CA2411823A1 - Heat pump defrost control - Google Patents
Heat pump defrost control Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2411823A1 CA2411823A1 CA002411823A CA2411823A CA2411823A1 CA 2411823 A1 CA2411823 A1 CA 2411823A1 CA 002411823 A CA002411823 A CA 002411823A CA 2411823 A CA2411823 A CA 2411823A CA 2411823 A1 CA2411823 A1 CA 2411823A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- exterior
- fan
- reversing valve
- activating
- fan motor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B47/00—Arrangements for preventing or removing deposits or corrosion, not provided for in another subclass
- F25B47/02—Defrosting cycles
- F25B47/022—Defrosting cycles hot gas defrosting
- F25B47/025—Defrosting cycles hot gas defrosting by reversing the cycle
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
- F24F11/30—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
- F24F11/41—Defrosting; Preventing freezing
- F24F11/42—Defrosting; Preventing freezing of outdoor units
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2400/00—General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
- F25B2400/01—Heaters
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B30/00—Heat pumps
- F25B30/02—Heat pumps of the compression type
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Defrosting Systems (AREA)
- Air Conditioning Control Device (AREA)
Abstract
A heat pump system is provided having an exterior coil, an exterior fan and fan motor, an interior blower, a reversing valve, and an auxiliary heater element. A method for defrosting the exterior coil includes the steps of initiating a defrost cycle by activating the auxiliary heater element for a period of time, and thereafter deactivating the exterior fan and fan motor and shifting the reversing valve to a cooling mode, After the defrost cycle has ended, the reversing valve is shifted to a heating mode, the exterior fan and fan motor are activated, and the auxiliary heater element is deactivated. The heat pump system results in less "cold blow" during the defrost cycle of a typical heat pump system, by providing additional heat to the interior space and interior duct work before tine system is operated in a cooling mode to defrost the exterior coil.
Description
PATENT APPLICATION
INYIs;NTOR: ~EFFREX R ELLIl'V'G$ATt~
ATTOR~IE~ DOCKET: 033922.060 I3EA,T PUMP DEFROST CONTROL
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the beneixt of U.S. Pro~risianal Patent Application Serial No.
601334,731, filed November ~ S, 2001, and entitled "heat I?wnp Defrost Control."
BACKGROUND Op' TAE INVENTION
FTELD OF THE INVENTION
INYIs;NTOR: ~EFFREX R ELLIl'V'G$ATt~
ATTOR~IE~ DOCKET: 033922.060 I3EA,T PUMP DEFROST CONTROL
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the beneixt of U.S. Pro~risianal Patent Application Serial No.
601334,731, filed November ~ S, 2001, and entitled "heat I?wnp Defrost Control."
BACKGROUND Op' TAE INVENTION
FTELD OF THE INVENTION
(0002] 'fhe presort invention relates generally to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning contxol. More specifically, the preset invention relates to the control of the defrost c~~cle of a heat pump, DESCRn'TION OF Tr3E RELATED ,ART
[00a3] In a heat pump system running in a heating mode, it is eomxnon for ice to :form on the exterior call of the systejm. As the system is operating in a heating ~nvde, the exterior coil can beco~.e rrery cool as it attempts to transfex heafi from the extexivr ambient sir to the refrigerant in the exterior coil. A.s the coil cools below the derv point of the ambient exterior air, condensation wih occur on the coil. If the cozl cools below freezing, or if the ambient exterior air is belorn the fxeezixlg point of water, the condensation will foam ice on the coil. 'This is common in most areas where heat pumps axe used.
[0004] The formation of ice on the exterior coil reduces the effectiveness of the coil as a heat transfer unit, The exterior coil is designed to transfer heat from the ambient e~tteriar air to the Psge -Z-refrigerant inside the coil. To achieve this function an exterior fan draws ambientt exterior air across tlxe metallic coil. When ice forms on the coil the fan catr no longer draw air across the coil and the heat transfer process is iutenvpted.
[0045] Therefore, methods have bee$ derreloped to de~ost the exterior coil of conxmon heat pump systems. The primary method is to switch the system into the air conditioning mode so that the heat ~rbm the ixiterior m.ay be used to defrost the exterior coil. The system then operates as a typical air conditioner, transfexting heat frooa the interior to the exterior coil via a compressor and expansion valve system. The refrigerant ixt the exterior coil becomes very warm. and removes the ice on the exterior coil, while the refrigerant in the interior coil becomes very cool. Interior air that is then passed over the cool interior coil blows cut into the heated space. This is leaown in the industry as "cold blow."
