Heat pumps

Abstract

A heat pump for a pool or spa may include a human-machine interface (HMI). The HMI of the heat pump may be movable relative to a housing or body of the heat pump such that regardless of the location and orientation of the installation of the body of the heat pump, the HMI may be positioned so that it is accessible to a user. A heat pump may additionally or alternatively include means for managing condensate created by operation of said heat pump.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A heating device for a swimming pool or spa comprising a body and a cap repositionable relative to the body, with the cap comprising a human-machine interface (HMI). 
     
     
         2 . The heating device of  claim 1 , wherein the cap is repositionable while maintaining connections of cabling or wires to the HMI. 
     
     
         3 . The heating device of  claim 1 , wherein the heating device is a heat pump. 
     
     
         4 . The heating device of  claim 1 , wherein the HMI comprises at least one selectable feature and at least one display. 
     
     
         5 . The heating device of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one selectable feature and the at least one display are provided on a first surface of the HMI, and wherein the HMI further comprises at least one light source on a second surface opposite from the first surface. 
     
     
         6 . The heating device of  claim 5 , wherein the cap comprises an aperture, and wherein an illumination path is defined from the at least one light source to the aperture. 
     
     
         7 . The heating device of  claim 1 , wherein the cap further comprises a cover movable relative to the cap for preventing access to the HMI or providing access to the HMI. 
     
     
         8 . The heating device of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises an upper support, wherein the upper support comprises a plurality of predefined support locations, and wherein the cap is repositionable such that the HMI is aligned with one of the plurality of predefined support locations. 
     
     
         9 . A method of installing a heat pump for a swimming pool, the method comprising:
 mounting a body of the heat pump in a fixed position on a surface;   attaching a cap to the body in a first orientation relative to the body, the cap comprising a human-machine interface (HMI); and   changing an orientation of the cap relative to the body to a second orientation different from the first orientation while maintaining the fixed position of the body.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein changing the orientation comprises maintaining cabling or wiring connections with the HMI. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein changing the orientation comprises moving the cap to one or more predetermined orientations. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein changing the orientation comprises rotating the cap on the body. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein changing the orientation of the cap comprises aligning the HMI with a corner of the body of the heat pump. 
     
     
         14 . A heat pump for a swimming pool or spa comprising:
 an evaporator;   an outlet for returning water to the swimming pool or spa; and   means for moving condensate created by operation of the evaporator to the outlet.   
     
     
         15 . The heat pump of  claim 14 , wherein the means for moving condensate comprises a pump. 
     
     
         16 . The heat pump of  claim 14 , further comprising a body and a base, wherein the outlet is on the body, and wherein the base comprises a directing surface for directing the condensate towards the means for moving condensate. 
     
     
         17 . The heat pump of  claim 14 , wherein the means for moving condensate indirectly or directly moves the condensate to the outlet. 
     
     
         18 . The heat pump of  claim 14 , wherein the means for moving condensate comprises a filtering device. 
     
     
         19 . A heat pump comprising a cap, the cap comprising a human-machine interface (HMI), wherein the HMI comprises a light source, and wherein the cap comprises an opening, wherein light emitted from the light source is reflected through the opening. 
     
     
         20 . The heat pump of  claim 19 , wherein at least one characteristic of the light emitted from the HMI is adjustable based on an operating state of the heat pump. 
     
     
         21 . The heat pump of  claim 19 , wherein the light source is a first light source of a plurality of light sources. 
     
     
         22 . The heat pump of  claim 19 , wherein the light source is provided on a first side of the HMI, and wherein a second side of the HMI comprises a selectable feature for a user. 
     
     
         23 . A heat pump comprising a cap, the cap comprising an HMI and mounting means, wherein at least one of a plurality of heat pump accessories are attachable to the heat pump via the mounting means. 
     
     
         24 . The heat pump of  claim 23 , further comprising the at least one of the plurality of heat pump accessories, wherein the plurality of heat pump accessories comprise air deflectors and light assemblies. 
     
     
         25 . A heat pump comprising a body, the body comprising a first wall, a second wall, and a beveled face extending between the first wall and the second wall, wherein the beveled face extends at an oblique angle relative to the first wall and the second wall. 
     
     
         26 . The heat pump of  claim 25 , wherein the beveled face extends at an approximately 5-45° angle relative to the first wall and the second wall of the body. 
     
     
         27 . The heat pump of  claim 25 , wherein the first wall is orthogonal to the second wall. 
     
     
         28 . The heat pump of  claim 25 , wherein the first wall and the second wall each have a height and extend from a bottom end of the body to a top end of the body, and wherein a height of the beveled surface is less than the height of the first wall and less than the height of the second wall. 
     
     
         29 . The heat pump of  claim 26 , wherein the beveled face comprises at least one of an inlet or an outlet for the heat pump. 
     
     
         30 . A method of heating water of a swimming pool or spa, the method comprising:
 (i) causing water from the swimming pool or spa to travel to an inlet of a heat pump;   (ii) heating the water from the swimming pool or spa;   (iii) causing the heated water to exit an outlet of the heat pump for return to the swimming pool or spa; and   (iv) causing condensate created by operation of an evaporator of the heat pump to mix with the heated water returning to the swimming pool or spa.