Air Conditioner and Pool Heater Dual System

Abstract

An air conditioner and pool heater dual system, functioning as a combination air conditioner and water heater having a heat exchanger that includes a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger, a gas compressor, and at least one evaporator coil. The dual system is capable of heating a pool and refrigerating a house simultaneously using only one compressor.

Description

The present invention relates to conventional heat transfer systems, such as air conditioning systems, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for converting a conventional air conditioning system into a dual system capable of cooling air and heating water, such as water from a swimming pool. Even more particularly, the present invention is referred to an air conditioner and pool heater dual system. The present invention is a continuation of U.S. provisional application No. 61/298,711.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Air conditioning is the process through which indoor air is cooled or heated and dehumidified for thermal comfort. In a broader sense, the term can refer to any form of cooling, heating, ventilation that modifies the condition of air. In particular, an air conditioner is an electro-mechanical device designed to stabilize the air temperature and humidity within an area (which includes cooling and/or heating depending on the air properties at a given time), typically using a refrigeration cycle.

On Jan. 2, 1906 Willis H. Carrier invented the first apparatus for cooling air. This was the first of several patents awarded to the recognized ‘father of air conditioning’ who created the first residential air conditioner for private home use in 1928. However, the concept of cooling air for human comfort started well before Mr. Carrier. In the Ancient Rome, aqueduct water was circulated through the walls of certain houses to cool them during summer. Also, in medieval Persia, the use of cisterns and wind towers to cool buildings during the hot season were well known also.

Mechanical air conditioning and refrigeration systems, for absorbing heat from one source and rejecting heat to another source, are well known in the art. In a conventional mechanical air conditioning system, a pair of heat exchangers is fluidly connected in a refrigeration circuit through which a heat transfer medium (hereinafter “refrigerant”) flows. In a typical system, an evaporator coil is in heat transfer communication with interior space, and a condenser coil is in heat transfer communication with a suitable heat sink, such as ambient air from the atmosphere.

Mechanical air conditioning systems are well known in the art. Such systems may be either “packaged,” wherein all the necessary components are packaged in a single unit, or “split systems,” wherein typically the evaporator is remotely located with respect to the compressor and condenser.

There are also several systems for using the heat created during the refrigeration process. One of them is a heat transfer system including mechanical and electrical components for use with a mechanical air conditioning system to enable the system to efficiently reject heat to a water source, such as a pool or spa while simultaneously cooling an interior space. The air conditioning system incorporates three primary heat transfer coils in a mechanical refrigeration cycle to provide comfort cooling to an interior space while rejecting heat to either the atmosphere or a water source, such as a swimming pool. In an alternate heat pump embodiment, the system is capable of operating in an additional mode to absorb heat from the atmosphere and reject heat to the interior space.

Another known system is a heat transfer system for use in cooling and dehumidifying an interior space while rejecting heat to several alternative sources. The system incorporates three primary heat transfer coils in a mechanical refrigeration cycle to provide comfort cooling to an interior space while rejecting heat to one of two primary condensing mediums. In addition the heat transfer system of the present invention functions by transferring heat from the atmosphere to a pool, thereby functioning as a pool heater. In a first operating mode heat transferred from an interior space to the ambient atmosphere. In a second operating mode heat is transferred from an interior space to pool water. In a third operating mode heat is transferred from the ambient atmosphere to pool water. A refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger is disclosed having a gas trap for isolating corrosive gases from the metallic heat exchanger components, and further including a sacrificial zinc anode for corrosion protection. A novel control system is disclosed using first and second desired pool water temperature set-points for maximizing system efficiency.

