Heat pump defrosting system and method
AssigneeNortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.
InventorsDavid Martin Wintemute, Mathieu Philippe Beliveau
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A heat pump system for conditioning regeneration air from a space is provided. The heat pump system is operable in a winter mode and/or a summer mode, and may be selectively operated in a defrost mode or cycle. During a defrost mode, hot refrigerant may be used to directly and sequentially defrost the regeneration air heat exchanger. A compressor may be configured to be overdriven during a defrost cycle.
Claims17
A heat pump system configured to provide conditioned air to an enclosed space, the heat pump system comprising:
- a supply air channel configured to receive air and discharge supply air into the enclosed space;
- a regeneration air channel configured to receive regeneration air from the enclosed space and discharge exhaust air;
- a regeneration air heat exchanger positioned in the regeneration air channel, wherein the regeneration air heat exchanger is configured to remove heat from the regeneration air during a heating cycle, wherein the regeneration air heat exchanger is configured to operate in a normal mode and a defrost mode;
- and
- at least one damper positioned proximate to the regeneration air heat exchanger, wherein the at least one damper includes a plurality of actuatable portions, wherein each of the plurality of actuatable portions is configured to independently operate, and wherein the at least one damper is configured to sequentially open and close each of the plurality of actuatable portions during the defrost mode.
A method of providing conditioned air to an enclosed space, the method comprising:
- positioning a regeneration air heat exchanger in a regeneration air channel of a heat pump;
- using the regeneration air heat exchanger to remove heat from regeneration air within the regeneration air channel during a heating cycle;
- independently operating each of a plurality of actuatable portions of at least one damper positioned proximate to the regeneration air heat exchanger;
- and
- sequentially opening and closing each of the plurality of actuatable portions during a defrost mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.