US 11,680,739 B2 · Vapour compression apparatus

Abstract

The present invention describes a vapour compression apparatus wherein an intermediary located heat battery is capable of releasing charge (i.e. discharging) and/or charging and thereby controlling the temperature of a heat source or heat sink temperature in a vapour compression cycle. More particularly, the present invention describes vapour compression apparatus wherein an intermediary located heat battery comprising Phase change material (PCM) is capable of releasing charge (i.e. discharging) energy and/or charging and thereby controlling the temperature of a heat source and/or heat sink temperature in a vapour compression cycle in a range of refrigeration and/or heating systems including: air conditioning in both domestic and industrial uses; transportation of food/materials in vehicles, trains, air, etc. The present invention also relates to a methodology for selecting phase change materials (PCMs) and/or refrigerants for a vapour compression apparatus.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A vapour compression apparatus comprising:

a pumping device which is used to pump a refrigerant;
a condenser which is capable of condensing the refrigerant;
an evaporator which is capable of evaporating the refrigerant;
a heat battery comprising a phase change material (PCM);
a series of temperature and/or pressure sensors capable of monitoring the temperature and/or pressure of the phase change material (PCM) in the heat battery;
wherein the heat battery is capable of being connected to the condenser and/or evaporator to release charge energy and/or be charged whereby the heat battery is capable of controlling the temperature of a heat source and/or heat sink temperature in a vapour compression cycle;
wherein the series of temperature and/or pressure sensors are immersed in the phase change material (PCM) which provides a real-time measurement of the temperature and/or pressure of the heat battery, thereby providing an indication of when a refrigerant flow direction should be switched.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vapour compression apparatus

Life of this patent

Vapour compression apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20