Boosted air source heat pump

• US 6,276,148 B1
• Filed: 02/16/2000
• Issued: 08/21/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2000
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Hallowell International
• Original Assignee: David N. Shaw
• Inventors: Shaw, David N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tapolcai, William E.
• Application Number:
  US09/505,584
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 622/285, 622/29, 625/10, 621/961, 621/60, 621/17, 236/1.EA, 237/2.B
• US Class Current: 62/117
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 39/0094 crankshaft
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 9/04 the means being cams, eccentrics or pin-and-slot mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 1/10 with multi-stage compression with cascade operation F25B7/00
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 13/00 Compression machines, plants or systems, with reversible cycle defrosting cycles F25B47/02
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2400/13 Economisers
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 31/002 Lubrication
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 49/02 for compression type machines, plants or systems

Abstract

A boosted source heat pump (BSHP) is presented having a primary compressor, a booster compressor, an economizer, and a lubricant management system. At least the primary compressor is a twin-single compressor. The lubricant management system includes traps to prevent migration of lubricant to a non-operating compressor, and aspiration tubes from the sump to the low pressure intake zone to each compressor.

Claims

1. A compression module for a heating or air conditioning system, said module including:

a primary compressor;

a booster compressor;

at least said primary compressor being an unloadable positive displacement compressor;

a sensor for sensing the temperature of outdoor ambient air; and

a controller, said controller being responsive to signals from said sensor commensurate with the temperature of outdoor ambient air to operate said primary compressor and said booster compressor in a predetermined operating sequence.

2. A compressor module as in claim 1, wherein said predetemined operating sequence for heating includes the following:

(a) allow partial capacity operation of said primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 50°

-75°

F.;

(b) allow full capacity operation of said primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 43°

F.-50°

F.;

(c) allow full capacity operation of said booster compressor and partial capacity operation of said primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 33°

F.-43°

F.;

(d) allow full capacity operation of said booster compressor, and full capacity operation of said primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 15°

F.-33°

F.

3. A compressor module as in claim 1, wherein:

said primary compressor is a multiple-cylinder compressor.

4. A compressor module as in claim 1, wherein:

said booster compressor is a single speed compressor or a two speed compressor.

5. A compressor module as in claim 1, wherein:

the displacement of said booster compressor is about 30% to about 70% greater than the displacement of said primary compressor.

6. A compressor module as in claim 1, wherein:

the coefficient of performance (C.O.P.) of the system for heating is at least 1.5 for the conditions of 0°

F. outdoor ambient temperature and 70°

F. indoor heated space temperature.

7. A compression module as in claim 1, including:

an inlet to said primary compressor for the supply of working fluid to said primary compressor;

an inlet to said booster compressor for the supply of working fluid to said booster compressor;

a supply line from the discharge from said booster compressor to the inlet to said primary compressor; and

a lubricant management system, said system having;

(a) an aspiration tube extending from the lubricant sump of said primary compressor to the intake of said primary compressor,

(b) an aspiration tube extending from the lubricant sump of said booster compressor to the intake of said booster compressor,

(c) a liquid trap in the supply line to the inlet to said booster compressor, and

(d) a liquid trap in the supply line between the discharge from said booster compressor to the intake to said primary compressor.

10. A compressor module as in claim 1, wherein said predetermined operating sequence for cooling includes the following:

(a) allow partial capacity operation of said primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 60°

F.-85°

F.;

(b) allow full capacity operation of said primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of above about 85°

F.;

(c) allow full capacity operation of said primary compressor and full capacity operation of said booster compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 105°

F. or higher.

20. A compressor module as in claim 1, wherein:

said booster compressor is a single speed compressor.

8. A method of operating in sequence a heating system having a primary compressor and a booster compressor, the method including the steps of:

(a) sensing the outdoor ambient temperature;

(b) allowing partial capacity operation of said primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 50°

-75°

F.;

(c) allowing full capacity operation of said primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 43°

F.-50°

F.;

(d) allowing full capacity operation of said booster compressor and partial capacity operation of said primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 33°

F.-43°

F.;

(e) allowing full capacity operation of said booster compressor, and full capacity operation of said primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 15°

F.-33°

F.

9. The method of claim 8, including the step of:

allowing operation of back-up resistance heating when the outdoor ambient temperature is about 15°

F. or lower.

11. A compression module for a heat pump system, said module including:

a primary compressor;

a booster compressor;

at least said primary compressor being a multi-cylinder unloadable compressor;

each of said compressors having an inlet and a supply line connected to said inlet;

a sensor for sensing the temperature of outdoor ambient air;

a thermostat for sensing the temperature of a volume of air to be healed; and

a controller, said controller being responsive to signals from said sensor commensurate with the temperature of outdoor ambient air, and to signals from said thermostat commensurate with the temperature of the air to be heated to operate said primary compressor, said booster compressor and said economizer in a predetermined operating sequence.

