Combined Heat Pipe and Heat Pump Coupling Against Gravity Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heating systems for domestic water heating, such as heat pumps and heat pipes, face inefficiencies due to standby losses from water tanks and gravity-related vapor/liquid flow issues, especially during low sun energy periods in summer and low temperatures in winter.
Innovation Solution
A synchronous system combining a heat pipe unit and a heat pump unit, where the heat pump's condensing section is thermally and mechanically coupled to the lower portion of the heat pipes to enhance vaporization against gravity, eliminating the need for an additional water tank and optimizing performance for varying hot water demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If heat pipes are mounted with constant slope to enable passive operation, then the heat pipe can operate without external power, but gravity causes negative effects on vapor/liquid flow and decreases overall efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration by coupling the heat pump unit's condensing section to the lower portion of heat pipes. The vibrations generated by the heat pump compressor are transmitted to the heat pipes to enhance vaporization and counteract gravity-induced flow restrictions, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining passive operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the heat pipe unit and heat pump unit into a single integrated system. The heat pump's condensing section is thermally and mechanically coupled to the heat pipes, allowing the system to benefit from both passive heat pipe operation and active heat pump support, particularly during periods when solar energy is insufficient
2Reliability
If a water tank is added to store heated water, then hot water demand can be met during low sun energy periods, but standby losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines heat pipe and heat pump systems into an integrated heating device that can meet hot water demand without requiring a separate storage tank. The synchronized operation of both heat sources ensures consistent hot water supply while eliminating the standby losses associated with thermal storage tanks
3Loss of energy
If heat pipe efficiency is increased by optimizing vaporization, then less energy is lost to gravity, but additional mechanisms are needed to overcome gravity effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the heat pump unit with the heat pipe system, utilizing the heat pump's mechanical vibrations to enhance vaporization within the heat pipes. This combined approach improves energy efficiency by counteracting gravity effects without requiring separate complex mechanisms, as the heat pump serves dual purposes of heating and vibration generation
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 combination increases the efficiency of heat pipes by utilizing heat pump vibrations to boost evaporation, minimizing gravity-induced efficiency losses and ensuring consistent hot water supply without standby losses, adapting to both summer and winter conditions.
Implementation Method 1
heat pipe unit (2), wherein the heat pipe unit comprises at least one heat pipe (4) for heating water
Implementation Method 2
heat pipe unit (2), wherein the heat pipe unit comprises at least one heat pipe (4) for heating water
Implementation Method 3
fluid conducting means comprises a condensing section (12) for condensing the evaporated transferring fluid
Implementation Method 4
fluid conducting means comprises an evaporation section (10) for evaporating the energy transferring fluid
Implementation Method 5
condensing section is thermally and mechanically coupled to the lower 75% (length) of one or more heat pipes of the heat pipe unit, for transferring vibrations caused by the heat pump unit to at least one heat pipe for atomizing water inside the heat pipe
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention refers to a heating device (1). The heating device (1) according to the present invention comprises a heat pipe unit (2), wherein the heat pipe unit (2) comprises at least one heat pipe (4) for heating water, and a heat pump unit (6) for heating the water inside the heat pipe (4), wherein the heat pump unit (6) comprises a fluid conducting means (8) for conducting an energy transferring fluid, wherein the fluid conducting means (8) comprises an evaporation section (10) for evaporating the energy transferring fluid, and wherein the fluid conducting means (8) comprises a condensing section (12) for condensing the evaporated transferring fluid, wherein the condensing section (12) is at least thermally coupled with the at least one heat pipe (4) of the heat pipe unit (2).