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Title: Integrated thermal energy control system using a heat pump
Claims: What is claimed is: 1. An integrated thermal energy control system for thermally heating and cooling a plurality of independent cool and hot working units operatively connected within the system, said integrated thermal energy control system comprising: a. a heat pump means for cooling and heating a working fluid; b. said heat pump means having associated therewith a primary fluid circuit means having said working fluid contained therein; c. a first relatively cool heat exchange means operatively associated with said primary circuit means; d. a first temperature control means operatively interconnected between said heat pump means and first heat exchanger means for maintaining a relatively cool temperature within said first heat exchanger means; e. a second relatively hot heat exchanger means operatively associated with said primary circuit means; f. second temperature control means operatively interconnected between said heat pump means and said second heat exchanger means for maintaining a relatively hot temperature within said first heat exchanger means; g. a first secondary cool fluid circuit means operatively associated with said first heat exchanger means independently of said primary fluid circuit for effectively transferring heat from said secondary cool circuit means to said first heat exchanger means such that the fluid within said secondary cool circuit means is cooled during the heat transfer process; h. a plurality of independent cool working unit means operatively connected to said first secondary cool fuid circuit means for transferring heat thereto and being cooled in the process; i. a second secondary hot fluid circuit means operatively associated with second heat exchanger means independently of said primary fluid circuit for receiving heat therefrom and consequently tending to cool said second heat exchanger means in the process; j. a plurality of independent hot working unit means, completely independent of said cool working unit means, operatively connected to said secondary hot fluid circuit means for receiving heat therefrom; k. control means associated with both said first and second secondary circuit means for enabling both said first and second secondary circuit means to function simultaneously and to simultaneously effectuate heat transfer between the two secondary circuits and respective independent cool and hot working unit means of the system, and control means including first secondary pump means and first control means operatively interconnected between at least one of said independent cool working unit means and said first secondary pump means for maintaining the working temperature of each respective cool working unit means at a desired level, said control means further including second secondary pump means and second control means operatively interconnected between at least one of said hot working unit means and said second secondary pump means for maintaining the working temperature of each respective hot working unit means at a desired level. 2. The integrated thermal energy control system of claim 1 wherein said heat pump means includes a motor and compressor unit, and wherein said primary fluid circuit means is connected to said motor and compressor unit to form at least one closed loop system and wherein said primary fluid circuit means extends through both said cool heat exchanger means and said hot exchanger means and is operatively associated with each to effectuate heat transfer therebetween. 3. The integrated thermal energy control system of claim 1 wherein said heat pump means includes an auxiliary heat booster means for increasing the heating capacity of said heat pump means. 4. The integrated thermal energy control system of claim 1 including a heat balancing system for adding and exhausting heat to and from said primary fluid circuit means. 5. The integrated thermal energy control system of claim 4 wherein said heat balancing system includes a heat exhaust duct assembly and a heat addition duct assembly, each duct assembly including a coil operatively connected to said primary fluid circuit means and a fan for generating and forcing a system of air over said coil. 6. The integrated thermal energy control system of claim 5 wherein said heat exhaust duct assembly of said heat balancing system includes control means associated therewith responsive at least indirectly to the temperature in said hot heat exchanger means for actuating said heat exhaust duct assembly of said heat balancing system. 7. The integrated thermal energy control system of claim 6 wherein said heat addition duct assembly of said heat balancing system includes control means responsive at least indirectly to the temperature in said cool heat exchanger means for actuating said heat addition duct assembly of said heat balancing system. 8. The integrated thermal energy control system of claim 7 wherein said control means of said heat balancing system that is responsive to the temperature of said cool and hot heat exchanger means includes a thermostat control valve operatively interconnected between said primary fluid circuit means and the respective coils of said heat balancing system. 9. The integrated thermal energy control system of claim 1 wherein said first and second control means operatively interconnected between said hot and cold working units and their respective secondary fluid circuit means comprises: a. a pump associated with each secondary fluid circuit means for circulating a secondary working fluid therethrough; b. valve means operatively interconnected between each working unit and the respective secondary fluid circuit means; and c. control means operatively connected to each working unit for causing secondary fluid flow to said working units in response to the operation temperature of each working unit reaching a predetermined level. 10. The integrated thermal energy control system of claim 9 wherein said valve means is of the solenoid type and wherein said control means includes a thermostat operatively connected to both said pump and said solenoid valve. 11. The integrated thermal energy control system of claim 10 wherein said working units of each secondary fluid circuit means are operatively connected therein in parallel relationship. 12. The integrated thermal energy control system of claim 11 wherein said heat pump means is of the Stirling cycle type. Other info: Inventors: Jolly, Steven E. (Ely, NV, US) Application Number: 484090 Filing Date: 1974-06-28 Publication_date: 1976-02-03 Assignee: Primary Class(es): 165/240 165/50, 165/62, 165/63, 165/902 Other Classes: US Patent Ref:
Other Refs: Primary Examiner: Myhre, Charles J. Assistant Examiner: Anderson, William C. Attorney: Mills and Coats |
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