PRIORITY APPLICATION

[0001] The present disclosure claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/419,427 filed on 10/26/2022, the subject matter of which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] This disclosure is directed to an air conditioning system. As concerns grow about warming of the planet which, to some extent, is caused by consumption of energy derived from greenhouse gases and fossil fuels, numerous efforts are underway to develop alternate systems to reduce reliance on such consumption.

[0003] As temperatures become extreme, the need and demand for air conditioning has increased even in parts of the world where such need did not exist traditionally. Increased use of such systems is adding further to greenhouse emissions.

[0004] Example embodiments of the present disclosure provides an efficient, effective and a reliable method for air conditioning while reducing reliance on energy derived from fossil fuels.

SUMMARY

[0005] According to an example embodiment, an air conditioning system is disclosed. The air conditioning system comprises: a plurality of subsystems wherein a first one of the plurality of subsystems comprises a condenser, a liquid pump, a recuperator, a collector and an expander. The liquid pump receives liquid refrigerant from the condenser and pumps the liquid refrigerant to the recuperator, the recuperator heats the liquid refrigerant a first time that flows to the collector, the collector heats the liquid refrigerant a second time resulting in change of state of the liquid refrigerant to a vapor that flows to the expander, the expander releases energy from the vapor and the vapor flows to the recuperator where heat from the vapor is transferred and the vapor flows to the condenser and the condenser transfers heat from the vapor and changes state of the vapor to liquid.

[0006] A second one of the subsystems comprises the condenser, an air handler and a compressor. The air handler receives liquid refrigerant from the condenser and changes state of the refrigerant to a vapor and the vapor flows to the compressor, the compressor outputs the vapor to the condenser and the condenser transfers heat from the vapor and changes state of the vapor to liquid. Energy released from the expander is utilized to spin a shaft connected to the compressor.

[0007] According to another example embodiment, an air conditioning system is disclosed. The air conditioning system comprises: a plurality of subsystems each associated with a respective condenser. The first one of the subsystems comprises a first condenser, a liquid pump, a recuperator, a collector and an expander. The liquid pump receives liquid refrigerant from the first condenser and pumps the liquid refrigerant to the recuperator, the recuperator heats the liquid refrigerant a first time and the liquid refrigerant flows to a collector, the collector heats the liquid refrigerant a second time resulting in change of state of the liquid refrigerant to a vapor and the vapor flows to the expander, the expander releases energy from the vapor and the vapor flows to the recuperator where heat from the vapor is transferred and the vapor is returned to the first condenser, and the condenser transfers heat from the vapor and changes state of the vapor to liquid.

[0008] The second one of the subsystems comprises a second condenser, an air handler and a compressor. The air handler receives liquid refrigerant from the second condenser and changes state of the refrigerant to a vapor and the vapor flows to the compressor, the compressor returns the vapor to the second condenser, and the second condenser transfers heat from the vapor and changes state of the vapor to liquid. Energy released from the expander is utilized to spin a shaft connected to the compressor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The several features, objects, and advantages of example embodiments will be understood by reading this description in conjunction with the drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. In the drawings:

[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates an air conditioning system with a collector in conjunction with an expander according to an example embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates an air conditioning system with multiple expanders according to an example embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates an air conditioning system with a heat exchanger according to an example embodiment;

[0013] FIGs. 4 to 8 illustrate air conditioning systems with a collector in conjunction with a compressor according example embodiments;

[0014] FIGs. 9 and 10 illustrate an air conditioning system with a hybrid PV collector according example embodiments; and

[0015] FIG. 11 illustrates an air conditioning system with multiple condensers according to an example embodiment;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] In the following description, numerous specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments. The embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the example embodiments.

[0017] Reference throughout this specification to an “example embodiment" or “example embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic as described is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of these terms and similar phrases in various places throughout this specification arc not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments. [0018] A system in accordance with an example embodiment is described with reference to FIG. 1. System 100 includes a condenser 105 connected to a plurality of "sub-systems" 100A and 100B.

