US 4,333,316 AGranted

Automatic control apparatus for a heat pump system

AssigneeGeneral Electric Company

InventorsCustis L. Stamp, Jr., Rollie R. Herzog

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Abstract

A microprocessor based heat pump control apparatus having a user-operated system console and a system function controller is provided in which normal operating target temperature settings are automatically converted to an expanded operating temperature range (standby operating mode), having preset upper and lower target temperature settings, in response to predetermined operating conditions within the system. The system function controller is preprogrammed to respond to a predetermined number of invalid data signal communications emanating from the user-operated console to switch into the standby operating mode. Provision is made for the user to insert a standby mode instruction at the user-operated console. Provision is also made for the system controller to enter standby during a power-up sequence when invalid user-inserted volatile data is sensed from storage means used to retain the volatile data during the power-off time period.

Claims13

Dependent claims

In a heat pump system, automatic control apparatus for switching the heat pump system from a normal functional operating mode to a standby operating mode in which temperatures in the conditioned space are maintained within an expanded temperature range having predetermined upper and lower temperature limits, the control apparatus comprising:

means for receiving and storing user-selected volatile data representing a desired target temperature for the conditioned space and a desired functional operating mode for the heat pump system;
means for supplying a data check code signal, the status of which indicates the validity or invalidity of the data signals emanating from the volatile data storage means;
means repetitively responsive to the stored volatile data signals and to valid data check code signals for operating the heat pump system in the user-selected functional operating mode and for entering the heat pump system into the standby mode when a predetermined number of invalid data check code signals are repetitively sensed in sequence;
and standby means responsive to an enter standby mode instruction to cause one or both of said predetermined upper and lower temperature limits of the expanded temperature range to be established to supersede the user-inserted target temperature and for operating the heat pump system to maintain the temperature of the conditioned space within said expanded temperature range.

1 more element

In a heat pump system, automatic control apparatus for switching the heat pump system from a normal functional operating mode to a standby operating mode in which temperatures in the conditioned space are maintained within an expanded temperature having predetermined upper and lower temperature limits, the control apparatus comprising:

user-operated console means for receiving and storing user-selected volatile data representing desired operating conditions for the heat pump system, said console means including means for supplying at least one check code signal;
system controller means responsive to volatile data from said console means for controlling the functional operation of the heat pump system in any of a plurality of different operating modes, said controller means including means responsive to said at least one check code signal from said console means to place said heat pump system into said standby operating mode when said check code signal so indicates.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.