WO2013055088A1

WO2013055088A1 - Hot water supply device associated with heat pump

Info

Publication number: WO2013055088A1
Application number: PCT/KR2012/008188
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sungoh CHOI
Original assignee: Lg Electronics Inc.
Priority date: 2011-10-10
Filing date: 2012-10-10
Publication date: 2013-04-18
Also published as: KR20130038580A; KR101325903B1

Abstract

Provided is a hot water supply device associated with a heat pump, which includes a plurality of condensers that condense refrigerant discharged from a compressor, a water storage part that stores water heated in at least one of the condensers, a second heating passage that guides water, heated in one of the condensers, to the water storage part, and a first heating passage diverging from the second heating passage and guiding water, heated in the other of the condensers, to the water storage part.

Description

HOT WATER SUPPLY DEVICE ASSOCIATED WITH HEAT PUMP

The present disclosure relates to a hot water supply device associated with a heat pump to supply hot water.

In general, a hot water supply device uses a heating source to heat water and supply the heated water to a user. In this case, a device using a heat pump to heat water and supply the heated water to a user may be referred to as a hot water supply device associated with a heat pump.

The hot water supply device associated with the heat pump includes: a water supply passage for supplying water; a water storage part for storing the water supplied through the water supply passage; a heating source for heating the supplied water; and a water discharge passage for supplying the heated water to a user.

The heat pump includes: a compressor for compressing refrigerant; a condenser in which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is condensed; an expansion device in which the refrigerant discharged from the condenser is expanded; and an evaporator in which the refrigerant expanded through the expansion device is evaporated.

In this case, the refrigerant absorbs heat at the evaporator and emits heat at the condenser, and the hot water supply device heats water by using the heat emitted at the condenser, and then, supplies the water to a user.

However, such typical hot water supply devices associated with a heat pump use a single condenser for heat exchange between refrigerant and water. Thus, when high temperature water is needed, the compressor should be excessively driven, which may degrade the reliability of the compressor and decrease the efficiency of a refrigerant cycle.

Embodiments provide a hot water supply device associated with a heat pump, which efficiently supplies hot water to a user by generating high temperature water at a first condenser through heat exchange between water and high temperature/high pressure refrigerant discharged from a compressor, and generating middle temperature water at a second condenser through heat exchange between water and middle temperature/high pressure refrigerant discharged from the first condenser.

In one embodiment, a hot water supply device associated with a heat pump includes: a plurality of condensers that condense refrigerant discharged from a compressor; a water storage part that stores water heated in at least one of the condensers; a second heating passage that guides water, heated in one of the condensers, to the water storage part; and a first heating passage diverging from the second heating passage and guiding water, heated in the other of the condensers, to the water storage part.

According to the embodiments, first and second condensers are provided, and refrigerant discharged from a compressor is in a high temperature/high pressure state and exchanges heat with water while passing through the first condenser, thereby efficiently obtaining high temperature water.

In addition, refrigerant discharged from the first condenser is in a middle temperature/high pressure state after supplying heat to the water, and is introduced into the second condenser to use residual heat from the refrigerant, thereby conveniently obtaining middle temperature water.

In addition, a bypass passage is disposed between a high temperature water storage part and a middle temperature water storage part, and water can be introduced from the high temperature water storage part to the middle temperature water storage part according to a requirement of a user, thereby obtaining a sufficient amount of hot water. Accordingly, a sufficient amount of water can be efficiently supplied to a user.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a hot water supply device associated with a heat pump according to an embodiment.

Figs. 2 to 4 are schematic views illustrating flows of water and refrigerant in a hot water supply device associated with a heat pump according to the embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a graph illustrating a refrigerant cycle of a hot water supply device associated with a heat pump according to another embodiment.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings such that those skilled in the art realize the scope of the present disclosure without difficulty. However, detailed descriptions related to well-known functions or configurations will be ruled out in order not to unnecessarily obscure subject matters of the present disclosure. Like reference numerals denote like elements throughout.

In this disclosure below, when one part (or element, device, etc.) is referred to as being connected to another part (or element, device, etc.), it should be understood that the former can be directly connected to the latter, or indirectly connected to the latter via an intervening part (or element, device, etc.). In addition, when it is described that one comprises (or includes or has) certain elements, it should be understood that it may comprise (or include or has) only those elements, or it may comprise (or include or have) other elements as well as those elements if there is no specific limitation.

Hereinafter, a hot water supply device associated with a heat pump according to the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Fig. 1, a hot water supply device 1 associated with a heat pump according to the current embodiment includes a refrigerant passage 10, a hot water supply passage 20, and a control part (not shown).

