Patent ID: 12241664

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are methods and apparatuses implementing an interface for a heat pump. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous examples and specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments according to the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that embodiments as defined by the claims may include some or all of the features in these examples alone or in combination with other features described below, and may further include modifications and equivalents of the features and concepts described herein.

FIG.1shows a simplified view of a ground source heat pump100in a cooling mode of operation.FIG.2shows a simplified view of a ground source heat pump in a heating mode of operation.

A heat pump may comprise the following five (5) elements.1) A compressor101that moves working fluid (refrigerant)102through a circuit104.2) A primary side heat exchanger106that exchanges heat with the controlled temperature space108.3) A secondary side heat exchanger110that sources/sinks heat into the space112outside of the temperature controlled space.4) A metering valve114which regulates the flow of refrigerant through the circuit.5) A reversing valve116which changes the flow direction of refrigerant, allowing the circuit to extract or add heat to the temperature controlled space.

FIGS.1-2show a ground source heat pump, where the space outside of the temperature controlled space is the ground. However, other types of heat pumps are possible, for example air-source heat pumps where the space outside of the temperature controlled space is the air of the surrounding environment.

One particular type of heat pump includes a blower109and an air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger. That heat exchanger controls temperature in the space by recirculating air through ducting to/from the temperature-controlled interior space and through the heat pump.

Such a heat pump can add or remove heat from this airflow to provide any desired air temperature setpoint inside the temperature-controlled interior space.

FIG.3provides a simplified top view of a heat pump component300comprising a blower and a heat exchanger. This type of heat pump has a supply302air duct and a return304air duct. The supply duct provides temperature controlled airflow to the temperature controlled space.

The return duct accepts airflow back from the temperature controlled space. This allows the heat pump to add or remove heat before sending it back to the temperature controlled space via the supply duct.

The orientation and location of the supply and return ducts in buildings are not standardized. One configuration is to have the supply duct positioned so that the supply airflow comes out vertically from the top of the unit, with the return duct located at one side.

Embodiments provide a heat pump component that is designed to allow for deployment in the particular location that is dictated by the layout of ducting within a building. For example, the heat pump component could be deployed in a left hand corner, with the return duct present on the right hand side (as shown inFIG.7).

Alternatively, the same heat pump component design could be deployed in a right hand corner. There, simply rotating (e.g., by 180°) the unit affords the return duct on the left hand side, as shown inFIG.4. According to such embodiments, depending upon the deployment either of the sides orthogonal to the right or left side, could actually serve as the front of the unit (e.g., facing a user).

To allow this, moveable block(s) are provided at corners of the unit, offering power connection and/or data connections and status display features. By relocating the blocks to different corners of the unit prior to installation, connection access to power and data, and for status display, are available to a user irrespective of the particular deployment of the unit. Blank blocks may also be provided to occupy the corner locations left vacant by relocation of active blocks to the side of the unit serving as the front for a particular installation.

Thus, in the particular embodiment ofFIG.3the heat pump comprises a first active corner block310that is moveably mounted at a first corner312. This first corner block may offer a power connection and a rotatable switch.

The heat pump also comprises a second active corner block313that is moveably mounted at a second corner314. This second corner block may offer data connection(s) and status indicator(s) accessible to a user.

As mentioned herein, the active blocks are moveable to different corners depending upon the particular installation. Accordingly, the unit further comprises two blank corner blocks316to occupy the locations left vacant by active blocks that have been relocated to different corners.

FIG.4shows a top view of an embodiment of a heat pump component deployed in a right hand corner.FIG.5shows a side view of a heat pump component inFIG.4.

FIG.6shows a side perspective view of a heat pump component inFIG.4. First active block310affords power connection602and switch604. Second active block313affords data connection and status indicators606. The other corner blocks are blanks.

To realize access for electrical power, data, and status indication, from either side of the unit as installed, the design approach allows movement of the blocks to different corners. This permits assignment of either side of the unit as the front.

The unit can then be positioned according to the ducting requirements right or left airflow return. Assignment of the front is no longer required from a perspective of electrical connection, signal, or display perspective.

FIG.7shows a top view of an embodiment of a heat pump component deployed in a left hand corner.FIG.8is a side perspective view of a heat pump component inFIG.7.

FIG.9shows a simplified flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment. At902, a heat pump unit is received.

At904, a first active corner block is removed from a first corner; At906a first blank corner block is removed from a second corner.

At908the first active corner block is relocated to the second corner. At910the second corner active block is relocated to the first corner.

At912an opening in the heat pump unit is aligned with a return duct. At914power is supplied through the first active block.

The above description illustrates various embodiments of the present invention along with examples of how aspects of the present invention may be implemented. Other embodiments are possible.

For example, while the above description describes an embodiment where active interfaces are allocated as between two different relocatable blocks (with the remaining other two blocks being blanks), this is not required. According to alternative embodiments, all features (e.g., power connection, data connection, status indicators) could be consolidated in a single moveable active block, with the remaining three blocks being moveable blanks.

The above examples and embodiments should not be deemed to be the only embodiments, and are presented to illustrate the flexibility and advantages of the present invention as defined by the following claims. Based on the above disclosure and the following claims, other arrangements, embodiments, implementations and equivalents will be evident to those skilled in the art and may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.