US20250146705A1

US20250146705A1 - Heat Pump Noise Cancelling Systems and Methods

Info

Publication number: US20250146705A1
Application number: US18/933,174
Authority: US
Inventors: John Paul Leger
Original assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 2023-11-03
Filing date: 2024-10-31
Publication date: 2025-05-08

Abstract

A heat pump system is disclosed. The heat pump system may include a housing defining an interior chamber of the heat pump system. The heat pump system may further include a heat pump component disposed inside the housing. The heat pump component may generate sound waves during heat pump component operation. The heat pump system may further include a noise cancelling device configured to cover at least one of housing inner walls and the heat pump component. The noise cancelling device may be a panel having a pattern configured to minimize sound wave transmission from the heat pump component.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 63/595,889, filed Nov. 3, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to heat pumps and more specifically to noise cancelling systems and methods that minimize sound transmission from heat pumps.

BACKGROUND

Heat pumps are generally used in water heating systems and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems. The heat pumps are used in a variety of applications, including residential, commercial and industrial applications. A conventional heat pump works by extracting heat from a source and transferring the heat to a medium, e.g., air or water, by using a refrigerant. The heat pump may include a plurality of components, including a compressor, an evaporator, one or more fans, expansion valves, condenser, etc., that enable efficient heat pump operation. One or more of these components may generate noise or sound waves during operation, which may transmit from the heat pump walls. Transmission of sound waves may cause inconvenience to users, and hence may not be desirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and/or components other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and/or components may not be present in various embodiments. Elements and/or components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout this disclosure, depending on the context, singular and plural terminology may be used interchangeably.

FIG. 1 depicts a sectional view of an exemplary heat pump system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary heat pump system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 depicts a first exemplary noise cancelling device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts a second exemplary noise cancelling device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts a third exemplary noise cancelling device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary method to perform noise cancellation in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed towards a noise cancelling device that may be configured to minimize sound wave transmission from a heat pump system that may be part of a fluid heating device, such as a water heater or the like. The noise cancelling device may include a geometric pattern (specifically a three-dimensional geometric pattern) that may assist in reducing sound wave transmission from the heat pump system. For example, the noise cancelling device may include a wedge-shaped foam, a pyramid-shaped foam, a diamond-shaped foam, and/or the like. Any suitable geometric and material configuration may be used. In some aspects, the noise cancelling device may include more than one piece that may be stacked over one another to form a number of layers. The noise cancelling device may be disposed anywhere in the heat pump system that may enable effective reduction of sound transmission. For example, the noise cancelling device may be disposed on the heat pump housing interior side walls and/or an interior surface of a heat pump housing top wall. In this manner, the noise cancelling device may surround at least a portion of the heat pump system to as to form a sound barrier or the like to minimize sound wave transmission from the heat pump system.
In further aspects, the noise cancelling device may be disposed around one or more heat pump components such that the noise cancelling device may fully or partially cover the components. For example, the noise cancelling device may cover (fully or partially) walls of heat pump components including, but not limited to, a compressor, a fan protector, etc.
In some aspects, the noise cancelling device may include a plurality of foam tiles that may be stacked around one or more of the heat pump components to minimize noise transmission from the components. In some instances, the foam tiles may be attached with each other and stacked by using adhesives or any other fastening mechanism. The foam tiles may be stacked such that there may exist “air gaps” between two adjacent foam tiles which may enable air to pass through the foam tiles but may not enable sound waves to pass through, thereby reducing sound emission from the heat pump assembly without affecting heat pump operation. In other instances, the foam tile may include a single unitary foam tile that is wrapped wholly or partially around one or more of the heat pump components to minimize noise transmission from the components.
In further aspects, the noise cancelling device may include a sound absorbing panel that may include a plurality of holes that may allow the sound transmitted by the heat pump components to enter inside the sound absorbing panel. The sound waves that may enter the sound-absorbing panel may be absorbed or reflected by panel wall(s), thereby minimizing noise transmission. The sound absorbing panel may be made of any material, including, but not limited to, perforated metal, wood, cardboard, and/or the like.
Although certain examples of the disclosed technology are explained in detail herein, it is to be understood that other examples, embodiments, and implementations of the disclosed technology are contemplated. Accordingly, it is not intended that the disclosed technology is limited in its scope to the details of construction and arrangement of components expressly set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosed technology can be implemented in a variety of examples and can be practiced or carried out in various ways. In particular, the presently disclosed subject matter is described in the context of being a system and method for heating water with a heat pump water heater. The present disclosure, however, is not so limited and can be applicable in other contexts. The present disclosure, for example and not limitation, can include other water heater systems, such as boilers, pool heaters, industrial water heaters, and other water heater systems configured to heat water or any combination thereof. Furthermore, the present disclosure can include other fluid heating systems configured to heat a fluid other than water such as process fluid heaters used in industrial applications. More so, the present disclosure can be implemented in other systems that include heat pumps, including HVAC systems or the like. Such implementations and applications are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, when the present disclosure is described in the context of being a system and method for heating water with the heat pump water heater, it will be understood that other implementations can take the place of those referred to.
Although the term “water” is used throughout this specification, it is to be understood that other fluids may take the place of the term “water” as used herein. Therefore, although described as a water heater system, it is to be understood that the system and method described herein can apply to fluids other than water. Further, it is also to be understood that the term “water” can replace the term “fluid” as used herein unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a sectional view of an exemplary heat pump system 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The heat pump system 100 may be part of a fluid heating system configured to heat water or any other fluid. For example, the heat pump may be part of a water heater or the like.
The heat pump system 100 may include a housing 102 defining an interior chamber of the heat pump system 100. The housing 102 may be of any suitable size, shape, or configuration based on the heat pump assembly application. Furthermore, the housing 102 may be made of any suitable material, including aluminum, steel, copper, carbon steel, stainless steel, ceramics, polymers, composites, or any other suitable material.
The housing 102 may include an air inlet 104 and an air outlet 106. The air inlet 104 may be configured to receive ambient air from outside of the housing 102 and pass the air into the housing 102 or chamber interior portion, and the air outlet 106 may be configured to output exhaust air from the chamber interior portion to outside the housing 102. In some aspects, the air inlet 104 may be disposed at a housing top wall and the air outlet 106 may be disposed at a housing side wall, as shown in FIG. 1 , or vice versa. In other aspects, the air inlet 104 may be disposed at the housing side wall opposite to the air outlet 106. The air inlet 104 and the air outlet 106 may be disposed at any suitable location on the housing 102.
The heat pump system 100 may include a heat pump assembly (or heat pump) that may include a compressor 108, a fan 110, an evaporator (not shown), a heat exchanger (not shown), and an expansion valve (not shown), connected using a refrigerant conduit, which distributes a refrigerant to different heat pump assembly components. In this manner, the heat pump assembly may collectively form a vapor compression cycle system. The various heat pump assembly components may be sized, shaped, and located as would be suitable for the particular application. As will be appreciated, the various heat pump assembly components may be sized for residential, commercial, or industrial applications and for heating water within various temperature ranges and within various time ranges. In some aspects, the heat pump assembly may be at least partially located inside the housing 102. For example, the compressor 108 may be disposed within the housing 102.
The fan 110 may draw ambient air from outside the housing 102 and may pass the air (via the air inlet 104) to the evaporator that may absorb heat from the ambient air. In some aspects, the fan 110 may be disposed between the evaporator and the air outlet 106 such that the fan 110 induces air flow over a plurality of coils disposed in the evaporator. The plurality of coils may include the refrigerant that may absorb heat from the ambient air and may evaporate. In some aspects, the refrigerant may be in liquid form and may change state from liquid to vapor when the refrigerant absorbs heat from the ambient air. The vaporized refrigerant may move to the compressor 108. The compressor 108 may receive the refrigerant from the evaporator and raise pressure and temperature of the refrigerant. In some aspects, the compressor 108 may be a pump that provides additional pressure to the refrigerant to enable the refrigerant to flow through the refrigerant conduit (in a defined path).
The compressor 108 may be of any type. For example, the compressor 108 may be a positive displacement compressor, a reciprocating compressor, a rotary screw compressor, a rotary vane compressor, a rolling piston compressor, a scroll compressor, an inverter compressor, a diaphragm compressor, a dynamic compressor, an axial compressor, or any other form of compressor that can be integrated into the heat pump assembly for the particular application.
The compressed refrigerant from the compressor 108 may move to the heat exchanger/condenser coils that may be used to heat water (or any fluid) in a water tank or tankless water heater device. In some instances, the heat exchanger/condenser coils may be wrapped around the water tank or disposed within the water tank in order to heat the water within the water tank. Responsive to the water being heated, exhaust cool and dehumidified air may move out of the housing 102 via the air outlet 106.
The heat pump system 100 may further include a noise cancelling device 112 that may be configured to minimize sound wave transmission from the heat pump assembly. The noise cancelling device 112 may include a panel having a pattern(s) configured to minimize sound wave transmission from the heat pump assembly or component. The panel may be made of foam, natural materials, polymers, elastomers, metal, wood, fiberglass, other flexible sound attenuating materials or combinations thereof.
In some aspects, the noise cancelling device 112 may include flexible materials that enable adaptable positioning of the noise cancelling device 112 about the heat pump assembly (particularly the compressor 108 and/or air mover 110 (e.g., a fan or blower, hereinafter referred as fan 110)). In addition, the flexible materials enable compression of the noise cancelling device 112 to fit in tight gaps between components in the heat pump assembly. For example, noise cancelling device 112 may include one or more foam tiles having a geometric pattern (e.g., a three-dimensional geometric pattern). The foam tiles may be configured to absorb sound/noise generated by the heat pump assembly and may be configured to reflect sound generated by the heat pump assembly back towards the housing interior portion. Specifically, in some instances, the foam(s) (or foam tile(s)) may be an open celled foam that may attenuate airborne sound waves, reducing their amplitude, for the purposes of noise reduction. In certain embodiments, the foam(s) may be made of a lightweight material made from polyurethane (either polyether or polyester) or extruded melamine foam. Any suitable foam may be used herein.
In some aspects, a single foam may be cut into tiles (or panels) and may be stacked such that one foam tile may be configured to stack over another foam tile. Different example embodiments of the noise cancelling device 112 are depicted in FIGS. 3-5 and described later in the description below.
The noise cancelling device 112 may be disposed anywhere inside the housing 102. In some aspects, the noise cancelling device 112 may be disposed on one or more housing inner walls. For example, the noise cancelling device 112 may be disposed on one or more housing inner side walls (or side wall interior surface) and one or more housing inner top walls (or top wall interior surface), as depicted in FIG. 1 . In some aspects, the noise cancelling device 112 may be disposed/attached on the housing inner walls using adhesive disposed on the noise cancelling device back surface. In other aspects, the noise cancelling device 112 may be disposed/attached on the one or more housing inner walls using any known fastening means, such as tape, Velcro, glue, fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, nails, etc.). In other instances, the noise cancelling device 112 may be press fit (or bonded) into the one or more housing inner walls to secure it thereto. For example, the noise cancelling device 112 may be firmly pressed to facilitate bonding of the noise cancelling device 112 on to the one or more housing inner walls. In additional aspects, the different foam tiles may be attached with each other by using adhesive or other fastening means, such as a screw, clip, etc. In some aspects, the foam tiles may also be attached with the components of the heat pump assembly (that the foam tiles may surround) by using adhesive or fastening means.
