Temperature management system
AssigneeSPH Sustainable Process Heat GmbH
InventorsTim Hamacher, Andreas Mück
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A temperature management system, such as for a lubricant (3) contained in a lubricant reservoir (1) of a compressor system (2) for a heat pump that pumps a working medium, method for controlling a lubricant temperature, and heat pumps having a temperature management system, where the temperature of the lubricant (3) can be set flexibly, dynamically and in line with requirements, increasing the service life of the lubricant and improving the operating performance of the heat pump.
Claims16
Temperature management system for a lubricant present in a lubricant reservoir of a compressor system of a heat pump that a working medium flows through, comprising:
- a temperature probe or sensor configured to measure an actual lubricant temperature of the lubricant,
- a controller in operative signal communication with the temperature probe or sensor and is configured to determine whether the measured actual lubricant temperature is within a target lubricant temperature range;
- and
- a temperature controller in operative signal communication with the controller and configured to heat or cool the lubricant;
- wherein the controller is further configured to
- a. cause the temperature controller to cool the lubricant when the actual lubricant temperature is above the target lubricant temperature range, and
- b. cause the temperature controller to heat up the lubricant when the actual lubricant temperature is below the target lubricant temperature range.
A heat pump comprising:
- a temperature management system comprising
- a temperature probe or sensor configured to measure an actual lubricant temperature of the lubricant,
- a controller in operative signal communication with the temperature probe or sensor and is configured to determine whether the measured actual lubricant temperature is within a target lubricant temperature range;
- and
- a temperature controller in operative signal communication with the controller and configured to heat or cool the lubricant;
- wherein the controller is further configured to
- a. cause the temperature controller to cool the lubricant when the actual lubricant temperature is above the target lubricant temperature range, and
- b. cause the temperature controller to heat up the lubricant when the actual lubricant temperature is below the target lubricant temperature range.
A method for regulating a lubricant temperature of a lubricant present in a lubricant reservoir of a compressor system of a heat pump that a working medium flows through, said method comprising the following steps:
- (a) measuring of a pressure present in the lubricant reservoir;
- (b) identifying a condensation temperature of the working medium on the basis of the pressure measured at step (a);
- (c) specifying a target lubricant temperature range, wherein its lower temperature limit is the condensation temperature determined at step b., and wherein its upper temperature limit is 2 K-15 K above the condensation temperature of the working medium;
- (d) measuring an actual lubricant temperature of the lubricant;
- (e) comparing the actual lubricant temperature with the target lubricant temperature range, and then
- when the actual lubricant temperature is above the target lubricant temperature range, cooling the lubricant, and
- when the actual lubricant temperature is below the target lubricant temperature range, heating the lubricant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.