Heat pump for a manufactured building

Abstract

A heat pump is provided for a manufactured building wherein the outside heat exchanger unit contains a compressor, a condenser coil with a fan, and an evaporator coil. The system further has an air handler that is connected to the heat exchanger and the building by ducts and contains a blower and an electric heater. The air handler is installed beneath the building and at least partially between a pair of adjacent joists.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A heat pump for use with a manufactured building, comprising: 
 a) a heat exchanger for installation remote from the building and including a compressor with a cooling pipe and a return pipe connected thereto, an evaporator coil connected to the cooling pipe and to a heating pipe, a condenser coil connected to the return pipe and the heating pipe to establish a heat transfer loop for circulation of a fluid;    b) an air handler for installation beneath the building, including a blower and a heater;    c) an inlet duct for conducting air from the air handler to the building;    d) an outlet duct for conducting air from the building to the heat exchanger; and    e) a transfer duct for conducting air from the heat exchanger to the air handler.    
     
     
         2 . The heat pump as described in  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger further comprises a fan for forcing air through the condenser coil.  
     
     
         3 . The heat pump as described in  claim 1 , wherein the air handler is configured for installation beneath the manufactured building in a space between a pair of adjacent joists in a manner to enable assembly of the air handler to the building at the time of manufacture.  
     
     
         4 . The air handler as described in  claim 3 , wherein the inlet and the outlet are substantially coaxial.  
     
     
         5 . The air handler as described in  claim 3 , wherein the air handler protrudes less than 3 inches beneath a beam on which the building is constructed.  
     
     
         6 . The air handler as described in  claim 5 , wherein the air handler does not protrude beneath the beam.  
     
     
         7 . An air handler for use in a heat pump system and configured for installation beneath a manufactured building to be recessed at least partially in the space between a pair of adjacent joists in a manner to enable assembly of the air handler to the building at the time of manufacture, the air handler comprising a blower, a heater, an air inlet and an air outlet.  
     
     
         8 . The air handler as described in  claim 7 , wherein the inlet and the outlet are substantially coaxial.  
     
     
         9 . The air handler as described in  claim 7 , wherein the air handler protrudes less than 3 inches beneath a beam on which the building is constructed.  
     
     
         10 . The air handler as described in  claim 9 , wherein the air handler does not protrude beneath the beam.  
     
     
         11 . A manufactured building, comprising a building and an air handler assembled thereto and having a blower, a heater, an air inlet and an air outlet in coaxial alignment.  
     
     
         12 . The manufactured building as described in  claim 11 , wherein the air handler is configured for installation beneath the manufactured building in a space between a pair of adjacent joists in a manner to enable assembly of the air handler to the building at the time of manufacture.  
     
     
         13 . The manufactured building as described in  claim 12 , wherein the inlet and the outlet are substantially coaxial.  
     
     
         14 . The manufactured building as described in  claim 12 , wherein the air handler protrudes less than 3 inches beneath a beam on which the building is constructed.  
     
     
         15 . The manufactured building as described in  claim 14 , wherein the air handler does not protrude beneath the beam.  
     
     
         16 . The manufactured building as described in  claim 11 , further comprising a heat exchanger installed remote from the building and including a compressor with a cooling pipe and a return pipe connected thereto, an evaporator coil connected to the cooling pipe and to a heating pipe, a condenser coil connected to the return pipe and the heating pipe to establish a heat transfer loop.