WO2017157808A1

WO2017157808A1 - Heat pump system having heat exchangers, method for operating a heat pump system, and method for producing a heat pump system

Info

Publication number: WO2017157808A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/055732
Authority: WO
Inventors: Oliver Kniffler; Holger Sedlak
Original assignee: Efficient Energy Gmbh
Priority date: 2016-03-14
Filing date: 2017-03-10
Publication date: 2017-09-21
Also published as: DE102016204152A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat pump system comprising a heat pump unit having at least one heat pump stage (200), wherein the at least one heat pump stage (200) has an evaporator (202), a compressor (204), and a condenser (206); a first heat exchanger (212) on a side to be cooled; a second heat exchanger (214) on a side to be heated; a first pump (208), which is coupled to the first heat exchanger (212); and a second pump (210), which is coupled to the second heat exchanger (214); wherein the heat pump system has an operating position, wherein, in the operating position, the first pump (208) and the second pump (210) are arranged above the first heat exchanger (212) and the second heat exchanger (214), and wherein the heat pump unit is arranged above the first pump (208) and the second pump (210).

Description

Heat pump system with heat exchangers, method for operating a heat pump system and method for producing a heat pump system

description

The present invention relates to heat pumps for heating, cooling or for any other application of a heat pump. Figures 8A and 8B illustrate a heat pump as described in European patent EP 2016349 B1. The heat pump initially comprises an evaporator 10 for evaporating water as the working fluid in order to produce a steam in a working steam line 12 on the output side. The evaporator includes an evaporation space (not shown in FIG. 8A) and is configured to generate an evaporation pressure of less than 20 hPa in the evaporation space so that the water evaporates at temperatures below 15 ° C. in the evaporation space. The water is e.g. Groundwater, in the ground free or in collector pipes circulating brine, so water with a certain salinity, river water, seawater or seawater. It can be used all types of water, ie calcareous water, lime-free water, saline water or salt-free water. This is because all types of water, all of these "hydrogens", have the favorable water property, namely that water, also known as "R 718", is an enthalpy difference ratio useful for the heat pump process of 6, which is more than 2 times the typical usable enthalpy difference ratio of eg R134a corresponds.

The water vapor is supplied through the suction line 12 to a compressor / condenser system 14, which has a turbomachine, such as a centrifugal compressor, for example in the form of a turbocompressor, which is designated 16 in FIG. 8A. The turbomachine is designed to compress the working steam to a vapor pressure at least greater than 25 hPa. 25 hPa corresponds to a liquefaction temperature of about 22 ° C, which can already be a sufficient heating flow temperature of a floor heating, at least on relatively warm days. In order to generate higher flow temperatures, pressures greater than 30 hPa can be generated with the turbomachine 16, wherein a pressure of 30 hPa has a liquefaction temperature of 24 ° C, a pressure of 60 hPa has a liquefaction temperature of 36 ° C, and a pressure of 100 hPa corresponds to a liquefaction temperature of 45 ° C. Floor- Heaters are designed to heat adequately with a flow temperature of 45 ° C, even on very cold days.

The turbomachine is coupled to a condenser 18, which is designed to liquefy the compressed working steam. By liquefying the energy contained in the working steam is supplied to the condenser 18, to then be supplied via the flow 20a a heating system. The working fluid flows back into the condenser via the return line 20b. According to the invention, it is preferable to extract from the high-energy steam directly through the colder heating water the heat (energy) absorbed by the heating water so that it heats up. The steam is so much energy withdrawn that this is liquefied and also participates in the heating circuit. Thus, a material entry into the condenser or the heating system takes place, which is regulated by a drain 22, such that the condenser has a water level in its condenser, which remains despite the constant supply of water vapor and thus condensate always below a maximum level. As has already been stated, it is preferred to take an open circuit, ie to evaporate the water, which is the heat source, directly without a heat exchanger. Alternatively, however, the water to be evaporated could first be heated by a heat exchanger from an external heat source. In addition, in order to avoid losses for the second heat exchanger, which has hitherto necessarily been present on the condenser side, the medium is also used directly there, when thinking of a house with underfloor heating, the water that is of the Evaporator comes to circulate directly in the underfloor heating.

Alternatively, however, a heat exchanger can also be arranged on the condenser side, which is fed with the feed line 20a and which has the return line 20b, this heat exchanger cooling the water in the condenser and thus a separate underfloor heating liquid, which will typically be water, heating up.

Due to the fact that water is used as the working medium, and due to the fact that only the evaporated portion of the groundwater is fed into the turbomachine, the purity of the water does not matter. The streams ming machine, as well as the condenser and possibly directly coupled floor heating always supplied with distilled water, so that the system has a reduced maintenance compared to today's systems. In other words, the system is self-cleaning, since only distilled water is always supplied to the system and the water in the outlet 22 is thus not polluted.

In addition, it should be noted that turbomachines have the properties that they - similar to an aircraft turbine - the compressed medium not with problematic substances, such as oil, in connection. Instead, the water vapor is compressed only by the turbine or the turbocompressor, but not associated with oil or other purity impairing medium and thus contaminated.

The distilled water discharged through the drain can thus - if no other regulations stand in the way - be readily returned to the groundwater. Alternatively, however, it may also be e.g. be infiltrated in the garden or in an open area, or it may be fed via the canal, if required by regulations - to a sewage treatment plant. The combination of water as a working center! with the two times better usable enthalpy difference ratio compared to R134a and due to the reduced requirements for the integrity of the system, and due to the use of the turbomachine, which efficiently and without purity impairments the required compression factors are achieved created an efficient and environmentally friendly heat pump process.

FIG. 8B shows a table for illustrating various pressures and the evaporation temperatures associated with these pressures, with the result that, in particular for water as the working medium, rather low pressures are to be selected in the evaporator.

DE 4431887 A1 discloses a heat pump system with a lightweight, large volume high performance centrifugal compressor. A vapor exiting a second stage compressor has a saturation temperature which exceeds the ambient temperature or that of available cooling water, thereby allowing for heat removal. The compressed vapor is transferred from the second stage compressor to the condenser unit, which consists of a packed bed which is internally half of a cooling water spraying device on a top, which is supplied by a water circulation pump, is provided. The compressed water vapor rises in the condenser through the packed bed where it passes in direct countercurrent contact with the downwardly flowing cooling water. The vapor condenses and the latent heat of condensation absorbed by the cooling water is expelled to the atmosphere via the condensate and the cooling water, which are removed together from the system. The condenser is continuously purged with non-condensable gases by means of a vacuum pump via a pipeline.

WO 2014072239 A1 discloses a condenser with a condensation zone for condensing vapor to be condensed in a working fluid. The condensation zone is formed as a volume zone and has a lateral boundary between the upper end of the condensation zone and the lower end. Further, the condenser comprises a steam introduction zone which extends along the lateral end of the condensation zone and is designed to supply condensing vapor laterally across the lateral boundary into the condensation zone. Thus, without increasing the volume of the condenser, the actual condensation is made into a volume condensation, because the vapor to be liquefied is introduced not only head-on from one side into a condensation volume or into the condensation zone, but laterally and preferably from all sides. This not only ensures that the condensation volume provided is increased at the same external dimensions compared to a direct countercurrent condensation, but that at the same time the efficiency of the capacitor is improved because the vapor to be liquefied in the condensation zone, a current direction transverse to the flow direction having the condensation liquid.

In heat pump systems, in particular, when heat pump systems are to be used for heating or cooling, for example, but not exclusively in the area of low or medium power disadvantageous if the heat pump systems run unreliable or very bulky. Such a problem can occur when the working fluid is kept at a relatively low pressure, for example, as is the case with water as a working fluid. Then, especially when using pumps, it must be ensured that the pressure in the working fluid on the suction side of the pump does not become too low. If this were to occur, then the activity of the pump, namely, when the pump impels energy to the fluid, would cause bubbles to form in the fluid. These bubbles then fall in again together. This process is referred to as "cavitation." If cavitation takes place at all or with a certain intensity, it can lead to damage to the pump impeller in the long term, resulting in a reduced service life of the heat pump system If this decreasing efficiency of the pump is absorbed by a higher pumping power, this leads to an energy consumption which in principle would not have to be and thus to a reduced efficiency of the heat pump system leads a already damaged by excessive cavitation, but still run-capable pump that the pumped pumping volume is smaller, which also results in a reduced efficiency of the heat pump system.

Other aspects of a heat pump system with heat exchangers is how the heat pump system can be put into operation, the heat exchangers are to be joined at a first commissioning or commissioning after a maintenance stop. Thus, in principle, a heat exchanger on the cold water side and a heat exchanger on the hot water or cooling water side is provided. For these heat exchangers, which are typically very heavy, they should be conveniently coupled with pumps and heat pump stages, and in addition they are maintenance-friendly and in particular also installed in such a way that commissioning or decommissioning of the heat pump system is as simple and therefore safe and service-friendly can take place.

Another point that plays a significant role is the use of several heat pump stages in a heat pump plant and the coupling of the heat pump stages with each other or with various pumps or various heat exchangers to create an optimal heat pump system that works efficiently, which has a good life, or which can be used flexibly for various operating conditions. The object of the present invention is to provide an improved heat pump system, a method for manufacturing a heat pump system and a method for operating a heat pump system.

This object is achieved by a heat pump system according to claim 1, a method for producing a heat pump system according to claim 31 or a method for operating a heat pump system according to claim 32. In one aspect of the present invention, the heat exchangers are located at the bottom of the heat pump system, below the pumps. Such a heat pump system comprises a heat pump unit with at least one and preferably several heat pump stages. Furthermore, a first heat exchanger is provided on a side to be cooled. In addition, a second heat exchanger is provided on a side to be heated. Further, there is a first pump coupled to the first heat exchanger and a second pump coupled to the second heat exchanger. The heat pump system has an operating position in which the first pump and the second pump are arranged above the first and second heat exchangers. In addition, the heat pump unit is disposed with the one or more heat pump stages above the first and second pumps.

Advantages of this arrangement according to one aspect of the invention is the low center of gravity. The heat exchangers are typically the heaviest. Above the heat exchangers, the pump module is arranged in the exemplary embodiment, wherein, optionally, when using a plurality of heat pump stages, a mixer module is again arranged above the pump module. The one or more containers with the one of the plurality of compressors of the heat pump stages are arranged at the highest point. A particular advantage with the arrangements of the compressors at the highest point is that they are dry in the off-state. Then, namely, the working fluid, such as water, runs downwards due to gravity.

This arrangement with below provided heat exchangers is characterized by a lightweight construction. First, the heat exchangers are e.g. mounted in a heat pump system rack. Then the Pumpenmodui, possibly the mixer or

Wegemodul and finally the one or more heat pump stages attached.

Preferably, the heat exchangers are arranged lying here. This results in that when filling the heat pump system at a first startup or commissioning after a maintenance interval no air bubbles take place that the

Heat pump system is therefore self-venting.

In addition, it is preferred in this embodiment that all pumps are arranged in downpipes, not in risers. In particular, the pumps are arranged so that the suction side of the pump is arranged as far down in the downpipe as possible. Thus kinetic energy is already released from the drop height of the water column. and the pressure on the suction side of the pump is higher than in a bottom-up riser. Thus, the minimum water column on the suction side of the pump is smaller than required by the pump manufacturer. On the one hand cavitation at all or excessive cavitation can be prevented. On the other hand, a compact heat pump system is achieved, which does not require a particularly large space for use. This is because the pipe connections in front of the suction side of the pump can be made short. This makes the entire system more compact and thus less bulky. Also weight savings can be achieved by a more compact design.

In a second aspect of the present invention, the heat pump system is provided with pumps located at the bottom. Therefore, alternatively to the described first aspect according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the operating position, the first and second pumps are disposed below the heat pump unit at a lower end of the heat pump unit. Moreover, in this arrangement, in the operating position, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are also disposed below the heat pump unit at the lower end adjacent to the pumps. In order to efficiently prevent cavitation, the pumps are arranged at the lowest point of the heat pump system. In addition, the pumps are installed horizontally, so that the maximum back pressure exists in front of the suction side of the pump. This avoids cavitation efficiently and thus damaging the pump wheels. The necessary dynamic pressure upstream of the suction side of the pump determines the smallest possible height difference between the heat pump stage, ie the container with condenser, evaporator and compressor and the corresponding pump. Preferably, the heat exchanger is mounted upright in the second aspect, so that air pockets are avoided during filling. In addition, due to the vertical position of the heat exchanger, the necessary pipe connection from the heat exchanger back into the evaporator or in the condenser shorter, because the heat exchanger itself, which may typically have considerable lengths, is effectively used as a double connection line.

In a third aspect of the present invention, the heat pump system is not operated with only a single heat pump stage, but with two or more heat pump stages. Here, the heat pump stage with a first compressor, a first condenser and a first evaporator in a sense in chain with a second or further heat pump stage with a second compressor, a second condenser and a second evaporator connected. For this purpose, the first condenser outlet of the first condenser is connected to a second evaporator inlet of the second evaporator of the further heat pump stage via a connecting line. In this way, the warmest liquid of the heat pump stage is introduced into the evaporator, ie the coldest area of the further heat pump stage, in order to be cooled there again. The heat pump stages are therefore not connected in parallel, but in chain. Depending on the implementation of the input of the condenser of the first heat pump stage can be coupled to the output of the evaporator of the other heat pump stage or, as is preferred in certain embodiments, be guided in a controllable path module to the heat pump system with the heat pump stage and the other heat pump stage in to operate various operating modes optimally adapted to the heating or cooling task.

In preferred embodiments of the third aspect of the present invention, which relates to the derailleur of two heat pump stages, the first condenser of the heat pump stage is arranged in the operating position above the second evaporator of the further heat pump stage, so that the working fluid due to gravity from the first condenser into the second evaporator flows in the connecting line. This can be saved here a pump. A DC link pump is only necessary to bring working fluid from the evaporator of the further heat pump stage back to a higher level with respect to the operating position in the condenser of the heat pump stage, ie the first heat pump stage. Thus, a heat pump system with two heat pump stages can be operated efficiently with only three pumps, namely a first pump coupled to the input to the cold side heat exchanger, a second pump coupled to the input to the heat side heat exchanger, and a second pump DC link pump, which is coupled to the output of the evaporator of the further heat pump stage.

The arrangement of further heat pump stages can also take place as a chain circuit, in turn, when the respective condenser of the lower heat pump stage above the respective evaporator of the higher heat pump stage are arranged, again pumps can be saved. Alternatively or additionally, the third stage or further stages can also be coupled in parallel or in series or in another way with the two heat pumps connected in chain. The space that results below the higher level heat pump stage is preferably used to accommodate a path module that is controllable to implement various modes of operation. Various modes of operation include a high power mode, a mid power mode, a free cooling mode or a low power mode, and according to the third aspect of the present invention, a controller is provided to set the controllable path module to implement at least two of these four modes of operation. In other embodiments, three and in still other embodiments, all four modes of operation are implemented. By using a larger number of heat pump stages, further operating modes, ie more than four operating modes, can be implemented.

Due to the arrangement of the pumps and the heat exchangers according to the first or the second aspect almost only point-to-point connections are achieved, which are favorable for a compact construction and a Kavitationsvermeidung.

Due to the difference in height of the two containers, it can be dispensed with a pump between the condenser outlet of the higher container and the evaporator inlet of the lower container, as has been explained. The space created by the height difference between the two containers is used for the controllable diverter switch, which can be used to switch the heat pump system to different modes in order to achieve optimum adaptation to various operating conditions.

The arrangement of the two heat pump stages and the interconnection of the heat pump stages according to a derailleur, ie by connecting the condenser outlet of the condenser of the first stage with the evaporator inlet of the evaporator of the further stage allows the already existing infrastructure to be used in each operating mode. Both heat pump stages are therefore regardless of whether they are active, so whether the respective compressor is running or not, flows through the working fluid. Thus, no bypass lines or valves are needed. Instead, to get from one mode of operation to another mode of operation, the paths are switched in a 2x2-way switch array.

This makes it possible for an inactive heat pump stage, ie a heat pump stage in which the compressor is not active, in which the same pressure prevails on the evaporator and condenser side, without further measures by starting the compressor in the operation can be taken. The system is thus designed so that no special start-up or evacuation measures are necessary, but a heat pump stage is started when the compressor is put into operation, and is stopped when the compressor is taken out of service. Nevertheless, the feeds for the evaporator and the condenser and the effluents from the evaporator and the condenser of a stage are still flowed through despite the compressor being deactivated. This ensures that optimum readiness is achieved without the need for special energy consumption. In a further embodiment, an efficient working fluid transport device is used. It has been found that working fluid accumulates in the evaporator of the lower stage, ie the stage which is thermodynamically arranged on the side to be heated. To allow compensation here again to the evaporator in the higher-lying container, a self-regulating system, the z. B. may have an overflow and a U-tube used. The U-tube is connected to a bottleneck in front of a pump in the evaporator circuit of the higher tank. Due to the increased flow speed in front of the pump, the pressure drops and water from the U-tube can be absorbed. The system is self-regulating insofar as a stable water level is established in the U-tube, which is sufficient for the pressure in front of the pump in the constriction and in the evaporator of the lower tank.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a heat pump stage with an entangled evaporator / condenser arrangement;

2A is a schematic representation of a heat pump system with bottom heat exchangers according to the first aspect of the present invention.

2B is a schematic representation of a heat pump system with bottom-mounted pumps according to the second aspect of the present invention; a schematic representation of a heat pump system with chain connected first and further heat pump stage according to the third aspect of the present invention; a schematic representation of two fixed-chain heat pump stages; a schematic representation of coupled with controllable directional switches in chain heat pump stages. a schematic representation of a controllable roadside module with three inputs and three outputs; a table showing the various connections of the controllable road module for different modes of operation; a schematic representation of the heat pump system of Figure 4A with additional self-regulating liquid equalization between the heat pump stages. a schematic representation of the heat pump system with two stages, which is operated in the high performance mode (HLM); a schematic representation of the heat pump system with two stages, which is operated in the middle power mode (MKM); a schematic representation of the heat pump system with two stages, which is operated in the free cooling mode (FKM); a schematic representation of the heat pump system with two stages, which is operated in low power mode (NLM); a table showing the operating states of various components in the various operating modes; a table showing the operating states of the two coupled controllable 2x2-way switch; a table showing the temperature ranges for which the operation modes are appropriate; a schematic representation of the coarse / fine control of the operating modes on the one hand and the speed control on the other; a schematic representation of a known heat pump system with water as a working fluid; and

Fig. 8B is a table showing various pressure / temperature situations for water as the working fluid.

FIG. 1 shows a heat pump 100 with an evaporator for evaporating working fluid in an evaporator space 102. The heat pump further comprises a condenser for liquefying evaporated working fluid in a condenser space 104 bounded by a condenser bottom 106. As shown in FIG. 1, which may be viewed as a sectional view or as a side view, the evaporator space 102 is at least partially surrounded by the condenser space 104. Furthermore, the evaporator chamber 102 is separated from the condenser space 104 by the condenser bottom 106. In addition, the condenser bottom is connected to an evaporator bottom 108 to define the evaporator space 102. In one implementation, a compressor 1 10 is provided above the evaporator chamber 102 or elsewhere, which is not detailed in Fig. 1, but which is in principle designed to compress vaporized working fluid and as compressed steam 1 12 in the condenser space 104 to conduct. The condenser space is also limited to the outside by a capacitor wall 1 14. The capacitor wall 1 4 is also attached to the evaporator bottom 108 as the capacitor bottom 106. In particular, the dimensioning of the capacitor base 106 in the area forming the interface to the evaporator base 108 is such that the capacitor base in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is completely surrounded by the capacitor space wall 14. This means that the condenser space, as shown in FIG. 1, extends to the evaporator bottom, and that the evaporator space at the same time extends very far upwards, typically almost through almost the entire condenser space 104. This "entangled" or interlocking arrangement of condenser and evaporator, which is characterized in that the condenser bottom is connected to the evaporator bottom, provides a particularly high heat pump efficiency and therefore allows a particularly compact design of a heat pump. The order of magnitude of the dimensioning of the heat pump, for example, in a cylindrical shape so that the condenser wall 1 14 is a cylinder with a diameter between 30 and 90 cm and a height between 40 and 100 cm. However, the dimensioning can be selected according to the required performance class of the heat pump, but preferably takes place in the dimensions mentioned. Thus, a very compact design is achieved, which is also easy and inexpensive to produce, because the number of interfaces, especially for the almost vacuum evaporator space can be easily reduced if the evaporator bottom is carried out in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, that it includes all fluid supply and discharge lines and thus no liquid supply and discharge lines from the side or from above are necessary.

It should also be noted that the operating direction of the heat pump is as shown in FIG. This means that the evaporator bottom defines in operation the lower portion of the heat pump, but apart from connecting lines with other heat pumps or to corresponding pump units. This means that in operation, the steam generated in the evaporator chamber rises and is deflected by the motor and is fed from top to bottom in the condenser space, and that the condenser liquid is guided from bottom to top, and then fed from above into the condenser space and then flows in the condenser space from top to bottom, such as by individual droplets or by small liquid streams, to react with the preferably cross-fed compressed steam for purposes of condensation. This intertwined arrangement, in that the evaporator is located almost completely or even completely within the condenser, allows for a very efficient heat pump design with optimum space utilization. After the condenser space extends to the evaporator bottom, the condenser space is formed within the entire "height" of the heat pump or at least within a substantial portion of the heat pump. At the same time, however, the evaporation chamber is as large as possible because it is also almost almost velvet height of the heat pump extends. By interlocking arrangement in contrast to an arrangement in which the evaporator is arranged below the condenser, the space is used optimally. This allows for a particularly efficient operation of the heat pump and on the other hand a particularly space-saving and compact design, because both the evaporator and the condenser extend over the entire height. Although this is the "thickness" of the evaporator chamber and the condenser space back. It has been found, however, that the reduction of the "thickness" of the evaporator space, which tapers within the condenser, is straightforward because the main evaporation takes place at the bottom, where the evaporator space fills up almost all of the available volume. On the other hand, the reduction of the thickness of the condenser space, especially in the lower area, ie where the evaporator space fills almost the entire available area, uncritical, because the main condensation takes place above, ie where the evaporator chamber is already relatively thin and thus sufficient space for leaves the condenser space. The interlocking arrangement is thus optimal in that each functional space there is given the large volume, where this functional space also requires the large volume. The evaporator compartment has the large volume below while the condenser compartment has the large volume at the top. Nevertheless, the corresponding small volume, which remains there for the respective functional space where the other functional space has the large volume, also contributes to an increase in efficiency compared with a heat pump in which the two functional elements are arranged one above the other, as is shown in FIG WO 2014072239 A1 is the case.

In preferred embodiments, the compressor is arranged at the top of the condenser space such that the compressed steam is deflected by the compressor on the one hand and at the same time fed into an edge gap of the condenser space. Thus, a condensation is achieved with a particularly high efficiency, because a cross-flow direction of the steam is achieved to a condensing condensation condensing down. This cross-flow condensation is particularly effective in the upper area where the evaporator space is large, and does not require a particularly large area in the lower area where the condenser space is small in favor of the evaporator space, yet still allows condensation of vapor particles penetrated up to this area allow. An evaporator bottom, which is connected to the condenser bottom, is preferably designed such that it controls the condenser inlet and outlet and the evaporator inlet and outlet. run in addition, although in addition still certain bushings for sensors in the evaporator or in the condenser may be present. This ensures that no feedthroughs of lines for the condenser inlet and outlet are required by the near-vacuum evaporator. This will make the entire heat pump less prone to failure because any passage through the evaporator would be a potential leak. For this purpose, the condenser bottom is at the points where the condenser feeds and outlets are provided with a respective recess, going to the extent that in the evaporator space, which is defined by the condenser bottom, no capacitor to / discharges.

The condenser space is limited by a condenser wall, which is also attachable to the evaporator bottom. The evaporator bottom thus has an interface for both the condenser wall and the condenser bottom and additionally has all liquid feeds for both the evaporator and the condenser.

In certain embodiments, the evaporator bottom is configured to have spigots for the individual feeders that have a cross section that is different from a cross section of the opening on the other side of the evaporator bottom. The shape of the individual connecting pieces is then designed so that the shape or cross-sectional shape changes over the length of the connecting piece, but the pipe diameter, which plays a role for the flow velocity, is almost equal within a tolerance of ± 10%. This prevents water flowing through the connection pipe from cavitating. This ensures due to the good obtained by the formation of the connecting pieces flow conditions that the corresponding pipes / lines can be made as short as possible, which in turn contributes to a compact design of the entire heat pump.

In a specific implementation of the evaporator bottom of the condenser feed is almost divided in the form of a "glasses" in a two- or multi-part flow. Thus, it is possible to simultaneously feed the capacitor liquid in the condenser at its upper portion at two or more points. Thus, a strong and at the same time particularly uniform condenser flow is achieved from top to bottom, which makes it possible that a highly efficient condensation of the steam also introduced from above into the condenser is achieved. Another smaller dimensioned feed in the evaporator bottom for condenser water may also be provided to connect a hose which supplies cooling fluid to the compressor motor of the heat pump, not the cold, the liquid supplied to the evaporator is used for cooling, but the warmer, the condenser supplied Liquid, which is still cool enough in typical operating situations to cool the heat pump motor.

The evaporator bottom is characterized by the fact that it has a combination functionality. On the one hand, it ensures that no capacitor feed lines have to be passed through the evaporator, which is under very low pressure. On the other hand, it represents an interface to the outside, which preferably has a circular shape, as in a circular shape as much evaporator surface remains. All inlets and outlets pass through one evaporator base and from there into either the evaporator space or the condenser space. In particular, a production of the evaporator floor of plastic injection molding is particularly advantageous because the advantageous relatively complicated shapes of the inlet / outlet nozzles in plastic injection molding can be carried out easily and inexpensively. On the other hand, it is due to the execution of the evaporator bottom as easily accessible workpiece readily possible to produce the evaporator bottom with sufficient structural stability, so that he can withstand the low evaporator pressure in particular without further ado.

In the present application, like reference numerals refer to like or equivalent elements, and not all reference numerals are repeated in all drawings as they repeat themselves.

FIG. 2A shows a heat pump system with a heat pump unit comprising at least one heat pump stage 200, wherein the at least one heat pump stage 200 comprises an evaporator 202, a compressor 204 and a condenser 206. Further, a first heat exchanger 212 is provided on a side to be cooled. In addition, a second heat exchanger 214 is provided on a side to be heated. The heat pump system further includes a first pump 208 coupled to the first heat exchanger 212 and a second pump 210 coupled to the second heat exchanger 214. The heat pump system has an operating position, ie a position in which it is normally operated. This operating position is as shown in Fig. 2A. In the operating position, the first pump 208 and the second pump 210 are above the first heat exchanger 212 and the second heat exchanger 210. exchanger 214 arranged. In addition, the heat pump unit comprising the at least one heat pump stage 200 is disposed above the first pump 208 and the second pump 210. The first heat exchanger 212 comprises an inlet 240 and a drain 241. The inlet 240 and the outlet 241 are coupled to the heat pump unit. In the implementation where the heat pump unit has only a single heat pump stage, as exemplified in FIG. 2A at 200, the inlet 240 is into the heat exchanger 212 via the pump 208 with an evaporator drain 220 via a conduit 208 upstream of the pump 208 and a pipeline 230 coupled to the pump 208. In addition, the drain 241 from the heat exchanger 212 is coupled to the evaporator inlet 222 of the evaporator 202 via a pipe 234. In addition, a condenser outlet 224 of the condenser or condenser 206 is coupled via the pump 210 and a pipe 236 to an inlet 242 in the second heat exchanger 214. In addition, a drain 243 of the second heat exchanger 214 is coupled via a pipe to a condenser inlet 226 of the condenser 206. It should be noted, however, that the tubes 228, 232, 234, 238 may also be coupled to other elements, particularly if the heat pump unit has not only the one step 208 but two stages, as exemplified in FIGS 3B, 4A, 5, 6A to 6D. It should be noted, however, that the heat pump unit may comprise any number of stages, that is to say, for example, other than two stages, also three stages, four, five, etc. stages.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2A, the inlet and the outlet of the first heat exchanger in the operating position are arranged perpendicular or at least at an angle less than 45 ° to a vertical. Furthermore, a suction side of the pump 208 is coupled via the pipe 228 to the heat pump unit and here by way of example to the evaporator outlet 220. It should also be noted that in operation, as in the conduit 234, as shown by the arrows, in the conduit 228, a flow of working fluid flows from top to bottom in operation. Accordingly, the inlet 242 in the second heat exchanger and the outlet 243 from the second heat exchanger with pipes 234, 236, 238 are connected, with the intermediate pump 208 or 210 These pipes are as far as possible perpendicular and in any case in an angle less than 45 °. This optimum alignment of the heat pump system and in particular the individual components of the heat pump system is achieved, because in particular the suction sides of the pump 208, 210 each in one preferably vertical downpipe 228 and 234 are arranged. Thus, an optimal dynamic pressure is present in front of the respective pump, to the effect that the pumps 208, 210 operate without or only with a very low cavitation. In addition, it is preferred that the heat exchangers 212, 214 are arranged horizontally. This has the advantage that when filling the system no air pockets in the heat exchanger take place, so that the heat exchanger are self-venting. Lying also means that the heat exchangers are parallelepiped-shaped, and thus have a base area which is smaller in area than the side surface. The heat exchanger 212 and the heat exchanger 214 thus have an elongated shape, wherein the longer side of the cuboid lying, so horizontally or at an angle less than 45 ° is arranged with respect to the horizontal.

It should also be noted that the two pumps 208, 210 are arranged closer to the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger 214 than at a connection point on the heat pump unit. This means that the tube 228 is longer than the tube 230, and that also the tube 234 is longer than the tube 236.

Further, the heat pump unit is configured such that at least one inlet or outlet of an evaporator or condenser of a heat pump stage connected to the first heat exchanger or the second heat exchanger is arranged to be vertically downwardly or vertically out of the heat pump stage in the operating position Angle less than 45 ° from a vertical exit from the heat pump stage. The outlets 220, 234 and the inlets 222, 226 are drawn vertically, with this position being preferred. Moreover, the heat pump stage 200 is preferably formed in the entangled arrangement, as has also been described with reference to FIG. 1, namely that a steam supply channel 250, through which steam is passed from the evaporator 202 to the compressor 204, extends in the corresponding condenser. In addition, the heat pump stage 200 is preferably formed in the entangled arrangement, as has also been described with reference to FIG. 1, namely that a steam supply channel 250, is passed through the steam from the evaporator 202 to the compressor 204, through the condenser 206th extends. In addition, the steam supply passage between the compressor 204 and the condenser 206, shown at 251, is mounted above the condenser 206. In addition, as shown in Fig. 2A, the condenser 204 is also arranged to extend above the condenser 206, so that in an off-state, working fluid travels away from the compressor due to gravity. The compressor is thus in a dry state when the heat pump stage 200 is deactivated, which is done by the compressor motor 204 is turned off.

In addition, it should be noted that water is preferably used as the working medium, wherein the at least one heat pump stage is designed to hold a pressure at which the water can evaporate at temperatures below 50 ° C. In particular, in the two-stage arrangement, with reference still to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, 6A to 6D and 5, the evaporation into the first heat pump stage will take place, for example, at temperatures of 20 ° C to 30 ° C and will be the Evaporation in the second heat pump stage, for example at temperatures between 40 ° C and 50 ° C. However, depending on the implementation, the temperatures may be lower, as exemplified by FIG. 8 or FIG. 7C.

Preferably, the entire heat pump system is mounted on a support frame, which is not shown. In particular, the first and second heat exchangers 212, 214 are attached to the bottom of the support frame. In addition, the first pump and the second pump are connected to one another by a pump holder and are fastened as a pump module to the carrier frame above the first and second heat exchangers 212, 214. The at least one heat pump stage is then arranged above the pump carrier. In preferred embodiments, the heat pump system is formed with two stages and has a height that is less than 2.50 m, a width that is less than 2 m, and a depth that is less than 1 m.

Fig. 2A shows the first aspect, in which the heat pump system has the heat exchangers arranged at a lower end.

In contrast, Fig. 2B shows the second aspect, in which the pumps are located at the bottom and in preferred implementations of the second aspect, the heat exchangers 212, 214 are arranged upright and / or next to the pumps. In particular, according to the second aspect, FIG. 2B shows a heat pump system including the heat pump stage 200 with the first compressor 204, the first condenser 206, and the first Evaporator 202 has. Moreover, as also shown in FIG. 2A, an expansion device 207 is provided to provide fluid equalization between the condenser 206 and the evaporator 202. In addition, the first heat exchanger 212 and the second heat exchanger 214 are associated with a side to be cooled or a side to be heated. In addition, the first pump 208 and the second pump 210 are provided, wherein the first pump 208 is coupled to the first heat exchanger 212, and wherein the second pump 210 is coupled to the second heat exchanger 214. Again, the heat pump plant has an operating position which is as schematically illustrated in FIG. 2B.

The first and second pumps are arranged in the operating position below the heat pump unit 200 at a lower end of the heat pump system. Moreover, in the operating position, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are also disposed below the heat pump unit at the lower end adjacent to the pumps 208, 210, as shown schematically in FIG. 2B. In particular, the first pump 208 and the second pump 210 are arranged so that a pumping direction of the respective pump in the operating position is horizontal or deviates by at most ± 45 ° from the horizontal. In addition, the two heat exchangers 212, 214 or at least one of the two heat exchangers 212, 214 arranged standing, wherein the first port 240, 242 of the first and second heat exchanger 212, 214 coupled to a pump side of the respective pump 208, 210 is, and wherein the second port 241, 243 of the first and second heat exchanger 212 and 214, respectively, above the respective first port 240, 242 of the corresponding heat exchanger is arranged. In other words, the heat exchanger 212 is arranged so that the second port 241, which is the drain from the first heat exchanger 212, is located in the operating direction above the first port 240, which constitutes the inlet. Accordingly, in the second heat exchanger 214, the outlet, that is to say the second connection 243, is arranged in the operating position above the inlet 242 or the first connection 242 of the second heat exchanger 214. The standing arrangement is advantageous because it avoids trapped air when filling the heat exchanger. In addition, due to the vertical position of the heat exchanger, the pipe connection, and in particular the pipe 232 or 238, is shorter compared to a horizontal arrangement. This is due to the fact that the extent of the heat exchanger is used in a sense already as a connecting pipe. The heat exchanger is thus used not only as a heat exchanger element, but also as a connecting line. In addition, the pumps are arranged as far down as possible, and preferably horizontally, so that the necessary dynamic pressure upstream of the suction side of the pump is achieved by a maximum long vertical pipe in front of the pump at a given height of the entire heat pump system readily to a pump cavitation avoid it. Further, the first tube 228, through which the evaporator exit 220 is coupled to the suction side of the pump 208, includes a bend, wherein it is preferred that the bend be located closer to the suction side of the pump 208 than to the evaporator exit 220. Similarly, the curvature in the second tube 234 from the condenser exit 224 to the suction side of the pump 210 is closer to the pump than to the condenser exit 224 to have as long a vertical distance as possible to achieve the necessary back pressure, thus already the falling working medium gets a good boost of kinetic energy.

FIG. 3A shows a third aspect of a heat pump system, wherein the third stage heat pump system may have any arrangement of pumps or heat exchangers, however, as will be shown with reference to FIGS To use arrangement according to the first aspect. Alternatively, however, the arrangement according to the second aspect, ie with as far as possible arranged below pumps and preferably stationary heat exchangers can be used.

In particular, a heat pump installation, as shown in FIG. 3A, comprises a heat pump stage 200, ie stage n + 1 with a first evaporator 202, a first compressor 204 and a first condenser 206, the evaporator 202 above the steam duct 250 with the first Compressor 204 is coupled, and as soon as the compressor 204 is coupled via the steam channel 251 with the condenser 206. It is preferred to use the entangled arrangement again, but any arrangements in the heat pump stage 200 may be used. The inlet 222 into the evaporator 202 and the outlet 220 from the evaporator 202, depending on the implementation with either an area to be cooled or with a heat exchanger, such as the heat exchanger 212 to the area to be cooled or with another pre-arranged heat pump stage, namely, for example, connected to the heat pump stage n, where n is an integer greater than or equal to zero. In addition, the heat pump system in FIG. 3A comprises a further heat pump stage 300, ie the stage n + 2, with a second evaporator 302, a second heat pump stage 300. In particular, the outlet 224 of the first condenser is connected to an evaporator inlet 322 of the second evaporator 320 via a connecting line 332. The output 320 of the evaporator 302 of the further heat pump stage 300 may be connected to the inlet to the condenser 206 of the first heat pump stage 200 as shown by a dashed connection line 334, as implemented. However, as shown with reference to FIGS. 4A, 6A through 6D and 5, the output 320 of the evaporator 302 may also be connected to a controllable path module to achieve alternative implementations. In general, however, a derailleur circuit is achieved due to the fixed connection of the condenser outlet 224 of the first heat pump stage with the evaporator inlet 322 of the further heat pump stage.

