Description

The present application relates to a heat pump comprising a vibration influencer, to a method for operating a heat pump and to a method for manufacturing a heat pump.

In heat pumps known from the prior art, the individual components of the heat pump, like the evaporator and a respective evaporator tank and/or a compressor and a respective compressor tank and/or condenser and a respective condenser tank, are fixedly connected to one another.

In the publication Tadayoshi and others: Centrifugal turbo chiller using water as refrigerant and lubricant, The 11th International Conference on Compressors and their Systems, Journal of Process Mechanical Engineering, published on July 1 , 2020, DOI: 10.1177/0954408920938197, a water coolant-heat pump system having a water vapor turbo compressor is described, in which the compressor and the spiral housing are directly fixedly connected to the evaporator and compressor tanks.

By fixedly connecting the individual components, vibrations forming during operation of the heat pump, in particular resonances, are transferred from one component to another component. Such vibrations are usually generated in the drive motor of the compressor of the heat pump. Usually, the evaporator and the compressor comprise tanks of large volumes, or large surfaces, which reflect and emit sound waves, and thus favor vibration transfer between the individual components of the heat pump. Tension and mechanical expansion may also form due to temperature differences in the different regions of the heat pump, which form between one component and another component due to the fixed connection of the individual components, and which cannot be compensated immediately. The result may be that the heat pump operates in a mechanically and/or thermodynamically unstable manner and components are mechanically strained stronger.

Because the individual components are connected fixedly, the individual components, like the spiral housing, the connecting piece of the tank and/or the bypass line, for example, of the heat pump must be manufactured very precisely in order to ensure mounting to be free from constraints and, thus, free from internal stress. The object underlying the present invention is providing an improved heat pump concept.

This object is achieved by a heat pump in accordance with claim 1 , a method for operating a heat pump in accordance with claim 15, or a method for manufacturing a heat pump in accordance with claim 16.

A core idea of the present invention is decoupling vibrations which may form in the individual components of the heat pump in particular by operating a drive motor and which may cause resonant frequencies from other components of the heat pump such that vibrations are not transferred, as far as possible, from one component of the heat pump to another one. This increases lifetime of the heat pump. Decoupling the drive from the other components of the heat pump, such as the evaporator and/or compressor tanks (or containers), is suggested here.

The suggested heat pump comprises an evaporator for evaporating operating liquid to obtain operating vapor; a compressor for compressing the operating vapor to obtain compressed operating vapor; a condenser (or liquefier) for condensing the compressed operating vapor; and a frame to which the evaporator, the condenser and/or the compressor is/are mounted. In order to decouple potential vibrations, the suggested heat pump additionally comprises a vibration influencer configured to decouple the compressor from the evaporator, from the condenser and/or from the frame in terms of vibrations, and/or to actively or passively reduce vibration of the compressor. The vibration influencer is configured to decouple a component of the heat pump, like the compressor, from another component of the heat pump, like the evaporator, in order to reduce, in particular avoid vibration transfer from the one component, like the compressor, to the other component, like the evaporator. The vibration influencer may comprise an elastic connection element or more elastic connection elements. In particular, elastic connection elements between the individual components of the heat pump may be used to obtain vibration decoupling, that is to reduce, in particular to avoid vibration transfer from one component to another component. An elastic connection element may particularly be implemented to be thermally insulating, which means that providing the vibration influencer also provides for thermal decoupling of the individual components of the heat pump. In other words, providing the vibration influencer may reduce, in particular avoid transfer of temperature from the one component of the heat pump to the other component of the heat pump. The vibration influencer preferably comprises tubes or tube bushings which connect the individual components of the heat pump to one another flexibly, as elastic connection elements. Flexible connection is to be understood such that tolerances between the individual components can easily be compensated by means of the elastic connection elements. Accurate mounting of the heat pump is consequently no longer necessary. The vibration influencer may additionally preferably comprise elastic dampers for attaching the spiral housing of the heat pump elastically to a frame of the heat pump.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for operating the heat pump just described, and a method for manufacturing the heat pump just described.

The method for operating a heat pump comprising an evaporator for evaporating operating liquid to obtain operating vapor; a compressor for compressing the operating vapor to obtain compressed operating vapor; a condenser for condensing the compressed operating vapor; and a frame to which the evaporator, the condenser and/or the compressor is/are mounted, comprises the following step: decoupling, in terms of vibration, the compressor from the evaporator, from the condenser and/or from the frame, and/or actively or passively reducing vibration of the compressor.

The method for manufacturing a heat pump comprising an evaporator for evaporating operating liquid to obtain operating vapor; a compressor for compressing the operating vapor to obtain compressed operating vapor; a condenser for condensing the compressed operating vapor; and a frame to which the evaporator, the condenser and/or the compressor is/are mounted, comprises the following step: forming a vibration influencer to decouple, in terms of vibration, compressor from the evaporator, from the condenser and/or from the frame and/or to actively or passively reduce vibration of the compressor.

The inventive heat pump concept is of advantage in that it operates in a mechanically and/or thermodynamically stable manner during operation of the heat pump, wherein additionally no vibrations or temperature is/are transferred from one component to another component during operation of the heat pump.

It is to be understood that individual aspects described in relation to the heat pump, may also be implemented as method steps, and vice versa. Further details will be discussed in the description of the figures below.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be discussed in greater detail below referring to the appended drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a hydraulics plan of a heat pump;

Fig. 2 shows a perspective section of a heat pump;

Fig. 3 shows a perspective section of a heat pump for decoupling the spiral housings;

Fig. 4 shows a perspective section of a heat pump for elastically suspending the spiral housing compressor;

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a connection tube;

Figs. 6a-c show a perspective view of a metal vibration (or “Schwingmetall®”) buffer (a) and a two-dimensional side view of a metal vibration buffer (b), and characteristics of the metal vibration buffer summarized in a table (c);

Fig. 7 shows an illustration of an elastic connection element;

Fig. 8 shows an illustration of a stop-chock metal damper;

Fig. 9 shows a passive vibration reduction by means of tilgers (or vibration absorbers or mass dampers);

Fig. 10 shows an active vibration reduction by means of active tilgers having actuators;

Fig. 11 shows an arrangement of tilgers in the heat pump to isolate vibrations;

Fig. 12 shows an arrangement of tilgers in the heat pump to isolate vibrations;

Fig. 13 shows an illustration of a wave tube;

Fig. 14 shows a perspective view of a heat pump including burst protection;

Fig. 15 shows an illustration of a noise-damping material; Fig. 16 shows a perspective view of a heat pump for decoupling foreign gas suction a and free cooling module;

Fig. 17 shows a spiral housing including a (safety) catch device;

Fig. 18 shows a method for operating a heat pump; and

Fig. 19 shows a method for manufacturing a heat pump.

Individual aspects of the invention described herein will be described below referring to Figs. 1 to 19. In the present application, equal reference numerals refer to equal elements or elements of equal effect, wherein not all the reference numerals in the drawings have to be explained again in the case of repetition.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a setup of a heat pump 100 comprising an evaporator 10 for evaporating operating liquid to obtain operating vapor; a compressor 20 for compressing the operating vapor to obtain compressed operating vapor; and a condenser 30 for condensing the compressed operating vapor in the form of a hydraulics plan. In accordance with the hydraulics plan of Fig. 1 , the first and second spiral housings 78 are arranged to be horizontal, in particular in an x-y plane. The first compressor stage 70-1 is connected to the second compressor stage 70-n via an intercooler 42. The intercooler 42 has an intercooling space 43 which the compressed operating fluid passes and is cooled in the intercooling space 43. The intercooling space 43 comprises an input 47 to the intercooling space 43 and an output 46 from the intercooling space 43 to the second compressor stage 70-n. A bypass pipe 84 extends from the output 46 from the intercooling space 43 to the second compressor stage 70-n. In case only the first compressor stage 70-1 is to be operated, the compressed operating fluid does not pass the intercooler 42, but a pipe 45 which leads directly to the condenser 30. The intercooling exit pipe 45 comprises a flap 83 which is closed when the operating fluid is to pass also the second compressor stage 70-2, or which is open when the operating fluid from the first compressor stage 70-1 is to be guided directly to the condenser 30. The flap 83 may be configured to be controllable, or may be a thermos element. The intercooler 42 comprises an intercooling collection tank 44. A bypass pipe or bypass element 85, which also comprises a flap 83, is arranged between the condenser 30 and the evaporator 10. The flap 83 in the bypass element 85 may be implemented to be controllable, or a thermos element. Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the heat pump 100 having the components described above. In addition, it can be gathered from Fig. 2 that the heat pump 100 comprises a frame 40 to which the evaporator 10, the condenser 30 and/or the compressor 20 is/are mounted. As can also be gathered from Fig. 2, the heat pump 100 comprises a vibration influencer 50 configured to decouple, in terms of vibrations, the compressor 20 from the evaporator 10, from the condenser 30 and/or from the frame 40, and/or to actively or passively reduce vibration of the compressor 20. In particular, the individual components of the heat pump, like the evaporator 10, the compressor 20, the condenser 30 and/or the frame 40, for example, are decoupled among one another by of the vibration influencer 50 to reduce, in particular avoid vibration transfer and/or thermal transfer. In addition, the evaporator 10 comprises an evaporator tank 11 , the compressor 20 comprises a compressor tank 21 and the condenser 30 comprises a condenser tank 31.

