초록 ▼

The invention relates to a three-function heat pump system which provides space heating, space cooling and hot water. The system permits hot water production all year long without operation of the system in the heating or cooling modes. To this end, the system employs a large storage tank and a rela

The invention relates to a three-function heat pump system which provides space heating, space cooling and hot water. The system permits hot water production all year long without operation of the system in the heating or cooling modes. To this end, the system employs a large storage tank and a relatively smaller hot water tank. A heat exchanger within the hot water tank is sized sufficiently to permit the hot water heat exchanger to function as a system condenser, thereby permitting the refrigerant to bypass the large storage tank. The system is packaged in a compact unit in which the compressor of the system is located within an insulated container with the domestic hot water tank. The crankcase of the compressor therefore remains warm to prevent migration of the refrigerant to the compressor during off seasons. The location of the compressor adjacent to the hot water tank eliminates the need for less energy efficient resistance crankcase heaters.

대표청구항 ▼

A three function heat pump system for providing a heating mode, a cooling mode, and a hot water production mode irrespective of said heating and cooling modes, said system comprising: compressor means for compressing refrigerant, reversible flow refrigerant conduit means for providing series communi

A three function heat pump system for providing a heating mode, a cooling mode, and a hot water production mode irrespective of said heating and cooling modes, said system comprising: compressor means for compressing refrigerant, reversible flow refrigerant conduit means for providing series communication among a first heat exchanger located within a medium contained in a first storage tank, throttle means for reducing the pressure of said refrigerant, and an external heat exchanger; reversing valve means for selectively determining the direction of flow in said reversible flow conduit means in response to a desired heating or cooling mode, said reversing valve means in a heating mode directing refrigerant flow in a first direction to said first heat exchanger to condense said refrigerant prior to directing said refrigerant through said throttle means to said external heat exchanger to evaporate said refrigerant, said reversing valve means in a cooling mode directing refrigerant flow in a second direction opposite to said first direction to said external heat exchanger to condense said refrigerant prior to directing said refrigerant through said throttle means to said first heat exchanger to evaporate said refrigerant; and dual condenser means for producing hot water irrespective of said heating and cooling modes, said dual condenser means including a second heat exchanger associated with a second storage tank containing water and having bypass valve means for selectively bypassing said first heat exchanger, said dual condenser means providing series communication between said second heat exchanger and said first heat exchanger when hot water is desired with said heating and cooling modes and bypassing said first heat exchanger when hot water is desired without heating and cooling modes, said second heat exchanger functioning as a condenser for said system. A method of providing space heating, space cooling and hot water in a reversible heat pump system, said method comprising the steps of: compressing a refrigerant in a compressor, providing series communication for said refrigerant to flow among the compressor, a first heat exchanger, a throttle device, and an external heat exchanger, said first heat exchanger being located within a medium in a first reservoir for providing thermal storage, causing said refrigerant to flow in a first direction for space heating and in an opposite second direction for space cooling, the refrigerant flowing in said first direction for space heating condensing in said first heat exchanger prior to flowing through said throttle device for reducing the pressure of the refrigerant, said refrigerant subsequently evaporating in said external heat exchanger to provide space heating, said refrigerant flowing in the second direction for spacing cooling condensing in said external heat exchanger prior to flowing through said throttle device, said refrigerant subsequently evaporating in said first heat exchanger to provide space cooling, providing a second heat exchanger for producing hot water and locating said second heat exchanger in series communication with said first heat exchanger to provide hot water in said heating and cooling modes by directing refrigerant flow through said second heat exchanger prior to said first heat exchanger, said second heat exchanger being located within water in a second reservoir for providing thermal storage, and selectively bypassing said first heat exchanger to produce hot water irrespective of said heating and cooling modes, the bypassing of said first heat exchanger including directing refrigerant flow through said second heat exchanger to condense said refrigerant, bypassing said first heat exchanger, and causing said refrigerant to flow directly through said throttle means and said external heat exchanger to evaporate said refrigerant.