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 sorption and vapor compression cycles within a single enclosure, sharing ambient air fans and hydronic or refrigerant loops to provide both heating and cooling efficiently, reducing the need for separate systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two separate heat pumps are installed for heating and cooling, then both functions are provided, but cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates two complete heat pump systems (sorption for heating, vapor compression for cooling) into one physical unit. They share the same enclosure, condenser, evaporator, ambient air fan, and control system, reducing installation space and eliminating the need for separate outdoor units for heating and cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system provides multiple functions through a single device: the sorption system handles heating, the vapor compression system handles cooling, and both systems share common components (condenser, evaporator, fan, controls) that serve dual purposes. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized equipment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a sorption system is made reversible for cooling, then both heating and cooling are provided, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than making a single sorption system reversible (which would require complex valves and controls), the patent segments the system into two independent subsystems: a fuel-fired sorption system for heating and an electric vapor compression system for cooling. Each subsystem is optimized for its specific function without requiring reversibility mechanisms, significantly reducing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of attempting to reverse the sorption system for cooling (the conventional approach), the patent inverts the strategy by using a separate vapor compression system specifically for cooling. This eliminates the need for reversible components in the sorption system while still providing both heating and cooling functions.
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 integrated system reduces installation costs and space by allowing a single unit to handle both heating and cooling efficiently, with the sorption system providing high heating efficiency and the vapor compression system providing high cooling efficiency, while allowing simultaneous operation for enhanced performance.
Implementation Method 1
thermally activated heat pumps (such as absorption or adsorption cycles, collectively sorption)
Implementation Method 2
waste heat generated from a drive source such as an engine is used in at least one of a compression type air conditioner and an absorption type air conditioner
Implementation Method 3
vapor compression cycle heat pumps driven by electrical power
Implementation Method 4
a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator
Implementation Method 5
a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator
Implementation Method 6
The evaporator for the sorption cycle and the condenser for the vapor compression cycle are nested such that the condenser is surrounded by the evaporator
Implementation Method 7
The nested heat exchangers share a common ambient air fan
Data Source
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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.