Preferably, the vibration influencer 50 comprises an elastic connection element 60 between the compressor 20 and the frame 40, between the evaporator 10 and the frame 40 and/or between the condenser 30 and the frame 40. In particular, the vibration influencer 50 comprises several elastic connection elements 60 to decouple the individual components of the heat pump 100, like the evaporator 10, the compressor 20, the condenser 30 and/or the frame 40, for example, among one another by the vibration influencer 50. Direct vibration transfer between the individual components of the heat pump 100 can be reduced, in particular prevented, by this.

As can be seen, for example, in each of Figs. 2, 3, 4, 11 , 12, 14, 16 and 17, or when combining these, the compressor 20 comprises a compressor input pipe 22 and a compressor output pipe 24. Additionally, the evaporator 10 comprises an evaporator output pipe 14. Additionally, the condenser 30 comprises a condenser input pipe 32. The vibration influencer 50 comprises an elastic connection element 60 each between the compressor output pipe 24 and the condenser input pipe 32 and/or between the evaporator output pipe 14 and the compressor input pipe 22. In particular, at least one elastic connection element 60 can be arranged between different components of the heat pump 100 to mechanically and/or thermally decouple each component of the heat pump 100 from the other components of the heat pump 100.

Preferably, the compressor 20 comprises two or more compressor stages 70, wherein the compressor input pipe 22 is arranged at a first compressor stage 70-1 and the compressor output pipe 24 is arranged at a second or last compressor stage 70-n, and wherein an intercooling tank is arranged between the first compressor stage 70-1 and the second or last compressor stage 70-n. In the present case, the reference numeral n refers to a natural number of greater than or equaling two. Additionally, the vibration influencer 50 comprises an elastic connection element 60, particularly each, between the intercooling tank and the first compressor stage 70-1 and/or between the intercooling tank and the second or last compressor stage 70-n. In particular, the vibration influencer 50 is defined by a plurality of elastic connection elements 60. The plurality of elastic connection elements 60 may be elastic connection elements 60 of different physical characteristics, like temperature conductivity, shore strength, etc., for example (see, for example, the table in Fig. 6c, wherein the physical values in the table of Fig. 6c are not to be understood to be final).

Preferably, the elastic connection element 60 which is connected to the frame 40 is implemented as an elastic decoupling element, as a metal vibration buffer, as a rubber-clad bolt/nut connection or as a metal damper. Figs. 6a and 6b, for example, show metal vibration (or Schwingmetall®) buffers. Fig. 7 shows a rubber-clad bolt/nut connection. In particular, the spiral housing 78 or spiral housings 78 is/are suspended at the frame 40 in a damped manner using one or more elastic connection elements 60. Exemplarily, three or four dampers 94, that is three or four elastic connection elements 60, can be used to suspend, or arrange a spiral housing 78 at the frame 40. Preferably, a metal vibration buffer having the following characteristics is used: diameter d=20mm, height h=15mm, length 1=19mm (cf. Fig. 6c and Fig. 6b). Further characteristics of the preferred metal vibration buffer can be gathered from the table in Fig. 6c, provided with the reference numeral 105. A rubber-clad bolt/nut connection, as is shown in Fig 7, may, for example, be used for coupling the spiral housing(s) 78 to the further components of the compressor 20. By using the rubber-clad bolt/nut connection, the components coupled among one another (like the spiral housing 78 and further components of the compressor 20, for example) can be guided in a transverse direction. The transverse direction refers to a direction along the coupled components. The rubber-clad bolt/nut connection comprises a guiding pin 106 to which a component of the heat pump may be connected. The transverse direction is directed along a length of the guiding pin 106 (see Fig. 7).

