Heat pump controller for use in multiple types of heat exchange systems

Abstract

A heat pump controller for use in a heat exchange system including an external heat exchanger, a compressor, a reversing valve, and an internal heat exchanger is provided. The heat pump controller includes a first input connector, a second input connector, an output connector, and a computing device. The first input connector is configured to be coupled to a first sensor for receiving a first signal from the first sensor. The second input connector is configured to be selectively coupled to a second sensor for selectively receiving a second signal from the second sensor. The output connector is configured to be coupled to the reversing valve. The computing device is configured to initiate a defrost cycle. The heat pump controller is configured to operate with at least two types of heat exchange systems.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat pump controller for use in a heat exchange system including an external heat exchanger, a compressor, a reversing valve, and an internal heat exchanger in fluid communication with one another, the heat pump controller comprising:
 a first input connector configured to be coupled to a first sensor for receiving a first signal from the first sensor;   a second input connector configured to be selectively coupled to a second sensor for selectively receiving a second signal from the second sensor;   an output connector configured to be coupled to the reversing valve; and   a computing device configured to initiate a defrost cycle, wherein the heat pump controller is configured to operate with at least two types of heat exchange systems.   
     
     
         2 . The heat pump controller of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two types of heat exchange systems includes a demand-defrost heat exchange system and a timed defrost heat exchange system. 
     
     
         3 . The heat pump controller of  claim 2 , wherein the timed defrost heat exchange system initiates a defrost cycle based on a temperature of the external heat exchanger and a period of time, and the demand-defrost heat exchange system initiates a defrost cycle based on a temperature differential between the temperature of the external heat exchanger and an ambient air temperature surrounding the external heat exchanger. 
     
     
         4 . The heat pump controller of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two types of heat exchange systems includes a cooling-mode reversing valve energizing heat exchange system and a heating-mode reversing valve energizing heat exchange system. 
     
     
         5 . The heat pump controller of  claim 4 , wherein the cooling-mode reversing valve energizing heat exchange system energizes the reversing valve while the heat exchange system is in a cooling mode, and the heating-mode reversing valve energizing heat exchange system energizes the reversing valve while the heat exchange system is in a heating mode. 
     
     
         6 . A method of replacing a heat pump controller in a heat exchange system manufactured by a heat exchange system manufacturer, the heat exchange system including an external heat exchanger, a compressor, a reversing valve, and an internal heat exchanger in fluid communication with one another, the method comprising:
 removing a first heat pump controller from the heat exchange system; and   replacing the first heat pump controller with a second heat pump controller without regard to the heat exchange system manufacturer, wherein the second heat pump controller includes a computing device selectively configurable between a plurality of defrost modes including a first defrost mode and a second defrost mode.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising selecting between one of the first defrost mode and the second defrost mode. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein in the first defrost mode the computing device initiates a defrost cycle based on a temperature of the external heat exchanger and a period of time, and in the second defrost mode the computing device initiates a defrost cycle based on a temperature differential between the temperature of the external heat exchanger and an ambient air temperature surrounding the external heat exchanger. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein in the second defrost mode, the computing device initiates the defrost cycle based on the temperature differential and a compressor run time. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the computing device is further selectively configurable between the first defrost mode, the second defrost mode, and a third defrost mode different than the first and second defrost modes, and selecting between one of the first defrost mode and the second defrost mode includes selecting between one of the first defrost mode, the second defrost mode, and the third defrost mode. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein replacing the first heat pump controller includes coupling the second heat pump controller to the reversing valve. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the computing device is further selectively configurable between a first reversing valve energizing mode and a second reversing valve energizing mode, and the method further comprises selecting between one of the first reversing valve energizing mode and the second reversing valve energizing mode. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein in the first reversing valve energizing mode the computing device outputs an energizing signal to the reversing valve when the heat exchange system is in a heating mode, and in the second reversing valve energizing mode the computing device outputs an energizing signal to the reversing valve when the heat exchange system is in a cooling mode. 
     
     
         14 . A method of replacing a heat pump controller in a heat exchange system manufactured by a heat exchange system manufacturer, the heat exchange system including an external heat exchanger, a compressor, a reversing valve, and an internal heat exchanger in fluid communication with one another, the method comprising:
 removing a first heat pump controller from the heat exchange system; and   replacing the first heat pump controller with a second heat pump controller without regard to the heat exchange system manufacturer, wherein replacing the first heat pump controller includes coupling the second heat pump controller to the reversing valve, the second heat pump controller including a computing device selectively configurable between a first reversing valve energizing mode and a second reversing valve energizing mode.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising selecting between one of the first reversing valve energizing mode and the second reversing valve energizing mode. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein in the first reversing valve energizing mode the computing device outputs an energizing signal to the reversing valve when the heat exchange system is in a heating mode, and in the second reversing valve energizing mode the computing device outputs an energizing signal to the reversing valve when the heat exchange system is in a cooling mode.