Residential heating, cooling and energy management system

• US 4,685,307 A
• Filed: 07/25/1986
• Issued: 08/11/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: UHR Corporation
• Original Assignee: UHR Corporation
• Inventors: Jones, Richard D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tanner, Harry
• Application Number:
  US06/889,512
• Time in Patent Office: 382 Days
• Field of Search: 62/238.7, 62/238.6, 62/238.1, 62/180, 62/160, 62/181, 62/185, 62/201, 62/430, 62/434, 62/435, 62/436, 237/2 B
• US Class Current: 62/160
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 11/0214 water heating system
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/42 of outdoor units
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/47 Responding to energy costs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/526 giving audible indications
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/61 using timers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/67 Switching between heating and cooling modes
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/84 using valves
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/86 by controlling compressors within refrigeration or heat pump circuits
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/00 Control inputs relating to system states
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2221/183 combined with a hot-water boiler
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 13/00 Compression machines, plants or systems, with reversible cycle defrosting cycles F25B47/02
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/12 Hot water central heating systems using heat pumps

Abstract

A residential HVAC system includes a heat pump having a compressor arranged to heat a domestic hot water vessel and to heat or cool a storage vessel which is connected to a heat exchanger within the residence. Temperature sensors are provided at critical locations throughout the system and current and voltage sensors are coupled to the power lines feeding the residence. A microprocessor controls the operation of the compressor and other components of the heat pump system in response to measured temperatures, in response to the level of energy supplied to the residence and in response to the existence of on- or off-peak time intervals to operate the compressor and/or resistive heating elements to condition the hot water and storage vessels for subsequent use and to control an interior fan to condition the space. Operation of the compressor is controlled during on-peak intervals as a function of the resident'"'"'s life style as reflected in power usage and requested comfort level.

Claims

1. An air-to-water-to-air heat pump system for heating and cooling the interior of a residence comprising the combination of

a first refrigerant-to-fluid heat exchanger having separate refrigerant and fluid paths therein in heat exchange relationship;

a second refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger having separate refrigerant and water paths therein in heat exchange relationship;

a refrigerant circuit including

a refrigerant-to-air heat exchanger located outside of the residence and having a refrigerant path in heat exchange relationship with ambient air;

a refrigerant compressor, an expansion device and a four-port reversing valve means;

first conduit means for connecting said refrigerant path of said refrigerant-to-air heat exchanger, said expansion device and said refrigerant path of said first refrigerant-to-fluid heat exchanger in series relationship between first and second parts of said reversing valve; and

second conduit means for connecting said compressor and the refrigerant path of said second refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger in series relationship between third and fourth ports of said reversing valve;

a first fluid circuit including

a fluid-to-air heat exchanger and a first fluid storage means; and

third conduit means for connecting said fluid path of said first refrigerant-to-fluid heat exchanger, said first fluid storage means and the fluid path of said fluid-to-air heat exchanger in a closed loop series path; and

a water circuit including

a second fluid storage means comprising a water storage tank;

fourth conduit means for connecting said second tank and the water path of said second refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger in series relationship;

means for connecting an external water source to said water circuit between said second tank and said second refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger;

a hot water distribution system connected to said second tank;

means selectively operable for flowing air through said fluid-to-air heat exchanger and to a plurality of areas in said interior of said residence for conditioning said areas and for returning air from said plurality of areas to said fluid-to-air heat exchanger; and

means for sensing the temperature of the return air entering said fluid-to-air heat exchanger from said plurality of areas and for controlling the operation of said selectively operable means.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the fluid in said first refrigerant-to-fluid heat exchanger is water.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein said first storage means comprises a first water storage tank.

4. A system according to claim 3 wherein said first fluid circuit further includes a first pump in said residence connected to circulate water between said fluid-to-air heat exchanger and said first water storage tank.

5. A system according to claim 4 wherein said second water circuit includes a second pump in said residence for circulating water through said fourth conduit means.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein said first conduit means further includes a dryer and a receiver in said series connection.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein said reversing valve is movable between a cooling position in which the pressure side of said compressor is connected through said second refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger to said refrigerant-to-air heat exchanger and the suction side of said compressor is connected through said accumulator to said first refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger;

and a heating position in which the pressure side of said compressor is connected through said second refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger to said first refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger and the suction side of said compressor is connected through said accumulator to said refrigerant-to-air heat exchanger.

8. A system according to claim 1 which further includes means for moving air from the interior of said residence across said water-to-air heat exchanger.

9. A system for temperature conditioning a plurality of areas in the interior of a building comprising the combination of

first and second refrigerant-to-fluid heat exchangers having separate refrigerant and fluid paths therein in heat exchanger relationship with each other;

a refrigerant circuit including

a refrigerant-to-air heat exchanger located outside of said building and having a refrigerant path in heat exchange relationship with ambient air;

a refrigerant compressor and an expansion device;

first conduit means for connecting said refrigerant path of said refrigerant-to-air heat exchanger, said compressor, said expansion device and said refrigerant paths of said first and second refrigerant-to-fluid heat exchangers in operative series relationship to transfer heat between ambient air and the fluids in said refrigerant-to-fluid heat exchangers;

a first fluid circuit including

a fluid-to-air heat exchanger and a first fluid storage tank and

second conduit means for connecting said fluid path of said first refrigerant-to-fluid heat exchanger, said first storage tank and the fluid path of said fluid-to-air heat exchanger in a closed loop series path;

a second fluid circuit including

a second fluid storage tank;

third conduit means for connecting said second tank and the fluid path of said second refrigerant-to-fluid heat exchanger in series relationship,

selectively operable means for flowing air across said fluid-to-air heat exchanger to condition said interior of said building and for returning air from said plurality of areas to said fluid-to-air heat exchanger; and

means for sensing the temperature of the return air entering said fluid-to-air heat exchanger from said plurality of areas and for controlling the operation of said selectively operable means,

whereby said compressor can be operated to heat the fluid in said second tank and condition the temperature of the fluid in said first tank which can then be used to condition the interior of said building.