US20180195788A1 - Method of Defrosting a Heat Pump Device as Well as a Heat Pump Device - Google Patents
Method of Defrosting a Heat Pump Device as Well as a Heat Pump Device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20180195788A1 US20180195788A1 US15/403,541 US201715403541A US2018195788A1 US 20180195788 A1 US20180195788 A1 US 20180195788A1 US 201715403541 A US201715403541 A US 201715403541A US 2018195788 A1 US2018195788 A1 US 2018195788A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- pump device
- heat pump
- heat
- heating element
- water tank
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- 238000010257 thawing Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 24
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 11
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 59
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 46
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract 4
- 230000008014 freezing Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000007710 freezing Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000009849 deactivation Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000001994 activation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000003507 refrigerant Substances 0.000 description 2
- 125000004122 cyclic group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000020188 drinking water Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000003651 drinking water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000008399 tap water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000020679 tap water Nutrition 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D21/00—Defrosting; Preventing frosting; Removing condensed or defrost water
- F25D21/06—Removing frost
- F25D21/08—Removing frost by electric heating
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
- F24D17/00—Domestic hot-water supply systems
- F24D17/02—Domestic hot-water supply systems using heat pumps
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H1/00—Water heaters, e.g. boilers, continuous-flow heaters or water-storage heaters
- F24H1/18—Water-storage heaters
- F24H1/20—Water-storage heaters with immersed heating elements, e.g. electric elements or furnace tubes
- F24H1/201—Water-storage heaters with immersed heating elements, e.g. electric elements or furnace tubes using electric energy supply
- F24H1/202—Water-storage heaters with immersed heating elements, e.g. electric elements or furnace tubes using electric energy supply with resistances
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
- F24H15/10—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the purpose of the control
- F24H15/136—Defrosting or de-icing; Preventing freezing
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
- F24H15/30—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control outputs; characterised by the components to be controlled
- F24H15/355—Control of heat-generating means in heaters
- F24H15/37—Control of heat-generating means in heaters of electric heaters
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
- F24H15/30—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control outputs; characterised by the components to be controlled
- F24H15/375—Control of heat pumps
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H4/00—Fluid heaters characterised by the use of heat pumps
- F24H4/02—Water heaters
- F24H4/04—Storage heaters
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H9/00—Details
- F24H9/20—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
- F24H9/2007—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heaters
- F24H9/2014—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heaters using electrical energy supply
- F24H9/2021—Storage heaters
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B13/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, with reversible cycle
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B30/00—Heat pumps
- F25B30/02—Heat pumps of the compression type
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D21/00—Defrosting; Preventing frosting; Removing condensed or defrost water
- F25D21/002—Defroster control
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
- F24H15/20—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control inputs
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
- F24H15/20—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control inputs
- F24H15/281—Input from user
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
- F24H15/30—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control outputs; characterised by the components to be controlled
- F24H15/375—Control of heat pumps
- F24H15/38—Control of compressors of heat pumps
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
- F24H15/40—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers
- F24H15/414—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers using electronic processing, e.g. computer-based
- F24H15/421—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers using electronic processing, e.g. computer-based using pre-stored data
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2339/00—Details of evaporators; Details of condensers
- F25B2339/04—Details of condensers
- F25B2339/047—Water-cooled condensers
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B47/00—Arrangements for preventing or removing deposits or corrosion, not provided for in another subclass
- F25B47/02—Defrosting cycles
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method of deicing or defrosting a heat pump device as well as a heat pump device.
- a heat pump device If a heat pump device is operated at low temperature conditions, water can condense on the evaporator of the heat pump device. If the outside temperature is high enough, the freezing agent is above the freezing temperature. If the outside temperature, however, drops, then the refrigerant circuit can be operating at a temperature below the freezing temperature and the water which has condensated on the evaporator is starting to freeze such that a hoar frost build-up is starting at the evaporator.
- the water which is present between the fins of the evaporator starts to freeze such that the distance between adjacent fins, through which typically air is streaming, is reduced and the amount of air which can stream there through is reduced.
- the air stream is blocked such that no air can stream through the evaporator. In such a situation, a deicing or defrosting is required.
