AU2015268630B2 - Residential heat pump water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A heat pump water heater and systems and methods for its control are disclosed. The systems are configured to heat water within a water storage tank of a heat pump water heater wherein a controller within the system is operatively connected to a plurality of heat sources including at least one electric heating element and a heat pump and sensors in order to selectively energize one of the plurality of heat sources. The controller is configured to process data representative of the temperature of water within the tank near the top of the water storage tank, and rate of water flowing out of the water storage tank, in order to automatically selectively energize the heat sources. The selection of heat sources by the controller is determined by a mode of operation selected by the user and the data processed by the controller in view of the selected mode of operation.

Description

RESIDENTIAL HEAT PUMP WATER HEATER FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present application is a divisional application from Australian Patent Application No. 2010214030, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0001a] Embodiments of the present invention relate to water heaters. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to heat pump water heaters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A widely accepted and used water heater for residential hot water production and storage is the electric resistance water heater and storage tank. Water heaters typically include a tank defining a chamber for retention of water. A water inlet pipe that is provided with a first connection for interconnection with a cold water supply line that conveys fresh relatively cold water into the chamber. Within the tank there are electric resistance elements that heat the water in the tank. In current embodiments, there are at least two electric resistance elements. A first electric resistance element positioned near the bottom of the tank and a second electric resistance element positioned near the top of the tank. There are also two sensors positioned on the exterior of the tank that measure the temperature of the tank near the top and bottom of the tank in proximity to the location of the electric resistance elements. When the temperature sensed by such sensors drops below a certain temperature level, these sensors close the contacts associated with the corresponding electric resistance elements causing the electric resistance elements to energize.

[0003] When water is supplied to the tank, it is supplied through a dip tube that pushes the cold water to the bottom of the tank and thereby pushes the hot water out of the top through the outlet pipe where water is the hottest. One of the problems with this configuration is that the sensor near the top of the tank can't detect that hot water is exiting and cold water is entering the tank near the bottom. The lower sensor detects that cold water is entering the tank when it detects a temperature drop at the thermostat, which is the primary purpose for having two sensors. When the lower sensor detects a temperature drop below a certain level, it closes the contact and energizes the lower electric resistance element until the temperature reaches a specified level. But, each time the lower electric resistance element heats the water, the heated water is buoyant and goes up to the top of the tank. For example, if the tank is holds 50 gallons of water, and three gallons of water flow into the tank, it may cause the lower electric resistance element to be energized for a few minutes in order to recover the temperature. If a few minutes later, there is a draw of another three gallons of water, the lower electric resistance element is energized again for another few minutes in order to recover the temperature. This causes the heated water to rise to the top creating a problem called stacking. Under sequential small draws of water, the lower electric resistance element is energized each time and runs until the lower sensor is satisfied that the lower part of the tank is sufficiently, warm. When this is occurring, the top part of the tank continues to get a little bit hotter each time which causes over heating of water in the top of the tank, which can potentially lead to undesirably hot water being drawn from the tank. So there is a need for a configuration that solves the problem associated with attacking resulting from small sequential water draws made on current water heaters.

[0003a] A reference herein to a patent document or other matter which is given as prior art is not to be taken as an admission that the document or matter was known or that the information it contains was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of any the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0003b] Still consistent with embodiments of the present invention, methods of heating water within a water storage tank of a heat pump water heater including a controller operatively connected to heating elements and sensors selects and utilizes the appropriate heating elements to heat the water within the water storage tank without overheating of the water are disclosed. The methods may include positioning condensers of a heat pump in proximate the water storage tank for a heat exchange relationship with the water contained in the tank to transfer heat to the water in the tank, positioning electric heating elements to heat water within the water storage tank, periodically processing the temperature readings measured by a plurality of sensors in order to automatically control the selection and energizing one or more of the heat pump and the electric heating elements.

[0003c] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of heating water within a water storage tank of a heat pump water heater wherein a controller is operatively connected to a heat pump, heating elements and a first temperature sensor positioned near the top of the water storage tank, the method comprising receiving temperature readings transmitted by the first sensor; processing the temperature readings transmitted by the first sensor in order to determine a drop in temperature of water near the top of the water storage tank below a threshold temperature; and selecting and energizing at least one of the heat pump and the electric heating elements in response to the drop in temperature of water near the top of the water storage tank below the threshold temperature; prior to selecting and energizing the at least one of the heat pump and the electric elements, automatically determining, by the controller whether the water level within the water storage tank is at a sufficient level to allow a heating sequence to begin by performing the following steps initiating the condenser of the heat pump for a defined period of time; processing the temperature readings received from the sensor positioned to measure the temperature of the water storage tank in order to determine whether the temperature of the water storage tank has increased to a level that exceeds a defined increase level; and upon a determination that the temperature of the water storage tank has exceeded a defined level, disabling the heating sequence and transmitting a signal indicating that an insufficient level of water is within the water storage tank. f&0U4j Nm-hmding and oonwxbimstrre embodmtents are ddrcobed with refefetiee to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer' to hke parts throughout the various vrows unless-otherwise specified |00d5| FIG. i depicts a Best embodiment of a Beat pump water heater sdsetttMte consistent witfe eiTihoduherds of the aivennon·. ftMithf FIG 2 depicts a second embodiment os' a beat pomp waver beater schematic consistent with embodiments of the mveotioo. FIG: 3 depicts a sUml embodiment of a heat prang water tater schematic consistent with emiiods merits of use intention: fOOMj .FIG; -i deptets a Bwitth embodiment of a heat pump water beater schematic consistent with embodiments ot the invention, FIG: 5A depicts a filth embodiment of a heat ριρΐιρ water heater achemaiic consistent with embodiments of the invention. flMtibj FiG. :·Β depicts & >i>ah embodiment of a beat pomp water herder schematic comas led with embodiments of the sm endow |W11| FIG. ^ ij a graph illustrating a comparison of sensor out pm near the top erf a storage tank when the unit is in standby mode rod whets -bare is a rats of one ga'Ioa per irrimue of witer Bowing from the water storage tank. HG$. 7 I arid 7B depict a comroi block diagram ami awkhrg diagram respecisish. co&Pstcm svid:r .etpbi)dtrnastg of the niesmion.; raid |W13| FIGS KiVBS rlUteirates a process Bow of the istngemtam am! Sow module's automatic cotrlrol of the beat pump eondertser and electric hcaihse eieiiTsarts:.