12. A compressor module as in claim 11, wherein said predetermined operating sequence for heating includes the following:

(f) allow partial capacity operation of said primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 50°

-75°

F.;

(g) allow full capacity operation of said primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 43°

F.-50°

F.;

(h) allow full capacity operation of said booster compressor and partial capacity operation of said primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 33°

F.-43°

F.;

(i) allow full capacity operation of said booster compressor, and full capacity operation of said primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 15°

F.-33°

F.

13. A compressor module as in claim 11, wherein:

the ratio of the displacement of said booster compressor to the displacement of said primary compressor is at least about 1.3 to 1.

14. A compressor module as in claim 11, wherein:

the heating coefficient of performance (C.O.P.) of the heat pump system is at least about 1.5 for the conditions of 0°

F. outdoor ambient temperature and 70°

F. indoor heated space temperature.

15. A compression module as in claim 11, wherein:

100% of the capacity of said primary compressor is greater than the ordinary cooling requirements of the heat pump system.

16. A compression module for a heat pump system, said module including:

a primary compressor;

a booster compressor;

at least said primary compressor being a multi-cylinder unloadable compressor;

a sensor for sensing the temperature of outdoor ambient air;

a thermostat for sensing the temperature of a volume of air to be heated; and

a controller, said controller being responsive to signals from said sensor commensurate with the temperature of outdoor ambient air, and to signals from said thermostat commensurate with the temperature of the air to be heated to operate said primary compressor and said booster compressor in a predetermined heating operating sequence including the following;

(a) allow partial capacity operation of said multi-cylinder primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 50°

-75°

F.;

(b) allow full capacity operation of said multi-cylinder primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 43°

F.-50°

F.;

(c) allow full capacity operation of said booster compressor and partial capacity operation of said multi-cylinder primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 33°

F.-43°

F.;

(d) allow full capacity operation of said booster compressor, and full capacity operation of said multi-cylinder primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 15°

F.-30°

F.;

(e) allow operation of back-up resistance heating when the outdoor ambient temperature is about 15°

F. or lower.

17. A compressor module as in claim 16, wherein:

the ratio of the displacement of said booster compressor to the displacement of said primary compressor is at least about 1.3 to 1.

18. A compressor module as in claim 16, wherein:

the heating coefficient of performance (C.O.P.) Of the heat pump system is at least about 1.5 for the conditions of 0°

F. outdoor ambient temperature and 70°

F. indoor heated space temperature.

19. A compression module as in claim 16, wherein:

100% of the capacity of said primary compressor is greater than the ordinary cooling requirements of the heat pump system.

21. A compressor module as in claim 16, wherein:

said controller is responsive to signals from said sensor commensurate with the temperature of outdoor ambient air, and to signals from said thermostat commensurate with the temperature of the air to be cooled to operate said primary compressor, and said booster compressor in a predetermined cooling operating sequence, including the following;

(a) allow partial capacity operation of said primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 60°

F.-85°

F.;

(b) allow full capacity operation of said primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of above about 85°

F.;

(c) allow full capacity operation of said primary compressor and full capacity operation of said booster compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 105°

F. or higher.

22. A method of operating in heating sequence a heat pump system having a multi-cylinder unloadable primary compressor and a booster compressor, the method including the steps of:

(a) sensing the outdoor ambient temperature;

(b) allowing partial capacity operation of said multi-cylinder primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 50°

-75°

F.;

(c) allowing full capacity operation of said multi-capacity primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 43°

F.-50°

F.;

(d) allowing full capacity operation of said booster compressor and partial capacity operation of said multi-cylinder primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 33°

F.-43°

F.;

(e) allowing full capacity operation of said booster compressor, and full capacity operation of said multi-cylinder primary compressor, when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 15°

F.-33°

F.;

(f) allowing operation of back-up resistance heating when the outdoor ambient temperature is about 15°

F. or lower.

23. A method of operating in cooling sequence a heat pump system having a multi-cylinder unloadable primary compressor, and a booster compressor, that method including the steps of:

(a) sensing the outdoor ambient temperature;

(b) allowing partial capacity operation of said primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 60°

F.-85°

F.;

(c) allowing full capacity operation of said primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of above about 85°

F.;

(d) allowing full capacity operation of said primary compressor and full capacity operation of said booster compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 105°

F. or higher.

24. A compression module for a heat pump system, said module including:

a primary compressor;

a booster compressor

at least said primary compressor being a multi-cylinder unloadable compressor;

each of said compressors having an inlet and a supply line connected to said inlet;

a supply line from the discharge from said booster compressor to the inlet to said primary compressor;

an economizer;

a sensor for sensing the temperature of outdoor ambient air;

a thermostat for sensing the temperature of a volume of air to be healed; and

a controller, said controller being responsive to signals from said sensor commensurate with the temperature of outdoor ambient air, and to signals from said thermostat commensurate with the temperature of the air to be heated to operate said primary compressor, said booster compressor and said economizer in the following heating sequence;