- the compressor can be switched on and off in a cyclic manner. During the deicing or defrosting, the compressor is stopped such that the freezing agent is not flowing any more through the refrigerant circuit. On the other hand, the fan of the evaporator is still operating such that air is streaming through the evaporator and the ice between the fins is deiced or defrosted by the energy which is still present in the outside air. This deicing operation is only possible if the air temperature is above the freezing temperature. On the other hand, if the air is below 2° C. (35.6° F.), the defrosting operation can have a negative impact on the comfort of the user of the heat pump device as the ability of the heat pump device to produce sufficient hot water is reduced, i.e. the time required to heat sufficient water is increasing.
- the rate at which ice or hoar frost build-up is present at the fins of the evaporator is not only dependent on the temperature of the outside air, but also the humidity of the air.
- the heat pump device must react differently to low temperatures which have a low air humidity than compared to low temperatures which also have a high air humidity.
- the heat pump device may initiate a defrosting of the evaporator while a defrosting is not yet required.
- the invention does not intend to encompass within the scope of the invention any previously disclosed product, process of making the product or method of using the product, which meets the written description and enablement requirements of the USPTO (35 U.S.C. 112), such that applicant(s) reserve the right to disclaim, and hereby disclose a disclaimer of, any previously described product, method of making the product, or process of using the product.
- This object is achieved by a method of deicing or defrosting a heat pump device as well as a heat pump device, as described herein.
- FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a heat pump device according to an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a heat pump device according to an embodiment of the invention.
- the heat pump device HP is implemented as an air/water heat pump device 1 , HP.
- the heat pump device 1 comprises a storage tank 7 adapted for tap water or drinking water, a plate heat exchanger, in particular a roll bond (plate) heat exchanger 8 which can be arranged around the storage tanks 7 . Inside the storage tank 7 , an electrical heating element 5 , HE can be arranged.
- the heat pump device 1 furthermore comprises an evaporator 3 with a fan 4 .
- a compressor, an expansion valve and a filter dryer are not disclosed in FIG. 1 .
- the heat pump device 1 comprises a first temperature sensor T 1 which is measuring the temperature of the air in or at the evaporator which is sucked in by the fan 4 as well as a second temperature sensor T 2 which is arranged adjacent to or at the evaporator 3 .
- the second temperature sensor T 2 is used to detect a hoar frost or ice build-up at the evaporator 3 .
- the heat pump device 1 furthermore comprises a control unit 9 which is adapted to control the operation of the electrical heating element 5 in order to control the temperature of the water inside the storage tank 7 .
- the heat pump device 1 may comprise a user interface or an operating element 10 .
- the user interface or the operating element 10 By means of the user interface or the operating element 10 , the user can choose the set value of the temperature of the water inside the storage tank.
- the user interface or the operating unit 10 can be used by the user to initiate an additional heating of the water inside the storage tank by means of the heating element 5 .
- the electrical heating element 5 can be implemented as a tubular heating element or as a heating rod.
- the roll bond heat exchanger 8 (as part of the heat pump) is used as primary heating source for heating the water inside the storage tank 7 .
- the heating element 5 is used as secondary heating element e.g. for situations where the roll bond heat exchanger 8 is not able to provide sufficient energy to sufficiently heat the water inside the storage tank 7 .
- the primary heating via the roll bond heat exchanger 8 is more energy sufficient than the heating via the secondary electrical heating element, namely the heating element 5 .
- the heat pump device can be operated in different operating modes.
- the different operating modes can for example be activated by the control unit 9 in particular depending on the temperature as detected by the second temperature sensor T 2 as well as the first temperature sensor T 1 .
- the second temperature sensor T 2 is used to detect the hoar frost build-up at the evaporator.
- the temperature as sensed by the second temperature sensor T 2 is compared in the control unit 9 with a stored set value. If the temperature as detected by the second temperature sensor T 2 is below the set value, the heating operation of the heat pump device is stopped and the defrosting operation is initiated. The defrosting operation is continued until the hoar frost build-up at the evaporator is removed. This is in particular performed by melting the ice on the evaporator.
- the defrosting or deicing can be performed by deactivating the compressor while the fan 4 of the evaporator 3 is still in operation until the temperature as detected by the second temperature sensor T 2 is above 0° C.
- the compressor can be activated again and thus the heating operation of the heat pump device can be activated again.
- the time required for defrosting or deicing the evaporator will depend on the amount of ice or hoar frost build-up on the evaporator.
- the normal operating mode can be considered as the first operating mode.
- the heat pump device is heating the water inside the storage tank 7 via the roll bond heat exchanger 8 and the heating element 5 is deactivated.
- the user may manually activate the operation of the heating element 5 for example via the user interface or operating unit 10 .
- the heating element 5 Via the heating element 5 , a part of the water inside the storage tank is heated one time. If the water temperature inside the storage tank 7 corresponds to the desired value, then the heating element 5 is deactivated again and only the heat pump device is heating the water inside the storage tank 7 via the roll bond heat exchanger 8 .
- the control unit 9 activates a third operating mode if the temperature as detected by the first temperature sensor T 1 is below a set value which can be for example 6° C. In the third operating mode, the operation of the heating element 5 is controlled by the control unit 9 .
- the control unit 9 controls the operation of the heating element 5 in particular if a second condition is fulfilled.
- the heating element 5 is only then activated automatically by the control unit 9 if the heat pump device 1 is not able to produce sufficient hot water via the roll bond heat exchanger 8 .
- the heating element 5 is activated via the control unit 9 if the time during which the deicing operation is activated exceeds a time limit, for example like 30 minutes.
- the control unit 9 activates the operation of the heating element 5 and the operation is continued until the heating requirement is fulfilled.
- the heating requirement may relate to a normal operation of the heat pump device with an increased requirement for hot water or alternatively if the deicing operation is continued beyond a set time period.
- control unit 10 can also activate the operation of the heating element 5 if the defrosting operation is activated several times within a set time period. For example, if the defrosting operation is activated five times during two hours, the control unit 10 activates the operation of the heating element 5 to heat the water inside the storage tank. This activation of the heating element can continue until the number of activations of the defrosting unit within a set time limit has decreased.
- control unit 9 deactivates the heating operation of the heat pump device via the roll bond heat exchanger 8 , the automatic operation of the heating element 5 via the control unit 9 is also deactivated.
- the third operating mode (automatic operation of the heat element) is deactivated such that the heating element can only be manually activated via the user interface or operating unit 10 .
- the on and off switching of the manual and automatic operation of the heating element includes a hysteresis of for example 2° C.
- the control unit 9 activates a fourth operating mode if the air temperature as determined by the second temperature sensor T 2 is below 2° C. and the necessity of a defrosting operation is detected. If the defrosting operation is continuing for more than 30 minutes, the fan 4 of the evaporator 3 is deactivated and the control unit 9 activates the operation of the heating element 5 until a temperature control device (thermostat) of the heat pump device together with the control unit 9 deactivates the operation of the heating element 5 . During this operating mode, the operation of the heat pump device is deactivated for a predetermined time interval. The deactivation of the heat pump device operation starts with the deactivation of the fan 4 . The time period of this deactivation can be for example up to 4 hours.
- the time period for the deactivation of the heat pump device 1 is reduced. If the air temperature as determined by the second temperature sensor T 2 is above 8° C. or if a power outage occurs, the heating operation of the heat pump device is activated again.
- the heating operation of the heat pump device is deactivated and the automatic operation of the heating element 5 is activated. This operation is deactivated again when the temperature as determined by the first temperature sensor T 1 is >0° C.
- the fan 4 is activated for 5 to 10 seconds before the temperature sensor T 1 determines the temperature of the air flowing through the evaporator. This is advantageous as this will allow a more accurate measuring of the air temperature.
- the temperature as measured by the temperature sensor T 1 is used to decided whether or not the compressor can be activated again and the heating operation of the heat pump device can be reactivated again.
- the fan 4 can be activated before the temperature sensor T 1 detects the air temperature of the air flowing through the evaporator in case the heat pump device has been deactivated.
- the last temperature value which was measured by the temperature sensor T 1 during an active operation of the fan can be used when the heating operation of the heat pump has been deactivated in order to determine whether or not the compressor is to be activated again.
- HP Air HP de- HE HE HP blocked HP temperature heating frosting manual auto f (defrosting) blocked >6° C. X X X ⁇ 6° C., >2° C. X X X ⁇ 3° C. >0° C. X X X X ⁇ 2° C. X X X
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a method of deicing or defrosting a heat pump device as well as a heat pump device.
- It is noted that citation or identification of any document in this application is not an admission that such document is available as prior art to the present invention.
- If a heat pump device is operated at low temperature conditions, water can condense on the evaporator of the heat pump device. If the outside temperature is high enough, the freezing agent is above the freezing temperature. If the outside temperature, however, drops, then the refrigerant circuit can be operating at a temperature below the freezing temperature and the water which has condensated on the evaporator is starting to freeze such that a hoar frost build-up is starting at the evaporator.
