion valve 110. A hot gas line 108 supplies hot gas to the condenser coil 104 and a suction line 107 is connected to the evaporator coil 103.

[0032] A supply air temperature and relative humidity sensor 111 is positioned to measures the temperature and relative humidity of conditioned air being sent to the conditioned space. A controller 112 is arranged in communication with the relative humidity sensor 101, the relative humidity sensor 111, the direct drive fan 105, and the refrigerant control valve 109 and controls operation of the indoor unit 100.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, an outdoor unit 200 of the split dehumidification system includes an outdoor temperature and relative humidity sensor 201 positioned to measure outdoor temperature. A condenser coil 203 is arranged in communication with the outdoor airflow. A condenser fan 205 forces air across the condenser coil 203. In some implementations, the condenser fan 205 is speed modulated. An accumulator 213 is positioned to receive the suction line 107 from the evaporator coil 103. The accumulator 213 is also positioned to provide refrigerant to a compressor 214 that supplies high pressure refrigerant to a manifold of refrigerant control valves 209 (e.g., solenoid operated) and soft start solenoid valves 210 and a check valve 211 that controls a flow of hot gas 108 to the condenser coil 203 and the condenser coil 104 of the indoor unit 100. An outdoor controller 212 communicates with the outdoor temperature and relative humidity sensor 201, the accumulator 213, the compressor 214, the refrigerant control valves 209 and the soft start solenoid valves 210 to operate the outdoor unit 200. The outdoor controller 212 also communicates with the controller 112 to coordinate the indoor unit 100 and the outdoor unit 200 of the split dehumidification system.

[0034] The outdoor unit 200 can be positioned outdoors and includes the compressor 214 and accumulator 213 and the valve manifold. Providing these components in the outdoor unit 200MCC Docket No. 11709-003W01 allows them to be removed from the indoor unit 100. Reducing the size, energy usage, and volume of refrigerant within the indoor unit 100 is advantageous as space availability in indoor pool utility rooms is very limited. Additionally, moving these components to the outdoor unit 200 restricts access and allows common maintenance items of the indoor unit 100 to be serviced via normal maintenance staff, while limiting access to the outdoor unit 200 to more skilled technicians.

[0035] The split dehumidification system can operate in at least three modes including: 1) an indoor fan on mode with the compressor off, 2) a reheat (dehumidification) mode with the compressor on and the valves controlled until a desired relative humidity is achieved, and 3) a cooling mode with the compressor on and the valves controlled until a desired temperature is achieved.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, another split dehumidification system is shown that is similar to the dehumidification system discussed above but including a liquid coolant (e.g., glycol) reheat circuit and labelled with similar reference numbers. As shown in FIG. 4, a glycol heat exchanger 300 receives hot gas from the compressor 214 and thereby heats glycol. A glycol pump 305 distributes hot glycol to a glycol supply 309 via glycol control valves 304. The glycol supply 309 selectively provides hot glycol to the outdoor condenser coil 203 and the indoor condenser coil 104. Glycol return lines 308 return cooled glycol from the oor condenser coil 203 and the indoor condenser coil 104.

[0037] In some implementations, the liquid reheat split dehumidification system operates using a dewpoint based control scheme (e.g., a Temp / RH Cross Reference). First, upon increase of a room relative humidity, the liquid reheat split dehumidification system operates in a Full Dehumidification Mode or a Neutral Mode. If the room needs heat, the Full Dehumidification Mode is activated. If the room does not need heat, the Neutral Mode (OD Temp above 70degF (configurable)) is activated. If a room temperature is above a predetermined temperature setpoint, the liquid reheat split dehumidification system operates in a Cooling Mode.

[0038] The liquid reheat split dehumidification system modulates between Full Dehumidification Mode and the Cooling Mode to maintain the temperature setpoint and to lower the room relative humidity. Minimum ventilation is delivered during operation in the Full Dehumidification Mode and / or the Neutral Mode.MCC Docket No. 11709-003W01

[0039] Stages of compressors increase or decrease based on logic calculations in order to recover to the temperature setpoint and the relative humidity setpoint (e.g., the Dewpoint Setpoint, Temp Setpoint).