GENERAl DfACRiFTiGM |60f4j Refcieftco mv he made throughout thu spectirctnion to "one efirhodbiient, ‘ "an embodiasewt,5' ‘’‘«•iSibodimem·» " "hu aspect." or "aspects'' meaning that a pailieulsf described ihahtry, structure, or ttwaciomtie- mas ho included in at tost onesmbathmem *2' the present invemnst. 'liras, usage of such phrases may refer tomote fhw just (>.!!;> embodiment or aspect I» adori'iom the described baaEirsftj. structures, or characteristics may bo combined ia any suitable manner in one or more emtelmteafs dr rtspeors Moreover. reference to a single item torn. mean a \sngie item or aplurslio: of heros, jytosw:re%eoee to s ptoratov of Homs may mean tosis%iw i torsi |€'ftlS| Bn^sdiwri?.·!, of die present invistoon-iaiicse s controller gpoff&amp;mmei. to control a heal pump'wate* healer, though not alt aspects of She i«\ smtoo are limited to h«at 'pump water heators, but. may have -other appiscittsoas as well, such .as for «sample., .electric water hosiers. The eosimUer may be }?.n>grsmR:ied to have presto modes of operaiiam to. aMtim. the Cifoisttoer may fee pifigts&amp;psfo&amp;ji to intoTpret various mmpgj'smre. and data i-nputs for use its coSlrolJtng She heat atattetss tif the water heater, Fat&amp;cnvtott. the stHuperntuie and. data topms spay he interpreted b> the etopfoller to 3»K*natk*aiK select aod estorgiae ode or sitofo. of foe electric beating· 'deimsfiis and heat pump t * sa enotgj/auon of the cnmprcmyr}' ih an effort to eflMmsfly heat the water to a manner that ptetcuw overheaitoe of the wutor caused by stocking. DETAILED ΪΈΜ Η ΗΠΙΟΝ pfoM) Various embodjmen'hi ato described more fiily below with jefereoce to toe acccsttpanying' drawings, which form a. pari hereof, and which show .specific etofepdMtoxils offoe Ittvenwon. Howews. embodiments to be implemented in many dlfforg® forms arid should oof be construed as limited so the embodiments·set forth herein; rather, these embodiments am provided so shat ifeto disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will foto comes- (be scope of the inu-mson to those skilled to the art. Accordingly, the flowing detailed description w. therefore, not to be taken m &amp; itrrtitii\g sense. ihe embodmietos: described set forth entootomeiits of a heat putop water· heater sy stern that utilizes one or mote electric resistatice: demerits, as well m a heat: pump or refrigermion sealed system ίο impart beat to the water Tits esrergy .req.ttf.tod to heat w-atoi is sigmScanily .reduced by utilizing a refrigeration sealed sw-stem so owe the heat from she air of the .stsToustdmi· warm em twine*»· irito foe water. In the embodiments described ,m figures 1-5 each heat pump water feeder $} rtera disclose·; curious «easors, one ot. Which i\ posit iooed to eeass: water temperature within the water storage Sank. Tire data from tins sensor is used not otiiy to sense the temperature of site water m the tank but also, us embodiments- lacking a .Ocm meter, m indirectly detect the occurrence of a. Ron event, φ?ϊ is. the flow of hot water s&amp;sd the associated Hon of cold water oat of aid into dm water storage Saak respectively, In some wthedinsems '»· Row mofer is used to dueetk detect she oecutrsnce of a flow e< an. The sensor pPsHioiied So sense water temperature vuihm the water storage sank may he positioned within the waferstorage sank or slteroatwely on the oimor of the took at contact vnh the tank sidcnvall |<K.*f8| fhe data representative of water tomperainK; rfelhiE the water storage taafe. and ties oeettrfence of a flow event fa irastsroiaesi to. a controller fer pmcessfes. The comrniler h operative!», connected to electric rc^istaacg heaters and the heat [tump and inducfes &amp; module shat facilitate!? the aotraMiic yefeeimn and energizing of at least one of the heat pump and The elecdra resistance beaters in response ¢0 data received that is ropnasentatuc of water tompsrsuune wflhm the water storage lank and the occurs once of a water How ev eat. P»19| Refemng mnv to the figures, FIG. I depicts a tot intnip water .heater H>0 schematic constfteat wsth a ft® embodiment of the metilkn The tofphhip system composes an evaporator KG, a compressor BO. a cortdfistsa.· HIS, ithmttfcii device iOf· ansi ,¾ least one fast 104. Condenser 104 ss assembled m a heat exchange rdas tonship w ah she water to the water storage tank J 20 During operation of the beat pump cycle a reMgemm exhe the evaporator 102 ,w a Jlukl m the form of a superheated vapor· atfefer high qqalitv vapor mixture, Upon exiting the evsgmxtof 1:02 tits :mfri|eriiat eaters the compressor 130 wits® the pt«wure end temperatsas increase, The temperature and pressure are isicmased in: the compressor 13ff such that the raftig®·®! becomes a superheated vapor. The superheated vapor tram the compressor 130 eato® She condenser 101. Whib in the condenser SOS. the supertoied vapor transfer energy So the water Kilims a si© rage Sank 120. lip® traiwferriog energy to Site water within she storage tank 120, Use refrigerant turns mto a saturated liquid and/or high quality liquid taper mixture, Thiy high quahly/saturafed liquid vapor nrsviure wots tire condenser log and tun els through the throttling deviee lot·, Upon «xnmg the throttling device {«V» the pressure and temperature· oHIkj refngeratit drop at which time the rcfngvtam enter > evaporator 102 and the cycle repeals itself. f002#| The ..heart pump water heater t Oft includes a vy-suer Met fore 1.15 %j allow teg cold water th enter ihe heat pump water heater 100, where it ss dirtied to the bottom of ihis tafsT 120via stop ttifee 110, .The heat pomp water healer 106 also has electric healing eluents 122 and j 24 placed near the top and bottom of the water simsfe task j 20 to heat the water, fct the -embodiments· berets described toe heating elenremte are shows .-projecting. into, .the: inferior erf the lank however, other configurations .prpyjdteg for: posiftofisag the lippes and lower eleffieato to heat the wafer is the .upper and lower regions of the tank respectively .could he similarly employed The heated water exits the heat puSip walet* heater oesr lop of raftk 120 at e\u i 14 and /lows to the residence or other place where heated water is dpsired. The heat pomp v,rter bwtter MK? has- a temperature sensor 126 positioned to sense the temperature of the water m the 'upper, region of she tank and may aka have additional temperature -sensors -placed, at various locattous lot sensing other temperatures, sech. as heat-pomp-«<)J3d<sis©r inlet and outlet temiso-iantfcv ambient temperature, ere.. jiMfilj ft! Itte first embodiment tlftAUUtevJ ift Figkre l, a single: yvstey .temperature tensor 126 is positioned toward, the. upper end of the freak 126 the heat pump condenser 108 is pmittonoii in a heat exchange arrartgpaa with the water socage tank 120 to enable beat from the condenser to- 'host she water in the storage .tank T'he system includes a cootroMef 152, .«quipped -with a microprocessor ptogrammed to lagiude a.’.vatere temperature and flow module, which re opetsu’-ete eonmded to the heat paatp water heater and configured to matoe d?u, repmyeniahre uftempeniiure readings measured hv the single sensor 126 The lemperaiirre Teadsags received by the -controller to2 are processed by toe water temper store end flow module io determine tits iemreemtee of the water in the tool; 120. The water 'temperature ami slow module within the controller 1.52 .re iimhcr conltgured to ••process data represemative of temperature readings measured bv the Single sensor 126 to tktenrekre the rate at which the tetnppt autre of water in the wares storage1 tank 136 changes; In response to the sensed outer temperature m4 the rate st which the temperature of water m dtp· -water storage: itoik 12() diSSges, toe controller 152 dOterim»<s· which -of the· compressor t hi. an upper sfectrie resistance heater 122, and a lower electric resistance heater 124 shall Ire energised, retd lur here king. in order to heat the water within the water storage tank 12.0. The erenrolter tod and (ho water temperature and flaw module stored foerafo, tsfong wish the single· sensor 126, are operatively configured to elTaenivaiy' mspmd to small amounts of v.ater befog .withdrawn Sam dm water' storage tank wbieb causes small i&amp;npeniture changes, tbetvbv dfovfoatirsg. the need for a second vcnsor to be positioned so the lower portion oi: ihe water storage tank 12(1 Tigs rase of temperature change foformatron could also be xsed fo flea of a flow meter its detect the approximate flow rate of water befog withdrawn. fmm ihe. mnfo for gtspnpk, by «empa-iteg the detected rate of otestge of temperature with a look sip table comprising a set of empirically determined teiitperatuR· change rste'flmv rate corcelagons sad ohoosmg Use flow rate associated from tba table that ts closest so foe detected temperature rase of chaoge lt>623| The system may also be programmed to doierams» how much·water is used m a short period of feme tn order to use that information to determine the most etTfcicoi maimcs to heat the uoheatoti wate> added to she water storage tank 120. 100231 As illustrated in Figure 2. the second embodiment includes a flow meter 210 positioned m the water tnlcl hoc 212 Flow meter 2to iransrrais data representative -of the «mount of wafer flowing into the water storage tank :221) to /the water temperature and flow module within the contmller 2¾. Under urcumsfartcee in which large amobtfls of water are removed from she water storage tank 22o tn short periods. of feme, single sensor 22b may not read changes 1« water temperature at a speed font ficiljtaifo immediate recognition by the crattrolier 252 that large amounts of waw have beau renxn ed from the water storage tank 220. When large amounts of water are:igmovsil from .vaster storage tank 220. the energising· of alternate and / nr additional beating element may be necesssfy m octet to host the water i« the most etleient and timely manner. The corfoyller: 252 processes data representative of the rate pi flow of water into the water storage tight 220.received item the flow motor 216 along with the data received j'rom single sensor 221? in order to determine which of the compressor 21<h the upper foecUfo resistance heater 2:23. and the iovun eteefoe rerasfoiwe beatei 334 shall be energised m order to heat foe water within foe water storage brd 22o 10024} ilx- embodiment dhMrated tn Figure .¾ also inehafes. » second temperau-ve sensor 22K in the wnief mlet line 212 m order ίο sense the temperature of foe water flowing *.mo watet storage nufo 220 through Use water «tier hue 212. The mn%renter 252 processes data tegteteniaure c-f the tesispctoto of WtorflowiBg into water storage tank 220 through to water mist Ikte 2:I2 In order to dtorinto a protected ta-opteatoi of live wtor within ib« water stooge tank 229 when the ww flowing mbs to \ tos storage tank and the heated water ahead} witot hie watfcr st0is.go ts.8k are co-mbtoed. The afetiny so prefect a resultant temperature from the combination of nnheated water ilowfeg Into the water storage tank 220 arsd the heated water already vphtn me· wafer storage tank 220 allows the controller ,252 to presaiptiveh· and automatically determine which of the compressor 2:3(¾ the. ορροί eie<;ihe'f«s?sta«.ee heater 22¾/aid the lower dearie testene® heater 224 needs to he ehergtod sp order to heat to water within tint water storage tank 220. A&amp;iOmtmeii, the heat pomp water heater also includes art extecosl temperature sensor 232 which is configured to trsosrois data representanse of the temperature of the ah' surrounding the water storage tank 220 Ίυ the control ier 252 for processing. The eootidjei 152 processes data representative of the temperature of the air surrounding the water storage tank 22» in order to detetohe the dOo'eney of the heal pump s> stem when eonspressor 23-n is energized to heat the wster within to water storage tok 22o 100251 fe the ftr«r and second emhodnnoms illustrated to Figures 1 and." 2 respeollvto, because tormtetom ate used to sense temperature as opposed to to N~ metal sensors which an? commonly tssed m the industry', the system controller 1525252 can detect steal! ehapges in tORipetaturg. The *$.m temperature and flow module wiihm the controller 152/252 processes 'to motpefatu.ee leadings; transmitted by temperntore sensor 129/229 to: detect the rate of change in temperatures measured' % sensor \2u 22<>"<w«r time .For example. if water slotego ianfe 120/2:20 Is full of water .heated to a previously defmed toipertore and too a, user cktoT a small 'amount of water, such as three to the gallons, then ieiiiporaiyfe semor 129:229 will detect »ome bus not a significant change in water temperauue It is possible to distinguish between the change in temperature causedM a withiktevsi of wafer ftmi water storage tank 128/22-9 and a change m temperature iesuKmg from to HhWli system being: in standby mode and no water is being withdrawn hecause, the water .temperature and How -module monitors the dectoe-m water temperature measured by the temperamre sensor 12/9220 sMBr pri5e j«. stodby- mods. the declto 1ft tempera· ore measured by temperatefe.sensor 126/226 is a yen: slow decline, As Stop as water is withdrawn, even at a Jaw fb-w rate, the. rate of decline measured by tempemtufe sensor 00/226 is lasts*·'ter the decline measured fey stmor \2>'-Q7^ wtiS! f>o water is being ouhdnswn Accordingly, <1 fast .decline in vmw*t Kt5T>|>cralures owr lime mcasraed b> sensor 1264226 is an bidleakeo m Use controller 152 that a. flow ovesif has occurred, .In embodiments. such as Fig. i, which does not include a flow meter to memyurc Hoo direcih , flow ei cuts are dcfes'mmed by the coniroflcr 152 based on. the speed with which die temperahue of water within the wafer Siomge tank chsuges oner lime. fi®2§! Upon detection of a Sons &amp;%mtt the coimolfet 152 may deade. to enorgist tbs lower heating sleniom or cotppfkfeot and may frahshM Ifesfio the water for as long os isrct|uirni! to got the temperature bad» up to the set point iernpendure as detected h\ she senaor !2t> The allow* the lower heating dement or c;>mpfcssof to be cnetgiVtxi upon iJewcIwii ot a flow own! and heal the outer in theHmer jnntton of die tank x [thou; causing v aicr m the top of the water storage tank w be m ediedwi Bs controlling the lower heating element 12-4 or ixintproww' with the upper sensor :126, jn this sitosuer, seguemiai small draws ofwaisf will ant result in fte.wsierist the top of the wares' storage tank 12ϋ being over healed as a result of stacking. |W>2?] Referring soil so the smbtuirotem of HQ 2, a temperature sensor is also placed at the outlet of die compresssir 2^o w Indicated by refeence numeral- 234. m sense die temperature of the super healed tapes exiting the coirtpressof, whidvss also essentially the temperature of -the vapor entering the mxhiim: ,2¾ A temperature sensor 236 is wise placed at the millet of emrdeme? 20H in order lo measure the tempetaune of the refrigerant eming the condenser 248 Temperature sensors 234 and >36 allow a system controller 252 to approximate energy tran:·’tutted to th.s water within the water storage tank by the canJsner 208. Bids igprsssntatwe of the drop in tempesature across the condenser ax measured by temperature sansora 214 and 236 ts transmuted u> the controller 25:2 and processed along with the previously described tempermure data to automatically determine whdher additional-heating elements 222 or 224 need to be activated. in order to hear the water within the water storage tank 220 Similarly, iempesakac sensow 242 and 244 arc used 1o measure the inlet and outlet rampemnirax tespwetiveh of tit© evaporator, to monitor the cvaporaior "supeiheat / When ypeuimv properly, the temperature difference between iiyg outlet temperature-a'pd mlgttemperature should he on the order of JCT f\ For efficient operation of die seated system aM ίο avoid potential damage Hj the compressor «ssisUmj.' from rgfrigew? not fully evaporating, she cnnuviter 262: is «oiifigiasil to Junt off She sealed system If the temperature difference between the Outlet iersiperature ami; the inlet lemperatog is less than 5'° F. Also, if the tempera-ure difference is top high, a rigoai may be generated to Inform the mer of inefikient opera! I ora P02f| The system controller 2:52 is operaikeiv connected to the heat pump water heater 2M kid configured to receive data represesttkoe of temperature readings measured by the iempemtare Feasors 2¾¾. .23% 232, 234 2-12 am! 244. During operation of the -heat pmnp ramier heater 200, any one of the stearic heaMag slem-cte^ 222 δό<! 2:2-1. and compressor 220 may also operate id any given time. Generally, the compressor 230 and the electric heating dements 222 end 224 Jo act operate at the same time. However, it is contemplated that one of electric heating elements 222 or 22,4 and the compressor 230 mar operate smiuitaueousiy. White it is contemplated that both electric Iteming elements 222 and 224 md the compressor 230 may operate at a given τύπε. operation of both heating demonic 222 raid 2.24 at the same ume may. require special, electrical considerations fog. a large·, circuit breaker, a dedicated circuit. €!«·) to acesonBadate att memased caoraed draw. Ihateibra in the illustrative ombodHttests rimuMkiepus esiorgi*ation of hotlt heating olepteats is avoided pft2f| fteferting: wow to FIG: 3, FIG 3 depicts a boat : pump water heater 300 rjehdinatic eonslsteut with embodiments of the myenrioa The heat ptrmg system* comprises .an es-^tomor 302. a compressor 33% a condenser 3rtx, a throttling device 306, sad at feast one law 304. Dating operaikra of trig heat pump cycle a refrigerant cans the evaporator 302 &amp;.% a .superheated vapor anddii high quality vspot misture. Ibe heat pump water hearer 300 may bare sensors placed at \ anou» locations. fe the embodiment of PIG, 3, a. temperature senior 23d is placed m tank 320 near upper heating clement 322, The positioning of a raniperamre sensor 32b inside of she Utah, connected to a rod 340 allows for the «.Met temperature to bo sensed directly. rather than G measuring tank *\-all temperature arid inferring water teorpmaiure. Positioning the tempomiure sensoi 32b indite of thy water vuwsge tank T,K> improves the response time and accuracy of water tcroptrafpras srais&amp;jL -lemperatuis'sensor 334 t$ placed at the outlet <'f the compressor 3?» to measure &amp;s compressor discharge temperature to protect against overheating the s.owgf^SO*'. A. temperature sensor 332 ¾ ptpMded to m&amp;asnre. ambient temperature. Addmonslh. temperatures sensors 336 and 3M measure- .dte .evaporator 302 mfra and exit temperatures -respectively. This etobodoueu' ot the heat pump w 3ter heater 300 alvo has dectrsc heating elements· 322 and 324 placed aear the top and bottom of the Hater storage tank ?20 respectively. |S03fl Ths flPWH. system add includes a coiiiroiier 352 that is operatively cuoftgtu'ed to «teene data representative of tMnpsraiute readings measured by the temperature sensors 323. 352. 3s4. 336 and 3BS. 0;da irpnt sensors 532. 55o and 338 ate used bv councilor 552 m lire »ante manner as ocas titssmbed with reference to their cwttrderp&amp;m In the embodiment of Fig. 2. Cpotroller 352 sv voniicnnod to prices» the compress*» tiischatge data and turn, the corojsessoi off if the sensed temperature oxeeds a predetermined reference- temperature selected so preset v\ erheaimg of the sompm^cr For example in the illustrative embodiment a reference temperature οΓ24θΓ' ρ >$ used. The heat pump water heater 3ttu includes an htlst 312 for ntfowm.fi add writer io enter the he;ti pump water heater3Qt> where h is directed to the bottom <>f the tank 52u v la :i dip tube 3 to. The heated «cater exnx the heat-pump wafer heater «ear top of tank 320 at exit 3H ;;nd flowsM the teSKk-nce or other pi-see where heated water te dessra! fire beat pump water heater 300 also .{«dudes· a floss OK^.s-r Mo fer »lda.mmg.-ibe ratusint and the flow m>: of water into the water storage tank· 320 "ihe flow meter 310 measures.Ihedots:} arnoasf of wster that has flowed tmo the water storage tank 320 during &amp; given time Interval. For example, the 0.q% mump 3M i«ay· dlfemaae that in a given month a homeowner may' have used LOOP gallons of bested water. Temperature sensors 323. 312. 334. 336 ami 338 are configored w> transmit data I'epiwiom&amp;in a of She temperatures mestsuted to the controller 152 toi processing. The controller 152 processes this temperature data and slow- rate data to automatical!'· determme which of the compressor .330. tie uppey dsane resistance·heater 322. and the lower electric restetetete heater 524 shall be eneigi/ed so cadet to heat the water within the water storage tank 320 .:10031} Inferring .now to OG 4. FIG 4 cbpsus a boas pump water iwiter 400 schematic .ceassstent w ah embodiments of the mventiom Tie bora pump system w of •a eWtttgurotioo similar ΐο th-ai Illustrated 5« figure 3, except thm.ihe ermdomxr 4(¾ suhstaatt&amp;iiy coma the water task 42(( side wails, ttreffitthisg (he .ability to pro vide more he» to (be tuue; within iho Witter sRmsge umk ihrofiuh the condenserfijpsi around. die exiarsoi of the water storage tank 420. |JMI32j Referring now to HCJs. 5A and 5)3, FIG. 5A depicts a heat pump w ater heate? 50>i schematic consistent with esttbodunents of the invents» The kern pump sytstefii is of a vonfsgiffaiion similar to that, illustrated m Figure ,L except that the eondasiser 508, includes* a crfmdticai portion which at least partially: covets the side wall of water tank 520. and a hoilorreporOeo widen at least partially cqvenMlge· bottom wall Sifi, facilitating die ability' 10 provide .more heat from the condenser to the e&amp;kiost wafer within the water storage ttthL thcot'gis ihs bottom portion. of condenser 508. It· the cmbodbwcV:) shown m Figure 5.4. the bottom portion ofcoodmser 5)¾ is in:Contact with the bottom wall 5IS in a »piial coil eanfsgtuatiott. II is coiilcmpiatod that if so bodeifis portion of condenser 508 that is· in contact with the bottom wall MK ntay be in altem-Ufu- configurations so long ,is die aternatKe configuration allow* for .increased surface area contact- with bottom wall SIS, The heat pomp system comprises. ewap:>rak=r '4)2, a compressor 530. s condense? 5(1,8. adhrottlmg device 504 at lea?? one- tan 504. and electric heating elements 522 and 524 pfeeed near :ihe .top and bottom of the water storage tank 520 respectively. A.iihermistor 526 is placed itt-igttk: 520 imar dppefihedtiogeledisftt 522. 400331 The heat pump waischesiet 5oo includes an inlet 512.M allowing· eeisl w'stsrto enter the heal pamp ivator.hosier 8tV whsa® it is dirstSacf to (he bettom ofttie tank 520 -via a dip tebe did The heated w a ter exits tb« heat jxsrop watts- hearer top of tank 324 at esit ITTaad iloivs u> Die residence or other place where heated water is desired:, Temperature scosox 825 Is ccmfigured to ttfaasiml data re-paweinatn c uf the temperatures .measured to the conttidier 552 lot piucessma. The conboiler 552 piocessex data tepresentath e of the tesopei alure of wafer witlun the water ssiomge tank 520 in order to determine which of she compressor 5.50. the upper eieetne resistance heater .522. and the lower electric resistance heater 52·« shah be eriergi/ed in order to held the water ivithin the water storage tank 520. :f0t)34j Figures 5 A aid 5B also illustrate a IpaFpump water healer system 50?) wdferekr (fee corsdersser 508 j» operatively cafttfected-to. «.©mpiexso? S30 m a manner -that iaeithsuw delivers of the super bested. refrigerant vapor from the -compressor 530 to the condenser 508. m a manner whereby the sap® heated. R^ihgersat vapor at its hottest stale }n chpmeled initially through the inlet portion oi the -eondenser 508 «lath w ptovimaie the bottom of the natet storage rank f3i.. Tm&amp;Uiomog the super heated refrigerant vapor through the eo.odeoser 508 such that the refrigerant vapor trnnsnute heat fust to ite: lower portion,.oflive water storage task 52:0 .allows tor the super heated mmgoriiht vapor to Inmstmi ktat :io water wkian. tire; water storage tank 520 at sis coldest podit. The embodiment. iH-astoted m Figures .1-4 taosmtt. super heated refngesam vapoj from the compressor 503 to lie condenser 508:¾ a top to bottom manner whereby the super heated refrigerant vapor M Os hottest state estgosges the upper and middle portion of ilia water storage tank 520 first: to these embodiments the water at the lowest portion of the water storage lank is heated by supt-ϊ heated (dugetw t vapor within the condenser 'Ό4 shut has been ceded through dv condomer ofay ash -had heat removed from the upper portion of the water storage dak syp, The embodiments illtislrateri in Figuast 5A and 5B are configured Jo faetl date the transniBSma of heat Treat the sapor healed vapor traveling through the condetutr 5tte to die colder water within the water storage rank 520 mttislh Mors .sprat fieuifr' to she cmbnd'tnK'ro -of Fig. SA, .thesuper heated refrigerant vapor initially sisters· and hows tbrotigh the bottom portion of the condense? 5<)8 and that enters the eyiiBdrtcai pprhQii of the eemdeme* at the sdWTmlosi pomi of the cvlmdnc&amp;i portion* and from Aere flows gradually upward through the cylindrical s$iirai taound the side wait of She wafer tank and'-e'wK the .condenser 508 near the tap of slut wafer storage tank: 520. The resuit »s a mUivck low tempemtere -g< sfiscot mthe water storage tank 520 reiaiive to: flat v'bich is ι> picul of the more com esuiomti top to hottam eoadensof wtmgstnmte of the prior ate for ertaropte. in the -configuration of iliusbarive embodimsmt of Fig. 5A. ternpeiuktro gradients in the tank m she ordes of Τ' F - 3* F have been achieved, as compared to gradients on the order of 15"- F - 3CA F for convertfiona) hem pump w ater .heater configoraftons and IfFP from the lower oiemept to the top of tiro tank tor conventional electric water boaters. If measured Ifora the axus beneath the lower element so the top .of the tank Imdearie water healer;-, the gradient can he closer tw 50v F ··· fid* F= This wans dmt so the tUudr.ana emhodisrsem. the entire tank S2h of water has beets heated to the seopAnt tewpcrrmae not it^t she water m she top pom>Mj of the water storage tonic 52(1 This contigoranou is ven effecuvc hi reducing the temperature gradient its the thssk. However, it ts solnerabte to a potential wtogeiaw migration problem under certain, retain oh ran; conditions. If the mcointng wator is pariseiiiark cold, eg.. 33* P ~4iF F, and enough water ts withdrawn raptdh so that at least half·, -but. notsubstantially -ait,, of the amdenvet cod »s e\pmad so the incoming cold wsstof. the reingamot m the eonckniot volt tend to migrate to the coldest portion of tte condenser which .is the portion euendmv beneath dm bottom *.t the rank rather than rircuLning up through the portn-ri of the condense? wh?ch circumscribes the tank ssde w&amp;H resulting us slot enough refogemm returning to the cent pressor for efficient operation of the scaled system. For example, in a 50 gallon storage tank, a withdrawal on the order of appiOximatoh' 20 gallon? of water could create such acomlhum This rctooi ahsho is a\oiJed is the embodinnart illustrated us Figure 5B which includes. a "Rdu.m Flow'· condense design component in the design illustrated in Figure SB, Ohs sapor flow' Orsi enters the eyhndncal portion of condenser 5(¾ fne mist to this portion .of the condenser is located at the lower roost point ?ov of the cylindrical portion. !fto vapor flows up. through the portion of the eosdome? c**nl 50K shat wrap? around the wales: tank and then flows down m am! through she bottom Pori son 3(1? on she bottom of tank 318 «sbing the condenser at the bottom of the tank Thb. ^wsugeroem still fexpoaes the hot yehtgesnpi vapor roitialiy to the coldest portion of the tank proxiptoe the holism flowevew fey procoedsissoop the <yhtsdricai portion bei^to.mtering4% the 'bottom -portion,'(fee coldest portion of ifus. condenser is mow stsar ihe etot of the ctotdenser ssnd lb® cvsmpressor Is ahle to ctfeulme the refriger&amp;m through and: out of the cftodestsev thus totodtog ihe toirigerasrt migration ptofeiem, |0S35] .Each of ilie esrihodiistetPs of the Itoas pump tvaier heater disclosed us Figures toS has. four inodes of o|>erafkin .Ajx dsdric mode. a heat pump mods a. hybrid inode snd s high demand mods, Ttvs elec-in c mode - operate using osriy electric resistance heatoto tteas pump mode use? only she sealed system driven by· the compressor to hdt '-«'titer Hrbnd Mode -Ovss the sealed svstern dnven by the compressor as the primary energy source tor hearing the waien fast also uses the upper electric element to enable a mom rapid reemen from marts creating a relatively Sow tempera·ore condition in the nmk. such as when filing ass v»«pi> or substantially empty rank, m following the withdrawal of a relatively large amount of ho? water to e relatively .short rime. Uke the hybrid twode, 1¾¾:Μ|>&amp;· demand mode selective!} uses' the sealed system and ihe 'upper electric.element·hut iI also selectively uses the lower heating element hi enable rapid recovery whoa particularly large amounts of wafer are hetog withdrawn at a high rate over an extended date. |0dM| The controller js operative is ajl. four modes ϊο respond ίο standby coolsug. .that Is. the gradual iowetmy of the tetftperaitde of foe tyster in the tapir doe to heat loss through the insrdatesi tank wails: over time: wheat .no hear w hemg apphod and no hot water is being withdrawn, and to ilmv event, cuolrag. dvi w. the looernig of the temperature msAmg from the withdrawal of hoivvater nom the n»p of the unit which h? replaced hy void watat entering the bottom potion of the tank through the dip lube When hot water is su.hdrsv.Ti hym the water storage tank s so, cold water a bwmgli! m by dip tube UU te replace the water iiatt has been unnouxi Γϊιρ tube I to poshes the cold A&amp;tw brought in to the bottom of water storage tank fob I he cold wmet begins to mis \vt<h She hot water already in lank fob -However, whes the cohl water mtuaHy enters the lank 120, the upper sensor L?.b continues ίο read the itsmperaiure <>f water in the s^ppsi region of the tank which is norronlb at or close to -tbe -set point Lwd Ov:er time, due to mixing, the temperature measured by upper sensor l2b begins to-deop. Because ίΙητ syssern uses only a single water temperature sensor located near the top of the tank, the controller needs to be able to respond to small iengsaTatute changes sensed bv this sensor if occasioned % a flow event by Uimihg on the lower beat source to: beat the cold water that has enforeif the botem portion of the tank. Responding to ssoksMI changes in tentperatuK· »? caused by the staadbv coolmg rather than flow event coding would result m «imecessarily short cyeliog.