[OOeQ6J "Cold blow" is typically counteracted by using auxiliary heating elennents, When the heat pt~p system. is switched to defrost the exterior coil, three events typically oecux simultaneously; the exterior fan is deactivated; the reversing valve shifts from the heat to the cool mode; and the auxiliary heating element ox elements are activated. The fan is deacbivat~l to stop the cooling erect on the formed ice and to allorw t'he ice to defrost, The reversing valve is shifted to provide hot re~rigcrant to the e~cterior coil to defrost it. The auxiliary heating elements are activated to heat the cool air that is blo~uvn over the cool interior coil and into the heated area.
[0007] 'carious systems have been proposed for the control of the auxiliary heating elements to prevent "cold blow," vrl~le also not overheating the air to create a "hot blovcr" effect, ~ one proposed. system the auxiliary heat is provided by several discrete elernentg that are activated as needed to mair~,taiu~ a comfortable temperature, while in another system the discrete elements are Page -2-activated based on tine need in the prior defrost cycle and then adjusted as needed. Such systems require multiple discrete heating elements and a more complex control circuit than standard beat pump systems. Such systems also tend to take a fern minutes to heat up causing an initial "cold blow" followed by a ~rarm or comfortable air supply.
[000$] It would be advantageous to prevent "cold blow" using the existing equipment in a typical heat pump system. Zt would be cost effective to avoid "cold blow"
without xequirin~g the use of extra heating elements or more expensive circuitry.
BRIEF SiJIVIM,ARX O ~F 21~E iht'i~ENTION
[0409 In accordance with the present ixtvention, a heat pump system is provided having an exterior coil, an exterior ~~. acrid fan motor, an itite~ior blower, a reversing valve, and an auxiliary heater element. A. method for defi~osting the exterior coil may include the steps of activating the awciliary heater element fo;r a period of time; and after the period of time has passed, activating the exterior fart and fa~t~. motor axed shifting the reversing valve to a cooling mode.
[0010] Anofher feature of tl~e present invention is that the delay between activaxing the auxiliary heater element and shifting the reversing valve and deactivating the exterior fan and fan motor may either be predetermined or calculated based on variable factors. The timing of this delay and the other steps of his method are determined by a control unit associated with the various parts of the heat purap system, [0011 The beat pump system of the present inventitjn is believed to result in less "cold blow"
during the defrost cycle of a typical heat pump system, by providing additional heat into 'the air in the space to be heated and in the duct work and su'f~cient warm-up time for the auxiliary heater element, without significantly adding to the equipment or operational costs afthe system.
Page -~--~BRTEF DESCRlI'T'IUhT OF T1~IE Y?RAWINGS
[0012] FIG. i zs a partial, perspective view of heat pump system incorporating the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is partial, perspective view of an electric auxiliary heating element incorporating the present inve~ntio~n.
[00x4] FZG. 3 is flaw diagyram, of an embodiment of the present invention.
[0415] While the invention will be described in connection vc~ith the preferred embodiment, it will be understood that i'~ is not intended to limit the invention to that e;nbodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalenfis as xnay be included vsrithin the spirit arid scope of the iriventiozl as defined by the appended claims.
