Thermal mass integration for heat pump

Abstract

Embodiments described herein include systems, devices, and methods for improved heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. In some embodiments, a system includes a housing, a thermal mass unit disposed in the housing and configured to thermally couple to a room side of a heat pump that is disposed outside of the housing, and a thermal coupling device coupled to the thermal mass unit and configured to transfer heat between the thermal mass unit and the room side of the heat pump. In some embodiments, the system can further include a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the thermal mass unit and the thermal coupling device. In some embodiments, the heat exchanger can transfer heat between the thermal mass unit and the thermal coupling device.

1 . A system, comprising:
 a housing;   a thermal mass unit disposed in the housing and configured to thermally couple to a room side of a heat pump that is disposed outside of the housing; and   a thermal coupling device at least partially disposed outside of the housing that is coupled to the thermal mass unit and configured to transfer heat between the thermal mass unit and the room side of the heat pump.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a heat exchanger thermally coupled to and configured to transfer heat between the thermal mass unit and the thermal coupling device.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat between the thermal coupling device and the room side of the heat pump.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal mass unit includes a space heating radiator. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising thermal insulation disposed between the thermal mass and the housing. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured to be retrofitted to a space heating radiator. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a fan configured to induce forced convective heat transfer between the thermal mass unit and an indoor environment. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal coupling device is removably coupled to the room side of the heat pump. 
     
     
         12 .- 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat pump further includes an exterior side exposed to an outdoor environment. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured to be retrofitted to a space heating radiator. 
     
     
         16 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pump configured to move fluid through the thermal coupling device to carry heat between the room side of the heat pump and the thermal mass unit. 
     
     
         19 . A system, comprising:
 a heat pump having an internal side exposed to an indoor environment; and   a thermal coupling device coupled to the heat pump and configured to transfer heat between the internal side of the heat pump and a thermal mass unit spaced apart from the heat pump.   
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a heat exchanger configured to be thermally coupled to the room side of the heat pump and configured to transfer heat between the room side of the heat pump and the thermal coupling device.   
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a housing spaced apart from the heat pump; and   the thermal mass unit disposed within the housing.   
     
     
         24 .- 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a heat exchanger configured to be thermally coupled to the room side of the heat pump and configured to transfer heat between the room side of the heat pump and the thermal coupling device.   
     
     
         27 .- 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising a pump configured to move fluid through the thermal coupling device to carry heat between the room side of the heat pump and the and the thermal mass unit. 
     
     
         30 . A system, comprising:
 a heat pump having an internal side exposed to an indoor environment;   a housing disposed apart from the heat pump;   a thermal mass unit disposed in the housing; and   a thermal coupling device coupled to the thermal mass unit and the internal side of the heat pump, the thermal coupling device configured to transfer heat between the thermal mass unit and the internal side of the heat pump.   
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 30 , further comprising a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the thermal coupling device and the thermal mass unit, the heat exchanger configured to transfer heat between the thermal coupling device and the thermal mass unit. 
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 30 , further comprising a pump configured to move fluid through the thermal coupling device to carry heat between the internal side of the heat pump and the thermal mass unit. 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 30 , further comprising a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the thermal coupling device and the thermal mass unit, the heat exchanger configured to transfer heat between the thermal coupling device and the thermal mass unit. 
     
     
         37 . (canceled)