Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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HEAT PUMP
Cross-References to Related Applications
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application
Serial Number
61/282,057 filed on December 8, 2009, which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference in its
entirety.
Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates generally to HVAC systems, and more
specifically to a
geothermal heat pump system controlled by a programmable logic controller
(PLC)
Background of the Invention
[0003] Heat pumps are often used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
(HVAC) systems.
Heat pumps comprise a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and a
reversing valve in
order to provide heating or cooling. The reversing valve is a source of loss
of efficiency, for
example, in providing an unwanted pressure drop, heat exchange and noise.
[0004] It would be highly desirable to provide a heat pump system in which the
reversing valve
is eliminated, and energy balance is maintained during continuous operation of
simultaneous
heating and cooling, or cooling only, or heating only. Thus, a geothermal heat
pump solving the
aforementioned problems is desired.
Brief Summary of Embodiments of the Invention
[0005] According to one embodiment of the invention, a method and system are
provided, for
forcing evaporation of a solvent from a coating on a surface of a panel,
through an airflow
characterized by turbulence moving in the same direction of the airflow.
[0006] The geothermal heat pump system includes a processor, e.g., a
programmable logic
controller (PLC), to provide a real time control of the system. Optionally, a
computer system can
be used in place of a PLC. The system provides simultaneous heating and
cooling. Temperature
control is achieved by directing water flow from an evaporativeheat exchanger
or a condensing
heat exchanger without the need for aconventional reversing valve. Modular
units can be
connected in a matrix and may utilize a controller in a master/slave unit
configuration so that the
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total system may be scaled up or down by the addition/reduction of master-
slave units as dictated
by a specific application.
[0007] The system allows a combination of units with different refrigerant
physical properties,
thereby providing a "fusion" of adaptability and physical characteristics of
refrigerant that
eliminate the difficulties in using carbon dioxide (CO2) in home and
commercial markets.
Various operating refrigerant units (CO2, R410a, etc.) maybe combined for
optimization of
overall performance. The system may include "hybrid" units, wherein solar
panels are used to
preheat water. The PLC allows integration of alternative heat/cooling sources
to form these
hybrid units. Many additional benefits and features are provided, especially
those deriving from
the PLC capabilities, e.g., real time COP (Coefficient of Performance), RTSC
(Real Time Soil
Heat Conductivity), cost savings reporting, trending, zone control, telemetry,
selectable
operating parameters, self-modulation, payback, calculations, and the like.
[0008] In variant, a heat pump comprises: a controller; a heating fluid supply
line; a condensing
heat exchanger connected to the heating fluid supply line. The condensing heat
exchanger is
configured for extracting heat from a source to continuously provide heating
fluid for a variable
heating load. The heat pump further comprises: a cooling fluid supply line; an
evaporative heat
exchanger connected to the cooling fluid supply line for sinking heat into a
sink to provide
cooling fluid for a variable cooling load; a refrigeration circuit operably
connected to the
evaporative heat exchanger; a three-way mixing valve connected to the cooling
fluid supply line,
and the heating fluid supply line and adapted for connection to a neutral
supply line of fluid, the
controller being connected to the three-way mixing valve and configured to
control mixing of the
neutral supply line fluid with the heating supply line fluid and the cooling
supply line fluid
according to requirements of the variable heating and cooling loads; and pumps
disposed in the
fluid supply lines. The pumps configured for pressurizing the system for
delivery of fluid
through the heating and cooling supply lines.
[0009] In another variant, the heat pump comprises a check valve.
[0010] In a further variant, the the heat pump comprises at least one
temperature sensor.
[0011] In still another variant The heat pump of claim 1, comprising at least
one pressure sensor.
[0012] In yet a further variant, the heat pump comprises a compressor.
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[0013] In another variant, the controller is configured to command the three-
way mixing valve to
mix fluid in the supply line with fluid in the cooling fluid supply line if
the temperature of the
cooling fluid is above or below a predetermined temperature.
[0014] In a further variant, wherein the controller is configured to command
the three-way
mixing valve to mix fluid in the supply line with fluid in the heating fluid
supply line if the
temperature of the heating fluid is below or above a predetermined
temperature.
[0015] In still another variant, the pump is configured to perform a real time
coefficient of
performance calculation and a real time soil heat conductivity calculation.
[0016] In yet a further variant, a system of heat pumps are connected in a
matrix configuration
and each pump is in network communication with at least one other pump.
[0017] In another variant, the system of heat pumps comprises at least one
master heat pump and
at least one slave heat pump.
[0018] In a further variant, the system of heat pumps comprises at least one
heat pump having an
inverter compressor and at least one other heat pump having a fixed speed
compressor or inverter
compressor, wherein the system is configured to vary the relative outputs of
the heat pumps
containing the different compressors to prevent an individual heat pump from
exceeding a
predetermined output level.
[0019] In still another variant, the heat has a network interface, wherein the
heat pump is
connected to a network via the network interface and is configurable remotely
via the network.
[0020] In yet a further variant, the heat pump is configured to modulate down
in output in
response to reduced pressure in the supply lines and shut off completely only
if the pressure in at
least one of the supply lines drops to a predetermined output level.
[0021] In another variant, the heat pump is configured to perform a self
diagnostic test and
configure itself in response to the outcome of the test, during operation.
[0022] In a further variant, the heat pump is configured to record an
operating history.
[0023] In still another variant, temperature sensors are disposed in the
cooling fluid supply and
the heating fluid supply, wherein the geothermal pump is configured to: read a
temperature
sensor; compare the read temperature with a set point temperature; if the
temperature in the
cooling fluid supply is below a set point, then mixing fluid from the neutral
supply with the
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cooling fluid; and if the temperature in the heating fluid supply is above a
set point, then mixing
fluid from the neutral supply with the heating fluid.
[0024] In yet a further variant, the pump is configured to simultaneously
output a first fluid that
is elevated in temperature and a second fluid that is reduced in temperature
compared to an input
source fluid.
[0025] In another variant, the heat pump is configured to simultaneously heat
and dehumidify
air.
[0026] In a further variant, the heat pump is configured to compute the unit's
electrical power
consumption near instantaneously as the unit operates.
[0027] In still another variant, the heat pump comprises a payback countdown
taker for
displaying the date a cost of the pump has been recouped with direct energy
saving and after the
date the cost has been recouped, and calculating the further cost savings
until the pump is
replaced.
[0028] In yet a further variant, the heat pump comprises a smart meter
configured to reduce
power consumption costs of operating the pump, by lowering power usage of the
pump during
times of peak power costs and automatically switching the pump from a water
saving mode to an
energy saving mode.
[0029] In another variant, a system of heat pumps comprises pumps having a
plurality of
refrigerant types
[0030] In a further variant, the heat pump is configured to automatically shut
down the pump in
response to one of: the expiration of a lease agreement; a prior agreed upon
payment is not
received by an owner of the pump; and the pump is moved outside a
predetermined area. The
pump comprises a GPS unit and the pump is connected to a network for remote
monitoring of
the pump.
[0031] In still another variant, the pump comprises a geothermal heat pump and
the source and
the sink is sub-gradient level soil.
[0032] Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent from
the following
detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
which illustrate, by
way of example, the features in accordance with embodiments of the invention.
The summary is
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not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by
the claims attached
hereto.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0033] The present invention, in accordance with one or more various
embodiments, is described
in detail with reference to the following figures. The drawings are provided
for purposes of
illustration only and merely depict typical or example embodiments of the
invention. These
drawings are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of the
invention and shall not be
considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of the invention.
It should be noted
that for clarity and ease of illustration these drawings are not necessarily
made to scale.
[0034] Some of the figures included herein illustrate various embodiments of
the invention from
different viewing angles. Although the accompanying descriptive text may refer
to such views
as "top," "bottom" or "side" views, such references are merely descriptive and
do not imply or
require that the invention be implemented or used in a particular spatial
orientation unless
explicitly stated otherwise.
