CA1167654A - Heat pump enclosure - Google Patents
Heat pump enclosureInfo
- Publication number
- CA1167654A CA1167654A CA000396305A CA396305A CA1167654A CA 1167654 A CA1167654 A CA 1167654A CA 000396305 A CA000396305 A CA 000396305A CA 396305 A CA396305 A CA 396305A CA 1167654 A CA1167654 A CA 1167654A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- enclosure
- warm air
- plate
- damper
- air passage
- 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.)
- Expired
Links
Landscapes
- Heat-Pump Type And Storage Water Heaters (AREA)
Abstract
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an enclosure which surrounds the compressor portion of a heat pump and which increases the efficiency of the heat pump by the use of solar energy. The enclosure is comprised of an insulated wall structure which surrounds the compressor of the heat pump and a solar energy receiver which is located in the wall structure. The receiver includes a window and a plate which define a warm air passage. A duct unit is provided for directing warm air from the passage over the heat pump. A fan is located in the duct unit for moving the warm air.
The present invention relates to an enclosure which surrounds the compressor portion of a heat pump and which increases the efficiency of the heat pump by the use of solar energy. The enclosure is comprised of an insulated wall structure which surrounds the compressor of the heat pump and a solar energy receiver which is located in the wall structure. The receiver includes a window and a plate which define a warm air passage. A duct unit is provided for directing warm air from the passage over the heat pump. A fan is located in the duct unit for moving the warm air.
Description
I 1 676~ ~
Hc~ Enclosure The present invention relates to a system for increasing the efficiency of a heat pump. More particularly, the invention relates to an enclosure which surrounds the compressor portion of a heat pump and which employs solar energy to increase the ambient temperature of the heat pump, An optional advantage can be realized by placing a heat coil withln the enclosure for heating domestic water.
The increase in energy prices has made it necessary to look for ways of increasing the efficiency of existing energy consuming devices, such as heat pumps. Prior art æystems have attempted to use waste heat energy, for example, the heat energy dissipated by an internal combustion engine or an electric motor to increase the ambient temperature of the compressor portion of a heat pump. The prior art has not, however, used solar energy for this purpose.
In accordance with an aspect of the invention there is provided an enclosure for housing the condenser portion of a heat pump comprising insulated wall means surrounding said condenser portion; solar energy receiving means located in said wall means, including a window and a plate defining a warm air passage; duct means located within said enclosure for directing warm air from said warm air passage, over said condenser portion and back to said warm air passage; and fan means located within said duct means for moving said warm air.
I 1~76S~
According to one embodiment of the invention, fans and dampers controlled by temperature sensors located both insicle and outside the enclosure optimize the heat energy captured from the sun. Storage collectors, in another embocliment, are located within the enclosure and release heat energy to maintain a higher ambient temperature within the enclosure under shade or darkness conditions.
It is an object of the invention to provide a system which uses solar energy to increase the ambient temperature surrounding the compressor of a heat pump to thereby increase its heating efficiency.
It is another object of the invention to utilize the solar effect within an enclosure to heat domestic water.
It is a further object of the invention to extend the time in which higher ambient temperatures exist within the enclosure by using heat storage elements.
The invention will be described in detail hereinbelow with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic sectional end view of an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic sectional front view of an embodiment of Figure l; and Figure 3 is a schematic sectional top view of the embodiment taken along 3-3 of Figure 1.
Detailed Description of Embodiments Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, a conventional heat pump compressor unit 10 is surrounded by an enclosure 12.
The enclosure is comprised of an outer wall 14 and an inner wall 16 sandwiching insulation 18. The insulated portion of the enclosure includes a bottom wall 20, a back wall 22, a top wall 24, a lower front wall 26 and side walls 28 and 30. The bottom wall 20 is deeper than the top 24, thereby providing an inclined front surface 32.
