AU2016270252A1

AU2016270252A1 - Air heat pump for obtaining environmental heat from air

Info

Publication number: AU2016270252A1
Application number: AU2016270252A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jose Corte-Real; Celina Gameiro
Original assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Current assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date: 2015-06-01
Filing date: 2016-05-17
Publication date: 2017-09-14
Also published as: PT108520A; WO2016192977A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an air heat pump (3) for obtaining environmental heat from air and for controlling the temperature of a useful fluid using a coolant evaporator (4), wherein air that is being moved by the wind impinges on the air heat pump, and the air heat pump has an air inlet device (5) and an air outlet device (6). An air heat pump (3) according to the invention is characterized in that the air inlet device (5) and/or the air outlet device (6) is mounted in a movable manner by means of a movable bearing (8), and at least one wind tracking device (9) is provided for orienting the air inlet device (5) and/or the air outlet device (6) towards the wind. A method according to the invention for controlling a wind tracking process in an air heat pump (3) is characterized by the steps of detecting a wind direction and/or a wind speed, detecting a possible better angular position of the air inlet device (5) and/or the air outlet device (6), and moving and aligning the air inlet device (5) and/or the air outlet device (6) according to the detected wind direction.

Description

WO 2016/192977 1 PCT/EP2016/060992

Description

Title

Air heat pump for obtaining environmental heat from air

The invention relates to an air heat pump for obtaining environmental heat from air and for controlling the temperature of a useful fluid with a refrigerant evaporator, on which pump air that is being moved by the wind can impinge, having an air inlet device and an air outlet device.

Prior art

Heat pumps are used to heat a useful fluid by exploiting a low-temperature heat potential (e.g. environmental heat or waste heat). A refrigerant circuit connects an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser and an expansion device and, if appropriate, further components by means of a piping system for circulation of a refrigerant. In the evaporator, liquid refrigerant is evaporated through the transfer of low-temperature environmental heat. In the compressor, the refrigerant vapor is compressed, as a result of which its temperature increases. In the condenser, the previously absorbed environmental heat and the absorbed compression energy is transferred at a now increased temperature from the refrigerant to a useful fluid, during which process the refrigerant liquefies. In the expansion device, the refrigerant is expanded. The refrigerant is then fed to the evaporator again. A control unit can be used to monitor and control the heat pump components mentioned.

Heat pumps can be used, for example, to heat rooms or to heat drinking water, wherein water or air are used as useful fluids. Air heat pumps use the heat contained in air (e.g. exterior air or exhaust air). Here, the air quantity flowing through the evaporator determines WO 2016/192977 2 PCT/EP2016/060992 the quantity of heat that can be transferred to the useful fluid. Externally mounted air heat pumps for heating drinking water draw in exterior air via an air inlet device by means of a blower, convey this air into a heat pump casing through the evaporator, and expel the cooled air again via an air outlet device. If these externally mounted air heat pumps are exposed to the wind, the wind conditions can affect the air quantity acting upon the evaporator and hence the heat yield.

Evaporators and condensers are heat exchangers and can be embodied as air/liquid heat exchangers or liquid/liquid heat exchangers, for example, depending on the type of heat pump. Illustrative evaporator designs are finned coil heat exchangers and finned tube heat exchangers with sheet-metal plates or sheet-metal fins, around which air flows, which are adjacent in a heat-conducting arrangement to pipes carrying refrigerant.

