DE102021111869A1 - Hermetic small heat pump with invasive condenser or evaporator for the interior of the building - Google Patents

Abstract

Heat pump 1 for air-conditioning a part of the building 4 enclosed by walls 2, floors 3 and ceilings, comprising a refrigerant, an indoor unit 5 located within the building part 4, and an outdoor unit 6 located outside of the building part 4, the indoor unit 5 and the outdoor unit 6 form a refrigerant circuit, the internal unit 5 being designed as at least one flexible pipe loop 7 and/or at least one hose system, the refrigerant circuit being hermetically closed, in particular without couplings, preferably not detachable.

Description

The invention relates to a heat pump according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and a method for installing it.

Such systems are already known from the prior art.

The document EP 1 591 728 A2 discloses, for example, a heating device for rooms with an outdoor unit of an air conditioning system, consisting in that underfloor heating is connected to the outdoor unit via a heat exchanger. In a heating and cooling device for rooms with a two-part air conditioning system consisting of an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, underfloor heating is connected to the coolant/heating medium circuit between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit via a heat exchanger.

Furthermore, so-called air-conditioning split devices are known from the prior art. The refrigerant gets inside the building and generates heat by condensing the refrigerant. In the case of cooling, the refrigerant is vaporized inside the building. Similarly, heating can also be enabled by condensing a heating medium inside the building.

During assembly, the components of such air-conditioning split devices are connected to one another by means of couplings, among other things. An indoor unit is usually evacuated and sealed with a female end of a plug-in coupling. The outdoor unit is filled with a refrigerant and closed with a male part of the plug-in coupling. After installation in the building, the two halves of the coupling are plugged together and thus close the refrigeration cycle.

From a safety point of view, such devices are operated exclusively with refrigerants which, if they escape, do not pose any direct danger to the people in the building.

The problem here is that such refrigerants are commonly fluorinated greenhouse gases, which have properties that are harmful to the climate.

The use of refrigerants/heating agents with a low global warming potential, such as propane, is not possible in such systems, since plug-in couplings and any connection points between the components of the heat pump always pose a risk of leaks and the escape of refrigerants/heating agents within the part of the building Offer.

Another disadvantage is that when such devices are installed on existing buildings or parts of buildings, major interventions are required, at least on the outside and facade of the building, which makes it difficult to retrofit older buildings that are listed, for example.

The object of the invention is therefore to propose a possibility for using alternative refrigerants, in particular for saving greenhouse gases in the air conditioning of a building, for the implementation of which only minor interventions in the building fabric and appearance of the building are necessary.

This object is achieved in connection with the preamble of patent claims 1 and 8 according to the invention by the characterizing features in each case.

For the purposes of the invention, a refrigerant is also to be understood as a heating medium or, in general, a medium that moves in a circuit within a heat pump in order to transfer thermal energy from a cold side of the heat pump to a warm side of the heat pump using mechanical work transport.

According to the invention, a free-flow convector is a passively operating component that, like a convector outside of a building or part of a building, effectively heats or cools a refrigerant carried in it with the help of the winds and air movements occurring there.

For the purposes of the invention, a hermetic refrigerant circuit is to be understood as meaning a hermetically sealed system which is absolutely tight and does not permit an exchange of media between an interior of the system and an exterior, in particular the environment.

The invention provides a heat pump for air conditioning a part of a building enclosed by walls, floors and ceilings, comprising a refrigerant, an indoor unit located within the part of the building, and an outdoor unit located outside of the part of the building, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit forming a refrigerant circuit, wherein the internal unit is designed as at least one flexible pipe loop and/or at least one hose system, the refrigerant circuit being hermetic, in particular whose clutch-free, preferably non-detachable, is self-contained.

Advantageously, such a heat pump will prevent the refrigerant used from escaping due to the hermetic refrigerant circuit. Neuralgic points for leaks, such as couplings or connection points, can thus be ruled out and safe operation of the heat pump can be guaranteed. In this respect, the use of highly flammable hydrocarbons, such as propane or isobutane, can be made possible, which can have an advantageous effect on the reduction of climate-damaging greenhouse gases in the air conditioning of parts of the building.