Another known alternative is a system for automatically regulating both temperature and humidity within an enclosure for a swimming pool or the like where the atmosphere and the pool water are to be maintained at a selected temperature differential, including a pool water re-circulating system having a remote source for the introduction of makeup water, an air re-circulating system and a refrigerant re-circulating system including an evaporator disposed within the air re-circulating system, and the pool water re-circulating system including a heat exchange coil disposed within the air re-circulating system downstream from the evaporator and a valve assembly for selectively directing the re-circulated water to the coil including a bypass conduit for bypassing same, electrical resistance heaters in thermal exchange relation with the air in the air re-circulating system downstream from the coil and a thermostat for controlling and sensing the temperature and humidity of the atmosphere within the enclosure.

Furthermore, known is a refrigeration system is disclosed, which utilizes the rejected heat from the condenser of an air conditioner to heat a second medium such as water for a swimming pool. A control is provided to maintain the temperature of the pool within a given range without degrading the performance of the air conditioning system and actually improving its economy and efficiency of operation. A heat exchanger, to place the second medium in heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant, is placed between the condenser unit and the expansion valve of the refrigeration system. The temperature of the refrigerant entering the heat exchanger is controlled by the on and off cycling of a fan to selectively move air across the coils of the condenser responsive to the temperature of the second medium.

Another known alternative is a heat transfer system including mechanical and electrical components for use with a mechanical air conditioning system to enable the system to efficiently reject heat to a water source, such as a pool or spa while simultaneously cooling an interior space. The air conditioning system incorporates three primary heat transfer coils in a mechanical refrigeration cycle to provide comfort cooling to an interior space while rejecting heat to either the atmosphere or a water source, such as a swimming pool. In an alternate heat pump embodiment, the system is capable of operating in an additional mode to absorb heat from the atmosphere and reject heat to the interior space.

Even though the above cited heating systems address some of the needs of the market, a reliable and economical means for creating a dual system useful for heating the water of a pool and at the same time refrigerating the air of a house is still desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to an air conditioner and pool heater basically comprising a heat exchanger including a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger, a gas compressor, and at least one evaporator coil.

In one general aspect of the present invention, the dual system is capable of heating the pool water and refrigerating a house at the same time using only one compressor.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to create a dual system capable of alternatively heating the water of a swimming pool and refrigerating the air of a house. Thus, the system may heat the water of a swimming pool and deactivating the refrigeration function, or refrigerating the air of a house and deactivating the heating function, or working both systems at the same time.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a dual system for heating the water of a pool and refrigerating the air of a house by using four one-way 24 V solenoid valves with which is possible to create different configurations for using one or both systems using only one compressor.

However, another aspect of the purposed invention comprises a dual heater-air conditioner system with which the flow of Freon is controlled under a new specific pattern capable of using the heat normally created during the refrigeration process for heating the water of a swimming pool.

In summary, the present invention is related to an air conditioner and pool heater dual system, functioning as a combination air conditioner and water heater, which system comprises a refrigeration system including the following components: means for compressing the refrigerant gas; a refrigerant-to-water heat transfer device in communication with at least one heat exchange coil and said compressing means; a set of four valves enables said system to function in any one of three operating modes, wherein in the first mode of operation the system only refrigerates the air of a house, in the second mode of operation the system only heats the water of a swimming pool and in a third mode of operation the system uses two coils to create both functions at the same time; said refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger having an outer water conduit and an inner refrigerant conduit coaxially disposed therein, said outer and inner conduits forming a helical coil shape.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter to be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a first alternative of the dual heat transfer system operating in a mode wherein water from a swimming pool is being heated and air from a house is being cooled at the same time.

FIG. 2 is another schematic view of a second embodiment of the dual system in accordance with the present invention, in which only one heat exchange coil is used; finally:

FIGS. 3A-3B are other schematic views of a third and fourth embodiment of the dual system in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Shown throughout the Figures, a first embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in FIG. 1, is directed to a dual air conditioner-heater system, generally referenced as 10, including a refrigerant compressor 11 having an output in fluid communication via refrigerant tubing 12 to a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger 13 and an input 14 in fluid communication with the air handler (not illustrated) that forms part of the air conditioning equipment located within a house to be refrigerated. Said compressor 20 may be a compressor of any suitable type such as reciprocating, rotary, scroll, screw, etc., and is powered by any conventional power source.

The refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger 13 comprises a helically wound water conduit 15, the water conduit having an input 15a and an output 15b, having a helically wound refrigerant conduit 16 axially disposed therein that is a continuation of the above mentioned refrigerant tubing 12. The water conduit 15 is in fluid communication with a pool's water 8 via a pool water circulating circuit including a pool pump 9 and water conduit's input 15a and output 15b.

The refrigerant conduit 16 is in fluid communication with a one-way check valve 17 and a heat transfer coil 18. In the preferred embodiment heat transfer coil 18 comprises of a fin and tube heat exchanger, wherein the refrigerant flows through tubes 19 and includes a fan 20 for forcing ambient air across the heat transfer coil 18. The heat transfer coil 18 is in fluid communication with a refrigerant check valve 21 and the air handler (not illustrated) via a refrigerant tubing 22.

The refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger 13 is also in fluid communication with a second heat transfer coil 30 via a refrigerant conduit 31. Two valves are installed between said heat exchanger 13 and the second coil 30: a one way valve 32 and an expansion valve 33. In turn said heat transfer coil 30 is in fluid communication with a second one way valve 36 via a refrigerant conduit 35 which is in fluid communication with the refrigerant compressor 11. As in the previous case, the heat transfer coil 30 also includes a fan 37 for forcing ambient air across coil 30.

The first embodiment of the present invention comprises three different operating modes: only refrigerating air, only heating the water from the swimming pool of doing both things at the same time. Let's explain the three modes in detail.

First Operating Mode: Refrigerating Mode

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the first operating mode wherein the system is working as a regular air conditioning system. In this case heat is transferred from an interior space to the ambient atmosphere. In FIG. 1, valves 32 and 36 are closed, while valve 17 is open. As illustrated in FIG. 1, compressed refrigerant gas exits compressor 11 in a superheated state, where after the gas passes via tubing 12 through the refrigerant-to-water heat exchange device 13. Since the pump 9 is turned off, water is not circulating through water conduit 15, and the superheated refrigerant gas passes through conduit 16 towards valve 17 and heat transfer coil 18. The expansion process the refrigerant gas experiences while entering to the coil 18 creates an important temperature drop of said gas. The warm air from the house to be refrigerated is removed and cycled back in as cooler air. This cycle continues until the thermostat reaches the desired temperature. The system uses the evaporation of the refrigerant gas (like Freon) to provide cooling. The compressor 11 compresses cool Freon gas, causing it to become hot, high-pressure Freon gas. This hot gas runs through the coil 18 so it can dissipate its heat, and it condenses into a liquid. The Freon liquid runs through an expansion valve, and in the process it evaporates to become cold, low-pressure Freon gas. This cold gas runs through the coil that allows the gas to absorb heat and cool down the air inside the building. The refrigerant gas runs to the air handler that is the equipment usually installed inside the building where the heat exchange between the cool air generated by the expansion process of the Freon will be injected into the building and the warm air from the building will be extracted. This refrigerant receives and releases heat as it raises and lowers in temperature, changing from liquid to gas back to liquid. The refrigerant is especially cold when it begins to circulate through the indoor coil. As the air handler pushes warm air across the coil, the refrigerant absorbs so much heat from the air that it turns into vapor.

As a vapor, it travels to a compressor 11 that pressurizes it and moves it through the outdoor coil 18, which jettisons the heat. A fan 20 also helps to dissipate the heat. The refrigerant then passes through an expansion device that converts it to a low-pressure, low-temperature liquid, which returns to the indoor coil. And so the cycle goes.

