# US 6,718,792 B1 · Integrated aqua-ammonia chiller/heater > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,718,792 B1 - Document ID: US6718792B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/479,277 - Filed: 2000-01-05 - Granted: 2004-04-13 - Earliest claimed: 2000-01-05 - Assignees: Rocky Research - Inventors: Paul Sarkisian; Uwe Rockenfeller - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6718792B1 ## CPC - F25B 30/04: of the sorption type - F25B 33/00: Boilers; Analysers; Rectifiers (boiler-absorbers F25B35/00) - F25B 2315/002: Generator absorber heat exchanger [GAX] - F25B: REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS ## Abstract An aqua-ammonia chiller apparatus is modified to include a heater function by providing a refrigerant by-pass for directing refrigerant to a heat exchanger capable of selectively functioning as a condenser during a heating mode or an evaporation during a cooling mode without passing through the apparatus condenser during the heating mode. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An aqua-ammonia absorption apparatus for selective chiller/heater operation comprising: an absorber assembly comprising an absorber, an absorber heat exchanger and a generator absorber heat exchanger; a generator assembly; an absorption fluid loop for directing absorption fluid between said absorber and generator assemblies, said absorption fluid loop comprising first piping for directing rich absorption fluid from said absorber assembly to said generator assembly and second piping for directing weak absorption fluid from said generator assembly to said absorber assembly; a condenser; a heat exchanger for selectively functioning as a condenser or an evaporator; a refrigerant loop for directing refrigerant between said generator assembly, condenser, heat exchanger and absorber assembly; and refrigerant by-pass piping for directing refrigerant from said generator assembly to said heat exchanger without passing through said condenser. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus of claim 1 including a pump cooperating with said first piping for pumping rich absorption fluid from said absorber assembly to said generator assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An apparatus of claim 2 including an operable valve cooperating with said second piping for selectively opening and closing said second piping. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) An apparatus of claim 3 wherein said valve is a solenoid valve. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) An apparatus of claim 2 wherein said generator assembly comprises a generator and a rectifier and wherein said apparatus includes one or more operable valves cooperating with said first piping for controlling the flow of rich absorption fluid pumped from said absorber assembly to said generator and/or said rectifier, respectively. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) An apparatus of claim 5 wherein said one or more valves includes a 3-way valve. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1, 5) An apparatus of claim 1 or 5 including one or more operable valves cooperating with said refrigerant by-pass piping for selectively opening and closing said by-pass piping. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) An apparatus of claim 7 wherein said one or more operable valves comprises a 3-way valve. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) An apparatus of claim 7 wherein said one or more operable valves comprises a 2-way valve for selectively providing refrigerant to said heat exchanger. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) An apparatus of claim 9 wherein said 2-way valve is a solenoid valve. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) An apparatus of claim 9 including an operable valve for selectively providing refrigerant to said condenser. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said absorption fluid loop directs absorption fluid in heat transfer communication in said absorber heat exchanger and therefrom to said generator assembly. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said absorption fluid loop directs absorption fluid in heat transfer communication in said absorber heat exchanger and therefrom to said generator absorber heat exchanger and to said generator assembly. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12, 13) An apparatus of claim 12 or 13 wherein said first piping includes a first conduit for directing rich absorption fluid from said absorber to said generator assembly and a second conduit for directing rich absorption fluid from said absorber to a reflux coil in said generator assembly and therefrom to said absorber heat exchanger and therefrom to said generator, a first valve for selectively opening and closing said first conduit, and a second valve for selectively opening and closing said second conduit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) An apparatus of claim 14 wherein said first piping includes a third conduit in flow splitting connection with said second conduit for directing rich absorption fluid from said absorber heat exchanger to said generator absorber heat exchanger and therefrom to said generator. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) An apparatus of claim 14 wherein said second valve opens and closes said second conduit between said absorber and said reflux coil. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said absorption fluid loop includes an absorption fluid by-pass for directing said absorption fluid from said absorber heat exchanger to said generator assembly without passing through said absorber. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) An apparatus of claim 17 wherein said absorption fluid by-pass includes piping and one or more operable valves cooperating therewith for selectively directing said absorption fluid to said absorber or to said generator via said absorption fluid by-pass. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) An apparatus of claim 17 wherein said absorption fluid loop includes an absorption fluid by-pass comprising piping and a 3-way valve cooperating therewith for selectively directing said absorption fluid to said absorber or to said generator. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) An apparatus of claim 17 wherein said absorption fluid loop includes an absorption fluid by-pass comprising piping and two or more 2-way valves cooperating therewith for selectively directing said absorption fluid to said absorber or to said generator. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) An apparatus of claim 20 wherein said 2-way valves are solenoid valves. ### Claim 22 (depends on 17) An apparatus of claim 17 wherein said absorber is air-cooled. ### Claim 23 (depends on 17) An apparatus of claim 17 wherein said absorber is water cooled. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) An apparatus of claim 1 including a refrigerant conduit for directing refrigerant from said heat exchanger to said generator assembly and a valve for selectively opening and closing said refrigerant conduit. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) An apparatus of claim 22 wherein said heat exchanger is elevated above said generator assembly to provide gravity flow of condensed refrigerant from said heat exchanger to said generator assembly via said refrigerant conduit. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) An apparatus of claim 25 including one or more operable valves cooperating with said refrigerant by-pass piping for selectively opening and closing said by-pass piping. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) An apparatus of claim 25 wherein said one or more operable valves comprises a 3-way valve. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) An apparatus of claim 25 wherein said one or more operable valves comprises a 2-way valve for selectively providing refrigerant to said heat exchanger. ### Claim 29 (depends on 1) An apparatus of claim 1 including heat transfer fluid piping for directing heat transfer fluid to and from said heat exchanger. ### Claim 30 (depends on 1) An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said heat exchanger includes a direct-expansion-type air coil and means for recovering heating or cooling comprising apparatus for exchanging heating or cooling from said coil. ### Claim 31 (depends on 1) An apparatus of claim 1 including heat transfer apparatus cooperating with said heat exchanger for recovering cooling or heating when said heat exchanger functions as an evaporator or condenser, respectively. ### Claim 32 An aqua-ammonia absorption apparatus for selective chiller/heater mode operation comprising an absorber assembly comprising an absorber, an absorber heat exchanger and a generator absorber heat exchanger, a generator assembly, an absorption fluid loop for directing absorption fluid between said absorber assembly and said generator assembly and directing absorption fluid in heal transfer communication in said absorber heat exchanger and therefrom to said generator assembly, a condenser, a heat exchanger for selectively functioning as an evaporator during a chiller mode and as a condenser during a heater mode, and refrigerant piping and one or more valves cooperating therewith for selectively directing ammonia refrigerant vaporized in said generator assembly to said heat exchanger without passing through said condenser during a heater mode. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) An apparatus of claim 32 wherein said refrigerant piping comprises by-pass piping and one or more valves cooperating therewith for selectively opening and closing said by-pass piping. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) An apparatus of claim 32 including energy recovery means cooperating with said heat exchanger for recovering cooling when said heat exchanger functions as an evaporator and for recovering heat when said heat exchanger functions as a condenser. ### Claim 35 (depends on 33) An apparatus of claim 33 including energy recovery means cooperating with said heat exchanger for recovering cooling when said heat exchanger functions as an evaporator and for recovering heat when said heat exchanger functions as a condenser. ### Claim 36 (depends on 34) An apparatus of claim 34 wherein said energy recovery means comprises apparatus for directing heat exchange fluid to and from said heat exchanger. ### Claim 37 (depends on 33) An apparatus of claim 33 wherein said absorber assembly comprises an absorber and an absorber heat exchanger and wherein said absorption fluid loop directs absorption fluid in heat transfer communication in said absorber heat exchanger and therefrom to said generator assembly, and a pump cooperating with said absorption fluid loop for pumping absorption fluid therein. ### Claim 38 (depends on 33) An apparatus of claim 33 wherein said absorption fluid loop includes a first conduit for directing rich absorption fluid from said absorber to said generator assembly and a second conduit for directing rich absorption fluid from said absorber in sequence to a reflux coil in said generator assembly, to said absorber heat exchanger and to said generator assembly, a first valve for selectively opening and closing said first conduit, and a second valve for selectively opening and closing said second conduit. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) An apparatus of claim 38 wherein said absorber assembly includes a generator absorber heat exchanger and wherein said absorption fluid loop includes a third conduit in flow splitting connection with said second conduit for directing rich absorption fluid from said absorber heat exchanger in sequence to said generator absorber heat exchanger and to said generator assembly. ### Claim 40 (depends on 38) An apparatus of claim 38 wherein said second valve opens and closes said second conduit between said absorber and said reflux coil. ### Claim 41 (depends on 39) An apparatus of claim 39 wherein said absorption fluid loop includes a weak solution conduit from said generator assembly and said absorber assembly and a valve for selectively closing and opening said weak solution conduit. ### Claim 42 (depends on 32) An apparatus of claim 32 wherein said one or more valves comprises a 3-way valve for selectively directing said refrigerant from said generator assembly to said condenser and said heat exchanger. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) An apparatus of claim 42 including a first refrigerant pipe for directing refrigerant from said 3-way valve to said condenser and a second refrigerant pipe for directing refrigerant from said 3-way valve to said heat exchanger. ### Claim 44 (depends on 32) An apparatus of claim 32 wherein said heat exchanger is positioned relative to said generator assembly to provide for gravitational flow of condensed refrigerant from said heat exchanger to said generator assembly. ### Claim 45 (depends on 1, 38) An apparatus of claim 1 or 38 including a pump operable for pumping said rich absorption fluid from said absorber assembly to said generator assembly for chiller mode operation and/or pumping refrigerant to the generator assembly during heater mode operation. ### Claim 46 (depends on 45) An apparatus of claim 45 wherein said generator assembly comprises a generator and a rectifier, wherein said first piping directs rich absorption fluid from said absorber assembly to said rectifier, and wherein said pump operates to directs said rich absorption fluid from said absorber assembly to said rectifier in a heating mode. ### Claim 47 (depends on 45) An apparatus of claim 45 wherein said generator assembly comprises a generator and a rectifier, wherein said first piping directs rich absorption fluid from said absorber assembly to said generator, and wherein said pump operates to direct said rich absorption fluid from said absorber assembly to said generator in a heating mode. ### Claim 48 (depends on 2) An apparatus of claim 2 wherein said generator assembly comprises a generator and a rectifier, wherein said first piping directs rich absorption fluid from said absorber assembly to said rectifier, and wherein said pump operates to directs said rich absorption fluid from said absorber assembly to said rectifier in a heating mode. ### Claim 49 (depends on 3) An apparatus of claim 3 wherein said generator assembly comprises a generator and a rectifier, wherein said first piping directs rich absorption fluid from said absorber assembly to said generator, and wherein said pump operates to direct said rich absorption fluid from said absorber assembly to said generator in a heating mode. ### Claim 50 (depends on 1, 32) An apparatus of claim 1 or 32 including a subcooler cooperating with said refrigerant loop for receiving condensed and vaporized refrigerant and exchanging heat therebetween. ### Claim 51 (depends on 1, 32) An apparatus of claim 1 or 32 wherein said generator assembly includes a multiple capacity burner. ### Claim 52 (depends on 1, 32) An apparatus of claim 1 or 32 wherein said generator assembly includes a variable capacity burner. ### Claim 53 (depends on 1, 32) An apparatus of claim 1 or 32 wherein said generator assembly includes having a combustion air pre-heater. ### Claim 54 (depends on 1, 32) An apparatus of claim 1 or 32 including a generator absorber heat exchange circuit comprising said absorber heat exchanger and said generator absorber heat exchanger and utilizing rich absorption fluid, weak absorption fluid or heat transfer fluid for heat exchange in said circuit. ### Claim 55 (depends on 54) An apparatus of claim 54 wherein said generator absorber