Method and apparatus of an externally mounted radiant-reflector defrost heater

Abstract

A method and apparatus of an externally mounted radiant reflector defrost heater, is a curved reflector combined by means of electrical insulators to a discrete heating means to form an apparatus to reduce ice buildup on a heat pump system's exterior unit heat exchangers through a non-reverse cycle defrost, via an apparatus which can be installed into a newly manufactured heat pump or by the retrofit of said apparatus onto an existing heat pump system, on site at location, said apparatus operating a non-reverse cycle defrost; independent of and uninterrupted by the said heat pump system's reversing valve defrost cycle.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method and apparatus of an externally mounted radiant reflector defrost heater, for a heat pump system, in an operable relationship for transferring heat between an exterior atmosphere and the conditioned space, to reduce ice buildup on the heat pump system's exterior unit heat exchanger, by means of a non-reverse cycle defrost apparatus, comprising; a discrete heating means, attached by means of electrical insulators to a curved reflector to form said apparatus, disposed within heat exchange contact with the external surface of said heat exchanger, positioned with said apparatus aimed toward said heat exchanger.  
     
     
         2 . The method and apparatus of an externally mounted radiant reflector defrost heater, of    claim 1   , further including; a method which incorporates a system of control means, timer means, and switching means to faciliate operating the said heat pump system in the heating-on-mode, the said heat pump system's exterior unit fan in the off-mode,and said apparatus in the on-mode during a pre-determined time interval of a non-reverse cycle defrost by said apparatus, to commence and complete uninterrupted by the said heat pump system's reversing valve defrost cycle.  
     
     
         3 . A method and apparatus of an externally mounted radiant reflector defrost heater, for a heat pump system, in an operable relationship for transferring heat between an exterior atmosphere and a conditioned space, via a fluid refrigerant, wherein the heat pump system's exterior unit fan is mounted in a position to mechanically propell air flow upward in a direction away from the said heat pump system's exterior unit heat exchanger, said method and apparatus comprising; a method which incorporates a system of control means for effecting the de-energization of said heat pump system's exterior unit fan, establishing a total cessation of the mechanically propelled air flow, during a non-reverse cycle defrost of said apparatus.  
     
     
         4 . The method and apparatus of an externally mounted radiant reflector defrost heater, of    claim 3   , further including; wherein, said apparatus is a curved reflector combined by means of electrical insulator attachment to a discrete heating means.  
     
     
         5 . The method and apparatus of an externally mounted radiant reflector defrost heater, of    claim 4   , further including; wherein, said method and apparatus can be installed during manufacturer assembly, externally mounted to said heat pump system's exterior unit heat exchanger.  
     
     
         6 . The method and apparatus of an externally mounted radiant reflector defrost heater, of    claim 4   , further including; wherein said method and apparatus can be installed via a retrofit, to the external surface of a heat pump system's exterior unit heat exchanger in an operable relationship for transferring heat from an exterior atmosphere and the conditioned space on location site of said conditioned space.  
     
     
         7 . The method and apparatus of an externally mounted radiant reflector defrost heater, of    claim 4   , further including; a protective cover enclosure, to protect said apparatus from the weather elements.  
     
     
         8 . The method and apparatus of an externally mounted radiant reflector defrost heater, of    claim 4   , further including; a method which incorporates a system of sensor means to facilitate a reverse cycle defrost of said heat pump system, upon a predetermined time interval in which the air flow has been stopped for a period of time exceeding the required time interval of a non-reverse cycle defrost of said apparatus.  
     
     
         9 . The method and apparatus of an externally mounted radiant reflector defrost heater, of    claim 4   , further including; a method which incorporates a system of temperature control means to facilitate the operation of the non-reverse defrost cycle of said apparatus to be placed in the off-mode during a pre-determined temperature of above the freezing point for said heat pump system's exterior unit heat exchanger.  
     
     
         10 . The method and apparatus of an externally mounted radiant reflector defrost heater, of    claim 4   , further including; a distribution-junction box for the electrically safe housing of said control means, switching means, timer means, and temperature control means.  
     
     
         11 . The method and apparatus of an externally mounted radiant reflector defrost heater, of    claim 4   , further including; conduit for the electrically safe distribution of electrical pilot control wiring and electrical power supply wiring.  
     
     
         12 . A method and apparatus of an externally mounted radiant reflector defrost heater, for a heat pump system, in an operable relationship for tranferring heat between an exterior atmosphere and a conditioned space, via a fluid refrigerant, wherein the heat pump system's exterior unit fan is mounted in a position to mechanically propell air flow upward in a direction away from the said heat pump system's exterior unit heat exchanger, said method and apparatus comprising; a method which incorporates a system of control means for effecting the energization of said apparatus, while simultaneously effecting the de-energization of said heat pump system's exterior unit fan.  
     
     
         13 . The method and apparatus of an externally mounted radiant reflector defrost heater, of    claim 12   , further including; a method which incorporates a system of temperature control means for effecting the de-energization of said apparatus during a predetermined temperature of above the freezing point for said heat pump system's exterior unit heat exchanger.