Carrier Corporation

James P Schafer

Robert J Whitwell

James E Greever

A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of an add-on heat pump water heater unit is disclosed. A combination of a thermally conductive tube having a flattened portion and a thermostat mounted thereto is utilized to sense the temperature level of water in a tank to which the heater unit is connected. The tube and thermostat are additionally insulated from the ambient. A circulating pump is provided and connected to the water thermostat such that the pump is energized only when it is necessary to operate the heat energy adding unit.

Apparatus and method for controlling a heat pump water heater

A heat transfer and storage system for heating and cooling an enclosure, and including a heat pump having an indoor coil and an outdoor coil and a heat storage facility. The system can be operated to exchange heat between a refrigerant fluid from the heat pump and a heat transfer fluid from the heat storage facility, between the refrigerant fluid and ambient air, and between the heat transfer fluid and ambient air. In a preferred embodiment an integrated three medium heat exchanger is utilized in association with the outdoor coil of the heat pump and a water coil operatively connected to a water tank; and the three medium heat exchanger can effect heat exchange between the refrigerant and the water, between the refrigerant and outdoor air, and between the water and outdoor air.

Heat transfer and storage system

A heat exchanger tube comprising a primary tubular element for carrying a heating or cooling medium and a secondary heat transfer surface spirally wound about the tubular element. The heat transfer surface is formed in a U-shaped configuration with its base being wound in metal-to-metal contact against the tube surface and the two legs thereof extending radially from the base. Each leg, in turn, is provided with a plurality of slits extending inwardly from the extreme edge thereof to create a dense population of relatively thin spine-like fins radiating from the tube. A meniscus of adhesive is formed between the legs and the surface of the tube which secures the base of the fin strip in metal-to-metal contact against the tube surface and also supports the individual spine-like fins in a radially extended position. In a further embodiment of the invention, the exposed surfaces of the primary and secondary elements are coated with a thin layer of adhesive to protect the tube from corrosion.

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Minnetonka, MN, United States of America

James P Schafer