Method and apparatus for controlling the cooling and heating functions of a heat pump

Abstract

A method and system for controlling the operation of a heat pump in a load management system. The system includes a heat pump control module positioned between a thermostat and the heat pump. The heat pump module includes a pair of switching elements positioned between the control outputs of the thermostat and the compressor and heating element of the heat pump. A transfer switch control unit can selectively open and close each of the switching element to interrupt the control signals from the thermostat to the compressor and the heating element of the heat pump. The heat pump module is a self-contained unit including both of the switching elements such that a single load control module can be positioned between the thermostat and the heat pump and control both elements of the heat pump.

1 . A load management system for managing the operation of a heat pump powered by a generator, the system comprising:
 a transfer switch coupled to the generator;   a heat pump control module positioned between the heat pump and a thermostat, the heat pump control module including a first switching element coupled to a heating element of the heat pump and a second switching element coupled to a compressor of the heat pump;   a control unit contained within the transfer switch and operable to selectively enable operation of the heating element and the compressor of the heat pump, the control unit being configured to:
 assign a first priority value to the heating element; 
 assign a second priority value to the compressor, wherein the first priority value is different than the second priority value; 
 monitor the combined load on the generator; and 
 selectively enable and disable operation of the heating element and the compressor based upon the first and second priority values assigned to each. 
   
     
     
         2 . The load management system of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of electric loads powered by the generator, wherein the control unit is configured to:
 assign a priority value to each of the electric loads, wherein the priority value assigned to each of the electric loads and the first and second priority values range between a highest priority value and a lowest priority value; 
 selectively disconnect the electric loads, the heating element and the compressor from the generator in a sequential order based upon the priority value assigned to each load, the heating element and the compressor, wherein the lowest priority values are sequentially disconnected until the combined load on the generator falls below a rated value for the generator. 
 
     
     
         3 . The load management system of  claim 1  wherein the heat pump control module is a self-contained unit. 
     
     
         4 . The load management system of  claim 3  wherein the first and second switching elements are independently movable between an open position and a dosed position. 
     
     
         5 . The load management system of  claim 1  wherein the first priority value and the second priority value are adjustable within the control unit. 
     
     
         6 . A heat pump control module positioned between a thermostat and a heat pump, the control module comprising:
 a first switching element movable between an open position to prevent control signals from the thermostat from reaching the heat pump and a closed position to allow control signals from the thermostat to reach the heat pump; and   a second switching element movable between an open position to prevent control signals from the thermostat from reaching the heat pump and a closed position to allow control signals from the thermostat to reach the heat pump,   wherein the first and second switching elements are independently movable between the open and closed positions.   
     
     
         7 . The heat pump control module of  claim 6  wherein the first and second switching elements are contained within a single housing. 
     
     
         8 . The heat pump control module of  claim 6  wherein the first switching element is connected to a heating element of the heat pump and the second switching element is connected to a cooling element of the heat pump. 
     
     
         9 . The heat pump control module of  claim 8  further comprising a first contact pair connected to the heating element of the heating pump, wherein the first switching element is connected between the first contact pair. 
     
     
         10 . The heat pump control module of  claim 9  further comprising a second contact pair connected to the compressor, wherein the second switching element is connected across the second contact pair. 
     
     
         11 . A load management system for managing the operation of a heat pump and an electric load powered by a generator, the system comprising:
 a transfer switch coupled to the generator;   a heat pump control module positioned between the heat pump and a thermostat, the heat pump control module including a first switching element coupled to a heating element of the heat pump and a second switching element coupled to a compressor of the heat pump;   a remote contactor coupled to the electric load; and   a control unit contained within the transfer switch and operable to selectively enable operation of the heating element, the compressor of the heat pump and the electric load.   
     
     
         12 . The load management system of  claim 11  wherein the control unit is configured to:
 assign an initial priority value to the electric load, the heating element and the compressor; 
 monitor the combined load on the generator; and 
 selectively enable and disable operation of the heating element, the compressor and the electric load based upon the priority values assigned to each. 
 
     
     
         13 . The load management system of  claim 12  wherein the control unit is further configured to:
 selectively reassign priority values to the electric load, the compressor and the heating element based upon user input; and 
 enable operation of the compressor, the heating element and the electric load based upon the reassigned priority values. 
 
     
     
         14 . The load management system of  claim 13  further comprising a user interface device coupled to the control unit of the transfer switch, wherein the user reassigns priority values for the electric load, the heating element and the compressor through the user interface device. 
     
     
         15 . The load management system of  claim 11  wherein the heat pump control module is a self-contained unit. 
     
     
         16 . The load management system of  claim 15  wherein the first and second switching elements are independently movable between an open position and a closed position.