Vapor compression system with thermal energy storage

Abstract

A system is provided including a vapor compression cycle. The vapor compression cycle includes an operably coupled compressor, condenser, first expansion device, and evaporator through which a refrigerant circulates. A thermal energy storage unit includes a heat exchanger arranged within a phase change material. The heat exchanger is fluidly coupled to the vapor compression cycle with a plurality of conduits and valves such that refrigerant flows through the heat exchanger in a heat transfer relationship with the phase change material. When the system is in a first mode, the heat exchanger is configured to function similar to the evaporator and the phase change material is configured to store thermal energy. When the system is in a second mode, the heat exchanger is configured to function similar to the condenser and the phase change material is configured to release thermal energy.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a vapor compression cycle including an operably coupled compressor, condenser, first expansion device, and evaporator through which a refrigerant circulates; and   a thermal energy storage unit including a heat exchanger arranged within a phase change material, the heat exchanger being fluidly coupled to the vapor compression cycle with a plurality of conduits and valves such that refrigerant flows through the heat exchanger in a heat transfer relationship with the phase change material, wherein when the HVAC&R system is in a first mode, the heat exchanger is configured to replace to the evaporator and the phase change material is configured to store thermal energy, wherein when the HVAC&R system is in a second mode, the heat exchanger is configured to replace the condenser and the phase change material is configured to release thermal energy.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the vapor compression system includes at least three valves. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein a first inlet conduit and a second inlet conduit extend from an outlet of the condenser to an inlet of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the first inlet conduit includes a valve. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the second inlet conduit includes a second expansion device. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein a first outlet conduit extends from an outlet of the heat exchanger to the first expansion device of the vapor compression cycle and a second outlet conduit extends from the outlet of the heat exchanger to an inlet of the compressor. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the first outlet conduit and the second outlet conduit includes a valve. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the first outlet conduit includes a first valve and the second outlet conduit includes a second valve. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the condenser includes a fan and when the phase change material is configured to release thermal energy, the fan is inoperable. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein when the system is in a third mode, the heat exchanger is configured to function similar to the evaporator and the phase change material is configured to store thermal energy, and a first portion of the refrigerant is configured to flow through the thermal energy storage unit, and a second portion of the refrigerant flows through the vapor compression cycle to provide air of a desired temperature to a space. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the thermal energy storage unit includes a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger arranged within the phase change material. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein refrigerant flows through the first heat exchanger when the system is in the first mode and refrigerant flows through the second heat exchanger when the system is in the second mode. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12 , where a flow of refrigerant through the first heat exchanger is controlled independently of the flow of refrigerant through the second heat exchanger. 
     
     
         14 . A system comprising:
 a water source;   a water demand; and   a thermal energy storage unit including a first heat exchanger arranged within a phase change material, the first heat exchanger being fluidly coupled to the water source and the water demand such that water flows through the first heat exchanger in a heat transfer relationship with the phase change material.   
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the phase change material is configured to store thermal energy. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 14 , further comprising a pump configured to circulate water from the water supply through the heat exchanger and to the water demand. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a vapor compression cycle including an operably coupled compressor, condenser, first expansion device, and evaporator through which a refrigerant circulates, wherein the at least heat exchanger is fluidly coupled to the vapor compression cycle with a plurality of conduits and valves such that refrigerant is configured to flow through the heat exchanger in a heat transfer relationship with the phase change material.   
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the phase change material is configured to transfer thermal energy from the refrigerant to the water. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein when the HVAC&R system is in a first mode, the heat exchanger is configured to function similar to the evaporator and the phase change material is configured to store thermal energy. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein when the HVAC&R system is in a second mode, the heat exchanger is configured to function similar to the condenser and the phase change material is configured to release thermal energy.