Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02883645 2015-02-24
AIR CONDITIONING DEVICE AND METHOD
Field
The present invention relates to air conditioning devices and methods, and
more
particularly to a multi-function air conditioning device and a method that
provides
functions of supplying hot water and/or (i) cooling-dehumidifying and heating
with
humidifying; or (ii) cooling-dehumidifying.
Background
Substantially enclosed indoor spaces, including for example residential
dwellings,
commercial buildings, garages, temporary buildings, tents, vehicles,
hospitals, etc.,
especially in cold regions, are usually equipped with heating systems for
creating
indoor warmth. However, the atmosphere is relatively dry during the winter
months in
these cold regions, when warm air coining from conventional heating systems
not
only lower the relative humidity of the indoor atmosphere, but also cause the
indoor
space to be excessively dehumidified and uncomfortable for the people therein.
Therefore, there is a need for a device that is capable of providing waiiii
and
humidified air without dehumidifying the indoor atmosphere.
WSLega1\073788 \00001 \ I 1442983v4
CA 02883645 2015-02-24
Summary of Invention
An aspect of the present invention is to provide a multi-function air
conditioning
device, which features an air-conditioning function that provides warm and
humidified air and/or cool dehumidified air, especially for enclosed indoor
spaces.
According to a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air
conditioning device comprising: a coolant compressor; a heat pump; a heating
unit; a
cool exchanger, and the coolant compressor, heat pump, heating unit, and cool
exchanger being connected in series, respectively, by a plurality of
pipelines, and the
coolant compressor being in fluid communication with the heat pump and the
cool
exchanger, and the heating unit and the cool exchanger being in fluid
communication
with each other; a first solenoid valve connected in series with the heat pump
and the
heating unit, the first solenoid valve being selectively openable to allow
fluid flow
therethrough and selectively closeable to restrict fluid flow therethrough; a
second
solenoid valve connected in series with the heat pump and the cool exchanger,
the
second solenoid valve being selectively openable to allow fluid flow
therethrough and
selectively closeable to restrict fluid flow therethrough; an expansion valve
connected
in series with the cool exchanger for depressurizing any fluid entering the
cool
exchanger; and a water-drawing pipeline connecting the cool exchanger and the
heating unit, for transporting moisture from the cool exchanger to the heating
unit,
wherein when the first solenoid valve is open and the second solenoid valve is
closed,
fluid communication is permitted from the heat pump to the heating unit and
from the
heating unit to the cool exchanger; and when the first solenoid valve is
closed and the
WSLegah 073788 \ 0000 I \ 11442983v4
CA 02883645 2015-02-24
3
second solenoid valve is open, fluid communication is permitted from the heat
pump
directly to the cool exchanger, while bypassing the heating unit.
According to another broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a
method for air conditioning and/or supplying hot water comprising: compressing
a
low-pressure, high-temperature, gaseous coolant into a high-pressure, high-
temperature, gaseous coolant; extracting heat from the high-pressure, high-
temperature, gaseous coolant into a high-pressure, low-temperature, liquid
coolant;
and one of: (i) condensing the high-pressure, low-temperature, liquid coolant
into a
high-pressure, lower-temperature, liquid coolant; depressurizing the high-
pressure,
lower-temperature, liquid coolant into a low-pressure, lower-temperature,
gaseous
coolant; and heating and evaporating the low-pressure, lower-temperature,
gaseous
coolant into the low-pressure, high-temperature, gaseous coolant; and (ii)
depressurizing the high-pressure, low-temperature, liquid coolant into a low-
pressure,
low-temperature, gaseous coolant; and heating and evaporating the low-
pressure, low-
temperature, gaseous coolant into the low-pressure, high-temperature, gaseous
coolant.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Drawings are included for the purpose of illustrating certain aspects of the
invention.
Such drawings and the description thereof are intended to facilitate
understanding and
should not be considered limiting of the invention. Drawings are included, in
which:
FIG 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a multi-function air conditioning
device
WSLega1\073788\00001 \11442983v4
CA 02883645 2015-02-24
4
according to the present invention.