In addition or alternatively, the noise cancelling device 112 may be configured to cover one or more heat pump components. For example, the noise cancelling device 112 may be configured to cover or enclose (e.g., partially or fully enclose the exposed, external portion of the component) the compressor 108, the fan 110, a fan protector, and/or the like. The noise cancelling device 112 may prevent or minimize sound waves generated by the heat pump components from escaping the housing 102. In some aspects, as the noise cancelling device 112 may be may be open celled foam, the noise cancelling device 112 may enable air to pass through the noise cancelling device 112; however, the noise cancelling device 112 may not enable sound waves to pass through, thus reducing sound emission from the heat pump assembly without affect heat pump operation.
FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary heat pump system 200 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In certain aspects, the heat pump system 200 may be the same as the heat pump system 100.
The heat pump system 200 may include a heat pump component 202 that may be configured to generate sound waves during heat pump component operation. In an exemplary aspect, the heat pump component 202 may be the compressor 108 (as depicted in FIG. 2 ). In other aspects (not shown), the heat pump component 202 may be the fan 110 (or a fan protector) or any other heat pump component.
The heat pump system 200 may further include a noise cancelling device. In an exemplary aspect, the noise cancelling device may include a first foam portion 204 a, a second foam portion 204 b, a third foam portion 204 c, an nth foam portion 204 n, etc. (that collectively constitute and may be referred to as a noise cancelling device 204). In some aspects, the first foam portion 204 a, the second foam portion 204 b, the third foam portion 204 c, the nth foam portion 204 n may be the same or identical (e.g., have same dimension and same design/shape). In further aspects, the first foam portion 204 a, the second foam portion 204 b, the third foam portion 204 c, the nth foam portion 204 n may be different (e.g., have different dimension and/or design/shape). As shown in FIG. 2 , the foam portions 204 a, 204 b, 204 c, 204 n may be stacked one over another to form the noise cancelling device 204. For example, the foam portions 204 a, 204 b, 204 c, 204 n may each comprise a tile or panel that is stackable. The noise cancelling device 204 may be same as the noise cancelling device 112. In some aspects, “stackable”, as described in the present disclosure, means that the foam portions may be placed one over the other, without the foam portions sliding against each other's surface. In certain embodiments, the foam portions may be “stacked” or placed one over the other such that an outer periphery of one foam portion (e.g., the first foam portion 204 a) may overlap with an outer periphery of another foam portion (e.g., the second foam portion 204 b).
In some aspects, the heat pump component 202 (e.g., the heat pump component exterior walls that are exposed, for example not attached to or adjacent the base plate or another surface) may be partially or fully surrounded or covered by the noise cancelling device 204. For example, the heat pump component 202 may be surrounded by one or more stacks of foam such as the first foam portion 204 a, the second foam portion 204 b, the third foam portion 204 c, etc. The heat pump component 202 may be surrounded by the noise cancelling device 204 on one or more sides such that the noise cancelling device 204 may prevent or suppress noise or sound wave transmission from the heat pump component 202. In the exemplary aspect shown in FIG. 2 , the noise cancelling device 204 may surround the heat pump component 202 from the exterior side walls. In further aspects, the noise cancelling device 204 may partially cover (not shown) the heat pump component top surface. In some instances, the noise cancelling device 204 may be at least partially attached to the heat pump component 202.
In some aspects, the foam (e.g., the first foam portion 204 a, the second foam portion 204 b, etc.) may be stacked to a predefined height (e.g., from 6 inches to 36 inches) such that the stack may cover overall heat pump component height (or compressor height). Stated another way, the stack height may be equivalent to the overall heat pump component height. In other aspects, the foam portions may be stacked to a height such that the stacks cover 50% of the overall heat pump component height. In further aspects, the foam portions may be stacked at equal height in all the sides around the heat pump component 202. In other aspects, the foam portions may be stacked at unequal height in the sides around the heat pump component 202.
In further aspects, the heat pump component 202 may be surrounded by different types of noise cancelling devices/foam portions. For example, the heat pump component 202 may be surrounded by a first foam type in a first stack surrounding a first heat pump component side wall, a second foam type in a second stack surrounding a second heat pump component side wall, and/or the like to further increase noise cancelling efficacy. Different types of the noise cancelling device 204/foam portions are depicted in FIGS. 3-5 and described later in the description below.
In certain embodiments, the plurality of foam portions may be stacked using an adhesive or any other known fastening mechanism as discussed above. In some aspects, the plurality of foam portions may contact and/or be attached to heat pump component exterior walls. In other aspects, the plurality of foam portions may not contact the heat pump component exterior walls and may be disposed at a predefined distance from the exterior walls.
In further aspects, the noise cancelling device 204 (e.g., the panel) may include one or more cut-outs to enclose one or more heat pump component portions/accessories such that the heat pump component operation is not affected due to presence of the noise cancelling device 204. For example, one or foam portions may include a cut-out to enclose a compressor piping 206 such that the noise cancelling device 204 may effectively reduce the noise transmission without interrupting heat pump operation.
