Reversible Double-Flow Ventilation Circuit for DHW-Priority Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current reversible ventilation systems for buildings struggle to efficiently cool the air while heating domestic hot water, often requiring a large refrigerant charge and unable to bypass the evaporator/condenser effectively, leading to inefficiencies in mid-season modes.
Innovation Solution
A controlled mechanical ventilation system with a primary circuit featuring a four-way reversing valve, bidirectional expansion valves, and additional valves to bypass the condenser/evaporator, allowing for efficient operation in various modes, including cooling the air while prioritizing domestic hot water heating, by controlling fluid flow and pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the evaporator/condenser is bypassed to prioritize domestic hot water heating, then domestic hot water heating efficiency is improved, but the system cannot effectively cool the air blown into the building
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the refrigerant circulation into two separate loops: a first loop containing the condenser/evaporator for air handling, and a second loop containing the evaporator/condenser for domestic hot water heating. This segmentation allows independent operation of each loop, enabling the system to bypass the evaporator/condenser for DHW priority mode while maintaining air cooling capability through the first loop.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a four-way reversing valve that can direct refrigerant flow to different components, enabling the system to switch between multiple operating modes: air heating only, domestic hot water heating only, air cooling only, or combined modes. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to prioritize DHW heating while maintaining the option to cool air when needed.
2Reliability
If a large refrigerant charge is used to ensure adequate refrigerant availability in all modes, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity and refrigerant requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the refrigerant circulation into two separate loops with dedicated components, the system ensures that each loop has sufficient refrigerant for its specific function without requiring an excessively large total charge. The bidirectional expansion valves regulate refrigerant flow in each loop independently, maintaining reliability while optimizing refrigerant quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses bidirectional expansion valves that can adjust their opening direction and degree based on operating mode, thereby optimizing refrigerant distribution and pressure parameters in each loop. This dynamic parameter adjustment ensures adequate refrigerant availability for DHW heating and air cooling functions without requiring a large fixed refrigerant charge.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the compressor is stopped in mid-season mode, then energy consumption is reduced, but the system cannot provide cooling or heating when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control system with multiple valves (four-way reversing valve, bidirectional expansion valves, and additional control valves) that can adjust the refrigerant circulation path and component engagement based on real-time operational requirements. This dynamic adaptability allows the compressor to remain operational in mid-season mode, providing heating or cooling as needed while optimizing energy consumption through intelligent valve control.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-functional valve system enables the compressor to serve multiple purposes: heating domestic hot water, heating air, cooling air, or any combination thereof. The four-way reversing valve and bidirectional expansion valves work together to direct refrigerant flow to different components, maintaining operational flexibility and adaptability while managing energy consumption efficiently.
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 configuration enables efficient operation across multiple modes, reduces refrigerant load, and prioritizes domestic hot water heating over air heating, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing refrigerant requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a condenser/evaporator (2) exchanging heat with an air blowing circuit (3), intended for blowing air inside a building
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator/condenser (5) exchanging heat with a circuit for air extraction (6), intended for the extraction of air from the building to the outside
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchanger (25) arranged between the outlet of the compressor (8) and the four-way valve (10), the heat exchanger being connected to a secondary circuit (26) inside which circulates a third fluid, intended to heat a receiver, such as for example a domestic hot water tank (28)
Implementation Method 4
a primary circuit (1) for circulating a first fluid
Implementation Method 5
having a first and a second loop (41, 42) connected to each other by a four-way reversing valve (10) making it possible to direct the first fluid in one direction or in the other inside the first loop (41) of the primary circuit (1)
Implementation Method 6
with a first expansion valve of the bidirectional type (9) arranged to allow the passage of the first fluid in both directions of circulation of the first loop
Implementation Method 7
a compressor (8)
Implementation Method 8
The thermodynamic dual-flow type ventilation uses a heat pump type thermodynamic exchanger, making it possible to recover the calories from the extracted air to transfer them to the blown air
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a reversible thermodynamic double-flow controlled mechanical ventilation installation, comprising a primary circuit (1) having: - a first loop (41) successively equipped with a first valve (32), a condenser/evaporator (2), a first expansion valve (9), an evaporator/condenser (5) and a second valve (33); - a second loop (42) connected to the first loop by a four-way valve (10) and equipped with a compressor (8) and a heat exchanger (25) designed to be connected to domestic hot water heating means (26); and - a branch (50) connecting the first loop, between the first expansion valve and the evaporator/condenser, to the second loop, between the heat exchanger and the four-way valve, this branch being equipped with a second expansion valve (59).