Second Operating Mode: Water Heater Mode

In this operating mode valves 17 and 21 are closed, the water pump 9 is turned on and pool water 8 is circulating through conduits 15. The refrigerant gas exits the compressor 11 superheated and circulates via conduit 16 through the refrigerant-to-water heat transfer device 13. This conduit 16 is made of cooper or any other appropriate metallic material that facilitates the heat transfer from the heated gas to the cool pool water that runs through conduit 15. During this heat exchange process, the pool water is heated and the refrigerant gas is cooled off. Pool water returns to the pool via conduit 15b and the refrigerant gas runs via conduits 16 and 31 through valves 32 and 33 and through the heat transfer coil 30. The refrigerant gas exist the heat transfer coil 30 and returns to the compressor 11.

Third Operating Mode: Dual Process-Air Conditioner and Water Heater Mode

Continuing with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 in this operating mode the following valves are open: 17, 21. Valves 32 and 36 are closed. Refrigerant gas is circulating through the main circuit, through valve 17 to the transfer heat coil 18. Pump 9 circulates the pool water 8 through conduits 15 exchanging heat as previously explained above with the conduit 16 and air is being refrigerated and being sent to the air handler by the expansion action of the refrigerant gas through the heat exchange coil 18.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention generally referenced as 100, including a refrigerant compressor 110 having an output in fluid communication via refrigerant tubing 112 to a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger 113.

The refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger 113 comprises a helically wound water conduit 115, the water conduit having an input 115a and an output 115b, having a helically wound refrigerant conduit 116 axially disposed therein that is a continuation of the above mentioned refrigerant tubing 112. The water conduit 115 is in fluid communication with a pool's water 108 via a pool water circulating circuit including a pool pump 109 and the water conduit input 115a and output 115b.

Refrigerant conduit 116 splits in two conduits 125-130. The first conduit 125 includes a one-way check valve 117 and is in fluid communication with a heat transfer coil 118. The second conduit includes a one-way valve 131, and it is in fluid communication with an expansion valve 132 and the heat transfer coil 118. In the preferred embodiment heat transfer coil 118 comprises a tube heat exchanger, wherein the refrigerant flows through tubes 119, and includes a fan 120 for forcing ambient air across the heat transfer coil 118. From the heat transfer coil 118 two refrigerant conduits 122-140 are in fluid communication with a refrigerant check valve 121 and the air handler (not illustrated). From the air handler refrigerant conduit 140A returns the refrigerant to the compressor 110. The second conduit 140 is in fluid communication with the compressor 110 through a compressor valve 141.

In this embodiment, the system may perform the same three modes already explained above by opening and closing the valves. When the system works just as an air conditioning system, the pump 109 is turned off, and valves 117 and 121 are open. The refrigerant gas exits the compressor 110 superheated, passes through the heat exchanger 113 to the conduit 125 and valve 117 without affecting the temperature of the gas. Then the refrigerant runs through conduit 119 where fan 120 cools it down and from there runs to conduit 122 and valve 121 to the air handler (not illustrated). In the air handler, the refrigerant performs the normal functioning and returns through conduit 140A to the compressor 110.

In this embodiment, when the systems works as a water heater only, valves 131 and 141 are open, valves 117 and 121 are closed, the pump 109 is turned on and pool water circulated through conduit 115. Refrigerant gas exists the compressor 110 superheated and runs through the heat exchanger 113 heating up the pool water. The gas already cooled off runs through conduit 130 to the expansion valve 132 where the gas cools off and the pressure gas drops. Then the gas runs through the heat exchanger coil 118 through conduit 119 and from the coil it returns to the compressor 110 via conduit 140 and valve 141.

When the system works as a dual system, heating pool water and refrigerating air from a house, valves 131 and 141 are closed, valve 117 is open, and the refrigerant runs through conduit 125 to the heat exchanger coil 118. In the coil, the gas runs through conduit 119 and fan 120 cools it down. From the coil 118 the refrigerant runs to conduit 122 through valve 121 to the air handler (not illustrated). From the air handler, the gas returns to the compressor 110 through conduit 140A.

FIG. 3A illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention generally referenced as 200, including a refrigerant compressor 210 having an output in fluid communication via refrigerant tubing 212 to a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger 213.

The refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger 213 also comprises a helically wound water conduit 215, the water conduit having an input 215a and an output 215b, having a helically wound refrigerant conduit 216 axially disposed therein that is a continuation of the above mentioned refrigerant tubing 212. The water conduit 215 is in fluid communication with a pool's water 208 via a pool water circulating circuit including a pool pump 209 and the water conduit's input 215a and output 215b.

Refrigerant conduit 216 is in fluid communication with a three-way check valve 217. From the three-way check valve 217 a first conduit 219 is in fluid communication with an alternative heat transfer coil 220 and a second conduit 218 is in fluid communication with heat transfer coil 221 through an expansion valve 222.

The alternative heat transfer coil 220 is in fluid communication with the air handler (not illustrated) through a one-way valve 230. From the air handler a line 232A returns the refrigerant gas to the compressor 210. From heat transfer coil 221 the refrigerant gas returns to the compressor via a conduit 232 and a compressor valve 233.

In this embodiment heat transfer coils 220-221 comprises of a fin and tube heat exchanger, wherein the refrigerant flows through tubes 229, and include fans 250-251 for forcing ambient air across the heat transfer coils 220-221.

In this embodiment, the system may perform the same three modes already explained above by opening and closing the valves 217-222-233-230. When the system works just as an air conditioning system, the pump 209 is turned off, and valve 222 is closed. The refrigerant gas exits the compressor 210 superheated, passes through the heat exchanger 213 and the three-way valve 217 without affecting the temperature of the gas and runs through conduit 219 to coil 220. Then the refrigerant runs into the coil through conduit 229 to the air handler via valve 230. Fan 251 cooperates to cool the refrigerant down. From there it runs to the air handler (not illustrated) and returns to the compressor via conduit 232A.

When the systems works as a water heater only, valve 217 is open and valves 230 are closed, the pump 209 is turned on and pool water circulated through conduit 215. Refrigerant gas exists the compressor 210 superheated and runs through the heat exchanger 213 heating up the pool water. The gas already cooled off runs through conduit 218 to the expansion valve where it expands and its pressure drops. From the expansion valve 222 the refrigerant runs to the heat transfer coil 221 through internal conduit 229. Fan 250 cooperates to heat the gas up and from there runs through conduit 232, valve 233 and conduit 232A back to the compressor 210.

When the system works as a dual system, heating pool water and refrigerating air from a house, valves 217-230 are open, the pump 209 is working, circulating pool water 208 through conduits 215a-215b and across heat exchanger 213, and the refrigerant runs through conduit 219 to coil 220 and from there to the air handler (not illustrated) creating the two effects described above.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3B a fourth embodiment is shown in which only one heat exchange coil 221 is included. In this embodiment, the system may perform the same three modes already explained above by opening and closing the valves 217-231-233. When the system works just as an air conditioning system, the pump 209 is turned off, and valve 217 directs the refrigerant to conduit 219 and to the heat exchange coil 221. Fan 250 cools the gas down, and it circulates through the internal conduit 229. From heat exchange coil 221 runs through valve 231 to the air handler (not illustrated). The refrigerant returns to the compressor 210 through conduit 232A.

When the systems works as a water heater only, valve 217 directs refrigerant gas to line 218 expanding and lowering the pressure in expansion valve 222 towards the heat exchange coil 221. Fan 250 heats the gas up when it runs through conduit 229 and then runs through conduit 232 (valve 231 is closed) and returns to the compressor 210 via conduit 232A.

When the system works as a dual system, heating pool water and refrigerating air from a house, valves 222-233 are closed, the pump 209 is working, circulating pool water 208 through conduits 215a-215b and across heat exchanger 213, and the refrigerant runs through conduit 219 to coil 221 and from there to the air handler (not illustrated) creating the two effects described above and from the air handler returns to the compressor via conduit 232A.

All the components may be packaged in a cabinet or other suitable structure. Significantly, the present invention is suitable for use with any suitable evaporator apparatus and may be installed in retrofit applications as a replacement for a conventional split system condensing unit. The components of the present invention may be selected to provide any suitable refrigeration capacity.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An air conditioner and pool heater dual system, functioning as a combination air conditioner and water heater, comprises:

a refrigerant compressor, having an output in fluid communication via a refrigerant tubing to a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger and an input in fluid communication with the air handler that forms part of the air conditioning equipment located within a house to be refrigerated; The refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger comprises a helically wound water conduit, the water conduit having an input and an output, having a helically wound refrigerant conduit axially disposed therein that is a continuation of the above mentioned refrigerant tubing, the water conduit is in fluid communication with a pool's water via a pool water circulating circuit including a pool pump and the water conduit's input and output, a one-way check valve and a heat transfer coil that are in fluid communication with the refrigerant conduit, the heat transfer coil comprises of a fin and tube heat exchanger, wherein the refrigerant flows through tubes, and includes a fan for forcing ambient air across the heat transfer coil, and the heat transfer coil is in fluid communication with a refrigerant check valve and the air handler via a refrigerant tubing, and a second heat transfer coil that is in fluid communication with the refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger via a refrigerant conduit, a one way valve and an expansion valve are installed between the heat ex changer and the second coil, the second coil is in is in fluid communication with a second one way valve via a refrigerant conduit which is in fluid communication with the refrigerant compressor, the second coil also includes a fan for forcing ambient air across the second coil.

2. An air conditioner and pool heater dual system, functioning as a combination air conditioner and water heater, comprises:

a refrigerant compressor having an output in fluid communication via refrigerant tubing to a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger; the refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger comprises a helically wound water conduit, the water conduit having an input and an output, having a helically wound refrigerant conduit axially disposed therein that is a continuation of the above mentioned refrigerant tubing, the water conduit is in fluid communication with a pool's water via a pool water circulating circuit that includes a pool pump and the water conduit's input and output, the refrigerant conduit splits in two conduits, the first conduit includes a one-way check valve and is in fluid communication with a heat transfer coil, the second conduit includes a one-way valve, and it is in fluid communication with an expansion valve and the heat transfer coil.

3. The air conditioner and pool heater dual system, functioning as a combination air conditioner and water heater of claim 2, wherein the heat transfer coil comprises a tube heat exchanger, wherein the refrigerant flows through tubes, and includes a fan for forcing ambient air across coil and from the heat transfer coil two refrigerant conduits are in fluid communication with a refrigerant check valve and the air handler, and from the air handler refrigerant conduit returns the refrigerant to the compressor, the second conduit is in fluid communication with the compressor through a compressor valve.

4. An air conditioner and pool heater dual system, functioning as a combination air conditioner and water heater, comprises:

a refrigerant compressor having an output in fluid communication via refrigerant tubing to a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger, the refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger comprises a helically wound water conduit, the water conduit having an input and an output, having a helically wound refrigerant conduit axially disposed therein that is a continuation of the above mentioned refrigerant tubing, the water conduit is in fluid communication with a pool's water via a pool water circulating circuit including a pool pump and water conduit's input and output, the refrigerant conduit is in fluid communication with a three-way check valve, from the three-way check valve a first conduit is in fluid communication with an alternative heat transfer coil and a second conduit is in fluid communication with heat transfer coil through an expansion valve, the alternative heat transfer Coil is in fluid communication with the air handler through a one-way valve, and from the air handler a line returns the refrigerant gas to the compressor, and from the heat transfer coil, and the refrigerant gas returns to the compressor via a conduit and a compressor valve.

5. The air conditioner and pool heater dual system, functioning as a combination air conditioner and water heater of claim 4, wherein the heat transfer coils comprises of a fin and tube heat exchanger, and wherein the refrigerant flows through tubes and include fans for forcing ambient air across the heat transfer coils.