Disclosure of the invention

An air heat pump according to the invention for obtaining environmental heat from air and for controlling the temperature of a useful fluid with a refrigerant evaporator, on which pump air that is being moved by the wind can impinge, has an air inlet device and an air outlet device. In this case, it is envisaged that the air inlet device and/or the air outlet device is/are mounted in a movable manner by means of a movable bearing, and at least one wind tracking device for tracking the air inlet device and/or the air outlet device in accordance with the wind direction is included. This ensures that the air inlet device or the air outlet device or both the air inlet device and the air outlet device move and can align themselves in accordance with an atmospherically prevailing wind movement of the air, and that this wind movement brings WO 2016/192977 3 PCT/EP2016/060992 about or at least assists and reinforces air impingement on or flow through the evaporator. In this case, the wind can blow from different directions (from different angles, e.g. measured as an angle relative to a North direction), depending on atmospheric conditions. By means of the movable bearing and the wind tracking device, the air inlet device and/or air outlet device can move and align themselves in accordance with the wind direction. Thus, air under wind pressure flows particularly easily and largely unhindered through an open-air inlet cross section into the air inlet device and hence into the heat pump, flows through the refrigerant evaporator, where it transfers its environmental heat to the refrigerant, and flows particularly easily and largely unhindered through an open air outlet cross section out of the air outlet device and hence out of the heat pump again. Tracking thus comprises movement and alignment in accordance with the wind direction. Here, alignment means an intended movement of the air inlet device and/or air outlet device into an angular position corresponding to the wind direction. Here, tracking in accordance with the wind direction or alignment in accordance with the wind direction can mean that the air inlet device and/or air outlet device move or rotate or adjust in such a way that they adopt a predeterminable angular position in relation to the wind direction. An angular position can be measured as an angle relative to a North direction, for example. It is thereby possible to maximize air flow through the heat pump and the evaporator and to optimize the efficiency of the heat pump.

In another optional embodiment, the wind tracking device comprises a wind direction detector for detecting a wind direction and/or a wind speed detector for detecting a wind speed. This can be a single detector for detecting the wind direction or two WO 2016/192977 4 PCT/EP2016/060992 separate detectors, which detect the wind direction and wind speed separately, or it can be a combination detector which detects the wind direction and wind speed together. On the basis of the detected wind direction and/or the detected wind speed, the wind direction detector and/or the wind speed detector produce actuating signals which bring about tracking of the air inlet device and/or the air outlet device. In this case, the production of the actuating signals can be based directly on a wind pressure associated with the wind or can be associated indirectly with conversion of the detected wind direction and/or wind speed into a different form of signal energy (e.g. by conversion of a physical value directly associated with the wind direction and/or wind speed into an electrical signal) . As a result, the air inlet device and/or the air outlet device align themselves in accordance with the wind direction. For example, the heat pump can comprise a control unit which receives and processes signals from the wind direction detector and/or from the wind speed detector, thereby ultimately allowing tracking of the air inlet device and/or air outlet device. This control unit can be the same as one which is used to monitor and control the heat pump components. By means of tracking, the control unit brings about maximized air flow through the heat pump and the evaporator and optimized efficiency of the heat pump.

In an optional embodiment, the wind tracking device comprises an actuating device, wherein the actuating device brings about a movement of the air inlet device and/or the air outlet device in accordance with the actuating signal. In this case, the actuating device can be a drive unit, e.g. a motor for producing the movement, and/or a transmission unit, e.g. a transmission for transmitting the movement to the air inlet device and/or the air outlet device. WO 2016/192977 5 PCT/EP2016/060992

In further possible embodiments, the actuating device brings about a movement according to a mechanical, electrical, magnetic, electric-motor and/or hydraulic principle. Tracking is then brought about by mechanical, electrical, magnetic, electric-motor and/or hydraulic forces, these being lever forces produced by the wind pressure, electrical or magnetic attraction forces, or torques transmitted by electric motors or hydraulic devices, for example.

An advantageous wind tracking device is designed in such a way that an air inlet cross section of the air inlet device aligns itself in or to the windward direction of the wind and/or that an air outlet cross section of the air outlet device aligns itself in or to the leeward direction of the wind. This is accomplished, for example, by means of a wind direction detector for detecting a windward direction and/or leeward direction, the actuating signals of which bring about a movement of an actuating device and hence alignment of the air inlet cross section and/or of the air outlet cross section. This ensures that the dynamic pressure or excess pressure at the air inlet cross section is as high as possible in relation to atmospheric pressure and that the air moved by the wind can flow directly through the air inlet cross section into the air inlet device and to the evaporator without avoidable flow losses. Moreover, this ensures that the absolute value of the intake pressure or vacuum relative to atmospheric pressure at the air outlet cross section is as high as possible and that the air leaving the evaporator can flow directly out of the air outlet device through the air outlet cross section without avoidable flow losses. Thus, there is a flow of air moved by the wind through the evaporator incorporated between the air inlet device and the air outlet device. WO 2016/192977 6 PCT/EP2016/060992

In a possible embodiment, the movable bearing of the air inlet device and of the air outlet device is designed as a rotatable bearing, preferably as a rotatable bearing having a vertical axis of rotation. This is particularly advantageous during tracking in accordance with the normally horizontal wind movements.