[0040] In some implementations, the liquid reheat split dehumidification system is controlled via a 10” Touchscreen (or larger).

[0041] Control Sequence of Operation

[0042] During operation in the Full Dehumidification Mode and / or the Neutral Mode, the glycol pump 305 starts and fluid flow is proven (switch), which then allows the liquid solenoid valve 110 to open and the compressor 214 to simultaneously start. The liquid solenoid valve 110 opens, the compressor 214 starts, and the outdoor fan 205 starts (if needed). Glycol valves 304 divert fluid (proportional) to the indoor condenser coil 104 and the outdoor condenser coil 203 as needed to adjust supply air temperature. Valves 304 operate opposite of each other. In other words, when the indoor supplying glycol control valves 304 is closed, the outdoor supplying glycol control valves 304 is open.

[0043] During Full Cooling, all glycol is sent to the outdoor condenser coil 203. During Full Dehumidification / Reheat, all glycol is sent to the indoor condenser coil 104.

[0044] Upon completion of a cycle, the liquid solenoid 110 closes to allow minor pump down of refrigerant below 60psi. The compressor 214 stops once a pump down pressure switch opens at 60psi. Indoor fan 105 runs continuously and the liquid reheat split dehumidification system awaits a next cycle request from the controller 112.

[0045] For purposes of this description, certain advantages and novel features of the aspects and configurations of this disclosure are described herein. The described methods, systems, and apparatus should not be construed as limiting in any way. Instead, the present disclosure is directed toward all novel and nonobvious features and aspects of the various disclosed aspects, alone and in various combinations and sub-combinations with one another. The disclosed methods, systems, and apparatus are not limited to any specific aspect, feature, or combination thereof, nor do the disclosed methods, systems, and apparatus require that any one or more specific advantages be present or problems be solved.MCC Docket No. 11709-003W01

[0046] Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depicted and described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unless specified differently above. Such variation may depend, for example, on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations of the described methods could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps, and decision steps.

[0047] Features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings), and / or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. The claimed features extend to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0048] As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and / or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about”, it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. The terms “about” and “approximately” are defined as being “close to” as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In one non-limiting aspect the terms are defined to be within 10%. In another non-limiting aspect, the terms are defined to be within 5%. In still another non-limiting aspect, the terms are defined to be within 1%.

[0049] The terms “coupled”, “connected”, and the like as used herein mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. If “coupled” or variations thereof areMCC Docket No. 11709-003W01 modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic. For example, circuit A communicably “coupled” to circuit B may signify that the circuit A communicates directly with circuit B (i.e., no intermediary) or communicates indirectly with circuit B (e.g., through one or more intermediaries).

[0050] Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right”, “left”, “lower”, and “upper” designate direction in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inner” and “outer” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the described feature or device. The words “distal” and “proximal” refer to directions taken in context of the item described and, with regard to the instruments herein described, are typically based on the perspective of the practitioner using such instrument, with “proximal” indicating a position closer to the practitioner and “distal” indicating a position further from the practitioner. The terminology includes the above-listed words, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

[0051] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word “comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and “comprises”, means “including but not limited to”, and is not intended to exclude, for example, other additives, components, integers or steps. “Exemplary” means “an example of’ and is not intended to convey an indication of a preferred or ideal aspect. “Such as” is not used in a restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes.

[0052] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

MCC Docket No. 11709-003W01What is claimed is:

1. A split dehumidification system comprising:an indoor unit including:an evaporator coil,an indoor condenser coil, anda filter; andan outdoor unit including:a compressor,an outdoor condenser coil, anda valve manifold controlling communication between the compressor, the indoor condenser coil, the outdoor condenser coil, and the evaporator coil.

2. The split dehumidification system of claim 1, wherein the indoor unit further includes a fan for moving air from a return air space to a supply air space.

3. The split dehumidification system of claim 1, wherein liquid refrigerant is supplied from the outdoor condenser coil to the indoor condenser coil and the evaporator coil,wherein one-way check valves are positioned to provide a one-way liquid refrigerant flow to the indoor condenser coil and the evaporator coil from the outdoor condenser coil.

