Water Heating Tank as Virtual Buffer for Heat Pump Space Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pump systems require additional space and complexity due to the need for a separate buffer vessel to store and release heat, which can be inconvenient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A heating system that utilizes a water heating tank as a virtual buffer tank, equipped with a heat exchanger and a controller that manages the transfer of heat between the tank, the heat pump, and the space heating system, allowing for efficient storage and reuse of heat without the need for a separate buffer tank.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a separate buffer vessel is installed to store and release heat, then heat storage capacity is improved, but device complexity and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the buffer vessel function with the existing hot water storage tank by enabling bidirectional heat transfer. The tank serves dual purposes: storing hot water for domestic use and storing thermal energy for space heating, eliminating the need for a separate buffer vessel while maintaining heat storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hot water storage tank is designed to perform multiple functions: providing domestic hot water, storing thermal energy for space heating, and acting as a buffer for the heat pump. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated separate components for each function.
2Quantity of substance
If a separate buffer vessel is installed to store and release heat, then heat storage capacity is improved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the buffer vessel functionality into the existing hot water storage tank, eliminating the need for additional installation of separate equipment. The system utilizes components already present in typical heat pump installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage tank is designed to serve multiple purposes simultaneously, reducing the number of components that need to be installed and connected. This multi-functionality simplifies installation while maintaining full heat storage capability.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the tank acts as a virtual buffer tank enabling heat transfer to space heating system, then heat pump on/off cycling is reduced, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs sensors to monitor tank temperature and heat pump operational status, providing feedback to the controller. This feedback mechanism enables the controller to make intelligent decisions about heat transfer timing and direction, reducing on/off cycling while maintaining simple control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively stores thermal energy in the tank during periods when the heat pump is running and space heating demand is low, preparing heat for later use when demand increases. This preliminary action smooths out demand fluctuations and reduces on/off cycling.
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 simplifies the heating system by eliminating the need for a separate buffer tank, reduces the number of on/off cycles of the heat pump, and optimizes energy use by allowing heat to be transferred between different components of the system as needed.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the heat transfer fluid and water from the cold water inlet
Implementation Method 2
the tank status being indicative of a quantity of thermal energy stored in the tank
Implementation Method 3
heat from the tank may be transferred not just to water to be heated, but to a space heating system or back to the heat pump
Data Source
AI summary
A heating system is provided. The heating system includes a heat pump to provide heat. The heating system includes a circuit of heat transfer fluid to transfer heat to or from the heat pump. The heating system includes a space heating system configured to transfer heat from the heat transfer fluid to an environment. The heating system includes a water heating system comprising a water tank for storing hot water to be provided to a user, a cold water inlet, a hot water outlet for drawing off hot water for supply to a user, and a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the heat transfer fluid and water from the cold water inlet. The heating system includes a means of sensing a tank status, the tank status being indicative of a quantity of thermal energy stored in the tank. The heating system includes a controller adapted to control the transfer of heat to and from the tank in dependence on the tank status.