In a possible embodiment, air inlet device and the air outlet device are designed as two mutually separate modular units. They can be designed for mutually separate, i.e. mutually independent, movements or for mutually coupled movements. As a result, embodiments of the movable bearings which have smaller structural dimensions are often possible.

In an optional embodiment of the air heat pump, the air inlet device and/or the air outlet device are formed by intake manifolds and/or exhaust manifolds mounted on an upper section of the air heat pump, e.g. in the form of 90 degree pipe elbows. Simple component configuration with simple possibilities of connection for air routing within a heat pump casing through the evaporator is thereby achieved. In this case, each manifold can be moved individually, or both manifolds can be moved jointly, being connected by a transmission.

In an alternative embodiment, the air inlet device and the air outlet device are designed as an integral modular unit and are mounted in such a way that they can be moved jointly as a unit. This makes it possible to ensure that the air inlet cross section and the air outlet cross section are always opposite one another and alignment in accordance with the wind direction, e.g. windward/leeward alignment, is particularly simple . WO 2016/192977 7 PCT/EP2016/060992

In an optional embodiment, the wind direction detector and/or the wind speed detector are selected from a group comprising a wind vane, a wind direction indicator, an anemoscope, an impact tube, a dynamic pressure sensor, a Pitot tube, a Prandtl tube and an anemometer. Combinations of these detecting elements are also conceivable. Simple, robust and reliable detection of the wind direction and/or wind speed are thereby achievable.

In an optional embodiment, the air heat pump comprises a blower for conveying air through the refrigerant evaporator, wherein the blower speed can be controlled in accordance with the wind speed and/or with an air throughput through the evaporator and/or with a heat pump heat output and/or with a useful fluid temperature. In the case of the wind speed and/or air throughput and/or heat pump heat output and/or useful fluid temperature, these are preferably actually determined or measured or assumed values. The blower brings about the air throughput through the evaporator that is required for a current temperature control requirement of a useful fluid when the movement of air is absent or virtually absent in the atmosphere and cannot bring about a required air throughput, e.g. when there is no wind or a low wind speed. Or the blower assists and increases a wind-dependent air throughput through the evaporator. For example, the wind speed or the air throughput through the evaporator or a heat pump heat output or a useful fluid temperature is measured or determined and compared with a required value. If the required value is not achieved, the blower is switched on or the blower speed is increased. More air then reaches the evaporator, a refrigerant evaporation output is increased and more environmental heat can be obtained from the air and used. For example, a control unit monitors or measures or determines the wind speed, the air throughput through WO 2016/192977 8 PCT/EP2016/060992 the evaporator, the heat pump heat output and/or the useful fluid temperature and controls the blower speed in accordance therewith. The control unit thereby ensures a wind-independent minimum air throughput through the evaporator. The air throughput through the evaporator can also be maximized by means of the control unit and the blower with the aim of maximizing the heat pump heat output. A method according to the invention for controlling wind tracking of an air inlet device and/or an air outlet device in an air heat pump according to the invention, on which an air flow can impinge, is characterized by the steps of detecting a wind direction and/or a wind speed, detecting a possible better angular position of the air inlet device and/or the air outlet device, and moving and aligning the air inlet device and/or the air outlet device according to the detected better angular position. This ensures that the air moved by the wind flows into the air inlet device through the air inlet cross section, flows through the refrigerant evaporator, and flows out of the air outlet device through the air outlet cross section with minimum flow losses. In this context, a better angular position means an angular position of the air inlet device and/or the air outlet device in which the air moved by the wind flows into the air inlet device and/or out of the air outlet device more easily and with lower flow losses, and more air moved by the wind flows through the evaporator.

