Heat pump monitor apparatus for fault detection in a heat pump system
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring a heat pump system used to maintain a preselected indoor temperature in an enclosed space having a known heat transfer rate, said system including a heat pump compressor, comprising the steps of:
- sensing the actual run time for the heat pump compressor being monitored during a predetermined test time interval;
sensing an average outdoor temperature ambient to the enclosed space for the test time interval;
storing the expected run time for the compressor being monitored to maintain the preselected indoor temperature for the average outdoor temperature sensed and for the known heat transfer rate of the enclosure;
comparing the actual run time with the expected run time; and
automatically providing an indication when the actual run time exceeds the expected run time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fault detection apparatus which monitors a heat pump system used for maintaining a selected temperature in an enclosed space is disclosed. The apparatus includes measuring the run time for a heat pump compressor, ascertaining the status of the heat pump reversing valve, measuring the run time of an auxiliary heating unit, measuring the run time of the defrost cycle of the heat pump, and sensing outdoor temperature. The compressor, the auxiliary heating unit, and the defrost cycle run times are each compared with their respective expected run times for the outdoor temperature sensed and for a known heat loss rate for the enclosed space. The apparatus will send out an alarm signal when the heat pump system fails to operate within the expected parameters.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring a heat pump system used to maintain a preselected indoor temperature in an enclosed space having a known heat transfer rate, said system including a heat pump compressor, comprising the steps of:
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sensing the actual run time for the heat pump compressor being monitored during a predetermined test time interval; sensing an average outdoor temperature ambient to the enclosed space for the test time interval; storing the expected run time for the compressor being monitored to maintain the preselected indoor temperature for the average outdoor temperature sensed and for the known heat transfer rate of the enclosure; comparing the actual run time with the expected run time; and automatically providing an indication when the actual run time exceeds the expected run time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. Apparatus for monitoring a heat pump system used to maintain a preselected indoor temperature in an enclosed space having a known heat transfer rate, said system including a heat pump compressor, comprising:
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means for sensing the actual run time for the heat pump compressor being monitored during a predetermined test time interval; means for sensing an average outdoor temperature ambient to the enclosed space for the test time interval; means for storing the expected run time for the compressor being monitored to maintain the preselected indoor temperature for the average outdoor temperature sensed and for the known heat transfer rate of the enclosure; means for comparing the actual run time with the expected run time; and means for automatically providing an indication when the actual run time exceeds the expected run time. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification