Heat Pump and Method of Heating Fluid

Abstract

A heat pump comprising an evaporator, a compressor and a heat exchanger is provided. The evaporator transfers heat from taken in air to a first fluid and expels the taken in air at a temperature cooler than ambient temperature. The compressor compresses and pumps the first fluid. The heat exchanger comprises a first passage for the heated compressed first fluid driven by the compressor and a second passage for a second fluid driven by thermal convection. A heat pump comprising a second heat exchanger that receives heated compressed first fluid from the compressor which heats compressed first fluid from the heat exchanger is also provided. Additionally, methods and systems for heating a fluid are also provided.

1 . A heat pump comprising an evaporator that transfers heat from taken in air to a first fluid and expels the taken in air that has exchanged heat at a temperature cooler than ambient temperature, a compressor for compressing and pumping the first fluid and an improved heat exchanger, the improvement residing in the improved heat exchanger comprising a first passage for the heated compressed first fluid driven by the compressor and a second passage for a second fluid driven by thermal convection. 
   
   
       2 . The heat pump according to  claim 1  wherein the taken in air is heated above ambient temperature by heat generated by normal operation of the evaporator and heat is transferred from the heated taken in air to the first fluid. 
   
   
       3 . The heat pump according to  claim 1  wherein the first passage and second passage are coaxial. 
   
   
       4 . The heat pump according to  claim 1  wherein the first passage and second passage are side by side. 
   
   
       5 . The heat pump according to  claim 1  wherein the first passage and second passage share a common wall. 
   
   
       6 . The heat pump according to  claim 5  wherein the common wall is ribbed. 
   
   
       7 . The heat pump according to  claim 5  wherein the common wall comprises a raised spiral. 
   
   
       8 . The heat pump according to  claim 1  wherein the evaporator further comprises a cooling loop. 
   
   
       9 . The heat pump according to  claim 8  wherein the cooling loop is positioned to be exposed to the air that has exchanged heat. 
   
   
       10 . The heat pump according to  claim 1  further comprising a second heat exchanger that receives heated compressed first fluid from the compressor and compressed first fluid from the heat exchanger. 
   
   
       11 . The heat pump according to  claim 10  wherein a valve controls flow of the first fluid from the compressor to the second heat exchanger. 
   
   
       12 . The heat pump according to  claim 10  wherein the second heat exchanger further comprises a third passage for heated compressed first fluid from the compressor and a fourth passage for compressed first fluid from the heat exchanger that has exchanged heat with the second fluid. 
   
   
       13 . The heat pump according to  claim 10  wherein the heated compressed first fluid from the compressor and the compressed first fluid from the heat exchanger mix in the second heat exchanger. 
   
   
       14 . The heat pump according to  claim 10  wherein the second heat exchanger further comprises an electrical element. 
   
   
       15 . The heat pump according to  claim 10  wherein a valve is positioned between the first heat exchanger and the evaporator to allow pressure of the first fluid to be reduced. 
   
   
       16 . The heat pump according to  claim 15  wherein the valve is a Tx valve. 
   
   
       17 . The heat pump according to  claim 10  wherein a capillary tube is positioned between the first heat exchanger and the evaporator to allow pressure of the first fluid to be reduce. 
   
   
       18 . The heat pump according to  claim 1  further comprising a storage tank filled with the second fluid. 
   
   
       19 . A water heater comprising a tank and a heat pump, the heat pump comprising an evaporator that transfers heat from taken in air to a first fluid and expels the taken in air that has exchanged heat at a cooler temperature, a compressor for compressing and pumping the heated first fluid and an improved heat exchanger, the improvement residing in the heat exchanger comprising a first passage for the heated compressed first fluid driven by the compressor and a second passage for a second fluid driven by thermal convection. 
   
   
       20 . A method of heating water including the steps of:
 taking ambient air in through an evaporator;   heating a first fluid in the evaporator with the taken in air;   expelling the taken in air as relatively cool air;   compressing the heated first fluid;   pumping the heated compressed first fluid through a heat exchanger; and   heating the water in the heat exchanger by exchanging heat from the heated compressed first fluid to the water whereby passage of the water is driven by thermal convection.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  further including the step of heating the first fluid with the heated compressed first fluid. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising reducing the pressure of the first fluid. 
   
   
       23 . A system for heating water comprising:
 a means for taking in ambient air, heating a first fluid with the taken in air and expelling the taken in air as relatively cooler air;   a means for compressing the heated first fluid and for pumping the heated compressed first fluid through a heat exchanger; and   a means for heating water;   
     wherein the water is heated by the heated compressed first fluid and the water is propelled by thermal convection. 
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 23  further comprising a means for heating the first fluid with the heated compressed first fluid. 
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 23  further comprising a means for reducing the pressure of the first fluid.