Additionally, the elastic connection element 60 is preferably implemented as an elastic connection bushing, as a fiber-reinforced tube bushing or as a rubber bushing. Fig. 5, for example, shows the elastic connection element 60 as a silicone tube which may, for example, be implemented in four layers. Exemplarily, a four-layered silicone tube is very durable and exhibits an operating temperature of -50°C to 250°C. In particular, spiral housings 78 of the heat pump 100 may be attached to the frame 40 using elastic dampers.

Furthermore, the elastic connection element 60 is preferably implemented as a so-called stop-chock metal damper, as can be gathered, for example, from Fig. 8. The stop-chock metal damper is aging-resistant since the damping is obtained by means of a twisted wire mesh. Using rubber-elastic materials is not necessary in the stop-chock metal damper. Different embodiments of the stop-chock metal damper can be seen in Fig. 8, which will not be discussed in greater detail since the stop-chock metal damper is known to the person skilled in the art.

Preferably, the heat pump 100 comprises several decoupling elements, like at least four decoupling elements, for example. Here, a first decoupling element may be arranged between an intake socket of the compressor 20 and a first spiral housing 78 of the compressor 20. A second decoupling element may be arranged between the spiral housing 78 of the compressor 20 and an intercooler. A third decoupling element may be arranged between the intercooler and a second spiral housing 78 of the condenser 30 or a second or last compressor stage 70-n. A fourth decoupling element may be arranged between the spiral housing 78 and the condenser 30. More or fewer decoupling elements may be provided between the individual components of the heat pump 100 while being in line with the present invention.

Above all, the spiral housings 78 of the heat pump 100 have to be decoupled completely from the other components of the heat pump 100 to avoid transfer of vibrations to the other components, in particular to the tanks and the frame 40.

Preferably, the elastic connection element 60 is configured such that a free length of the elastic connection element 60 between the fixed pipe ends is smaller than or equaling 20mm. When using a silicone tube or a silicone bushing, as is shown in Fig. 5, a free length between the elements is 20mm or 15mm or less. With a free length of the silicone tube or silicone bushing of at most 20mm or 15mm or less between the sockets, excessive suction due to a negative pressure can be prevented. Alternatively or additionally, an aramid fiber- reinforced tube or bushing may be used. An aramid fiber-reinforced tube or bushing may be used in particular where an increased temperature and/or negative pressure forms in the heat pump 100. In cases where there is no increased or lowered temperature or negative pressure or over pressure, tubes or bushings may also be used instead of an aramid fiber- reinforced tube or bushing. As described above, elastic bushings may also be used instead of a tube or in addition to a tube. One or more polyester liners may also be used. Preferably, the tubes which are in particular implemented as cooling tubes, comprise a rayon cord liner starting from an ID (inner diameter) 20. Preferably, the tubes are made from EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber), in particular, the tubes comprise a fabric liner.

Preferably, the compressor 20 comprises a spiral housing 78 and a drive motor 80 connected to the spiral housing 78, wherein the vibration influencer 50 is configured to couple the spiral housing 78 elastically to the evaporator 10, the condenser 30 and/or the frame 40. Elastically coupling comprises decoupling vibrations which may form, in particular, due to the operation of the drive motor 80. The spiral housing 78 can, for example, be seen in Fig. 2, wherein the drive motor 80 is arranged under a burst bucket.

Preferably, the vibration influencer 50 comprises a vibration tilger 82 arranged at the compressor 20 and configured to passively or actively reduce vibration of the compressor 20 caused by operating the compressor 20. The word “tilger” relates to a tilting device, has been adopted in technical terminology and will be used in the present application. Fig. 9, for example, shows a vibration tilger 82, which operates passively, whereas Fig. 10 shows a vibration tilger 82, which operates actively. As can be gathered from Fig. 9, a passive vibration tilger 82 is a system 101 including a spring 102, a damper 103 and mass 104. Vibration tilgers 82 are cheap and reliable solutions for vibration problems, since they operate highly effectively in their target frequency range and exhibit a high robustness. An essential advantage is that no abutments are required. This means that vibration tilgers 82 may be attached nearly at any place - optimized exclusively with regard to effect criteria. Active vibration tilgers 82, as shown in Fig. 10, additionally comprise an active system 107. The active system 107 may comprise actuators, sensors, regulators and/or an auxiliary energy source. The active system 107 may provide the system 101 of the passive vibration tilger 82 with energy and/or a command to counteract vibration actively. The active vibration tilger 82 can perform regulation by means of its actuators, sensors, regulators as the function of the vibration tilger 82 to isolate vibration.

Possible fixing points 108 of the tilgers 82 at the spiral housing 78 or at the motor housing of the drive motor 80 can be gathered from Fig. 11. In the heat pump 100, several passive tilgers 82 or active tilgers 82 can be attached at the compressor 20 or at the spiral housing 78 of the compressor 20 to damp vibrations while starting up and shutting down the compressor 20 and during operation of the heat pump 100 or the compressor 20. Preferably, the compressor 20 comprises a spiral housing 78 and a drive motor 80 connected to the spiral housing 78, wherein the vibration tilger 82 is arranged at the spiral housing 78 or at the drive motor 80. The vibration tilger 82 can be an active or passive vibration tilger 82. In Figs. 2, 11 , the drive motor 80 is illustrated to be covered by a burst bucket 90, i.e. is not visible. The drive motor 80 is visible in Fig. 1 .

Preferably, the heat pump 100 comprises a bypass pipe 85 between the evaporator 10 and the condenser 30, wherein the vibration influencer 50 comprises at least one elastic connection element 60 between the bypass pipe 85 and the evaporator 10 or between the bypass pipe 85 and the condenser 30, and/or wherein the bypass pipe 85 is implemented as a flex pipe. A flex pipe is a flexible pipe which can be extended or compressed in particular along its length. When mounting or during operation of the heat pump 100, it may be of advantage for the bypass pipe 85 to be extendable or compressible so as to compensate tolerances. Exemplarily, in Fig. 12, the bypass pipe 85 between the condenser 30 and the evaporator 10 can be seen. Additionally, rubber bushings 109 may be arranged at a bypass input and at a bypass output (see Fig. 12).

The bypass pipe 85 may, for example, be implemented as a wave tube. Fig. 13 shows embodiments of different wave tubes. Wave tubes are produced from different materials having a wave-shaped profile. Standard measures of a well-known wave tube range from DN 6 to DN 300. Wave tubes can be used at temperatures of -270 °C up to a maximum of 600 °C. Wave tubes are pressure-resistant and sealed and may comprise a PTFE cladding for particularly aggressive media. Additionally, wave tubes may be implemented with different connection fittings. Ring-shaped wave tubes are produced from butt-welded pipes which are mechanically wave-shaped.

Preferably, the heat pump 100 additionally comprises a free cooling module 92 (see Figs. 2 and 16) arranged at the frame 40, wherein the vibration influencer 50 comprises an elastic damper 94 between the free cooling module 92 and the frame 40. Additionally or alternatively, the heat pump 100 comprises a foreign gas suction arrangement 96, wherein the vibration influencer 50 is configured to decouple, in terms of vibration, the foreign gas suction arrangement 96 from the frame 40 and/or the condenser 30. The foreign gas suction arrangement 96 and the free cooling module 92 can, for example, be seen in Fig. 16. The free cooling module 92 can be decoupled from the frame 40 by means of elastic connection elements, like the elastic dampers 94. The free cooling module 92 does not generate vibration, but it is a big mass which may be excited to vibrate. It is to be kept in mind with regard to foreign gas suction decoupling that the foreign gas suction arrangement 96 itself is not excited to vibrate. However, it is a vibrating element able to propagate vibration.

Preferably, the compressor 20 comprises a burst protection configured to keep one or more parts of the compressor 20 preferably within the frame 40 in case the compressor 20 bursts. In particular, the drive motor 80 or each of the drive motors 80 comprises a burst protection configured to keep, in case the drive motor 80 bursts, one or more parts of the drive motor 80 basically at their position, i.e. within the burst protection.