(a) allow partial capacity operation of said multi-cylinder primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 50°

-75°

F.;

(b) allow full capacity operation of said multi-cylinder primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 43°

F.-50°

F.;

(c) allow full capacity operation of said booster compressor and partial capacity operation of said multi-cylinder primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 33°

F.-43°

F.;

(d) allow full capacity operation of said booster compressor, and partial capacity operation of said multi-cylinder primary compressor, and said economizer when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 25°

F.-33°

F.;

(e) allow full capacity operation of said booster compressor, and full capacity operation of said multi-cylinder primary compressor, and said economizer when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 15°

F.-25°

F.;

(f) allow operation of back-up resistance heating when the outdoor ambient temperature is about 15°

F. or lower.

27. A compressor module as in claim 24, including:

a lubricant management system, said system having;

(a) an aspiration tube extending from the lubricant sump of said primary compressor to the intake of said primary compressor,

(b) an aspiration tube extending from the lubricant sump of said booster compressor to the intake of said booster compressor,

(c) a liquid trap in the supply line to the inlet to said booster compressor, and

(d) a liquid trap in the supply line between the discharge from said booster compressor to the intake to said primary compressor.

28. A compressor module as in claim 24, wherein:

the displacement of said booster compressor is about 10%-about 50% greater than the displacement of said primary compressor.

29. A compressor module as in claim 24, wherein:

the ratio of the displacement of said booster compressor to the displacement of said primary compressor is at least about 1.3 to 1.

30. A compressor module as in claim 24, wherein:

the coefficient of performance (C.O.P.) Of the heat pump system is at least about 2 for the conditions of 0°

F. outdoor ambient temperature and 70°

F. indoor heated space temperature.

31. A compression module as in claim 24, wherein:

100% of the capacity of said primary compressor is greater than the ordinary cooling requirements of the heat pump system.

32. A compressor module as in claim 24, wherein:

said booster compressor is a single speed compressor.

33. A compressor module as in claim 24, wherein:

each of said booster compressor and said primary compressor is a twin-single compressor.

25. A compression module for a heat pump system, said module including:

a primary compressor;

a booster compressor

at least said primary compressor being a multi-cylinder unloadable compressor;

each of said compressors having an inlet and a supply line connected to said inlet;

a supply line from the discharge from said booster compressor to the inlet to said primary compressor;

an economizer;

a sensor for sensing the temperature of outdoor ambient air;

a thermostat for sensing the temperature of a volume of air to be cooled; and

a controller, said controller being responsive to signals from said sensor commensurate with the temperature of outdoor ambient air, and to signals from said thermostat commensurate with the temperature of the air to be heated to operate said primary compressor, said booster compressor and said economizer in the following cooling sequence;

(a) allow partial capacity operation of said multi-cylinder primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 60°

F.-85°

F.;

(b) allow full capacity operation of said multi-cylinder primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of above about 85°

F.;

(c) allow full capacity operation of said multi-cylinder primary compressors and full capacity operation of said booster compressor when outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 105°

F.

26. The compression module of claim 25, including:

allow operation of said economizer and full capacity operation of said primary compressor and full capacity operation of said booster compressor.

34. A method of operating in heating sequence a heat pump system having a primary multi-cylinder unloadable compressor, a booster compressor and an economizer, the method including the steps of:

(a) sensing the outdoor ambient temperature;

(b) allowing partial capacity operation of said multi-cylinder primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 50°

-75°

F.;

(c) allowing full capacity operation of said multi-cylinder primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 43°

F.-50°

F.;

(d) allowing full capacity operation of said booster compressor and partial capacity operation of said multi-cylinder primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 33°

F.-43°

F.;

(e) allowing full capacity operation of said booster compressor, and partial capacity operation of said multi-cylinder primary compressor, and said economizer when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 25°

F.-33°

F.;

(f) allowing full capacity operation of said booster compressor, and full capacity operation of said multi-cylinder compressor, and said economizer when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 15°

F.-25°

F.;

(g) allowing operation of back-up resistance heating when the outdoor ambient temperature is about 15°

F. or lower.

35. A method of operating in cooling sequence a heat pump system having a multi-cylinder unloadable primary compressor, a booster compressor and an economizer, the method including the steps of:

(a) sensing the outdoor ambient temperature;

(b) allowing partial capacity operation of said multi-cylinder primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 60°

F.-85°

F.;

(c) allowing full capacity operation of said multi-cylinder primary compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of above about 85°

F.; and

(d) allowing full capacity operation of said multi-cylinder primary compressor and full capacity operation of said booster compressor when the outdoor ambient temperature is in the range of about 105°

F.

36. The method as in claim 35, including the step of:

operating said economizer along with full capacity operation of said multi-cylinder primary compressor and full capacity operation of said booster compressor.