Open air-cycle ventilating heat pump

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing climate-control systems fail to efficiently cool or heat spaces while simultaneously delivering fresh outdoor air and exhausting indoor air, thus compromising comfort and air quality.

Innovation Solution

An open air-cycle ventilating heat pump system utilizing first and second turbomachines, heat exchangers, and fans to circulate outdoor and return air, isolating airflow paths to achieve cooling and heating modes with integrated ventilation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional climate-control systems are used for cooling or heating, then thermal comfort is provided, but fresh air delivery and air quality improvement are not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair quality and comfortVSAvoidventilation function

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The heat pump system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: cooling or heating the space while also delivering fresh outdoor air and exhausting indoor air. The system integrates ventilation capabilities into the climate-control function, allowing a single device to provide both thermal comfort and air quality improvement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines the climate-control function with the ventilation function into a unified system. The heat pump cycles are integrated with the air handling components, merging what would traditionally be separate systems (HVAC and ventilation) into one coordinated unit that operates together to provide both temperature control and air exchange.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If separate ventilation systems are added to climate-control systems, then air quality improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair qualityVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the ventilation function with the climate-control system by integrating air handling components into the heat pump system. The same air streams used for heating or cooling are also utilized for ventilation and exhaust functions, eliminating the need for completely separate ventilation equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If outdoor air is used for ventilation, then air quality improves, but thermal load on the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair qualityVSAvoidthermal energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the outdoor air itself as an intermediary heat transfer medium. The outdoor air is conditioned through heat exchange processes within the heat pump cycles, allowing it to serve both as a ventilation source and as a participant in the thermal management process, thereby reducing the overall energy burden.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The outdoor air introduced for ventilation purposes is conditioned (cooled or heated) by participating in the heat pump cycles. The system utilizes the temperature difference between outdoor and indoor air to drive heat transfer processes, allowing the ventilation air to contribute to or benefit from the thermal conditioning process rather than representing a pure energy burden.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 effectively cools or heats spaces while ventilating, improving comfort and air quality by isolating airflow paths and utilizing outdoor air as a working fluid, enhancing thermal efficiency and air exchange.

Implementation Method 1

The first turbomachine is configured to compress air in the compressor mode and expand air in the expander mode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

The first heat exchanger may receive air from the first turbomachine... The second heat exchanger may receive air from the first heat exchanger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

The one or more fans may force air from the source of outdoor air across an exterior of the first heat exchanger and force indoor return air across an exterior of the second heat exchanger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4644797A1Open air-cycle ventilating heat pump

Publication Date: 2025.11.05 COPELAND LP

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AI summary

A climate-control system may include first and second turbomachines, first and second heat exchangers, and a fan. The first turbomachine may be fluidly connected with a source of outdoor air. The first and second turbomachines are operable in a compressor mode and in an expander mode. The turbomachines compress air in the compressor mode and expand air in the expander mode. The first heat exchanger may receive air from the first turbomachine. The second heat exchanger may be fluidly connected to the first heat exchanger and the second turbomachine. The fan may force air across an exterior of the first heat exchanger and force air across an exterior of the second heat exchanger. The air flowing across the exteriors of the first and second heat exchangers may be fluidly isolated from air flowing inside of the first and second heat exchangers.