Multi-staging of supplemental heat in climate control apparatus
First Claim
1. An improved heat pump system of the type having a thermostat for generating at least three stages of demand signals, outdoor and indoor heat exchange coils, at least one fan, a compressor, an expansion device, means for reversing the flow of refrigerant for purposes of selecting between heating and cooling modes of operation and a supplemental heater having a plurality of supplemental heating units for further heating an air stream passing over the indoor coil through an air supply plenum to supply air to a comfort space, wherein the improvement comprises:
- each of said plurality of supplemental heating units having a different heating capacity;
selecting means for selecting a combination of said supplemental heating units responsive to a demand for heat from the thermostat; and
control means for turning on said supplemental heating units selected by said selecting means whereby a level of heat demanded by the thermostat is provided.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved heat pump system of the type having a thermostat capable of generating at least three stages of demand signals, outdoor and indoor heat exchange coils, at least one fan, a compressor, an expansion device, with the flow of refrigerant being reversible for purposes of selecting between heating and cooling modes of operation and a supplemental heater having a plurality of supplemental heating units for further heating an air stream passing over the indoor coil through an air supply plenum to supply air to a comfort space. An improvement in this system where each of the supplemental heating units has a unique heating capacity; a combination of supplemental heating units can be selected that is responsive to a demand for heat from the thermostat; and the selected supplemental heating units are turned on appropriately so that the level of heat demand by the thermostat is provided.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An improved heat pump system of the type having a thermostat for generating at least three stages of demand signals, outdoor and indoor heat exchange coils, at least one fan, a compressor, an expansion device, means for reversing the flow of refrigerant for purposes of selecting between heating and cooling modes of operation and a supplemental heater having a plurality of supplemental heating units for further heating an air stream passing over the indoor coil through an air supply plenum to supply air to a comfort space, wherein the improvement comprises:
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each of said plurality of supplemental heating units having a different heating capacity; selecting means for selecting a combination of said supplemental heating units responsive to a demand for heat from the thermostat; and control means for turning on said supplemental heating units selected by said selecting means whereby a level of heat demanded by the thermostat is provided. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. In a heat pump system of the type having a thermostat for generating at least three stages of demand signals, outdoor and indoor heat exchange coils, at least one fan, a compressor, an expansion device, means for reversing the flow of refrigerant for purposes of selecting between heating and cooling modes of operation and a supplemental heater having a plurality of supplemental heating units for further heating an air stream passing over the indoor coil through an air supply plenum to supply air to a comfort space, a method for providing a number of stages having differing levels of heat, wherein the number of stages exceeds a number of said supplemental heating units, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing that each said supplemental heating unit has a unique heating capacity; signalling by the thermostat to a controller an amount of supplemental heating demanded; and turning on appropriate supplemental heating units to provide the amount of supplemental heating demand by the thermostat. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. An improved climate control system of the type having a thermostat for generating at least three stages of demand signals, at least one fan, a compressor, an expansion device, means for selecting between heating and cooling modes of operation and a staged heater having a plurality of heating units for heating an air stream passing over the indoor coil through an air supply plenum to supply air to a conditioned space, wherein the improvement comprises:
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each of said plurality of heating units having a unique heating capacity; selecting means for selecting a combination of said heating units responsive to a demand for heat from the thermostat; and control means for turning on said heating units selected by said selecting means whereby a level of heat demanded by the thermostat is provided. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. In a climate control system of the type having a thermostat for generating at least three stages of demand signals, outdoor and indoor heat exchange coils, at least one fan, a compressor, an expansion device, and a heater having a plurality of heating units for heating an air stream passing over the indoor coil through an air supply plenum to supply air to a comfort space, a method for providing a number of stages having differing levels of heat, wherein the number of stages exceeds a number of said heating units, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing that each said heating unit has a unique heating capacity; signalling by the thermostat to a controller an amount of heating demanded; and turning on appropriate heating units to provide the amount of heating demand by the thermostat. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification