초록 ▼

A heating and cooling system is provided having an indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor heat exchanger, a refrigerant compressor, an auxiliary heat exchanger in parallel with the outdoor heat exchanger, a solar collector unit, with the auxiliary heat exchanger disposed within a fluid contained in a sto

A heating and cooling system is provided having an indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor heat exchanger, a refrigerant compressor, an auxiliary heat exchanger in parallel with the outdoor heat exchanger, a solar collector unit, with the auxiliary heat exchanger disposed within a fluid contained in a storage tank wherein the fluid is heated by circulation through the solar collector. Heat from the solar collector is utilized to heat an interior space as long as the temperature of the fluid is sufficient and thereafterwards the heat pump system is utilized for supplying heat as needed. When the efficiency of the heat pump system is substantially impaired due to low ambient conditions, the auxiliary heat exchanger is utilized to supplement heat capacity to the heat pump system.

대표청구항 ▼

A heating system for delivering heat to the interior space of a building structure comprising: a first heat exchange coil disposed in heat exchange relationship with said interior space; a second heat exchange coil in heat exchange relationship with a main heat source; a fluid refrigerant line conne

A heating system for delivering heat to the interior space of a building structure comprising: a first heat exchange coil disposed in heat exchange relationship with said interior space; a second heat exchange coil in heat exchange relationship with a main heat source; a fluid refrigerant line connecting said first and second heat exchange coils having a fluid refrigerant contained therein; a compressor means connected in said refrigerant line between said first and second heat exchange coils having a suction side and a discharge side for compressing said refrigerant; a third heat exchange coil connected in a parallel flow relationship with said second heat exchange coil in a parallel refrigerant line and in a series flow relationship with said compressor means, said third heat exchange coil being in heat exchange relationship with an auxiliary heat source; expansion means connected in said refrigerant line for evaporating refrigerant in said second heat exchange coil, said refrigerant vapor being condensed in said first heat exchange coil for transferring heat from said main heat source to said interior space; valve means connected in said parallel refrigerant line for selectively By-passing and expanding at least a part of said refrigerant through said third heat exchange coil as required for satisfying the heating requirements of said interior space; and means combining refrigerant flow from said second and third heat exchange coil prior to entering said suction side of said compressor means affording regulation of said flow from said second and third heat exchange coils so as to efficiently utilize the heat available from said main heat source in combination with heat from said auxiliary heat source. whereby the heat capacity of the heating system is effectively maintained for low outdoor temperature conditions. A method for heating an interior space of a building structure comprising the steps of: (a) providing a solar collector for collecting and absorbing solar radiation and passing a heat transfer fluid in heat exchange relationship with said solar collector for absorbing the radiant heat therefrom to thereby heat said fluid; (b) transferring heat from said heated fluid to said interior space when the temperature of said fluid is sufficient for satisfying the interior heating requirements; (c) providing a first heat exchange coil in heat exchange relationship with said interior space and a second heat exchange coil in heat exchange relationship with a main heat source; (d) providing a refrigerant flow line connecting said first and second heat exchange coils and providing a compressor having a suction side and a discharge side connected in said refrigerant flow line between said first and second coils for compressing a refrigerant contained in said refrigerant flow line; (e) energizing said compressor when heat is required by said interior space and when the temperature of said heat transfer fluid is insufficient for heating said interior space; (f) providing expansion means in said refrigerant flow line for expanding and evaporating refrigerant in said second heat exchange coil, said vaporized refrigerant being condensed in said first heat exchange coil for absorbing and transferring heat from said main heat source to said interior space when said compressor is energized; (g) providing a third exchange heat exchange coil connected in parallel across said second heat exchange coil in a parallel refrigerant line and disposing said third heat exchange coil in heat exchange relationship with an auxiliary heat source; (h) by-passing at least a part of said refrigerant through said parallel refrigerant line and said third heat exchange coil in response to the heat exchange capacity of said second heat exchange coil being reduced below a predetermined level; (i) providing an expansion means in said parallel refrigerant line for expanding and evaporating refrigerant through said third heat exchange coIl to absorb heat from said auxiliary heat source (transferring said abosrbed heat in combination with heat absorbed by said second heat exchange coil to be delivered to the suction side of said compressor.); and (j) delivering said heat absorbed in said second heat exchange coil in combination with heat absorbed in said third heat exchange in common flow to said suction side of said compressor so as to afford efficient combination and utilization of heat available in said main and auxiliary heat sources in satisfying the heating requirements of said interior space.