Dual source heat pump

Apparatus for conditioning a fluid temperature-wise and affording a single temperature hot water storage system for domestic using, defrosting, and supplying heat to a heat pump, comprising:

• a. a hot water storage tank connected to conventional hot water inlet and outlet lines;
• b. a fluid handler and fluid path means for circulating said fluid in a path in heat exchange relationship with a refrigerant fluid;
• c. at least two refrigerant heat exchangers;
• a first of the heat exchangers being disposed in the path of the fluid such that the fluid is passed in heat exchange relationship therewith, and a second of the refrigerant heat exchangers being disposed in a heat exchange fluid circuit for circulating the refrigerant in heat exchange relationship with a heat exchange fluid and in heat exchange relationship with ambient air;
• d. at least one compressor connected into a refrigerant circuit for efficiently compressing the refrigerant from its inlet pressure to its discharge pressure under conditions of operation of the refrigerant circuit;
• e. at least one metering valve connected at the inlet of a heat exchanger in which liquid refrigerant is being vaporized;
• f. a refrigerant circuit serially connecting said heat exchangers, metering valve and compressor and defining a flow path for said refrigerant;
• g. a reversing valve included in said refrigerant circuit for effecting operation respectively in a heating mode and in a cooling mode;
• h. means for selecting the heat exchangers and direction of flow of refrigerant therethrough for selecting a particular mode of operation of the heat pump;
• i. refrigerant disposed in said refrigerant circuit and adapted to be circulated in a selected flow path for transferring heat at a coefficient of performance greater than one;
• j. a source of heat in the form of a heat exchange fluid;
• k. heat exchange fluid circulating means for circulating said heat exchange fluid in a heat exchange circuit and in heat exchange relationship with said refrigerant;
• l. a heat exchange circuit serially connecting said heat exchange fluid source, circulating means and second refrigerant-heat exchange fluid heat exchanger;
• whereby said heat exchange fluid can be circulated through said second heat exchanger to provide optionally melting of accumulated frost and a secondary source of heat;
• m. temperature sensor disposed in said second heat exchanger to measure the temperature therewithin;
• n. control means to energize said heat exchange fluid circulating means when the temperature measured in said second heat exchanger is less than 32.degree. F. and to keep said heat exchanger fluid circulating means operative until the ice is melted from said second heat exchanger and the temperature in said second heat exchanger is above the freezing point of water whereby accumulated frost is detected and melted;
• said second heat exchanger having an ambient air circulation means for circulating ambient air past said second heat exchanger;
• and said control means including means for deenergizing said ambient air circulation means during defrosting;
• o. solar heating circuit connected with said heat exchange circuit;
• p. solar fluid circulating means disposed in said solar heating circuit for circulating said heat exchange fluid therethrough;
• said hot water storage tank having a hot water fluid circulating means serially connected in a hot water circulating circuit that also incorporates a desuperheater heat exchanger and a water-heat exchange fluid heat exchanger for heat exchanging respectively with hot refrigerant and heat exchange fluid;
• said desuperheater also being serially incorporated in said refrigerant circuit downstream of said compressor;
• said water-heat exchange fluid heat exchanger also being serially incorporated in said solar heating circuit with said solar fluid circulating means for heat exchange between said heat exchange fluid and said hot water;
• whereby a single temperature hot water storage serves optionally as a heat sink and a heat source to allow storing heat during periods of sun and using heat optionally for defrosting and for increasing efficiency of the heat pump.