Hybrid fossil fuel-electric multi-function heat pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heating and cooling systems require separate installations of fuel-fired sorption heat pumps and electric vapor compression air conditioners for buildings needing both heating and cooling, leading to high costs and space requirements, with sorption systems being inefficient for cooling and adding complexity.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid fossil fuel-electric multifunction heat pump system integrating thermally activated sorption and vapor compression cycles, sharing ambient air fans and hydronic loops to reduce space and cost, allowing simultaneous operation for heating and cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a fuel-fired sorption heat pump is installed for heating, then high heating efficiency is achieved, but cooling efficiency is low and additional components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a fuel-fired sorption heat pump system and an electric vapor compression air conditioner into a single integrated unit. The sorption system provides high-efficiency heating when needed, while the vapor compression system provides efficient cooling when needed, eliminating the need for separate equipment installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system serves multiple functions: it can operate as a fuel-fired sorption heat pump for high-efficiency heating, as an electric vapor compression air conditioner for efficient cooling, or in hybrid mode. This multi-functionality allows a single system to replace what would traditionally require two separate pieces of equipment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two separate heat pumps are installed for heating and cooling, then both heating and cooling needs are met, but installation cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges a fuel-fired sorption heat pump system and an electric vapor compression air conditioner into a single integrated unit. The sorption system provides high-efficiency heating when needed, while the vapor compression system provides efficient cooling when needed, eliminating the need for separate equipment installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The vapor compression system is nested within or alongside the sorption heat pump system, with shared components such as the condenser heat exchanger, ambient air fan, and control system. This nesting arrangement allows both systems to occupy the same outdoor space while maintaining their distinct operational functions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a sorption system is made reversible for cooling, then cooling function is added, but cost and complexity increase and heating efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a fuel-fired sorption heat pump system and an electric vapor compression air conditioner into a single integrated unit. The sorption system provides high-efficiency heating when needed, while the vapor compression system provides efficient cooling when needed, eliminating the need for separate equipment installations.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than making the sorption system reversible (which would compromise heating efficiency), the patent segments the system into two independent subsystems: a fuel-fired sorption heat pump dedicated to heating and an electric vapor compression system dedicated to cooling. Each subsystem operates independently at its optimal efficiency without requiring reversible modifications.
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 hybrid system achieves high heating efficiency with sorption cycles and high cooling efficiency with vapor compression cycles, reducing overall installation costs and space requirements while enabling simultaneous heating and cooling operations.
Implementation Method 1
a thermally activated sorption heat pump system for space and/or water heating comprising a desorber, condenser, evaporator and absorber
Implementation Method 2
an electric-powered vapor compression heat pump system comprising a compressor, condenser and evaporator
Implementation Method 3
condenser
Implementation Method 4
evaporator
Implementation Method 5
an air-moving device that causes air to flow over both the evaporator of the sorption heat pump system and condenser of the vapor compression heat pump system
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-function heating and cooling device, comprising components for an ambient air-coupled sorption heat pump cycle and vapor compression cooling cycle integrated together inside a single enclosure is proposed. The sorption heat pump portion is configured to provide very high heating efficiency, while the vapor compression portion is configured to provide high cooling efficiency. The evaporator coil for the sorption cycle and the condenser coil for the vapor compression cycle are configured to share a common ambient-air fan, saving space and cost. By combining the two heating-cooling systems into a single enclosure with shared components, the total installed cost and outdoor space required is reduced compared to installing separate heating and cooling systems.