Climate Master, Inc.

Michael F Taras

Michael S Privett

David J Lingrey

Reem S Merchant

Jeremy R Smith

Puya Javidmand

An embodiment of the instant disclosure comprises a reversible heat pump and water heating system for conditioning a space and heating water. The system comprises a refrigerant circuit that includes a compressor, a source heat exchanger, a space heat exchanger, and an expansion device. A 4-way reversing valve alternates between heating and cooling modes of operation. The system includes a heat exchanger for heating water in the water heating loop, and a 3-way valve that either actuates the refrigerant flow through the water heater heat exchanger or bypasses at least a portion of the refrigerant flow around the water heater heat exchanger. The heat pump system is operable in at least five modes—space heating only, space cooling only, water heating only, and either space heating or space cooling combined with water heating. Use of a modulating 3-way valve allows the amount of the refrigerant flow through the water heating heat exchanger to be adjusted to precisely match space conditioning and water heating demands and stable operation of the heat pump system. Either of the space and source heat exchangers may be bypassed and deactivated to reduce the heat pump system power consumption.

Heat pump and water heater

A hybrid heat pump system comprising a heat pump loop integrated with a hydronic loop. The hybrid heat pump system offers multiple modes of operation to provide increased versatility and improved performance. Each of the loops can operate independently. In addition, the loops can operate in conjunction with each other in both heating and cooling modes. Still further, the hydronic loop can provide a reheat function when the heat pump loop is operating in the cooling mode to provide improved dehumidification of the air delivered to the conditioned space. The heat pump loop may include a hot gas bypass functionality for capacity control and/or freeze protection. The hydronic heat exchanger and the space heat exchanger of the heat pump loop may be combined in a compact single slab construction with a slit fin preventing cross-conduction between the heat exchanger sections.

Hybrid heat pump with improved dehumidification

An HVAC system is disclosed, comprising: (a) a compressor, (b) a source heat exchanger for exchanging heat with a source fluid, (c) a first load heat exchanger operable for heating/cooling air in a space, (d) a second load heat exchanger for heating water, (e) first and second reversing valves, (f) first and second 3-way valves, (f) a bi-directional electronic expansion valve, (g) a first bi-directional valve, and (h) a second bi-directional valve to modulate exchange of heat in the first load heat exchanger when operating as an evaporator and to control flashing of the refrigerant entering the source heat exchanger when operating as an evaporator, (h) a source pump for circulating the source fluid through the first load heat exchanger, (i) a water pump for circulating water through the second load heat exchanger, and (j) a controller to control operation of the foregoing.

Air conditioning system with capacity control and controlled hot water generation

An embodiment of the instant disclosure comprises a reversible heat pump and water heating system for conditioning a space and heating water. The system comprises a refrigerant circuit that includes a compressor, a source heat exchanger, a space heat exchanger, and an expansion device. A 4-way reversing valve alternates between heating and cooling modes of operation. The system includes a heat exchanger for heating water in the water heating loop, and a 3-way valve that either actuates the refrigerant flow through the water heater heat exchanger or bypasses at least a portion of the refrigerant flow around the water heater heat exchanger. The heat pump system is operable in at least five modes&#x2014;space heating only, space cooling only, water heating only, and either space heating or space cooling combined with water heating. Use of a modulating 3-way valve allows the amount of the refrigerant flow through the water heating heat exchanger to be adjusted to precisely match space conditioning and water heating demands and stable operation of the heat pump system. Either of the space and source heat exchangers may be bypassed and deactivated to reduce the heat pump system power consumption.

Various embodiments of a heat pump system are disclosed to provide improved and flexible heat pump operation when dehumidification of the conditioned space is required. In one embodiment, a heat pump system includes a heat pump loop comprising a refrigerant circuit that fluidly interconnects (1) a compressor; (2) a source heat exchanger; (3) a source heat exchanger bypass circuit comprising a bypass valve; (4) a space heat exchanger; (5) a reversing valve positioned on the discharge side of the compressor; (6) a reheat circuit comprising a reheat heat exchanger; (7) first and second expansion devices; and (8) first and second expansion device bypass circuits configured to allow refrigerant to bypass the first and second expansion devices, respectively, where the first and second bypass circuits include first and second check valves, respectively; and (9) a 3-way valve configured to selectively direct refrigerant flow to the first expansion device, the reheat circuit, and the second expansion device.

Growing community of inventors

Oklahoma City, OK, United States of America

Michael F Taras