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US PATENT # 12,326,281
Abstract
An add-on retrofit apparatus for improving the overall efficiency of a conventional air- source air conditioner or air-source heat pump is disclosed. The add-on apparatus is a combination of piping and at least one controllable valve that provides fluid and electric or electronic control communication between a host receiving air conditioner or heat pump piping circuit and a discretionary interacting energy exchange system. The add-on apparatus having connecting refrigerant gas piping and connecting refrigerant liquid piping for communicating fluids between the host and interacting energy exchange system. The electric or electronic communication can employ self-teaching with predictive software and have the ability to override a conventional air conditioning or heat pump control system to access energy sources.
OPTIMUM DAILY APPLICATION OF A HYBRID HEAT PUMP WITH WARM AND COOL THERMAL STORAGE
This diagram sheet shows three different piping arrangements for yearly seasons. Each arrangement has four connecting points. One operational difference is the direction of refrigerant flow. The second operational difference is the application of the refrigerant flow during normal cycle or when routed through an energy-exchange process with an energy-carrying water-based fluid. The cycles are shown on the left as “Late spring – summer – early fall” when daily outdoor conditions are generally warm or hot. The cycles are shown on the right as “Late fall – winter – early spring” when daily outdoor conditions are generally cool or cold. Because climates have “shoulder seasons” control software may shift from one to the other throughout a 24 hour period.
The diagram sheet depicts six different scenarios where the top left and right inserts are in normal default based on the hybrid control software determining that there is no watt reduction advantage using other than the host cycle, its controls, and the indoor thermostat. An example for the upper left would be the home exterior is experiencing a cool day, however, the indoors is experiencing high solar gain through windows and the thermostat is calling for cooling. An example for the upper right would be that the home exterior heat exchanger (evaporator in heating mode) is located in the direct sun or in an enclosure and the indoor thermostat is calling for heating.
The middle left insert depicts a hot weather scenario where the system is operated when the indoor thermostat is not calling for cooling and the outdoor temperature is at its coolest in a 24 hour cycle. The exterior hybrid software overrides normal compressor and condenser circuit to run both motors. The hybrid energy-exchanger and energy-carrying fluid chill an energy storage system during this off-peak period. The middle right insert depicts a cold weather scenario where the system is operated when the indoor thermostat is not calling for heating during the warmest period in 24 hour cycle, the exterior hybrid software overrides normal compressor and indoor heat exchanger (condenser in heating mode) supply fan controls to operate and store heat in an energy storage system.
The lower left scenario provides a cold sink during highest daytime ambient conditions. The lower right scenario provides a heat source during nighttime lowest temperature ambient conditions.
RETROFIT APPARATUS MOCK-UP CABINET
The internal pipe and valving plus an energy-exchanger can be located in compact weatherproof cabinet. The cabinet would best be located adjacent to an air-conditioning appliance or to the outside heat exchanger of a heat pump appliance. The dimensions illustrated are intended for possible proportional relevance and therefore a manufactured final product may differ.
By locating the cabinet adjacent and outdoors a technician would have accessibility. The pressure drops through the retrofit apparatus would be in line with the pressure drop of the existing system. The mass flow balance of the apparatus would not affect the compressor from a typical system with 30 feet of refrigerant line.
In this mock-up flexible insulated refrigerant lines (1-liquid and 4-gas) run from the hybrid cabinet to the outside energy exchange cabinet. Only two gas lines lead inside the exterior energy exchange cabinet in order to penetrate the host circuit at a point between the compressor (or reversing valve in the case of a heat pump) and the energy exchanger inlet. The remaining three lines (1-liquid and 2-gas) are connected to the host piping circuit at the exterior normal connecting point of the exterior energy exchange cabinet of a split system.
Diverting manual shut-off bidirectional valves would expected to be incorporated and added to the host piping circuit during field installation.
APPARATUS VALVING AND PIPING MOCK-UP
The reader is encouraged to become familiar with the referenced patent when reviewing this description. This mock-up three dimensional view of piping illustrates a possible manufacturer’s approach to a valving and piping layout. The connecting point identifiers of 90, 92A, 92B, 93A, and 93B can be found on FIGURES 11A, 11B, and 12 of the Add-On Retrofit Apparatus patent. Actuatable bidirectional refrigerant ball valves (Mueller, etc.) 20 and 22 are located in the host piping circuit and are normally open and would default to the open position.
Actuatable refrigerant bidirectional ball valves 21, 60, and 67 are located in the hybrid piping circuit and would default to the closed position. Thermostatic valve 13c would have a reversing flow check valve as would host reversing TXVs shown as 13a and 13b in a heat pump.
This mock-up shows the hybrid piping circuitry as balanced to maintain an even mass flow rate regardless of mode of operation and direction of flow. Additionally, the piping uses long radius bends. Also shown is a compact refrigerant-to-aqueous energy exchanger 70. There are multiple manufacturers of these systems in the US that are approved by the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). In the arrangement shown the entering and leaving aqueous solution is located at the top.
Additional comments as to the layout approach depicted by this mock-up are: (1) 24vac actuators can be employed, (2) valve operation can be staggered to minimize load, (3) by staggering valve actuation eliminates fluid velocity hammer, (4) battery backup can be employed, and (5) accessible service to the actuators.
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