Heat pump system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pump systems face challenges in accommodating both high and low flow rates of the heating medium, leading to issues such as increased water pressure loss and potential erosion in heat-transfer pipes during hot water accumulating operations, and difficulty in raising hot water outflow temperatures during indoor-heating operations.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump system with a switching apparatus that allows the heating medium to flow through heat exchangers in series during high flow rate operations and in parallel during low flow rate operations, optimizing heat exchange efficiency and reducing pressure loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If water flows in series through heat exchangers to improve heat transfer coefficient, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but water pressure loss increases and erosion may occur at high flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between series and parallel flow configurations based on operational conditions. The switching apparatus changes the flow path of the heating medium between series connection (for high heat transfer coefficient needs) and parallel connection (for high flow rate conditions), allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements and avoid excessive pressure loss and erosion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the flow configuration parameter (series/parallel) of the heat exchangers based on operational conditions. By adjusting the connection mode between heat exchangers, the system optimizes the balance between heat transfer coefficient and water pressure loss for different operating scenarios.
2Quantity of substance
If water flows in parallel through heat exchangers to increase flow rate, then water pressure loss is reduced, but hot water outflow temperature cannot be raised sufficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The switching apparatus enables dynamic reconfiguration of the heat exchanger network between parallel and series connections. When high flow rate is required, parallel connection is used; when high temperature output is needed, series connection is activated, allowing the system to meet different thermal requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow configuration parameter is changed based on operational needs. The system switches between parallel connection (for high flow rate) and series connection (for high temperature output), optimizing the balance between quantity and temperature of the heating medium.
3Device complexity
If a single heat exchanger configuration is used for both high and low flow rate operations, then device complexity is reduced, but performance deteriorates under certain operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a switching apparatus that enables dynamic reconfiguration between series and parallel connections. This dynamic capability allows a single heat exchanger system to adapt to both high flow rate and low flow rate operations, as well as different temperature requirements, without needing multiple dedicated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger system is designed with multi-functionality through the switching apparatus, allowing the same heat exchangers to serve different purposes (series for heat transfer efficiency, parallel for flow rate capacity) based on operational requirements, thereby achieving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
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 effectively manages both high and low flow rates, enhancing heat transfer efficiency, reducing pressure loss, and preventing erosion, while maintaining efficient heat accumulation and distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant compressed by the compressor and a heating medium; a second heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant compressed by the compressor and the heating medium
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pump system includes: a compressor for compressing refrigerant; a first heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant compressed by the compressor and a heating medium; a second heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant compressed by the compressor and the heating medium; a first pipe through which the refrigerant is fed from the compressor to the first heat exchanger; a second pipe through which the refrigerant returns from the first heat exchanger to the compressor; a third pipe through which the refrigerant is fed from the compressor to the second heat exchanger after returning from the first heat exchanger; and switching apparatus for switching a flow of the heating medium between a first mode and a second mode. The heating medium flows through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger in series in the first mode. The heating medium flows through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger in parallel in the second mode.