Hot-water heat pump and method of controlling the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hot-water heat pump systems require significant installation costs and space due to the presence of a heat storage tank, and they struggle to rapidly adjust to abrupt temperature changes in the hot-water route.
Innovation Solution
A hot-water heat pump system that incorporates a thermal output heat exchanger and a three-way valve, controlled by a controller to directly absorb heat from the heat-source route, reducing the need for additional devices and allowing for rapid temperature adjustments by controlling the flow volume through the three-way valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heat storage tank is provided in the hot-water route, then temperature control is achieved, but installation cost and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the heat storage tank from the system by implementing direct heat exchange between the thermal output heat exchanger and the hot-water route. The control valve regulates temperature directly at the point of heat transfer, removing the need for a separate storage tank while maintaining temperature control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal output heat exchanger serves dual functions: it provides heat to the hot-water route and simultaneously acts as the temperature control point through the control valve. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate heat storage tank, reducing installation space and cost.
2Temperature
If a heat storage tank is provided in the hot-water route, then temperature control is achieved, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the heat storage tank from the system by implementing direct heat exchange between the thermal output heat exchanger and the hot-water route. The control valve regulates temperature directly at the point of heat transfer, removing the need for a separate storage tank while maintaining temperature control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal output heat exchanger serves dual functions: it provides heat to the hot-water route and simultaneously acts as the temperature control point through the control valve. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate heat storage tank, reducing installation space and cost.
3Temperature
If water stored in the heat storage tank is circulated to raise temperature, then temperature control is achieved, but heating time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention skips the time-consuming circulation process through a heat storage tank by implementing direct heat exchange. The control valve enables rapid adjustment of heat transfer at the thermal output heat exchanger, allowing the hot-water route to be heated directly and quickly without the delay of tank circulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the heat storage tank from the system by implementing direct heat exchange between the thermal output heat exchanger and the hot-water route. The control valve regulates temperature directly at the point of heat transfer, removing the need for a separate storage tank while maintaining temperature control functionality.
4Temperature
If temperature is controlled by adjusting flow volumes of heat-source route and coolant route, then temperature regulation is achieved, but response to abrupt temperature changes is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a control valve as an intermediary device in the hot-water route that directly regulates the flow of water receiving heat from the thermal output heat exchanger. This intermediary control mechanism enables rapid response to temperature changes by adjusting the hot-water flow directly at the point of heat transfer, rather than relying on slow adjustments to heat-source or coolant route flow volumes.
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 reduces installation costs and space requirements while accelerating heating time and effectively managing temperature fluctuations in the hot-water route.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal output heat exchanger that absorbs heat from a heat-source route and outputs heat
Implementation Method 2
a portion of the hot-water route outputted from the thermal output heat exchanger absorbs heat
Implementation Method 3
a three-way valve provided in the hot-water route; and a controller that controls the hot-water-heat-pump main unit and the three-way valve, wherein the controller controls the size of openings of the three-way valve so that a portion of the hot-water route outputted from the thermal output heat exchanger is guided to an upstream side of the thermal output heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A hot-water heat pump that is capable of reducing installation costs and installation space and also reducing the heating time of a hot-water route, and a method of controlling the same are provided. The hot-water heat pump (1) is provided with a hot-water-heat-pump main unit (2) that includes a thermal output heat exchanger that absorbs heat from a heat-source route and outputs heat; hot-water route (5 and 6) that receive heat outputted from the thermal output heat exchanger; a three-way valve (4) provided in the outlet-side hot-water route (6); and a controller that controls the hot-water-heat-pump main unit (2) and the three-way valve (4), wherein the controller controls the size of openings of the three-way valve (4) so that a portion of the outlet-side hot-water route (6) leading out of the thermal output heat exchanger is guided to an upstream side of the thermal output heat exchanger.