Heat Pump Coil Circuit Valving for Cooling Charge Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat pump systems often experience charge imbalance, where the refrigerant charge optimized for one mode of operation leads to decreased efficiency or performance in the other mode, requiring costly and complex charge compensation devices.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating check valves and controllable valves in the refrigerant flow paths of heat exchange coils to manage refrigerant flow and storage, allowing for improved charge compensation without additional plumbing or devices, enabling efficient performance in both heating and cooling modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate charge compensator devices and plumbing are installed to deal with charge imbalance, then charge compensation capability is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange coils serve multiple functions: they act as condensers in both heating and cooling modes, and as evaporators in both modes. The same coil circuits that provide primary heat exchange also function as refrigerant storage vessels during mode transitions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate charge compensator devices and associated plumbing, reducing system complexity while maintaining charge compensation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the charge compensation function with the existing heat exchange coil circuits. Instead of adding separate compensation devices, the refrigerant storage and charge balancing operations are integrated into the primary heat exchange pathways. The check valves are integrated into the existing manifold lines, combining flow control functionality with the heat exchange infrastructure.
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 allows for efficient operation in both heating and cooling modes by storing refrigerant during non-peak demand periods, reducing the need for complex charge compensation devices and enhancing system performance across varying environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A check valve is positioned in a first manifold line coupling a first coil circuit of the plurality of coil circuits to the compressor. The check valve is configured to allow flow of refrigerant from the compressor to the first coil circuit when the HVAC system is operating in a cooling mode and prevent flow of refrigerant from the first coil circuit to the compressor when the HVAC system is operating in a heating mode.
Implementation Method 2
A check valve is positioned in a first conduit coupling a first coil circuit of the plurality of coil circuits to the expansion valve. The check valve is configured to prevent flow of refrigerant from the first coil circuit to the expansion valve when the HVAC system is operating in a cooling mode.
Implementation Method 3
A first controllable valve is positioned in a first manifold line coupling a first coil circuit of the plurality of coil circuits to the compressor. A second controllable valve is located in a conduit fluidly coupling the first coil circuit to a second heat exchange coil. The controller causes the first controllable valve to be in an open position and causes the second controllable valve to be in a closed position, such that flow of refrigerant from the first coil circuit to the second heat exchange coil is prevented.
Data Source
AI summary
An HVAC system includes a first heat exchange coil with a plurality of coil circuits, a second heat exchange coil, and an expansion valve. For each coil circuit of the plurality of circuits, there is a conduit coupling the coil circuit to the expansion valve. A check valve is positioned in a first conduit coupling a first coil circuit of the plurality of coil circuits to the expansion valve. The check valve is configured to prevent flow of refrigerant from the first coil circuit to the expansion valve when the HVAC system is operating in a cooling mode.