Variable-Length Air Separation for Heat Pump Re-Suction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat pump systems for cooling, air conditioning, or heating often experience a degradation in performance due to the re-suction of discharged air, which can be caused by the mixing of incoming and outgoing air flows, particularly when systems are installed in configurations with obstacles or in small areas, leading to recirculation of air.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a heat exchange unit with a heat exchanger and air separation means that extend longitudinally from the outlet to channel discharged air away from incoming air, minimizing re-suction by creating a separation between the discharge air and outside air, and allowing for adjustable length to accommodate varying wall thicknesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the heat exchange unit is placed close to the wall to reduce installation space, then the system volume is reduced, but the discharged air may be re-sucked by the inlet causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The air separation means extends in the longitudinal dimension away from the heat exchange unit outlet, creating a spatial separation zone that prevents discharged air from being re-sucked by the inlet. This dimensional extension allows the unit to be placed close to the wall without compromising performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The air separation means acts as an intermediary structure between the outlet and the surrounding environment, channeling discharged air away from the inlet zone and preventing harmful recirculation while maintaining compact installation.
2Productivity
If the air separation means has a fixed long extension to prevent re-suction, then system performance is maintained, but the installation flexibility for different wall thicknesses is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The air separation means is designed with variable longitudinal extension that can be adjusted according to different wall thicknesses and installation configurations, allowing the system to adapt to various environments while maintaining effective air separation and performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The length parameter of the air separation means can be varied to optimize both the prevention of air re-suction and the adaptability to different installation spaces, resolving the contradiction between performance and versatility.
3Ease of operation
If obstacles are present near the heat exchange unit, then installation locations are constrained, but air flow mixing and re-suction are exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
The air separation means serves as a protective intermediary that channels discharged air away from potential recirculation zones created by obstacles, maintaining effective separation even in constrained installation locations with nearby obstacles.
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 effectively reduces the re-suction of discharged air, minimizing performance degradation and allowing for a more compact system installation by ensuring the heat exchange unit can be placed closer to the wall, regardless of thickness, thus reducing the overall system volume.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchange unit which provides heat exchange with the air outside said unit and which comprises at least one heat exchanger, namely an evaporator or a condenser, in which a heat transfer fluid circulates
Implementation Method 2
means for sucking in the air at the inlet so that it passes through the said at least one exchanger and is discharged at the outlet
Data Source
Figure 1~11
Figure 2~8
Figure 3~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for cooling, air conditioning or heating a building based on the principle of the heat pump, and which comprises: - a heat exchange unit (22) ensuring a heat exchange with the outside air and comprising an exchanger in which a heat transfer fluid circulates, the unit comprising an inlet for the suction of outside air, a discharge air outlet (40) and means for suction of air at the inlet, - means (70) for separating the discharge air from the outside air intended to enter the unit (22), the means (70) for separating the air being arranged in front of the outlet (40) of the unit heat exchanger and extending longitudinally in the axial extension of said outlet and away from the latter so as to channel the discharge air from the outlet (40), said air separation means being configured to that their longitudinal extension may vary.