As described above, in some aspects, the heat pump component 202 may be the fan 110. In some aspects, the noise cancelling device 204 may be configured to enclose the fan 110 to minimize sound wave transmission from the fan 110. For example, the noise cancelling device 204 may be added or adhesively attached to an inner profile of a fan protector that protects fan blades. In further aspects, the noise cancelling device 204 may be disposed and/or attached on a fan shroud that may be configured to direct air flow from the fan 110.
FIG. 3 depicts a first example noise cancelling device 300 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In certain instances, the noise cancelling device 300 may be same as the noise cancelling device 112 and the noise cancelling device 204. In certain embodiments, the noise cancelling device 300 may include one or more foam portions (or panels) 302 a, 302 b, 302 c, 302 d, 302 e, 302 f, etc. (referred to as foam 302) that may be stacked next to or on top of one another, for example, by using adhesive or other fastening means discussed herein. The foam portions 302 a, 302 b, 302 c, 302 d, 302 e, 302 f may be same as the foam portions 204 a, 204 b, 204 c, 204 n, etc. In some aspects, the noise cancelling device 300 (e.g., panel) may have geometric pattern. In some instances, the geometric pattern may include a plurality of wedge-shaped ridges 304 that may be disposed on a top surface of each foam 302 to manipulate vibrations in a manner that minimizes noise generated by surrounding/nearby components. In some instances, a bottom surface of each foam 302 may be flat. A foam stack height may depend on the heat pump component(s) dimensions which may be surrounded by the noise cancelling device 300.
In some aspects, each ridge of the plurality of wedge-shaped ridges 304 may be disposed at a predetermined distance from adjacent ridges. Further, a ridge height and length (e.g., 1 cm to 10 cm) may depend on the dimensions of the heat pump component, which may be surrounded by the noise cancelling device 300 and/or a frequency of sound generated by the heat pump component.
In further aspects, the plurality of wedge-shaped ridges 304 may be distributed along a noise cancelling device lateral axis. In other aspects, the plurality of wedge-shaped ridges 304 may be distributed along a noise cancelling device longitudinal axis. In further aspects, the plurality of wedge-shaped ridges 304 may be alternatively distributed in both the lateral axis and the longitudinal axis.
In some instances, the plurality of wedge-shaped ridges 304 may have equal height throughout a foam length (e.g., 1 cm to 5 cm). In addition, the foam may be of any dimension and all the foam portions may have equivalent dimensions so that the foam portions may be conveniently stacked adjacent to or on top of one another. The dimensions may be selected based on the frequency of sound emanating from the heat pump system 100 or the heat pump assembly components.
In certain embodiments, a user may stack any count of foam portions adjacent to and/or on top of one another. The count may be based on the dimensions and frequency response of the heat pump system 100 or the heat pump assembly components. When the foam portions are stacked adjacent to and/or on top of one another, a gap may exist between two adjacent foam portions due to presence of the plurality of wedge-shaped ridges 304. The gap may enable air to pass through the noise cancelling device 300. In this manner, the noise cancelling device 300 may prevent sound waves from passing through by using foam portions with ridges but enable air to pass through, thus enabling efficient heat pump assembly operation.
In further aspects, the plurality of foam portions may be stacked in one direction on all the sides around the heat pump component 202. For example, each of the wedge-shaped ridges 304 in all the foam portions may be aligned and are disposed in same direction (as depicted in FIG. 3 ). In other aspects, the plurality of foam portions may be stacked in a first direction in a first stack, in a second direction opposite the first direction in a second stack, and/or the like to increase noise cancelling efficacy. For example, wedge-shaped ridges 304 of foam portions in the first stack may be disposed in the first direction and the wedge-shaped ridges 304 of foam portions in the stack stack may be disposed in the second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. The stacking of foam portions (e.g., the wedge-shaped ridges in different direction) enables sound attenuation in different angles/directions. In further aspects, the plurality of foam portions may be stacked in different directions within one stack. Furthermore, stacks of variably-dimensioned or similarly-dimensioned foam portions may be disposed on different sides of the heat pump component 202.
FIG. 4 depicts a second exemplary noise cancelling device 400 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In certain instances, the noise cancelling device 400 may be same as the noise cancelling device 112 and the noise cancelling device 204. The noise cancelling device 400 may include one or more foam portions 402 a, 402 b, 402 c, etc. (referred to as foam 402) that may be stacked adjacent to and/or on top of or over one another, for example, by using adhesives or other fastening means described herein. The noise cancelling device 400 may have geometric pattern. For example, in some instances, the geometric pattern may include a plurality of pyramid-shaped ridges 404 on a top surface of each foam portion 402 to manipulate vibrations in a manner that minimizes noise generated by surrounding/nearby components. In some instances, a bottom surface of each foam 402 may be flat.
In certain embodiments, the plurality of pyramid-shaped ridges 404 may be uniformly distributed on the top surface of each foam portion 402. In some instances, the plurality of pyramid-shaped ridges 404 may have equal height throughout a foam length (e.g., 1 cm to 5 cm). In addition, the foam portions may be of any dimension, and all the foam portions may have equivalent shape and dimensions. The dimensions may be selected based on the frequency response of the heat pump system 100 or the heat pump assembly components.
