U.S. patent application number 14/093668 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-07 for reduced energy heat pump defrost for unoccupied space.
This patent application is currently assigned to Carrier Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Carrier Corporation. Invention is credited to Mark J. Ladd.
Application Number | 20140216078 14/093668 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51258090 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140216078 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ladd; Mark J. |
August 7, 2014 |
REDUCED ENERGY HEAT PUMP DEFROST FOR UNOCCUPIED SPACE
Abstract
Embodiments are directed to determining, by a controller
comprising a processor, that a coil associated with a heat pump is
subjected to a defrost cycle, determining, by the controller, that
at least one of: a conditioned space is occupied, and a thermostat
associated with the conditioned space indicates that an energy
saving mode is not in use, and enabling, by the controller, an
auxiliary heat source based on the determination that the coil is
subject to the defrost cycle and the determination that the
conditioned space is occupied or the thermostat indicates that the
energy saving mode is not in use.
Inventors: |
Ladd; Mark J.;
(Indianapolis, IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Carrier Corporation |
Farmington |
CT |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Carrier Corporation
Farmington
CT
|
Family ID: |
51258090 |
Appl. No.: |
14/093668 |
Filed: |
December 2, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61760398 |
Feb 4, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/80 ; 62/126;
62/155 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 2120/10 20180101;
F25B 30/02 20130101; F24F 11/30 20180101; F25D 21/004 20130101;
F24F 11/41 20180101; F24F 11/46 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/80 ; 62/155;
62/126 |
International
Class: |
F25D 21/00 20060101
F25D021/00 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: determining, by a controller comprising a
processor, that a coil associated with a heat pump is subjected to
a defrost cycle; determining, by the controller, that at least one
of: a conditioned space is occupied, and a thermostat associated
with the conditioned space indicates that an energy saving mode is
not in use; and enabling, by the controller, an auxiliary heat
source based on the determination that the coil is subject to the
defrost cycle and the determination that the conditioned space is
occupied or the thermostat indicates that the energy saving mode is
not in use.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein an indication that the energy
saving mode is in use is expressed as being at least one of:
setback, away, on vacation, and sleep.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication that the energy
saving mode is not in use is based on a schedule entered at the
thermostat.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the conditioned space is
determined to be occupied when a motion in an amount greater than a
first threshold is detected by a sensor within a second threshold
amount of time.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the coil is located outside of a
building.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermostat comprises a device
configured to selectively pass a request for auxiliary heat based
on the determination that the conditioned space is occupied or the
thermostat indicates that the energy saving mode is not in use.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the thermostat receives the
request for auxiliary heat from the heat pump.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein the device comprises a relay or a
switching device.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein the thermostat receives the
request for auxiliary heat in accordance with serial
communications.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: disabling, by the
controller, the auxiliary heat source following the completion of
the defrost cycle.
11. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and memory
having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the at
least one processor, cause the apparatus to: determine that a coil
associated with a heat pump is subjected to a defrost cycle,
determine that at least one of: a conditioned space is occupied,
and an energy saving mode is not in use in association with the
conditioned space, and enable an auxiliary heat source based on the
determination that the coil is subject to the defrost cycle and the
determination that the conditioned space is occupied or that the
energy saving mode is not in use.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein a determination that the
energy saving mode is not in use is based on at least one input
received at a thermostat.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the conditioned space is
determined to be occupied when a motion in an amount greater than a
first threshold is detected by a sensor within a second threshold
amount of time.
14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the auxiliary heat source is
enabled using a control signal on a dedicated wire.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the instructions, when
executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:
receive a request for auxiliary heat from the heat pump on a second
dedicated wire, wherein the enabling of the auxiliary heat source
is based on the received request.
16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the auxiliary heat source is
enabled based on a control value included as part of a two-wire
serial communication.
17. A system comprising: a sensor configured to provide an
indication of whether a motion in an amount greater than a first
threshold is detected within a second threshold amount of time; and
a processor configured to: determine whether a coil associated with
a heat pump is subjected to a defrost cycle, determine whether a
conditioned space is occupied based on the indication provided by
the sensor, and enable an auxiliary heat source that is located
within the conditioned space when the coil is subject to the
defrost cycle and when the conditioned space is occupied.
