Carrier Corporation

Derek A Leman

Frank J David

Matthew T Austin

Larry D Burns

Loren D Hoffman

Mark W Shoemaker

Brian L DePerro

Peter R Bushnell

Charles A Cluff

William Bruce Sutherlin

John A Wade

Yu Wang

Duane V Douglas

Aaron M Bright

Christopher J Ingermann

Nancy O Ashcraft

A method of operating a heat pump system comprising: operating the heat pump system in a demand operation heating mode, wherein the demand operation heating mode comprises controlling an opening amount of an expansion valve based on a superheat difference between a compressor inlet superheat value and a target compressor inlet superheat value, and controlling a flowrate of the refrigerant through a compressor based on a thermal demand difference between a thermal output of the indoor heat exchanger and a customer thermal demand; monitoring with the one or more controllers a parameter of the refrigerant cycle indicative of a charge imbalance condition; and transitioning operation with the one or more controllers to a charge compensation mode when the parameter satisfies a first threshold condition, wherein the charge compensation mode comprises performing with the one or more controllers a charge imbalance mitigation strategy.

Method of operating a heat pump system

A system includes an indoor HVAC unit and an outdoor HVAC unit in communication with the indoor HVAC unit. The outdoor HVAC unit comprises a compressor, a vapor header in communication with the indoor HVAC unit and compressor, and at least one check valve to allow vapor refrigerant flow into the indoor HVAC unit during a cooling mode and to prevent liquid refrigerant from exiting the vapor header when in a heating mode. A method of operating said system is also disclosed.

Refrigerant charge management

A system and method of operating an HVAC system including a HVAC unit including a unit temperature sensor, a unit controller, and a variable speed compressor, and a two-stage system controller in communication with the unit controller, the method including operating the system controller to transmit a conditioning signal to the unit controller based in part on a system demand, operating the unit controller to receive the conditioning signal, and receive outdoor air temperature data from the unit temperature sensor, operating the unit controller to determine whether the outdoor air temperature data is greater than or equal to a cooling temperature limit or less than or equal to a heating temperature limit, and operating the unit controller to transmit a speed signal to the compressor based in part on the plurality of conditioning signals and the outdoor air temperature data.

System and method of operating a variable speed compressor with a two-stage controller

A climate control outdoor unit has: a housing; a compressor having an electric motor; a refrigerant-air heat exchanger; an electric fan positioned to drive an air flow along an air flowpath across the refrigerant-air heat exchanger; and an inverter unit coupled to the electric motor to drive the electric motor. An additional air flowpath extends along the inverter unit to merge with the air flowpath.

Climate control outdoor unit with inverter cooling

A heat exchanger having at least one inner conduit comprising of a second tubular member coaxially disposed within a first tubular member, wherein the second tubular member outer surface is in contact with the first tubular member inner surface. Each of the first and second tubular members is composed of a material with an approximately 0.015 inch maximum wall thickness.

Refrigerant to water heat exchanger

A method for managing a refrigerant charge in a system for heating water and conditioning an interior space by removing power from an indoor fan for a first duration of time prior to switching at least one valve to configure a second refrigerant circuit for satisfying a water heating demand. A method for managing a refrigerant charge in a system for heating water and conditioning an interior space by removing power from a water pump for a second duration of time prior to switching at least one valve to reconfigure a first refrigerant circuit to satisfy an interior space heating demand.

Method for managing a refrigerant charge in a multi-purpose HVAC system

An HVAC system, including a reversing valve including a first port, a second port, and a third port, wherein the reversing valve may be placed into a first position in which the first port is operably coupled to the second port for the flow of refrigerant therebetween, and a second position in which the second port is operably coupled to the third port for the flow of refrigerant therebetween, a first HVAC component operably coupled to the first port, a second HVAC component operably coupled to the second port, and a third HVAC component operably coupled to the third port.

Method and system of using a reversing valve to control at least two HVAC systems

A water heater module with a heat exchanger configured to be submersible inside a water storage tank, and further configured to divert refrigerant between the heat exchanger and an air handler in response to a demand for heating water or a demand for conditioning an interior space.

Heat pump water module with condensing coil in water storage tank

A comfort system outdoor unit with a heat exchanger coil and a fan in its top opening has an orifice structure and an insert registerable with the orifice structure to streamline the inward flow of air that passes over a lower end of the orifice structure. The insert may be fastened directly to the orifice structure lower end, or it may be installed so as to extend substantially from an upper edge of the coil to the orifice structure lower end.

Streamlined orifice of outdoor unit

A coil support suitable for supporting a coil in a condensing unit includes a body and a protrusion extending from the body. The protrusion is configured to limit movement of the coil in at least one direction.

Growing community of inventors

Brownsburg, IN, United States of America

Derek A Leman