Heating system

Abstract

A heat exchange system and apparatus comprising: a compressor to compress a refrigerant, a first condenser heat exchanger to which the compressed refrigerant is supplied and at which heat is transferred from the refrigerant to water in a hot water cylinder; an expansion valve that receives cooled liquid refrigerant from the first heat exchanger; a thermodynamic panel including a second heat exchanger heat that receives cool refrigerant from the expansion valve and is in thermal communication with an environmental heat source.

1 . A heat exchange system comprising: a compressor to compress a refrigerant, a first condenser heat exchanger to which the compressed refrigerant is supplied and at which heat is transferred from the refrigerant to water from a hot water cylinder; an expansion valve that receives cooled liquid refrigerant from the first heat exchanger; a thermodynamic panel including a second heat exchanger heat that receives cool refrigerant from the expansion valve and is in thermal communication with an environmental heat source. 
     
     
         2 . A heat exchange system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the condenser heat exchanger has two flow paths in thermal communication, a first flow path for refrigerant and a second flow path for water from the hot water cylinder. 
     
     
         3 . A heat exchange system as claimed in  claim 2  wherein water is pumped from the hot water cylinder through the second flow path and back to the cylinder by a circulating pump. 
     
     
         4 . A heat exchange system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the condenser heat exchanger is a block or thermally conductive material with circuitous flow paths formed therein. 
     
     
         5 . A heat exchange system as claimed  claim 1  which also includes one or more of and accumulator or receiver, a filter, a drier, a sight glass or moisture indicator. 
     
     
         6 . A heat exchange system as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the circulating pump operates with a with time delay functionality. 
     
     
         7 . A heat exchange system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the condenser heat exchanger is orientated in a way to self-drain the water therefrom as required. 
     
     
         8 . A heat exchange system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein an air bleed valve assembly is provided to remove the air from the system. 
     
     
         9 . A heat exchange system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a solenoid valve or actuator and control device open/close the refrigeration circuit in a second panel depending on the conditions. 
     
     
         10 . A heat exchange system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the second heat exchanger is a fin-tube evaporator installed outdoor or as part of a combined unit. 
     
     
         11 . A heat exchange system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein a fan is provided to pass air over the evaporator. 
     
     
         12 . Heat exchanger apparatus for use in a system as claimed in  claim 1  comprising the compressor; the first condenser heat exchanger; an expansion valve that receives cooled liquid refrigerant from the first heat exchanger; means to pump water to and from the hot water cylinder through the first condenser heat exchanger; and means to connect to the thermodynamic panel in thermal communication with an environmental heat source. 
     
     
         13 . Heat exchanger apparatus as claimed in  claim 12  in which all the components are mounted inside a single unit. 
     
     
         14 . Heat exchanger apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the compressor is mounted in such a way as to absorb or minimise vibration or noise. 
     
     
         15 . Heat exchanger apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the single unit is mounted in such a way as to absorb or minimise vibration or noise.