Heat pump and operation method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pumps using refrigerants like propane or isobutane face challenges with refrigerant leakage, which can lead to fire hazards, reduced heat exchange efficiency, and compressor damage due to insufficient circulation, and lack effective methods to accurately detect and manage leaks.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump system equipped with multiple sensors and shut-off valves, along with a controller, to detect refrigerant leaks through temperature and pressure differentials, and control valve operations to prevent further leakage and discharge refrigerant outdoors using a ventilation fan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If refrigerant leakage is not detected accurately, then fire hazard increases, but implementing multiple detection methods increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple independent sensing points distributed throughout the heat pump system. Temperature sensors are placed at specific locations (e.g., near the compressor, at heat exchanger outlets) and pressure sensors are positioned at key junctions. This segmentation allows each sensor to monitor a specific zone, and the controller integrates these distributed measurements to achieve comprehensive leakage detection without requiring a single complex sensor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system uses universal sensing principles (temperature and pressure measurement) that can be applied across multiple locations and conditions. The same types of sensors (temperature sensors, pressure sensors) are used throughout the system, and the controller performs multiple functions by analyzing different sensor combinations for different leakage scenarios, reducing the need for specialized expensive equipment.
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
Accurately detects refrigerant leaks using various methods, prevents further leakage, and safely discharges refrigerant outdoors, enhancing safety and reliability by reducing fire risks and maintaining efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor detecting a pressure of the refrigerant flowing between the compressor and the water refrigerant heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
a first temperature sensor for sensing an outdoor temperature; and a second temperature sensor disposed in a second area of the housing
Implementation Method 3
a water refrigerant heat exchanger for heat-exchanging the refrigerant and water
Implementation Method 4
an outdoor heat exchanger for heat-exchanging the refrigerant and outdoor air
Implementation Method 5
a compressor for compressing a refrigerant
Data Source
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AI summary
A heat pump including: a housing disposed outdoors; a compressor for compressing a refrigerant; a water refrigerant heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and water; an outdoor heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and outdoor air; a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure of the refrigerant flowing between the compressor and the water refrigerant heat exchanger; a first shut-off valve disposed in a pipe connected to a discharge part of the compressor; a second shut-off valve disposed between the outdoor heat exchanger and the compressor; and a controller configured to: determine whether the refrigerant leaks, control the first shut-off valve to be closed, when the refrigerant leaks, and control the second shutoff valve to be closed, when a sensing value of the pressure sensor is less than a preset reference pressure.