초록 ▼

Apparatus for and a method of controlling a combination system utilizing a solar heating system and a heat pump in combination to provide either heated or cooled air to an enclosure. A conventional split system heat pump is mounted such that the indoor coil is located in the same area as the indoor

Apparatus for and a method of controlling a combination system utilizing a solar heating system and a heat pump in combination to provide either heated or cooled air to an enclosure. A conventional split system heat pump is mounted such that the indoor coil is located in the same area as the indoor coil of the solar system and optional electric resistance heaters. Heating may be provided from either the solar system by circulating hot water through the indoor solar coil, the heat pump or electric resistance heat, or a combination thereof. Cooling is provided by the heat pump and defrost for the heat pump may involve supplying heat from either the electric resistance heat or the storage tank of the solar system to the indoor coil of the heat pump. In addition, means may be provided for offpeak cooling of stored water.

대표청구항 ▼

A control means for operating a solar assisted heat pump system for heating and cooling an enclosure which comprises: solar collector means for heating a heat exchange fluid with solar energy; a storage tank serving as reservoir for the heat exchange fluid; an indoor solar coil for transferring heat

A control means for operating a solar assisted heat pump system for heating and cooling an enclosure which comprises: solar collector means for heating a heat exchange fluid with solar energy; a storage tank serving as reservoir for the heat exchange fluid; an indoor solar coil for transferring heat to or from the heat exchanger fluid; a heat pump system of the reversible type for circulating a refrigerant having an outdoor coil in heat exchange communication with the solar indoor coil, a compressor, an outdoor coil and means for reversing the direction of flow of the refrigerant through the coil; means for circulating the heat exchange fluid between the solar collector means, storage tank and the indoor solar coil; and control means having a thermostat for regulating the operation of the solar system heat pump system which further comprises: (a) heating means for supplying heat on demand from the thermostat to the enclosure by either circulating heat exchange fluid to the indoor solar coil or energizing the heat pump in the heating mode of operation to supply refrigerant to the indoor heat pump coil or a combination thereof; (b) cooling means for energizing the heat pump to remove heat from the enclosure upon demand from the thermostat; (c) defrost means for supplying heat to the outdoor heat pump coil by operating the heat pump in the cooling mode of operation, the indoor solar coil being used to supply heat to the indoor heat pump coil under the appropriate temperature conditions; (d) freeze protector means for operating the means for circulating heat exchange fluid through the indoor solar coil to prevent the heat exchange fluid from freezing therein; and (e) temperature differential means for operating the means for circulating the heat exchange fluid between the solar collector means and storage tank when the temperature of the heat exchange fluid in the solar collector means is greater than the temperature of the heat exchange fluid in the storage tank.