Hybrid Heat Pump Startup Control for Peak Power Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid heat pumps with engine-driven and electric compressors face challenges in managing instantaneous power consumption, leading to potential increases in energy costs due to concentrated power usage during compressor startups.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump configuration that includes an engine, an electric compressor, an electric actuator, and a controller, which performs engine starting control and electric compressor starting control to lower or maintain the output of electric components during startup, thereby preventing power concentration and reducing instantaneous power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the engine-driven compressor and electric compressor are operated simultaneously or sequentially without output adjustment, then the cooling or heating capacity is sufficient, but the instantaneous power consumption increases significantly during startup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the output of electric actuators adjustable and time-dependent. During engine or electric compressor startup, the controller dynamically reduces the output of electric actuators (such as fans) to prevent power consumption spikes, then restores normal output after startup completion. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining sufficient cooling/heating capacity and limiting instantaneous power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller performs preliminary action by detecting startup conditions of the engine-driven compressor or electric compressor in advance, and proactively reduces the output of electric actuators before the power consumption spike occurs. This preemptive measure prevents the contradiction from manifesting, ensuring both adequate capacity and controlled power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the output of electric actuators is reduced during compressor startup, then the instantaneous power consumption is suppressed, but the cooling or heating efficiency temporarily decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing temporary, time-limited output reduction of electric actuators only during the startup period of compressors. The controller maintains reduced output for a predetermined time duration sufficient to cover the startup phase, then restores normal output. This periodic adjustment ensures power consumption is controlled during critical startup moments while minimizing impact on overall cooling/heating efficiency.
3Reliability
If the engine-driven compressor and electric compressor are both equipped with full starting capability, then the system reliability is high, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a single controller that manages both the engine-driven compressor and electric compressor operations, as well as coordinates the output adjustment of multiple electric actuators. This multi-functional controller consolidates the control system, maintaining high system reliability through coordinated operation of both compressors while avoiding the complexity increase that would result from separate control systems for each compressor and actuator.
Data Source
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AI summary
A heat pump includes an engine, an electric compressor, an electric actuator different from the electric compressor, and a controller. The controller performs at least one of engine starting control and electric compressor starting control. In the engine starting control, the controller lowers or maintains output of at least one of the electric compressor and the electric actuator at an engine starting timing, and raises the output of the at least one of the electric compressor and the electric actuator after starting of the engine. In the electric compressor starting control, the controller lowers or maintains output of the electric actuator at an electric compressor starting timing, and raises the output of the electric actuator after starting of the electric compressor.