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Additive heat unit for HVAC heat pump system

  • US 9,822,996 B2
  • Filed: 11/30/2015
  • Issued: 11/21/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2014
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An air source heat pump HVAC system, the system having a closed loop flow pathway configured for refrigerant to flow within the closed loop flow pathway, the system comprising:

  • a compressor;

    an expansion valve;

    a first air source heat exchanger;

    a second air source heat exchanger;

    a reversing valve having a first position in a cooling mode and a second position in a heating mode, and being configured to change a direction of flow of refrigerant through a closed loop flow pathway in the system such that in the cooling mode the first air source heat exchanger functions as an evaporator and the second air source heat exchanger functions as a condenser, and in a heating mode the first air source heat exchanger functions as a condenser and the second air source heat exchanger functions as an evaporator;

    wherein the closed loop flow path defines a refrigerant flow path in a continuous loop, such that when the reversing valve is in the first position in a cool mode, the refrigerant flow path extends from the compressor to the second air source heat exchanger, from the second air source heat exchanger to the expansion valve, from the expansion valve to the first air source heat exchanger, and from the first air source heat exchanger back to the compressor, the refrigerant flow path being reversible when the reversing valve is moved to the second position;

    an additive heat transfer unit (AHTU) comprising;

    a liquid source heat exchanger, wherein the flow of refrigerant passes through the AHTU in both the cooling and heating modes, the AHTU configured to provide additional heat to the refrigerant either before or after the refrigerant flows to the second air source heat exchanger;

    a water heater;

    a water heater coil in thermal communication with the water heater and the AHTU and configured such that excess heat from the AHTU can be used to heat water from the water heater; and

    a heat transfer coil positioned within the second air source heat exchanger, the heat transfer coil configured to such that liquid from the liquid source heat exchanger in the AHTU is directed to the second air source heat exchanger during a defrost cycle during the heating mode.

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