Method and apparatus for controlling supplemental heat in a heat pump system
First Claim
1. A method of controlling supplemental heat supplied to the air stream passing from an indoor coil to an air supply duct of a heat pump system, the heat pump system being of the type that includes an indoor thermostat having a first set point for initiating heat supplied by the indoor coil and a second set point for initiating additional heat supplied by supplemental heating means, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing supplemental heating means downstream of the indoor coil for heating air passing from the indoor coil to the air supply duct, said supplemental heating means including an adjustable output heating element;
determining the coil discharge temperature of the air stream heated by the indoor coil at a position between the indoor coil and the adjustable output heating element; and
selectively energizing the adjustable output heating element in response to the coil discharge temperature, independent of the second set point of the indoor thermostat.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling supplemental heat added to the air stream passing from an indoor coil to an air supply duct of a heat pump system, the heat pump system being of the type that includes an indoor thermostat having a first set point for initiating heat supplied by the indoor coil and a second set point for initiating additional heat supplied by supplemental heating means. The supplemental heating elements include an adjustable output heating element for heating air passing from the indoor coil to the air supply duct. The coil discharge temperature of the air stream heated by the indoor coil is determined at a position between the indoor coil and the supplemental heating means. The adjustable output heating element is selectively energized in response to the coil discharge temperature, independent of the second set point of the indoor thermostat.
27 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method of controlling supplemental heat supplied to the air stream passing from an indoor coil to an air supply duct of a heat pump system, the heat pump system being of the type that includes an indoor thermostat having a first set point for initiating heat supplied by the indoor coil and a second set point for initiating additional heat supplied by supplemental heating means, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing supplemental heating means downstream of the indoor coil for heating air passing from the indoor coil to the air supply duct, said supplemental heating means including an adjustable output heating element; determining the coil discharge temperature of the air stream heated by the indoor coil at a position between the indoor coil and the adjustable output heating element; and selectively energizing the adjustable output heating element in response to the coil discharge temperature, independent of the second set point of the indoor thermostat. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification