Microprocessor-based control system for heat pump having distributed architecture
First Claim
1. In a heat pump system of the type which recirculates refrigerant through a fluid circuit between an indoor unit and an outdoor unit including a compressor coupled in the fluid circuit, and an electrically controlled expansion valve for controlling flow of refrigerant, a control system comprising:
- a communications link connecting said indoor unit and said outdoor unit;
first processor associated with said indoor unit and coupled to said communications link;
second processor associated with said outdoor unit and coupled to said communications link;
a first temperature sensor coupled to said second processor for obtaining a first temperature value indicative of the outdoor air temperature;
a second temperature sensor coupled to said second processor for obtaining a second temperature value indicative of the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from said compressor;
said second processor having storage means for storing said first and second temperature values and having messaging means interfaced with said communications link for transmitting said first and second temperature values to said first processor means;
said first processor having storage means and having messaging means interfaced with said communications link and operative to interact with the messaging means of said second processor to receive and store said first and second temperature values;
said first processor being coupled to said expansion valve and being operable to control the setting of said expansion valve based on said first and second temperature values, thereby controlling the flow of refrigerant through the fluid circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The control system employs multiple, distributed architechure, processors in the indoor unit, the outdoor unit and optionally the thermostat unit. The overall system control functions are distributed across the processors, which communicate with one another over a communications link, employing a messaging system which allows sensor values to be obtained locally and transmitted to the other processors. The processors communicate to automatically refresh or update information during times when it will not degrade performance of critical functions.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. In a heat pump system of the type which recirculates refrigerant through a fluid circuit between an indoor unit and an outdoor unit including a compressor coupled in the fluid circuit, and an electrically controlled expansion valve for controlling flow of refrigerant, a control system comprising:
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a communications link connecting said indoor unit and said outdoor unit; first processor associated with said indoor unit and coupled to said communications link; second processor associated with said outdoor unit and coupled to said communications link; a first temperature sensor coupled to said second processor for obtaining a first temperature value indicative of the outdoor air temperature; a second temperature sensor coupled to said second processor for obtaining a second temperature value indicative of the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from said compressor; said second processor having storage means for storing said first and second temperature values and having messaging means interfaced with said communications link for transmitting said first and second temperature values to said first processor means; said first processor having storage means and having messaging means interfaced with said communications link and operative to interact with the messaging means of said second processor to receive and store said first and second temperature values; said first processor being coupled to said expansion valve and being operable to control the setting of said expansion valve based on said first and second temperature values, thereby controlling the flow of refrigerant through the fluid circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification