Gas Research Institute

Kerry E Ober

Jay R Goetz

James R Harnish

James M Tuten, Iii

Steven R Hoglund

A controller for a heat pump system wherein the controller has a variable capacity control capability that responds to thermostat output signals. The variable capacity controller computes real-time performance parameters at variable capacity heating/cooling load conditions of the heat pump system. A defrost controller calculates an optimum heat pump operating time period between successive defrost cycles during a heating mode of the heat pump. Such values are calculated as a function of sensed time, temperature and variable capacity operating conditions which are calculated by the variable capacity controller. The controller preferably has a manual mode for verifying correct operation of each actuator of the heat pump system, as a function of a sequenced input signal, while the heat pump system is in a shutdown mode. The manual mode control also computes and generates an output signal for controlling each actuator to achieve efficient operation control of the heat pump system in various operational states, based upon predetermined operating parameters.

Microprocessor-based controller

A controller for a gas heat pump system wherein the controller has a variable capacity control capability that responds to thermostat output signals. The variable capacity controller computes real-time performance parameters at variable capacity heating/cooling load conditions of the gas heat pump system. A defrost controller calculates a maximum heat pump operating time period between successive defrost cycles and a minimum heat pump operating time period of each defrost cycle, during a heating mode of the gas heat pump. Such values are calculated as a function of sensed time, temperature and variable capacity operating conditions which are calculated by the variable capacity controller. The controller preferably has a manual mode for verifying correct operation of each actuator of the gas heat pump system, as a function of a sequenced input signal, while the gas heat pump system is in a shutdown mode. The manual mode control also computes and generates an output signal for controlling each actuator to achieve efficient operation control of the gas heat pump system in various operational states, based upon predetermined operating parameters.

Growing community of inventors

Minnetonka, MN, United States of America

Kerry E Ober