The refrigerant passage 10 includes a compressor 11, condensers 12, an expansion device 13, and an evaporator 14 to form a refrigerant cycle. Since the compressor 11, the expansion device 13, and the evaporator 14 are well known in the art, a description thereof will be omitted. Refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant passage 10 may include R410A refrigerant. Since R410A refrigerant is well known in the art, a description thereof will be omitted.

The condensers 12 include: a first condenser 121 for condensing refrigerant introduced from the compressor 11; and a second condenser 122 condensing refrigerant introduced from the first condenser 121 to supply the refrigerant to the expansion device 13. That is, refrigerant is sequentially passed through the compressor 11 and the first and

second condensers

121 and 122, and is then introduced into the expansion device 13.

Refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 is in a high temperature/high pressure state and exchanges heat with water while passing through the first condenser 121, thereby obtaining high temperature water. The high temperature water may have a temperature of about 80°C.

Then, the refrigerant discharged from the first condenser 121 is in a middle temperature/high pressure state, and exchanges heat with water in the second condenser 122. At this point, middle temperature water obtained in the second condenser 122 may have a temperature of about 65°C.

As such, high temperature/high pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 is introduced into the condensers 12 to exchange heat with a portion of water supplied from a water supply passage 21 to be described later, thereby efficiently obtaining high temperature water. That is, the refrigerant cycle is divided into two parts for conveniently generating high temperature water and middle temperature water. Thus, excessive compression of the compressor 11 can be prevented so as to ensure the reliability of the compressor 11.

The hot water supply passage 20 includes the water supply passage 21, a water storage part 22, heating passages 23, and water discharge passages 24 to form a hot water supply cycle.

The water supply passage 21 may receive water from a water supply facility and transfer the water to the water storage part 22. The water supply passage 21 may supply water to a middle temperature water storage part 222 to be described later.

The water storage part 22 stores the water heated by passing through at least one of the condensers 12. In particular, the water storage part 22 stores both water supplied through the water supply passage 21 and water heated through the heating passages 23, and supplies water to a user through the water discharge passages 24. That is, the water supply passage 21, the heating passages 23, and the water discharge passages 24 may be connected all to the water storage part 22.

The water storage part 22 may include: a high temperature water storage part 221 for storing high temperature water; and the middle temperature water storage part 222 for storing middle temperature water. The water supply passage 21 may be connected to the middle temperature water storage part 222 as described above. The water discharge passages 24 may be connected to the high temperature water storage part 221 and the middle temperature water storage part 222, respectively, in order to individually supply high temperature water and middle temperature water to a shower device.

The water storage part 22 may further include a bypass passage 223 that connects the high temperature water storage part 221 and the middle temperature water storage part 222. When both high temperature water and middle temperature water are needed, the high temperature water storage part 221 and the middle temperature water storage part 222 may supply high temperature water and middle temperature water to a user, respectively. When high temperature water is not used, the high temperature water may be introduced into the middle temperature water storage part 222 through the bypass passage 223, so that a sufficient amount of middle temperature water can be supplied to a user.

To this end, the water storage part 22 may include a flow control part 224 that is disposed on the bypass passage 223 to adjust an amount of water introduced from the high temperature water storage part 221 to the middle temperature water storage part 222. The flow control part 224 may be a solenoid valve, a degree of opening of which may be controlled by a control part to be described later.

The water storage part 22 may further include flow rate measuring parts (not shown) that are disposed on the high temperature water storage part 221 and the middle temperature water storage part 222, respectively, to measure an amount of water stored in the water storage part 22. The flow rate measuring parts may be liquid level measuring sensors or weight sensors for measuring an amount of high temperature water and an amount of middle temperature water.

The water storage part 22 may supply high temperature water or middle temperature water to a user according to a requirement of the user. When an amount of middle temperature water measured by the flow rate measuring part is insufficient, the control part may open the flow control part 224 to introduce high temperature water into the middle temperature water storage part 222.

Water heated in at least one of the condensers 12 may be guided to the water storage part 22 by the heating passages 23. The heating passages 23 may include a first heating passage 231 and a second heating passage 232.

The first heating passage 231 diverges from the second heating passage 232 and guides water, heated through the first and

second condensers

121 and 122, to the high temperature water storage part 221.

The first heating passage 231 may be connected to a portion of the second heating passage 232 after the second condenser 122 in a water flow direction of the water. That is, water may be primarily heated by the second condenser 122 along the second heating passage 232, and then, be secondarily heated by the first condenser 121 along the first heating passage 231.

As an amount of water introduced from the second heating passage 232 to the first heating passage 231 is decreased, high temperature water can be efficiently obtained, but the amount thereof is decreased. Thus, an amount of water introduced into the first heating passage 231 is controlled according to requirements of a user.

To this end, the hot water supply passage 20 may further include a high temperature water control part 233 that is provided on the first heating passage 231 to adjust an amount of water introduced from the second heating passage 232 to the first heating passage 231. The high temperature water control part 233 may be controlled by the control part. That is, the control part may control the high temperature water control part 233 according to an amount of water stored in the water storage part 22.