4. The split dehumidification system of claim 1, wherein the indoor unit includes an indoor controller structured to receive input information from a space temperature and relative humidity sensor and a supply air temperature and relative humidity sensor and control operation of a refrigerant control valve to selectively provide and inhibit a flow of liquid refrigerant to the evaporator coil.

5. The split dehumidification system of claim 1, wherein the outdoor unit further includes an accumulator.

6. The split dehumidification system of claim 1, wherein the valve manifold includes an outdoor condenser refrigerant control valve and an outdoor condenser soft start solenoid valve that selectively provide a flow of hot gas from the compressor to the outdoor condenser coil,MCC Docket No. 11709-003W01 wherein the valve manifold includes an indoor condenser refrigerant control valve and an indoor condenser soft start solenoid valve that selectively provide a flow of hot gas from the compressor to the indoor condenser coil7. The split dehumidification system of claim 6, wherein the outdoor unit further includes a check valve inhibiting flow of hot gas from the outdoor condenser coil to the compressor.

8. The split dehumidification system of claim 1, wherein the split dehumidification system is operable in a dehumidification mode, a cooling mode, and a fan mode.

9. A split dehumidification system comprising:an indoor unit including:an evaporator coil,an indoor condenser coil, anda filter; andan outdoor unit including:a compressor arranged in communication with the evaporator coil, a refrigerant pump arranged in communication with the indoor condenser coil, an outdoor condenser coil in communication with the refrigerant pump, and a valve manifold controlling communication betweenthe compressor and the indoor condenser coil, andthe refrigerant pump, the outdoor condenser coil, and the indoor condenser coil.

10. The split dehumidification system of claim 9, wherein outdoor unit further includes a refrigerant heat exchanger receiving cooled refrigerant and providing heated refrigerant to the refrigerant pump.

11. The split dehumidification system of claim 10, wherein the refrigerant heat exchanger receives hot gas from the compressor,the refrigerant heat exchanger exchanges heat between the hot gas and the cooled refrigerant, andwherein the refrigerant heat exchanger provides liquid refrigerant to the evaporator coil.MCC Docket No. 11709-003W0112. The split dehumidification system of claim 9, wherein the valve manifold include an outdoor refrigerant control valve and an indoor refrigerant control valve, andwherein the outdoor refrigerant control valve and the indoor refrigerant control valve are inversely controlled such that the more open the outdoor refrigerant control valve the less the less open the indoor refrigerant control valve.

13. The split dehumidification system of claim 9, wherein during operation in a cooling mode, refrigerant is pumped from a refrigerant heat exchanger to the outdoor condenser coil, wherein during operation in a dehumidification mode, refrigerant is pumped from the refrigerant heat exchanger to the indoor condenser coil.

14. The split dehumidification system of claim 13, wherein a controller is structured to control operation of the valve manifold to proportionally control operation of the split dehumidification system between the cooling mode and the dehumidification mode.

15. A method compri sing :compressing refrigerant with a compressor positioned in an outdoor unit; selectively providing hot gas refrigerant from the compressor to an evaporator coil positioned in an indoor unit;selectively heating an indoor condenser coil positioned in the indoor unit via the hot gas refrigerant;selectively heating an outdoor condenser coil positioned in the outdoor unit via the hot gas refrigerant; andoperating a valve manifold to provide a cooling mode by heating the outdoor condenser coil; andoperating the valve manifold to provide a dehumidification mode by heating the indoor condenser coil.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the heating the indoor condenser coil includes pumping glycol through a glycol heat exchanger that receives heat from the hot gas refrigerant.MCC Docket No. 11709-003W01 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the heating the outdoor condenser coil includes pumping glycol through a glycol heat exchanger that receives heat from the hot gas refrigerant.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising controlling the valve manifold to selectively open and close glycol control valves that control flow of glycol from a glycol pump positioned in the outdoor unit to the outdoor condenser coil and the indoor condenser coil.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising condensing hot gas refrigerant from the compressor with a glycol heat exchanger positioned in the outdoor unit.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing outdoor airflow via an outdoor fan positioned in the outdoor unit, andproviding indoor airflow via an indoor fan positioned in the indoor unit.

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