Integrated demand water heating using a capacity modulated heat pump with desuperheater
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems face inefficiencies in simultaneously providing space heating, cooling, and domestic water heating, often requiring multiple heat exchangers that can lead to refrigerant accumulation and inefficient capacity modulation.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump system with a desuperheater heat exchanger, a source heat exchanger, a load heat exchanger, a reversing valve, and an expansion valve, controlled by a variable speed compressor and pumps, allows for six operational modes, including concurrent domestic water heating and space conditioning, using a single expansion valve to enhance efficiency and eliminate refrigerant accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple heat exchangers are used for space heating, cooling, and domestic water heating, then the system can provide all three functions, but refrigerant accumulation occurs and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the domestic water heating function and space conditioning function into a single integrated heat pump system. The desuperheater heat exchanger is positioned downstream of the compressor to recover heat from the hot refrigerant gas, simultaneously providing domestic water heating while the refrigerant is still hot. This merging eliminates the need for separate heat exchangers for each function, preventing refrigerant accumulation issues while maintaining all three functions (space heating, space cooling, and domestic water heating).
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pump system is designed with multi-functionality to perform space heating, space cooling, and domestic water heating through a single integrated system. The desuperheater heat exchanger serves as a universal component that can operate in different modes: as a desuperheater during cooling cycles, as a condenser during heating cycles, and as an evaporator in heat recovery modes. This universal design allows the system to adapt to various operational requirements without requiring multiple dedicated components for each function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple heat exchangers are used for space heating, cooling, and domestic water heating, then the system can provide all three functions, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the domestic water heating function and space conditioning function into a single integrated heat pump system. The desuperheater heat exchanger is positioned downstream of the compressor to recover heat from the hot refrigerant gas, simultaneously providing domestic water heating while the refrigerant is still hot. This merging eliminates the need for separate heat exchangers for each function, reducing system complexity while maintaining all three functions (space heating, space cooling, and domestic water heating).
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pump system is designed with multi-functionality to perform space heating, space cooling, and domestic water heating through a single integrated system. The desuperheater heat exchanger serves as a universal component that can operate in different modes: as a desuperheater during cooling cycles, as a condenser during heating cycles, and as an evaporator in heat recovery modes. This universal design allows the system to adapt to various operational requirements without requiring multiple dedicated components for each function.
3Productivity
If conventional heat pump systems operate, then heating and cooling can be provided, but capacity modulation for varying demands is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic capacity modulation by positioning the desuperheater heat exchanger downstream of the compressor and using a reversing valve to control refrigerant flow direction. The system can dynamically switch between different operational modes (heating, cooling, heat recovery) based on demand conditions. The variable speed compressor and electronic expansion valve further enable continuous capacity modulation to match varying heating and cooling demands, improving productivity and demand flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves capacity modulation through parameter changes in refrigerant flow control. The electronic expansion valve adjusts refrigerant flow rate based on demand conditions, while the reversing valve changes the direction of refrigerant flow to switch between heating and cooling modes. The variable speed compressor adjusts its operating speed to match the required capacity, enabling the system to adapt to varying demands efficiently.
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 achieves efficient and flexible operation in multiple modes, minimizing component usage and refrigerant accumulation, while allowing capacity modulation for varying demands, optimizing heating and cooling performance.
Implementation Method 1
a desuperheater heat exchanger positioned downstream of the compressor and operable as a desuperheater, a condenser, or an evaporator
Implementation Method 2
a source heat exchanger operable as either a condenser or an evaporator
Implementation Method 3
a load heat exchanger operable as either a condenser or an evaporator
Implementation Method 4
a variable speed compressor
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pump system provides at least six modes of heating, cooling, and/or domestic water heating operation, where domestic water heating may occur concurrently with heating or cooling a space in a structure. The heat pump system comprises a desuperheater positioned downstream of the compressor and operable as a desuperheater, a condenser or an evaporator, a source heat exchanger operable as either a condenser or an evaporator, a load heat exchanger operable as either a condenser or an evaporator, a reversing valve positioned downstream of the desuperheater heat exchanger and configured to alternately direct refrigerant flow from the desuperheater heat exchanger to one of the load heat exchanger and the source heat exchanger and to alternately return refrigerant flow from the other of the load heat exchanger and the source heat exchanger to the compressor, and an expansion valve positioned between the load heat exchanger and the source heat exchanger.