An optional method is characterized in that detection of a wind direction is performed by means of a wind vane movable about a vertical axis, wherein the wind vane aligns itself automatically in the leeward direction of the wind under the influence of the wind. PCT/EP2016/060992 WO 2016/192977

In an optional method, detection of a wind direction and/or a wind speed is performed by determining a maximum dynamic pressure by means of a dynamic pressure transducer that can be rotated about a vertical axis. In this case, a first dynamic pressure in a first angular position, a second dynamic pressure in a second angular position differing from the first angular position by 45 degrees clockwise, for example, and a third dynamic pressure in a third angular position, differing from the first angular position by 45 degrees counterclockwise, for example, of the dynamic pressure transducer are measured, wherein the first angular position of the dynamic pressure transducer is identical with the current angular position of the air inlet cross section, and wherein a maximum dynamic pressure, together with indications of angular position and magnitude, is determined from the measured dynamic pressures by interpolation. The movement of the dynamic pressure transducer is accomplished by a similar or identical principle to the movement of the air inlet device and/or air outlet device. If appropriate, the movements of the dynamic pressure transducer, the air inlet device and/or the air outlet device are coupled to one another. This provides a simple method, with the aid of which a maximum dynamic pressure, a current wind direction and a current wind speed can be determined.

An optional method is characterized in that the detection of a possible better angular position of the air inlet device and/or air outlet device is performed in accordance with an angular deviation between a current angular position of the air inlet device and/or air outlet device and a detected wind direction and in accordance with the wind speed. The angular position of the air inlet device and/or the air outlet device is taken to mean the angular position of a windward/leeward alignment of the air inlet device and/or air outlet device in relation to a North WO 2016/192977 10 PCT/EP2016/060992 direction, for example. In the case of angular deviations greater than or equal to a deviation limit (e.g. 5 degrees) and/or of wind speeds greater than or equal to a speed limit (e.g. 2 meters per second), a possible better angular position of the air inlet device and/or the air outlet device is identified. The better angular position is identical with the detected wind direction. This ensures that relatively large changes in wind direction and relatively high wind speeds bring about tracking of the air inlet device and/or air outlet device, these changes in the wind having the potential to affect a wind-driven air throughput through the evaporator. Small changes in wind direction and low wind speeds can be ignored, i.e. do not entail any movement and alignment of the air inlet device and/or the air outlet device because these have hardly any effect or no effect on the wind-driven air throughput through the evaporator.

Movement and alignment of the air inlet device and/or air outlet device in accordance with the wind direction, preferably of the air inlet device in the windward direction of the wind and/or of the air outlet device in the leeward direction is accomplished according to a mechanical, electrical, magnetic, electric-motor and/or hydraulic principle in accordance with the actuating signals from the wind direction detector and/or the wind speed detector.

An optional method is characterized in that the movement and alignment of an air inlet device and/or air outlet device are performed by means of a wind vane movable about a vertical axis, wherein the wind vane aligns the air inlet device and/or air outlet device automatically in the windward or leeward direction of the wind under the influence of the wind. Here, direct coupling between the wind vane and the air inlet device and/or air outlet device can be advantageous. WO 2016/192977 11 PCT/EP2016/060992

In an optional method, a speed of an impeller of a blower for conveying air through the refrigerant evaporator is controlled in accordance with the wind speed and/or an air throughput through the refrigerant evaporator and/or a heat pump heat output and/or a useful fluid temperature. The air heat pump comprises a blower having a switchable and/or controllable impeller speed, which assists and partially or even completely performs conveyance of air through the evaporator at least when the wind is not sufficient to supply the evaporator with an air quantity sufficient for an existing heating requirement. The fact that a wind-driven air throughput is not sufficient is detected by optionally present detectors for wind speed measurement, air throughput measurement, heat output measurement or useful fluid temperature measurement. Thus, for example, the blower speed is increased if the wind speed and/or the air throughput and/or the heat pump heat output and/or the useful fluid temperature fall below a setpoint value.

Figures la and lb show a heat pump heating device according to the prior art, Figures 2a and 2b show an air heat pump according to the invention, Figure 3 shows an upper section of an air heat pump according to the invention, Figure 4 shows an upper section of an air heat pump according to the invention, Figure 5 shows an upper section of an air heat pump according to the invention, Figure 6 shows an upper section of an air heat pump according to the invention, Figure 7 shows an upper section of an air heat pump according to the invention,

Figure 8 shows a flow diagram of a method according to the invention, and WO 2016/192977 12 PCT/EP2016/060992

Figure 9 shows a flow diagram of a method according to the invention.