[0035] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the geothermal heat pump system according
to the present
invention.
[0036] Fig. 2 is a flow diagram of PLC processing in a geothermal heat pump
system according
to the present invention.
[0037] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a matrix configuration of the
geothermal heat pump
system according to the present invention.
[0038] Fig. 4 is a plot showing scalability of the geothermal heat pump system
according to the
present invention.
[0039] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently
throughout the
attached drawings.
[0040] The figures are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention
to the precise form
disclosed. It should be understood that the invention can be practiced with
modification and
alteration, and that the invention be limited only by the claims and the
equivalents thereof.
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[0041] Implementation of the method and/or system of embodiments of the
invention can
involve performing or completing selected tasks manually, automatically, or a
combination
thereof. Moreover, according to actual instrumentation and equipment of
embodiments of the
method and/or system of the invention, several selected tasks could be
implemented by
hardware, by software or by firmware or by a combination thereof using an
operating system.
[0042] For example, hardware for performing selected tasks according to
embodiments of the
invention could be implemented as a chip or a circuit. As software, selected
tasks according to
embodiments of the invention could be implemented as a plurality of software
instructions being
executed by a computer using any suitable operating system. In an exemplary
embodiment of the
invention, one or more tasks according to exemplary embodiments of method
and/or system as
described herein are performed by a data processor, such as a computing
platform for executing
a plurality of instructions. Optionally, the data processor includes a
volatile memory for storing
instructions and/or data and/or a non-volatile storage, for example, a
magnetic hard-disk and/or
removable media, for storing instructions and/or data. Optionally, a network
connection is
provided as well. A display and/or a user input device such as a keyboard or
mouse are
optionally provided as well.
Detailed Description of the Embodiments of the Invention
[0043] From time-to-time, the present invention is described herein in terms
of example
environments. Description in terms of these environments is provided to allow
the various
features and embodiments of the invention to be portrayed in the context of an
exemplary
application. After reading this description, it will become apparent to one of
ordinary skill in the
art how the invention can be implemented in different and alternative
environments.
[0044] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used
herein have the same
meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which
this invention
belongs. All patents, applications, published applications and other
publications referred to
herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. If a definition set
forth in this section is
contrary to or otherwise inconsistent with a definition set forth in
applications, published
applications and other publications that are herein incorporated by reference,
the definition set
forth in this document prevails over the definition that is incorporated
herein by reference.
[0045] Referring to Fig. 1, a geothermal heat pump (or geothermal heat pump
system) 10
comprises a first heat exchanger 26 acting as a condenser to sink heat into a
resource, e.g., below
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grade soil, which is provided to the first heat exchanger 26, and the second
heat exchanger 24
acting as an evaporator to source heat from the resource (e.g. below grade
soil), which is
provided to the second heat exchanger 24. A geothermal heat pump is one
application of the
broader principles of the invention. The pump can be configured with other
sources for
exchanging heat, including a chimney, waste water, air exchange system,
outdoor ambient air,
and industrial process and others.
[0046] A processor 100 which may be a PLC, (as shown in Fig. 1), computer, or
the like,
provides real time control and monitoring of flow in the water-to-water
geothermal heat pump
system 10 to effect simultaneous heating and cooling. Directing water flow
from the evaporative
exchanger 24 or the condensing exchanger 26 achieves temperature control
without the need for
a conventional reversing valve. As shown in Fig. 3, the system 10 can be
configured to provide
system scalability, wherein the PLC 100 can be connected to modular geothermal
heat pump
units 10 in a master/slave control configuration having matrix topology
represented by columns
A, B, and C. Combinations of geothermal heat pump units 10 having different 5
refrigerant
physical properties provide a "fusion" of adaptability, thereby eliminating
difficulties in using
CO2 in home and commercial markets. Various operating refrigerant units (CO2,
R410a, and the
like) may be combined for optimization of overall performance. Hybrid versions
of the
geothermal heat pump 10 can include solar panels to preheat water. The PLC 100
allows
integration of alternative heat/cooling sources to form such a hybrid version
of the geothermal
heat pump 10.
