CONTROLS FOR HIGH-EFFICIENCY HEAT PUMPS
First Claim
1. A method of providing improved efficiency in heating/cooling, the method comprising:
- (a) operating an HVAC system that includes first and second heat pump compressors working together with corresponding heat pump expansion valves and heat pump heat exchangers;
(b) collecting HVAC fluid information concerning actual conditions of an HVAC fluid flowing in the HVAC system via sensors positioned in various places throughout the HVAC system;
(c) transmitting an update that includes HVAC fluid information;
(d) receiving control instructions based on the update at a heat pump controller regarding how the first and second heat pump compressors can cause actual conditions of the HVAC fluid to move more into conformity with desired conditions of the HVAC fluid, the control instructions calling for;
(i) deactivation (or maintenance of deactivation) of both the first and second heat pump compressors,(ii) activation (or maintenance of activation) of either the first heat pump compressor or the second heat pump compressor, or(iii) activation (or maintenance of activation) of both the first and second heat pump compressors;
(e) implementing the control instructions with the heat pump controller; and
(f) repeating steps (b)-(e) periodically during operation of the HVAC system.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
As discussed herein, a first aspect of the present invention provides a method of providing improved efficiency in heating/cooling. The method can include operating an HVAC system that includes first and second heat pump compressors working together with corresponding heat pump expansion valves and heat pump heat exchangers. The method can include collecting HVAC fluid information concerning actual conditions of an HVAC fluid flowing in the HVAC system via sensors positioned in various places throughout the HVAC system. The method can include transmitting an update that includes HVAC fluid information. The method can include receiving control instructions at a heat pump controller. The method can include implementing the control instructions with the heat pump controller. Steps of the method can be repeated periodically during operation of the HVAC system.
39 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method of providing improved efficiency in heating/cooling, the method comprising:
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(a) operating an HVAC system that includes first and second heat pump compressors working together with corresponding heat pump expansion valves and heat pump heat exchangers; (b) collecting HVAC fluid information concerning actual conditions of an HVAC fluid flowing in the HVAC system via sensors positioned in various places throughout the HVAC system; (c) transmitting an update that includes HVAC fluid information; (d) receiving control instructions based on the update at a heat pump controller regarding how the first and second heat pump compressors can cause actual conditions of the HVAC fluid to move more into conformity with desired conditions of the HVAC fluid, the control instructions calling for; (i) deactivation (or maintenance of deactivation) of both the first and second heat pump compressors, (ii) activation (or maintenance of activation) of either the first heat pump compressor or the second heat pump compressor, or (iii) activation (or maintenance of activation) of both the first and second heat pump compressors; (e) implementing the control instructions with the heat pump controller; and (f) repeating steps (b)-(e) periodically during operation of the HVAC system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15)
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3. (canceled)
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5. (canceled)
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8-9. -9. (canceled)
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14. (canceled)
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16. A method of providing improved efficiency in heating/cooling, the method comprising:
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(a) receiving an update at a main controller regarding operation of an HVAC system that includes first and second heat pump compressors working together with corresponding heat pump expansion valves and heat pump heat exchangers, the update including HVAC fluid information concerning actual conditions of an HVAC fluid flowing in the HVAC system; (b) comparing actual conditions of the HVAC fluid with desired conditions of the HVAC fluid; (c) formulating control instructions based on the update regarding how the first and second heat pump compressors can cause actual conditions of the HVAC fluid to move more into conformity with desired conditions of the HVAC fluid, the control instructions calling for; (i) deactivation (or maintenance of deactivation) of both the first and second heat pump compressors, (ii) activation (or maintenance of activation) of either the first heat pump compressor or the second heat pump compressor, or (iii) activation (or maintenance of activation) of both the first and second heat pump compressors; (d) transmitting the control instructions from the main controller; (e) confirming that the control instructions have been implemented; (f) repeating steps (a)-(e) periodically during operation of the HVAC system. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28, 29, 30)
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20. (canceled)
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22-23. -23. (canceled)
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25. (canceled)
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27. (canceled)
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31-57. -57. (canceled)
Specification