In addition, with this heat pump, sometimes necessary pipe systems, along with corresponding valves or connection points, can be saved, which has an advantageous effect on the reduction in manufacturing costs and can, for example, reduce the susceptibility to errors in the operation of the heat pump.

Furthermore, the installation and maintenance of the heat pump does not require the use of specially trained specialists, such as air conditioning technicians, which can reduce the initial and running costs, among other things.

In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the heat pump is designed as a small heat pump, with the amount of refrigerant being less than 150 g in particular

Such a heat pump in the low output range can be used to air-condition a part of a building, for example a larger room with around 30 m ² , in order to enable the equivalent of around 250 l of heating oil per year. For the air conditioning of an entire building, for example, several such heat pumps can be used independently of one another and controlled individually.

An advantageous embodiment of the subject matter of the invention provides that the internal unit is connected to a thermally conductive surface.

The internal unit can thus advantageously be connected over a large area, for example, to a radiator, a heating plate or a surface located inside the part of the building, such as a ceiling, a wall or a floor. As a result, the surface area of the indoor unit that acts from a thermal point of view can be increased and its effect as a heat source/heat sink for air conditioning the part of the building can be optimized. If an existing radiator is used, the existing infrastructure of the part of the building can be used to save costs and to improve the air conditioning potential of the heat pump.

A further embodiment of the invention provides that the internal unit has a length of at least 10 m, in particular at least 15 m, preferably at least 25 m.

This allows the indoor unit to be laid and installed over a large area, which can have a positive effect on the air conditioning of the room.

Furthermore, it is provided that the outdoor unit comprises a free-flow convector, in particular a free-flow convector in a fin design, preferably a free-flow convector in a design with a coiled copper tube.

The free-flow convector can benefit from natural air currents on the outside of the part of the building and can be used to save energy. Environmental factors such as branches, tree leaves, water or ice affecting the operation of a fan, for example, show little to no influence on the operation of the free-flow convector. Advantageously, for example, the sometimes troublesome and maintenance-intensive use of a fan can be dispensed with, which can improve the reliability and service life of the heat pump.

Furthermore, a vortex convector can offer advantageous properties with regard to the noise development of the heat pump for air conditioning, since these can be much lower compared to operation with a fan due to the lack of moving parts.

In addition, the use of a free-flow convector can offer greater flexibility with regard to the design of the shape and structure of the outdoor unit. Due to their function, fans require a specific design, which is not the case with free-flow convectors. From an architectural point of view, for example, this can be used advantageously to design the outside of the building part. Design specifications, for example due to an existing monument protection of the relevant part of the building, can thus be better adhered to and implemented more easily.

In a preferred embodiment it is provided that the refrigerant has a low propellant has house potential and/or in particular comprises propane.

By using a natural refrigerant, for example hydrocarbons such as propane or isobutane, the use of conventional refrigerants with a high global warming potential can be dispensed with and this can be avoided and reduced.

Furthermore, it is provided that the outdoor unit includes a strain relief for holding the indoor unit.

Advantageously, the indoor unit can be prevented from being damaged or disconnected during manufacture, transportation or installation of the heat pump.

1. i Befüllen des Kältekreislaufs mit dem Kältemittel
2. ii hermetisches Versiegeln des Kältekreislaufs
3. iii Anbringen einer Öffnung in eine Wand und/oder in einen Boden und/oder in eine Decke des umschlossenen Gebäudeteils
4. iv Einbringen der Inneneinheit in das Innere des Gebäudeteils durch die Öffnung
5. v großflächiges Verbinden der Inneneinheit mit der thermisch leitenden Oberfläche innerhalb des Gebäudeteils.

The invention further provides a method for installing a heat pump according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of:

1. i Filling the refrigeration circuit with the refrigerant
2. ii Hermetic sealing of the refrigeration cycle
3. iii making an opening in a wall and/or in a floor and/or in a ceiling of the enclosed part of the building
4. iv Bringing the indoor unit into the interior of the building part through the opening
5. v large-area connection of the indoor unit to the thermally conductive surface inside the building part.

As a result, the heat pump can advantageously be manufactured hermetically sealed far away from the part of the building and its operational safety can be tested before delivery. An installation can then be made possible at low cost with savings in specialist personnel and with only minor interventions in the building structure or the appearance of the part of the building.

Further details of the invention are described in the drawings using exemplary embodiments shown schematically.

In principle, it is provided that the subject matter of the invention is suitable for heating as well as for cooling part of a building. In the case of cooling, the indoor unit is designed as a condenser and the outdoor unit includes an evaporator. The process taking place inside the heat pump can basically be reversed, for example by means of a four-way valve, as a result of which the evaporator and the condenser exchange their effects with one another.

For the sake of clarity, only one embodiment for cooling a part of a building is described in the drawings.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer Wärmepumpe;
• 2 eine weitere schematische Darstellung der Wärmepumpe bei dem Einführen des Kondensators in das Innere des Gebäudeteils;
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung einer Wärmepumpe mit einer an einer thermisch leitenden Oberfläche großflächig verbundenen Inneneinheit;
• 4 eine perspektivische Explosionsdarstellung einer Außeneinheit mit Freistromkonvektor;
• 5 perspektivische Darstellung eines Gebäudeteils mit zwei Wärmepumpen;
• 6 eine perspektivische Darstellung der Wärmepumpe mit Freistromkonvektor in einem Transportzustand; sowie
• 7 eine Detailansicht einer Zugentlastung.

show here

• 1 a schematic representation of a heat pump;
• 2 a further schematic representation of the heat pump during the introduction of the condenser into the interior of the building part;
• 3 a schematic representation of a heat pump with an indoor unit connected over a large area to a thermally conductive surface;
• 4 an exploded perspective view of an outdoor unit with free-flow convector;
• 5 perspective view of part of a building with two heat pumps;
• 6 a perspective view of the heat pump with free-flow convector in a transport state; such as
• 7 a detailed view of a strain relief.

1 shows a schematic of a heat pump 1 for air-conditioning a part of the building 4 enclosed by walls 2, floors 3 and ceilings, not shown here. The heat pump 1 comprises a refrigerant (not shown), an internal unit 5 located within the part of the building 4, and an internal unit 5 located outside of the part of the building 4 external unit 6. The internal unit 5 and the external unit 6 form a refrigerant circuit by means of the refrigerant, the internal unit 5 being designed as at least one flexible pipe loop 7 and/or at least one hose system 7. The refrigerant circuit is hermetically closed, in particular without a coupling, preferably non-releasably.

In this way, leaks and unwanted escape of the refrigerant (not shown) can be prevented and safe production of the heat pump 1 far away from the building part and minimally invasive installation of the heat pump 1 on and in the building part 4 can be made possible. This allows the use of highly flammable hydrocarbons, such as propane, and the greenhouse gases used in the prior art can be saved. The use of refrigerants with a low global warming potential can thus be made possible.

The heat pump 1 is shown as a small heat pump with an evaporator 8, a compressor 9, a condenser 10 and a throttle 11, it being provided that in particular the amount of refrigerant (not shown) is less than 150 g. This can in advantageously make the use of further safety precautions unnecessary.

In a synopsis of 1 and the 2 shows how the indoor unit 5 is introduced into the interior of the building part 4 through an opening 12 made in a wall 2 of the enclosed building part 4 . As a result, the refrigerant circuit of the heat pump 1 far away from the building part 4 can be safely filled and hermetically sealed, thereby enabling the heat pump 1 to be installed safely and requiring only minor interventions on the building part 4 .

In 3 is shown schematically that as a flexible pipe loop 7 indoor unit 5 of the heat pump 1 over a large area with a thermally conductive surface 13 within the in the 1 , 2 and 5 shown part of the building 4 is connected. For reasons of clarity, in 3 dispensed with the representation of lying between the thermally conductive surface 13 and the outdoor unit 6 wall 2, through which and by a in the 1 and 2 shown opening 12, the indoor unit 5 is pulled through. In this illustration, the outdoor unit 6 also includes a free-flow convector 14, which is shown in detail in a perspective exploded drawing in the figure described below 4 is shown.

