Heat pump-based building heating and/or cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pumps face inefficiencies when operating outside their optimal conditions due to the need for expansion valve adjustments that fall outside the nominal opening range, leading to suboptimal performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a throttle unit with at least two expansion valves in parallel connection, allowing for independent control and adjustment of each valve's opening, enabling efficient operation across varying source temperatures and conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single expansion valve is used in the heat pump, then the device complexity is reduced, but the efficiency deteriorates when operating outside optimal conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The throttle unit is segmented into multiple expansion valves (at least two) connected in parallel, each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows the system to select or combine different valves based on operating conditions, maintaining efficiency across varying source temperatures while avoiding the need for a single complex adjustable valve.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the expansion valve is adjusted to operate outside the nominal opening range, then the adaptability to different source temperatures is improved, but the efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects which expansion valve(s) to use based on the current source temperature and operating conditions. The control unit can switch between different valves or combine them in parallel, allowing the throttle unit to adapt to varying conditions while each valve operates within its optimal nominal opening range, thereby maintaining high 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 configuration allows for precise adaptation of the expansion valves' opening to optimize efficiency, even at different source temperatures, enhancing the overall performance and energy efficiency of the heat pump.
Implementation Method 1
A nozzle with a nozzle opening is arranged in the expansion valve. The nozzle opening can be closed and/or opened by a certain value - the actual degree of opening - so that the working medium can flow through the expansion valve.
Implementation Method 2
The heat pump has a closed fluid circuit. When the heat pump is in operation, a working medium circulates in the fluid circuit, which can be operated as a heating and/or cooling circuit depending on the application. A compressor, two heat exchangers and a throttle unit are integrated into the fluid circuit.
Implementation Method 3
A compressor, two heat exchangers and a throttle unit that has an expansion valve are integrated into the fluid circuit. The expansion valve regulates the inflow of the working medium to the compressor, so that the compressor is always charged with a sufficient amount of working medium and it is ensured that only gaseous refrigerant reaches the compressor.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to building heating and/or cooling with a heat pump, wherein the heat pump has a fluid circuit (1) through which a working medium flows and which is designed as a heating and/or cooling circuit, wherein the fluid circuit (1) has a compressor (3), a first heat exchanger (5), a second heat exchanger (7) and a throttling unit (11) which are fluidically connected to one another via fluid connections, wherein a control unit (41) is provided by means of which the fluid circuit (1) can be controlled. According to the invention, the throttling unit (11) has at least two, preferably exactly two, expansion valves (13, 15) which are arranged in parallel and which, controlled by means of the control unit (41), can be individually, in groups or as a whole, through which the working medium flows.