Figure la shows a heat pump heating device 1 according to the prior art in longitudinal section, figure lb shows this heat pump heating device 1 in plan view. In the lower section of the heat pump heating device 1 there is a warm water reservoir 2 for storing a useful fluid. In the upper section there is the actual air heat pump 3 having a refrigerant evaporator 4, an air inlet device 5, an air outlet device 6 and a blower 7. The blower 7 draws in low-temperature air from the setup environment of the heat pump heating device 1 through the air inlet device 5, conveys this through the evaporator 4 and blows the cooled air out through the air outlet device 6 again. A compressor (not shown) heats a circulating refrigerant and conveys it to a condenser (not shown), where the heat is transferred to the useful fluid. For this purpose, useful fluid is drawn out of the reservoir 2 by means of a circulating pump (not shown), flows through the condenser and is conveyed back into the reservoir. The heated useful fluid (e.g. warm drinking water, heating water etc.) can be taken from the reservoir 2 for purposes of use.

Figure 2a shows a heat pump heating device 1 having an illustrative embodiment of an air heat pump 3 according to the invention in the upper section, figure 2b shows the corresponding plan view. The air heat pump 3 obtains environmental heat from air and controls the temperature of a useful fluid. The air heat pump 3 can be impinged upon by a flow of air moved by the wind and comprises an air inlet device 5 and an air outlet device 6, wherein the air inlet device 5 and/or the air outlet device 6 are movably mounted. In the example illustrated, they each have a movement bearing 8, e.g. a ball bearing (8) or sliding bearing (8) , and are mounted so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis of WO 2016/192977 13 PCT/EP2016/060992 rotation. The air heat pump 3 furthermore comprises a wind tracking device 9, which allows tracking of the air inlet device 5 and/or air outlet device 6 in accordance with the wind direction. The air inlet device 5 and the air outlet device 6 are designed as two mutually separate modular units in the form of 90-degree pipe elbows as an intake manifold 5 and an exhaust manifold 6. Directly adjoining the intake manifold 5 is a rigidly connected wind vane 9, and two rigidly connected wind vanes 9 adjoin the exhaust manifold 6. The wind vanes are wind direction detectors 11.1 and detect a wind direction. Depending on the wind speed, a wind pressure presses on the wind vanes 9 and turns the wind vanes 9 themselves and, together with them, the intake manifold 5 and the exhaust manifold 6 and aligns them in accordance with the wind direction. Thus, the wind pressure produces a torque about the vertical axis of rotation by means of a force on the surface of the wind vane 9, this corresponding to an actuating signal. The wind vane 9 is, at the same time, an actuating device, which moves and aligns itself and the intake manifold 5 and exhaust manifold 6 in accordance with the wind direction according to the torque. Thus aligned, the air moved by the wind flows without further flow losses through the air inlet device 5 to the evaporator 4, transfers its low-temperature heat to the refrigerant, flows onward to the air outlet device 6 and, having been cooled, leaves the heat pump 3. The tracking of the air inlet device 5 and the air outlet device 6 in accordance with the wind direction serves to maximize an air quantity moved by the wind through the evaporator 4. An impeller speed of a blower 7 which serves to convey air through the evaporator 4 can be reduced when there is sufficient air moved by the wind flowing through the evaporator 4. In this way, electrical energy for driving the blower 7 can be saved. WO 2016/192977 14 PCT/EP2016/060992

In the illustrative embodiment shown, the wind vanes 9 are in alignment with the intake direction and exhaust direction of the two manifolds 5, 6. As a result, the intake manifold 5 is aligned in the windward direction and the exhaust manifold 6 is aligned in the leeward direction of the wind if there is sufficient wind pressure .

It is possible, for example, for the heat pump heating device 1 to have a cylindrical or cuboidal housing, in which the components of the heat pump 3 are arranged in an upper section and a storage reservoir 2 (e.g. a warm drinking water reservoir or heating-system buffer reservoir) is arranged in a lower section. The air inlet device 5 and/or the air outlet device 6 can be arranged on an upward-oriented housing part or on a circumference of the housing. In an optional embodiment of the invention, the entire air heat pump 3 can be rotatably mounted.

The air inlet device 5 comprises an air inlet cross section as an open cross section or opening for the inflowing air. The air outlet device 6 comprises an air outlet cross section as an open cross section or opening for the outflowing air. At least one of these openings can be protected by grilles, filters or covers from the unwanted ingress of dust, foliage, other objects, animals or accidental entry by a hand. Tracking and alignment of the air inlet device 5 and/or air outlet device 6 can mean, in particular, aligning the air inlet cross section and/or the air outlet cross section perpendicularly to the windward direction and/or leeward direction of the wind, thereby making the flow losses associated with the inflow and outflow of air moved by the wind particularly low.

Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the air heat pump 3 having an air inlet device 5 and an air outlet device WO 2016/192977 15 PCT/EP2016/060992 6, once again designed as 90-degree pipe elbows 5, 6.

These are designed as a one-piece modular unit 5, 6 and are mounted in such a way that they can be moved jointly as a unit (rotary bearing 8). Directly adjoining the modular unit 5, 6 is a rigidly connected wind vane 9, which tracks the air inlet device 5 and the air outlet device 6 in accordance with the wind direction under wind pressure.

Figure 4 discloses an alternative embodiment of the air heat pump 3, in which the air inlet device 5 and the air outlet device 6 are arranged in the lateral surface of the cover 10 of the upper section of the heat pump heating device 1. Under wind pressure, a wind vane 9 on the upper surface produces a torque about the vertical axis of rotation and turns the entire cover 10 and/or the entire upper section of the heat pump heating device 1 about the rotary bearing 8.

Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the air heat pump 3, in which the air inlet device 5 is arranged in the lateral surface of the cover 10 of the upper section of the heat pump heating device 1. The air outlet device 6 and the air vane 9 are arranged on the upper surface. Under wind pressure, the wind vane 9 produces a torque about the vertical axis of rotation and turns the entire cover 10 together with the air inlet device 5 and the air outlet device 6 about the rotary bearing 8.

Figure 6 discloses another embodiment of the air heat pump 3 having an air inlet device 5, an air outlet device 6 and two rotary bearings 8. A wind direction detector 11.1 for detecting a wind direction and/or a wind speed detector 11.2 for detecting a wind speed is/are provided on the air inlet device 5, and these detectors produce corresponding actuating signals. The air inlet device 5 and the air outlet device 6 are moved and aligned in accordance with a detected wind WO 2016/192977 16 PCT/EP2016/060992 direction. Provided for this purpose is an actuating device 12, which is controlled by a control unit 13 and moves and aligns both the air inlet device 5 and the air outlet device 6. The control unit 13 receives actuating signals from the wind direction detector 11.1 and/or from the wind speed detector 11.2, processes them and outputs actuating commands to the actuating device 12 for the movement and alignment of the air inlet device 5 and of the air outlet device 6.

Figure 7 shows another embodiment of the air heat pump 3 having an air inlet device 5, an air outlet device 6 and two rotary bearings 8. A wind direction detector 11.1 for detecting a wind direction and/or a wind speed detector 11.2 for detecting a wind speed is/are provided on the air heat pump 3. The wind detector 11.1, 11.2 produces an actuating signal. The air inlet device 5 and the air outlet device 6 are moved and aligned in accordance with a detected wind direction. Two actuating devices 12 are provided for this purpose, being controlled by a control unit 13 and moving and aligning the air inlet device 5 and the air outlet device 6. The wind detector 11.1, 11.2 has a rotary bearing 14 and an actuating device 15. It detects a wind direction and/or a wind speed by determining a maximum dynamic pressure and an associated angular position. The angular position of the maximum dynamic pressure is identical with the angle of the wind direction .

Figure 8 shows a flow diagram of the method according to the invention for controlling wind tracking of an air inlet device 5 and/or an air outlet device 6 on an air heat pump 3, which can be impinged upon by a flow of air moved by the wind. The method comprises the following steps 16: detecting a wind direction and/or a wind speed, 17: detecting a possible better angular position of the air inlet device and/or the air outlet WO 2016/192977 17 PCT/EP2016/060992 device, and 18: moving and aligning the air inlet device and/or the air outlet device according to the detected angular position. These steps 16, 17, 18 are carried out repeatedly at predeterminable time intervals .

Figure 9 shows a flow diagram of a detailed illustrative embodiment of the method. The wind detector 11.1, 11.2 detects a wind direction and/or a wind speed by determining a maximum dynamic pressure and an associated angular position. For this purpose, a first dynamic pressure in an angular position of the wind detector 11.1, 11.2 corresponding to the current angular position of the air inlet device 5 is measured in step 16.1. In steps 16.2 and 16.3, a second and a third dynamic pressure are measured in second and third angular positions differing by, for example, 45 degrees in the clockwise and the counterclockwise direction. In step 17, the maximum dynamic pressure and the associated angular position are determined from the measured dynamic pressures and angular positions and an assessment is made as to whether there is therefore a possible better angular position which should be adopted. The angular position of the maximum dynamic pressure is identical with the angle of the wind direction. In step 18, the air inlet device 5 and the air outlet device 6 are aligned with the wind direction. In step 19.1, a time switch responsible for the periodicity of the method is set to zero and, in step 19.2, this time switch determines a pause and subsequent repeated execution of steps 16 to 18.

The method according to the invention allows continuous realignment of the air inlet device 5 and air outlet device 6 of an air heat pump 3 according to the invention in accordance with the wind direction if the possibility of a better angular position is detected. A flow of air moved by the wind through the evaporator 4 WO 2016/192977 18 PCT/EP2016/060992 of the air heat pump 3 is then easier and therefore increases, thus allowing the blower power for conveying the air to be correspondingly reduced.

If provision is made, according to the invention, for the air heat pump 3 to have a wind direction detector 11.1 and/or a wind speed detector 11.2, the following further advantages can be achieved.

From experience, it is known that air humidity at low temperatures can lead to frost formation or icing of the evaporator, impairing the efficiency of the heat pump, and that higher air speeds are associated with less frost formation. By means of the measured or detected wind speed, if appropriate in conjunction with a temperature detector and/or a humidity detector, a frost formation rate can then be forecast for the air side of the evaporator 4, for example. On the basis of the forecast for the frost formation rate and, for example, a time in operation, an absolute frost formation level can be forecast. Derived from this, a signal can then be output to an operator of the heat pump 3, drawing attention to such icing and to the necessity of thawing the evaporator 4.

On the other hand, it is known that an evaporator 4 must be contaminated by air particles and therefore cleaned at certain intervals. By means of the measured or detected wind speed, it is now possible to draw a conclusion about the air volume flow flowing through the evaporator 4. On the basis of the air volume flow determined in this way and, for example, a time in operation, it is possible to forecast an air quantity and, correlated with this, an expected contamination of the evaporator 4. Derived from this, a signal can then be output to an operator of the heat pump 3, drawing attention to such contamination and to the necessity for cleaning.