heat exchange circuit directs rich absorption fluid to said absorber heat exchanger and to said generator absorber heat exchanger and includes a flow splitter for dividing the flow of rich absorption fluid between said absorber heat exchanger and said generator absorber heat exchanger before said rich absorption fluid is directed into said absorber heat exchanger. ### Claim 56 (depends on 54) An apparatus of claim 54 wherein said generator absorber heat exchange circuit directs rich absorption fluid to said absorber heat exchanger and to said generator absorber heat exchanger and includes a flow splitter for dividing the flow of rich absorption fluid after it passes through said absorber heat exchanger. ### Claim 57 (depends on 32, 33) An apparatus of claim 33 or 32 wherein said refrigerant piping and one or more valve operate to selectively prevent the flow of refrigerant from said generator assembly to said condenser. ### Claim 58 (depends on 1) An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes absorber by-pass piping and valving for directing refrigerant and/or absorption fluid for by-passing the absorber. ### Claim 59 (depends on 58) An apparatus of claim 58 including a pump cooperating with said absorber by=pass piping for pumping the refrigerant and/or absorption fluid to the generator assembly. ### Claim 60 (depends on 17) An apparatus of claim 17 wherein said refrigerant loop includes piping cooperating with said absorption fluid by-pass for directing said refrigerant from said heat exchanger to said generator assembly without passing through said absorber. ### Claim 61 (depends on 60) An apparatus of claim 60 including a pump cooperating with said absorption fluid by-pass for pumping absorption fluid and refrigerant to the generator. ### Claim 62 (depends on 32) An apparatus of claim 32 including piping and valving for selectively directing refrigerant and/or absorption fluid for by-passing the absorber during a heater mode. ### Claim 63 An aqua-ammonia absorption apparatus for selective chiller/heater operation comprising: an absorber assembly comprising an absorber, an absorber heat exchanger and a generator absorber heat exchanger; a generator assembly; an absorption fluid loop and a single pump cooperating therewith for directing absorption fluid and refrigerant between said absorber and generator assemblies and for directing absorption fluid in heat transfer communication in said absorber heat exchanger and said generator absorber heat exchanger, said absorption fluid loop comprising first piping for directing absorption fluid and refrigerant from said absorber assembly to said generator assembly and second piping for directing weak absorption fluid from said generator assembly to said absorber assembly; a condenser; a heat exchanger for selectively functioning as a condenser or an evaporator; refrigerant loop for directing refrigerant between said generator assembly, condenser, heat exchanger and absorber assembly; and refrigerant by-pass piping for directing refrigerant from said generator assembly to said heat exchanger without passing through said condenser. ### Claim 64 (depends on 63) An apparatus of claim 63 wherein said single pump cooperates with said first piping for pumping rich absorption fluid and refrigerant from said absorber assembly to said generator assembly. ### Claim 65 (depends on 64) An apparatus of claim 64 including operable valve cooperating with said second piping for selectively opening and closing said second piping. ### Claim 66 (depends on 63) An apparatus of claim 63 including one or more operable valves cooperating with said refrigerant by-pass piping for selectively opening and closing said by-pass piping. ### Claim 67 (depends on 63) An apparatus of claim 63 wherein said absorption fluid loop directs absorption fluid in heat transfer communication in said absorber heat exchanger and therefrom to said generator assembly. ### Claim 68 (depends on 63) An apparatus of claim 63 wherein said absorption fluid loop directs absorption fluid in heat transfer communication in said absorber heat exchanger and therefrom to said generator absorber heat exchanger and to said generator assembly. ### Claim 69 (depends on 67, 68) An apparatus of claim 67 or 68 wherein said first piping includes a first conduit communicating with said generator assembly and a second conduit communicating with a reflux coil in said generator assembly, a first valve for selectively opening and closing said first conduit, and a second valve for selectively opening and closing said second conduit. ### Claim 70 (depends on 69) An apparatus of claim 69 wherein said first piping includes a third conduit in flow splitting connection with said second conduit for directing absorption fluid from said absorber heat exchanger to said generator absorber heat exchanger and said generator. ### Claim 71 (depends on 63) An apparatus of claim 63 including absorber by-pass piping for directing absorption fluid or refrigerant to said generator assembly without passing through said absorber. ### Claim 72 (depends on 71) An apparatus of claim 71 wherein said absorber by-pass includes piping and one or more operable valves cooperating therewith for selectively by-passing said absorber.