18. The system of claim 17, further comprising: a thermostat
configured to receive an input that indicates whether an energy
saving mode is entered, wherein the processor is configured to
enable the auxiliary heat source when the coil is subject to the
defrost cycle and when the input indicates that the energy saving
mode is not entered.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the thermostat is configured to
receive the input via at least one of: a key, a button, a switch, a
menu, a slider bar, and a voice recognition device.
20. The system of claim 18, wherein the thermostat is configured to
receive the input via a slider bar, and wherein the energy saving
mode comprises a plurality of levels corresponding to positions of
the slider bar, and wherein when the slider bar is pushed to a
comfort level the auxiliary heat source is enabled with every
defrost, and wherein when the slider bar is pushed to an efficiency
level the auxiliary heat source is disabled during defrost.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
patent application Ser. No. 61/760,398, filed Feb. 4, 2013, the
entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A heat pump may be used to generate heat for an indoor space
even when it is relatively cold outside. Typical air source heat
pump outdoor coils will build up frost when operating at some
ambient conditions, such as when it is cold outside. The frost may
reduce or degrade the performance of the heat pump. To overcome the
performance degradation, the heat pump may be configured to reverse
refrigerant direction and transfer heat from the indoor space to
the outdoor coil during a defrost cycle. Operation of the heat pump
during the defrost cycle may cause the heat pump to effectively
operate as an air conditioner, such that the indoor space or
environment is cooled.
[0003] It is typical for heat pump controls to call for or engage
auxiliary heat to counteract the cooling effect of the heat pump
during the defrost cycle in order to maintain comfort for occupants
in the indoor space in contact with the conditioned air. Electric
resistance heaters, which often serve as the source of the
auxiliary heat, are less desirable than the heat pump as a source
of heat for a variety of reasons, such as operating cost. By using
electric resistance heaters instead of the heat pump the overall
cost to operate a climate control system is increased.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0004] An embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a method
comprising: determining, by a controller comprising a processor,
that a coil associated with a heat pump is subjected to a defrost
cycle, determining, by the controller, that at least one of: a
conditioned space is occupied, and a thermostat associated with the
conditioned space indicates that an energy saving mode is not in
use, and enabling, by the controller, an auxiliary heat source
based on the determination that the coil is subject to the defrost
cycle and the determination that the conditioned space is occupied
or the thermostat indicates that the energy saving mode is not in
use.
[0005] An embodiment is directed to an apparatus comprising: at
least one processor, and memory having instructions stored thereon
that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the
apparatus to: determine that a coil associated with a heat pump is
subjected to a defrost cycle, determine that at least one of: a
conditioned space is occupied based on a detected motion, and an
energy saving mode is not in use in association with the
conditioned space, and enable an auxiliary heat source based on the
determination that the coil is subject to the defrost cycle and the
determination that the conditioned space is occupied or that the
energy saving mode is not in use.
[0006] An embodiment is directed to a system comprising: a sensor
configured to provide an indication of whether a motion in an
amount greater than a first threshold is detected within a second
threshold amount of time, and a processor configured to: determine
whether a coil associated with a heat pump is subjected to a
defrost cycle, determine whether a conditioned space is occupied
based on the indication provided by the sensor, and enable an
auxiliary heat source that is located within the conditioned space
when the coil is subject to the defrost cycle and when the
conditioned space is occupied.
[0007] Additional embodiments are described below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and
not limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference
numerals indicate similar elements.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an
exemplary computing system in accordance with one or more
embodiments of this disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary
environment including a heat pump in accordance with one or more
embodiments of this disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an exemplary method in accordance
with one or more embodiments of this disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a wiring diagram in accordance with the prior art;
and
[0013] FIG. 5 is an exemplary wiring diagram in accordance with one
or more embodiments of this disclosure;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] It is noted that various connections are set forth between
elements in the following description and in the drawings (the
contents of which are included in this disclosure by way of
reference). It is noted that these connections in general and,
unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect and that this
specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect. In
this respect, a coupling between entities may refer to either a
direct or an indirect connection.
[0015] Exemplary embodiments of apparatuses, systems, and methods
are described for defrosting an outdoor coil associated with a heat
pump. In some embodiments, a determination may be made whether an
indoor space is unoccupied. If the indoor space is unoccupied, then
auxiliary heat might not be used. If the indoor space is occupied,
then auxiliary heat may be used.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary computing system 100 is
shown. The system 100 is shown as including a memory 102. The
memory 102 may store executable instructions. The executable
instructions may be stored or organized in any manner and at any
level of abstraction, such as in connection with one or more
processes, routines, methods, etc. As an example, at least a
portion of the instructions are shown in FIG. 1 as being associated
with a first program 104a and a second program 104b.
[0017] The instructions stored in the memory 102 may be executed by
one or more processors, such as a processor 106. The processor 106
may be coupled to one or more input/output (I/O) devices 108. In
some embodiments, the I/O device(s) 108 may include one or more of
a keyboard or keypad, a touchscreen or touch panel, a display
device, a microphone, a speaker, a mouse, a button, a remote
control, a joystick, a printer, a sensor, etc. The I/O device(s)
108 may be configured to provide an interface to allow a user to
interact with the system 100.
[0018] The system 100 is illustrative. In some embodiments, one or
more of the entities may be optional. In some embodiments,
additional entities not shown may be included. For example, in some
embodiments the system 100 may be associated with one or more
networks. In some embodiments, the entities may be arranged or
organized in a manner different from what is shown in FIG. 1.
[0019] One or more of the entities shown in FIG. 1 may be
associated with one or more of the devices or entities described
herein. For example, one or more of the entities shown in FIG. 1
may be associated with a heat pump or a controller as described
below.
[0020] Turning to FIG. 2, a system environment 200 is shown in
accordance with one or more embodiments. The environment 200 may
include a structure or a wall 202 that may define or separate an
outdoor space 204 and an indoor space 206. The wall 202 may be
associated with a building (e.g., an office building, a residential
building, etc.), a room, or the like.
[0021] In some embodiments, the environment 200 may be indicative
of a single packaged system. A single packaged system may be
located indoors or outdoors. Typically, air may be ducted to a
single package system from another environment. Thus, wall 202 may
represent a divider within equipment to separate a first air stream
from a second air stream.
[0022] The environment 200 may include a heat pump 210. The heat
pump may include a first coil 214 located in the outdoor space 204
and a second coil 216 located in the indoor space 206. The coils
214 and 216 may be communicatively or fluidly coupled to one
another 218. For example, the coils 214 and 216 may be coupled to
one another 218 via the use of refrigerant, which may be used to
facilitate a heat-exchange relationship.
[0023] The heat pump 210 may operate in a number of modes. For
example, when the heat pump 210 is operating in a first mode, the
coil 214 may function as a condenser and the coil 216 may function
as an evaporator. Operation in the first mode may be indicative of
a cooling or air conditioning mode, such that the indoor space 206
may tend to be cooled. When the heat pump 210 is operating in a
second mode, the coil 214 may function as an evaporator and the
coil 216 may function as a condenser. Operation in the second mode
may be indicative of a heating mode, such that the indoor space 206
may tend to be heated.
[0024] In some instances, the coil 214 may build up frost, which
may degrade the performance of the heat pump 210. The heat pump 210
may be operated in connection with a "defrost cycle" in order to
reduce or eliminate the amount of frost present on the coil 214.
The defrost cycle may be indicative of the cooling or air
conditioning mode described above.
[0025] Cooling the temperature in the indoor space 206 may be
undesirable in some instances. For example, if people are occupying
the indoor space 206 during, e.g., winter, then cooling the indoor
space 206 may run counter to a goal of providing a comfortable
indoor climate. To counteract or compensate for the cooling effect
during a defrost cycle, the heat pump 210 may include, or be
coupled to, an auxiliary heat source 230 that may supply heat to
the indoor space 206. The auxiliary heat source 230 may include
electric resistance heaters or strip heaters in some
embodiments.
[0026] In some embodiments, the heat pump 210 and/or the auxiliary
heat source 230 may include, or be coupled to, a controller 250. In
some embodiments, the controller 250 may include a control board
(not shown). The controller 250 may be configured to provide
control signals or commands to the heat pump 210 and the auxiliary
heat source 230. The controller 250 may be configured to receive
status signals from the heat pump 210 and the auxiliary heat source
230. In some embodiments, the controller 250 may include a
thermostat 252, which may be a programmable thermostat. In some
embodiments, the thermostat 252 may be configured to communicate
with one or more entities. For example, the thermostat 252 may be
configured to communicate over one or more networks, such as a data
or telephone network. A temperature set point may be received as an
input by the thermostat 252 from a device, e.g., a mobile
phone.
[0027] As described further below, the controller 250 may be
configured to determine whether a defrost cycle of the heat pump
210/coil 214 should be initiated by turning on or engaging the
auxiliary heat source 230. In some embodiments, such a
determination may be based on input provided to the thermostat 252
or whether the indoor space 206 is occupied. Occupancy may be
determined by one or more sensors 254. For example, occupancy may
be detected by one or more sensor types, such a motion sensor.
[0028] In some embodiments, occupancy may be determined by use of a
mobile device, such as a mobile phone. For example, a tracking
(e.g., a GPS tracking) associated with the mobile device may be
used to determine a location or position of the mobile device, and
hence, a user associated with the mobile device. In some
embodiments, occupancy may be determined when the mobile device
connects to a network, such as a local network (e.g., Wi-Fi or
Bluetooth).
[0029] The environment 200 is illustrative. In some embodiments,
one or more of the entities may be optional. In some embodiments,
additional entities not shown may be included. In some embodiments,
the entities may be arranged or organized in a manner different
from what is shown in FIG. 2.
[0030] Turning now to FIG. 3, a flow chart of a method 300 is
shown. The method 300 may be operative in connection with one or
more environments, systems, devices, or components, such as those
described herein. The method 300 may be operative in connection
with the system 100 of FIG. 1 and/or the environment 200 of FIG. 2.
For example, the method 300 may be used to control the temperature
of the indoor space 206 during a defrost cycle of the heat pump
210/coil 214.
[0031] In block 302, a defrost cycle may be initiated. The defrost
cycle may be initiated based on a number of factors or conditions.
For example, in some embodiments when a switch (e.g., a bimetallic
switch) associated with an outdoor coil (e.g., the coil 214 of FIG.
2) detects a threshold temperature, a signal may be provided to a
controller (e.g., controller 250 of FIG. 2) to indicate that the
outdoor coil requests a defrost cycle. The controller may examine
timing information or scheduling information to determine whether
the requested defrost cycle should be granted, and in response to
determining that the defrost cycle should be granted, may signal
the heat pump (e.g., heat pump 210 of FIG. 2), the outdoor coil
(e.g., coil 214 of FIG. 2), or a circuit associated therewith to
engage in a defrost cycle. In some embodiments, one or more sensors
on the outdoor coil and/or in the outdoor air may be used to
initiate and control the defrost cycle. Other techniques may be
used for initiating a defrost cycle.
[0032] In block 304, a determination may be made whether a
thermostat (e.g., the thermostat 252 of FIG. 2) is configured for
low energy, unoccupied space defrosts. If not (e.g., the `no` path
is taken out of block 304), then flow may proceed to block 306 to
initiate or perform a defrost on an outdoor coil (e.g., coil 214 of
FIG. 2) while turning on auxiliary heat (e.g., auxiliary heat
source 230 of FIG. 2). Otherwise (e.g., the `yes` path is taken out
of block 304), flow may proceed to block 308.
[0033] In block 308, a determination may be made whether a heat
pump control (e.g., controller 250 of FIG. 2) includes an occupancy
detection sensor (e.g., sensor 254 of FIG. 2). If so (e.g., the
`yes` path is taken out of block 308), flow may proceed to block
310. Otherwise (e.g., the `no` path is taken out of block 308),
flow may proceed to block 312.
[0034] In block 310, a determination may be made whether an indoor
space (e.g., indoor space 206 of FIG. 2) is considered unoccupied
by sensor logic (e.g., sensor 254 of FIG. 2). For example, the
indoor or conditioned space may be considered unoccupied if motion
is not detected by the sensor logic above a threshold amount,
optionally as a function of time. The conditioned space may be
considered to be occupied when, e.g., a motion in an amount greater
than a (first) threshold occurs or is detected within a (second)
threshold amount of time. If the conditioned space is considered
unoccupied by the sensor logic (e.g., the `yes` path is taken out
of block 310), flow may proceed to block 314 to initiate or perform
a defrost on the outdoor coil (e.g., coil 214 of FIG. 2) without
turning on auxiliary heat (e.g., auxiliary heat source 230 of FIG.
2). Otherwise, if the conditioned space is considered occupied by
the sensor logic (e.g., the `no` path is taken out of block 310),
flow may proceed to the block 306 to initiate or perform a defrost
on the outdoor coil (e.g., coil 214 of FIG. 2) while turning on the
auxiliary heat (e.g., auxiliary heat source 230 of FIG. 2).
[0035] In block 312, a determination may be made whether a
thermostat (e.g., thermostat 252 of FIG. 2) has received an input
indicating that a heat pump (e.g., heat pump 210 of FIG. 2) and/or
an auxiliary heat source (e.g., auxiliary heat source 230 of FIG.
2) should operate in an "energy saving mode." The "energy saving
mode" may be expressed using one or more terms, such as being
"setback," "away," "on vacation," "sleep," etc. The thermostat may
include one or more interfaces (e.g., one or more keys, buttons,
switches, menus, slider bars, voice recognition devices, etc.) to
facilitate user entry of "energy saving mode" inputs, selections,
or parameters.
[0036] In some embodiments, the "energy saving mode" may be
established or entered into as a function of time or a schedule.
For example, at a time of day when people are not expected to be
proximate to the heat pump or auxiliary heat source, the "energy
saving mode" may be entered or enabled, and at a time of day when
people are expected to be proximate to the heat pump or the
auxiliary heat source the "energy saving mode" may be disabled. The
schedule may be entered at a thermostat (e.g., thermostat 252 of
FIG. 2).
[0037] It is understood that specification of the "energy saving
mode", which may indicate that auxiliary heat should be disabled or
turned off, could be expressed as a counterpart "comfort mode" to
indicate when auxiliary heat should be enabled or turned on. For
example, when a "comfort mode" is turned on or enabled, auxiliary
heat may be enabled/turned on during a defrost cycle, and otherwise
the auxiliary heat may be disabled.
[0038] In some embodiments, specification of the "energy saving
mode" may be based on a setting or a setting with multiple levels.
For example, energy saving mode could be implemented as a slider
bar between comfort and efficiency. When the slider bar is pushed
all the way to "comfort", auxiliary heat may run with every
defrost. When the slider bar is pushed all the way to "efficiency",
auxiliary heat would never run with defrost. Slider bar settings in
between would bring in more modes as you pushed the slider closer
to efficiency. Alternately, controls may be established to allow a
user to select the modes they wanted to disable the auxiliary heat
with on an individual basis.
[0039] If the determination of block 312 indicates that the
thermostat is in an energy saving mode (e.g., the `yes` path is
taken out of block 312), then flow may proceed to block 314 to
initiate or perform a defrost on the outdoor coil (e.g., coil 214
of FIG. 2) without turning on auxiliary heat (e.g., auxiliary heat
source 230 of FIG. 2). Otherwise, if the determination of block 312
indicates that the thermostat is not in an energy saving mode
(e.g., the `no` path is taken out of block 312), flow may proceed
to block 306 to initiate or perform a defrost on the outdoor coil
(e.g., coil 214 of FIG. 2) while turning on auxiliary heat (e.g.,
auxiliary heat source 230 of FIG. 2).
[0040] In some embodiments, one or more of the blocks or operations
(or a portion thereof) of the method 300 may be optional. In some
embodiments, the blocks may execute in an order or sequence
different from what is shown in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, one or
more additional blocks or operations not shown may be included. For
example, if auxiliary heat is turned on or is utilized during a
defrost cycle, once the defrost cycle is complete (or at some time
thereafter), the auxiliary heat may be turned off.
[0041] Turning now to FIG. 4, a wiring diagram 400 in accordance
with the prior art is shown. In FIG. 4, a heat pump 402, a fan coil
404, and a thermostat 406 are shown. Each of the signals denoted by
the alphanumeric characters `R`, `C`, W2', `Y`, `G`, and `O` may be
conveyed between the heat pump 402, the fan coil 404, and the
thermostat 406 on a dedicated, separate, or individual wire.
Signaling may be performed at a particular level or value. For
example, 24-Volt signaling may be used. The heat stage 2 or `W2`
signal may be indicative of a request for auxiliary heat. For
example, the heat pump 402 may signal the thermostat 406 (via the
fan coil 404) that auxiliary heat should be enabled or turned on
via the `W2` signal.