Preferably, the compressor 20 comprises a drive motor 80 and a spiral housing 78 which is arranged at the frame, wherein the burst protection comprises a burst bucket 90 over the drive motor 80 and/or a catch device 98 at the spiral housing 78 and the frame 40. Alternatively or additionally, the burst protection comprises a burst bucket 90 over the drive motor 80, wherein the intermediate space between the burst bucket 90 and the drive motor 80 is filled by a noise-damping material 78. The burst protection may comprise the burst bucket 90 and/or the catch device 98. In the case of the burst bucket 90, the burst bucket 90 covers the drive motor 80. In the case of several drive motors 80, each drive motor 80 is covered by its own burst bucket. Additionally, each spiral housing 78 may comprise its own catch device configured to protect the corresponding spiral housing 78 from parts of the corresponding drive motor 80 in case the drive motor 80 bursts.

Fig. 14 shows a drive motor 80 of the heat pump with no burst protection and a drive motor 80 of the heat pump with a burst bucket 90 placed over it. In order to damp noise, a noisedamping material, like foam material, may be arranged between the drive motor 80 and the burst bucket 90. A noise-damping material in the form of a foam material, for example, is shown in Fig. 15. In Fig. 15, a pyramid foam material made of Basotect G+ is shown, which has a ground-pyramid ratio of 1 :2. The noise-damping material in accordance with Fig. 15 comprises a delicate, open-cell structure. Additionally, the fire behaviour of the noisedamping material according to DIN 4102 B1 is hardly inflammable, FMVSS 302 and UL 94 V0 + HF1 apply. Heat conductivity of the noise-damping material is basically 0.035 W/mK. The noise-damping material may be used in a temperature range of - 40 °C to + 150°C and comprises a bulk density of basically 9 kg / m ³ .

Fig. 17 shows a section of a heat pump 100. A spiral housing 78 can be seen in the section, over which the catch device 98 is arranged. The safety catch device 98 is arranged between the spiral housing 78 and the ground 79 connected to the frame 40. The catch device 98 may be included by the elastic damper 94, preferably as a steel rope which is introduced loosely into the elastic damper 94. In case the impeller bursts, that is in the case of failure during operation, the impeller would tilt relative to the spiral housing 78 or transfer torque onto the spiral housing 78. The result would be that the elastic connection elements 60, preferably the elastic dampers 94, would tear and the spiral housing 78 hit back and forth in its mounting, or spin, which may represent a danger for by-standing persons. The catch device 98 is provided to prevent this. The catch device 98 may, for example, be a steel rope which is connected to the spiral housing or frame and which is preferably introduced loosely into the elastic damper 94. As is illustrated in Fig. 17, the catch device 98 may also be implemented as a kind of drawer which is connected with its bottom 79 to the spiral housing 78 by means of the elastic dampers 94. In the case of bursting, the torque acting on the spiral housing 78 is caught and introduced into the frame 40. Consequently, there will be no uncontrolled flapping of the spiral housing 78 in its fitting. The catch device 98 may also be connected as a “loose screw” between the spiral housing 78 and the bottom 79.

Fig. 18 shows another aspect of the present invention, relating to a method for operating a heat pump 100. The method 180 for operating a heat pump 100 comprises, in step 180, providing a heat pump 100 comprising an evaporator 10 for evaporating operating liquid to obtain operating vapor; a compressor 20 for compressing the operating vapor to obtain a compressed operating vapor; a condenser 30 for condensing the compressed operating vapor; and a frame 40 to which the evaporator 10, the condenser 30 and/or the compressor 20 are attached. The method comprises step 181 : decoupling, in terms of vibration, the compressor 20 from the evaporator 10, the condenser 30 and/or the frame 40, and/or actively or passively reducing vibration of the compressor 20. In order to decouple vibrations, the method, in step 182, uses arranging and using one or more elastic connection elements 60 included by a vibration influencer 50, as described already in connection with the heat pump 100. In order to improve protection of the heat pump during operation, the method comprises arranging a burst protection as has already been described herein in connection with the heat pump 100. In other words, the features described in the context of the heat pump 100 may also be understood to be method steps for arranging and operating the heat pump 100.

