US 12,516,856 B2 · Hybrid heat-pump system

Abstract

A heat-pump system includes a compressor, an outdoor heating exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a supplemental heater. The outdoor heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the compressor. The indoor heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the compressor. The expansion device is in fluid communication with the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers. The supplemental heater includes a heat source and a working-fluid conduit. The heat source is in a heat-transfer relationship with the working-fluid conduit such that the heat source is configured to heat the working-fluid conduit. The working-fluid conduit is disposed fluidly between the expansion device and the indoor heat exchanger.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A heat-pump system comprising:

a compressor;
an outdoor heat exchanger in fluid communication with the compressor;
an indoor heat exchanger in fluid communication with the compressor;
an expansion device in fluid communication with the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers;
and
a supplemental heater including a heat source and a working-fluid conduit, wherein the heat source is in a heat-transfer relationship with the working-fluid conduit such that the heat source is configured to heat the working-fluid conduit, and
wherein the working-fluid conduit is disposed fluidly between the expansion device and the indoor heat exchanger such that the working fluid flows from the working-fluid conduit to the indoor heat exchanger without flowing through the compressor.

4 more elements

A heat-pump system comprising:

a compressor;
an outdoor heat exchanger in fluid communication with the compressor;
an indoor heat exchanger in fluid communication with the compressor;
an expansion device in fluid communication with the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers;
a first reversing valve having a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet, wherein the first inlet of the first reversing valve is fluidly connected with a discharge outlet of the compressor, the second inlet of the first reversing valve is fluidly connected with an outlet of the expansion device, the first outlet of the first reversing valve is fluidly connected with an inlet of the outdoor heat exchanger, and the second outlet provides working fluid to the indoor heat exchanger;
a second reversing valve having a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet, wherein the first inlet of the second reversing valve is fluidly connected with an outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger, the second inlet of the second reversing valve is fluidly connected with an outlet of the indoor heat exchanger, the first outlet of the second reversing valve is fluidly connected with an inlet of the expansion device, and the second outlet provides working fluid to a suction inlet of the compressor;
and
a supplemental heater including a heat source and a working-fluid conduit, wherein the heat source is in a heat-transfer relationship with the working-fluid conduit such that the heat source is configured to heat the working-fluid conduit, and
wherein the working-fluid conduit is disposed fluidly between the expansion device and the indoor heat exchanger.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hybrid heat-pump system

Life of this patent

Hybrid heat-pump system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22