This derailleur ensures that each heat pump stage must work with the lowest possible temperature spread, so with the smallest possible difference between the heated working fluid and the cooled working fluid. By connecting in series, so by a chain circuit such heat pump stages is thus achieved that nevertheless a sufficiently large total spread is achieved. The total spread is thus divided into several individual spreads. The derailleur is particularly advantageous because it allows much more efficient operation. The consumption of compressor power for two stages, each of which has to cope with a smaller temperature spread, is smaller than the compressor power for a single heat pump stage, which must reach a large temperature spread. In addition, the requirements for the individual components with two stages connected in chain are technically more relaxed.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the condenser exit 324 of the condenser 306 of the further heat pump stage 300 may be coupled to the area to be warmed, as illustrated by heat exchanger 214, for example, with reference to FIG. 3B. Alternatively, however, the output 324 of the condenser 306 of the second heat pump stage can again be coupled via a connecting tube to an evaporator of a further heat pump stage, that is to say the (n + 3) heat pump stage. Thus, depending on the implementation, FIG. 3A shows a chain circuit of, for example, four heat pump stages when n = 1 is taken. However, if n is taken arbitrarily, FIG. 3A shows a chain circuit of any number of heat pump stages, in particular the chain circuit of the heat pump stage (n + 1), denoted by 200, and the other heat pump stage 300, denoted by (n + 2) is, is detailed and the n-heat Pump stage as well as the (n + 3) - heat pump stage not as a heat pump stage, but each can be designed as a heat exchanger or as to be cooled or heated area. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 3B, for example, the condenser of the first heat pump stage 200 is disposed above the evaporator 302 of the second heat pump stage, so that the working fluid flows through the connection pipe 332 due to gravity. In particular, in the specific implementation of the individual heat pump stages shown in FIG. 3B, the condenser is arranged above the evaporator anyway. This implementation is particularly advantageous because even with heat pump stages aligned with each other, the liquid already flows from the first stage condenser into the second stage evaporator through the connection line 332. In addition, however, it is preferred to achieve a height difference that includes at least 5 cm between the top of the first stage and the top of the second stage. However, this dimension, shown at 340 in FIG. 3B, is preferably 20 cm, since then, for the described implementation, optimal water flow from the first stage 200 to the second stage 300 via the connection line 332 occurs. This also ensures that in the connecting line 332 no special pump is needed. This pump is therefore saved. Only the intermediate circuit pump 330 is required to bring the working fluid back from the outlet 320 of the second stage evaporator 300, which is lower than the first stage, back into the first stage condenser, that is, into the inlet 226. For this purpose, the output 320 is connected via the pipe 334 to the suction side of the pump 330. The pump side of the pump 330 is connected via the tube 336 to the inlet 226 of the condenser. The chain circuit of the two stages shown in Fig. 3B corresponds to Fig. 3A with the connection 334. Preferably, the intermediate circuit pump 330 is also like the other two pumps 208 and 210 arranged below, since then in the intermediate circuit 334 cavitation can be prevented because due to the placement of the intermediate circuit pump 330 in the downpipe 334 a sufficient back pressure of the pump is achieved.

Although the configuration according to the first aspect is shown in FIG. 3B, ie that the heat exchangers 212, 214 are arranged below the pumps 208, 210 and 330, the arrangement of the pumps 208, 210 next to the heat exchangers 212, 214 can also be used as set out in the second aspect. As shown in FIG. 3B, the first stage includes the expansion element 207 and the second stage comprises an expansion element 307. However, since working fluid exits the first stage conditioner 206 via the connection line 332, the expansion element 207 is dispensable. In contrast, the expansion element 307 in the lower stage is preferably used. Thus, in one embodiment, the first stage may be constructed without an expansion element and only one expansion element 307 is provided in the second stage. However, since it is preferable to make all stages the same, the expansion element 207 is also provided in the heat pump stage 200. When implemented to aid in bubble boiling, the expansion element 207 is also helpful despite the fact that it may not deliver liquefied working fluid into the evaporator, but only heated steam.

Nevertheless, it has been found that in the arrangement shown in FIG. 3B, working fluid accumulates in the evaporator 302 of the second heat pump stage 300. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, a measure is taken to bring working fluid from the evaporator 302 of the second heat pump stage 300 into the first stage evaporator circuit 200. For this purpose, an overflow arrangement 502 is arranged in the second evaporator 302 of the second heat pump stage in order to carry away working fluid from a predefined maximum working fluid level in the second evaporator 302. Furthermore, a liquid line 504, 506, 508 is provided, which is coupled on the one hand to the overflow arrangement 502, and on the other hand is coupled to a suction side of the first pump 208 at a coupling point 512. A pressure reducer 510, which is preferably designed as a pressure reducer according to Bemoulli, that is to say as a pipe or tube strangulation, is present on the coupling part 512. The fluid conduit includes a first connecting portion 504, a U-shaped portion 506 and a second connecting portion 508. Preferably, the U-shaped portion 506 has a vertical height in the operating position that is at least 5 cm and preferably 5 cm. This gives a self-regulating system that works without a pump. If the water level in the evaporator 302 of the lower container 300 is too high, working fluid will flow into the U-tube 506 via the connecting line 504. The U-tube is coupled to the suction side of the pump 208 via the connecting line 508 at the coupling point 512 at the pressure reducer. Due to the increased flow rate in front of the pump due to the constriction 510, the pressure drops and water from the U-tube 506 can be absorbed. In the U-tube, a stable water level is established, which corresponds to the pressure in front of the pump in the constriction and in the evaporator of the lower tank. ters is enough. At the same time, however, the U-tube 506 is a vapor barrier, in that no vapor from the evaporator 302 can enter the suction side of the pump 208. The expansion elements 207 and 307 are preferably also designed as overflow arrangements, in order to bring working fluid into the respective evaporator when a predetermined level in a respective condenser is exceeded. Thus, the levels of all containers, so all condenser and evaporator in both heat pump stages automatically, without effort and without pumps but set self-regulating. This is particularly advantageous because it allows heat pump stages to be run or shut down depending on the operating mode.

Figures 4A and 5 already show a detailed illustration of a steerable roadside module due to the upper 2x2 way switch 421 and the lower 2x2 way switch 422. Figure 4B shows a general implementation of the steerable road module 420 passing through the two serially connected ones 2x2-way switches 421 and 422 may be implemented, but which may alternatively be implemented.

The controllable path module 420 of FIG. 4B is coupled to a controller 430 to be controlled by it via a control line 431. The controller receives as input signals sensor signals 432 and outputs pump control signals 436 and / or compressor motor control signals 434. The compressor motor control signals 434 lead to the compressor motors 204, 304 as shown in FIG. 4A, for example, and the pump control signals 436 lead to the pumps 208, 210 However, depending on the implementation, the pumps 208, 210 can be designed to be fixed, ie uncontrolled, because they run in any of the operating modes described with reference to FIGS. 7A, 7B anyway. Only the intermediate circuit pump 330 could therefore be controlled by a pump control signal 436. The controllable path module 420 includes a first input 401, a second input 402, and a third input 403. As shown, for example, in FIG. 4A, the first input 401 is connected to the drain 241 of the first heat exchanger 212. In addition, the second input 402 of the controllable path module is connected to the return or outlet 243 of the second heat exchanger 214. In addition, the third input 403 of the controllable path module 420 is connected to a pump side of the intermediate circuit pump 330. A first output 41 1 of the controllable path module 420 is coupled to an input 222 in the first heat pump stage 200. A second output 412 of the controllable path module 420 is connected to an input 226 in the condenser 206 of the first heat pump stage. In addition, a third output 413 of the controllable path module 420 is connected to the input 326 in the condenser 306 of the second heat pump stage 300.

The various input / output connections achieved by the controllable path module 420 are shown in FIG. 4C.

In a high performance mode (HLM) mode, the first input 401 is connected to the first output 41 1. Furthermore, the second input 402 is connected to the third output 413. In addition, the third input 403 is connected to the second output 412, as shown in line 451 of FIG. 4C.

In the mid-power mode (MLM) where only the first stage is active and the second stage is inactive, that is, the second stage compressor motor 304 is off, the first input 401 is connected to the first output 41 1. Furthermore, the second input 402 is connected to the second output 412. In addition, the third input 403 is connected to the third output 413, as shown in line 452. Line 453 shows the free cooling mode in which the first input is connected to the second output, ie the input 401 to the output 412. In addition, the second input 402 is connected to the first output 41 1. Finally, the third input 403 is connected to the third output 413.

In low power mode (NLM), shown at line 454, the first input 401 is connected to the third output 413. In addition, the second input 402 is connected to the first output 41 1. Finally, the third input 403 is connected to the second output 412.

It is preferred to implement the controllable path module through the two serially arranged 2-way switches 421 and 422, as shown for example in FIG. 4A, or as also shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D. In this case, the first 2-way switch 421 has the first input 401, the second input 402, the first output 41 1 and a second output 414, which is connected via an interconnect 406 to an input 401. gear 404 of the second 2-way switch 422 is coupled. The 2-way switch has the third input 403 as an additional input and the second output 412 as an output and the third output 413 also as an output. The positions of the two 2x2-way switches 421 are shown in tabular form in FIG. 7B. Fig. 6A shows the two positions of the switches 421, 422 in the high power mode (HLM). This corresponds to the first line in FIG. 7B. Fig. 6B shows the position of the two switches in the mid-power mode. The upper switch 421 is exactly the same in the mid-power mode as it is in the high-power mode. Only the lower switch 422 has been switched. In the free cooling mode illustrated in FIG. 6C, the bottom switch is the same as in the mid-power mode. Only the upper switch has been switched. Finally, in the low power mode, the lower switch 422 is switched compared to the free cooling mode, while the lower power switch is equal to its free cooling mode position. This ensures that only one switch needs to be switched from one neighboring mode to the next mode, while the other switch can remain in its position. This simplifies the entire switching action from one operating mode to the next.