[0019] Sub-system 100A can include, but is not limited to, receiver 115, liquid pump 130, recuperator 140, collector 150 and expander 160. Sub-system 100B can include, but is not limited to, air handler 170 and compressor 180. The sub-systems may be "connected" by shaft 190.

[0020] Sub-system 100A can provide energy to supplement or replace the energy needed to operate Sub-system 100B via shaft 190 as described below.

[0021] Sub-systems 100A and 100B are illustrated as being non-overlapping with a common shaft in system 100. In some embodiments, as illustrated and described further below, some components (additional to the shaft) may be common to, or utilized by, both sub-systems. The division of the system into multiple (i.e. two) sub-systems is provided to illustrate the flow from condenser along two separate paths.

[0022] Liquid refrigerant from condenser 110 can flow via a receiver 115 to a liquid pump 130. Receiver 115 may function as a reservoir or an accumulator that can remove any air pockets or bubbles in the refrigerant for example.

[0023] The liquid can be "pumped" to a recuperator 140. Heat may be added to the liquid refrigerant in recuperator 140 (dashed line between B and C) which then flows to collector 150. Collector 150 can be a solar thermal collector for example. The source of the heat added in the recuperator is described below. Collector 150 heats the liquid further and changes state to vapor. The vapor can then flow to expander 160. Expander 160 can be a high temperature (HT) expander for example. Energy released from expansion of the vapor within expander 160 can spin shaft 190.

[0024] The vapor output from the expander 160 may then flow thru recuperator 140 (dashed line between E and F) in which heat from the vapor may be transferred. The transferred heat may be added to the liquid refrigerant as it passes thru the recuperator 140 (dashed line between B and C). The vapor output from the recuperator may then flow back to condenser 105. The vapor changes state to liquid in the condenser due to heat transfer (hot condenser vapor heat to outside air) resulting in reduced temperature. The process may then be repeated. [0025] In sub-system 100B, liquid refrigerant from condenser 105 may flow to air handler 170. The refrigerant may change state to vapor. The vapor then flows to compressor 180. The vapor exits the compressor 180 at a higher temperature and pressure. The compressed vapor may then flow back to condenser 105. As heat is transferred/removed in/by condenser 105, the temperature of the vapor decreases and the vapor changes state to liquid. The process may then be repeated.

[0026] The spinning of the shaft 190 from energy released from expander 160 can be used to operate the compressor 180 instead of the backup electrical motor/generator (i.e. supplement other sources of energy for the compressor such as electricity for example). Expander 160 can be a single or a multi-stage expander. The compressor 180 can include a backup electrical motor/generator and clutch system.

[0027] Each of systems 200 to 1000 in corresponding FIGs. 2 to 10 illustrate variations of the system 100 of FIG. 1. For each of these systems, these variations are described without repeating the description of common features highlighted above with reference to system 100 of FIG. 1.

[0028] In sub-system 200A of system 200 of FIG. 2, the vapor output from recuperator 240 (dashed line between E and F) can flow to a second expander ("Expander2") 263. Expander 263 can be a low temperature (LT) expander for example. Energy from second expander 263 can provide additional energy for spinning shaft 290. Vapor from second expander 263 can be returned to condenser 205. Second expander 263 of system 200 is in addition to first expander 260 ("Expanderl"). First expander 260 is similar to in functionality to expander 160 in system 100 of FIG. 1 - it can be a high temperature (HT) expander. In an example embodiment, a second recuperator (not illustrated) can be included between expander 263 and condenser 205 which can remove/transfer heat from the vapor. The second recuperator can receive the liquid refrigerant from pump 230 and add heat (transferred from the vapor flowing between expander 263 and condenser 205) prior to the heated liquid refrigerant flowing to recuperator 240.

