Multi-circuit dehumidification heat pump system
AssigneeCarrier Corporation
InventorsMichael F. Taras, Alexander Lifson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a multi-circuit heat pump system least one of the circuits has a reheat function. Various reheat concepts may be independently utilized for each circuit to reheat and dehumidify air. Moreover, the ability to bypass refrigerant around the outdoor heat exchanger may also be provided. Communication means between the circuits may be present to re-optimize the refrigerant charge and to provide better control over system operational parameters. The above mentioned control functions and design features assure system flexibility in satisfying a wide spectrum of market requirements and potential applications by operation in a variety of cooling, heating and dehumidification regimes and a combination of thereof.
Claims21
A heat pump system comprising:
- a plurality of circuits, with each of said circuits including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an indoor heat exchanger, and a first flow control device for selectively routing refrigerant from said compressor to either said indoor heat exchanger when in a heating mode, or to said outdoor heat exchanger when in a cooling mode;
- at least one of said circuits having a reheat branch;
- said reheat branch receiving refrigerant, and passing the refrigerant through a reheat coil, and returning the refrigerant to the circuit downstream of the reheat coil, and an air-moving device for passing air over at least a portion of said indoor heat exchanger, and over at least a portion of said reheat coil;
- and
- at least one additional flow control device being included to selectively communicate refrigerant between at least two circuits.
A heat pump system comprising:
- a plurality of circuits, with each of said circuits including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an indoor heat exchanger, and a first flow control device for selectively routing refrigerant from said compressor to either said indoor heat exchanger when in a heating mode, or to said outdoor heat exchanger when in a cooling mode;
- at least one of said circuits having a reheat branch;
- said reheat branch receiving refrigerant, and passing the refrigerant through a reheat coil, and returning the refrigerant to the circuit downstream of the reheat coil, and an air-moving device for passing air over at least a portion of said indoor heat exchanger, and over at least a portion of said reheat coil;
- and
- at least two circuits having reheat branch configurations different from each other.
A heat pump system comprising:
- a plurality of circuits, with each of said circuits including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an indoor heat exchanger, and a first flow control device for selectively routing refrigerant from said compressor to either said indoor heat exchanger when in a heating mode, or to said outdoor heat exchanger when in a cooling mode;
- at least one of said circuits having a reheat branch;
- said reheat branch receiving refrigerant, and passing the refrigerant through a reheat coil, and returning the refrigerant to the circuit downstream of the reheat coil, and an air-moving device for passing air over at least a portion of said indoor heat exchanger, and over at least a portion of said reheat coil;
- and
- at least one circuit having bypass line to selectively bypass refrigerant around said outdoor heat exchanger.
A method of operating a multi-circuit heat pump system comprising the steps of:
- (1) providing a plurality of heat pump circuits, a common control for said plurality of heat pump circuits and providing at least one of said heat pump circuits with a reheat branch;
- (2) selectively operating said multiple circuits, and selectively operating said reheat branch to provide desired air temperature and humidity levels;
- and
- (3) including the step of selectively communicating refrigerant between at least two circuits.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.