Multi-Mode Thermal Exchange Unit for Heat Pump Efficiency Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal exchange systems for heating and cooling buildings are inefficient and costly due to the complexity and cost of equipment and plumbing required to connect thermal sources and sinks to heat pumps, and they often fail to optimize efficiency across varying environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize multiple thermal exchange and storage units, such as air-to-liquid heat exchangers and ground heat exchangers, connected in various configurations to provide usable source fluid to heat pumps, allowing for efficient switching between air source, ground source, preconditioning, and parallel modes to optimize thermal energy exchange based on ambient and ground temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple thermal exchange units are used to optimize efficiency across varying environmental conditions, then system efficiency and adaptability improve, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a single thermal exchange unit that can operate in multiple modes (air source mode, ground source mode, and hybrid mode) to provide source fluid for heat pumps. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated air source and ground source systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to optimize efficiency across varying environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different operational modes (air source, ground source, and hybrid) based on real-time environmental conditions such as ambient temperature and ground temperature. This dynamic operation allows the system to adapt to changing conditions and optimize efficiency without requiring multiple static systems, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Productivity
If thermal exchange units are connected in complex configurations to provide source fluid, then thermal energy exchange efficiency improves, but equipment cost and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single thermal exchange unit is designed to perform multiple functions by switching between air source mode, ground source mode, and hybrid mode. This eliminates the need for separate air source heat exchangers and ground source heat exchangers, significantly reducing equipment costs and plumbing complexity while maintaining high thermal energy exchange efficiency through optimized operational modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the functions of air source thermal exchange and ground source thermal exchange into a single integrated thermal exchange unit. By combining these functions and using a common source fluid circulation system with mode switching capability, the invention reduces the total amount of equipment and plumbing required compared to having separate systems, thereby lowering installation costs and complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated air source and ground source systems are installed, then system versatility is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal exchange unit is designed as a universal system that can provide source fluid for both heating and cooling operations by switching between air source mode, ground source mode, and hybrid mode. This single multi-functional unit replaces the need for separate dedicated air source and ground source systems, reducing system configuration complexity while maintaining full versatility for different heating and cooling needs.
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 cost-effective and efficient operation of heat pumps by optimizing thermal energy exchange, reducing equipment and plumbing needs, and improving overall efficiency across different environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The source fluid is preferably conditioned using thermal exchange and storage units that interact with one or more thermal sources and sinks such as, but not limited to, ambient air, the earth and solar thermal collectors
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing useable source fluid from a thermal exchange unit and/or one or more thermal exchange and storage units is disclosed. Topologies described allow operation in an air source, a ground source, a preconditioning, a parallel and a simultaneous mode. In the air source mode conditioned source fluid is obtained exclusively from an air-to-liquid heat exchanger. In the ground source mode source fluid is obtained exclusively from a ground heat exchanger. In the preconditioning mode source fluid from the air-to-liquid heat exchanger is used to condition a ground heat exchanger. In the parallel mode source fluid is obtained from both the air-to-liquid heat exchanger and a ground heat exchangers. In the simultaneous mode, source fluid from the air-to-liquid heat exchanger is used to improve the thermal condition of a ground heat exchanger while source fluid for the heat pump is obtained from another ground heat exchanger.