Heat pump and method for pumping heat by using a bypass mode and dual use of the temperature sensor signal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat pump configurations are inefficient as they do not effectively utilize ambient temperature variations, leading to unnecessary energy consumption and poor energy savings, especially when outside temperatures are mild, and they lack a mechanism to prevent overheating or undercooling in varying environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump system with a switching mechanism that allows operation in multiple modes, including a bypass mode where the heat pump is completely bypassed at low outside temperatures, a free cooling mode, and a normal mode, using temperature sensors to control the switching between these modes to optimize energy efficiency and prevent overheating or undercooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the heat pump operates continuously in normal mode, then cooling capacity is maintained, but energy consumption increases unnecessarily when ambient temperature is low
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between three operating modes (bypass mode, free cooling mode, and normal mode) based on ambient temperature conditions. When ambient temperature is low, the system transitions to bypass mode where the heat pump is completely switched off, eliminating unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining adequate cooling capacity through direct ambient air intake.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit monitors ambient temperature as a key parameter and uses it to determine the appropriate operating mode. By changing the operational parameters of the heat pump system based on ambient temperature thresholds, the system optimizes energy consumption while ensuring cooling capacity is sufficient for the given environmental conditions.
2Loss of energy
If the heat pump is completely switched off in bypass mode, then energy savings are maximized, but risk of overheating or undercooling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through control units that continuously monitor ambient temperature and system operational status. This feedback enables the control unit to make informed decisions about mode switching, ensuring that the heat pump is deactivated only when ambient conditions are suitable, thereby preventing overheating or undercooling while maximizing energy savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses ambient environmental conditions to regulate its own operation. When ambient temperature is within an acceptable range, the system automatically switches to bypass mode and uses the ambient air directly, making the environment itself serve the cooling function without requiring active heat pump operation, thus preventing thermal extremes while saving energy.
3Productivity
If the heat pump operates in normal mode, then cooling performance is optimal, but system complexity increases with multiple operating modes
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct operational modes (bypass mode, free cooling mode, normal mode) that can be independently activated based on ambient temperature conditions. This segmentation allows the system to achieve optimal cooling performance when needed while simplifying operation to basic mode selection, effectively managing system complexity through structured operational divisions.
4Ease of operation
If the heat pump operates without considering ambient temperature, then operation is simplified, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump system automatically adjusts its operation based on ambient temperature conditions without requiring complex manual intervention. The control unit autonomously determines the appropriate operating mode by monitoring environmental parameters, making the system energy-efficient while maintaining ease of operation through automated decision-making.
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 significant energy savings by completely switching off the heat pump at low outside temperatures, preventing overheating or undercooling, and optimizing energy usage based on ambient conditions, thereby enhancing overall efficiency and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the heat pump 100 in particular includes an evaporator inlet 101a and an evaporator outlet 101b... the operating liquid on the evaporator side is introduced into the evaporator of the heat pump 100 via the evaporator inlet 101a, cooled there and let out from the evaporator outlet 101b as colder operating liquid
Implementation Method 2
the heat pump 100 comprises a condenser inlet 103a and a condenser outlet 103b... the condenser outlet 103b is connected to the 'hot' terminal of the heat exchanger 104, and the condenser inlet is connected to the colder end of the heat exchanger 104
Data Source
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AI summary
A heat pump includes an evaporator (10) with an evaporator inlet (10a) and an evaporator outlet (10b), a condenser (12) with a condenser inlet (12a) and a condenser outlet (12b), a temperature raiser (34) for raising a temperature of an evaporated operating liquid, a switching means (24, 26, 27, 28, 94, 96) for operating the heat pump in a first operating mode or a different second operating mode, wherein the first operating mode is a free cooling mode or a bypass mode and wherein the second operating mode is the free cooling mode or normal mode, a temperature sensor means (41) for detecting a temperature with regards to the evaporator (10) or the condenser (12) and a control (29) for providing a control signal (36a) based on the detected temperature to the temperature raiser (34) when the heat pump is operated in the second operating mode and for providing a control signal (36b) based on the temperature to a control output that can be connected to a control input of a heat dissipation device (82) when the heat pump is operated in the first operating mode.