US 2023/0302875 A1 · HEAT STORAGE HEAT PUMP HEATER

Abstract

A heat storage heat pump heater (HSHPH) incorporated into a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system that provides heat to maintain the temperature in a compartment (e.g., a cabin of an electric vehicle) during both a heating cycle and defrosting cycle. This HSHPH contains a heat exchanger having an inlet and an outlet located in one or more manifolds and a core that includes one or more refrigerant tubes through which a refrigerant flows and a plurality of fins that extend between the tubes, the one or more refrigerant tubes being in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet; and a phase change material (PCM) configured to store heat transferred from the refrigerant during a heating cycle and to transfer heat to the refrigerant during a defrosting cycle. The PCM changes phase at a temperature that is greater than or equal to 24° C.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A heat storage heat pump heater (HSHPH) for use in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to maintain temperature in a compartment, the HSHPH comprising:

a heat exchanger having an inlet and an outlet located in one or more manifolds and a core that includes one or more refrigerant tubes through which a refrigerant flows and a plurality of fins that extend between the tubes, the one or more refrigerant tubes being in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet;
and
a phase change material (PCM) configured to store heat transferred from the refrigerant during a heating cycle and to transfer heat to the refrigerant during a defrosting cycle;
wherein the HSHPH provides heat to the compartment during both the heating cycle and the defrosting cycle in order to maintain the temperature in the compartment.

1 more element

A method of maintaining temperature in a compartment;

the method comprising:
providing an HVAC system that includes an HSHPH;
allowing the HVAC system to undergo a heating cycle;
and
allowing the HVAC system to undergo a defrosting cycle;
wherein the HSHPH provides heat to the compartment during both the heating cycle and the defrosting cycle;
wherein the HSHPH comprises:
a heat exchanger having an inlet and an outlet located in one or more manifolds and a core that includes one or more refrigerant tubes through which a refrigerant flows and a plurality of fins that extend between the tubes, the one or more refrigerant tubes being in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet;
and
a phase change material (PCM) configured to store heat transferred from the refrigerant during the heating cycle and to transfer heat to the refrigerant during the defrosting cycle.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Heat storage heat pump heater

Life of this patent

Heat storage heat pump heater

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20