When the control part closes the high temperature water control part 233, water discharged from the second condenser 122 is introduced into the middle temperature water storage part 222 along the second heating passage 232. At this point, refrigerant in the first condenser 121 is condensed without heat exchange with water.

On the contrary, when the control part opens the high temperature water control part 233, the inner pressure of the first heating passage 231 is decreased. Thus, a portion of water discharged from the second condenser 122 flows through the first heating passage 231 to exchange heat with refrigerant in the first condenser 121, and is then introduced into the high temperature water storage part 221.

That is, the portion of the water discharged from the second condenser 122 may be heated to a high temperature by exchanging heat with refrigerant in the second condenser 122 and then exchanging heat with the refrigerant in the first condenser 121, and the control part controls the high temperature water control part 233, thereby adjusting an amount of high temperature water introduced into the high temperature water storage part 221. At this point, the rest of the water discharged from the second condenser 122 may be introduced into the middle temperature water storage part 222 along the second heating passage 232.

The high temperature water control part 233 may be installed on a portion of the first heating passage 231 after the first condenser 121 in the water flow direction. Although the first condenser 121 communicates with the second heating passage 232 through the first heating passage 231, when the high temperature water control part 233 is closed, as the inner pressure of the first heating passage 231 is increased, water discharged from the second condenser 122 is prevented from being introduced into the first heating passage 231.

However, when the high temperature water control part 233 is opened, the inner pressure of the first heating passage 231 is decreased, whereby a portion of water flowing through the second heating passage 232 is naturally introduced into the first heating passage 231. Thus, an amount of water introduced into the first heating passage 231 can be controlled.

The second heating passage 232 guides water, heated through the second condenser 122, to the middle temperature water storage part 222. That is, water may be heated by the second condenser 122 along the second heating passage 232 and be stored in the middle temperature water storage part 222, or water may be heated by the first and

second condensers

121 and 122 along the first and

second heating passage

231 and 232 and be stored in the high temperature water storage part 221. Thus, it is unnecessary to excessively operate the compressor 11, thereby ensuring the durability and reliability of the compressor 11.

To this end, the hot water supply passage 20 may further include a pump part 25 that is disposed on the second heating passage 232 to adjust an amount of water introduced from the middle temperature water storage part 222 to the second condenser 122, and the control part may control the pump part 25 according to an amount of water stored in the water storage part 22.

The water discharge passages 24 supply hot water from the water storage part 22 to a user. The water discharge passages 24 are connected to a facility such as a shower apparatus to efficiently supply hot water to a user.

In this case, the water discharge passages 24 are connected to the high temperature water storage part 221 and the middle temperature water storage part 222, respectively, as described above. Thus, water having a temperature desired by a user can be supplied to the user, thereby increasing satisfaction of the user.

Figs. 2 to 4 are schematic views illustrating flows of water and refrigerant in a hot water supply device associated with a heat pump according to an embodiment.

In particular, Fig. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a state in which water is introduced into only a second heating passage with a high temperature water control part closed. Fig. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a state in which water flows through first and second heating passages with a high temperature water control part opened. Fig. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a state in which water is introduced from a high temperature water storage part to a middle temperature water storage part with a flow control part opened. Solid lines of Figs. 2 to 4 represent flows of refrigerant, and dotted lines thereof represent flows of water.

Referring to Fig. 2, water stored in the middle temperature water storage part 222 flows along the second heating passage 232, and exchanges heat with refrigerant in the second condenser 122. At this point, the refrigerant is in a middle temperature/high pressure state since the refrigerant is condensed in the first condenser 121 before being introduced into the second condenser 122. Thus, the water exchanging heat with the refrigerant has a middle temperature of about 65°C.

After that, the water as middle temperature water is introduced into the middle temperature water storage part 222 along the second heating passage 232 and is stored therein. This is because the high temperature water control part 233 is closed to prevent the water from being introduced into the first heating passage 231. The water heated through the second heating passage 232 may be insulated from water introduced through the water supply passage 21 by an insulator (not shown). Accordingly, heat loss from the middle temperature water in the middle temperature water storage part 222 is prevented.

Referring to Fig. 3, water discharged from the middle temperature water storage part 222 along the second heating passage 232 undergoes heat exchange in the second condenser 122, and a portion of the water is introduced into the first heating passage 231. This is because the high temperature water control part 233 is opened to decrease the inner pressure of the first heating passage 231 below the inner temperature of the second heating passage 232. The water introduced into the first heating passage 231 is middle temperature water generated through heat exchange with the refrigerant in the second condenser 122.

