Control of outdoor air source water heating using variable-speed heat pump

Patent · Tue Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991

OSTI ID:5540408

Dudley, K F; Paige, L E; Dunshee, K B; Voorhis, R J

This patent describes a process of controlling an integrated heat pump system of the type. It comprises a variable speed compressor having a discharge port and a suction port; a water heater exchanger coupled to the discharge port of the compressor for heating water by transfer of heat from a compressed heat exchange fluid; an outdoor evaporator heat exchanger having an outdoor fan and a coil receiving the heat exchange fluid from the water heat exchanger and coupled also to the suction port of the compressor, for drawing heat from the outdoor air which heat is transferred to the water in the water heat exchanger; a controller having output channels to control an outdoor fan and the speed of the variable speed compressor and inputs respectively coupled to a water heater setpoint adjustment means, an outdoor air temperature sensor for sensing the outdoor temperature of the outdoor air; and a water temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the water heated by the water heat exchanger; the process comprising the steps of sensing the outdoor temperature T{sub o}.

• Assignee: Electric Power Research Inst., Inc., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5052186; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-586004
• OSTI ID: 5540408
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
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Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Equipment & Processes
320603 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Municipalities & Community Systems-- Public Utilities-- (1980-)
42 ENGINEERING
420400* -- Engineering-- Heat Transfer & Fluid Flow
AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMPS
COMPRESSORS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT PUMPS
HEATING
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
WATER HEATING