This front surface is covered with glass 34. The inclined surface 32 is inclined from the vertical at approximately 30 in order to provide efficient transfer of solar energy to the interior of the enclosure. A plate 36 is located within the enclosure and is approximately the same si2e as the window 34. The plate 36 is inclined at the same angle as the window 34 and is spaced parallel a short distance away from the window. The space between the top 24 and the plate 36 can be closed off or opened by a mechanical damper 38. A circulation fan 40 is located in a duct 42 at one side of the lower portion of the enclosure 12. The duct 42 has access to the space between the plate 36 and the window 34 via a air collecting duct 44 located at the lower end of plate 36.
A second damper 46 is located within the duct 42 and controls the flow of air from fan 40 either over the heat pump 10 in the direction shown by arrow 48 or out of the enclosure via exhaust vent 50 shown by arrow 52. When the damper 46 is in the exhaust position, fresh air is drawn into the enclosure via inlet vent 54 in a direction shown by arrow 56. Baffles 58, 60 and 62 ensure that the air flows over the compressor 10, upwardly to the top of the enclosure and down between the space provided by the window 34 and the plate 36. Heat storage elements 64 are located above the compressor 10. These storage elements can be fastened to the baffles 60 and 62.
In operation, solar energy enters the enclosure during sunlight hours through the window 34. This heats the temperature of the air in the passage between window 34 and plate 36. Fan 40 draws the air from this passage through duct 42 and over the compressor 10. The heat pump exhausts warm air upwardly over the heat storage elements 64 and into the top of the passage between window 34 and plate 36 when damper 38 is open.
When the heat pump is used to cool the interior of a dwelling, the ambient temperature of the compressor must be lowered as much as possible. This is accomplished by moving the damper 46 to its venting position. Fresh air is then pulled into the enclosure by the fan through inlet 1 J 6765~
duct 54, circulates over the compressor, and exits via duct 50.
Plate 36 can have a black surface to increase its heat conductivity. The surface can also be maximized by corrugating plate 36.
Optionally, a heat coil 66 can be inserted in the duct 42 directly between the lower extremity of plate 36 and fan 40. The warm air flowing through duct 42 heats a fluid circulating in the coil 66. This fluid could be the domestic hot water system of a residence.
The compressor 10 is connected to an evaporator unit located within the dwelling being heated or cooled by tubes of a conventional type. The heat pump mentioned in the present invention does not form part of the invention.
Similarly, the coil 66 is conncted to a hot water tank located within the dwelling via p~pes. Once again, the hot water tank and associated piping does not form part of the invention.
A control box 68 controls the operation of the mechanical dampers 38 and 46 along with the operation of fan 40. Information is received by control box 68 from temperature sensors 69 and 70, one located outside the enclosure and the other located within the space provided between window 34 and plate 36.
In winter operation, when the temperature T2 within the space is greater than temperature Tl outside the enclosure and when temperature Tl is less than -8C, damper 38 is open and damper 46 is closed. Fan 40 is "on". When the temperature Tl is greater than -8C, both dampers 38 and 46 are open and fan 40 is "on".
When temperature T2 is equal to temperature Tl and temperature Tl is less than -8C, both dampers 38 and 46 are closed, and fan 40 is "off".
In summer, both dampers 38 and 46 are open and the fan is "on".
Hc~ Enclosure The present invention relates to a system for increasing the efficiency of a heat pump. More particularly, the invention relates to an enclosure which surrounds the compressor portion of a heat pump and which employs solar energy to increase the ambient temperature of the heat pump, An optional advantage can be realized by placing a heat coil withln the enclosure for heating domestic water.
The increase in energy prices has made it necessary to look for ways of increasing the efficiency of existing energy consuming devices, such as heat pumps. Prior art æystems have attempted to use waste heat energy, for example, the heat energy dissipated by an internal combustion engine or an electric motor to increase the ambient temperature of the compressor portion of a heat pump. The prior art has not, however, used solar energy for this purpose.
In accordance with an aspect of the invention there is provided an enclosure for housing the condenser portion of a heat pump comprising insulated wall means surrounding said condenser portion; solar energy receiving means located in said wall means, including a window and a plate defining a warm air passage; duct means located within said enclosure for directing warm air from said warm air passage, over said condenser portion and back to said warm air passage; and fan means located within said duct means for moving said warm air.