FIG 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating how the coolant circulates in the
multi-
function air conditioning device of FIG. 1 for supplying hot water and
providing
cooling-dehumidifying and heating-humidifying functions.
FIG 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating how the coolant circulates in the
multi-
function air conditioning device of FIG. 1 for supplying hot water and
providing
cooling-dehumidifying function.
Detailed Description of Various Embodiments
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended
drawings is
intended as a description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention
and is
not intended to represent the only embodiments contemplated by the inventor.
The
detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a
comprehensive understanding of the present invention. However, it will be
apparent
to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced
without these
specific details.
In a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-function
air
conditioning device comprising a coolant compressor, a heat pump, a heating
unit, a
cool exchanger, two solenoid valves, an expansion valve, a water-drawing
pipeline
and other pipelines for connecting the various components.
WSLega1\073788 \00001 \11442983v4
CA 02883645 2015-02-24
The coolant compressor is connected to one end of a first pipeline and one end
of a
seventh pipeline; the first pipeline is served as a coolant outlet pipeline
thereof and the
seventh pipeline is served as a coolant outlet pipeline thereof; further, an
opposite end
of the first pipeline is connected to the heat pump, and an opposite end of
the seventh
5 pipeline is connected to the cool exchanger.
The heat pump takes a second pipeline as a coolant outlet pipeline thereof.
The second
pipeline has an end which is far away from the heat pump and connected in
parallel to
a third pipeline and a fourth pipeline, while an end of the third pipeline far
away from
the second pipeline is connected to the heating unit.
The heating unit acts as a condenser and has a vent that discharges
humidified, warm
air produced by the heat exchange. The heating unit takes a fifth pipeline as
a coolant
outlet pipeline thereof, while an end of the fifth pipeline far away from the
heating
unit is connected in parallel to the fourth pipeline and a sixth pipeline,
wherein the
expansion valve is provided on the sixth pipeline .
One of the two the solenoid valves is provided on the third pipeline, and the
other is
provided on fourth pipeline respectively, both jointly control the coolant
whether
entering the heating unit first and subsequently entering the cool exchanger
or directly
entering the cool exchangers without passing through the heating unit.
The cool exchanger acts as an evaporator and has a reservoir for collecting
moisture
generated when the heat exchange outputs cold air, and the cool exchanger
takes the
WISLegan073788\00001\11442983v4
CA 02883645 2015-02-24
6
sixth pipeline as a coolant inlet pipeline thereof and takes the seventh
pipeline as a
coolant outlet pipeline thereof.
The water-drawing pipeline has its one end coupled to a vent of the heating
unit and
has its opposite end submerged in a reservoir of the cool exchanger.
The multi-function air conditioning device may optionally further comprises a
hot
water supplying unit that at least includes a cold water inlet pipeline, a hot
water
outlet pipeline, and a hot water collecting tank. Cold water entering the hot
water
supplying unit from a make-up water source flows through the cold water inlet
pipeline and into the heat pump, wherein the cold water undergoes heat
exchange with
heated and pressured coolant and becomes hot water, after which it is
delivered along
the hot water outlet pipeline to the hot water collecting tank for storage and
later on-
site use.
In the disclosed multi-function air conditioning device, the fifth pipeline is
equipped
with a check valve for preventing the coolant that flows along the fourth
pipeline from
entering the fifth pipeline, so as to ensure that the coolant can smoothly
flow into the
sixth pipeline.
In the disclosed multi-function air conditioning device, the fourth pipeline
is equipped
with a check valve in addition to the above-mentioned solenoid valve. The
check
valve serves to prevent the coolant that flows along the fifth pipeline from
entering
the fourth pipeline, so as to help ensure that the coolant can smoothly flow
into the
WSLegaB073788\00001\11442983v4
CA 02883645 2015-02-24
7
sixth pipeline.
