Heat pump system and controls

Abstract

A heat pump system is disclosed that utilizes one or two compressors and multiple heat exchangers to provide forced air heating, radiant heating and / or water heating for an interior space. A controller directs energy to these multiple system outputs to provide maximum comfort, effectively utilize any excess energy, address fluctuations in energy output, prevent unsafe operating conditions and avoid intermittent compressor operation. The system may provide energy for a water heater in both heating and cooling mode, and control operation of the water heater to utilize system energy whenever possible and avoid use of a conventional water heater heating element. Load Management Control is also provided so that the system may be shut down remotely by a utility company.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a Continuation-in-Part of Application Serial No. US 2005 / 0252226 A1, entitled “Heating / Cooling System” and filed May 11, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to heating and cooling systems and more specifically to a heating and cooling system with multiple compressors, multiple heat outputs and the control system for managing the system.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Heat pump systems have found widespread application for heating and cooling homes and businesses. Because heat pump systems utilize the same primary components for both heating and cooling, they eliminate the need for separate heating and cooling systems and are therefore economical to install and use. Heat pump systems are also highly efficient, resulting in decreased energy costs to the consumer. As a result, the demand for heat pump systems in residential an...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides increased heating capacity through the use of a primary compressor, a booster compressor and an economizer. The system effectively utilizes this heating capacity with three heat exchangers that provide 1) indoor air heating or cooling, 2) hydronic floor heating and 3) tap water heating. In addition to providing additional heating capabilities, the heat energy generated by the system may be easily diverted between the indoor air heating system, the hydronic floor heating system and the water heater to provide maximum comfort and energy utilization, store energy for later use and address fluctuations in the energy output of the system.

[0020]The system utilizes a novel control system that: 1) prevents unsafe operating parameters; 2) ensures comfortable indoor heating and cooling; 3) utilizes any excess energy present in the system, or stores that energy for later use, by diverting the energy to the hydronic floor heating system and / or the water heater and 4) provides for long run times of the system at optimal conditions to prevent unnecessary and intermittent start up of the compressors.

Problems solved by technology

Heat pump systems are also highly efficient, resulting in decreased energy costs to the consumer.

The use of conventional heat pump systems in colder climates, however, presents significant challenges.

At very low temperatures, however, it becomes increasingly difficult to draw heat from the outdoor environment.

In addition, at very low temperatures, the outdoor heat exchange coil is very susceptible to frost build up, which limits air flow across the coil.

As a result, the performance and efficiency of heat pump systems decreases drastically at very low ambient temperatures when heating capacity is most needed.

Single compressor systems have been utilized that can provide heating at low to moderate ambient temperatures, but such systems typically demonstrate decreased efficiency and performance at higher temperatures.

Such systems must cycle on and off frequently at higher ambient temperatures, resulting in a reduced lifespan for the compressor and decreased system efficiency.

Variable speed compressors have been used to address this problem, but these types of compressors are expensive and lead to increased installation costs for the system.

These control methodologies, however, may lead to frequent calls for changes in compressor output, which will cause one or both of the compressors to cycle on and off.

Prior art systems, however, have not effectively integrated control of the back up heating system with the control of the heat pump system.

As a result, the back up heating system, which performs at lower efficiency, is over utilized as compared to the heat pump system, leading to increased energy costs.

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