A heat exchanger module mounted inside the room and method of installing a heat exchanger module

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional monoblock heat exchangers locate the entire refrigeration system outdoors, risking refrigerant freezing during sub-zero temperatures and failing to meet fire safety regulations, especially in small or poorly ventilated spaces.

Innovation Solution

A heat exchanger module with a sealed housing and gas separator is installed indoors, connected to an outdoor unit via refrigeration pipes within a casing pipe that serves as both a ventilation and refrigeration conduit, ensuring the heating medium remains inside and meets fire safety standards by qualifying the installation as if it were outdoors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the heat exchanger module is installed indoors, then fire safety requirements are met and efficiency is improved, but the risk of refrigerant freezing during sub-zero temperatures increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire safetyVSAvoidrefrigerant freezing risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into indoor and outdoor components. The heat exchanger module (indoor unit) is separated from the outdoor unit, with only refrigeration pipes connecting them. This segmentation allows the heat exchanger to be installed indoors for fire safety while the outdoor unit handles refrigerant management, resolving the contradiction between indoor installation safety and refrigerant freezing risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the heating medium is brought outside the building, then the heat exchanger can be installed outdoors, but the medium may freeze during power outages or equipment failure in sub-zero temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation location flexibilityVSAvoidheating medium freezing protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heating medium circuit is extracted from the outdoor unit and kept entirely indoors. The heat exchanger module with heating medium supply and return connections is installed inside the building, separating the heating medium system from the outdoor environment. This extraction eliminates the freezing risk while maintaining installation flexibility through the modular indoor unit design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Area of stationary object

If the heat exchanger module is installed in small rooms, then space utilization is improved, but fire protection requirements may not be met

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidfire protection compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger module is designed as a compact, wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted unit that utilizes vertical space and wall surfaces rather than floor space. This dimensional adaptation allows installation in small rooms while maintaining compliance with fire protection requirements through proper clearance distances and ventilation provisions specified in the module design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution prevents refrigerant freezing, enhances safety by containing explosive gases, and allows efficient installation in small or non-compliant spaces by maintaining the heat exchanger indoors while adhering to fire regulations and standards.

Implementation Method 1

heat exchanger (14)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

heat exchanger transfers thermal energy between the refrigerant and heating medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

refrigerant undergoes phase change from liquid to gas and back, absorbing and releasing thermal energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 4

refrigerant undergoes phase change from liquid to gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 5

refrigerant undergoes phase change from gas to liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 6

gas separator coupled to a heat exchanger on the water side, using explosive agents

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDensity separation: Density Gradient

Implementation Method 7

ventilation system of the interior of the housing of the module is connected to the casing pipe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4491963A1A heat exchanger module mounted inside the room and method of installing a heat exchanger module

Publication Date: 2025.01.15 HEIZTECHNIK SPÓLKA Z O O

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AI summary

A heat exchanger module mounted inside the room, characterized in that a module (1) has a sealed housing (12) with a cover (10) and a sealed connection (8) of the casing pipe (7) of the internal refrigeration pipe connections (16a, 16b). A method of installing the heat exchanger module, which involves mounting the module inside the room, characterized in that the module (1) with a housing (12) is connected to the outdoor unit (2) by refrigeration pipes (6a, 6b), which are placed in the casing pipe (7) connected to the module (1) by a sealed connection (8).