Modular encapsulated heat pumps

Apparatus being a thermal system utilizing removable heat pump modules with encapsulating enclosures using explosive and toxic refrigerants, said apparatus comprising:

• a connectivity set for each of the heat pump modules;
• a computerized controller;
• and
• a space occupying energy absorbing element
• where the thermal system is any system for delivery of thermal energy regardless of thermal polarity;
• the thermal system enables removal of any heat pump module without overall system shutdown for rapid and uncomplicated serviceability while maintaining continuous operation;
• the connectivity set includes an electric supply connection and a controls connection, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of a thermally affected air flow, a thermal transfer fluid flow, a refrigerant flow, and a direct thermal energy flow, a motor and refrigerant oil cooling fluid flow, a desuperheater fluid flow, a vacuum flow, a clutched mechanical drive coupling, and a safety vent flow;
• and
• the heat pump modules in encapsulating enclosures each contain at least a compressor, one or more regulating valves, a refrigerant dryer, associated refrigerant tubing, a set of thermal sensors, a computerized controller, a set of refrigerant test ports for servicing, and a set of heat pump module to thermal system connections matching the connectivity set;
• the computerized controller controls overall thermal system operation while also enabling removal and installation of any one of the heat pump modules while the thermal system remains in operation;
• the space occupying energy absorbing element is removable from the heat pump modules when servicing is needed, and will absorb extreme pressure to maintain integrity of the encapsulating enclosures during a refrigerant leak and any overpressure byproduct of that leak including any refrigerant combustion event;
• and
• the connectivity set and the removable heat pump modules are configured such that no refrigerant leakage will occur during the removal and installation of the heat pump modules from the thermal system provided that a zero leakage refrigerant system servicing tool is used.

Apparatus being a zero leakage refrigerant system servicing tool for zero leakage servicing of explosive and toxic refrigerant systems, said apparatus comprising:

• an input refrigerant connection port;
• an output refrigerant connection port;
• a refrigerant reclamation pump;
• a refrigerant holding tank;
• a set of valves;
• and
• a set of hoses with manual spring loaded valve actuators,
• where the input and output refrigerant connection ports and the refrigerant reclamation pump are as one would typically use for evacuating refrigerant from a vapor cycle refrigeration system but are here embedded with the rest of the elements except the hoses;
• during reclamation, the set of valves connects the reclamation pump output to the output refrigerant connection port and the reclamation pump input to both the input refrigerant connection port and the refrigerant holding tank, the hoses are connected to the refrigerant system being serviced, manual spring loaded valve actuators on the hoses are positioned in their open mode, and the reclamation pump is operated;
• and
• following reclamation, the manual spring loaded valve actuators on the hoses are closed, the set of valves isolates the output refrigerant connection port then connects the output of the reclamation pump to the refrigerant holding tank and the input of the reclamation pump to both the output refrigerant connection port and the input refrigerant connection port, the reclamation pump is operated while monitoring the pressure sensors to assure evacuation of all lines, the set of valves isolates the refrigerant holding tank, and the hoses are disconnected from the refrigerant system being serviced.