HK1138355A1

HK1138355A1 - High efficiency hybrid a/c system

Info

Publication number: HK1138355A1
Application number: HK10104305.0A
Authority: HK
Inventors: 于笑梅; 磊陈
Original assignee: Carrier Corporation
Priority date: 2006-03-10
Filing date: 2006-03-10
Publication date: 2010-08-20
Also published as: WO2007106080A2; EP1994340A2; EP1994340A4; WO2007106080A3; US20090094991A1; CN101636623A; CN101636623B

Abstract

A hybrid air conditioning system (45) having both a conventional air conditioning system (46) and thermoelectric modules (80, 85, 90, 95) to provide heating and cooling, the thermoelectric modules (80, 85, 90, 95) providing waste heat or waste cooling to offset the demand on the conventional air conditioning system (46) and thereby reducing energy consumption and enhancing efficiency of the overall system (45).

Description

High-efficiency hybrid air conditioning system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a hybrid air conditioning system that provides primary temperature control using conventional air conditioning equipment and local temperature control using thermoelectric cooling and/or heating equipment.

Background

The efficiency of a liquid cycle refrigeration system depends on the set temperature of the cooling water or the set temperature of the evaporator. For a particular system and a fixed ambient environment, the higher the set temperature, the higher the resulting system efficiency. Likewise, the efficiency of the heating system is directly dependent on the condenser or hot water temperature in the conventional system. In this case, the lower the set temperature, the higher the resulting system efficiency for a particular system and a fixed ambient environment.

Thermoelectric devices are composed of semiconductor materials that transfer heat from a first party or source to a second party or sink when charge carriers pass through the material. Thermoelectric cooling and heating systems operate more efficiently when there is a small temperature difference between the heat source side and the cold source side. And thermoelectric devices are more sensitive to changes in temperature settings, which also have higher reliability and fewer maintenance requirements because their moving parts are fewer than in conventional systems. Such a system is also more sensitive to temperature settings, and is lighter in weight, less noisy, and more accurately controlled.

Vapor compression and absorption air conditioning systems are used to cool residential and commercial buildings where multi-zone temperature control is the most efficient way and provides the greatest comfort to the occupants. Achieving such on-demand zonal control of comfort with conventional air conditioning systems is difficult and expensive because the entire evaporator and condenser components have to be activated wherever cooling is required. A hybrid air conditioning system including a thermoelectric refrigeration system can achieve localized refrigeration without having to run the main refrigeration system at all times. Such a hybrid air conditioning system would provide both efficiency and comfort to the user.

Further, by using a hybrid refrigeration system that integrates conventional air conditioning and thermoelectric refrigeration, the conventional apparatus can operate at a higher evaporator temperature or cooling water temperature than a non-hybrid apparatus. Therefore, the refrigeration system can be operated with higher refrigeration efficiency. Also, the use of such a hybrid system for heating allows its conventional equipment to operate at lower condenser or hot water temperatures than conventional applications, and the thermoelectric device can operate with a small temperature difference, whereby the hybrid system operates with greater efficiency.

Accordingly, an air conditioning system that integrates a conventional system with a thermoelectric distribution system improves the efficiency of the overall system and improves comfort by utilizing waste heat and/or cold and changing the direction of current flow in a system that is more reliable and sensitive for zonal temperature control.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hybrid system for a space in which an air conditioner is installed, which employs a conventional air conditioner and a thermoelectric heating and cooling device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hybrid system for a space housing air conditioning equipment having a thermoelectric element capable of selectively providing zoned heating and/or cooling within the air conditioned space.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hybrid system for a space containing air conditioning equipment that employs conventional and thermoelectric heating/cooling elements to reduce the overall energy consumption of the conditioned space.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hybrid system for a space housing air conditioning equipment that utilizes both conventional and waste heat from thermoelectric heating/cooling elements to increase the overall efficiency of the hybrid system.

A final object of the present invention is to provide a hybrid system for air conditioning which is controlled by the needs of the occupants by means of sensors, thus increasing the efficiency of the refrigeration system.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional space in which air conditioning equipment is installed;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the hybrid system of the present invention for a space housing air conditioning equipment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the operation of the thermoelectric elements of the hybrid system of FIG. 2 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a hybrid conditioned space of the present invention; and

fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a hybrid air conditioning system employing return air as the heat sink for a thermoelectric cooling element and controlled by sensors.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1, a schematic diagram of a space 10 containing air conditioning equipment, such as a large office, is shown for heating and cooling using conventional air conditioning equipment known in the art. Conventional space refrigeration systems operate using a compressor, an evaporator, an air diffuser and a thermostat (not shown). The space 10 is provided with an inner space 15, which inner space 15 can be divided into several units, such as rooms 20, 25, 30 and 35, the temperature of which is T₁，T₂，T_n-1And T_n. In the space 10, T_setRepresenting the temperature at which the thermometer is set for cooling needs. Temperature T₁，T₂，T_n-1And T_nTemperature T of each with a larger space_setAre equal. Rooms 20, 25, 30 and 35 each have a thermostat. The temperature of the room 20 is changed from T₁Increase to more than T_setWill be very difficult because the conduction from the adjacent rooms 25, 30 and 35 and the entire space 10 is relatively cold. The response time required for the temperature increase may be longer. Also, where lower temperatures are required in an air conditioned space, the same inefficiencies remain. Cooling down locally in large hot areas would not only consume energy, but the reduced temperature would also reduce the temperature of those areas to some extent by conduction to adjacent spaces, thus resulting in more heat being generated by conventional systems.