Fig. 7A shows the activities of the individual compressor motors and pumps in the various modes. In all modes, the first pump 208 and the second pump 210 are active. The intermediate circuit pump is active in the high power mode, the mid power mode, and the free cooling mode, but is deactivated in the low power mode.

The first stage compressor motor 204 is active in high power mode, mid power mode, and free cooling mode, and is deactivated in low power mode. In addition, the second stage compressor motor is only active in high power mode but disabled in mid power mode, free cooling mode and low power mode. It should be noted that FIG. 4A illustrates the low power mode in which the two motors 204, 304 are deactivated, and in which the intermediate circuit pump 330 is also activated. In contrast, Fig. 3B shows the to some extent coupled high performance mode in which both motors and all pumps are active. 5 again shows the high-performance mode, in which the switch positions are such that exactly the configuration according to FIG. 3B is obtained. FIGS. 6A and 6C also show various temperature sensors. A sensor 602 measures the temperature at the outlet of the first heat exchanger 212, ie at the return from the side to be cooled. A second sensor 604 measures the temperature at the return of the side to be heated, ie from the second heat exchanger 214. Further, another temperature sensor 606 measures the temperature at the outlet 220 of the first stage evaporator, which temperature is typically the coldest temperature. In addition, a further temperature sensor 608 is provided which measures the temperature in the connection line 332, that is, at the output of the first stage condenser, indicated 224 in other figures. In addition, the temperature sensor 610 measures the temperature at the outlet of the second stage evaporator 300, that is to say at the outlet 320 of FIG. 3B, for example.

Finally, the temperature sensor 612 measures the temperature at the output 324 of the second stage condenser 306, which temperature in full power mode is the warmest temperature in the system.

Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 7C and 7D, the various stages or operating modes of the heat pump system, as shown for example with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6D, and is also illustrated with reference to the other figures.

DE 10 2012 208 174 A1 discloses a heat pump with a free cooling mode. In the free cooling mode, the evaporator inlet is connected to a return from the area to be heated. Further, the condenser inlet is connected to a return from the area to be cooled. The free cooling mode already achieves a considerable increase in efficiency, in particular for outside temperatures lower than e.g. 22 ° C.

This free cooling mode or (FKM) is shown at line 453 in FIG. 4C and is particularly shown in FIG. 6C. In particular, the output of the cold side heat exchanger is connected to the input to the first stage condenser. Moreover, the output from the heat-side heat exchanger 214 is coupled to the first-stage evaporator inlet, and the input to the heat-side heat exchanger 214 is connected to the second-stage condenser outlet 300. However, the second stage is deactivated so that the condenser outlet 338 of FIG. 6C has, for example, the same temperature as the condenser inlet 413. In addition, the second stage evaporator effluent 334 also has the same temperature as the condensate second stage, so that the second stage 300 is thermodynamically "short-circuited." However, although the compressor motor is deactivated, working fluid flows through this stage, so the second stage is still used as an infrastructure, but due to the deactivated compressor motor.

Should now be e.g. From the middle power mode to the high power mode, that is, from a mode in which the second stage is deactivated and the first stage is active, to a mode in which both stages are active, it is preferred to first of all set the compressor motor a certain time , which is, for example, greater than one minute, and preferably 5 minutes, to run before then the switch 422 is switched from the switch position shown in Fig. 6B to the switch position shown in Fig. 6A. A heat pump according to one aspect comprises an evaporator having a evaporator inlet and an evaporator outlet and a condenser having a condenser inlet and a condenser outlet. In addition, a switching device is provided to operate the heat pump in an operating mode or other operating mode. In the one operating mode, the low-power mode, the heat pump is completely bypassed, in that the return of the area to be cooled is connected directly to the trace of the area to be heated. Moreover, in this lock-up mode or low-power mode, the return of the area to be heated is connected to the trace of the area to be cooled. Typically, the evaporator is assigned to the area to be cooled and the condenser is assigned to the area to be heated.

However, in the bypass mode, the evaporator is not connected to the area to be cooled, nor is the condenser connected to the area to be cooled, but both areas are effectively "shorted." In the second alternative mode of operation, on the other hand, the heat pump is not bypassed In the free cooling mode, the switching means is arranged to connect a return of the area to be cooled with the condenser inlet and a return of the warming In contrast, the switching device is designed in the normal mode in order to control the return flow of the gas to be cooled. To connect with the evaporator inlet and to connect the return of the area to be heated with the condenser inlet.

Depending on the embodiment, a heat exchanger may be provided at the output of the heat pump, that is, on the condenser side, or at the inlet of the heat pump, ie on the evaporator side, to decouple the inner heat pump cycle from the outer circuit in terms of liquid. In this case, the evaporator inlet is the inlet of the heat exchanger coupled to the evaporator. Moreover, in this case, the evaporator outlet constitutes the outlet of the heat exchanger, which in turn is coupled to the evaporator.

Similarly, at the condenser side, the condenser outlet is a heat exchanger outlet, and the condenser inlet is a heat exchanger inlet, on the side of the heat exchanger that is not coupled to the actual condenser.

Alternatively, however, the heat pump can be operated without input-side or output-side heat exchanger. Then, for example, A heat exchanger, which then comprises the return or trace to the cooling area or to the area to be heated, may be provided at the entrance to the area to be cooled or at the entrance to the area to be heated.

In preferred embodiments, the heat pump is used for cooling such that the area to be cooled is, for example, a room in a building, a computer room or, in general, a cold room while the area to be heated is e.g. is a roof of a building or similar location where a heat dissipation device can be placed to deliver heat to the environment. However, if the heat pump is alternatively used for heating, the area to be cooled is the environment from which energy is to be extracted and the area to be heated is the "utility", such as the interior of a building, a house or a building to be tempered space.

The heat pump is thus able to switch from the lock-up mode to either the free cooling mode or, if such a free-cooling mode is not established, to the normal mode. In general, the heat pump is advantageous in that it becomes particularly efficient when there are outside temperatures, for example less than 16 ° C, which is often the case, at least in the northern and southern hemispheres distant from the equator. This ensures that outside temperatures, where direct cooling is possible, the heat pump can be completely taken out of service. In the case of a heat pump with a radial compressor between the evaporator and the condenser, the radial wheel can be stopped and no energy needs to be put into the heat pump. Alternatively, however, the heat pump may still be in a standby mode or the like, but since it is only a standby mode, it will consume only a small amount of power. Especially with valveless heat pumps, as they are preferably used, a thermal short circuit can be avoided by complete bridging of the heat pump in contrast to the free cooling mode.

Moreover, it is preferred that in the first operating mode, ie in the low-power or bypass mode, the switching device completely separates the return of the area to be cooled or the trace of the area to be cooled from the evaporator, so that no fluid connection between the inlet and outlet of the evaporator and more to the area to be cooled. This complete separation will also be beneficial on the condenser side.

In implementations, a temperature sensor device is provided which detects a first temperature with respect to the evaporator or a second temperature with respect to the liquefier. Furthermore, the heat pump has a controller, which is coupled to the temperature sensor device and is designed to control the switching device depending on one or more temperatures detected in the heat pump, so that the switching device switches from the first to the second operating mode or vice versa. The implementation of the switching device can be implemented by an input switch and an output switch, which each have four inputs and four outputs and can be switched depending on the mode. Alternatively, however, the switching device can also be implemented by a plurality of individual cascaded switches, each having an input and two outputs. Furthermore, as a coupling element for coupling the bridging line with the Hinlauf in the area to be heated or the coupler for coupling the bridging line with the Hinlauf in the area to be cooled as a simple three-terminal combination may be formed, ie as a liquid adder. In implementations, however, in order to have optimum decoupling, the couplers are preferably also designed to be integrated as switches or integrated in the input / output switch.

In addition, a first temperature sensor is used on the evaporator side as a special temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor is used on the condenser side as the second temperature sensor, with a more direct measurement is preferred. The evaporator-side measurement is used in particular to provide a speed control of the temperature lifter, e.g. a compressor of the first and / or second stage, while the condenser-side measurement or even an ambient temperature measurement is used to perform a mode control, that is to say around the heat pump, e.g. to switch from the bypass mode to the free cooling mode when a temperature is no longer in the very cold temperature range, but in the medium cold temperature range. However, if the temperature is higher, ie in a warm temperature range, then the switching device will bring the heat pump into a normal mode with first active stage or with two active stages.

In a two-stage heat pump, however, in this normal mode, which corresponds to the medium power mode, only a first stage will be active, while the second stage is still inactive, so is not powered and therefore requires no energy. Only when the temperature continues to rise, in a very warm area, in addition to the first heat pump stage or in addition to the first pressure stage, a second pressure stage is activated, which in turn has an evaporator, a temperature booster typically in the form of a radial compressor and a condenser. The second pressure stage can be connected in series or in parallel or serially / parallel to the first pressure stage.

To ensure that in the bypass mode, ie when the outside temperatures are already relatively cold, the cold from the outside does not completely penetrate the heat pump system and beyond in the room to be cooled, making the room to be cooled even colder than it should be, It is preferred, by means of a sensor signal on the trace in the area to be cooled or at the return of the cooled to provide a control signal that can be used by a heat dissipation device mounted outside the heat pump to control the heat output, ie, to reduce when the temperatures get too cold. The heat dissipation device is, for example, a liquid / air heat exchanger, with a pump for circulating the liquid brought into the area to be heated. Further, the heat dissipation device may include a fan to transport air into the air heat exchanger. Additionally or alternatively, a three-way mixer may be provided to partially or completely short the air heat exchanger. Depending on the trace in the area to be cooled, which is connected in this bridging mode but not with the evaporator outlet, but with the return from the area to be heated, the heat dissipation device, so for example, the pump, the fan or the three-way Controlled in order to further reduce the heat output, so that a temperature level is maintained, in the heat pump system and in the area to be cooled, which in this case may be above the outdoor temperature level. Thus, the waste heat can even be used for heating the "room to be cooled" if the outside temperatures are too cold.

