Modular heat pump

Claim 2

A modular heat pump comprising a plurality of heat exchange modules each including two heat exchange units employed selectively and alternatively as condensers and evaporators, control means for each heat exchange module for selecting the mode of operation of each of the heat exchange units in the module, and a single refrigerant compressor motor unit communicated with each of the modules for supplying pressurized refrigerant and circulating the refrigerant through each module, each heat exchange module including a supporting structure independent of the other modules thereby enabling the number of modules in the heat pump to be varied.

Claim 3

The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein one heat exchange unit in each module is provided with ambient air circulating means to enable the ambient air and the refrigerant passing through the heat exchange unit to be in heat exchange relation to each other, the other heat exchange unit in each module including pump means pumping liquid in heat exchange relation to the refrigerant in the heat exchange unit for enabling the liquid being pumped to be maintained at a selected temperature at, above or below ambient air temperature.

Claim 4

A modular heat pump comprising a plurality of heat exchange modules each including two heat exchange units employed selectively and alternatively as condensers and evaporators, control means for each heat exchange module for selecting the mode of operation of each of the heat exchange units in the module, and a single refrigerant compressor motor unit communicated with each of the modules for supplying pressurized refrigerant and circulating the refrigerant through each module, one heat exchange unit in each module being provided with ambient air circulating means to enable the ambient air and the refrigerant passing through the heat exchange unit to be in heat exchange relation to each other, the other heat exchange unit in each module including pump means pumping liquid in heat exchange relation to the refrigerant in the heat exchange unit for enabling the liquid being pumped to be maintained at a selected temperature at, above or below ambient air temperature.

Claim 5

A modular heat pump comprising a plurality of heat exchange modules each including two heat exchange units employed selectively and alternatively as condensers and evaporators, control means for each heat exchange module for selecting the mode of operation of each of the heat exchange units in the module, and a single refrigerant compressor motor unit communicated with each of the modules for supplying pressurized refrigerant and circulating the refrigerant through each module, one heat exchange unit in each module being provided with ambient air circulating means to enable the ambient air and the refrigerant passing through the heat exchange unit to be in heat exchange relation to each other, the other heat exchange unit in each module including pump means pumping liquid in heat exchange relation to the refrigerant in the heat exchange unit for enabling the liquid being pumped to be maintained at a selected temperature at, above or below ambient air temperature.

Claim 6

The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein said control means includes a reversing valve to selectively direct the flow of refrigerant from the compressor motor unit to a selected heat exchange unit in each module and selectively return refrigerant from one of the heat exchange units of each module whereby the heat exchange units in each module are selectively and alternatively employed as evaporators and condensers.

Claim 7

The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said supporting structure includes an independent supporting base for each module, and a connecting structural member interconnecting said bases for maintaining them in assembled relation, each of said bases including a subbase spaced below the base and providing space therebetween for passage of circulating conduits for liquid, one of the heat exchange units of each module being disposed in a circulating conduit disposed in the space between the subbase and base.

Claim 8

The structure as defined in claim 5 wherein the other of said conduits in which the liquid circulates includes a temperature sensing means to control the heat exchange unit in said one conduit to enable liquid passing through the conduits to be maintained at a predetermined temperature.

Claim 9

The structure as defined in claim 6 wherein each heat exchange module includes a separate electrically driven pump for circulating liquid in relation to the heat exchange unit in said one conduit.

Claim 10

The structure as defined in claim 7 wherein one heat exchange unit in each module is provided with ambient air circulating means to enable the ambient air and the refrigerant passing through the heat exchange unit to be in heat exchange relation to each other, the other heat exchange unit in each module including pump means pumping liquid in heat exchange relation to the refrigerant in the heat exchange unit for enabling the liquid being pumped to be maintained at a selected temperature at, above or below ambient air temperature, said control means including a reversing valve to selectively direct the flow of refrigerant from the compressor motor unit to a selected heat exchange unit in each module and selectively return refrigerant from one of the heat exchange units of each module whereby the heat exchange units in each module are selectively and alternatively employed as evaporators and condensers.

Claim 11

A modular heat pump comprising a compressor motor unit, a plurality of heat exchange modules connected with said compressor motor unit for circulating refrigerant, and means supporting said modules in predetermined relation to each other and the compressor motor unit to enable variation in the number of modules in the heat pump, each heat exchange module including a heat exchange unit using ambient air as a heat exchange medium and a heat exchange unit using liquid as a heat exchange medium, reversing valve means selectively communicating the compressor motor unit with the heat exchange units whereby the heat exchange units are selectively used as evaporative or condensing heat exchange unit, said heat exchange unit using liquid heat exchange medium including a circulating pump, an intake conduit and a discharge conduit communicating with the liquid heat exchange medium, and a heat exchange means disposed in the discharge conduit.

Claim 12

A modular heat pump comprising a compressor motor unit, a plurality of heat exchange modules connected with said compressor motor unit for circulating refrigerant, and means supporting said modules in predetermined relation to each other and the compressor motor unit to enable variation in the number of modules in the heat pump, each heat exchange module including a heat exchange unit using ambient air as a heat exchange medium and a heat exchange unit using liquid as a heat exchange medium, reversing valve means selectively communicating the compressor motor unit with the heat exchange units whereby the heat exchange units are selectively used as evaporative or condensing heat exchange unit, said heat exchange unit using liquid heat exchange medium including a circulating pump, an intake conduit and a discharge conduit communicating with the liquid heat exchange medium, and a heat exchange means disposed in the discharge conduit.

Claim 13

The structure as defined in claim 9 wherein said intake conduit includes temperature sensing probe controlling operation of the reversing valve means to maintain the liquid temperature at, above or below ambient temperature.

Claim 14

The structure as defined in claim 10 wherein said heat exchange unit using ambient air heat exchange medium includes a coil and fin type heat exchanger, a fan and motor assembly orientated for inducing air flow past the heat exchanger, said heat exchanger, fan and motor assembly and circulating pump being mounted in alignment on a supporting base with the supporting bases of the plurality of modules being disposed in side by side relation.

Claim 15

A modular heat pump comprising a plurality of heaT exchange modules with each module including two heat exchange units employed selectively and alternatively as condensers and evaporators, a single refrigerant compressor motor unit communicated with each of the modules for supplying pressurized gaseous refrigerant and circulating the refrigerant through each module, control means for each heat exchange module for controlling the mode of operation of each heat exchange unit in the module, the number of heat exchange modules being variable with each heat exchange module being independent of the other modules, and different heat exchange mediums associated with the heat exchange units in each module whereby one heat exchange medium may be maintained at a predetermined temperature.

Claim 16

A modular heat pump comprising a plurality of heaT exchange modules with each module including two heat exchange units employed selectively and alternatively as condensers and evaporators, a single refrigerant compressor motor unit communicated with each of the modules for supplying pressurized gaseous refrigerant and circulating the refrigerant through each module, control means for each heat exchange module for controlling the mode of operation of each heat exchange unit in the module, the number of heat exchange modules being variable with each heat exchange module being independent of the other modules, and different heat exchange mediums associated with the heat exchange units in each module whereby one heat exchange medium may be maintained at a predetermined temperature.