Referring to fig. 2, a mixing system 45 of the present invention is shown. The hybrid system 45 integrates a conventional air conditioning system 46 and a local thermoelectric air conditioning system 48. In this figure, a space 50 containing air conditioning equipment, such as an office building space, is set to a temperature T_set(H). The space 50 includes several spaces, such as offices. The temperatures of rooms 60, 65, 70 and 75 are set to T, respectively₁，T₂，T_n-1And T_n. Furthermore, rooms 60, 65, 70 and 75 each contain a thermoelectric module 80, 85, 90 and 95. The thermoelectric modules 80, 85, 90 and 95 are all controlled by the local thermoelectric air conditioning system 48. Each thermoelectric module is capable of producing a cooling effect or a heating effect, depending on the direction of current flow from the power source. The hybrid system 45 also has a temperature sensor 49 to monitor the overall temperature of the building space.

With continued reference to fig. 2 and 3, thermoelectric module 80 disposed in room 60 is shown operating in a cooling mode. In the thermoelectric module 80, a dc voltage from a power supply 115 is applied to the module 80, having a series of P and N junctions 100. Current 110 flows in the direction shown. Junction 100 of thermoelectric module 80 absorbs heat from surface 105 and releases the heat to surface 110 located opposite module 80. The surface 105 where heat is absorbed becomes cold and the opposite surface 110 where heat is released becomes hot. This "heat pump" phenomenon, known as the peltier effect, is commonly used for thermoelectric refrigeration. Heat exchangers 125 and 135 are used to transfer cool air or heat away from thermoelectric module 80. In this case, forced air from fan 130 may be used to cool room 60 as it blows through heat exchanger 125. Likewise, forced air from fan 140 is used to transfer heat from heat exchanger 135 to heat other rooms 65, 70 or 75 or a conventional air conditioned space 50. The efficiency of the conventional air conditioning system is improved by using the waste heat from the thermoelectric module 80. Furthermore, conventional air conditioning systems do not have to be dedicated to generating heat to heat other spaces, but can utilize heat from module 80 to heat other rooms. Modules 85, 90 and 95 will operate in the heating mode in the same manner except that current 110 flows in the opposite direction.

A benefit of utilizing thermoelectric modules in applications that cool or heat local spaces within a larger air conditioned space is that such modules help to increase the overall efficiency of the hybrid system. In addition, such a system would reduce the energy consumption costs associated with the conventional portion of the system. Furthermore, the system response capability in achieving the desired temperature using thermoelectric modules is much higher than conventional air conditioning system components.

Referring to FIG. 2, a user in a room 60 may desire a temperature T of a space 50_set(H)Lower temperature T_1(H). In this example, the ideal temperature T_1(H)Is 68 degrees Fahrenheit and T_set(H)Is 72 degrees fahrenheit. When the thermoelectric module 80 is activated to cool, the surface 100 of the thermoelectric module 80 cools to a lower temperature T_1(H). At the same time, the surface 105 heats up and contributes to the space 50 and the rooms 85, 90 and 95 warming up by conduction. The heat generated by thermoelectric module 80 reduces the temperature T of conventional systems to be maintained_set(H)The amount of work that must be done at 72 degrees fahrenheit.

Continuing to refer to fig. 3 and 4, a schematic diagram of an office building having an efficient system 200 is shown. The system 200 has a lightweight conventional roof system 205 for conventional air conditioning. The system 200 has a compressor, an evaporator, a bar diffuser and other components associated with a conventional air conditioning system. The room 210 is provided with a thermoelectric module 215 for controlling local temperature. When the occupant of the room 210 desires a higher room temperature than the surrounding room, the thermoelectric module 215 is activated to increase the local temperature of the room 210. While the cool air generated by thermoelectric device 215 will be distributed to rooms 220, 225 and 230, depending on the need for cooling. Thus, the system 200 no longer needs to operate to maintain a low temperature due to the cool air generated by the module 215. Thermal sensors placed in common area 240 will monitor the temperature of the entire space for cool air from thermoelectric module 215 and adjust the amount of cooling produced by conventional system 200 accordingly. Monitor 245 optimizes the performance of system 200 with respect to adjustments made by the thermoelectric modules of each room 220, 225, and 230. Detector 245 compensates for the amount of cooling or heating provided by the conventional components of hybrid system 200 as a function of the waste heat generated by the thermoelectric modules.

