RESIDENTIAL HEAT PUMP WATER HEATER
First Claim
1. A heat pump water heater comprising:
- a water storage tank;
a heat pump, comprising a sealed system including a compressor an evaporator, a condenser and a refrigerant configured for refrigerant flow from compressor to condenser to evaporator and back to the compressor, wherein the condenser is positioned in a heat exchange relationship with the water storage tank for heating the contents of the tank;
a first electric resistance heater positioned proximate the upper region of the water storage tank;
a first temperature sensor positioned proximate the top of the water storage tank; and
a controller operatively connected to the first temperature sensor and including an event flow module configured to receive and process data representative of temperature readings measured by the first temperature sensor in order to determine if water is flowing from the water storage tank, wherein the controller is operatively connected to the heat pump and the first electric resistance heater, the controller being further configured to automatically select and energize at least one of the heat pump and the first electric resistance heater in response to the temperature readings measured by the first temperature sensor.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A heat pump water heater and systems and methods for its control are disclosed. The systems are configured to heat water within a water storage tank of a heat pump water heater wherein a controller within the system is operatively connected to a plurality of heat sources including at least one electric heating element and a heat pump and sensors in order to selectively energize one of the plurality of heat sources. The controller is configure to process data representative of the temperature of water within the tank near the top of the water storage tank, and rate of water flowing out of the water storage tank, in order to automatically selectively energize the heat sources. The selection of heat sources by the controller is determined by a mode of operation selected by the user and the data processed by the controller in view of the selected mode of operation.
-
Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A heat pump water heater comprising:
-
a water storage tank; a heat pump, comprising a sealed system including a compressor an evaporator, a condenser and a refrigerant configured for refrigerant flow from compressor to condenser to evaporator and back to the compressor, wherein the condenser is positioned in a heat exchange relationship with the water storage tank for heating the contents of the tank; a first electric resistance heater positioned proximate the upper region of the water storage tank; a first temperature sensor positioned proximate the top of the water storage tank; and a controller operatively connected to the first temperature sensor and including an event flow module configured to receive and process data representative of temperature readings measured by the first temperature sensor in order to determine if water is flowing from the water storage tank, wherein the controller is operatively connected to the heat pump and the first electric resistance heater, the controller being further configured to automatically select and energize at least one of the heat pump and the first electric resistance heater in response to the temperature readings measured by the first temperature sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A method of heating water within a water storage tank of a heat pump water heater wherein a controller is operatively connected to a heat pump, heating elements and a first temperature sensor positioned near the top of the water storage tank, the method comprising:
-
receiving temperature readings transmitted by the first sensor; processing the temperature readings transmitted by the first sensor in order to determine a drop in temperature of water near the top of the water storage tank below a threshold temperature; and selecting and energizing at least one of the heat pump and the electric heating elements in response to the drop in temperature of water near the top of the water storage tank below the threshold temperature. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. A heat pump water heater comprising:
-
a water storage tank; a heat pump positioned wherein the heat pump condenser is positioned in contact with the side and bottom of the water storage tank; a pair of electric resistance heaters, wherein a first electric resistance heater is positioned within the water storage tank in proximity to the bottom of the water storage tank, and a second electric resistance heater is positioned within the water storage tank in proximity to the top of the water storage tank; a temperature sensor positioned to determine the temperature of water within and in proximity to the top of the water storage tank; a controller configured to process information representative of temperature readings measured by the temperature sensor to detect a change in the temperature of water in the water storage tank, wherein the controller is operative to automatically energize one or more of the heat pump, the first electric resistance heater, and the second electric resistance heater in response to the change of the temperature of water in the water storage tank.
-
-
23. A water heater comprising:
-
a water storage tank; a pair of electric resistance heaters, wherein a first electric resistance heater is positioned within the water storage tank in proximity to the bottom of the water storage tank, and a second electric resistance heater is positioned within the water storage tank in proximity to the top of the water storage tank; a temperature sensor positioned to determine the temperature of water within and in proximity to the top of the water storage tank; a controller operatively connected to the first temperature sensor and including an event flow module configured to receive and process data representative of temperature readings measured by the temperature sensor in order to determine if water is flowing from the water storage tank, wherein the controller is operatively connected to the electric resistance heaters, the controller being further configured to automatically select and energize at least one of the electric resistance heaters in response to the temperature readings measured by the first temperature sensor. - View Dependent Claims (24)
-
Specification