Method and controller for controlling a reversible heat pump assembly

A controller configured to selectively set a reversible heat pump assembly in either a heating mode or in a cooling mode, the controller comprising a control circuit configured to:

• for a time period, determine, using a demand determining function, a heating demand for heat to be delivered by the reversible heat pump assembly and a cooling demand for cold to be delivered by the reversible heat pump assembly;
• generate, using a control function, a control signal indicative of whether the reversible heat pump assembly is to be set in either the heating mode or in the cooling mode, wherein the control function is configured to use the heating demand and the cooling demand as input data;
• for the time period, determine, using a duty cycle function, a heating duty cycle for the heating mode and a cooling duty cycle for the cooling mode, wherein the duty cycle function is configured to use the heating demand and the cooling demand as input data;
• wherein the control function is further configured to, in response to a combination of the heating duty cycle and the cooling duty cycle being below a threshold, delay, in time, the setting of the reversible heat pump assembly in the cooling mode, in case of the control signal is already indicative of the reversible heat pump assembly is to be set in the heating mode, or delay, in time, the setting of the reversible heat pump assembly in the heating mode, in case of the control signal is already indicative of the reversible heat pump assembly is to be set in the cooling mode;
• and
• send, using a transmission function, the control signal to a heat pump of the reversible heat pump assembly.

A controller configured to selectively set a reversible heat pump assembly in either a heating mode or in a cooling mode, the controller comprising a control circuit configured to:

• for a time period, determine, using a demand determining function, a heating demand for heat to be delivered by the reversible heat pump assembly and a cooling demand for cold to be delivered by the reversible heat pump assembly;
• generate, using a control function, a control signal indicative of whether the reversible heat pump assembly is to be set in either the heating mode or in the cooling mode, wherein the control function is configured to use the heating demand and the cooling demand as input data;
• for the time period, determine, using a duty cycle function, a heating duty cycle for the heating mode and a cooling duty cycle for the cooling mode, wherein the duty cycle function is configured to use the heating demand and the cooling demand as input data;
• wherein the control function is further configured to, in response to a combination of the heating duty cycle and the cooling duty cycle being above a threshold, generate the control signal to comprise information to temporarily set the heat pump to deliver heat at an output greater than an output being indicated by the heating demand, thereby reducing the heating duty cycle and/or to comprise information to temporarily set the heat pump to deliver cold at an output greater than an output being indicated by the cooling demand, thereby reducing the cooling duty cycle;
• and
• send, using a transmission function, the control signal to a heat pump of the reversible heat pump assembly.

A method for controlling a reversible heat pump assembly, the reversible heat pump assembly comprising a heat pump having a first side and a second side, the heat pump being configured to transfer heat from the first side to the second side or vice versa, wherein the reversible heat pump assembly is configured to be selectively set in either a heating mode or a cooling mode, wherein in the heating mode, the heat pump is configured to transfer heat from the first side to the second side, and wherein in the cooling mode, the heat pump is configured to transfer heat from the second side to the first side, the method comprising:

• for a time period, determining a heating demand for heat to be delivered by the reversible heat pump assembly and a cooling demand for cold to be delivered by the reversible heat pump assembly,
• identifying, based on the heating demand and the cooling demand, simultaneous demands of setting the reversible heat pump assembly in both the heating mode and the cooling mode, and
• controlling, based on the heating demand, the cooling demand and the identified simultaneous heating and cooling demands, the setting of the reversible heat pump assembly in either the heating mode or the cooling mode such that in response to identified simultaneous heating and cooling demands, temporarily setting a heat pump of the reversible heat pump assembly to deliver heat at an output greater than an output indicated by the heating demand, thereby reducing a heating duty cycle and/or temporarily setting the heat pump to deliver cold at an output greater than an output indicated by the cooling demand, thereby reducing a cooling duty cycle.

A method for controlling a reversible heat pump assembly comprising a heat pump having a first side and a second side, the heat pump being configured to transfer heat from the first side to the second side or vice versa, wherein the reversible heat pump assembly is configured to be selectively set in either a heating mode or a cooling mode, wherein in the heating mode the heat pump is configured to transfer heat from the first side to the second side;

• wherein in the cooling mode the heat pump is configured to transfer heat from the second side to the first side, the method comprising:
• for a time period, determining a heating demand for heat to be delivered by the reversible heat pump assembly and a cooling demand for cold to be delivered by the reversible heat pump assembly;
• determining, for the time period and based on the heating demand, a heating duty cycle for the heating mode;
• determining, for the time period and based on the cooling demand, a cooling duty cycle for the cooling mode;
• and
• controlling, based on the heating demand and the cooling demand, the setting of the reversible heat pump assembly in either the heating mode or the cooling mode, wherein the act of controlling comprises, in response to a combination of the heating duty cycle and the cooling duty cycle being below a threshold, delaying, in time, the setting of the reversible heat pump assembly in the cooling mode, in case of the reversible heat pump assembly is already in the heating mode, or delaying, in time, the setting of the reversible heat pump assembly in the heating mode, in case of the reversible heat pump assembly is already in the cooling mode.

A method for controlling a reversible heat pump assembly comprising a heat pump having a first side and a second side, the heat pump being configured to transfer heat from the first side to the second side or vice versa, wherein the reversible heat pump assembly is configured to be selectively set in either a heating mode or a cooling mode, wherein in the heating mode the heat pump is configured to transfer heat from the first side to the second side;

• wherein in the cooling mode the heat pump is configured to transfer heat from the second side to the first side, the method comprising:
• for a time period, determining a heating demand for heat to be delivered by the reversible heat pump assembly and a cooling demand for cold to be delivered by the reversible heat pump assembly;
• determining, for the time period and based on the heating demand, a heating duty cycle for the heating mode;
• determining, for the time period and based on the cooling demand, a cooling duty cycle for the cooling mode;
• and
• controlling, based on the heating demand and the cooling demand, the setting of the reversible heat pump assembly in either the heating mode or the cooling mode, wherein the act of controlling comprises, in response to a combination of the heating duty cycle and the cooling duty cycle being above a threshold, temporarily setting the heat pump to deliver heat at an output greater than an output being indicated by the heating demand, thereby reducing the heating duty cycle and/or temporarily setting the heat pump to deliver cold at an output greater than an output being indicated by the cooling demand, thereby reducing the cooling duty cycle.