Modular, Extensible, Smart, Sustainable Air Source Heat Pump

Abstract

The present teachings provide a modular air source heat pump system (ASHP system) with a plurality of connectors, a plurality of system components, a plurality of sensors, and a control system. The plurality of connectors are quick connectors. a plurality of system components that are individually connected together by one or more of the plurality of connectors so that the plurality of system components are connectable and/or disconnectable from the ASHP system. The plurality of sensors in communication with one or more of the plurality of system components. The control system in communication with the plurality of sensors, the control system being configured to analyze data provided by the plurality of sensors and to control the ASHP system.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A modular air source heat pump system (ASHP system) comprising:
 a plurality of connectors that are quick connectors;   a plurality of system components that are individually connected together by one or more of the plurality of connectors so that the plurality of system components are connectable and/or disconnectable from the ASHP system;   a plurality of sensors in communication with one or more of the plurality of system components; and   a control system in communication with the plurality of sensors, the control system being configured to analyze data provided by the plurality of sensors and to control the ASHP system.   
     
     
         2 . The ASHP system of  claim 1 , wherein the quick connectors are substantially instantaneously connectable or disconnectable without any tools. 
     
     
         3 . The ASHP system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of system components comprises:
 an internal heat exchanger,   a reversing valve in communication with a first side of the internal heat exchanger by one or more of the plurality of connectors;   an expansion valve in communication with a second side of the internal heat exchanger by one or more of the plurality of connectors; and   an external heat exchanger connected to the reversing valve on an opposite side as the external heat exchanger and connected to the expansion valve on an opposite side as the internal heat exchanger by the one or more of the plurality of connectors.   
     
     
         4 . The ASHP system of  claim 3 , wherein the internal heat exchanger, the reversing valve, the expansion valve, and the external heat exchanger include one or more of the plurality of sensors. 
     
     
         5 . The ASHP system of  claim 1 , wherein the ASHP system is modifiable by disconnecting one or more of the plurality of connectors located between two of the plurality of system components and by removing one of the plurality of system components or by adding a new system component. 
     
     
         6 . The ASHP system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensors are located within the plurality of system components, the plurality of connectors, or both. 
     
     
         7 . The ASHP system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of system components include inlets and outlets and the plurality of sensors are located within some of the inlets, some of the outlets, or both. 
     
     
         8 . The ASHP system of  claim 1 , wherein the control system is in wireless communication with the plurality of sensors. 
     
     
         9 . The ASHP system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a refrigerant module configured to provide additional heat transfer fluid to the ASHP system on demand.   
     
     
         10 . The ASHP system of  claim 9 , wherein the refrigerant module includes one or more pumps, one or more check valves, and a reservoir that are configured to releasably hold the additional heat transfer fluid. 
     
     
         11 . A modular air source heat pump system (ASHP system) comprising:
 a plurality of connectors that are connectable, disconnectable, or both in substantially real time;   two or more external system components located external to a structure by one or more of the plurality of connectors so that the one or more external system components are connectable and/or disconnectable from the external of the structure, wherein the two or more external system components comprise an external heat exchanger;   one or more internal system components located internal to the structure and connected to the two or more external system components by one or more of the plurality of connectors, wherein the one or more internal system components comprise an internal heat exchanger;   a plurality of external sensors located at the external of the structure to monitor an external environment;   a plurality of internal sensors located within the internal of the structure to monitor an internal environment;   a control system in communication with the plurality of external sensors and the plurality of internal sensors to control the ASHP system.   
     
     
         12 . The ASHP system of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more of the plurality of connectors connected to the two or more external system components are located entirely on the external of the structure so that the one or more of the plurality of connectors are assessable from the external of the structure. 
     
     
         13 . The ASHP system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more of the plurality of connectors connected to the one or more internal system components are located entirely on the internal of the structure so that the one or more of the plurality of connectors are assessable from the internal of the structure. 
     
     
         14 . The ASHP system of  claim 11 , wherein the internal heat exchanger comprises one or more of the plurality of sensors and one or more communication devices in communication with the control system. 
     
     
         15 . The ASHP system of  claim 14 , wherein the external heat exchanger comprises one or more of the plurality of sensors and one more of the one or more communication devices in communication with the control system. 
     
     
         16 . The ASHP system of  claim 11 , wherein the internal heat exchanger comprises one of the plurality of connectors on an inlet of the internal heat exchanger and one of the plurality of connectors on an outlet of the internal heat exchanger. 
     
     
         17 . The ASHP system of  claim 16 , wherein the external heat exchanger comprises one of the plurality of connectors on an inlet of the external heat exchanger and one of the plurality of connectors on an outlet of the external heat exchanger. 
     
     
         18 . The ASHP system of  claim 11 , wherein the two or more external system components further comprises:
 a refrigerant module that is configured to add heat transfer fluid to the ASHP system and to subtract heat transfer fluid from the ASHP system on demand so that a volume of heat transfer fluid within the external heat exchanger is varied over time according to the demand, changes in the external environment detected by the plurality of external sensors, or both.   
     
     
         19 . The ASHP system of  claim 18 , wherein the refrigerant module is in communication with a refrigerant controller that controls an amount of the heat transfer fluid entering the external heat exchanger. 
     
     
         20 . A modular air source heat pump system (ASHP system) comprising:
 a plurality of connectors that are quick connectors;   a plurality of system components that are individually connected together by one or more of the plurality of connectors so that the plurality of system components are connectable and/or disconnectable from the ASHP system;   a plurality of sensors in communication with one or more of the plurality of system components;   a refrigerant module comprising:
 one or more pumps; 
 a reservoir in communication with the one or more pumps; 
 one or more check valves that prevent reverse flow the heat transfer fluid; and 
 one or more solenoid valves that open and close to permit the heat transfer fluid to travel from the refrigerant module into the external heat exchanger; and 
   a control system in communication with the plurality of sensors, the control system being configured to analyze data provided by the plurality of sensors and to control the ASHP system.