[0047] The geothermal heat pump system 10 provides constant "on" fluid heating
via heat
exchanger 26 and constant "on" fluid cooling via heat exchanger 24
simultaneously. Heating and
cooling requirements are met without the need for reversing valves to exchange
hot and cold
functions. As a result, the hot condenser side and the cold evaporator side
are predicted to always
be constant on during equipment operation.
[0048] As most clearly shown in Fig. 1, a three-way modulating valve 20
disposed in the system
accepts a loop or well water supply having an environmental temperature as a
mixing input
and diverts the loop/well supply to mix with either the cold water supply loop
or the hot water
supply loop in a proportional manner, varying from between 0% to 100% under
the control of
PLC 100, which has control instructions to effect heating and cooling
functions by proportional
flow control of water pumped by pumps 22 from the cold supply heat exchanger
24 and the hot
supply heat exchanger 26 in the system 10. The pumps 22 range from 3 to 12 US
GPM, and are
preferably variable speed pumps. Under proportional control by the PLC
controller 100, the
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system 10 heats the hot water supply line as it concurrently cools the cold
water supply line.
Moreover, the three-way mixing valve 20 will shut off the loop/well supply
from mixing either
cold or hot supply lines in response to commands from the controller 100.
[0049] Conduits in the heating and cooling circuitry of the system 10 are
preferably at least
approximately one inch in diameter to keep flow pressure at reasonable levels.
However, check
valves 13 are disposed throughout the system 10 to prevent back flow of the
added water into the
return loops or mixing of the cold and hot loops. A pressure relief valve 21
is disposed inline
with the loop/well water discharge line in order to prevent system over
pressure. A compressor
28 cycles refrigerant between the evaporative heat exchanger 24 and the
condensing heat
exchanger 26 in the refrigeration circuit portion of the geothermal heat pump
system 10. The
PLC controls the modulating electronic expansion valve 30 to regulate the
expansion of the
refrigerant as the refrigerant flows back into the evaporator 24.
[0050] A plurality of temperature and pressure sensors (T01-T14, P01-P14) is
disposed
throughout the geothermal heat pump system 10. The PLC 100 is preferably in
operable
communication with the sensors. Using the sensors (T01-T14, P01-P14), the PLC
100 can
determine whether the heating and cooling sides are balanced at nominal set
point temperatures
and nominal pressure in the system 10. If the sides have the proper set point
temperatures, then
the PLC 100 commands the three-way valve 20 to shut the Loop2 well water
supply, since there
is no need for mixing.
[0051] If the PLC 100 detects that the cold side is too warm, e.g., a
temperature of 40 C, then
the PLC 100 commands the three-way valve 20 to open the Loop2 well supply to
mix with cold
water supply Loop 1 , thereby cooling the cold side to the desired set point,
e.g., to 30 C.
Similarly, if the PLC 100 detects that the hot side is too warm, e.g., a
temperature of 60 C, then
the PLC 100 commands the three-way valve 20 to open the Loop2 well supply to
mix with hot
water supply Loop3, thereby cooling the hot side to the desired set point,
e.g., 55 C.
[0052] Fig. 2 shows another example of the aforementioned processes of
controller 100. At step
202, temperature sensors are read by the PLC 100. At step 204, stored data
parameters are input.
At step 206, set point temperatures are checked. At step 208, if the cold
water supply is too cold,
then, under control of the PLC controller 100, the well supply is mixed in by
valve 20 to warm
up the cold supply. At step 209, if the hot supply is too hot, then, under
control of the PLC
controller 100, the well supply is mixed in by valve 20 to cool the hot
supply. At step 210, under
control of the PLC controller 100, the three-way valve 20 is closed if no
temperature adjustments
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are required. Temperatures shown are merely exemplary, and may be adjusted up
or down.
Preferably, under the control logic of the PLC 100, the three-way mixing valve
20 maintains a
fixed "Production Hot Water" and "Production Cold Water".