In certain embodiments, a user may stack any count of foam portions, which may be based on dimensions and frequency response of the heat pump system 100 or the heat pump assembly components. When the foam portions are be stacked adjacent to and/or on top of one another, a gap may exist between two adjacent foam portions due to the presence of the plurality of pyramid-shaped ridges 404. The gap may enable air to pass through the noise cancelling device 400, as described above in conjunction with FIG. 3 .
In further aspects, the noise cancelling device 400 may include projections of any other shape. For example, the projections may be diamond shaped, egg shaped, and/or the like. In some aspects, a noise cancelling device shape (i.e., a ridge shape) may be selected based on the frequency response of the heat pump system 100 or the heat pump assembly components.
FIG. 5 depicts a third exemplary noise cancelling device 500 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In certain instances, the noise cancelling device 500 may be same as the noise cancelling device 112. The noise cancelling device 500 may be a sound absorbing panel 500 that may be configured to prevent or minimize sound transmission.
In some aspects, the sound absorbing panel 500 may be a cuboidal hollow body that may have holes 502 (e.g., through-holes), as pattern on one or more panel walls. In some aspects, the holes 502 may be uniformly distributed through a panel wall area. The holes 502 may allow the sound transmitted by the heat pump components to enter inside the sound absorbing panel 500. The sound waves that may enter the sound absorbing panel 500 and may be absorbed and/or reflected by panel wall(s), thereby minimizing noise transmission. The sound absorbing panel 500 may be made of any material, including, but not limited to, perforated metal, wood, cardboard, foam or polymer materials, and/or the like. Any suitable material may be used herein such as flexible sound attenuating materials described above.
The sound absorbing panel 500 may be configured to absorb sound waves generated by the heat pump system 100 and/or sound waves generated by one or more of the heat pump assembly components. The sound absorbing panel 500 may be arranged and/or disposed in the heat pump system 100 in a similar manner as described above in conjunction with the noise cancelling device 112 of FIG. 1 .
FIG. 6 depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary method to perform noise cancellation in accordance with the present disclosure. FIG. 6 may be described with continued reference to prior figures. The following process is exemplary and not confined to the steps described hereafter. Moreover, alternative embodiments may include more or less steps that are shown or described herein and may include these steps in a different order than the order described in the following example embodiments.
The method 600 starts at step 602. At step 604, the method 600 may include selecting a noise cancelling device from a plurality of noise cancelling devices. For example, a user may select the noise cancelling device 300 (e.g., a stack of wedge-shaped foam portions 302 a, 302 b, 302 c, etc.), the noise cancelling device 400 (e.g., a stack of pyramid-shaped foam portions 402 a, 402 b, 402 c, etc.), and/or the noise cancelling device 500 (e.g., one or more panels with holes). The user may select the noise cancelling device based on the frequency response of the heat pump system 100 or the heat pump assembly components. Any one or combination of the noise cancelling devices pay be used herein.
At step 606, the method 600 may include selecting a position and/or a location in the heat pump system 100 to install or mount the noise cancelling device. Specifically, when the user selects the noise cancelling device, the user may select the position to install the noise cancelling device. For example, the user may select the housing inner walls (including housing upper wall) in proximity to the noise generating component (such as the compressor 108, the fan 110, etc.) to mount the noise cancelling device. Alternatively or in addition, the user may also attached the noise cancelling device to at least a portion of the noise generating component. At step 608, the method 600 may include mounting the selected noise cancelling device in the selected position. In some aspects, the user may mount the noise cancelling device using adhesives or other fastening means discussed herein. In further aspects, the user may mount a single foam or stack of foam portions within the housing interior (e.g., on one or more of the inner walls of the housing and/or directly to one or more exterior surfaces of the noise generating components. The method 600 may end at step 610.
In the above disclosure, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, which illustrate specific implementations in which the present disclosure may be practiced. It is understood that other implementations may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, one skilled in the art will recognize such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
It should also be understood that the word “example” as used herein is intended to be non-exclusionary and non-limiting in nature. More particularly, the word “example” as used herein indicates one among several examples, and it should be understood that no undue emphasis or preference is being directed to the particular example being described.
With regard to the processes, systems, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than the order described herein. It further should be understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating various embodiments and should in no way be construed so as to limit the claims.
Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent upon reading the above description. The scope should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the technologies discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the application is capable of modification and variation.
All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their ordinary meanings as understood by those knowledgeable in the technologies described herein unless an explicit indication to the contrary is made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc., should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary. Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.