Because the eons toilet 152 is euntiauaihr receiving data reprcsestalivo of the temperature oi watef wtthitt the water storage tank fob as sraamreci by upper, sensor !3(.-. when the iemperatimr «! the water to drops the controller 152 is operative to generally dtstlngtnsh between a drop m temperature due to standby cooling and a drop in iempmture duo to a.flow evom. The controller detects the first condition by detecting a femperam** less than a threshold tempenhuie which m the illustrative embodiments ,>s a fust predetermined off sot front site ret point temperature. The controller detects; the /secsssuf condition by detecting the occurrence of® iov. event, either fey input ifom tfee flow xmterM-those-enafe0dh».en&amp; that employ such- a device, ©rm enibodinvnts not -so. equipped, 1¾ precising the water temperature data, as will: fee hmemafkrr dci-c»N4 and s·. mmekng a temperature less titan-.a threshold temperature which in she tlliistrative embodiment t$ a second precteiestnined olfset fu>m the set point tempemni.se which is a smaller offset than the first offset so m to enable the tmfeolier "to respond io a smaller temperature differential when a flow ersni is detected. fitOSSl In the hybrid mode and m the electric mode, the ciinuoiler is: also operative to respond effectiveiv to ύ condition &amp; which the sensedTanperdose of the water in the tank is sigrsfkiBtfiy lower than the set paisat leimporature, such as might occur when initially filling the tank with cold water, or upon the withdrawal of'so; tauKuallv large amount of hot water over a rehithclv short period of time. Such conditions ate refemrd to herein ns cold tank" conditions.

For prposCs of an illustrative example, assume that the water Murage tank 12«»» shown in figure L to foil of cold water and the mode of operation ts hybrid-When HPWH 100 is powered on. the upper sensor Ι2Λ senses the Temperature of the water yvithui water storage tank 120 and transmits data repmsenKitive of the vuuer temperature to the core/oiler t©2 The eoofrofiei 152 processes the data representative of the temperisfere of the water witfutt the water storage lank 120 and determines that it is 'below a defined cold tank tfercshcld Mseted to be tepawernab v e υ! 3 λ met teirpsatare knv enough to vcqane eaergi/adon of the hoar sources in a manaei intended to-rapidly beat the water at least at the-top of the tank which would he withdrawn first, to a -temperature at least hear the set point temperaium in a rea.-ionablc period of turn hi this esempiarv srahodxiRastl the cold task threshold for few hybud mode ts set at 3fF f fewer than the set point,, e.g where T is the set pomt temperature. Is the illustrative embodiments;. the set point is selectable by the user from a range on she order of iiX>s F - 14ir' F. A vacation mode set pram of 5tF F is ah® available ut the illustrative embodiments fat a user anticipating a long period -of wia-ose, fer example However. die set point temperataw: T could, be selectable front a femader or narrower range or predetermined fecu*ry set value or it could fee a i ahi·' selected aitKsmueally m accordance with temperature control algorithms ungiemeniod m -the emuroifcr. .Regardless of how selected the set poind iei‘s\pem'tt,vfc represents ko: desired of target iomp.eraiufg for the water stored in the tank. In hvbmi fnixie, uniter these coadifkus, the'Controikr J52 snvfgjzes: thepppor ekeine heating element 122 iri order ίο heat the top portion of the water wbhm water Storage took fly unti! the water temperature readies &amp;· secoad -hvbrid threshold hasiperahrr? which is lees fee the set pond- remperatss'e but ek-se iSknisth to ».aiy os the heat; pump system to become cite energy source to teat the water to. the lower portion, o£:ihe tank and to complete the recovery cflfee water tsmpefakwe m the tank to the set petest teatpetatr.re w ithai a swwouabio time, Tits ceOsJOlier 152- is operative to so.inm.uo to snergize the upper hearing element; 1.22 unfit reeemBg data ivprcisauaine of tompemriyres at or above this second threshold 'kinpemt am at 'which time the controller 152 cames the upper decide healing' element 122 to he deenergized. The second Unoshoid is wf U'iou the sot pokt iempenU'ite κι order to compeftsaie for any temperatuie ocershiKH, which max be caused a? 3 tesulr of the dwusice between the iemperaiure sensor end the upper hoalmg eminent 122 since (he tempemture of the water proximate the upper heating element 122 when the element is energized is higher than that proximate the sensor I2f> located on she waif of the tank . During lh« rfelsn peood while the warmer water travels from Mm upper heating elernem 122 m the sensor 12fk 'neat is still being added to she water by the electric heating siemens 122. Accords ugly, this excass beat may cause the temperature of the wales’ to exceed foe scr point leinperatoa' in ilk* dSusuthiye embodirnent this second hybrid ihr^hoid temperature is selected to he Τ' F less than the set point temperature. that is. 1-3* F. P>#1 Whew the upper electric aeteirsg element 122 Is dmesesgized, ia tvaponse to the iernpoftstuia k tile uppor portion of die tank exceeding Use second, fry brid ihreshoki the watef in the lower portion of she waSe-s storage lank 12d oonhuyes to be cold, because, Use wafer ksthio the knves portion id'the vvaler storage tank 120 cannot be effectively -fceaied with upper electric heating element 122. To address this condition, upon dO'^rgi/istg upper electric hiking eJcmok 122.. the controller 1.52 energizes the. compressor 150, .driving, hot refrigerant 'through the' CiHiaciwer SUM around waler stomps* tank 120 to heal the ussier m dm lower portson of the tank, ,;unl comniocv to do so rami ilk sensor ,12o reads anti uausmus data so She eontipifet i 52 representstne of fetnperafure greater than or equal lo the set point T; Upors the eoiHfoUer 152 receiving and processing data representative of a sensed vater tempesadasy gre&amp;ter than ©r equal to the seipoi-uf lemperatwre.-'T, the eete-oll^r 152 transmits a Signal So de-energize the eonspmssnr 150 md therein diseoobnue t.i’ansfttissio.o of heat to the water in water storage tank 120 Is this hybrid mode example, fallowing recovery from the cold tank condition. that s§ having brought the tompaatorc sensed by the sensor to due set point tc«spcran«o. sad in site absence of a slow evens., the teat -pump will remain ite-energi/cd ns long a the temperature In the tank remains above a third hybrid: threshold temperature selected to he saftkienily close to the set point temperature to smihtsin art sceeprable temperature Its the tank whhmk excessive cycling to recover from the slew heat loss through site tank walls «ηcr sane, which in the ilhtstfaih c emtediseeuf is set at T~5' F. If the sensed water ivwpetalurc drops below T-5" F, the scaled system is energised until the sensed tempci mure is restored to the set point tentpexahtre, T,’ By this arrangement. heat k>s* doe 5ti at and by tooling is addressed