I 1~76S~
According to one embodiment of the invention, fans and dampers controlled by temperature sensors located both insicle and outside the enclosure optimize the heat energy captured from the sun. Storage collectors, in another embocliment, are located within the enclosure and release heat energy to maintain a higher ambient temperature within the enclosure under shade or darkness conditions.
It is an object of the invention to provide a system which uses solar energy to increase the ambient temperature surrounding the compressor of a heat pump to thereby increase its heating efficiency.
It is another object of the invention to utilize the solar effect within an enclosure to heat domestic water.
It is a further object of the invention to extend the time in which higher ambient temperatures exist within the enclosure by using heat storage elements.
The invention will be described in detail hereinbelow with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic sectional end view of an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic sectional front view of an embodiment of Figure l; and Figure 3 is a schematic sectional top view of the embodiment taken along 3-3 of Figure 1.
Detailed Description of Embodiments Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, a conventional heat pump compressor unit 10 is surrounded by an enclosure 12.
The enclosure is comprised of an outer wall 14 and an inner wall 16 sandwiching insulation 18. The insulated portion of the enclosure includes a bottom wall 20, a back wall 22, a top wall 24, a lower front wall 26 and side walls 28 and 30. The bottom wall 20 is deeper than the top 24, thereby providing an inclined front surface 32.
This front surface is covered with glass 34. The inclined surface 32 is inclined from the vertical at approximately 30 in order to provide efficient transfer of solar energy to the interior of the enclosure. A plate 36 is located within the enclosure and is approximately the same si2e as the window 34. The plate 36 is inclined at the same angle as the window 34 and is spaced parallel a short distance away from the window. The space between the top 24 and the plate 36 can be closed off or opened by a mechanical damper 38. A circulation fan 40 is located in a duct 42 at one side of the lower portion of the enclosure 12. The duct 42 has access to the space between the plate 36 and the window 34 via a air collecting duct 44 located at the lower end of plate 36.
A second damper 46 is located within the duct 42 and controls the flow of air from fan 40 either over the heat pump 10 in the direction shown by arrow 48 or out of the enclosure via exhaust vent 50 shown by arrow 52. When the damper 46 is in the exhaust position, fresh air is drawn into the enclosure via inlet vent 54 in a direction shown by arrow 56. Baffles 58, 60 and 62 ensure that the air flows over the compressor 10, upwardly to the top of the enclosure and down between the space provided by the window 34 and the plate 36. Heat storage elements 64 are located above the compressor 10. These storage elements can be fastened to the baffles 60 and 62.
In operation, solar energy enters the enclosure during sunlight hours through the window 34. This heats the temperature of the air in the passage between window 34 and plate 36. Fan 40 draws the air from this passage through duct 42 and over the compressor 10. The heat pump exhausts warm air upwardly over the heat storage elements 64 and into the top of the passage between window 34 and plate 36 when damper 38 is open.
When the heat pump is used to cool the interior of a dwelling, the ambient temperature of the compressor must be lowered as much as possible. This is accomplished by moving the damper 46 to its venting position. Fresh air is then pulled into the enclosure by the fan through inlet 1 J 6765~
duct 54, circulates over the compressor, and exits via duct 50.
Plate 36 can have a black surface to increase its heat conductivity. The surface can also be maximized by corrugating plate 36.
Optionally, a heat coil 66 can be inserted in the duct 42 directly between the lower extremity of plate 36 and fan 40. The warm air flowing through duct 42 heats a fluid circulating in the coil 66. This fluid could be the domestic hot water system of a residence.
The compressor 10 is connected to an evaporator unit located within the dwelling being heated or cooled by tubes of a conventional type. The heat pump mentioned in the present invention does not form part of the invention.
Similarly, the coil 66 is conncted to a hot water tank located within the dwelling via p~pes. Once again, the hot water tank and associated piping does not form part of the invention.
A control box 68 controls the operation of the mechanical dampers 38 and 46 along with the operation of fan 40. Information is received by control box 68 from temperature sensors 69 and 70, one located outside the enclosure and the other located within the space provided between window 34 and plate 36.