Claims

That which is claimed is:

1. A heat pump system comprising:

a housing defining an interior chamber;

a heat pump component disposed inside the housing, wherein the heat pump component generates sound waves during operation of the heat pump component; and

a noise cancelling device configured to at least partially cover at least one of: one or more housing inner walls and the heat pump component,

wherein the noise cancelling device comprises a panel having a pattern configured to minimize sound wave transmission from the heat pump component.

2. The heat pump system of claim 1, wherein the heat pump component is a compressor.

3. The heat pump system of claim 1, wherein the heat pump component comprises an air mover.

4. The heat pump system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a top wall, and wherein the noise cancelling device is configured to cover an interior surface of the top wall.

5. The heat pump system of claim 1, wherein the panel comprises one or more cut-outs to cover a heat pump component portion.

6. The heat pump system of claim 1, wherein the noise cancelling device comprises a plurality of panels that are stacked to cover at least a portion of outer walls of the heat pump component.

7. The heat pump system of claim 1, wherein the panel comprises a plurality of wedge-shaped ridges.

8. The heat pump system of claim 1, wherein the panel comprises a plurality of pyramid-shaped ridges.

9. The heat pump system of claim 1, wherein the panel comprises a plurality of holes.

10. The heat pump system of claim 1, wherein the noise cancelling device is selected based on a frequency response of the heat pump system or the heat pump component.

11. A heat pump water heater comprising:

a housing defining an interior chamber;

wherein the noise cancelling device comprises a panel having a pattern configured to minimize sound wave transmission from the heat pump component, and wherein the pattern comprises a plurality of ridges or holes.

12. The heat pump water heater of claim 11, wherein the heat pump component is a compressor.

13. The heat pump water heater of claim 11, wherein the heat pump component is an air mover.

14. The heat pump water heater of claim 11, wherein the housing comprises a top wall, and wherein the noise cancelling device is configured to cover an interior surface of the top wall.

15. The heat pump water heater of claim 11, wherein the noise cancelling device comprises a plurality of panels that is stacked to cover at least a portion of outer walls of the heat pump component.

16. The heat pump water heater of claim 11, wherein the panel comprises one or more cut-outs to cover a heat pump component portion.

17. The heat pump water heater of claim 11, wherein the plurality of ridges comprises a plurality of wedge-shaped ridges.

18. The heat pump water heater of claim 11, wherein the plurality of ridges comprises a plurality of pyramid-shaped ridges.

19. A method to mount a noise cancelling device in a heat pump system, the method comprising:

selecting a noise cancelling device from a plurality of noise cancelling devices to minimize sound wave transmission from the heat pump system, wherein the heat pump system comprises:

a housing defining an interior chamber of the heat pump system, and

a heat pump component disposed inside the housing, wherein the heat pump component generates sound waves during heat pump component operation,

wherein the noise cancelling device is configured to cover at least one of: housing inner walls and the heat pump component, and wherein the noise cancelling device is a panel having a pattern;

selecting a position to mount the noise cancelling device; and

mounting the noise cancelling device in the heat pump system.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein mounting the noise cancelling device in the heat pump system comprises mounting the noise cancelling device via bonding.