Another embodiment of a hybrid air conditioning system 300 of the present invention is illustrated in fig. 5. In this embodiment, the system 300 has a conventional outdoor air conditioning component 305, preferably located on the roof of a building, and a thermoelectric component 315 adjacent to a space 310 containing air conditioning equipment. The thermoelectric element 315 has one side 320 and another side 325. When the hybrid system 300 is in a cooling mode, cool air is absorbed on side 320 and heat is released on the other side 325. Conventional component 305 provides primary refrigeration, which may be set at a temperature slightly higher than the desired temperature. Cool air from the conventional component 305 is forced through the vents 335 to the conditioned space 310 by a fan (not shown). When the thermoelectric element 315 is activated, the side 320 in communication with the preconditioned air produces cool air to further cool the space. Return air 340 is used as a heat sink for thermoelectric component 315. A portion of return air 340 is also circulated in conditioned space 310 to refresh the air. The air cooled by conventional component 305 may be further cooled to a desired temperature by thermoelectric component 315, or outdoor air 345 may be directly cooled by thermoelectric component, depending on the demand for cooling capacity, which may be based on user demand. The hybrid system 300 is preferably activated by a sensor 350, such as a temperature and air freshness sensor, for example a carbon dioxide sensor.

While the embodiment of fig. 5 illustrates a cooling mode, a similar combination of components may be used for heating. By changing the direction of the current flow in the thermoelectric component 315 and by changing the settings of the conventional system 305, the hybrid system 300 is shifted to a heating mode.

While the above disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the claims. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hybrid air conditioning system for conditioning a space containing several compartments, comprising:

a conventional air conditioning system to provide cooling and heating to the space;

at least one thermoelectric module disposed in one of several compartments partitioned into the space, the at least one thermoelectric module capable of heating in a heating mode and cooling in a cooling mode;

wherein the excess heat or cold generated by the at least one thermoelectric module is conducted to heat or cool other ones of the several compartments and thereby increase the efficiency of the conventional air conditioning system by reducing the demand for electrical power;

wherein the conventional air conditioning system is set at a temperature T₁And when the at least one thermoelectric module is set at a temperature T₂、T₂Greater than T₁Wherein residual cooling generated by the at least one thermoelectric module can be utilized by the conventional air conditioning system to reach the set temperature T₁(ii) a When the conventional air conditioning system is set at a temperature T₃And when the at least one thermoelectric module is set at a temperature T₄，T₄Less than T₃Wherein waste heat generated by the at least one thermoelectric module is usable by the conventional air conditioning system to reach the set temperature T₃。

2. The hybrid air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the conventional air conditioning system further comprises a compressor, an evaporator, a bar diffuser, and a thermostat.

3. The hybrid air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the hybrid air conditioning system further comprises a temperature sensor located within the conditioned space, the temperature sensor being capable of adjusting the amount of heating or cooling generated by the conventional air conditioning system in response to the excess heat or cold generated by the at least one electric heat module.

4. The hybrid air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein said at least one thermoelectric module is a plurality of thermoelectric modules, wherein each module is located in a space that is segregated from the other of said plurality of modules.

5. The hybrid air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of thermoelectric modules is adjustable for temperature.

6. A hybrid air conditioning system for conditioning a space containing several compartments, comprising:

a conventional air conditioning system to cool and heat the space; and

a thermoelectric air conditioning system to provide localized cooling and/or heating to a portion of the several compartments separated from the space, the thermoelectric air conditioning system having at least one thermoelectric module located in one of the several compartments, the at least one thermoelectric module capable of heating in a heating mode and cooling in a cooling mode;

wherein the thermoelectric air conditioning system is capable of increasing the efficiency of the conventional air conditioning system by conducting waste heat or cold from the at least one thermoelectric module to other ones of the several compartments, thereby utilizing the waste heat or cold generated by the hybrid air conditioning system and reducing the demand for electrical power by the conventional air conditioning system;

wherein the conventional air conditioning system is set at a temperature T₁And when the at least one thermoelectric module is set at a temperature T₂、T₂Is different from T₁Wherein waste heat or cold generated by the at least one thermoelectric module can be utilized by the conventional air conditioning system to reach the set temperature T₁。

7. The hybrid air conditioning system of claim 6, wherein the hybrid air conditioning system further comprises a plurality of thermoelectric modules.

8. The hybrid air conditioning system of claim 6, wherein the at least one thermoelectric module is located within a portion of the several compartments that separate the space.

9. The hybrid air conditioning system of claim 6, wherein the conventional air conditioning system further comprises a compressor, an evaporator, a bar diffuser, and a thermostat.

10. The hybrid air conditioning system of claim 6, wherein the hybrid air conditioning system further comprises a temperature sensor located within the conditioned space, the temperature sensor being capable of adjusting the amount of heating or cooling generated by the conventional air conditioning system in response to the excess heat or cold generated by the at least one electric heat module.