In winter operation, when the temperature T2 within the space is greater than temperature Tl outside the enclosure and when temperature Tl is less than -8C, damper 38 is open and damper 46 is closed. Fan 40 is "on". When the temperature Tl is greater than -8C, both dampers 38 and 46 are open and fan 40 is "on".
When temperature T2 is equal to temperature Tl and temperature Tl is less than -8C, both dampers 38 and 46 are closed, and fan 40 is "off".
In summer, both dampers 38 and 46 are open and the fan is "on".
Claims (12)
1. An enclosure for housing the condenser portion of a heat pump comprising:
(a) insulated wall means surrounding said condenser portion;
(b) solar energy receiving means located in said wall means, including a window and a plate defining a warm air passage;
(c) duct means located within said enclosure for directing warm air from said warm air passage, over said condenser portion and back to said warm air passage; and (d) fan means located within said duct means for moving said warm air.
(a) insulated wall means surrounding said condenser portion;
(b) solar energy receiving means located in said wall means, including a window and a plate defining a warm air passage;
(c) duct means located within said enclosure for directing warm air from said warm air passage, over said condenser portion and back to said warm air passage; and (d) fan means located within said duct means for moving said warm air.
2. The enclosure of claim 1 wherein said wall means includes, bottom, top, side, back and lower front walls, and wherein said bottom wall is deeper than said top wall thereby defining an inclined front portion, said window being located in said inclined front portion.
3. The enclosure of claim 2 wherein said plate is spaced inwardly of said window and parallel thereto to define said warm air passage, and wherein a mechanical damper is located between said top wall and the top of said plate to control an opening between the warm air passage and the interior of said enclosure.
4. The enclosure according to claim 3, wherein the lower front wall and said plate define an opening which communicates with said duct means, and wherein a damper means is located in said duct means for controlling the path of said warm air.
5. The enclosure of claim 4 wherein said duct means is also in controlled communication with an inlet vent and an exhaust vent, both of which are located in said insulated wall means and communicate the interior of said enclosure with the exterior atmosphere.
6. The enclosure of claim 5 wherein said damper means is a two position mechanical damper having a first and second position, wherein, when in said first position said duct means is in communication with the interior of said enclosure only and wherein, when in said second position the interior is connected with said inlet vent and said duct means is connected with said exhaust vent.
7. The enclosure of claim 3, 4 or 5 wherein heat storage means are located within said interior in an air path between said duct means and said mechanical damper.
8. The enclosure of claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein said inclined front portion is inclined at about 30° from the vertical.
9. The enclosure of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said plate is flat black to increase thermal conductivity.
10. The enclosure of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said plate is corrugated to increase its surface area.
11. The enclosure of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein a heat coil is located within said duct means, said heat coil containing a fluid which is warmed by the passage of said warm air.
12. The enclosure of defined by claim 6 further including an exterior temperature sensor, a temperature sensor located within said warm air passage, and a control circuit, wherein said control circuit controls said mechanical damper and said two position damper as follows:
T2 > T1 and T1 < -8°C D1 open , D2 closed, fan means "on"
T2 ? T1 and T1 > -8°C D1 open , D2 open , fan means "on"
T2 = T1 and Tl < -8°C D1 closed, D2 closed, fan means "off".
where T1 is the temperature outside enclosure, T2 is the temperature inside said warm air passage, D1 is said mechanical damper and D2 is said two position mechanical damper.
T2 > T1 and T1 < -8°C D1 open , D2 closed, fan means "on"
T2 ? T1 and T1 > -8°C D1 open , D2 open , fan means "on"
T2 = T1 and Tl < -8°C D1 closed, D2 closed, fan means "off".
where T1 is the temperature outside enclosure, T2 is the temperature inside said warm air passage, D1 is said mechanical damper and D2 is said two position mechanical damper.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US23583481A | 1981-02-19 | 1981-02-19 | |
| US235,834 | 1994-04-29 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1167654A true CA1167654A (en) | 1984-05-22 |
Family
ID=22887094
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000396305A Expired CA1167654A (en) | 1981-02-19 | 1982-02-15 | Heat pump enclosure |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1167654A (en) |
-
1982
- 1982-02-15 CA CA000396305A patent/CA1167654A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |