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US 12,203,683 B2Granted
Apparatus and methods for heating water with refrigerant from air conditioning system
AssigneeRheem Manufacturing Company
InventorsTimothy B. Hawkins, Jeremy L. Babb
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for heating water has a tank for storing water and an air conditioning system that defines a refrigerant flow path through which refrigerant flows. The refrigerant flow path passes through the heat exchanger so that refrigerant heat is contributed to the tank. A control system controls operation of the water heating apparatus.
Claims17
A system comprising:
- a water heater having a heat source;
- a refrigerant circuit configured to transport a refrigerant therethrough;
- a first heat exchanger in fluid communication with the refrigerant circuit, the first heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and air for a conditioned space;
- a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the refrigerant circuit, the second heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and air of an exterior space that is thermally separated from the conditioned space;
- a third heat exchanger in fluid communication with the refrigerant circuit, the third heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and water associated with the water heater;
- a compressor in fluid communication with the refrigerant circuit, the compressor configured to move the refrigerant through the refrigerant circuit;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- receive temperature data from one or more temperature sensors, the temperature data indicating a first air temperature of the conditioned space, a second air temperature of air of the exterior space, and a water temperature of the water;
- determine, based at least in part on the water temperature, that the water is to be heated;
- select, based at least in part on the first air temperature, the second air temperature, and the water temperature, the heat source or the third heat exchanger to heat the water;
- determine, based at least in part on the first air temperature, that the conditioned space is to be cooled;
- output first instructions to the selected heat source or third heat exchanger to heat the water;
- output second instructions to cool the conditioned space;
- monitor, using the one or more temperature sensors, the first air temperature, the second air temperature, and the water temperature;
- select, based at least in part on changes in the first temperature, the second temperature, or the water temperature persisting for more than a first predetermined amount of time, the heat source or the third heat exchanger to heat the water;
- determine that the water temperature is greater than or equal to a high set point value;
- cease heating of the water in response to the determination that the water temperature is greater than or equal to a high set point value;
- determine that the water temperature is less than or equal to a low set point value;
- select the third heat exchanger to heat the water;
- output instructions for the refrigerant to flow from the compressor, to the second heat exchanger, to the third heat exchanger, and to the first heat exchanger, thereby providing cooled air to the conditioned space and refrigerant heat to the water;
- determine, after using the third heat exchanger for a second predetermined amount of time, that the water temperature is less than or equal to the low set point value;
- and
- select the heat source to heat the water.
21 more elements
A system comprising:
- a water heater having a heat source;
- a refrigerant circuit configured to transport a refrigerant therethrough;
- a first heat exchanger in fluid communication with the refrigerant circuit, the first heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and air for a conditioned space;
- a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the refrigerant circuit, the second heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and air of an exterior space that is thermally separated from the conditioned space;
- a third heat exchanger in fluid communication with the refrigerant circuit, the third heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and water associated with a water heater;
- a compressor in fluid communication with the refrigerant circuit, the compressor configured to move the refrigerant through the refrigerant circuit;
- one or more valves in fluid communication with the refrigerant circuit and configured to direct or block a flow of the refrigerant through one or more portions of the refrigerant circuit;
- and
- a controller in communication with at least the compressor, the heat source, and the one or more valves, the controller being configured to:
- receive temperature data indicating a first air temperature of the conditioned space, a second air temperature of air of with the exterior space, and a water temperature of the water;
- determine, based at least in part on the temperature data, that the water is to be heated;
- select, based at least in part on the first air temperature, the second air temperature, and the water temperature, the heat source or the third heat exchanger to heat the water;
- in response to selecting to heat the water via the heat source, output instructions for (i) the one or more valves to block a flow of refrigerant to the third heat exchanger and (ii) the heat source to activate;
- in response to selecting to heat the water via the refrigerant from the third heat exchanger, output instructions for (i) the one or more valves to direct a flow of refrigerant to the third heat exchanger, thereby providing refrigerant heat to the water, and (ii) the heat source to deactivate;
- determine, based at least in part on the first air temperature, that the conditioned space is to be cooled;
- output second instructions to cool the conditioned space;
- monitor the first air temperature, the second air temperature, and the water temperature;
- select, based at least in part on changes in the first temperature, the second temperature, or the water temperature persisting for more than a first predetermined amount of time, the heat source or the third heat exchanger to heat the water;
- determine that the water temperature is equal to or less than a high set point value;
- cease heating of the water in response to the determination that the water temperature is greater than or equal to a high set point value;
- determine that the water temperature is less than or equal to a low set point value;
- select the third heat exchanger to heat the water;
- output instructions for the refrigerant to flow from the compressor, to the second heat exchanger, to the third heat exchanger, and to the first heat exchanger, thereby providing cooled air to the conditioned space and refrigerant heat to the water;
- determine, after using the third heat exchanger for a second predetermined amount of time, that the water temperature is less than or equal to the low set point value;
- and
- select the heat source to heat the water.
23 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.