Solar heating and central air conditioning with heat recovery system

Abstract

The present invention discloses a solar heating and cooling central air-conditioning with a heat recovery system. The system includes a solar heating subsystem for providing supplementary energy to a heat pump, a buffer water tank for storing and minimizing energy loss, a domestic water heater for recovering unused heat, and an air handler ventilation and exchanger subsystem. All parts of the system are connected by antifreeze circulation pipes. The present invention combines the solar technology with the heat pump technology, making it work in extreme cold climate. The system is high energy efficient, versatile, safe, reliable, intelligent and flexible in installation.

1 . A heat pump heating and cooling system for working in a heating or cooling mode comprising:
 a first heat transfer medium;   a heat pump control subsystem comprising a compressor, an evaporator, a condenser and an expansion valve, containing the first heat transfer medium therein and adapted to operate in a heating or cooling mode;   a first heat exchanger connected to a buffer water tank for transferring heat between the first heat transfer medium contained in the heat pump control subsystem and a second heat transfer medium contained in the buffer water tank;   a second heat exchanger connected to a solar heat subsystem and adapted for providing supplementary heat to said heat pump control subsystem in the heating mode; and   a third heat exchanger connected to a domestic water heater and adapted for transferring heat produced from the said heat pump control subsystem to the domestic water heater;   whereby said buffer water tank containing an inlet and an outlet adapted to connect to one or more fan coil units carrying a flow of the second heat transfer medium for heat delivery.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first heat transfer medium is one of the R-410A, R-744 and R600. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second heat transfer medium is water or anti-freeze fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first heat exchanger is adapted to be installed inside the buffer water tank. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first heat exchanger is adapted to be installed inside the heat pump control subsystem. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the solar heat subsystem is a solar heat collecting panel or a whole house solar heating system. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the solar heat subsystem is a whole house solar thermoelectric integrated system. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the solar heat subsystem is connected to the buffer water tank and adapted to provide supplementary heat to said heat pump control subsystem. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a control circuit is adapted to maintain the temperature of the second heat transfer medium contained in the buffer water tank within a first preset range. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the control circuit is adapted to control operation of one or more fan coil units to maintain interior temperature within a second preset range. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the control circuit is adapted to estimate a start time based on past usage of the system and kick-start the heat pump control subsystem at a predefined interval time before said estimated start time. 
     
     
         12 . A heat pump heating and cooling system for working in a heating or cooling mode comprising:
 a first heat transfer medium;   a heat pump control subsystem comprising a compressor, an evaporator, a condenser and an expansion valve, containing the first heat transfer medium therein and adapted to operate in a heating or cooling mode;   a first heat exchanger connected to a buffer water tank for transferring heat between the first heat transfer medium contained in the heat pump control subsystem and a second heat transfer medium contained in the buffer water tank;   a second heat exchanger connected to a domestic water heater and adapted for transferring heat produced from said heat pump control subsystem to the domestic water heater;   whereby said buffer water tank containing an inlet and an outlet adapted to connect to one or more fan coil units carrying a flow of the second heat transfer medium for heat delivery.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the first heat transfer medium is one of the R-410A, R-744 and R600. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the second heat transfer medium is water or anti-freeze fluid. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the first heat exchanger is adapted to be installed inside the heat pump control subsystem. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising a solar heat subsystem adapted to provide supplementary heat to the heat pump control subsystem in the heating mode. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising a solar heat subsystem connected to the buffer water tank and adapted to provide supplementary heat to the second heat transfer medium contained therein. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising a control circuit is adapted to maintain the temperature of the second heat transfer medium contained in the buffer water tank within a first preset range. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the control circuit is adapted to control operation of one or more fan coil units to maintain interior temperature within a second preset range. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the control circuit is adapted to estimate a start time based on past usage of the system and kick-start the system at a predefined interval time before said estimated start time. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising a plurality of pipes carrying flow of the second heat transfer medium, wherein at least one of the plurality of pipes is made of PVC/copper or PVC/stainless steel composite material.