[0029] In sub-system 300B of system 300 of FIG. 3, the vapor output from compressor 380 can flow thru a heat exchanger 362 prior to flowing back to condenser 305. The energy from the heat exchanger 362 can provide additional source of electrical energy to spin shaft 390 and/or can be used to heat water. [0030] In system 400 of FIG. 4, the collector 450 is associated with both the first and second subsystems. The output of recuperator 440 (along path C) flows to the collector 450 and 464 to absorb more heat (and change state to vapor) prior to flowing thru heat exchanger 464 and to the expander 460. The output of the expander can transfer heat in/to the recuperator 440 and in/to the heat exchanger 462 (which can be used to heat water for example) prior to returning to condenser 405.

[0031] In sub-system 400B of system 400 of FIG. 4, the output of the compressor 480 flows to collector 450 to add further heat to the liquid received from recuperator 440 (along path C-D and changing state to vapor) as described above. The flow from compressor 480 thru collector 450 returns to condenser 405.

[0032] In sub-system 500B of system 500 of FIG. 5. a thermal storage and heat exchanger 566 may be substituted for heat exchanger 464 (of FIG. 4). In some embodiments, collector 550 can also be another heat source such as a boiler for example.

[0033] System 600 of FIG. 6 varies from system 500 of FIG. 5 by including a heat exchanger 664 between thermal storage and heat exchanger 666 (in sub-system 600B) and condenser 605 (as opposed to having heat exchanger 562 between recuperator 540 in sub-system 500A and condenser 105 of FIG. 5). In some embodiments, collector 650 can also be another heat source such as a boiler for example.

[0034] System 700 of FIG. 7 varies from system 600 of FIG. 6 by replacing the heat exchanger 662 with a dual heat exchanger 768 that is common to both of sub-systems 700A and 700B. In some embodiments, collector 750 can also be another heat source such as a boiler for example. As with systems 400 and 500 of FIGs. 4 and 5 above, the output of recuperator 640 in system 600 of FIG. 6 and the output of recuperator 740 in system 700 of FIG. 7 can pass thru collectors 650 and 750 respectively before flowing thru heat exchangers 666 and 766 respetively. [0035] System 800 of FIG. 8 utilizes a collector 850 that is common to both of subsystems 800A and 800B. In sub-system 800A, liquid from condenser 805 is accumulated via receiver 815 and flows to liquid pump 830. The liquid then flows to recuperator 840. Heat is added to the liquid in recuperator 840, in thermal storage 865 and in collector 850 after which the state changes to vapor. The vapor then flows to expander 860. The energy from the expander 860 spins shaft 890. The vapor output from the condenser 860 flows to the recuperator 840 in which heat from the vapor is transferred. The vapor then flows to the condenser 805 to repeat the cycle. In some embodiments, collector 850 can also be another heat source such as a boiler for example.

[0036] In sub-system 800B, vapor output from the compressor 880 flows to collector 855 to further add heat and this vapor then flows to thermal storage 865 prior to being returned to condenser 805 and the cycle is repeated.

[0037] System 900 of FIG. 9 varies from system 100 of FIG. 1 by the utilization of a hybrid PV collector 950 (substituting for collector 150 of FIG. 1). The hybrid panel collector can be a photo-voltaic (PV) portion (PV cells for example) overlaid on the solar thermal collector for example.

[0038] The photovoltaic portion of the hybrid can provide power to one or more (or any combination) of the condenser 905, liquid pump 930, air handler 970 and any other component that needs power to function. The power can be provided directly or via a battery 998.

[0039] System of 1000 of FIG. 10 varies from system of 200 of FIG. 2 by providing the vapor from the recuperator 1440 (dashed line between E and F) to a second expander 1463. Expander 1463 can be a low temperature (LT) expander for example. Energy from LT expander 1463 can provide energy for spinning a shaft 1495 connected to a generator 1467. The power from generator 1467 can provide power to one or more (or in any combination) of the dual condenser 1405, liquid pump 1430 and air handler 1470 directly or via a battery 1498.