- In particular, the water which is present between the fins of the evaporator starts to freeze such that the distance between adjacent fins, through which typically air is streaming, is reduced and the amount of air which can stream there through is reduced. In the worst case, the air stream is blocked such that no air can stream through the evaporator. In such a situation, a deicing or defrosting is required.
- For deicing or defrosting the evaporator, the compressor can be switched on and off in a cyclic manner. During the deicing or defrosting, the compressor is stopped such that the freezing agent is not flowing any more through the refrigerant circuit. On the other hand, the fan of the evaporator is still operating such that air is streaming through the evaporator and the ice between the fins is deiced or defrosted by the energy which is still present in the outside air. This deicing operation is only possible if the air temperature is above the freezing temperature. On the other hand, if the air is below 2° C. (35.6° F.), the defrosting operation can have a negative impact on the comfort of the user of the heat pump device as the ability of the heat pump device to produce sufficient hot water is reduced, i.e. the time required to heat sufficient water is increasing.
- It should further be noted that the rate at which ice or hoar frost build-up is present at the fins of the evaporator is not only dependent on the temperature of the outside air, but also the humidity of the air. In other words, the heat pump device must react differently to low temperatures which have a low air humidity than compared to low temperatures which also have a high air humidity. In the first case, the heat pump device may initiate a defrosting of the evaporator while a defrosting is not yet required.
- It is noted that in this disclosure and particularly in the claims and/or paragraphs, terms such as “comprises”, “comprised”, “comprising” and the like can have the meaning attributed to it in U.S. Patent law; e.g., they can mean “includes”, “included”, “including”, and the like; and that terms such as “consisting essentially of” and “consists essentially of” have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. Patent law, e.g., they allow for elements not explicitly recited, but exclude elements that are found in the prior art or that affect a basic or novel characteristic of the invention.
- It is further noted that the invention does not intend to encompass within the scope of the invention any previously disclosed product, process of making the product or method of using the product, which meets the written description and enablement requirements of the USPTO (35 U.S.C. 112), such that applicant(s) reserve the right to disclaim, and hereby disclose a disclaimer of, any previously described product, method of making the product, or process of using the product.
- It is an object of the invention to provide a method of defrosting or deicing a heat pump device which enables an effective deicing or defrosting.
- This object is achieved by a method of deicing or defrosting a heat pump device as well as a heat pump device, as described herein.
-
FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a heat pump device according to an embodiment of the invention. - It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, many other elements which are conventional in this art. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other elements are desirable for implementing the present invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein.
- The present invention will now be described in detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments.
-
FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a heat pump device according to an embodiment of the invention. The heat pump device HP is implemented as an air/waterheat pump device 1, HP. Theheat pump device 1 comprises astorage tank 7 adapted for tap water or drinking water, a plate heat exchanger, in particular a roll bond (plate)heat exchanger 8 which can be arranged around thestorage tanks 7. Inside thestorage tank 7, anelectrical heating element 5, HE can be arranged. Theheat pump device 1 furthermore comprises anevaporator 3 with afan 4. A compressor, an expansion valve and a filter dryer are not disclosed inFIG. 1 . - Furthermore, the
heat pump device 1 comprises a first temperature sensor T1 which is measuring the temperature of the air in or at the evaporator which is sucked in by thefan 4 as well as a second temperature sensor T2 which is arranged adjacent to or at theevaporator 3. The second temperature sensor T2 is used to detect a hoar frost or ice build-up at theevaporator 3. - The
heat pump device 1 furthermore comprises acontrol unit 9 which is adapted to control the operation of theelectrical heating element 5 in order to control the temperature of the water inside thestorage tank 7. Optionally, theheat pump device 1 may comprise a user interface or anoperating element 10. By means of the user interface or theoperating element 10, the user can choose the set value of the temperature of the water inside the storage tank. Moreover, the user interface or theoperating unit 10 can be used by the user to initiate an additional heating of the water inside the storage tank by means of theheating element 5. - The
electrical heating element 5 can be implemented as a tubular heating element or as a heating rod. The roll bond heat exchanger 8 (as part of the heat pump) is used as primary heating source for heating the water inside thestorage tank 7. Theheating element 5 is used as secondary heating element e.g. for situations where the rollbond heat exchanger 8 is not able to provide sufficient energy to sufficiently heat the water inside thestorage tank 7. - It should be noted that the primary heating via the roll
bond heat exchanger 8 is more energy sufficient than the heating via the secondary electrical heating element, namely theheating element 5. - The heat pump device can be operated in different operating modes. The different operating modes can for example be activated by the
control unit 9 in particular depending on the temperature as detected by the second temperature sensor T2 as well as the first temperature sensor T1. - The second temperature sensor T2 is used to detect the hoar frost build-up at the evaporator. The temperature as sensed by the second temperature sensor T2 is compared in the
control unit 9 with a stored set value. If the temperature as detected by the second temperature sensor T2 is below the set value, the heating operation of the heat pump device is stopped and the defrosting operation is initiated. The defrosting operation is continued until the hoar frost build-up at the evaporator is removed. This is in particular performed by melting the ice on the evaporator. - As mentioned above, the defrosting or deicing can be performed by deactivating the compressor while the
fan 4 of theevaporator 3 is still in operation until the temperature as detected by the second temperature sensor T2 is above 0° C. For example, if the temperature as detected by the second temperature sensor T2 is for example 3° C., then the compressor can be activated again and thus the heating operation of the heat pump device can be activated again. The time required for defrosting or deicing the evaporator will depend on the amount of ice or hoar frost build-up on the evaporator. - The normal operating mode can be considered as the first operating mode. During this operating mode (heating operating mode), the heat pump device is heating the water inside the
storage tank 7 via the rollbond heat exchanger 8 and theheating element 5 is deactivated. - In a second operating mode, the user may manually activate the operation of the
heating element 5 for example via the user interface oroperating unit 10. Via theheating element 5, a part of the water inside the storage tank is heated one time. If the water temperature inside thestorage tank 7 corresponds to the desired value, then theheating element 5 is deactivated again and only the heat pump device is heating the water inside thestorage tank 7 via the rollbond heat exchanger 8. - The
control unit 9 activates a third operating mode if the temperature as detected by the first temperature sensor T1 is below a set value which can be for example 6° C. In the third operating mode, the operation of theheating element 5 is controlled by thecontrol unit 9. Thecontrol unit 9 controls the operation of theheating element 5 in particular if a second condition is fulfilled. Theheating element 5 is only then activated automatically by thecontrol unit 9 if theheat pump device 1 is not able to produce sufficient hot water via the rollbond heat exchanger 8. In addition or alternatively, theheating element 5 is activated via thecontrol unit 9 if the time during which the deicing operation is activated exceeds a time limit, for example like 30 minutes. If this time limit has lapsed, then thecontrol unit 9 activates the operation of theheating element 5 and the operation is continued until the heating requirement is fulfilled. Accordingly, the heating requirement may relate to a normal operation of the heat pump device with an increased requirement for hot water or alternatively if the deicing operation is continued beyond a set time period. - In addition or alternatively, the
control unit 10 can also activate the operation of theheating element 5 if the defrosting operation is activated several times within a set time period. For example, if the defrosting operation is activated five times during two hours, thecontrol unit 10 activates the operation of theheating element 5 to heat the water inside the storage tank. This activation of the heating element can continue until the number of activations of the defrosting unit within a set time limit has decreased. - If the
control unit 9 deactivates the heating operation of the heat pump device via the rollbond heat exchanger 8, the automatic operation of theheating element 5 via thecontrol unit 9 is also deactivated. - If the air temperate as determined by the second temperature sensor T2 has increased for example up to 8° C., the third operating mode (automatic operation of the heat element) is deactivated such that the heating element can only be manually activated via the user interface or
operating unit 10. - Therefore, the on and off switching of the manual and automatic operation of the heating element includes a hysteresis of for example 2° C.
- The
control unit 9 activates a fourth operating mode if the air temperature as determined by the second temperature sensor T2 is below 2° C. and the necessity of a defrosting operation is detected. If the defrosting operation is continuing for more than 30 minutes, thefan 4 of theevaporator 3 is deactivated and thecontrol unit 9 activates the operation of theheating element 5 until a temperature control device (thermostat) of the heat pump device together with thecontrol unit 9 deactivates the operation of theheating element 5. During this operating mode, the operation of the heat pump device is deactivated for a predetermined time interval. The deactivation of the heat pump device operation starts with the deactivation of thefan 4. The time period of this deactivation can be for example up to 4 hours. If the temperature of the air flowing through theevaporator 3 as determined by the first temperature sensor T1 is above 6° C., the time period for the deactivation of theheat pump device 1 is reduced. If the air temperature as determined by the second temperature sensor T2 is above 8° C. or if a power outage occurs, the heating operation of the heat pump device is activated again. - If the temperature of the air as determined by the first temperature sensor T1 is below −2° C., the heating operation of the heat pump device is deactivated and the automatic operation of the
heating element 5 is activated. This operation is deactivated again when the temperature as determined by the first temperature sensor T1 is >0° C. - According to an aspect of the invention, the
fan 4 is activated for 5 to 10 seconds before the temperature sensor T1 determines the temperature of the air flowing through the evaporator. This is advantageous as this will allow a more accurate measuring of the air temperature. The temperature as measured by the temperature sensor T1 is used to decided whether or not the compressor can be activated again and the heating operation of the heat pump device can be reactivated again. - In an aspect of the invention, the
fan 4 can be activated before the temperature sensor T1 detects the air temperature of the air flowing through the evaporator in case the heat pump device has been deactivated. - In a further aspect of the invention, the last temperature value which was measured by the temperature sensor T1 during an active operation of the fan can be used when the heating operation of the heat pump has been deactivated in order to determine whether or not the compressor is to be activated again.
- In the following table, different operating modes of the heat pump device HP and the electrical heating element HE are depicted:
-
HP Air HP de- HE HE HP blocked = HP temperature heating frosting manual auto f (defrosting) blocked >6° C. X X X <6° C., >2° C. X X X X <3° C. >0° C. X X X X X <−2° C. X X X - While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions as defined in the following claims.
Claims (4)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/403,541 US20180195788A1 (en) | 2017-01-11 | 2017-01-11 | Method of Defrosting a Heat Pump Device as Well as a Heat Pump Device |
US17/943,492 US20230003435A1 (en) | 2017-01-11 | 2022-09-13 | Method of defrosting a heat pump device as well as a heat pump device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/403,541 US20180195788A1 (en) | 2017-01-11 | 2017-01-11 | Method of Defrosting a Heat Pump Device as Well as a Heat Pump Device |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/943,492 Continuation US20230003435A1 (en) | 2017-01-11 | 2022-09-13 | Method of defrosting a heat pump device as well as a heat pump device |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20180195788A1 true US20180195788A1 (en) | 2018-07-12 |
Family
ID=62782839
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/403,541 Abandoned US20180195788A1 (en) | 2017-01-11 | 2017-01-11 | Method of Defrosting a Heat Pump Device as Well as a Heat Pump Device |
US17/943,492 Pending US20230003435A1 (en) | 2017-01-11 | 2022-09-13 | Method of defrosting a heat pump device as well as a heat pump device |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US17/943,492 Pending US20230003435A1 (en) | 2017-01-11 | 2022-09-13 | Method of defrosting a heat pump device as well as a heat pump device |
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US (2) | US20180195788A1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
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US10684616B2 (en) * | 2017-01-27 | 2020-06-16 | Preston Industries, Inc. | Self-test system for qualifying refrigeration chiller system performance |
CN111829204A (en) * | 2020-06-15 | 2020-10-27 | 山东圣克莱尔新能源有限公司 | Heat pump frost device for tea making |
US10907879B2 (en) | 2018-12-31 | 2021-02-02 | Thermo King Corporation | Methods and systems for energy efficient defrost of a transport climate control system evaporator |
CN114484889A (en) * | 2022-02-17 | 2022-05-13 | 宁波方太厨具有限公司 | Anti-freezing control method and system for water heater, water heater and medium |
US20220316778A1 (en) * | 2021-03-31 | 2022-10-06 | Rheem Manufacturing Company | Defrost systems and methods for heat pump water heaters |
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US10684616B2 (en) * | 2017-01-27 | 2020-06-16 | Preston Industries, Inc. | Self-test system for qualifying refrigeration chiller system performance |
US10907879B2 (en) | 2018-12-31 | 2021-02-02 | Thermo King Corporation | Methods and systems for energy efficient defrost of a transport climate control system evaporator |
CN111829204A (en) * | 2020-06-15 | 2020-10-27 | 山东圣克莱尔新能源有限公司 | Heat pump frost device for tea making |
US20220316778A1 (en) * | 2021-03-31 | 2022-10-06 | Rheem Manufacturing Company | Defrost systems and methods for heat pump water heaters |
US11835277B2 (en) * | 2021-03-31 | 2023-12-05 | Rheem Manufacturing Company | Defrost systems and methods for heat pump water heaters |
CN114484889A (en) * | 2022-02-17 | 2022-05-13 | 宁波方太厨具有限公司 | Anti-freezing control method and system for water heater, water heater and medium |
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