bETAILED DESC~I'YOhT OF T1~E PREFE»tED Eh.~BODI11~ENTS
(00!6j FIG. 1 illustrates a typical heat pump systeznl0 incorporating the present invention. A
heat pump system 10 is typically comprised of an interior coil 12; exterior coil 14, located outside the space to be heated or cooled; compressoxl6; reversing valve l8;
and expansion valves 20 and 22, all connected by switable piping 24 as shown. Refrigerant 26 travels through the piping 24 between the coils 12 and i4, valves i8, 20 and 22, and compressor'16. Interior coil 12 and exterior coil 14 each act as either a condensing coil or evaporator coil depending r~pon the mode of operation. The mode of operation, either a cooling or heating mode, is switched by shifting reversing valve 18. Each e~rpa~nsion valve 20 or 22 operates in onllr ore rrzode, such that while in the heating mode only expansion valve 20 is operati~re and while in the cooling, or air conditioning, mode only expansion valve 22 is aperative, Page -4~
{QOI7j Also illustrated in FIt'r. Z are; au exterior fan 28, also typically located outside the space to be heated or cooled; e~cteri,or fan motox 30; interior blower 32; and an ulterior housiztg 4b, in which. interior coil 12, blower 32, and a poxtian of piping 24 ate disposed.. Exterior fan 28 draws ambient exterior aix over exterior coil 14 to transfer heat efficiently between the exterior aix at an ambient outdoor temperature, and the xefrigerat~t 26 in exterior coil 14. Exterior fan, motor 30 drives exterior fau 28, As is known in the art coil 14, fan 28 and motor 30 are dispbsed ix~ a suitable, conventional housing (not shown) disposed outside the interior space to be heated ox gaoled, Tnterior blower 32 draws air over intexior coil 12 in interior housing 4~ to et~ciently transfer heat betvreen the return air 48 and the refrigerant 26 in interior coil 12.
Blowex 32 draws retwrn~ air 48 znto interior housing ~4G from a return air plenuen 40, Alter the retain aix 48 passes through return air plenum 40 into interior housiwg 46, it passes aver interior coil I2 a~tld through blower 32. The retain air 48 then exits blower 32, passes through auxiliary heater housing 34, and exits outwardly as supply aix 52 through a supply air plenum 54 to a climate eoxttralled interior space (not shown.).
{0428) l~ detailed view of the auxiliary heater housing 34, with its side walls foamed by wall pai-tioxts of housing 46 not s'ha~xm for drawing clarity, is shown in FIG. 2, including auxiliary heater element 36, control unit 3$ and thermistor 42. Auxiliary heater element 36 is activated by control unit 38 dependent upon how control uztit 38 is programmed and configured, Therznisfior 42 supplies temperature information to contxol unit 38 via thermistor leads 40 that conaaect thenmistor 42 tt~ control unit 38. Powex is supplied to control unit 38 through conventional power Leads 44.
{0019] FiG. 3 is a flaw diagram of the preferred embodima~t of the inve~ation, Once the defmst cycle 56 is initiated, as desired or negessazy, to remove, or defrost, ice disposed upon Page -5-exterior coil 14, the auxiliary heat cycle 58 begins, wherein auxiliary heater element 36 is activated, In the preferred embodiment described above, system control unit 38 would activate auxiliary heater element 36. A delay cycle 60 thexi begins, which is a period of time sufficient to allow the auxiliary heater element to warm up and supply additional heated supply air 52 into the interior space and conventional duct work, by air being blown by blower 32 through heater housing 34 and ovar heater element 36. Cooling cycle 62 then begins, wherein reversing valve 18 is shifted to cooling, or cooling mode, and exterior ~. utotor 30 end fan 28 are deactivated.
The duration of delay cycle 60 may be a preset amount of time, a calculated amount of brae based upon exterior temperature, ar it may be calculated based upon other pertinent conditions.
Aflex ~ izt this defrost mode, or cooling cycle b2, for a su~ci~t amount of time to heat up and remove the frozen condei2sate or ice from the exterior coil 14, the control unit 38 then ends the cooling cycle 60, thus ending the defrost cycle 64. Tlte time xequired to complete the defrost cycle 64 is determined by the progtamming of the control unit 38. 'fhe duration of the de$ost cycle 54 racy be a preset amotrtrt of tithe, a calculated amount of time based upon exterior tern~perature, or it may be calculated based upon other pertinent conditio~.s.
Once the defrost cycle 64 is comcplete, the heating cycle 66 begins,-wherein exterior fah motor 30 anal fan 28 are activated, auxiliary heater element 3fi is deactivated, xad reversing valve 18 is shied for the heating mode of operation Accordingly, auxiliary heater element 36 has sufficient time to provide additxorial bested air to the interior space and interior duct ~arl~, prior to shifting the reversing valve I8 arid deactivating the exterior fad 28 and fan motor 30 to begin a cooling cycle to defxost the extsrlor coil 14. This prevents "cold blow'° by providing additional heated air before the defrosting; of the exterior coil, so that a higher air temperature, or warmer interior Page ..6-space is maixitairted for a period of time before the cooling mode beans to defrost tk~e exterior coil.
[OOZO] It shall be noted that any type of heater element 36 could be utilized., including using a plurality of heater elennents 36. Control l:l'nit 38 could be any suitable type of control device including, among others, a small computer, circuit board, or solid state electronic controls circuitry, or any other device to pro~cride the requisite eonfrol signals.
[0021] It is to be understood that the ixirrention is act limited to the exact details of the constzuction, opez~ation, exact materials or embodisnexrt shown a~ad described, as obvious modifications and equivalents will be apparent to one skill~'I in the art.
Accordingly, the invention is therefore to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
gage -7-
[00a3] In a heat pump system running in a heating mode, it is eomxnon for ice to :form on the exterior call of the systejm. As the system is operating in a heating ~nvde, the exterior coil can beco~.e rrery cool as it attempts to transfex heafi from the extexivr ambient sir to the refrigerant in the exterior coil. A.s the coil cools below the derv point of the ambient exterior air, condensation wih occur on the coil. If the cozl cools below freezing, or if the ambient exterior air is belorn the fxeezixlg point of water, the condensation will foam ice on the coil. 'This is common in most areas where heat pumps axe used.
[0004] The formation of ice on the exterior coil reduces the effectiveness of the coil as a heat transfer unit, The exterior coil is designed to transfer heat from the ambient e~tteriar air to the Psge -Z-refrigerant inside the coil. To achieve this function an exterior fan draws ambientt exterior air across tlxe metallic coil. When ice forms on the coil the fan catr no longer draw air across the coil and the heat transfer process is iutenvpted.
[0045] Therefore, methods have bee$ derreloped to de~ost the exterior coil of conxmon heat pump systems. The primary method is to switch the system into the air conditioning mode so that the heat ~rbm the ixiterior m.ay be used to defrost the exterior coil. The system then operates as a typical air conditioner, transfexting heat frooa the interior to the exterior coil via a compressor and expansion valve system. The refrigerant ixt the exterior coil becomes very warm. and removes the ice on the exterior coil, while the refrigerant in the interior coil becomes very cool. Interior air that is then passed over the cool interior coil blows cut into the heated space. This is leaown in the industry as "cold blow."
[OOeQ6J "Cold blow" is typically counteracted by using auxiliary heating elennents, When the heat pt~p system. is switched to defrost the exterior coil, three events typically oecux simultaneously; the exterior fan is deactivated; the reversing valve shifts from the heat to the cool mode; and the auxiliary heating element ox elements are activated. The fan is deacbivat~l to stop the cooling erect on the formed ice and to allorw t'he ice to defrost, The reversing valve is shifted to provide hot re~rigcrant to the e~cterior coil to defrost it. The auxiliary heating elements are activated to heat the cool air that is blo~uvn over the cool interior coil and into the heated area.
[0007] 'carious systems have been proposed for the control of the auxiliary heating elements to prevent "cold blow," vrl~le also not overheating the air to create a "hot blovcr" effect, ~ one proposed. system the auxiliary heat is provided by several discrete elernentg that are activated as needed to mair~,taiu~ a comfortable temperature, while in another system the discrete elements are Page -2-activated based on tine need in the prior defrost cycle and then adjusted as needed. Such systems require multiple discrete heating elements and a more complex control circuit than standard beat pump systems. Such systems also tend to take a fern minutes to heat up causing an initial "cold blow" followed by a ~rarm or comfortable air supply.
[000$] It would be advantageous to prevent "cold blow" using the existing equipment in a typical heat pump system. Zt would be cost effective to avoid "cold blow"
without xequirin~g the use of extra heating elements or more expensive circuitry.
BRIEF SiJIVIM,ARX O ~F 21~E iht'i~ENTION
[0409 In accordance with the present ixtvention, a heat pump system is provided having an exterior coil, an exterior ~~. acrid fan motor, an itite~ior blower, a reversing valve, and an auxiliary heater element. A. method for defi~osting the exterior coil may include the steps of activating the awciliary heater element fo;r a period of time; and after the period of time has passed, activating the exterior fart and fa~t~. motor axed shifting the reversing valve to a cooling mode.