The perspective exploded view in 4 shows the external unit of the heat pump with a free-flow convector 14. A compressor 9 and a throttle 11, which are connected to the free-flow convector 14, are located under a casing, which is not visible in this illustration. In the absence of moving parts of the free-flow convector 14, the heat pump can be operated with little noise and little error-prone, for example due to external conditions, such as branches or leaves.

the 5 shows a perspective view of part of a building 4 with a heat pump 1 installed on a wall 2. In this view, only the free-flow convector 4 can be seen on an outside of the wall 2, which gives a view of the other elements of the heat pump, such as that in 1 and 2 Schematically shown compressor 9, the throttle 11, and the indoor unit 5 cover. On the left side of the heat pump 1 according to the invention with the free-flow convector 14, an air conditioning system 15 known from the prior art with a fan that is not described in more detail is shown as an example.

In 6 a perspective view of the heat pump 1 with free-flow convector 4 is shown, the heat pump 1 being wrapped with the flexible internal unit 5 to save space, for example for transport. This allows a simple delivery to the location of the 1 , 2 and 5 Part of the building shown are made possible and in the 1 and 2 shown hermetic cooling circuit are protected here. A strain relief 16 ensures that the indoor unit remains securely connected to the outdoor unit during transport or installation of the heat pump.

In 7 a detailed view of a strain relief of the outdoor unit is shown, which ensures a secure hold of the flexible indoor unit. This can advantageously reduce mechanical effects on the sensitive area between the indoor unit and outdoor unit and prevent possible damage, for example during transport or installation of the heat pump.

Reference List

1

heat pump

2

Wall

3

floor

4

building part

5

indoor unit

6

outdoor unit

7

tube loop

8th

Evaporator

9

compressor

10

capacitor

11

throttle

12

opening

13

surface

14

free-flow convector

15

Air conditioning with fan (state of the art)

16

strain relief

17

formwork

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• EP 1591728 A2 [0003]

Claims (8)

Heat pump (1) for air-conditioning a part of a building (4) enclosed by walls (2), floors (3) and ceilings, comprising a refrigerant, an internal unit (5) located inside the part of the building, and an external unit (6) located outside of the part of the building ), wherein the internal unit (5) and the external unit (6) form a refrigerant circuit, wherein the internal unit (5) is designed as at least one flexible pipe loop (7) and/or at least one hose system, characterized in that the refrigerant circuit is hermetic, in particular free of couplings , Preferably non-detachable, is self-contained. Heat pump (1) after claim 1 characterized in that the heat pump (1) is designed as a small heat pump, with the amount of refrigerant being less than 150 g in particular. Heat pump (1) according to one of the preceding claims , characterized in that the indoor unit (5) is connected to a thermally conductive surface (13). Heat pump (1) according to one of the preceding claims , characterized in that the internal unit (5) has a length of at least 10m, in particular at least 15m, preferably at least 25m. Heat pump (1) according to one of the preceding claims , characterized in that the external unit (6) comprises a free-flow convector (14), in particular a free-flow convector (14) in a fin design, preferably a free-flow convector (14) in a design with a coiled copper tube. Heat pump (1) according to one of the preceding claims , characterized in that the refrigerant has a low global warming potential and/or in particular comprises propane. A heat pump (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outdoor unit (6) includes a strain relief (16) for holding the indoor unit. Method for installing a heat pump (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: i filling the refrigeration circuit with the refrigerant; ii hermetic sealing of the refrigeration cycle; iii making an opening (12) in a wall (2) and/or in a floor (3) and/or in a ceiling of the enclosed building part (4); iv introducing the indoor unit (5) into the interior of the building part (4) through the opening (12); v large-area connection of the indoor unit (5) with the thermally conductive surface (13) within the building part (4).

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