[0042] Turning now to FIG. 5, a wiring diagram 500 in accordance
with one or more embodiments is shown. In FIG. 5, a heat pump 502,
a fan coil 504, and a thermostat 506 are shown. The `W2`,
`W2.sub.HP`, and `W2.sub.FC` signals in FIG. 5 may be associated
with the control or enablement of auxiliary heat. The heat pump 502
may generate a request for auxiliary heat via the connection
`W2`-`W2.sub.HP` between the heat pump 502 and the thermostat 506.
The thermostat 506 may include a relay or other switching device
(not shown) that may conditionally pass or forward the request for
auxiliary heat via the connection `W2.sub.FC`-`W2.sub.HP` between
the thermostat 506 and the fan coil 504. The relay may be opened
when the premises are unoccupied or when operating in an energy
saving mode in order to block the request for auxiliary heat
originating from the heat pump 502. The relay may otherwise be
closed so as to enable the request for auxiliary heat to be
forwarded. Thus, the wiring diagram 500 of FIG. 5 provides an
ability to selectively forward or block a request for auxiliary
heat by providing for a wiring change relative to the wiring
diagram 400 of FIG. 4.
[0043] In some embodiments, a selective forwarding or blocking of a
request for auxiliary heat may be performed in software. The use or
modification of software may occur in embodiments where each signal
is not allocated or present on a dedicated wire. For example, in
some embodiments, signals (e.g., control signals or values) may be
conveyed using serial or two-wire (e.g., clock and data)
communications.
[0044] As described above, auxiliary heat may be turned on or
enabled when an indoor space is considered to be occupied in order
to maintain a comfortable temperature during a defrost cycle. The
indoor space may be considered to be occupied based on a sensory
function or parameter (e.g., detected motion), or based on input
received at a thermostat or controller. When the indoor space is
not considered to be occupied, the auxiliary heat may be turned off
or disabled during the defrost cycle in order to conserve or save
energy and reduce operating cost. Efficiency may be improved by
avoiding the use of auxiliary heat when the auxiliary heat does not
provide a comfort benefit because a conditioned space (e.g., an
indoor space) is unoccupied.
[0045] Embodiments of this disclosure may be tied to one or more
particular machines. For example, a controller may be configured to
determine whether an auxiliary heat source should be turned on or
enabled during a defrost cycle based on a determination of whether
a conditioned space is occupied or based on a determination of
whether an energy saving mode is entered. The controller may
include a processor, a thermostat, and/or a sensor to provide for
such a determination.
[0046] Illustrative examples described herein related aspects of
this disclosure to a thermostat and sensors. The thermostat and
sensors may be used in a variety of applications, such as
refrigeration, ovens, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning
(HVAC) appliances (e.g., furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, air
handlers, package units), and ranges. Aspects of the disclosure may
be incorporated in controls (e.g., electronic controls) that run
these types of units.
[0047] As described herein, in some embodiments various functions
or acts may take place at a given location and/or in connection
with the operation of one or more apparatuses, systems, or devices.
For example, in some embodiments, a portion of a given function or
act may be performed at a first device or location, and the
remainder of the function or act may be performed at one or more
additional devices or locations.
[0048] Embodiments may be implemented using one or more
technologies. In some embodiments, an apparatus or system may
include one or more processors, and memory storing instructions
that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the
apparatus or system to perform one or more methodological acts as
described herein. Various mechanical components known to those of
skill in the art may be used in some embodiments.
[0049] Embodiments may be implemented as one or more apparatuses,
systems, and/or methods. In some embodiments, instructions may be
stored on one or more computer-readable media, such as a transitory
and/or non-transitory computer-readable medium. The instructions,
when executed, may cause an entity (e.g., an apparatus or system)
to perform one or more methodological acts as described herein.
[0050] Aspects of the disclosure have been described in terms of
illustrative embodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments,
modifications and variations within the scope and spirit of the
appended claims will occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art
from a review of this disclosure. For example, one of ordinary
skill in the art will appreciate that the steps described in
conjunction with the illustrative figures may be performed in other
than the recited order, and that one or more steps illustrated may
be optional.
* * * * *