[0053] Electronic components of system 10 are controlled by the PLC 100, which
throttles valve
components on or off and/or proportionally modulates their positions. The PLC
100 has mode
control functions that allow the geothermal heat pump 10 to operate in a "save
water" mode or a
"save energy" mode, depending upon the circumstances associated with the
installation. The
PLC performs Real Time Coefficient of Performance (RTCOP) and Real Time Soil
Heat
Conductivity calculations, and provides the calculation results to the user.
[0054] The real time COP allows an installer and a home owner to gauge the
performance of the
geothermal heat pump 10, as well as assisting in the recognition of a problem
immediately and
assisting in problem correction, resulting in a real time indication of cost
savings.
[0055] The real time soil conductivity allows the installer to perform tests
to determine the heat
transfer of the soil and components during installation and operation. The
installation advantage
allows an installer to drill one vertical loop and run an actual test to
compare the physical
conditions to his/her designed mathematical conditions. If the actual
conditions are different than
the calculated condition, changes in design can be made to allow the
geothermal heat pump to
function correctly without correction or over-designing.
[0056] Cost saving can be realized if the actual real time soil conductivity
indicates that there is
a higher conductivity than expected by reducing the number of bore holes or
field piping. In the
event that the conductivity is lower than calculated, an installer can adjust
the design by
increasing the number of bore holes or field piping. This feature saves the
installer from
oversizing or undersizing the piping requirements.
[0057] The combination of both RT COP (Real Time Coefficient of Performance)
and RTC will
eliminate costly remobilization of equipment and service return calls due to
faulty installations of
the geothermal heat pump The RT COP and RTC results produced by the PLC 100
assist in
isolating the problem as being the equipment or the installation for warranty
applications and
problem solving.
[0058] Additionally, the output produced by the system 10 can be scaled by the
number of
geothermal heat pumps 10 having executive control function (masters) versus
the number of
responsive geothermal heat pumps (slaves) being controlled by the executive
control portion of
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geothermal heat pump system 10. It is contemplated that the system 10 can be
installed in a wide
variety of locations, from small residential to large commercial industrial
applications. The
modularity of geothermal heat pump system 10 also reduces the size and weight
of anyone of the
pump systems 10, thereby allowing an individual geothermal heat pump to be
easily transported
in a building via an elevator or the like. Moreover, as shown in Fig. 3, the
units can be
configured in a matrix topology 300, featuring exemplary "A", "B", and columns
"C". Such a
configuration, which includes redundant master controllers, means that failure
of a single
geothermal heat pump unit has minimal impact on the remaining system 1 0,
which continues to
operate, providing heating and cooling at their individual capacities. Smaller
individual
geothermal heat pumps 10 can be installed in ceilings, under floors, or in
other physically
restrictive areas.
[0059] Geothermal heat pump units having different operational characteristics
can be
combined, thereby allowing them to benefit from the advantages of each system.
It should be
understood that the type of compressor 28 being used depends upon a specific
heating and
cooling application. For example, as shown in graph 400 of Fig. 4, assuming
that Compressor 1
is an inverter compressor while Compressors 2 and 3 are fixed speed
compressors, the inverter
(Compressor 1) ramps up and down the heating and cooling output, while the
fixed speed
compressor(s) (Compressor 2 and 3) complement operation of the geothermal heat
pump system
by providing continuous output as needed.
[0060] After compressor 1 ramps up from 0% output to 120% output, Compressor 1
turns off
and Slave (Compressor 2) is turned on 100%. When a demand for additional
output occurs,
master Compressor 1 begins to modulate upwards to increase output. Again, when
the master
reaches 120%, the next slave Compressor 2 turns on 100%. Since additional
output was needed,
the master compressor begins to ramp up to the maximum output or peak on the
graph. In
modulating down to reduce capacity, the reverse is true.
