Apparatus and method for checking conditioning mode of a heat pump system

Abstract

An apparatus for checking conditioning mode of a heat pump system includes: (a) a temperature sensing device coupled with the heat pump system at a sensing locus; (b) a comparing device coupled with the temperature sensing device and configured for comparing a first temperature sensed by the temperature sensing device at a first time with a second temperature sensed by the temperature sensing device at a second time to determine an extant conditioning mode; the extant conditioning mode being a first conditioning mode when the second temperature is greater than the first temperature; the extant conditioning mode being a second conditioning mode when the second temperature is less than the first temperature.

1 . An apparatus for checking whether extant operation of a heat pump system is an ordered operation directed by a control device coupled with said heat pump system; said heat pump system including a compressor coupled with at least two fluid coils in fluid communication involving a direction-controlling valve; said ordered operation involving a characteristic systemic temperature range at a characteristic locus; the apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a temperature sensing device coupled with said heat pump system at said characteristic locus for determining a sensed systemic temperature; and    (b) a comparing device coupled with said temperature sensing device and with said heat pump system; said comparing device comparing said sensed systemic temperature with said characteristic systemic temperature range to effect said checking.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus for checking whether extant operation of a heat pump system is an ordered operation directed by a control device coupled with said heat pump system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said at least two fluid coils includes an inside coil situated inside an enclosed space being conditioned by said heat pump system, and an outside coil situated outside said space; said characteristic locus being at said outside coil.  
   
   
       3 . An apparatus for checking whether extant operation of a heat pump system is an ordered operation directed by a control device coupled with said heat pump system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said direction-controlling valve exhausting refrigerant through a first fluid port to said inside coil during heating operations; said direction-controlling valve exhausting refrigerant through a second fluid port to said outside coil during cooling operations; said characteristic locus being at at least one of said first fluid port and said second fluid port.  
   
   
       4 . An apparatus for checking whether extant operation of a heat pump system is an ordered operation directed by a control device coupled with said heat pump system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said heat pump system responds to said checking by ceasing operation when said checking indicates said extant operation is not said ordered operation.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus for checking whether extant operation of a heat pump system is an ordered operation directed by a control device coupled with said heat pump system as recited in  claim 2  wherein said heat pump system responds to said checking by ceasing operation when said checking indicates said extant operation is not said ordered operation.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus for checking whether extant operation of a heat pump system is an ordered operation directed by a control device coupled with said heat pump system as recited in  claim 3  wherein said heat pump system responds to said checking by ceasing operation when said checking indicates said extant operation is not said ordered operation.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for checking conditioning mode of a heat pump system; the apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a temperature sensing device coupled with said heat pump system at a sensing locus;    (b) a comparing device coupled with said temperature sensing device and configured for comparing a first temperature sensed by said temperature sensing device at a first time with a second temperature sensed by said temperature sensing device at a second time to determine an extant conditioning mode; said extant conditioning mode being a first said conditioning mode when said second temperature is greater than said first temperature; said extant conditioning mode being a second said conditioning mode when said second temperature is less than said first temperature.    
   
   
       8 . An apparatus for checking conditioning mode of a heat pump system as recited in  claim 7  wherein said heat pump system effects said conditioning in an inside space and wherein said heat pump system includes a compressor coupled with at least an inside coil inside said space and an outside coil outside said space; said inside coil and said outside coil being in fluid communication involving direction-controlling valve; said sensing locus being at said outside coil.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus for checking conditioning mode of a heat pump system as recited in  claim 7  wherein said heat pump system effects said conditioning in an inside space and wherein said heat pump system includes a compressor coupled with at least an inside coil inside said space and an outside coil outside said space; said inside coil and said outside coil being in fluid communication involving direction-controlling valve; said direction-controlling valve exhausting refrigerant through a first fluid port to said inside coil during heating conditioning operations; said direction-controlling valve exhausting refrigerant through a second fluid port to said outside coil during cooling conditioning operations; said temperature sensing locus being at one of said first fluid port and said second fluid port.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for checking conditioning mode of a heat pump system as recited in  claim 7  wherein said heat pump system establishes an ordered conditioning mode in response to direction from a control device coupled with said heat pump system; said heat pump system ceasing operations when said comparing indicates that said extant conditioning mode is not said ordered conditioning mode.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for checking conditioning mode of a heat pump system as recited in  claim 8  wherein said heat pump system establishes an ordered conditioning mode in response to direction from a control device coupled with said heat pump system; said heat pump system ceasing operations when said comparing indicates that said extant conditioning mode is not said ordered conditioning mode.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus for checking conditioning mode of a heat pump system as recited in  claim 9  wherein said heat pump system establishes an ordered conditioning mode in response to direction from a control device coupled with said heat pump system; said heat pump system ceasing operations when said comparing indicates that said extant conditioning mode is not said ordered conditioning mode.  
   
   
       13 . A method for checking conditioning mode of a heat pump system; the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) in no particular order: 
 (1) providing a temperature sensing device coupled with said heat pump system at a sensing locus; and  
 (2) providing a comparing device coupled with said temperature sensing device; and  
   (b) sensing a first temperature by said temperature sensing device at a first time;    (c) sensing a second temperature by said temperature sensing device at a second time;    (d) comparing said first temperature with said second temperature to determine an extant conditioning mode;    (e) if said second temperature is greater than said first temperature then said extant conditioning mode is a first said conditioning mode; and    (f) if said second temperature is less than said first temperature then said extant conditioning mode is a second said conditioning mode.    
   
   
       14 . A method for checking conditioning mode of a heat pump system as recited in  claim 13  wherein said heat pump system effects said conditioning in an inside space and wherein said heat pump system includes a compressor coupled with at least an inside coil inside said space and an outside coil outside said space; said inside coil and said outside coil being in fluid communication involving direction-controlling valve; said sensing locus being at said outside coil.  
   
   
       15 . A method for checking conditioning mode of a heat pump system as recited in  claim 13  wherein said heat pump system effects said conditioning in an inside space and wherein said heat pump system includes a compressor coupled with at least an inside coil inside said space and an outside coil outside said space; said inside coil and said outside coil being in fluid communication involving direction-controlling valve; said direction-controlling valve exhausting refrigerant through a first fluid port to said inside coil during heating conditioning operations; said direction-controlling valve exhausting refrigerant through a second fluid port to said outside coil during cooling conditioning operations; said temperature sensing locus being at one of said first fluid port and said second fluid port.  
   
   
       16 . A method for checking conditioning mode of a heat pump system as recited in  claim 13  wherein the method comprises the further step of: 
 (g) if said comparing indicates that said extant conditioning mode is not an ordered conditioning mode established by said heat pump system, ceasing operation of said heat pump system.    
   
   
       17 . A method for checking conditioning mode of a heat pump system as recited in  claim 14  wherein the method comprises the further step of: 
 (g) if said comparing indicates that said extant conditioning mode is not an ordered conditioning mode established by said heat pump system, ceasing operation of said heat pump system.    
   
   
       18 . A method for checking conditioning mode of a heat pump system as recited in  claim 15  wherein the method comprises the further step of: 
 (g) if said comparing indicates that said extant conditioning mode is not an ordered conditioning mode established by said heat pump system, ceasing operation of said heat pump system.