Solar assisted heat pump heating system

Patent · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:6780842

Pendergrass, J C

A solar assisted heat pump fluid heating system capable of reliable operation at higher than normal ambient temperatures is disclosed. The system includes a collection of solar panels and primary fluid storage tanks having integral coiled heat exchangers interconnected and charged with heat transfer fluid to produce heat. Temperature sensors positioned at the panels and storage tanks transmit temperature signals to solar control circuit. At predetermined temperatures, the solar control circuit energizes a first circulation pump transferring heated fluid from the panels, effecting heat transfer with a low temperature working fluid stored in the tanks. A second circulation pump transfers stored working fluid to a heat exchanger, effecting heat transfer. A heat pump generating a hot refrigerant fluid provides additional heat input when entering working fluid to the heat exchanger is below a predetermined temperature. The heat pump includes an evaporator, compressor and accumulator interconnected in refrigerant flow relationship to provide the hot gas to the heat exchanger. A motor driven evaporator fan circulates ambient air through the evaporator to heat the refrigerant fluid. The heated fluid is then compressed into a superheated refrigerant gas. A modulating control circuit detects fluid temperature of refrigerant leaving the evaporator and controls the fan speed to maintain the fluid within a predetermined temperature range. By restricting ambient air flow through the evaporator, heat pump operation at higher than normal ambient temperatures is possible.

• Assignee: EDB-84-165026
• Patent Number(s): US 4438881
• OSTI ID: 6780842
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140901* -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Space Heating & Cooling
ACCUMULATORS
AIR CONDITIONERS
AIR FLOW
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
BLOWERS
COMPRESSORS
CONTAINERS
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
DESIGN
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
ENERGY STORAGE
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ENERGY TRANSFER
EQUIPMENT
EVAPORATORS
FLUID FLOW
FLUIDS
GAS FLOW
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT PUMPS
HEAT STORAGE
HEAT TRANSFER
HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS
HEATING SYSTEMS
OPERATION
REFRIGERANTS
RELIABILITY
SENSIBLE HEAT STORAGE
SOLAR AIR CONDITIONERS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR COOLING SYSTEMS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
SOLAR-ASSISTED HEAT PUMPS
STORAGE
TANKS
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
THERMOSTATS
WORKING FLUIDS