Heat pump system with dehumidification

Abstract

This disclosure relates generally to a system to dehumidify and alternately heat or cool a first space. For example, embodiments of the present disclosure supply air to enclosed and/or controlled environments, where the air is supplied with a desired temperature and/or humidity. Some embodiments of the present disclosure dynamically maintain the desired temperature and/or humidity of the enclosed and/or controlled environment. Embodiments of the present disclosure selectively engage an operational mode to provide or dynamically maintain the desired temperature and/or humidity of the enclosed and/or controlled environment. The system includes an indoor unit with a first coil and a second coil. The first indoor coil and the second indoor coil are in fluid communication. A control module is in electrical communication with the indoor unit and a plurality of solenoid valves to control a position of the solenoid valves between an open position and a closed position.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A system to dehumidify and alternately heat or cool a first space, the system comprising:
 an outdoor unit comprising an outdoor heat exchanger, the outdoor heat exchanger comprising an outdoor coil and a fan;   an indoor unit comprising:   a first indoor heat exchanger, the first indoor heat exchanger comprising a first indoor coil and a fan, the first indoor coil operable as a condenser in a heating mode or an evaporator in a cooling mode,   a second indoor heat exchanger, the second indoor heat exchanger comprising a second indoor coil, wherein the first indoor coil and the second indoor coil are in fluid communication;   a first refrigeration line from the first indoor coil to the outdoor coil, the first refrigerant line to transport refrigerant from the first indoor coil to the outdoor coil when the first indoor coil is operating as an evaporator;   a compressor in fluid communication with the first refrigeration line, the compressor for pressurizing gaseous refrigerant when the first indoor coil is operating as an evaporator;   a second refrigeration line from the outdoor coil to the first indoor coil, the second refrigeration line in communication with the first refrigeration line and an expansion valve, the expansion valve for reducing the pressure of the gaseous refrigerant when the first indoor coil is operating as an evaporator, the second refrigeration line to provide liquid refrigerant to the first indoor coil;   a third refrigeration line from the outdoor coil to the second indoor coil, the third refrigeration line to provide liquid refrigerant to the second indoor coil; and   wherein the second indoor coil is in communication with a fan to blow hot air from the second indoor coil, mixed with cool air from the first indoor coil, into the first space to dehumidify the first space.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the compressor is located within the outdoor unit and wherein the outdoor unit further comprises a reversing valve. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of monitors installed within the first space. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a control module in electrical communication with the plurality of monitors, wherein the control module controls an operational mode of the system based on signals received from at least one of the plurality of monitors. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of solenoid valves, one of the plurality of solenoid valves disposed along one of the first, second, or third refrigeration lines. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a control module in electrical communication with the plurality of solenoid valves. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a control module in electrical communication with the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a user interface in electrical communication with the control module, the user interface allowing a user to select a desired temperature and/or humidity for the first space. 
     
     
         9 . A method to dehumidify and alternately heat or cool a first space, the method comprising:
 achieving a temperature for the first space; and   achieving a humidity level for the first space without changing the temperature for the first space.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein achieving a humidity level for the first space comprises:
 cooling a first coil;   passing air over the cooled first coil, causing water to condense from the air and produce dehumidified air;   passing air over a hot second coil, neutralizing the dehumidified air; and   directing the neutralized air to the first space.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the steps are taken in the following order:
 passing air over the cooled first coil, causing water to condense from the air and produce dehumidified air;   passing air over a hot second coil, neutralizing the dehumidified air; and   directing the neutralized air to the first space.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 monitoring a humidity level for the first space; and 
 monitoring a temperature for the first space. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein each of the humidity level and temperature are monitored by a control module. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the temperature ranges from approximately 65° F. to 85° F., such as 68° F., 70° F., 75° F., 79° F., 80° F., 83° F., or a temperature falling within a range defined by any two of the foregoing values. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the humidity level ranges from approximately 60% to 85%, such as 63%, 65%, 68%, 70%, 75%, 77%, 80%, 83%, or a humidity level within a range defined by any two of the foregoing values. 
     
     
         16 . A control module to control functions to dehumidify and alternately heat or cool a first space, the control module comprising:
 a first microprocessor in electronic communication with a thermostat and/or a humidistat;   low voltage wiring connecting the control module to an indoor unit and an outdoor unit; and   a second microprocessor in electrical communication with the indoor unit, the outdoor unit, and/or the first microprocessor,   the second microprocessor configured to alter an operational mode of the indoor unit and/or the outdoor unit in response to at least one signal received from the first microprocessor.   
     
     
         17 . The control module of  claim 16 , wherein the second microprocessor is additionally in electrical communication with a plurality of solenoid valves incorporated into the indoor unit. 
     
     
         18 . The control module of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of solenoid valves are disposed along a first, second, and/or third refrigeration line,
 the first, second, and/or third refrigeration lines connecting the indoor unit to the outdoor unit.   
     
     
         19 . The control module of  claim 17 , wherein the control module is configured to control a position of each solenoid valve of the plurality of solenoid valves, the position of each solenoid valve associated with a flow of refrigerant through a first, second, and/or third refrigeration line. 
     
     
         20 . The control module of  claim 17 , wherein the control module is configured to control a position of each solenoid valve of the plurality of solenoid valves from a first default position associated with a first mode and a second activated position associated with a second mode. 
     
     
         21 . The control module of  claim 20 , wherein the first mode is a conditioning mode and the second mode is a dehumidification mode.