Hybrid heating system with humidity control
AssigneeMidea Group Co., Ltd.
InventorEric L. Scalf
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hybrid heating system for controlling heat and comfort of a building is disclosed with both heat pump and furnace heating. Upstream temperature and humidity sensors measure conditions for an intake, and downstream temperature and humidity sensors measure conditions for an outlet of the hybrid heating system. A control unit receives readings from the upstream and downstream temperature and humidity sensors to control operation of the heat pump and the furnace. The control unit determines that the downstream humidity sensor is reading outside of a desired humidity downstream and modulates heating operation of the heat pump and/or the furnace to achieve the desired humidity downstream for the desired temperature downstream.
Claims20
A heating system with hybrid heating for controlling heat and comfort of a building, the heating system comprising:
- a heat pump for exchanging heat;
- a furnace for heating air;
- an upstream temperature sensor located at an intake of the heating system;
- an upstream humidity sensor located at the intake of the heating system;
- a downstream temperature sensor located at an outlet of the heating system;
- a downstream humidity sensor located at the outlet of the heating system;
- and
- a control unit coupled to the heat pump and the furnace, wherein the control unit:
- receives readings from the upstream and downstream temperature and humidity sensors,
- controls operation of the heat pump and the furnace to achieve a desired temperature downstream,
- determines that the downstream humidity sensor is reading outside of a desired humidity downstream, and
- modulates heating operation of the heat pump and/or the furnace to achieve the desired humidity downstream for the desired temperature downstream.
A heating system for heating upstream air to provide downstream air to a building, the heating system comprising:
- a heat pump comprising a coil for exchanging heat;
- a furnace:
- positioned downstream to the coil, and
- in airflow communication with the coil,
- a plurality of sensors to measure upstream and downstream temperature and humidity of the heating system;
- and
- a control unit that is configured to:
- receive readings from the plurality of sensors for upstream and downstream temperature and humidity,
- control operation of the heat pump and the furnace to achieve a desired temperature downstream,
- determine that downstream humidity is outside of a desired downstream humidity, and
- modulate heating operation of the heat pump and/or the furnace to achieve the desired humidity downstream for the desired temperature downstream.
A method for controlling heat and comfort of a building by a hybrid heating system, the method comprising:
- receiving readings from upstream and downstream temperature sensors and upstream and downstream humidity sensors,
- controlling operation of a heat pump and a furnace to achieve a desired temperature downstream,
- determining that a downstream humidity sensor is reading outside of a desired humidity downstream, and
- modulating heating operation of the heat pump and/or the furnace to achieve the desired humidity downstream.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.