Hybrid Heat Pump Flow Balancing for Frost-Resistant Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric heat pump (EHP) type air conditioners face issues with frost formation during low-temperature warming, while gas heat pump (GHP) type air conditioners suffer from low engine efficiency due to heat loss, necessitating improved performance and efficiency measures.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner combines EHP and GHP outdoor units with a flow rate balancing unit that connects and controls the flow rate between the heat exchangers, using a balancing valve and sensors to manage pressure differences, allowing for simultaneous operation of both units to enhance efficiency and expand heat exchanger effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If EHP type air conditioner uses electric power to drive compressor, then compressor control is easy and energy efficiency is high, but outdoor heat exchanger is covered with frost during low temperature warming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines EHP and GHP outdoor units into a single hybrid system that can operate together. The GHP unit's engine waste heat is used to defrost the outdoor heat exchanger of the EHP unit during low-temperature warming operations, resolving the frost formation issue while maintaining the high energy efficiency of the EHP compressor control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the waste heat from the GHP engine, which would normally be a loss, into a useful resource for defrosting the outdoor heat exchanger. This eliminates the harmful frost accumulation while utilizing what would otherwise be wasted thermal energy.
2Reliability
If GHP type air conditioner uses engine waste heat, then defrosting performance is excellent, but engine efficiency is low due to heat loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the EHP and GHP systems so that the GHP engine waste heat is directed to defrost the outdoor heat exchanger of the hybrid system. This maintains excellent defrosting performance while the balanced flow rate control ensures the engine operates at optimal efficiency points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flow rate balancing valve to dynamically adjust and balance the refrigerant flow rates between the EHP and GHP heat exchangers. This parameter control ensures that the engine operates at efficient load points while still providing sufficient waste heat for effective defrosting operations.
3Ease of operation
If only one outdoor unit operates, then system operation is simple, but heat exchanger effectiveness is not maximized during partial load operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic flow rate balancing that automatically adjusts the refrigerant distribution between the EHP and GHP heat exchangers based on operating conditions. During partial load operations, both units can operate simultaneously with optimized flow rates, maximizing heat exchanger effectiveness while maintaining simple automated control through the flow rate balancing valve.
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 maximally enhances system efficiency by about 30% during partial load operations by effectively balancing flow rates and utilizing both heat exchangers, even when only one unit is active, thereby improving overall performance and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a flow rate balancing unit configured to connect the first heat exchanger with the second heat exchanger, and to control a flow rate of the refrigerant of the EHP outdoor unit and the GHP outdoor unit
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger that evaporates or condenses a refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
a first compressor configured to compress the refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner and a method for controlling an air conditioner are provided. The air conditioner may include an EHP outdoor device configured to drive a first compressor using electric power, and having a first heat exchanger that evaporates or condenses a refrigerant; a GHP outdoor device having an engine configured to drive a second compressor using a burned gas and a second heat exchanger that evaporates or condenses the refrigerant; and a flow rate balancing device configured to connect the first heat exchanger with the second heat exchanger, and to control a flow rate of the refrigerant through the EHP outdoor device and the GHP outdoor device.