Heat Pump Operation Control Using Medium Mover State Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat pump systems suffer from low energy efficiency due to the independent control of heat pumps and emitters, leading to unnecessary power consumption when the medium mover (e.g., fan) is stopped, as the heat pump continues to raise or lower the heat transport medium temperature without knowing the emitter's operation state, resulting in inefficient heat transfer.
Innovation Solution
A method to operate a heat pump system by measuring thermodynamic quantities such as medium temperature and heat flow to determine the medium mover's operation state, allowing the heat pump to adjust its operation based on these measurements to optimize efficiency, including stopping or starting the heat pump and medium mover accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the heat pump continues to operate when the medium mover is stopped, then the heat pump can maintain its setpoint temperature, but the energy efficiency of the heat pump system decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump controller receives feedback signals from the emitter controller indicating the operation state of the medium mover. Based on this feedback, the heat pump controller adjusts its operation: when the medium mover is stopped, the heat pump reduces or stops heating/cooling to avoid energy waste; when the medium mover is running, the heat pump operates normally to maintain temperature setpoints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by having the emitter controller communicate the medium mover's operation state to the heat pump controller in advance. This allows the heat pump to proactively adjust its operation before inefficient conditions are established, preventing energy waste rather than correcting it after the fact.
2Power
If the heat pump raises or lowers the heat transport medium temperature continuously, then the supplied heat increases, but the heat transfer efficiency decreases when the medium mover is stopped
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump controller uses feedback from the medium mover operation state to control the heat transport medium temperature. When the medium mover is stopped, the controller prevents further temperature changes that would waste energy, as the heat transfer efficiency is already compromised. This feedback-based control ensures supplied heat is optimized for the actual heat transfer conditions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the fan is stopped to save energy, then the power consumption of the fan decreases, but the heat transfer efficiency of the fan coil unit becomes very low
Solution Approach 1:
The emitter controller acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the fan operation and heat pump operation. By communicating the medium mover's operation state to the heat pump controller, it enables synchronized control where both components work together efficiently - the fan runs only when the heat pump is actively heating or cooling, avoiding the need for the fan to run continuously just to maintain heat transfer efficiency.
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 approach enhances the energy efficiency of the heat pump system by ensuring the medium mover operates only when necessary, preventing permanent inefficient states and optimizing heat transfer, thereby reducing power consumption and improving overall system performance.
Implementation Method 1
The heat emitter (2a, 2b, 2c) comprises a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a heat transport medium and the medium to be heated
Implementation Method 2
exchanging heat between the heat transport medium and the medium to be heated
Implementation Method 3
exchanging heat between the heat transport medium and the medium to be heated
Implementation Method 4
at least one medium mover for effecting a flow of the medium over the heat exchanger
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a heat pump system wherein an operation of a heat pump is controlled taking into account an operation state of a medium mover as for example a fan. The operation state of the medium mover is determined based on a measurement of a thermodynamic quantity.