Claims

Claims

1. An air heat pump (3) with a refrigerant evaporator (4) for obtaining environmental heat from air and for controlling the temperature of a useful fluid, wherein air that is being moved by the wind can impinge on the air heat pump (3) , having an air inlet device (5) and an air outlet device (6), characterized in that the air inlet device (5) and/or the air outlet device (6) is/are mounted in a movable manner by means of a movable bearing (8), and at least one wind tracking device (9) is provided for tracking the air inlet device (5) and/or the air outlet device (6).
2. The air heat pump (3) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the wind tracking device (9) comprises a wind direction detector (11.1) for detecting a wind direction and/or a wind speed detector (11.2) for detecting a wind speed, wherein the wind direction detector (11.1) and/or the wind speed detector (11.2) are designed to produce actuating signals which bring about tracking of the air inlet device (5) and/or the air outlet device (6) .
3. The air heat pump (3) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the wind tracking device (9) comprises an actuating device (12), wherein the actuating device (12) is designed to perform a movement of the air inlet device (5) and/or the air outlet device (6) in accordance with the actuating signal.
4. The air heat pump (3) as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the actuating device (12) is designed to bring about a movement of the air inlet device (5) and/or the air outlet device (6) according to a mechanical, electrical, magnetic, electric-motor and/or hydraulic principle.
5. The air heat pump (3) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wind tracking device (9) is designed to align an air inlet cross section of the air inlet device (5) in the windward direction of the wind and/or to align an air outlet cross section of the air outlet device (6) in the leeward direction of the wind.
6. The air heat pump (3) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable bearing (8) of the air inlet device (5) and of the air outlet device (6) is a rotatable bearing (8), preferably a rotatable bearing (8) having a vertical axis of rotation .
7. The air heat pump (3) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air inlet device (5) and the air outlet device (6) are designed as two mutually separate modular units and are designed for mutually separate movements or mutually coupled movements.
8. The air heat pump (3) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the air inlet device (5) and the air outlet device (6) are designed as an integral modular unit and are mounted in such a way that they can be moved jointly as a unit.
9. The air heat pump (3) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air inlet device (5) and/or the air outlet device (6) are formed by intake manifolds (5) and/or exhaust manifolds (6) mounted on an upper section of the air heat pump (3) .
10. The air heat pump (3) as claimed in one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the wind direction detector (11.1) and/or the wind speed detector (11.2) are selected from a group comprising a wind vane, a wind direction indicator, an anemoscope, an impact tube, a dynamic pressure sensor, a Pitot tube, a Prandtl tube and an anemometer.
11. The air heat pump (3) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air heat pump (3) comprises a blower (7) for conveying air through the refrigerant evaporator (4), wherein the blower speed can be controlled in accordance with the wind speed and/or with an air throughput through the refrigerant evaporator (4) and/or with a heat pump heat output and/or with a useful fluid temperature .
12. A method for controlling wind tracking of an air inlet device (5) and/or an air outlet device (6) in an air heat pump (3) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, on which an air flow can impinge, characterized by the steps of • detecting (16) a wind direction and/or a wind speed, • detecting (17) a possible better angular position of the air inlet device (5) and/or the air outlet device (6), and • moving and aligning (18) the air inlet device (5) and/or the air outlet device (6) according to the detected better angular position .
13. The method as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that detection of a wind direction is performed by means of a wind vane (9) movable about a vertical axis, wherein the wind vane aligns itself automatically in the leeward direction of the wind under the influence of the wind.
14. The method as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that detection of a wind direction and/or a wind speed is performed by determining a maximum dynamic pressure and the associated angular position by means of a dynamic pressure transducer (11.3) that can be rotated about a vertical axis, wherein • a first dynamic pressure is measured in a first angular position of the dynamic pressure transducer (11.3), • a second dynamic pressure is measured in a second angular position of the dynamic pressure transducer (11.3) differing horizontally from the first angular position by an angle A in the clockwise direction, and • a third dynamic pressure is measured in a third angular position of the dynamic pressure transducer (11.3) differing horizontally from the first angular position by an angle A in the counterclockwise direction, wherein the first angular position of the dynamic pressure transducer (11.3) is identical with the current angular position of the air inlet cross section, wherein the angle A is a predetermined or predeterminable angle and is in a range between 10 degrees and 180 degrees, preferably in a range between 25 degrees and 65 degrees, particularly preferably in a range between 40 degrees and 50 degrees, and wherein the maximum dynamic pressure and the associated angular position are determined by measurement and/or interpolation from the measured dynamic pressures and angular positions.
15. The method as claimed in one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the detection of a possible better angular position of the air inlet device (5) and/or air outlet device (6) is performed in accordance with an angular deviation between a current angular position of the air inlet device (5) and/or air outlet device (6) and a detected wind direction and in accordance with the wind speed, wherein, in the case of angular deviations greater than or equal to a deviation limit and/or wind speeds greater than or equal to a speed limit, a possible better angular position is identified, and wherein the better angular position is identical with the detected wind direction .
16. The method as claimed in one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that a speed of a blower (7) for conveying air through the refrigerant evaporator (4) is controlled in accordance with the wind speed and/or an air throughput through the refrigerant evaporator (4) and/or a heat pump heat output and/or a useful fluid temperature.
17. The method as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the blower speed is increased if the wind speed and/or the air throughput and/or the heat pump heat output and/or the useful fluid temperature fall below a setpoint value .