While flowing along the first heating passage 231, the middle temperature water exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the first condenser 121. Since the refrigerant in the first condenser 121 is refrigerant discharged directly from the compressor 11, the refrigerant in the first condenser 121 is maintained in a high temperature/high pressure state, so that a large amount of heat can be supplied to the middle temperature water. Thus, during heat exchange in the first condenser 121, the middle temperature water is heated to be high temperature water having a temperature of about 80°C.

After that, the high temperature water is introduced into the high temperature water storage part 221 along the first heating passage 231. Then, according to a requirement of a user, the high temperature water may be supplied to the user through the water discharge passages 24.

Referring to Fig. 4, when the control part opens the flow control part 224, high temperature water stored in the high temperature water storage part 221 is introduced into the middle temperature water storage part 222. This operation may be performed when high temperature water is not used.

Thus, high temperature water can be easily obtained. In addition, when high temperature water is not used, high temperature water is introduced into the middle temperature water storage part 222 to efficiently supply a user with an appropriate amount of water having an appropriate temperature.

Fig. 5 is a graph illustrating a refrigerant cycle of a hot water supply device associated with a heat pump according to an embodiment.

Referring to Fig. 5, the first condenser 121 and the second condenser 122 provide two refrigerant cycles. That is, according to the current embodiment, a process of generating high temperature water by means of refrigerant that is in a high temperature/high pressure by passing through the compressor 11, and a process of generating middle temperature water by means of the refrigerant that is in a middle temperature/high pressure state by supplying heat to the high temperature water can be performed.

Thus, it is unnecessary to excessively increase driving pressure of the compressor 11 for obtaining high temperature water. Accordingly, the inner pressure of the compressor 11 can be maintained at a stable value, thereby sufficiently ensuring the durability of the compressor 11.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

A hot water supply device associated with a heat pump, comprising:

a plurality of condensers that condense refrigerant discharged from a compressor;

a water storage part that stores water heated in at least one of the condensers;

a second heating passage that guides water, heated in one of the condensers, to the water storage part; and

a first heating passage diverging from the second heating passage and guiding water, heated in the other of the condensers, to the water storage part.
The hot water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the water storage part comprises a high temperature water storage part and a middle temperature water storage part.
The hot water supply device according to claim 2, wherein the water storage part further comprises a water supply passage that supplies water to the middle temperature water storage part.
The hot water supply device according to claim 2, wherein the water storage part further comprises water discharge passages connected to the high temperature water storage part and the middle temperature water storage part to supply water to a user.
The hot water supply device according to claim 2, wherein the water storage part further comprises a bypass passage connecting the high temperature water storage part and the middle temperature water storage part.
The hot water supply device according to claim 5, wherein the water storage part further comprises a flow control part provided on the bypass passage to adjust an amount of water introduced from the high temperature water storage part to the middle temperature water storage part.
The hot water supply device according to claim 6, further comprising a control part controlling a degree of opening of the flow control part.
The hot water supply device according to claim 7, wherein the water storage part further comprises flow rate measuring parts that are provided on the middle temperature water storage part and the high temperature water storage part, respectively, to measure an amount of stored water.
The hot water supply device according to claim 8, wherein the control part controls the flow control part according to the amount of the stored water measured by the flow rate measuring parts.
The hot water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the condensers comprise:

a first condenser that condenses the refrigerant discharged from the compressor; and

a second condenser that condenses refrigerant discharged from the first condenser to supply the refrigerant to an expansion device.
The hot water supply device according to claim 10, wherein the first heating passage is connected to a portion of the second heating passage after the second condenser in a flow direction of the water.
The hot water supply device according to claim 10, wherein the water is heated by sequentially exchanging heat with the refrigerant of the second condenser and the refrigerant of the first condenser.
The hot water supply device according to claim 10, further comprising a high temperature water control part provided on the first heating passage to adjust an amount of water introduced from the second heating passage to the first heating passage.
The hot water supply device according to claim 13, further comprising a control part controlling a high temperature water control part according to an amount of water stored in the water storage part.
The hot water supply device according to claim 13, wherein the high temperature water control part is installed on a portion of the first heating passage after the first condenser in a flow direction of the water.
The hot water supply device according to claim 10, wherein a hot water supply passage comprises a pump part that is disposed on the second heating passage to adjust an amount of water introduced into the second condenser.
The hot water supply device according to claim 16, further comprising a control part that controls the pump part according to an amount of water stored in the water storage part.
A hot water supply device associated with a heat pump, comprising:

a plurality of condensers that condense refrigerant discharged from a compressor;

a water storage part that stores water heated in at least one of the condensers; and

a plurality of heating passages that guide the water, heated in at least one of the condensers, to the water storage part.
The hot water supply device according to claim 18, wherein the heating passages comprise:

a second heating passage that guides water, heated in one of the condensers, to the water storage part; and

a first heating passage diverging from the second heating passage and guiding water, heated in the other of the condensers, to the water storage part.