[0040] In each of systems 100 to 1000 of FIGs. 1 to 10 above, the condenser uses a single fluid that can circulate/flow thru both sub-systems. An example of such fluid is R1336MZZ. This fluid provides design, operating and environmental benefits. The design and operating benefits include lower system pressures resulting in lower cost and a safer working environment without the fear of over pressurization/burst. The environment benefits include reducing the Global Warming Potential (GWP) to equal or less than 2.

[0041] In some embodiments, multiple condensers can be utilized. As illustrated in FIG. 11, a system 1100 utilizing a dual condenser 1105 may comprise two "sub-systems" - a first subsystem 1100A can be associated with a first condenser 1110 ("Condenserl) and a second subsystem 1100B can be associated with a second condenser 1120 ("Condenser2"). The first condenser can be an Organic Rankin Cycle (ORC) condenser for example. [0042] The second condenser can be a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) condenser for example. Sub-system 1100A can include, but is not limited to, receiver 1115, liquid pump 1130, recuperator 1140, collector 1150 and expander 1160. Sub-system 1100B can include, but is not limited to, air handler 1170 and compressor 1180. The subsystems may be "connected" by shaft 1190.

[0043] Dual condenser 1105 can operate both condensers using one fan/blower and power source. Dual condenser 1105. Sub-system 1100A can provide energy to supplement or replace the energy needed to operate Sub-system 1100B via a shaft as described below.

[0044] In system 1100 of FIG. 11, liquid refrigerant from first condenser 1110 can flow via a receiver 1115 to a liquid pump 1130. Receiver 1115 functions as a reservoir or an accumulator that can remove any air pockets or bubbles in the refrigerant for example.

[0045] The liquid can be "pumped" to a recuperator 1140. Heat may be added to the liquid refrigerant in recuperator 1140 (dashed line between B and C) which then flows to collector 1150. The source of the heat added in the recuperator is described below. Collector 1150 (such as a solar collector for example) heats the liquid further and changes state to vapor. The vapor can then flow to expander 1160. Expander 1160 can be a high temperature (HT) expander for example. Energy released from expansion of the vapor within expander 1160 can spin shaft 1190.

[0046] The vapor output from the expander may then flow thru recuperator 1140 (dashed line between E and F) in which heat from the vapor may be removed. The heat that is removed may be added to the liquid refrigerant as it passes thru the recuperator 1140 (dashed line between B and C). The vapor output from the recuperator may then flow to the first condenser 1110. The vapor changes state to liquid in the first condenser due to heat transfer (hot condenser vapor heat to outside air) resulting in reduced temperature (and the process is repeated).

[0047] Liquid refrigerant from second condenser 1120 may flow to air handler 1170.

The refrigerant may change state to vapor. The vapor then flows to compressor 1180. The vapor exits the compressor at a higher temperature and pressure. The compressed vapor may then flow to the second condenser 1120. As heat is removed in/by the second condenser 1120, the temperature of the vapor decreases and the vapor changes state to liquid and the process is repeated. [0048] The spinning of the shaft 1190 from energy released from expander 1160 can be used to operate the compressor 1180 (i.c. supplement other sources of energy for the compressor such as electricity for example). The expander can be a single stage expander or a multi-stage expander.

[0049] In each of FIGs. 1 to 11, the letters within ovals (such as A, B, . . . , M for example) are included to indicate a point between various elements. The state of the refrigerant, temperature and pressure can be measured at each of these points for example. Non-limiting examples of pressure and temperature values for system 100 of FIG. 1 are listed in Table 1 below.

Table 1

[0050] Systems as illustrated and described above can generate electricity in addition to providing the electrical energy for operating the air conditioner associated with the HVAC circuit. Electricity can also be generated without having an associated air conditioner. Heat generated in the ORC circuit can be used directly to provide heating.

[0051] Further, in the description and the appended claims the meaning of "comprising" is not to be understood as excluding other elements or steps. Further, "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality, and a single unit may fulfill the functions of several means recited in the claims.

[0052] The above description of illustrated embodiments and what is described in the Abstract below, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. Although specific embodiments of and examples are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as will be recognized by those skilled in relevant art. Such modifications are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

[0053] The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary, to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.