The disclosed multi-function air conditioning device may be configured to be a
portable appliance that can be easily repositioned and/or transported by a
user. Not
only can the device supply hot water, the device can also provide indoor
cooling-
dehumidifying function as well as heating-humidifying function, thus being a
useful
air-conditioning device for enclosed indoor spaces in cold regions. Two or
more of the
functions of the device may be provided simultaneously.
Referring to FIG 1, according to the present invention, an air conditioning
device 10
is capable of waste heat recovery and hot water supply, and can also provide
indoor
cooling-dehumidifying function as well as heating-humidifying function.
Particularly,
the air conditioning device 10 may be configured to be a portable appliance
that can
be easily repositioned and/or transported by a user.
In a broad aspect of the present invention, the device 10 comprises a coolant
compressor 30, a heat pump 40, a heating unit 50, and a cool exchanger 60
connected
in series, respectively, by a number of pipelines. Coolant flows through the
pipelines
in the direction of: (i) the compressor; (ii) the heat pump; (iii) the heating
unit; (iv) the
cool exchanger; and then back to the compressor. A first solenoid valve Si is
provided
to selectively permit and restrict coolant flow from the heat pump to the
heating unit.
A second solenoid valve S2 is provided to selectively permit and restrict
coolant flow
from the heat pump to the cool exchanger.
WSLega1\073788\00001\11442983v4
CA 02883645 2015-02-24
8
The device 10 further comprises an expansion valve El, through which the
coolant
flows prior to entering the cool exchanger. The expansion valve El
depressurizes any
coolant flowing therethrough. Still further, the device 10 comprises a water-
drawing
pipeline that allows moisture generated in the cool exchanger to be delivered
to the
heating unit for humidifying the warm air output by the heating unit. A first
check
valve V1 may be included to ensure that coolant flows only in the direction
from the
heating unit to the cool exchanger. A second check valve V2 may be included to
ensure that coolant flows only in the direction from the heat pump to the cool
exchanger.
Optionally, the device 10 may further comprise a hot water supplying unit 70
in
communication with the heat pump, for recovering energy and providing hot
water, as
described in more detail below.
In a sample embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the air conditioning device
10
primarily comprises coolant compressor 30, heat pump 40, heating unit 50, cool
exchanger 60, solenoid valves Si and S2, expansion valve El, check valves V1
and
V2, and pipelines P1 through P8 connecting the aforementioned components. In
another embodiment, the air conditioning device 10 optionally comprises hot
water
supplying unit 70 to recover energy and provide hot water.
Therein, the first pipeline P1 is connected to the coolant compressor 30 and
acts as the
compressor's coolant outlet pipeline. The seventh pipeline P7 is connected to
compressor 30 and acts as the compressor's coolant inlet pipeline.
WSLegal\ 073788 \ 00001 \11442983v4
CA 02883645 2015-02-24
9
The heat pump 40 and the coolant compressor 30 are connected by the first
pipeline
Pl. The second pipeline P2 is connected at a first end to the heat pump 40.
The second
pipeline P2 acts as the coolant outlet pipeline of the heat pump 40, so that
the high-
pressure, high-temperature gaseous coolant product of the compressor 30 can be
delivered to the heat pump 40 through the first pipeline P1 for heat
discharge, and
then the coolant becomes a high-pressure, cool liquid coolant that exist the
heat pump
40 through the second pipeline P2.
The second end of the second pipeline P2 is connected in parallel to the third
pipeline
P3 and the fourth pipeline P4. The third pipeline P3 has a solenoid valve Si
for
controlling the flow direction of the coolant so that the coolant is prevented
from
flowing through the third pipeline P3 when the solenoid valve is inactivated.
Further,
when the solenoid valve Si is activated, the coolant is allowed to flow
through the
third pipeline P3.
The fourth pipeline P4 has a solenoid valve S2 for controlling the flow
direction of
the coolant so that the coolant is prevented from flowing through the fourth
pipeline
P4 when the solenoid valve S2 is inactivated. When the solenoid valve S2 is
activated,
the coolant is allowed to flow through the fourth pipeline P4.