[0061] The use of the PLC 100 allows the geothermal heat pump system 10 to be
installed in a
modular format (Le., installed in a Matrix), using a primary geothermal heat
pump 10 and a
number of respondent geothermal heat pumps taking orders from the processor
100 of the
master, i.e., the primary, unit. The PLC 100 of separate geothermal heat pumps
10 are
electrically (wired or wirelessly) connected together, thereby providing a
communication link
between the executive PLC 100 and subordinate, Le., slave, geothermal heat
pumps', whose
outputs may be controlled by the primary designated PLC 100 as if all units
were one large
geothermal heat pump 10.
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[0062] As shown in Fig. 3, the communications link between controllers 100
belonging to
multiple geothermal heat pumps 10 allows the systems 10 to be arranged in a
matrix 300 of units
10. Thus, the matrix 300 of geothermal heat pump systems 10 may be a
combination of having a
variety of refrigerant physical properties, such as CO2, to broaden or expand
operating
conditions and outputs of systems 10 in the matrix 300 to meet broader
applications and further
increase the performance of the equipment specifically, but not limited to,
the Coefficient of
Performance (COP). The matrix 300 of units 10 provides a "fusion" of
adaptability and physical
characteristics of the refrigerant that eliminates the difficulties currently
found in the implication
of CO2 in the home residential and commercial markets.
[0063] The combination of a variety of geothermal heat pumps can satisfy the
limitations of
other refrigerants in the regard to their transcritical properties.
Transcritical heat pump cycles,
using CO2 as the working fluid, require low temperatures (15 C-20 C) and hot
water return to
be efficient. The compressed CO2 must be cooled down to 18 C-25 C in the gas-
cooler for an
efficient transcritical cycle. This is why a transcritical cycle does not
usually lend itself to winter
heating applications, while it is ideal for sanitary water heaters. Such as an
application has water
inlet temperatures to the gas cooler in the order of 13 C-15 C. However, CO2
heat pumps for tap
water heaters are very common, but when geothermal heat pumps 10 utilizing
R410a are
combined with geothermal heat pumps utilizing CO2 in the aforementioned
executive control-
master slave relationship, this problem can be overcome.
[0064] The configuration of the geothermal heat pump 10, along with the
ability to modulate
valve 20, allows the geothermal heat pump 10 to self-test and self-configure
itself in real time to
operational conditions. If water volume or pressure is reduced, the geothermal
heat pump 10 will
not shut off, but rather modulates down in output to meet the current
conditions and ramps up in
output when the condition is corrected.
[0065] The modulation function provided by the three-way modulating valve 20
being connected
and responsive to the PLC processor 100 also allows the geothermal heat pump
system 10 to be
installed in a retrofit building that has been previously heated by hot water.
In this case, the
boiler sends tempered water throughout the supply piping system. The
geothermal heat 15pump
extracts the heat (or dumps the heat) from the supply water and conditions the
environment
zone via heating or cooling accordingly. The supply piping would need minimal,
if any,
insulation. The supplied water would be a cooler temperature, reducing heat
loss. Thus, the
geothermal heat pump 10 allows more efficient heating and cooling of specific
zones. This
application is best used in large buildings where distance in delivery is a
consideration.
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[0066] The processor 100 has operating history, i.e., data-recording
functions, which include
COP and soil heat conductivity as well as recording the BTUs sent to each
zone. The data-
recording functions provide accurate data tracing for heating/cooling audits.
Moreover, the
processor 100 is able to calculate a consumption cost for each zone for
accounting functions,
individual billing in an industrial apartment geothermal heat pump
application, or the like. The
data-recording function can also calculate the unit or buildings heat loss
during a variety of
weather conditions. The processor 100 may also have a data analysis function,
which can be used
to calculate the best heat loss prevention measures that may need to be
applied to increase
efficiency.
[0067] For example, if it is known that the heat loss is greater during a
windy day vs. a calm day
at the same temperature, e.g., at -10 C, then it may be determined that the
loss is due to wind
penetration. If the heat loss does not change significantly, it could be
determined that there is
sufficient water vapor to decrease the heat loss. Due to the extensive
temperature and pressure
data recorded by the system 10, a building manager could focus efforts on the
cause of heat loss
and reduce the guesswork involved. The real time analysis of system 10 allows
a scientific
solution to the problem.
[0068] When solar panels are added to the system 10, the PLCs 100 of the
geothermal heat pump
system 10 have a solar panel management function that can provide preheated
water in addition
to the open loop or ground loop shown in Fig. 1. This multiple heat source
function allows the
geothermal heat pump 10 to operate as a "Hybrid" unit.
[0069] The PLC 100 has a maintenance function that provides a preventative and
real time data
communications link to a service department via an Internet port, or a phone
port, or the like.
The other function of the communication port is to allow the owner the ability
to monitor or
adjust functions from a distance. For example may wish to turn up his furnace
two hours before
he arrives at the cottage. The geothermal heat pump is also equipped with an
emergency alert. If
the geothermal heat pump is not able to keep up or maintain a minimum set
temperature, the
geothermal heat pump will contact the owner, notifying him or her of the
issue. The owner can
then take the appropriate measures to correct the issue, which may include
asking a neighbor to
check that all the doors and windows are secured and closed.
[0070] Through the Internet/phone line, the geothermal heat pump can contact a
cottage owner
that the heating system cannot maintain a preset minimum temperature of, for
example, 15 C. At
this alert, an owner can have the problem investigated before winter freezing
damage occurs.
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[0071] The PLC 100 has the capability to integrate the geothermal heat pump
function along
with external functions, (wired or wireless), which include zone control and
ice melting
functions, intruder, fire, water level, smoke alarms, pumps, fans, valves,
thermostat, lights as part
of a whole home (wired or wireless) monitoring and control function with
Internet access.
[0072] Because the geothermal heat pump 10 is able to concurrently produce
both hot and cold
water, the system 10 can heat potable water or a swimming pool and air
condition a building at
the same time. Because heating and cooling functions are simultaneous, the
capacity of the
geothermal heat pump 10 is increased and the performance is increased, while
electrical power
consumption (energy consumption) is maintained.
[0073] The geothermal heat pump 10 has a soft start feature that reduces power
surges and dips.
[0074] The geothermal heat pump 10 can be directly connected to a battery
system (eliminating
energy losses in conversion to AC) or to an AC power system.
[0075] The geothermal heat pump 10 can produce a COP of 4.5 for heating and a
COP of 4 for
cooling, totaling 8.5 COP. A smaller size geothermal heat pump 10 is needed if
both heating and
cooling are required. Without sacrificing the cost of operating the geothermal
heat pump 10,
water can be produced at two temperatures. The extremely hot water can be used
to heat the hot
domestic water, and the cooler hot water can be used for in-floor heating or
ice melt. Because the
geothermal heat pump 10 can produce hot and cold at the same time, the
geothermal heat pump
is capable of dehumidifying in both home heating and cooling cycles.
[0076] The PLC 100 is embedded within the system 10, and therefore has
integrated zone
controls and BTU memory for the system 10.
[0077] The system 10 may be equipped with an integrated ice melt control
function. This is a
traditional option that allows the installer to include snow melt for outdoor
walkways in colder
northern climates.
[0078] By constantly running at lower speeds, the geothermal heat pump 10
generally achieves a
high COP. Moreover, constant operation will also reduce the size of air
ductwork required in a
retrofit, and may eliminate costly duct alterations.
[0079] The PLC 100 continually monitors all necessary operating conditions to
provide the best
and most effective operation in either water saver mode or high COP energy
saving mode. No
installer adjustments are needed.
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[0080] In the event that water pressure or flow rate decreases, as measured by
sensors T01-T14
and P01-P14, the geothermal heat pump 10 will modulate downward and reduce
output, but it
will not auto shutoff or freeze up, as in conventional units.
[0081] The system 10 has real time electrical power consumption metering. A
payback
countdown calculator is also provided and allows-the owner to realize that the
equipment cost
and installation has paid for itself with the direct energy saving. At
payback, the geothermal heat
pump begins to calculate and accumulate savings until the system needs to be
replaced.