Fig. 19 shows a further aspect of the present invention, relating to a method 190 for manufacturing a heat pump 100. The method for manufacturing a heat pump 100 comprises, in step 190, providing a heat pump 100 comprising an evaporator 10 for evaporating operating liquid to obtain operating vapor; a compressor 20 for compressing the operating vapor to obtain compressed operating vapor; a condenser (or liquefier) 30 for condensing the compressed operating vapor; and a frame 40 to which the evaporator 10, the condenser 30 and/or the compressor 20 are mounted. The method comprises step 192: forming a vibration influencer 50 to decouple, in terms of vibration, the compressor 20 from the evaporator 10, the condenser 30 and/or the frame 40, and/or to actively or passively reduce vibration of the compressor 20. In order to decouple vibrations, the method uses arranging one or more elastic connection elements 60 which are included by a vibration influencer 50, as has been described already in connection with the heat pump 100. In order to improve protection of the heat pump during operation, the method comprises arranging a burst protection, as has already been described in connection with the heat pump 100. In other words, the features described in the context of the heat pump 100 may also be understood to be method steps for arranging and operating the heat pump 100.

One advantage of the invention described herein is that the spiral housing 78 including the drive motors 80 is decoupled from the tanks of the evaporator and compressor and the condenser so that vibration forming during operation of the heat pump 100 due to the drive motors are not transferred, or only to a reduced extent, to the other components of the heat pump. In particular, the spiral housings 78 may generate resonances, the tanks of the evaporator or the compressor, for example, representing resonating bodies. Vibration transfer can be reduced, to prevented, by the inventive vibration influencer 50.

A further advantage of the invention described herein is that the compressor 20 can be decoupled from its tank by fiber-reinforced tubes/rubber bushings and decoupling between the compressor 20 and the frame 40 of the heat pump can take place. The rubber bushings can also compensate manufacturing tolerances, thereby making manufacturing of the heat pump 100 easier. In addition, vibration transfer of the drive motor 80 can be reduced, in particular prevented, by additionally mounting an additional tilger.

In particular, vibration and noise decoupling between the compressor and the tank (resonating body) and, at the same time, temperature decoupling between the individual components of the heat pump 100 can be achieved by the invention described herein.

Although some aspects have been described in the context of an apparatus or system, it is to be understood that these aspects also represent a description of a corresponding method so that a block or element of an apparatus or system is to be understood to be also a corresponding method step or feature of a method step. Illustrating the present invention in the form of method steps is refrained from for redundancy reasons.

In the above detailed description, different features are partly grouped in examples so as to rationalize the disclosure. This type of disclosure is not to be interpreted as intending that the claimed examples comprise more features than are explicitly indicated in each claim. Rather, as is reflected by the following claims, the subject-matter may be in fewer than all the features of an individual disclosed example. Consequently, the following claims are incorporated into the detailed description by this, wherein each claim may stand as an individual separate example. While each claim may stand as an individual separate example, it is to be mentioned that, although dependent claims in the claims refer to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other examples also comprise a combination of dependent claims with the subject-matter of any other dependent claim, or a combination of each feature with other dependent or independent claims. Combinations of this kind are to be included, unless it is explicitly mentioned that a specific combination is not intended. Additionally, a combination of features of a claim with any other independent claim is also intended to be included, even if this claim is not directly dependent on the independent claim.

List of Reference Numerals

10 Evaporator

11 Evaporator Tank

14 Evaporator Output Pipe

20 Compressor

21 Compressor Tank

22 Compressor Input Pipe

24 Compressor Output Pipe

30 Condenser

31 Condenser Tank

32 Condenser Input Pipe

40 Frame

42 Intercooler

43 Intercooling Space

44 Intercooling Collection Tank

50 Vibration Influencer Elastic Connection Element Compressor Stage -1 First Compressor Stage -n Last Compressor Stage Noise-Damping Material Spiral Housing Bottom Drive Motor Vibration tilger Flap Bypass Pipe Bypass Pipe/ Bypass Element Burst Bucket Free Cooling Module Elastic Damper Foreign Gas Suction Arrangement (Safety) Catch Device 0 Heat Pump 1 System 2 Spring 3 Damper 4 Mass 5 Reference Numeral in Table of Fig. 6c6 Guiding Pin 7 Active System 8 Mounting Point 0 Method 2 Step 0 Method 2 Step