Heat pump apparatus for heating liquid
US5984198A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 9, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 9, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF24D17/02
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Heat pump apparatus for heating liquid, such as water, includes a refrigerant circuit and a water circuit, a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger and an air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger operably disposed in heat exchange relationship with a air fluid stream of a systemically separate primary source of space conditioning. A compressor is provided for circulating the refrigerant between the two heat exchangers and a water pump is provided for circulating the water to be heated through the refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger. A tank is also provided for storing the heated water. The tank has an electrically resistive heating element operably associated therewith. A control circuit is provided for normally enabling operation of the heat pump and disabling the heating element in response to a demand for liquid heating. However, in response to selected conditions, such as a low outdoor air temperature condition, the control circuit disables the heat pump and enables the heating element in response to a demand for water heating.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.