In another aspect, a total control of the heat pump is made so that a "fine control" of the heat pump is made depending on a temperature sensor output of a temperature sensor on the evaporator side, so a speed control in the different modes, eg the free cooling mode, the normal mode with first In the bypass mode, while the mode switchover is performed by a temperature sensor output of a condenser temperature sensor as a coarse control, only a condenser side temperature mode switches from the bypass mode (or NLM ) in the free cooling mode (or FKM) and / or in the normal mode (MLM or HLM), wherein the evaporator-side temperature output signal is not taken to decide whether a switch takes place However, only the evaporator-side temperature output signal is used for the speed control of the radial compressor or for the control of the heat dissipation devices, but not the condenser-side sensor output signal. It should be noted that the various aspects of the present invention with respect to the arrangement and the two-stage, as well as with respect to the use of the Bridging mode, the activation of the heat dissipation device in the bypass mode or free cooling mode and the control of the centrifugal compressor in the free cooling mode or the normal operating mode or the use of two sensors, one sensor for operating mode switching and the other sensor for fine control is used independently can be used from each other. However, these aspects can also be combined in pairs, or in larger groups or together.

FIGS. 7A to 7D show an overview of various modes in which the heat pump according to FIGS. 1, 2, 8A, 9A can be operated. If the temperature of the area to be heated is very cold, such as less than 16 ° C, the operating mode selection will activate the first mode of operation in which the heat pump is bypassed and the heat output device control signal 36b is generated in the area 16 to be heated. If the temperature of the area to be heated, ie area 16 of FIG. 1, is in a medium cold temperature range, e.g. in a range between 16 ° C and 22 ° C, the operating mode control will activate the free cooling mode, in which, due to the low temperature spread, the first stage of the heat pump can operate with low power. However, if the temperature of the area to be heated in a warm temperature range, for example between 22 ° C and 28 ° C, the heat pump is operated in the normal mode, but in the normal mode with a first heat pump stage. However, if the outside temperature is very warm, ie in a temperature range between 28 ° C and 40 ° C, a second heat pump stage is activated, which also works in normal mode and already supports the first stage continuously.

Preferably, a speed control or "fine control" of a centrifugal compressor within the Temperaturanhebers 34 of Fig. 1 in the temperature ranges "medium cold", "warm", "very warm" made to operate the heat pump always only with the heat / cooling capacity, the required by the actual requirements.

Preferably, the mode switching is controlled by a condenser-side temperature sensor, while the fine control or the control signal for the first operating mode depends on an evaporator-side temperature. It should be noted that the temperature ranges are "very cold", "medium cold", "warm", "very warm" for different temperature ranges, the respective average temperature of very cold to medium cold, too warm, too hot respectively larger. As shown with reference to FIG. 7C, the regions may be directly adjacent to each other. However, in embodiments, the regions may also overlap and be at the stated temperature level or at any other higher or lower temperature level. Furthermore, the heat pump is preferably operated with water as a working medium. However, other means may be used depending on the requirement.

This is tabulated in FIG. 7D. If the condenser temperature is in a very cold temperature range, the first mode of operation is set in response to the controller 430. If it is found in this mode that the evaporator temperature is lower than a setpoint temperature, a reduction in the heat output is achieved by a control signal at the heat dissipation device. However, if the condenser temperature is in the mid-cold range, then in response, it is expected to switch to the free cooling mode from controller 430, as represented by lines 431 and 434. In this case, if the evaporator temperature is greater than a desired temperature, this leads in response to an increase in the speed of the compressor radial compressor via the control line 434. If it is again determined that the condenser temperature is in a warm temperature range, in response to this the first Stage is taken into normal operation, which is done by a signal on line 434. Again, if it is determined that at a certain speed of the compressor, the evaporator temperature is still greater than a setpoint temperature, then this will increase the speed of the first stage again via the control signal on line 434. Finally, it is determined that the Condenser temperature is in a very warm temperature range, then a second stage is connected in Normai mode in response to this, which in turn is done by a signal on line 434. Depending on whether the evaporator temperature is greater or less than a desired temperature, as signaled by signals on the line 432, then a control of the first and / or the second stage is made to respond to a changed situation.

Thus, a transparent and efficient control is achieved, which on the one hand achieves a "coarse tuning" due to the mode switching and on the other hand a "fine tuning" due to the temperature-dependent speed setting, to the effect that only as much energy has to be consumed as just actually needed becomes. This procedure, in which there is also no permanent on-off in a heat pump, such as in known heat pumps with hysteresis also ensures that due to the continuous operation no start-up losses.

Preferably, a speed control or "fine control" of a centrifugal compressor within the compressor motor of Fig. 1 in the temperature ranges "medium cold", "warm", "very warm" made to operate the heat pump always only with the heat / cooling capacity, of the actual prerequisites are being demanded.

Preferably, the mode switching is controlled by a condenser-side temperature sensor, while the fine control or the control signal for the first operating mode depends on an evaporator-side temperature.

In mode switching, the controller 430 is configured to detect a condition for transition from the mid-power mode to the high-power module. Then, the compressor 304 is started in the further heat pump stage 300. Only after a predetermined time greater than one minute has elapsed, and preferably even greater than four or even five minutes, will the controllable path module switch from the mid-power mode to the high-power mode. This ensures that can be easily switched from a standstill, with the running of the compressor motor before switching ensures that the pressure in the evaporator is smaller than the pressure in the compressor.

It should be noted that the temperature ranges in FIG. 7C can be varied. In particular, the threshold temperatures, between a very cold temperature and a medium cold temperature, ie the value 16 ° C in Fig. 7C and between the medium cold temperature and the warm temperature, ie the value 22 ° C in Fig. 7C and the value between the warm and very warm temperature, so the value 28 ° C in Fig. 7C merely by way of example. Preferably, the threshold temperature between warm and very warm, in which a switchover from the mid-power mode to the high-power mode takes place, is between 25 and 30 ° C. Furthermore, the threshold temperature between warm and medium cold, ie, when switching between the free cooling mode and the middle power mode, in a temperature range between 18 and 24 ° C. Finally, the threshold temperature at which between the medium cold mode and is switched to the very cold mode, in a range between 12 and 20 ° C, the values are preferably selected as shown in the table in Fig. 7C, but, as stated, can be set differently in said areas ,

Depending on the implementation and requirement profile, however, the heat pump system can also be operated in four operating modes, which are also different, but all are at a different absolute level, so that the terms "very cold", "medium cold", "warm", " very warm "are to be understood only relative to each other, but should not represent absolute temperature values.

Although certain elements are described as device elements, it should be understood that this description is likewise to be regarded as a description of steps of a method and vice versa. Thus, for example, the block diagrams described in FIGS. 6A to 6D likewise represent flowcharts of a corresponding method according to the invention.

It should also be appreciated that the control may be implemented as software or hardware, for example, by element 430 in FIG. 4B, as well as for the tables in FIGS. 4C, 4D, or 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D. The implementation of the controller may be on a non-volatile storage medium, a digital or other storage medium, in particular a floppy disk or CD with electronically readable control signals, which may interact with a programmable computer system such that the corresponding method of pumping heat or operating a heat pump is running. In general, the invention thus also encompasses a computer program product with a program code stored on a machine-readable carrier for carrying out the method when the computer program product runs on a computer. In other words, the invention can thus also be realized as a computer program with a program code for carrying out the method when the computer program runs on a computer.

Claims

claims

A heat pump system comprising: a heat pump unit having at least one heat pump stage (200), said at least one heat pump stage (200) having an evaporator (202), a compressor (204) and a condenser (206); a first heat exchanger (212) on a side to be cooled; a second heat exchanger (214) on a side to be heated; a first pump (208) coupled to the first heat exchanger (212); and a second pump (210) coupled to the second heat exchanger (214), the heat pump system having an operating position, wherein in the operating position the first pump (208) or the second pump (210) is above the first heat exchanger (212). or the second heat exchanger (214) are arranged, and wherein the heat pump unit above the first pump (208) and the second pump (210) is arranged.

Heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein the first heat exchanger (212) has an inlet (240) and a drain (241), wherein the inlet (240) and the outlet (241) are coupled to the heat pump unit, wherein the inlet (240) is arranged perpendicular or at least at an angle less than 45 ° to a vertical, wherein a suction side of the first pump (208) in the inlet (228, 230, 240) is arranged, and wherein during operation of the heat pump, a flow of working fluid flows from top to bottom through the inlet (228, 230, 240).

Heat pump system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second heat exchanger (214) has an inlet (242, 236, 234) and a drain (243, 238), wherein the inlet (234, 236, 242) or the outlet (238, 243) is coupled to the heat pump unit, wherein the drain or the inlet is arranged perpendicular or at least at an angle less than 45 ° to a vertical, wherein a suction side of the second pump (210) in the inlet (234, 236, 242) is, and wherein in operation, a flow of working fluid flows from top to bottom through the inlet.

Heat pump system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first heat exchanger (212) or the second heat exchanger (214) is arranged lying.

