Modulating reheat functionality for HVAC system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems face challenges in acutely controlling both temperature and humidity of the supply air flow, making it difficult to achieve desirable comfort cooling and dehumidification levels simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a modulating valve in the refrigerant circuit that directs refrigerant flow between a condenser coil and a reheat coil, allowing for adjustable apportionment based on detected operating parameters of the air flow, enabling precise control of both temperature and humidity through a vapor compression system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a vapor compression circuit is used for cooling and dehumidification, then cooling capability is achieved, but acute control of both temperature and humidity is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the refrigerant flow from the compressor into two separate paths using a modulating valve: one path directs refrigerant to a condenser coil for cooling, and the other path directs refrigerant to a reheat coil for humidity control. This segmentation allows independent control of temperature and humidity, resolving the difficulty of achieving acute control over both parameters simultaneously with a single vapor compression circuit.
2Temperature
If refrigerant flow is directed to condenser coil for cooling, then temperature control is improved, but humidity control capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reheat coil as an intermediary component that receives a portion of the refrigerant flow through a modulating valve. This reheat coil acts as a mediator between the cooling function (condenser coil) and the humidity control requirement, allowing precise adjustment of humidity levels by controlling the amount of refrigerant directed to the reheat coil without compromising temperature control.
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 solution allows for improved acute control of both temperature and humidity of the supply air flow, enhancing the conditioning of spaces by enabling the modulating valve to adjust refrigerant flow to achieve target properties, thus improving comfort and efficiency in HVAC systems.
Implementation Method 1
the first condenser coil is configured to receive a first refrigerant flow from a compressor of the refrigerant circuit
Implementation Method 2
conditioning of spaces by enabling the modulating valve to adjust refrigerant flow to achieve target properties
Implementation Method 3
direct the second refrigerant flow to a second condenser coil of the refrigerant circuit and to a reheat coil of the refrigerant circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a first condenser coil of a refrigerant circuit, wherein the first condenser coil is configured to receive a first refrigerant flow from a compressor of the refrigerant circuit, a modulating valve of the refrigerant circuit, and control circuitry communicatively coupled to the modulating valve. The modulating valve is configured to receive a second refrigerant flow from the compressor and configured to direct the second refrigerant flow to a second condenser coil of the refrigerant circuit and to a reheat coil of the refrigerant circuit in a parallel flow arrangement, and the control circuitry is configured to operate the modulating valve to apportion the second refrigerant flow between the second condenser coil and the reheat coil based on a detected operating parameter of an air flow directed across the reheat coil.