ftMMIj -As hnefty mentioned shove, a flow event is characterized b\ the •wiibdrasyd of hot v.3ier flora the Sank More partmularfy, a Bow event for temperansre cimtosl put pose' is characterized by the withdrawal .of hoi Water so such a mannerthat the-rste of change-©ftempstaiuresensed in ihrtank exceeds a flow event detection tltreirhoid rate, if the ssosed temgarsftug drops below the set posit temper aiure, the cootroller cheeks for a flow1 event, tlpon deiedioft of gflew event the sensed .tomperaigrs· fs compared to a Sow event threshold temperate® which-is less than tte setpoint tempomuse. and If the sensed temperature becomes less than this threshold tempemfure, the sealed system is energized to restore die temperature io the set ix>l.5it leniperitare. The .flow event threshold iempersknm is selected to be soffidentiy. close in the set point So enable she system to promptly respond h> the How ©vent so m to mimmi/e Use time required for the water temperature to the tank, to he restored to the set pond temperature la the dhis-mhe emtedimem, ihe Dow event threshold w set at one degree F less Oran the set point temperature, that is. T-M F |#0421 in this example, operation so ilie electric mode i% similar 10 lire hxbnd mode, the primary difference being, that the lower electric beating element ss energized instead of the sealed system when beat to the tower portion of the tank ts hesdei Apjoiber ^'derated difference is that she cold tank ihrcshekl temperanir® for the deckle mini® is selected a> lx» I'-IS3 F. whKh vs slightly higher than tb® hybrid cold tank Ihroshold temperature. The seme threshold temperature offset could he used, in buih modes, however, m keeping with the intern of the hvhrid mode k> provide improved eoerg* eiffineriev by rely«ig pninaniy on the use of the sealed system with o«K· limited use of the eleune element:, use of the Umec ihreslioid iemper&amp;ture m Shat .mods results in less use.of the Pleoise element without ssgnificam.h cootpraraising xecov»^ time. 1004¾ Ctaisidering again a. cold tank example to demonstrate the dotxric mixle upon deiecifer! of a water lesspetMtife Sw-v thout the eloetnc mods. cold tank threshold temperature' -of T~2S® -¾ i-he controller 152 msngLses the upper electric hciumg. element 122 m ordei to beat the top portion of sin* water within water storage umk 12!' until the mte; temperature reaches a see·tod Inlaid threshold tertpennuie wUich i% less than the user set pouu temperature. hut dose enough to rely· on the lower elect;ic inciting elemetn i>> Ix-c-a'te the energy source to heat the Water hi the lower portion of the sank aid to complete she reco' sty of the water temperature m the sank to the set point temperature within a reasonable tune to the illustrativeembodiment this is J~y 1'. jtfsga^lin -fes.%hrid..mode live comrolier 1*2 t* operath s to continue to eisergsxe the ssppss' heating, .element «mil receiving. data· ragfesentative of temperatures si sir above this second threshold temperature, at which time the controller 152 caui® the'tipper electric heating element 122 to be dewmergiised, M in the hybrid: modes. the mater ui the lower portion of the mater borage task. Ϊ.20. conlnux'S so be eoid, so. the cnoirolkit 152 e!Seigi.«s the lower heating element 124, dm log heat into the water us the lower portion of the water storage lank 120 uiifil she sensor 12k read;: and iraustmis data tcprexuraabve of an overshoot threshold temperature whwh m the eteci.ru: monk t&amp; gteater than Ike set poire temperature I. pos the comudlef 152 receivmy and ptc-eessiog data repivsentiahe of a iempeisumi eqtsal to or greaser than the overshoot threshold temperature, the controller 152 sraasmits a signal to deunergi/e die lonvir heatmg element 124 and thereby discontinue tronsimssloB of heat to the water hi lower portion of the water storage Sauk 120, In the electric modeyhmomf shoot iluesb.ikl lempuaieni is uwd radser than theses point Mnperaiwo to account fot she relative location:. of she \w er beat mg dement and the temperature seqsol li has ten empirically dotommte toast when beating the nates m the tank using tlte lower el&amp;cnem, she heat sends to flow oimwadh toward the sank side wish and upward xilong toe wail Snote too wm|x>fAU»tf vom-ot ss kxaksl on an iipjv« portion oftoe iunk wall η responds to As temperature of the water near :the xali which heals up Aster tkait toe water in the center of the tank, so toe Are&amp;hsld tempera*are is. set at a tempersiuie hutoof than toe tet pvmt tempemhne to ritte the •vyaier m the center of the timk to .reach the set pomt tempermurd. to tod iliustrsite example. the overshoot itreshoMtompatatae is set atTkk F. }D044) Continuing wish the cleclnu mode .example;, Itolsowixsg reepxicrt' 'Hon? the cold sank condimtviMs: is having brought toe idipptoitlpm sensed by she sestsoir to toe electric motfe roomers threshold sensperosure of Tte F.:1 rn toe absence of a- flow gysnt, Ac lower he-tene ek-ntem mil rom At dc-energixed as long as the totrspes-a-yre in the tank remains above a tokd bvbdd threshold temperature selected la be sufficiently close 10 the set point temper&amp;tnm to tminiata aa acceptabletesajpemurc w she lank without excessix» so ding due to hi?at lass Arcing!· the lank wtois, which m the dfusirame embodiment is set at T-A Ψ, If toe sensed xvaier ietopemtee drops Atom T-5'' F the 1 >wer hearing -Mexseto is'encigiited until toe sensed temperature is km· ‘ted to ihe oventowl ihreshdid temperature. T-te F. As in toe hybrid mode. temn doHvoon of a flow eve». the sensed tenxperature is compared to a flow exato threshold tenxperauite which is less than too set point .'.temperature aid if the sente temperature become» ies» than tots tores hold temperature, toe lowet hoattog ektototh is ersergsxed to Tester c toe sensed tompaxslure to the ax er&amp;boof ShresiioM lemperatore. The How seem towtejd icm^mnire is selected to be sufficiently close to toe sot point to suable the «.> stem io promptly respead to toe daw event so as to mtomare toe time required to member from the lion event, 1.0 .fee'illmtrafoe embodiments toe flow gxem threshold is sot at ,1s F less hum the oaosualer selected set pgAi tsmpeiatiS'e. that a;, T-to F. ftKMSi If top mode of operation ts heat pump, toe upper sensor 126 senses the eernperatore of the tester within water storage tank 120 and ktotsmlls data reptoseotatioe of toe v-ater sesripemure to the controller 152. The controller 152 processes the data repressnlatix e of the temperature of the water within the' water storage itoik 126 and determine toai U ai ktem the set point The comrollef 152 cmcrgj/.es (fee compressor BO, diking- Mi refnga-ani through, the condenser \M around is mm siorage -tank. 12Q mail the sensor 126 leads add imnsmSs data ieprosesaasne *,0' 11¾¾ set point Icmjteiaturc having been reached gr exceeded to* ih« renlrodoi B2 (.port tire cositrolier i52 tecesiimt tind processing data reprasenutiive of set pamt ietnperaUtre:Mving..M^1i·reached or exceeded, the controller i 52 transmits a -signal n> de-Oaeruee the crn-npressor 130 and thereby d&amp;cpnitime trmsmission of heat to the waict m v retstorage tank 120. |1ΜΜ6| fcach at the operative modes- Miss «pen the: detection of a Sow ewt to control heat sources m response to routine withdrawal of hot waiet front the tank. In embodiments employing a flow meter. ihc actual Row rate of the wafer exiting, or meriua ilte water 'heater -is directly· measured -and if it exceeds a predetermsted threshold rate, s flow exam is .-signified: and the controller rcs-ponns txeordmgiy.. Λ thseshoid rate on ire pnfer of 2-3 gallons per minute tooukl pun-do pstwlnctery resuits in a 56 gallon tank, it; embodiment not equipped wnh. a flow meter, use k made of waier temperature date to intorodh. detect the occurrence of a Ron cvasjl Figure 6 illustrates an example-of data representative of tsiiipei®·^- w&amp;Sagi'-as a function of time for a 50 gallon water heater ip which the water has been heated to gppxosmsiely 120* V. as measured by: upper smsor 126 Line ojo Ulustraias temperature tradings measured bv an upper sensor 126 -when.- xsp.per heating dement 122. lower heating gieutept 124 anti compiessor 130 are dO'ettorgietyl and dp water is hdng whlKtrawn, As hoc 610 iilostiPtes its temperate»# of water being-; messaged drops at: a rate oxer time that is duuseteristic: of stand-by heat loss that is-beat loss through toe «mdutks». of toe water storage mnk. .side walls Mne ΛΜ of toe temperature ieodmgs 600 illustrates data representeme oi temperature readings measured by upper sensor ).26 ·&amp;> hoi vat« is being withdrawn from the took at a rate af: I gallon pur .onmsic. and hue 616 represents the tcmperatuie data as liot water is btoag w ithdfawi) ftem the tank at a rate of ? gallons per minute. |0fi4T| In the illustrathe emixxlscwems uhh/my this technique, a raleof u.3'' F per minute has been selected as too threshold or reiwunee rate for detecting a flow mmt line 61.8 to Figure 0 represents this ihresbold flow e< om rate ff toe cent teller 152 detects a drop in ternpetuktre sensed b> ««osor 12n at a rate theater titan lh*s How event reference rate of 0.2“ F / minute. toe» the conn oiler 15.?, knows dun Box etent has occurred In this example-, receipt aocl piowsmg of data rcpreseotatn © readings jilusiruted by line M&amp;% (he coniiOifeS' I *2 allows die controller 352 t<' determine (isaf the sensed rate of change is garter than she threshold e? conu-y! limit rate of change signifying that a flow event .«?eum?d Hie use of ibis threshold rate in the illustrative embodiment enables the eomfoiier to rehabK·· respond to flow rates on the order of 3 gallons per minute or higher as flow events ft is to he understood however, that ihw threshold sate may be set at any level shat htdiiraies detection of water - being withdraws from th e water tank and is <x« limited todetecskm of a drop miemperafure at a rale μ eater fban iUtistrafive thsasltokl rale of (t 3 F / mittute, In the illustrative embodiments. the controller looks for a drop of 0.3s F over one gd.oute tommy window* checking evoty five seconds to detect a How event. If a drop great or than 0.3° F is detected w ithm a one minute window the y. stem recognize? 8 flow even! and nst ponds acctndiiigh. hr ansneviron with this description of fhh teeknigue for detecting flow events, n should he noted that dtp lubes m commcwtMlv available water heaters include an ana-siphon aperture located near shy upper end of the tube, winds may ha* e a diameter or the order of o, 120 inches Whet cold wafer enters (he Mnk via fite dip tubes a $ mail port! os ©.Nh.e water Mt^feihspughthis aftik siphon aperture into the; upper .region of the tank. in addition,. dip lubes in goHtm&amp;rcndiy :iv salable residential wafer heaters mch-its those commercially available Mdsr the OH brand lta\ s structure proximate she exit sod of the dip tube to toteadisee ftjfbutefice .into the entering water which produces a flow restriction, litis flow .restriction increases hack p/essme in. the lube which increases'' tho rtae. of bleeding tough she am-siphon aperture M hi os mued m Figs. iS. itr the illustrati ve embodim-enls, (he amt-siphoo apefttire (I Ida in Fig. l} ts at rougbiy the samp height in the took os the water temperature sensor 126 (in. Fig. !>. The- bleeding of -cold water mio she tank Oiauigb She amwsipimn aperture is important to (he elleedveileas of the upper temperenure sensor 1« detuedug a tlmv event. Satisfactory restslh: were achieved in the. illustrative ejnMfiraent with the commercially as ratable dtp tube nnu-siphon aperture and outlet tsirbakwiee xrnehiw employed m eloctnc residential water heaters commercially available under (he OF brand. 'However, the sensitivity of detection may be adjusted ,bv udinsiments to the a|i&amp;rhire sip* pni'or Sis amount of

flow restriction introduced at tktextl of the dip lube lor optimization for Ucu.lv water storage tank cwtfjgur&amp;lionsL |004Sj In prior git: wale* 'heater systems-tbst Include 3« upper sensor toward the top oftK* Hate» tank and a tower sessor toward; the botiora of the eater tank, the uppet sensor detects changes at the iemperprore of the water m: she sippet portion of she water sKinsjre lank and causes an upper heating otement m be iomed on imdi the upper sensei senses tisal; the terfipetatipy so the water in the top poriios of she tank is heated to a defined set point tempammte. The tower seas or m these systems: detects changes sn the temperature of the water its the knees: part of the lank imei causes the lower heating element to be turned 0,0 pistil the lower sensor senses tMi the tempemiure m the water recovers to the (Mined set point temperature. One- of the problems with such &amp; configuration la thus sopuentip! small flow sweats will cause the wafer sn the top of the tank to overheat' us a result of skxUsig. hi such pin>r art systems, each tune cold water .is added to Hie bottom of a water storage tank. erteigv is atkled to the water because the lower beating clement Is turned on each time ks <i result of the detected temperature change. M a resulf. heat rises to the top of the •water storage natk: causing the water in the top of the water storage Sank which is g1res% at the set temperature ic' cl to over heat when the addition'll·! energy js added When s oarober of the small flow- events - occur sequential h . tbs odditisoa! energy added to die wmes m the top of dig water to die water storage molt begins to stack up and oiHwes oseihesmsg of the water. The. use of a. single sensor in. the mamtor hereinbefore du-wnhed solves that: problem White the iwompiaw embodiments of this aspect <si thv5 present ihvanfMp gte teest pomp witter heaters, that include an electric inode, it will he appreciated that dns aspect of the Imention is not knitted to such· erobsahntcfsfc and could Ik* stutiiaxh employed &amp;r example in water heaisK heated only bn «lecttic heeling elements :|W4f| Selitiiiig: now m FIG. 7A, FIG. ?A depicts swonko! block diagram const? tout with embodiments oflhe invention the control block diagram indicates some of the mputr procur-imr and outputs that may he requited during opsmtion of the heal pump water heatec For example, the:inputs may include inputs -from.eue or more temperature sensors, depoodmv. or the particular ernbodimenf. oulleclneh: tepresemed hem as the temperature sensors ?d2, in the iliustishve embodiments. the temperature sensors ore thermistors, however, other types of temperasure sensors could b® .similarly employed Other repute may i n elude: feedback' ?C»3 tom she few 7u4 unhealnc oh far· speed. Also, repute may be r&amp;eeiv'ed ftoovre Bow senes? 7Mtva float switch 714. ond a eooijucU'rip censor ?U6 Flow sensor 71¾ could he used to .mentter hot «-aiei usage. Float switch ?.u may be used to monitor'she aeeumtfiahon of condensation from Ihe evaporate and So cause s pomp o.c other -device ίο be «teitvaied to remove the coodaisotton or to ide a signal ίο fee user that condensate needs to be rem.n-.ed. .Conductivity sensor 706 .may be used- for mommsiug c-aodemate aec-OimaladPu m bee, of a llncti switch. or may be used to detect water near the base of the water heater radi-cre mg » potential ieafe i.t> -the water stosuge tehk. The inpuis -mw lisrlher comprise inputs from a user interface· 70S, a clock and/or a calendar 75b in one and*>dlmcnt; the clock % posvemd by non-volatile memosy .'’batieJY,· capacitor a* order ίο madman timo-of-day dock such that if-poweris lost, a user does not have to re-set the dale.· time (at w required so many hrafcehok! appliances with: eloe&amp;j. Ibis may also be soeompfi?hed in more eice.ant niolbods of reading the atomic dock satellite output, etc, inputs may also be received from an energy monitoring hilling device 772. Fnsnp mostilor billing --devices: comprise devices installed by ts uriJiiy· cobjpeny used to limn the power draw during peak demand braes, Tor example, during summer months: H is common lor power compaides to pro' ids consumers wuh rebated for the privilege of allowing the power compare- to shut down devices tv|«cb draw l arge amcmats of power such us *ater healers heal pomps, and air cortdilimittig systems'..

The process^” may be. done by a :m.ta«. PCB. w inch may be a mteraehtereUef qrPLC edhhoiter 7.60, etc. The i«aia FCE may also regulate a power sttppiy 770. For example, the main PGB 700 iaeiodes a water igmperaiure and Itow module that processes data repress» lathe of Ihe ioraperaiares measured bv a plurality of thermistois The outputs lbs iho control system nun include power suppiv to few It 4. power to the: compressor 730, upper besting element ?2‘h and lower heatmg element 118. "file output? may also include mdieatmg information on user interlace 708 wA shown). 1¾¾ indications may be in the form ofm LCD display and orI,El> lights as indicated by reference nomet al ?lu respeclneH··.