In a preferred embodiment, when the solenoid valve Si is activated, the
solenoid
valve S2 is inactivated, and vice versa.
The heating unit 50 has therein coolant pipelines (not shown) for acting as a
WSLegan073788 \ 0000 I \ 1 1442983v4
CA 02883645 2015-02-24
condenser to provide the indoor atmosphere with warm air.
The third pipeline P3 is connected to the heating unit 50 and acts as the
heating unit's
coolant inlet pipeline. The first end of the fifth pipeline P5 is connected to
the heating
unit 50 and acts as the heating unit's coolant outlet pipeline.
5 If the solenoid valve Si is activated, the high-pressure, cold liquid
coolant exiting the
heat pump 40 via the second pipeline P2 flows through the third pipeline P3
and
enters the heating unit 50, wherein the coolant condenses and becomes a
colder, high-
pressure liquid coolant, while releasing heat to the surrounding air, so the
heating unit
50 heats the indoor atmosphere.
10 The second end of the fifth pipeline P5 is connected in parallel to the
fourth pipeline
P4 and a sixth pipeline P6. The fifth pipeline P5 is provided with a check
valve V1 for
preventing the coolant that flows in the fourth pipeline P4 from entering the
fifth
pipeline P5, to help ensure that the coolant can enter the sixth pipeline P6
smoothly.
Similarly, the fourth pipeline P4 is equipped with a check valve V2 in
addition to the
solenoid valve S2. The check valve V2 serves to prevent the coolant that flows
in the
fifth pipeline P5 from entering the fourth pipeline P4, to help ensure that
the coolant
can enter the sixth pipeline P6 smoothly.
The sixth pipeline P6 is connected to the cool exchanger 60 and acts as the
exchanger's coolant inlet pipeline. The sixth pipeline P6 has an expansion
valve El.
When the high-pressure, low-temperature, liquid coolant output from the heat
pump
WSLegal\073788\00001\11442983v4
CA 02883645 2015-02-24
11
40 passes through the second pipeline P2 and the fourth pipeline P4,
respectively, and
reaches the expansion valve El of the sixth pipeline P6, or when the high-
pressure,
low-temperature, liquid coolant output of the heating unit 50 passes through
the fifth
pipeline P5 and arrives at the expansion valve El of the sixth pipeline P6,
the high-
pressure, low-temperature, liquid coolant is depressurized by the expansion
valve El
into the low-pressure, low-temperature, gaseous coolant before exiting the
sixth
pipeline P6 and entering the cool exchanger 60.
The cool exchanger 60 acts as an evaporator that allows the coolant to absorb
heat.
The cool exchanger 60 is connected to the seventh pipeline P7, which acts as a
coolant outlet pipeline of the exchanger 60.
When the low-pressure, low-temperature, gaseous coolant product of the
depressurizing process performed by the expansion valve El passes through the
cool
exchanger 60, the product absorbs heat from the surrounding air and evaporates
to
become a low-pressure, high-temperature, gaseous coolant. The low-pressure,
high-
temperature, gaseous coolant then enters the compressor 30 through the seventh
pipeline P7 and the coolant cycle restarts therefrom.
A water-drawing pipeline P8 connects the heating unit 50 and the cool
exchanger 60
so that the heating unit 50 can emit warm air while providing the humidifying
effect.
More specifically, the water-drawing pipeline P8 has one end coupled to the
vent of
the heating unit 50, and has the opposite end fixedly submerged in the
reservoir of the
cool exchanger 60. When the heating unit 50 starts to emit warm air, a
pressure drop
WSLega1\073788\00001\11442983v4
CA 02883645 2015-02-24
12
exists between the two ends of the water-drawing pipeline P8, with the heating
unit
end of the pipeline P8 being at a lower pressure. At this time, the moisture
generated
in the cool exchanger 60 as a product of the heat exchange between the air and
the
coolant is delivered to the vent of the heating unit 50 as a result of the
siphonage of
the water-drawing pipeline P8 and the moisture is then drop-wise added from
the vent
into the warm air output by the heating unit 50, thereby providing humidified
warm
air.
I. Energy Recovery and Hot Water Supply
Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in one mode of operation the air conditioning
device
10 is capable of waste heat recovery and hot water supply. In this embodiment,
device
10 includes the hot water supplying unit 70. During operation, the compressor
30
compresses the coolant into a high-pressure, high-temperature, gaseous state,
which is
then transported to the heat pump 40 through the first pipeline P1 for heat
discharge,
so that the hot water supplying unit 70 can perform energy recovery and
thereby
supply hot water. For example, the hot water produced may have a temperature
in the
range of 50 C to 55 C.
The hot water supplying unit 70 comprises a cold water inlet pipeline 71, a
hot water
outlet pipeline 72 and a hot water collecting tank 74. The hot water supplying
unit 70
is in communication with a make-up water source (not shown), which supplies
low-
temperature make-up water to the hot water collecting tank, 74. The tank 74
has an
outlet for releasing hot water to a site (not shown). The site may be, for
example, a hot
WSLegah073788\00001\11442983v4
CA 02883645 2015-02-24
13
water tank for supplying hot water to laundry machines, bathrooms, etc.
For recovering the waste heat discharged by the heat pump 40, the heat pump 40
is
connected to the cold-water inlet pipeline 71 and the hot water outlet
pipeline 72.
When the air conditioning device 10 is in operation, the low-temperature make-
up
water coming into the hot water supplying unit 70 is pumped into the heat pump
40 by
the pump M through the cold-water inlet pipeline 71 and, in the heat pump,
heat
exchange occurs between the make-up water and the high-pressure, high-
temperature
coolant, thereby turning the make-up water into hot water, which is then sent
to the
hot water collecting tank 74 through the hot water outlet pipeline 72 for
storage and
on-site use.
II. Heating with Humidifying and Cooling with Dehumidifying
In another mode of operation, with reference to FIG. 2, when the air
conditioning
device 10 uses the solenoid valve Si to allow coolant to flow in the pipeline
P3 and
into the heating unit and uses the solenoid valve S2 to restrict coolant flow
in the
pipeline P4, the device 10 provides both functions of cooling-dehumidifying at
the
cool exchanger 60 and heating-humidifying at the heating unit 50. If the hot
water
supplying unit 70 is included, the device 10 further provides the function of
recovering heat energy to supply hot water.
As coolant circulates within device 10, the coolant is compressed by the
compressor
30 into the high-pressure, high-temperature, gaseous state. The gaseous
coolant flows
WSLegan 073788 \00001 \11442983v4
CA 02883645 2015-02-24
14
through the first pipeline P1 to the heat pump 40 for heat recovery and hot
water
supply by the hot water supplying unit 70, if included. The high-pressure, low-
temperature, liquid coolant output by the heat pump 40 then flows out through
the
second pipeline P2, and passes through the third pipeline P3 to enter the
heating unit
50 for condensation and heat discharge, after which the coolant becomes a
colder,
high-pressure liquid coolant. The low-temperature, high-pressure liquid
coolant
undergoes heat exchange in the heating unit 50 so that the heat discharged
supplies
warm air to the indoor atmosphere. For example, the heating temperature of
heating
unit 50 may be in the range of 40 C to 45 C. The coolant then exits the
heating unit 50
through the fifth pipeline P5 and flows into the sixth pipeline P6.
When passing through the expansion valve El of the sixth pipeline P6, the
coolant is
depressurized into a low-pressure, low-temperature, gaseous state before
entering the
cool exchanger 60. In the cool exchanger, the coolant absorbs heat and is
evaporated
into a low-pressure, high-temperature, gaseous state. Finally, from the cool
exchanger,
the coolant flows back to the compressor 30 through the seventh pipeline P7
for
recirculation and the above-described cycle is repeated as long as the device
10 is in
operation.
During the aforementioned operation of the air conditioning device 10, the
cool
exchanger 60 outputs cold air to achieve the cooling and dehumidifying
effects.
Through the water-drawing pipeline P8, the moisture generated during the heat
exchanges in the cool exchanger 60 is added into the warm air output by the
heating
unit 50, thereby supplying humidified warm air to the indoor living space.
WSLega1\073788\00001\11442983v4
CA 02883645 2015-02-24
III. Cooling-Dehumidifying
In yet another mode of operation, with reference to FIG. 3, when the air
conditioning
device 10 uses the solenoid valve Si to restrict coolant flow into the
pipeline P3 from
the heat pump 40 and uses the solenoid valve S2 to allow coolant to flow into
the
5 pipeline P4 from heat pump 40, device 10 provides the function of cooling-
dehumidifying the surrounding air. If the hot water supplying unit 70 is
included, the
device 10 further provides the function of recovering heat energy to supply
hot water.
As coolant circulates within device 10, the coolant is compressed by the
compressor
30 into a high-pressure, high-temperature, gaseous state. The gaseous coolant
flows
10 through the first pipeline P1 to the heat pump 40 for heat recovery and
hot water
supply by the hot water supplying unit 70, if included. The high-pressure, low-
temperature, liquid coolant output by the heat pump 40 then flows out through
the
second pipeline P2, and enters the fourth pipeline P4 and the sixth pipeline
P6,
respectively. When passing through the expansion valve El of the sixth
pipeline P6,
15 the coolant is depressurized into a low-pressure, low-temperature,
gaseous prior to
entering the cool exchanger 60. In the cool exchanger, the coolant absorbs
heat and is
evaporated into a low-pressure, high-temperature, gaseous state. Finally, from
the cool
exchanger, the coolant flows back to the compressor 30 through the seventh
pipeline
P7 for recirculation and the above-described cycle is repeated as long as the
device 10
is in operation.
During the aforementioned operation of the disclosed air conditioning device
10, the
WSLega1\073788\00001\11442983v4
CA 02883645 2015-02-24
16
cool exchanger 60 outputs cold air to achieve the cooling and dehumidifying
effects,
while the heating unit 50 is deactivated as a result of the coolant bypassing
same.
Besides being able to supply hot water, the air conditioning device 10 of the
present
invention can also selectively provide a single function of cooling-
dehumidifying or
both functions of cooling-dehumidifying and heating-humidifying. The device
may be
useful in various enclosed spaces where hot water, heating, and/or cooling are
required. For example, in a slaughter house, cold storage is required for
meats;
heating may be required in the processing facilities; and hot water is
required for
cleaning and washing the animals, the carcasses, and equipment. Therefore,
device 10
may be especially useful in places where simultaneous heating-humidifying,
cooling-
dehumidifying, and/or hot water supply are required.
The multi-function device may provide a single solution that replaces the
heating
system, water boiler system, humidifier system, and air conditioning system of
a
typical home. Operating a single device rather than several separate systems
to
provide multiple functions is likely to reduce energy consumption, which may
translate into cost savings.
Depending on the amount of heating, cooling, and/or hot water required, the
device of
the present invention may be scaled accordingly by selecting the various
components
of the device accordingly. Further, the device may be configured to be
portable. For
example, all the components of the device may be accommodated in a portable
housing, with an inlet for connecting to the make-up water source, an outlet
for
WSLegah 073788 \ 00001 \ I 1442983v4
CA 02883645 2015-02-24
17
connecting to the hot water site, an outlet for emitting heat generated by the
heating
unit, and an inlet for collecting heat by the cool exchanger.
For operation, the power source for the various components of the device is
preferably
electrical, but can also be fossil fuel, such as natural gas.
Accordingly, there is provided a device comprising: a coolant compressor; a
heat
pump; a beating unit; a cool exchanger, and the coolant compressor, heat pump,
heating unit, and cool exchanger being connected in series, respectively, by a
plurality
of pipelines, and the coolant compressor being in fluid communication with the
heat
pump and the cool exchanger, and the heating unit and the cool exchanger being
in
fluid communication with each other; a first solenoid valve connected in
series with
the heat pump and the heating unit, the first solenoid valve being selectively
openable
to allow fluid flow therethrough and selectively closeable to restrict fluid
flow
therethrough; a second solenoid valve connected in series with the heat pump
and the
cool exchanger, the second solenoid valve being selectively openable to allow
fluid
flow therethrough and selectively closeable to restrict fluid flow
therethrough; an
expansion valve connected in series with the cool exchanger for depressurizing
any
fluid entering the cool exchanger; and a water-drawing pipeline connecting the
cool
exchanger and the heating unit, for transporting moisture from the cool
exchanger to
the heating unit, wherein when the first solenoid valve is open and the second
solenoid valve is closed, fluid communication is permitted from the heat pump
to the
heating unit and from the heating unit to the cool exchanger; and when the
first
solenoid valve is closed and the second solenoid valve is open, fluid
communication
WSLega1\073788\00001 \11442983v4
CA 02883645 2015-02-24
18
is permitted from the heat pump directly to the cool exchanger, while
bypassing the
heating unit.
In one embodiment, the device further comprises a hot water supplying unit
having: a
hot water collecting tank in fluid communication with the heat pump; and a
cold water
inlet pipeline in fluid communication with the heat pump, the cold water inlet
pipeline
being connectible to a water source.
In a further embodiment, the device comprises a first check valve connected in
series
with the heating unit and the cool exchanger, the first check valve allowing
fluid
communication only in the direction from the heating unit to the cool
exchanger. In a
still further embodiment, the device comprises a second check valve connected
in
series with the heat pump and the cool exchanger, the second check valve
allowing
fluid communication only in the direction from the heat pump to the cool
exchanger.
A method for air conditioning and/or supplying hot water is also provided
here. The
method comprises: compressing a low-pressure, high-temperature, gaseous
coolant
into a high-pressure, high-temperature, gaseous coolant; extracting heat from
the
high-pressure, high-temperature, gaseous coolant into a high-pressure, low-
temperature, liquid coolant; and one of: (i) condensing the high-pressure, low-
temperature, liquid coolant into a high-pressure, lower-temperature, liquid
coolant;
depressurizing the high-pressure, lower-temperature, liquid coolant into a low-
pressure, lower-temperature, gaseous coolant; and heating and evaporating the
low-
pressure, lower-temperature, gaseous coolant into the low-pressure, high-
temperature,
WSLegal\ 073788 \00001 \I l442983v4
CA 02883645 2015-02-24
19
gaseous coolant; and (ii) depressurizing the high-pressure, low-temperature,
liquid
coolant into a low-pressure, low-temperature, gaseous coolant; and heating and
evaporating the low-pressure, low-temperature, gaseous coolant into the low-
pressure,
high-temperature, gaseous coolant.
In one embodiment, condensing the coolant is performed by a heating unit and
the
method further comprises transferring moisture generated from heating and
evaporating the coolant to the heating unit.
In a further embodiment, the method comprises heating water using the heat
extracted
from the coolant. The method may further comprise storing the water in a tank
and/or
supplying the water to a site.
Preferably, the method comprises repeating the steps of compressing;
extracting heat;
and one of: (i) condensing; depressurizing; and heating and evaporating; and
(ii)
depressurizing; and heating and evaporating.
The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable
any
person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various
modifications
to those embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and
the
generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without
departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present
invention is not
intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded
the full
scope consistent with the claims, wherein reference to an element in the
singular, such
WSLegal\ 073788 \00001 \11442983v4
CA 02883645 2015-02-24
as by use of the article "a" or "an" is not intended to mean "one and only one
unless
specifically so stated, but rather "one or more". All structural and
functional
equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout
the
disclosure that are know or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill
in the art
5 are intended to be encompassed by the elements of the claims.
Moreover, nothing
disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of
whether such
disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims.
WSLegan 073788 \ 00001 \ 11442983v4
