Ceiling-mountable heat pump system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems for commercial and multi-unit residential buildings are bulky, consume valuable space, and are difficult to service, posing challenges in reducing height while maintaining performance.
Innovation Solution
A low-height heat pump system with a horizontally mounted compressor, vertically oriented brazed-plate heat exchanger, and a blower assembly that can be easily accessed from below, allowing for compact installation and efficient servicing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a floor-mounted vertical heat pump is used, then heating and cooling performance is provided, but valuable floor space is consumed and servicing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump system transitions from a vertical floor-mounted configuration to a horizontal ceiling-suspended configuration. This dimensional change moves the equipment from occupying floor space (2D horizontal area) to occupying ceiling space (2D horizontal area at different vertical level), thereby eliminating the need for dedicated floor closets while maintaining all functional components including compressor, heat exchangers, and blower assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs modular components that can be independently accessed and serviced. The blower assembly is positioned to be accessible from below the cabinet, and panels are designed to be removable for servicing internal components. This segmentation of accessibility allows maintenance personnel to service different components from different directions without moving the entire unit.
2Area of stationary object
If a fan coil unit is suspended from the ceiling to limit floor space consumption, then floor space is conserved, but the height of each floor is increased and building materials are required to enclose the system
Solution Approach 1:
The system accepts ceiling suspension as the alternative dimension for equipment placement but optimizes the vertical profile by using a low-profile compressor mounted horizontally and compact heat exchanger arrangements. This reduces the vertical space requirement while maintaining the ceiling-suspended configuration that conserves floor space.
Solution Approach 2:
The cabinet design integrates multiple functions into a single enclosed unit including the compressor compartment, blower compartment, and plenum compartment. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate enclosures for different components and reduces the overall building materials required compared to distributed component placement.
3Area of stationary object
If the ceiling is lowered to accommodate fan coil unit height, then floor space is conserved, but construction complexity and building materials increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains standard ceiling heights by optimizing the vertical arrangement of components within the suspended cabinet. The low-profile compressor and compact heat exchanger design allow the unit to fit within standard ceiling cavities without requiring ceiling lowering or complex construction modifications.
4Length of stationary object
If a low-height cabinet is used to reduce system height, then installation in shallow ceiling spaces is enabled, but component accessibility for servicing may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system compensates for reduced vertical accessibility by optimizing horizontal and downward accessibility. The blower assembly is positioned to be accessible from below the cabinet, and panels are designed to be removable from the front and bottom. This redistributes accessibility across multiple dimensions rather than relying solely on vertical space.
Solution Approach 2:
The cabinet is divided into accessible compartments with removable panels. The blower assembly, compressor, and heat exchangers are positioned within compartments that can be independently accessed. This segmentation allows servicing of different components without requiring complete disassembly or excessive vertical clearance.
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
The system achieves a reduced height of 9 inches, enabling installation in shallow ceiling spaces, conserving floor space, and facilitating easy maintenance, while maintaining effective heating and cooling performance.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger installed vertically in the compressor compartment
Implementation Method 2
a compressor installed horizontally in the compressor compartment
Implementation Method 3
a blower assembly installed in the blower compartment
Data Source
AI summary
An example heat pump system includes a low-height cabinet configured to be mounted to a ceiling. The low-height cabinet includes a frame and a plurality of panels that define a compressor compartment, a blower compartment, and a plenum compartment. The frame includes one or more dividers that separate the blower compartment, the plenum compartment, and the compressor compartment from each other. The example heat pump system also includes a compressor installed horizontally in the compressor compartment, a heat exchanger installed vertically in the compressor compartment, a blower assembly installed in the blower compartment, and an air coil installed in the blower compartment.