Figure 78 is a repressnlaih-e vvirmg diagram % the illustrative .embodistteot' of Fig, 1. TMcpoWtat Mpti for the heat pump ware? healer hXJ may :ba •stand.isrd residential power. For ©cample, the power supply may he a 240 volt aliematlog eturreni (VAC) circuit operating at M/ HU: This generally corwiSB or three rises; two. 120 VAC inputs and on® ground, o e o© tteuU'iil wire/ A Switch Mode Power Supply 224 A provided m the toxin of a convsntionaf recti skanon circuit to provide.». 12 volt de power supply for the Cans 104 and for the relay drivers and other elecfroBk. controller «eeiis. -System ©ponaks.0 k controlled by a main eonitoler 1.52. The main eoniroHer 132; recetve> inputs suds as the input from sensor 124. hi addisUm. ihe wain controller 152 recon as feedktek inputs f&amp;m and controls operauoo of the fans KM as isdiesfed by refoteote numerals 134 and 150 In the illustrative embodiment. Cans 11)4 are variable speed dc fhfre -However ac fans could be sintilai !y employed, Operation of (be faas: li»4 includes monitoring and oORixpifeg fan speed and providing power to the funs 144 for ojrereumu fey was of | uiae vnith modulated pulses boro signal generator 15X Jo one embodiment. fan speed h monitored via tachometer feedback feuslt «no the fan.· "lie fans uiifecd m the p* went embodiment roay be of :s magnetItuU-cffcct serproi dssign When a Lip ronitov the magnet passes near (be h«k~efilvt ,vonsv.r revdhng hi a pulse sigrui output I he frequency of the pukre generated is ana'v/cd and used to calculate the oa.ihotui speed of dte;fea HotivtthstSfjdi/igfthe'sjiev'iiic method of ti?.-niu>ung ion speed \u the above- dasxtthed' embodmieat; ilk CiOtriesipiaied that fan speed tuai be monitored in plurality' many different ways. The main controller 1-S2 .may also fee configured to retogni/.c a fan malfunction such, as burnt out motors, -excess wwtdtng t< niperutures, v thresh on, miclequate fan speed, etc. tVmg die above desciibed (a#cmeiet feedback;: the signal sent to ll«e fan may fee-compared with the speed feedback. Fiat example, if a 50Ά input .re given, st would he e\rexred dm the uaJiometci feedback Ά-.mld indicate an apprearendc 501· of the om\ Rl’M. Alw*, if a -ogreai ts imaxirntred re ike fan re iaciUtate operation at am speed, and there is no feedback indicating-fas rpttMon^-Ms can be interpreted as a- fan iMuru. |M52| ’Thu main eomrofler 152 fdso includes a relay 24 2 for controlling the upper hea«iog element 122, mfav 2.14 for coulroiling thOiOive» heating element 124, and «relay 21(= tot co.olroii.mu (hecompressor f.hXreisys 212 21« ate cascaded such that only one of the best sources te energmed a·, any one asm The cascaded relay s are coupled to power supply Jure L! through contacts 1 sod 3 of thermal cutout stvildi 21S, Similarly. she power circuit Is coupled to powxjr supply hue 1..2 through confects 3 an# 4 of switch 2ih Switch 21.8 is a convention ihemtal. cut out switch which ts mounted to the «all of tank .120. to be responsive to the temperature of the saok wall. If the tank wall OYe.rbaa.is· to a tetyperainre Is excess of the cut out threshold nanpeiaturc. which in the sBustmtioe .embectmaaT is 1:?0,s R ..the .switch eientesr coupling contact 1 to contact 2 opens breaking the connection. to-Li- and the switch element coupling comae is 3 and 4 .opens breaking the eoftfteetkut to 'LZ, thereby limning fee temperature of the tank. Relay 22o couples comae!: 3 of out hut. switch 218 to 1..2, to provide a double break between the AC power supply and the power control circuitry wte the system is id the:Otf state, Controller 152 switches relay 220 to ample .12 to contact 4 of switch 21¾. whsn the system is on and relay 220 R sn Ur normally open slate otherwise. Refaimg again to the cascaded anaogetnea'i of relays 2 i 2~2 if, ternttnaf e of relay 2Γ2 is connected to confect 2 of switch 31¾ ks .normally· open comact is connected to upper heating elamem 12¾ and its nottriaiiy siosed contact ts connected to terminal c.of relay 214. Thu normally open, contact of reJav· 214 is connected: to lower hosting etemem 124 and its normally closed confect is connected to temoaf c -of relay 216 The normally -opart contact -of relay 2Id is connected to eomprumor 13·! through discharge pressure cutoff Twitch 233, Cluioff switch 222 is a corocntnsual pressure switch employed in a ooirveohonal manum to proieci Thu sealed yssfom from os,c:essi\e pressure By fets asrangerneoi. io energizes •upper: element 122. cmuroii&amp;r 152 switches relay 213 to Its normally open state thorehy cohiteelntg healing element 122 across ΙΛ and L2, When relay 212 is in this stale. LI can only be <.cnneete4 to heating ©iement 122 To energbe lower heating «lernefe 124, conn oiler 1?2 suiicber tela\ 212 ίο Us normally clowd store and relay 214 ty Us normal!> ogee stale. This coo.tsech heaony cicoreot 124 across Li and L2 When relay 212 ;s so ns normallv closed state and rd<T 3i4 ss in Us normalh open state I.l can only he connected to lesser oiometu 124 To energme compressor 130. cooiroHer 132 switches relays 212 and 214 to fegir sKarnally closed slates and swddmx relay 2in To its normally open state. This connects pressure snitch 222 and compressor 130 in senes across L I and L2. The main controller 15? also accepts inputs from a user iPteriace 202 as indicated 'by mfeoeneo mynera! .23¾. The mam controller 152 afro may· include m mtegrsi few shat is efefiguisd m part of the.heat pps'Sp sucot dinner elsK&amp;onic wait'd, ptWidiog a user with she ability to control and program the heating acts vflj of die Peas pump water hearer, such that energy may be «SKewed when there: is riC>: ueed lor w ater to be heated: ]#dS3j hr the cweuii eoahgurJam for the embodiment iHia.{ral«l in Fig. 28., daring operation of die heat pump water hmsr Ion only one of heat sources, that is, hearing ekmeats 122 md .124 aud compressor 158 may operate at. any given time. This Ittnsfs me dechvd load How ever it is contemplated that in aim? natty® eoofigorfeow. Shat one of homing elements 122 or 124 and the compressor ufe may opeute· smiyltaneoasly Furthermore. o is contemplated that in dmnistivg cortliguiurioos both heating elements .1,22 and 124 arid die cmriprei.'-or 120 may opcode si.ofiihiffianas.h Honsrvei, operation of both healing domwits 122 ami 124 at die same time may require special electrical mfcmteiaiioue t® g. a larger circuit breaker, n declicaictl «ircuit. etch to aceyrranodate an increased eturent draw, Notvnhsuindmg. it ss contemplated that operation of both heating eiemenls 122 and: 124 may occur at the same lime Similar eircuim with additional sensor and other inputs can be employed for tbeembodimssiis of l-igores 2-5 :(1)054] Figure· 8 is an ifeunfen of the process Sow within the water temperature and How moduie within the coutinlki doling operation df the HPWR A> dlioiraieii follow utg the system being wetm-wi 7V2. a detemrt«atio« Is .made as to whether ihewatef storage tank is full 7*44 The- method of deiemfemg whether this watet storage tank is full is pe* Conned by the ctferaltef inihsting &amp; plurality of: steps, First, the condenser, which is in contact with the exterior of the water storage tank is initialed for a defined period of Umg and heals ills exterior: walk of tire waierstiwage tank lithe Pink is amply., the w;uerstor%e lank will begin m watm up at a sale faster than wtei there is- water- in dm taafc. The conuolfor tacilHates monitoring of the temperature of tits exterior waits by was of a sensor positioned so sufficient proximity to the water storage tank wall. In the illustrative embodiments sensor 126 is used lor this purpose, however, a separate ienipenttum sensor could be similarly employed. If the tank is fell or at. least has mater at an acceptable level then tits me in temperature «jit not exceed a defined if the temponiiute measured by the setiSv* rises above this limit it is an iadlcatip» that the water storage tank is empty or she water lev el within site tank is below a desired te\d. If the water storage tank is. out .fulh ite staler temperature and· -flow moduli' within the.controller facilitates she rai nation of &amp; display itiuati-ausg that the tank is dr< os not full ?<«> I he system stipends farther operation tsasil the: sank :is rilied suOicieotly So satisfy -lie tank lull test. Upon the xsater storage tank being Oiled wnh water, ihc querc as to whether the water storage tank .ss loll 7(U will result in a» aiBrmame answer Next, the sy stem determines ae appropriate, mode .of operatise. The iOtistrative emhodsments have, font modes of operation, a siandtud'-efeemc. mode, a heat pump mode, s hybrid mode taM a 'high demand mode comfjrised of Teombmaiioo of the ttse oTelecblcai eie.nieftts sod the

heat pasmp. The system allows for the· asg of the ratufe tsf opersilon previously is use 728 .or an operator swat acUx-t a vnode of operation 802 Dormg operation, the vonor "tempeiature and module most Π-st wsni\ the mode of operation selected by an •operator As pari of the verification {««tm, the conti ollea first queries whether rhe mode of operation it the standard electric mode a! thM If the mode of operation is not standard elects ic mode,· the eomtollei hext queries whether the mode of operation is the ijeaS pump mode at Ki'ri if the mode of epeiutton ·ι&amp; not hear ραητρ mode, the woWrollef nexi queries whether lire .mode of operation is the high demand mode si $07. if mat She high demand mode, by de&amp;uli die water temperature sad flow mod die switches the sysiefri into Use hvhrid.miidb at 8bA .f<Mt$5| Wiles, the selected mode of speswfmn is standard electric mode. the wsrtroHer implements: die siandard electric mode $10 (Tig HR)· ln: this·.mode die tomperatw and water flow module ebpims w#sr. temperature data !2 from •'Crs-sor 126 (812), The temperature and water floe module ss configured to cheek first for a said tank coadition signified by a value of T2 unhealing a water temperature which is less than the electric mode cold sunk threshold iempetauire Ύ-25'" F iSN) where T is the sei point. If 17. is less dm Τ~2;>" F, ds?n she upper heating element 122 is enenn/od and the lov er element w do-eoergi/ed m the event it happens"to he already energised when a cold tank condition is detected {Hire Since, the mhchrie is corihjutcd; ίο φν priority to the cold rank condition and in fe iikistrsuve eroboihrneptk -both electric eiemetns are not to be enerpi/eii αί the same tone «f.tfee lower slemenl ,fe already eaerglzhd lo: satisfy another condition when a c->M Umlr condition s? detected, it is ssecsssasy to dewmerm/.e the lower element 1:24, Heating element 122 will continue to bemergfcKad until "Π rises to witlwft F F of tho se! pottir-iSIXi When T2 exceeds TFS F, the upper«1«ω»πτ 122 i$ilewncrgs/cd (82<Hand fhcs loo*.: element 124 isenergued (H22t, T few operating condition will continue until Γ2 exceeds the evesslioot threshold of .F F adore the sot point, that is, T2 is greater titan T- f or unless im&amp;rnipted fey detection of-another cold lank conJuiou fit-which· time the lower heat) tig element is denerghred ami -the module; .e0ht.ta.0es to mewim T2 fSUO). jt)056{ Rolan ang snalix to 814, if T2 is not less than 14254 f, the temperature and 'water Sow module cheeks. stem to determine heat is requited due to siaadfey cooling. by determining if the sensed water -temperat-ufO-is less than T-.5!> F (824).- If yes then the lower heating element 124 is tiaerglred and remains energised until the ovetshooi threshold temperature of'T-fF P j§ .reached ¢5422> or a cold tank eondHsos is detected <8i4i. |Ws7| RiMurmag to X2t if the sensed lenipoKHsHU is not less than 1 *5'- F, the tempemture and water tow-module cheeks nest to determine if hem is needed due to a flow eventby first comparing die sensed temperafurc T2 to the set point tanpemit»®· T 15126} If T2 is not less than \\ no energization of heat sources is needed and the system continues to niumtoi T2 i%\2\ IfT2 ts less than-T, the module next looks for the oegurrehe® of a $;ow «vent (X2K); As hereinbefore despnbed, tins is dpteftnihed is some- embodiments- tthn :the output of a flow meter and in others from temperature rats of change data. If no fknv event is delected, the mwinle continues to T2 (hi.2). if o flow «\ent H detected the module determines If T2 is le^s than, the set poioi htintss I degree F Ih30}. fi rtoi, the module continues'to roooitor 12 (810), If T2 is less than T- ic F, then the lower demerit is energized arul tomuas energized, untilT2 equals or OKceeds the osersiioof tbre^iAl Τ' 5'' Γ 1H22I .unless inteptipted by detection of a cold tank oandmou t.S 14). |0O581 When die selected mode of operation is the heat pump mode, the module implements the heat pump mode {·Β2} (Fig. B€.) In the heal pump. mode,, onh the compressor dm on scaled system is used to heat-die water, The module Is not configured to detect and respond to scold tank condemn in ibis mode, so the module monitors 73 (8341 checking fu-,ι to detbmtine if heat is required due to standby cooling* fe\ dotermioing if she sealed water temperature i% less than Τ~5Λ F .#36}. If ves. then lbs sealed -vrtom is energised and rei&amp;tmns eoeygmeii until ifes oser seleetod •sol point 'a;v8.pyTgvure is reached t&amp;3&amp;). |0ft59j Routming to 8.16, if the sei&amp;ed temperature iaBoi; less than T-T0 F, the totopemieie and water flow, module checks oasi to derermme if Feat is secied due 30 a lists- eveni fey Most comparing the aerated iomponintre· T2 »\> ;he set point tetopormme T (841)}. If T2 ts not less torn T, so emgkatioo. of .boat sources is needed and the system1 eoatinnes to monitor 12 (834): if Ί2 is less than T, the rrmdulenexf looks for tbs occaiti^c® .of -a flow moot (842). if no flow c\em is detected, the module commues io fisopitaf T2 (834) if a How overt· tv detected the module determines 4' T2 is less than: &amp;» sol poiuf mums ·!. degree F (844). if ran. the module emUimie.- to monitor T2 (834). Tf"F2 os less lhat· T-.l·" F, (he?) the sealed λ stem is ιηοαι/α! and: remains energized uotd 12 equals or exceeds the user seto-clad set jxdnt tempeiaiure 18,38). fiMMii) Whep the Seleetcd m>\to of operation is the hybrid jmxkt the module imptettoaii? the hybrid mod® t w<.i t1 ψ hi)), fe (his mode ihe temperature and wsiet (h>% module obtains water icmperahne data T2 four· sensor 126 (848) As m the standard electricmoils, the temperature sob water (tow modern is configured to cfseet first tor a cold took eotjilbios -signified by -a value of T2 indteuiag a -water temperature which is less than a cold sank thre.ritold ie-mpereture (854) However, so die iikfsimove embodiment, as herembef'ere described, 0)4 by bod cold («.ah threshold temperature isT-lW F e hich i« less- than the dearie cold tank threshold temperature. If T2 Is less than Τ'-30" F, fix») the upper nesrisg-element HI h energized Homing .«demerit 1:22 will coritttoe to be «uergked until T1 rises to wtthm 3' F of the set putnt (854). When Έ2 exceeds 'Τ4Γ* Fy-8ie upper demerit ! 22 is de-cnergmed ¢,85-6-1 and (he operation of the fcak-d sxssem is initialed (8584. The sealed system will continue- to mu tatfii i'2 equals or exceeds the sot poms femppmlxlre., (itofess inteHupMi by detection of another ceM lank sondumn) at wh«ch https the sealed system is deneryuaxl site thernorMe edniinues to mraatoi Ί2 itotol ftMMfiJ Rsuttnxtg again to 850, if T2 is not less thar Ί''0· fefbe temperature and water Hoe module chucks next to <fet«STOtiie 4 h*ot if leqnued due to standbx cooling, by dutmnifttng, if iho censed water teropejatiuv tt Sew than Tto* F tfooi if yes, then tile operafifm of the sealed system is amfotod. m$ ih® sealed system •coMrtues lo me mlil the set ffoitst temperature, Γ, is reached m exceeded (858) (unless fotern^tod bv dcreclfon of another cold took condition) at which' 'liras -the sealed s> stem is denci^uedaral the module continues u> monitor if (84¾). |(Μ)62| Reluming to wv:f if tfc&amp;seused temperature is -not less than T-5” Ί·'. the temperature and water (lex module checks next to determine if heat >» needed doe to a flovv event by tinst comparing theseastxi t&amp;nperjiur® T2 to the setpoint tempenmuc T (852). If Ή is not less than: T, no vmergtzMion of hesi sources m needed and the syslem continues to monitor T2 (§48). ΪΡΠ is less than T, the «nodule oen looks for the ocearrencij of a βον? aveui (844). if no flow event ss detected, the modyte continues' to' monitor T2 (848). If a flow ®v«m is detected the module detennkies if T.2 is less than the sal point minus ΐ degree F 1864) If not, [ho moduJe continues to mnnito? T2 (8481 li'T2 is toss than T-|- F. then the operation of the stntod sx stem jv imitated and continues to ran until Ί2 equals or exceeds the sot point temperature '1' (8*51) t unless snfcmqMed fo tk-teeboo of another cold tank condition) at which time the seated system isfleoerpzed «d the module continues iomondor '12 tH48)„ 1:00¾¾ . The nigh demand mod® is a·'variation ofthe hi hrid mode ptoi idod to respond, .to higher Am typical hot water usage conditions. such as can occur m homes with high .flow shower-heads e y , flow rates on the order of ή gallons per minute as compared to mate lypiehl fhowet heads with flow rate* of 2 gallons per minute. In the high demand .mode the -n ? tons cwm the heat pump to recover stondhs losses end small drone as in the hybrid mode However, if a large Sow oven! is delected;, for example 'a «ter temperatare-dtop of 3 s f in t»s-«tinotes,. ;tfte« the system uses the Um m eiedris element to fdcoyer, fo.addihc® ift a manner sisrnlar to hybrid mode, ’as null a. higher threshold,, the upper heating eimiSit is used to recover the vtaier temperature m foe top part of the tank and (Iren the lower eiemeni is used to recover the water temperature in the lower part of the tattk As jireviously desehhed herein,, it® systern is configured to detect flow events” fey ddocimg a rate of change of tsrnpcisaa'e do She order of 0 3« F over 8, period of one mmure. using ,s one mimlae tmnmg xxindow·, -cheeked overy five seconds, To detect, a 'large flow evenA the xvstom ktoto. for a change m temperature of 3* f over a: period often mmutev ifemc- n ten minute window -also checked even·' fhe xeomd-s. hc-wo* er. eyyry thtriy seconds may he sufficient |(HM4j When the selected mode of operation is the· high demand mode, fho modale implements the high detMoi! mode (870) (Fig HK) Jr this mode the tefoperstefe and natter flow module obtains water temperature date 12 teom-sensor ffio 18?2I As to the hvhad and atimdard deeme modes. die temperature and water slow nsodtsl.e ts· configured to cheek Srst for a ooM tank condition si-pitt# by a value ni 12 indicating· a water temperatam which is less: thait a cold tank threshold temperature (η"4.ί. Howevef m die bltRlraUve embodiment. its bereikbefoig de*xt · bed. the hybrid cold tank tfetessbeid·teinp^rat&amp;f»is T~2ffi' F., which m greaser ihas the eleanc ot Iwbnd cold tank iitrosboki .temperatures. This w to stable a quicker response to a cold tank condition. smee high demand mode k intended tor Mleaiions when, cold tassi cosiddioas are JiUsiy to he more Ik quoit Ι.ΓΤ2 is less than T-20e F. then the upper heating element 02 is energised and the low> element is de-energixsd in the evenUl happens ® be energi/ed when the cold tank condition h detected < 8?<3.i. ! testing eteatenf 122 will continue to beedemwed untii T2 rises.· to within 3* F of the set point Whyo Γ2 exceeds T\T' F:. tlur upper, ej enters!· 122 is demRergi/cd ansi the lower dement is · energized (880). As in the electric mode, this operating condition will combine until T2 exceeds the overshot# -threshold of 5* F shore the set point, that is. 12 is greatet titan 1 *5-> F os unless interrupted fa·· '^stoctidt·of drspth&amp;r cold tank coiidikt'o. at which unto the lower heating «temeat 1.24 i$ dp-enorgtyed and the module continue1 to nn-mlor T2 (872}

