FORD PATENT FILED FOR INTEGRATED HEAT PUMP SYSTEM

[roamtheworld]

https://fordauthority.com/2022/09/ford-patent-filed-for-integrated-heat-pump-system/
Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for an integrated heat pump system, Ford Authority has learned.

The patent was filed on September 20th, 2019, published on September 27th, 2022, and assigned serial number 11453267.
Ford has filed a host of EV-related patents in recent months as it continues to invest heavily in that area, including one for a roof-mounted HVAC system and another for a vapor injection heat pump system. This new Ford patent continues that trend by introducing an idea for an integrated heat pump, which aims to address concerns regarding a substantial loss of range that EVs generally suffer in cold temperatures.
This particular Ford patent presents an idea for an integrated heat pump that consists of a refrigerant module, a manifold with two plates, and auxiliary modules, which is designed to direct the flow of refrigerant through the system. While traditional ICE vehicles can use their engines to generate heat, EVs obviously don’t have this benefit. As such, electric vehicles can lose as much as 40 percent of their range while the heater is running in cold temperatures. Heat pumps mitigate this problem by functioning somewhat like a refrigerator compressor – as in, these units move heat from one place to another, almost like a reverse air conditioner.
No current Blue Oval EV – including the Ford E-Transit, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Ford F-150 Lightning – comes with a heat pump, though the automaker has been exploring this idea for a few years now. This new patent tweaks the older design somewhat with a more integrated setup, which would presumably make it a bit more efficient. It’s also quite a bit simpler than the Mach-E’s current thermal system design, which could wind up making it more reliable in that case, too.

Sponsored

 

[newmme]

Heat pumps are also useless for most of the northeast winter. I have a highly efficient heat pump at my home and, as is typical for heat pumps, count on auxiliary heat (I.e. electric) to kick in below 30-25).

Yes some newer models have a heat pump, but that helps down to 40-32F and in very cold freezing weather, a heat pump can actually use more power than e-heat. I estimate no more than a 5-10% loss difference with a heat pump, depending on Climate. From my Hyundai experience, I get the same range as the Canadian Ioniqs equipped with Heat pumps

Yes, to some extent, at moderate temperatures. Heat pumps have advantages but are no panacea.

Heat pump would make no difference. Heat pumps become less effective the colder it gets

The addition of a heat pump would be a net loss for many (most?) people, especially in California

Folks on this forum have already said heat pumps don't work in cold weather. Not sure why Ford is wasting time on this.

 

[SWO]

Folks on this forum have already said heat pumps don't work in cold weather. Not sure why Ford is wasting time on this.

The perceived benefit of heat pumps is highly overstated IMO. This is a patent application though, so maybe there's something novel about this that's different.

As the article states, this also simplifies the thermal system, so Ford has reasons beyond efficiency to push this.

 

[iankellogg]

one, how is this even a patent? jesus the standards are low.

also heat pumps are a huge benefit in everything but below zero temps. AT worst a heat pump is no worse than a resistive heater.

The other thing is its not like a heat pump is some magical thing that's special compared to a normal AC, its basically just reversing valves that changes the direction of coolant flow. it isn't a huge cost addition to put a heat pump in.

a heat pump is going to make a fairly good difference in range in the 40-60f temp band over the PTC.

 

[ctenidae]

Seems like an integrated heat pump could be useful for moving heat from high-generation places to high usage places, like from the heebyjeeby to the cabin or wasted to the atmosphere. Maybe keep components from cooking themselves without needing an external air source or additional coolant systems. A heat exchanger and a fan inside the battery pack casing, for instance.

 

[sotek2345]

one, how is this even a patent? jesus the standards are low.

also heat pumps are a huge benefit in everything but below zero temps. AT worst a heat pump is no worse than a resistive heater.

The other thing is its not like a heat pump is some magical thing that's special compared to a normal AC, its basically just reversing valves that changes the direction of coolant flow. it isn't a huge cost addition to put a heat pump in.

a heat pump is going to make a fairly good difference in range in the 40-60f temp band over the PTC.

Not much heat use in the 40f to 60f temperature range though. I know those down south have thinner skin, but I usually keep my windows open until ~45f or so. Range reduction doesn't really have a big impact until you are down near 20f and really kicks in below 0f. SO the heat pump can help - but not when you really need it.

 

[awp0]

one, how is this even a patent? jesus the standards are low.

also heat pumps are a huge benefit in everything but below zero temps. AT worst a heat pump is no worse than a resistive heater.

The other thing is its not like a heat pump is some magical thing that's special compared to a normal AC, its basically just reversing valves that changes the direction of coolant flow. it isn't a huge cost addition to put a heat pump in.

a heat pump is going to make a fairly good difference in range in the 40-60f temp band over the PTC.

Hmmmm, maybe below zero celsius? The Consumer Reports range test showed that the Model Y actually lost slightly more range compared to the MME when comparing "warm" (80F) to "cold" (18F). It's hard to see how the Model Y's heat pump is doing anything at 18F. My guess is that it's modestly useful between 30F and 60F. For example, it shows that the Model Y is slightly better than the MME (about 1%) going from 80F to 50F.

 

[ripperAZ]

Hey Ford engineers screw the ridiculous heat pump which doesn’t work in cold weather and put in a ventilated seats for us. Poor bastards in Arizona and California. You know the Desert West.

nitwit product manager is deleting, ventilated seats in electric vehicle were there efficient and useful

Jes sayin. Jackass move. Everyone loves ventilated seats in the summer even people in freaking northern Canada.

 

[SuperRob]

one, how is this even a patent? jesus the standards are low.

You can FILE a patent for anything. Being granted one is a different thing altogether. And then having a patent survive a court challenge ... I guess you see my point by now.

 

[Guss-E 2021]

Seems like an integrated heat pump could be useful for moving heat from high-generation places to high usage places, like from the heebyjeeby

By "heebyjeeby" do you mean HVBJB? ?

 

[ctenidae]

By "heebyjeeby" do you mean HVBJB? ?

Yeah- easier to say and more fun to spell. Also descriptive!

 

[Guss-E 2021]

Yeah- easier to say and more fun to spell. Also descriptive!

So good to find a kindred spirit and heebyjeeby is of course the natural nickname for HVBJB. It is known.

 

[jbooth]

There's nothing wrong with heat pumps and low temps. There's a lot wrong with the commonly available heat pumps in the US though. I think our Trane is good down to about 15F without the strip heat, and that's a high efficiency 2018 install... which isn't that great on a larger scale. For example, Mitsubishi makes one good down to -4, or a bit below if you need to push it.

But go back to the heat pumps down south, or from the 80s and yeah they quit doing anything useful at 40F, which is just about completely worthless.

Remember that 0F is still 255 kelvin, 40F is only up to 277. Plenty of heat available at 0F still! It is a question of design and refrigerant selection though.

 

[woody]

There's nothing wrong with heat pumps and low temps. There's a lot wrong with the commonly available heat pumps in the US though. I think our Trane is good down to about 15F without the strip heat, and that's a high efficiency 2018 install... which isn't that great on a larger scale. For example, Mitsubishi makes one good down to -4, or a bit below if you need to push it.

But go back to the heat pumps down south, or from the 80s and yeah they quit doing anything useful at 40F, which is just about completely worthless.

Remember that 0F is still 255 kelvin, 40F is only up to 277. Plenty of heat available at 0F still! It is a question of design and refrigerant selection though.

Agree, and you are 100% correct.
If Ford's design is good, ie. efficient, it should work.

We heat our home (~3,900 sq. ft., larger scale, if you will) with a Mitsubishi H2 Hyper Heat heat pump, forced air (used already there ducting system). We have the first phase of the heat kit (10kW total) kick in at -5F. The heat pump is 80% efficient at -13F. I believe the newer models are 30% more efficient. Three plus years now. No problems.
90% of the HVAC people out here will tell you a heat pump cannot work here (in Colorado). Partially ignorance, partially no motivation to learn the new technology. And of course greed (HVAC mark ups are astronomical. Make the jewelry business mark ups look small).

 

[woody]

You can FILE a patent for anything. Being granted one is a different thing altogether. And then having a patent survive a court challenge ... I guess you see my point by now.

You are correct, when the applicant is the average Joe.
Ford has a bit more clout than the average Joe.
Average Joe's designs have been patented by those with clout many, many times for many decades. Nothing for average Joe.

Sponsored