Heat pump system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first pump (208) or the second pump (210) are arranged closer to the first heat exchanger (212) or to the second heat exchanger (214) as a connection point to the heat pump unit.

Heat pump system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat pump unit is formed so that at least one outlet of an evaporator or condenser of a heat pump stage, which is connected to the first heat exchanger or the second heat exchanger is arranged so that it from the heat pump stage in the operating position perpendicular down or at an angle less than 45 ° from a vertical exit from the heat pump stage.

Heat pump system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat pump unit is configured such that at least one inlet (222, 226) of an evaporator or condenser of a heat pump stage connected to the first heat exchanger or the second heat exchanger is configured to be vertically downward from the heat pump stage in the operating position or exiting the heat pump stage at an angle less than 45 ° from a vertical.

Heat pump system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat pump stage is formed so that a Dampfansaugkanal (250) extends through the condenser.

A heat pump system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat pump stage is configured to extend the compressor (204) above the condenser (206) so that in an off state of the compressor (204), liquid moves away from the compressor due to gravity running.

Heat pump system according to one of the preceding claims, which is designed to use water as a working medium, wherein the at least one heat pump stage is designed to hold a pressure at which the water can evaporate at temperatures below 60 ° C.

A heat pump system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a support frame, wherein the first heat exchanger (212) and the second heat exchanger (214) are mounted at the bottom of the support frame, the first pump (208) and the second pump (210 ) are fastened together by a pump holder, and wherein the pump holder on the support frame is mounted above the first heat exchanger (212) and the second heat exchanger (214), and wherein the at least one heat pump stage is arranged above the pump holder.

Heat pump system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat pump unit comprises the heat pump stage (200) and a further heat pump stage (300).

Heat pump system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an evaporator outlet (220) of the heat pump stage via a first downpipe (228) is connected to a suction side of the first pump (208), wherein the downpipe in the operating position is perpendicular or at an angle of at most 45 ° has a vertical.

A heat pump system according to claim 12 or 13, wherein a condenser outlet (224) of the further heat pump stage (300) is connected to a suction side of the second pump (210) via a second downcomer (338), the downcomer (338) being vertical in the operating position or has an angle of at most 45 ° to a vertical.

Heat pump installation according to one of the preceding claims, in which a condenser outlet (224) of the heat pump stage (200) is connected to an evaporator inlet (322) of the further heat pump stage (300) by means of an intermediate circuit tube (332), none being present in the intermediate circuit tube (332) And wherein the heat pump stage (200) and the further heat pump stage (300) are configured and arranged such that, in operation, a condenser working fluid level of the heat pump stage is higher than an evaporator working fluid level in the further heat pump stage (300).

16. A heat pump system according to any one of claims 12 to 15, further comprising an intermediate circuit pump (330) disposed below the heat pump stage (200) and the further heat pump stage (300) is arranged and with an evaporator outlet (320) of the further heat pump stage (300) via a downpipe (334) is connected, which is connected to a suction side of the intermediate circuit pump (330).

A heat pump system according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the heat pump stage (200) and the further heat pump stage (300) each have a compressor (204, 304) disposed above a respective condenser (206, 306), and wherein the heat pump stage (200) and the further heat pump stage (300) are arranged relative to one another such that a radial wheel of the second compressor is arranged at least 5 cm lower than a radial wheel of the first compressor (204).

A heat pump system according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the heat pump stage (200) and the further heat pump stage (300) have an outer casing dimension equal to within a tolerance of 5 cm, the casing of the heat pump stage (200) being higher than the casing the further heat pump stage (300) is arranged, so that a bottom of the housing of the heat pump stage (200) is higher than a bottom of the housing of the further heat pump stage (300).

Heat pump system according to claim 18, wherein below the heat pump stage (200) and above the first pump (208), the second pump (210) or the intermediate circuit pump (330) a controllable path module (420) is arranged to at least two inputs in the Wegemodul to connect with at least two outputs from the way module.

The heat pump system of claim 19, wherein the controllable path module (420) includes: a return from the first heat exchanger (212) as a first input (404); a return from the second heat exchanger (214) as a second input (402); a pump side of a DC link pump (330) as a third input (403); an inlet into the evaporator (204) of the heat pump stage (200) as a first output (41 1); an inlet into the condenser (206) of the heat pump stage (200) as a second outlet (412); and an inlet into the condenser (306) of the further heat pump stage (300) as a third output (413), and wherein the controllable path module (420) is adapted to one or more inputs with one or more outputs depending on a control signal (431) connect to.

The heat pump system of claim 19 or 20, further comprising a controller (430) for controlling the heat pump unit and the controllable path module (420) to operate the heat pump system in one of at least two different modes, the heat pump system being formed by at least two Execute modes selected from a group of modes having the following modes: a high power mode in which the heat pump stage (100) and the further heat pump stage (200) are active; a mid-power mode in which the heat pump stage (200) is active and the further heat pump stage (300) is inactive; a free cooling mode in which the heat pump stage (200) is active and the further heat pump stage (300) is inactive and the second heat exchanger (214) is coupled to an evaporator inlet (222) of the heat pump stage (200); and a low power mode in which the heat pump stage (200) and the further heat pump stage (300) are inactive.

22. Heat pump system according to claim 21, wherein the heat pump stage (200) or the further heat pump stage (300) is then inactive when a compressor motor (204, 304) of the corresponding heat pump stage is switched off.

23. A heat pump system according to claim 21 or 22, wherein in the high power mode and in the mid power mode and in the free cooling mode the first pump (208), the second pump (210) and the intermediate circuit pump (330) are active and in the low power mode the first pump and the second pump are active and the intermediate circuit pump (330) is inactive.

24. Heat pump system according to one of claims 19 to 23, wherein the controllable path module (420) is designed to connect the first input (401) to the first output (411) in a high-performance mode, with the second input (402) to connect a third output (413), and to connect the third input (403) to the second output (412) to connect the first input (401) to the first output (41 1) in a mid-power mode, the second one Connect the input (402) to the second output (412), and connect the third input (403) to the third output (413) to connect the first input (401) to the second output in a free cooling mode; To connect input (402) to the first output, and to connect the third input (403) to the third output, and to connect the first input (401) to the third output in a low power mode, the second input (402) to the first exit verb inden, and to connect the third input (403) to the second output (412).

25. Heat pump system according to one of claims 19 to 24, wherein the controllable path module (420) has a first switch (421) with two switch positions and a second switch (422) with two switch positions, wherein an output (14) of the first switch is connected (406) to an input (404) of the second switch.

26. Heat pump system according to claim 25, wherein the two switch positions define four operating modes with different power levels, wherein when switching from one power level to a next higher or next lower power level always only one switch is switched and the other switch remains in position.

27. Heat pump system according to one of claims 19 to 26, wherein the controllable path switch (420) has a first switch (421) and a second switch (422) each having two switch positions, wherein the first switch comprises the following features: a first switch input, which is connected to the first input (401), a second switch input coupled to the second input (402), a first switch output coupled to the first output (41 1), and a second switch output, the second one Switch (422) comprises: a first switch input coupled to the second switch output of the first switch, a second switch input coupled to the third input (413), a first switch output coupled to the second output (412) and a second switch output coupled to the third output (413).

The heat pump system of claim 27, wherein the first switch is configured to connect the first switch input to the first switch output in a first switch position and to connect the second switch input to the second switch output and to connect the first switch input to the second switch input in a second switch position To connect switch output, and to connect the second switch input to the first switch output, or wherein the second switch (422) is adapted to connect the first switch input to the first switch output in a first switch position, and the second switch input to the second To connect switch output, and in a second switch position to connect the first switch input to the second switch output, and to connect the second switch input to the first switch output.

The heat pump system of claim 28, wherein the controllable path module (420) is configured to operate in a high power mode the first switch in the first switch position and to operate the second switch (422) in the first switch position or in a mid power mode to operate the first changeover switch (421) in the first changeover position and the second changeover switch (422) in the second changeover position, or in a free cooling mode the first changeover switch (421) in the second changeover position and the second changeover switch (422) in the first changeover position to operate, or to operate in a low power mode the first switch (421) in the second switch position and to operate the second switch (422) in the second switch position.

Heat pump system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a height of the heat pump system is smaller than 2.50 m, in which a width of the heat pump system is less than 2 m, and in which a depth of the heat pump system is less than 1 m.

A method of manufacturing a heat pump system comprising a heat pump unit having at least one heat pump stage (200), the at least one heat pump stage (200) including an evaporator (202), a compressor (204) and a condenser (206); a first heat exchanger (212) on a side to be cooled; a second heat exchanger (214) on a side to be heated; a first pump (208) coupled to the first heat exchanger (212); and a second pump (210) coupled to the second heat exchanger (214), comprising the steps of:

Arranging the first pump (208) or the second pump (210) above the first heat exchanger (212) or the second heat exchanger (214), and

Placing the heat pump unit above the first pump (208) and the second pump (210).

A method of operating a heat pump system having a heat pump unit with at least one heat pump stage (200), the at least one heat pump stage (200) having an evaporator (202), a compressor (204) and a condenser (206); a first heat exchanger (212) on a side to be cooled; a second heat exchanger (214) on a side to be heated; a first pump (208) coupled to the first heat exchanger (212); and a second pump (210) coupled to the second heat exchanger (214), comprising the steps of:

Bring the heat pump system in an operating position, wherein in the operating position, the first pump (208) or the second pump (210) above the first Heat exchanger (212) or the second heat exchanger (214) are arranged, and wherein the heat pump unit above the first pump (208) and the second pump (210) is arranged; and

Activation of the heat pump stage in the operating position.