pteSI Rommmg again to 8?4t if T2 is sm less than TkXT F. the tempeumtre and wpier Itovc module check? next to detesthlae if heat is required due to standby eoolisg, by detemimirre if die sensed 'water teainomturc it less than TVS* F t8M4f If yes, then the operation of the sealed MSk-m is initiated and the: sealed system: continues to run nrtul fee: set point temperaiute, T. is reached. or exceeded (Mty umtes« iraernipied b\ dejection of another coki tank condition or a large How evetiU at which time the seated s> stem is da-epawed ami the module- coniimies to monitor T2(S72V fCRhkSj Returning to idt-k if the lem-ecl teinpurautre is not less than y. jhs temperaum? .attd nates flow module dtecks next to deteumne if heal is needed duo to a flaw mens, hy fustcomparing the sensed temperature T2 to -he ret point temperature T If Ί2 is not kiss than T. no energization. of heai .sources is usecied and the system conrim.cs to monitor T2 (S4H) If T2 is less than T, the module next looks for the occurrence of a flow event t «**;>. if no flow event k detected, the module continues to monitor T2 (872), If a flow event is detected the module detenttistes tf T2 Is kws that the xel point mam 1 degree f ($92) if not. the modulo continues: to monitor T2 ($48!. If T2 is less than T-!6 F. then liio opomflofii of the sealed system ts initiated and continues to: sun: until Ύ2 equals or exceeds the set paint toperates T (854} (unless smesrupted In detcvjon of «luinHei cold talk condition or large flow-event) at which time the Seeled w stew w de«v;o<,r«>zed and Use module cottiimies to monitor T2 (-348).- (0867} .Retumioe fa 872, if id auv time during operation in the high demand., mode, unless the p\,s»teoi is in the process of to ponding In a cold tank condition., detection of a large flow event fK94t rakes priority if a large flow event is detected,, that is If the controller delects a drop m nsdei tank temperature sensed by senior loo. of „V F or more m u running ten minute window, the lower healing element is energized {8'Xfl sod remains msrgszed until T2 esceeds Use overshoot threshold of 5° i'· above the set point, that is:. T2 is greater than T+5* f or unless sntemipted by: detection os'another void tank condition, ai which time the bwar heating element 124 k ile-enorgfesd and rise modulo continues to monitor T2 #?*). fito&amp;S} Tins written ilosmpiion uses, examples to diseldse the ito’entkm, including the hesi mode, and: also to enable any person Nkdied in the act Us make and use the invention. Use pasontahte scope oftlv »m velum i\ denned i>y the claims, and may krdisde other e.vmnples that occur to those 4 shod ut dig. sit Suclt other exainpks ace intended to be within tlie vcope of the drums if they have .vtruaural «temesds that do not diiler from the Moral language of the claim.·}, ο· if they include equivukmt shuesusal elements with msuhsiaaiial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims (7)

1. The claims defining the invention are as follows:

   1. A method of heating water within a water storage tank of a heat pump water heater wherein a controller is operatively connected to a heat pump, heating elements and a first temperature sensor positioned near the top of the water storage tank, the method comprising: receiving temperature readings transmitted by the first sensor; processing the temperature readings transmitted by the first sensor in order to determine a drop in temperature of water near the top of the water storage tank below a threshold temperature; and selecting and energizing at least one of the heat pump and the electric heating elements in response to the drop in temperature of water near the top of the water storage tank below the threshold temperature; prior to selecting and energizing the at least one of the heat pump and the electric elements, automatically determining, by the controller whether the water level within the water storage tank is at a sufficient level to allow a heating sequence to begin by performing the following steps: initiating the condenser of the heat pump for a defined period of time; processing the temperature readings received from the sensor positioned to measure the temperature of the water storage tank in order to determine whether the temperature of the water storage tank has increased to a level that exceeds a defined increase level; and upon a determination that the temperature of the water storage tank has exceeded a defined level, disabling the heating sequence and transmitting a signal indicating that an insufficient level of water is within the water storage tank.
2. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining a drop in temperature of water near the top of the water storage tank below a threshold temperature comprises comparing the temperature readings transmitted by the first sensor to the threshold temperature.
3. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2 further comprising: energizing a lower beating element when the temperature readings transmitted reflect a drop in temperature below a first preset level; and energizing an upper heating element when the temperature readings transmitted reflect a drop in temperature of a second preset level.
4. 4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3 further comprising energizing a heat pump system lower heating element when the temperature readings transmitted reflect a drop in temperature below a second preset level.
5. 5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4 further including the steps of: measuring the flow of water into the water storage tank at a water inlet line; processing data representative of the flow of water into the water storage tank along with data representative of a drop in temperature of water near the top of the water storage tank below a defined set point temperature; determining which of an upper heating element and a lower heating element positioned, within the water storage tank is to be energized; and energizing one of the upper heating element and the lower heating element positioned within the water storage tank.
6. 6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein flow through the condenser tubing, which is wrapped around the exterior of the water storage tank side wall and extends from the lower portion to the upper portion of the water storage tank side wall, is initiated at a point on the condenser tubing contacting the lower portion of the water storage tank side wall and flows through the condenser tubing up through the condenser tubing in contact with the upper portion of the water storage tank side wall.
7. 7. The method of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the condenser tubing includes a return flow wherein, following flow through the condenser tubing in contact with the side wall of the water storage tank, flow is continued through condenser tubing in contact with the bottom wall of the water storage tank.