[0082] The system 10 can be equipped with a smart meter to offset power
consumption costs.
Via introduction of the smart meter, a homeowner can achieve additional energy
savings by
lowering usage during peak time and automatically switch the geothermal heat
pump from a
water-saving mode to an energy-saving mode. This function will save the owner
money and
reduce energy demand during peak loads.
[0083] Geothermal heat pumps 10 can be stacked on top of one another to 15
save in floor
space requirements. Moreover, the units 10 have a low operational sound level
deadening with
fire resistant perlite. The insulation portion of the system 10 fills all
internal geothermal heat
pump cavities with a sound dampening and fire resistant stone to reduce sound
and the risk of
fire. Thus, the geothermal heat pump 10 provides quiet operation in livable
areas, such as
basements of homes.
[0084] The geothermal heat pump 10 has built-in passwords to allow different
levels of program
access, with an auto reset to original factory settings.
[0085] In the event the geothermal heat pump 10 is on a leasing program or
payment plan, the
geothermal heat pump 10 has a built-in auto shutoff to terminate operation of
the geothermal
heat pump 10 if payments have not been made or the geothermal heat pump has
been stolen.
[0086] The geothermal heat pump 10 contains an integrated Power Factor
Correction
Technology that is designed to reduce total home electrical power consumption
and prolong the
life of the geothermal heat pump and other home electrical appliances (on AC
units only).
[0087] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described
above, it should
be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not of
limitation.
Likewise, the various diagrams may depict an example architectural or other
configuration for
the invention, which is done to aid in understanding the features and
functionality that can be
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included in the invention. The invention is not restricted to the illustrated
example architectures
or configurations, but the desired features can be implemented using a variety
of alternative
architectures and configurations. Indeed, it will be apparent to one of skill
in the art how
alternative functional, logical or physical partitioning and configurations
can be implemented to
implement the desired features of the present invention. Also, a multitude of
different
constituent module names other than those depicted herein can be applied to
the various
partitions. Additionally, with regard to flow diagrams, operational
descriptions and method
claims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shall not mandate
that various
embodiments be implemented to perform the recited functionality in the same
order unless the
context dictates otherwise.
[0088] Although the invention is described above in terms of various exemplary
embodiments
and implementations, it should be understood that the various features,
aspects and functionality
described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in
their applicability to
the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead can be
applied, alone or in
various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the
invention, whether or not
such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented
as being a part
of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the present invention
should not be
limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.
[0089] Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless
otherwise
expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As
examples of the
foregoing: the term "including" should be read as meaning "including, without
limitation" or the
like; the term "example" is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in
discussion, not an
exhaustive or limiting list thereof; the terms "a" or "an" should be read as
meaning "at least
one," "one or more" or the like; and adjectives such as "conventional,"
"traditional," "normal,"
"standard," "known" and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as
limiting the item
described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time,
but instead should be
read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies
that may be
available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this
document refers to
technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the
art, such
technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or
at any time in the
future.
[0090] A group of items linked with the conjunction "and" should not be read
as requiring that
each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather
should be read as
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"and/or" unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked
with the
conjunction "or" should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that
group, but rather
should also be read as "and/or" unless expressly stated otherwise.
Furthermore, although items,
elements or components of the invention may be described or claimed in the
singular, the plural
is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the
singular is explicitly
stated.
[0091] The presence of broadening words and phrases such as "one or more," "at
least," "but not
limited to" or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean
that the narrower
case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be
absent. The use
of the term "module" does not imply that the components or functionality
described or claimed
as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or
all of the various
components of a module, whether control logic or other components, can be
combined in a
single package or separately maintained and can further be distributed across
multiple locations.
[0092] Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in
terms of
exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations. As will become
apparent to one
of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated
embodiments and their
various alternatives can be implemented without confinement to the illustrated
examples. For
example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be
construed as
mandating a particular architecture or configuration.
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