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SamsungGranted patentBatteries & energyInterest 3/10

Samsung patents heat pump that keeps water warm while defrosting

Samsung describes a heat pump system that uses air to heat water. It includes a special bypass pipe and extra heat exchanger to keep the water warm even when the system pauses to clear ice from the outdoor unit.

Why it mattersThis design aims to maintain consistent water heating performance during routine maintenance cycles, which is a standard improvement for home heating efficiency.

In the filing’s own words

A heat pump system in which a heat source is air, and may include: a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, a first heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and air, a second heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and water, a first refrigerant pipe configured to discharge the refrigerant heat exchanged in the first heat exchanger during a defrosting operation for the first heat exchanger, and a second refrigerant pipe configured to guide the refrigerant from the first refrigerant pipe to the second heat exchanger. The heat pump system may further include: a third refrigerant pipe configured to discharge the refrigerant heat exchanged in the second heat exchanger after flowing into the second heat exchanger through the second refrigerant pipe, a first water pipe configured to supply water to be heat exchanged in the second heat exchanger, a second water pipe configured to return the water heat exchanged in the second heat exchanger, a bypass pipe connecting the first refrigerant pipe and the third refrigerant pipe and configured to bypass the second heat exchanger, and a third heat exchanger configured to heat exchange the refrigerant guided by the bypass pipe with the water flowing in the second water pipe, during the defrosting operation.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A heat pump system, comprising: a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; a first heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and air; a second heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and water; a first refrigerant pipe configured to discharge the refrigerant heat exchanged in the first heat exchanger during a defrosting operation for the first heat exchanger; a second refrigerant pipe configured to guide the refrigerant from the first refrigerant pipe to the second heat exchanger; a third refrigerant pipe configured to discharge the refrigerant heat exchanged in the second heat exchanger after flowing into the second heat exchanger through the second refrigerant pipe; a first water pipe configured to supply water to be heat exchanged in the second heat exchanger; a second water pipe configured to return the water heat exchanged in the second heat exchanger; a bypass pipe configured to bypass the second heat exchanger, including a first end connected to the first refrigerant pipe and a second end connected to the third refrigerant pipe; and a third heat exchanger configured to heat exchange the refrigerant guided by the bypass pipe and introduced through the second end of the bypass pipe with the water flowing in the second water pipe during the defrosting operation.

Facts

Company
Samsung (SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.)
Official title
Heat pump system
Patent number
US12729890B2
Application number
18736015
Filed
Jun 6, 2024
Granted
Sep 8, 2026
Inventors
1
Claims
20

Classified under

F25B 30/02 Mechanical engineeringF25B 5/02 Mechanical engineeringF25B 41/20 Mechanical engineeringF25B 41/31 Mechanical engineeringF25D 21/12 Mechanical engineering
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.