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Heat pump with adaptive frost determination function

  • US 4,916,912 A
  • Filed: 10/12/1988
  • Issued: 04/17/1990
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/12/1988
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for detecting the formation of frost in a heat pump having a compressor, an interior heat exchanger, an exterior heat exchanger, an exterior fan for moving exterior air past the exterior heat exchanger, and a thermostatic control means for cycling the compressor ON and OFF in accordance with heating demand, the improvement comprising the steps of:

  • repetitively forming the difference between the exterior ambient temperature and temperature of the exterior heat exchanger during operation of the compressor;

    repetitively comparing said difference to a frost formation difference function of the exterior ambient temperature during operation of the compressor;

    interrupting the operation of the compressor and defrosting the exterior heat exchanger if said difference exceeds the value of said frost formation difference function for the current exterior ambient temperature;

    measuring the length of time of said defrosting of the exterior heat exchanger; and

    altering said frost formation difference function if said measured length of the time of said defrosting of the exterior heat exchanger deviates from a predetermined length of time.

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