[0010] Anofher feature of tl~e present invention is that the delay between activaxing the auxiliary heater element and shifting the reversing valve and deactivating the exterior fan and fan motor may either be predetermined or calculated based on variable factors. The timing of this delay and the other steps of his method are determined by a control unit associated with the various parts of the heat purap system, [0011 The beat pump system of the present inventitjn is believed to result in less "cold blow"
during the defrost cycle of a typical heat pump system, by providing additional heat into 'the air in the space to be heated and in the duct work and su'f~cient warm-up time for the auxiliary heater element, without significantly adding to the equipment or operational costs afthe system.
Page -~--~BRTEF DESCRlI'T'IUhT OF T1~IE Y?RAWINGS
[0012] FIG. i zs a partial, perspective view of heat pump system incorporating the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is partial, perspective view of an electric auxiliary heating element incorporating the present inve~ntio~n.
[00x4] FZG. 3 is flaw diagyram, of an embodiment of the present invention.
[0415] While the invention will be described in connection vc~ith the preferred embodiment, it will be understood that i'~ is not intended to limit the invention to that e;nbodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalenfis as xnay be included vsrithin the spirit arid scope of the iriventiozl as defined by the appended claims.
bETAILED DESC~I'YOhT OF T1~E PREFE»tED Eh.~BODI11~ENTS
(00!6j FIG. 1 illustrates a typical heat pump systeznl0 incorporating the present invention. A
heat pump system 10 is typically comprised of an interior coil 12; exterior coil 14, located outside the space to be heated or cooled; compressoxl6; reversing valve l8;
and expansion valves 20 and 22, all connected by switable piping 24 as shown. Refrigerant 26 travels through the piping 24 between the coils 12 and i4, valves i8, 20 and 22, and compressor'16. Interior coil 12 and exterior coil 14 each act as either a condensing coil or evaporator coil depending r~pon the mode of operation. The mode of operation, either a cooling or heating mode, is switched by shifting reversing valve 18. Each e~rpa~nsion valve 20 or 22 operates in onllr ore rrzode, such that while in the heating mode only expansion valve 20 is operati~re and while in the cooling, or air conditioning, mode only expansion valve 22 is aperative, Page -4~
{QOI7j Also illustrated in FIt'r. Z are; au exterior fan 28, also typically located outside the space to be heated or cooled; e~cteri,or fan motox 30; interior blower 32; and an ulterior housiztg 4b, in which. interior coil 12, blower 32, and a poxtian of piping 24 ate disposed.. Exterior fan 28 draws ambient exterior aix over exterior coil 14 to transfer heat efficiently between the exterior aix at an ambient outdoor temperature, and the xefrigerat~t 26 in exterior coil 14. Exterior fan, motor 30 drives exterior fau 28, As is known in the art coil 14, fan 28 and motor 30 are dispbsed ix~ a suitable, conventional housing (not shown) disposed outside the interior space to be heated ox gaoled, Tnterior blower 32 draws air over intexior coil 12 in interior housing 4~ to et~ciently transfer heat betvreen the return air 48 and the refrigerant 26 in interior coil 12.
Blowex 32 draws retwrn~ air 48 znto interior housing ~4G from a return air plenuen 40, Alter the retain aix 48 passes through return air plenum 40 into interior housiwg 46, it passes aver interior coil I2 a~tld through blower 32. The retain air 48 then exits blower 32, passes through auxiliary heater housing 34, and exits outwardly as supply aix 52 through a supply air plenum 54 to a climate eoxttralled interior space (not shown.).
{0428) l~ detailed view of the auxiliary heater housing 34, with its side walls foamed by wall pai-tioxts of housing 46 not s'ha~xm for drawing clarity, is shown in FIG. 2, including auxiliary heater element 36, control unit 3$ and thermistor 42. Auxiliary heater element 36 is activated by control unit 38 dependent upon how control uztit 38 is programmed and configured, Therznisfior 42 supplies temperature information to contxol unit 38 via thermistor leads 40 that conaaect thenmistor 42 tt~ control unit 38. Powex is supplied to control unit 38 through conventional power Leads 44.
{0019] FiG. 3 is a flaw diagram of the preferred embodima~t of the inve~ation, Once the defmst cycle 56 is initiated, as desired or negessazy, to remove, or defrost, ice disposed upon Page -5-exterior coil 14, the auxiliary heat cycle 58 begins, wherein auxiliary heater element 36 is activated, In the preferred embodiment described above, system control unit 38 would activate auxiliary heater element 36. A delay cycle 60 thexi begins, which is a period of time sufficient to allow the auxiliary heater element to warm up and supply additional heated supply air 52 into the interior space and conventional duct work, by air being blown by blower 32 through heater housing 34 and ovar heater element 36. Cooling cycle 62 then begins, wherein reversing valve 18 is shifted to cooling, or cooling mode, and exterior ~. utotor 30 end fan 28 are deactivated.
The duration of delay cycle 60 may be a preset amount of time, a calculated amount of brae based upon exterior temperature, ar it may be calculated based upon other pertinent conditions.
Aflex ~ izt this defrost mode, or cooling cycle b2, for a su~ci~t amount of time to heat up and remove the frozen condei2sate or ice from the exterior coil 14, the control unit 38 then ends the cooling cycle 60, thus ending the defrost cycle 64. Tlte time xequired to complete the defrost cycle 64 is determined by the progtamming of the control unit 38. 'fhe duration of the de$ost cycle 54 racy be a preset amotrtrt of tithe, a calculated amount of time based upon exterior tern~perature, or it may be calculated based upon other pertinent conditio~.s.
Once the defrost cycle 64 is comcplete, the heating cycle 66 begins,-wherein exterior fah motor 30 anal fan 28 are activated, auxiliary heater element 3fi is deactivated, xad reversing valve 18 is shied for the heating mode of operation Accordingly, auxiliary heater element 36 has sufficient time to provide additxorial bested air to the interior space and interior duct ~arl~, prior to shifting the reversing valve I8 arid deactivating the exterior fad 28 and fan motor 30 to begin a cooling cycle to defxost the extsrlor coil 14. This prevents "cold blow'° by providing additional heated air before the defrosting; of the exterior coil, so that a higher air temperature, or warmer interior Page ..6-space is maixitairted for a period of time before the cooling mode beans to defrost tk~e exterior coil.
[OOZO] It shall be noted that any type of heater element 36 could be utilized., including using a plurality of heater elennents 36. Control l:l'nit 38 could be any suitable type of control device including, among others, a small computer, circuit board, or solid state electronic controls circuitry, or any other device to pro~cride the requisite eonfrol signals.
[0021] It is to be understood that the ixirrention is act limited to the exact details of the constzuction, opez~ation, exact materials or embodisnexrt shown a~ad described, as obvious modifications and equivalents will be apparent to one skill~'I in the art.
Accordingly, the invention is therefore to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
gage -7-
Claims (9)
1. For a heat pump system having at1 exterior coil, an exterior fan and fan motor, an interior blower, a reversing valve, and an auxiliary heater element, a method fox defrosting the exterior coil comprising the steps of:
a. first activating the auxiliary heater element for a period of time; and b. after the period of time has passed, deactivating the exterior fan and fan motor and shifting the reversing valve to a cooling mode,
a. first activating the auxiliary heater element for a period of time; and b. after the period of time has passed, deactivating the exterior fan and fan motor and shifting the reversing valve to a cooling mode,
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the deactivating of the exterior fan motor and shifting the reversing valves occurs a predetermined period of time after the activating of the auxiliary heater element.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the deactivating of the exterior fan motor and shifting the reversing valve occurs a variable period of time after the activating of the auxiliary heater element.
4. For a heat pump system having an exterior coil, an exterior fan and fan motor, an interior blower, a reversing valve, and an auxiliary heater element, a method for defrosting the exterior coil comprising the steps:
a. initiating a defrost cycle;
b. activating the auxiliary heating element for a period of time during the period of time the auxiliary heater element is activated, operating the interior blow to pass air over the auxiliary heater element;
c. deactivating the exterior fan motor and shifting the reversing valve to end the defrost cycle; and d. shifting the reversing valve, activating the exterior fan and fan motor, and deactivating the auxiliary heater element.
Page-8-
a. initiating a defrost cycle;
b. activating the auxiliary heating element for a period of time during the period of time the auxiliary heater element is activated, operating the interior blow to pass air over the auxiliary heater element;
c. deactivating the exterior fan motor and shifting the reversing valve to end the defrost cycle; and d. shifting the reversing valve, activating the exterior fan and fan motor, and deactivating the auxiliary heater element.
Page-8-
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the deactivating of the exterior fan and fan motor and shifting the reversing valve occurs a predetermined period of time over the activating of the auxiliary heater element.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein the de-activating of the exterior fan and fan motor and shifting the reversing valve occurs a variable period of time time after the activating of the auxiliary heater element.
7. A heat pump system comprising:
at least one exterior coil;
an exterior fan and fan motor;
an interior blower;
a reversing valve;
an auxiliary heater unit; and a control unit associated with the exterior fan and fan motor, reversing valve, and auxiliary heating unit, the control unit configured to defrost the at least one coil by activating the auxiliary heating unit for a period of time prior to shifting the reversing valve and prior to deactivating the fan and fan motor.
at least one exterior coil;
an exterior fan and fan motor;
an interior blower;
a reversing valve;
an auxiliary heater unit; and a control unit associated with the exterior fan and fan motor, reversing valve, and auxiliary heating unit, the control unit configured to defrost the at least one coil by activating the auxiliary heating unit for a period of time prior to shifting the reversing valve and prior to deactivating the fan and fan motor.
8. The heat pump system of claim 7, wherein the control unit is configured to defrost the coils by activating the auxiliary heating unit for a predetermined period of time prior to shifting the reversing valve or de-activating the fan motor.
9. The heat pump system of claim 7, wherein the control unit is configured to defrost the coils by activating the auxiliary heating unit for a variable period of time prior to shifting the reversing valve or de-activating the fan motor.
Page-9-
Page-9-
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US33473101P | 2001-11-15 | 2001-11-15 | |
| US60/334,731 | 2001-11-15 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2411823A1 true CA2411823A1 (en) | 2003-05-15 |
Family
ID=23308566
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002411823A Abandoned CA2411823A1 (en) | 2001-11-15 | 2002-11-14 | Heat pump defrost control |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20030116637A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2411823A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (48)
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| US8657207B2 (en) * | 2008-08-26 | 2014-02-25 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Hot water circulation system associated with heat pump and method for controlling the same |
| US20100090017A1 (en) * | 2008-10-11 | 2010-04-15 | Reza Naghshineh | Hybrid heating system and method |
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| US8788100B2 (en) | 2008-10-27 | 2014-07-22 | Lennox Industries Inc. | System and method for zoning a distributed-architecture heating, ventilation and air conditioning network |
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| US9325517B2 (en) | 2008-10-27 | 2016-04-26 | Lennox Industries Inc. | Device abstraction system and method for a distributed-architecture heating, ventilation and air conditioning system |
| US8548630B2 (en) | 2008-10-27 | 2013-10-01 | Lennox Industries, Inc. | Alarm and diagnostics system and method for a distributed-architecture heating, ventilation and air conditioning network |
| US8091372B1 (en) | 2009-03-11 | 2012-01-10 | Mark Ekern | Heat pump defrost system |
| US9261282B2 (en) * | 2009-09-10 | 2016-02-16 | Lennox Industries Inc. | Heating system controller, a heating system and a method of operating a heating system |
| US9535408B2 (en) * | 2009-11-24 | 2017-01-03 | Friedrich Air Conditioning Co., Ltd | Control system for a room air conditioner and/or heat pump |
| US20110209489A1 (en) * | 2010-03-01 | 2011-09-01 | Lawson Sr Reynold Kenneth | Heat pump defrost control |
| US20180195788A1 (en) * | 2017-01-11 | 2018-07-12 | Stiebel Eltron Gmbh & Co.Kg | Method of Defrosting a Heat Pump Device as Well as a Heat Pump Device |
| JP7000902B2 (en) * | 2018-02-15 | 2022-01-19 | 株式会社富士通ゼネラル | Air conditioner |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5758507A (en) * | 1996-08-12 | 1998-06-02 | Schuster; Don A. | Heat pump defrost control |
-
2002
- 2002-11-14 CA CA002411823A patent/CA2411823A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2002-11-15 US US10/295,972 patent/US20030116637A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US20030116637A1 (en) | 2003-06-26 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| FZDE | Discontinued |