Heat pump system with combustion heating
AssigneeMidea Group Co., Ltd.
InventorsEric L. Scalf, Jerry Dale
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hybrid heating system for the heating of a building is disclosed. A heat pump transfers heat to the input airstream upstream from a furnace that is controlled to add supplemental heat. A bypass mechanism directs airflow to avoid the furnace when it is not in operation to rely on the heat pump alone. The indoor coil of the heat pump is upstream of the furnace. Controlling both modes of heating for the building allows both to contribute in heating the airstream through the hybrid heating system.
Claims20
A heating system with hybrid heating to control the heating of a building, the heating system comprises:
- a heat pump comprising an indoor coil for exchanging heat with an airstream;
- a furnace, wherein the furnace:
- is positioned downstream to the indoor coil, and
- transfers heat to the airstream when operating;
- and
- a diverter selectively redirects the airstream away from the furnace when the furnace is not operating.
A heating apparatus for hybrid heating to control the heating of a building, the heating apparatus comprises:
- an air intake a heat pump comprising an indoor coil for exchanging heat downstream from the air intake;
- a furnace downstream to the indoor coil in air communication with the indoor coil,
- a plurality of temperature sensors to measure temperature both upstream and downstream of the indoor coil;
- and
- a control unit to modulate heating from the heat pump and the furnace.
A heating method using hybrid heating system for controlling heating of a building, the heating method comprises:
- monitoring a plurality of temperatures of the hybrid heating system using a plurality of temperature sensors;
- exchanging heat using an indoor coil that is part of a heat pump, wherein the plurality of temperature sensors include:
- a first temperature sensor upstream of the indoor coil, and
- a second temperature sensor downstream of the indoor coil;
- heating air during a heating operation with a furnace, wherein the furnace is:
- positioned downstream to the indoor coil, and
- in fluidic communication with the indoor coil;
- and
- modulating a furnace heating with a control unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.