System and method for adaptive control of an adiabatic heat pump

Abstract

An intelligent heat pump system autonomously manages thermal regulation in heating and cooling modes using real-time sensor data and adaptive control algorithms. The system comprises a heat pump integrated with components including a supply valve, regulating valve, return valve, and compressor expander, along with multiple sensors configured to monitor temperature and pressure conditions at various points, including the reservoir, cold side, and hot side. A removable memory stores a directive file containing operational parameters, including target temperatures, valve timing, and pressure control data. A control unit with a processor executes firmware modules that include sensor calibration routines, motor and valve control logic, and an adaptive algorithm that continuously compares real-time sensor input against target parameters. Based on deviations, the system dynamically adjusts component operations to regulate refrigerant flow, internal energy, temperature, and pressure, thereby driving the system toward a steady-state thermal condition. This autonomous system ensures efficient performance, enhanced temperature stability, and optimal energy usage across a range of varying environmental conditions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An intelligent heat pump system comprising:
 a heat pump including one or more components selected from a supply valve, a regulating valve, a return valve, or a compressor-expander and a plurality of sensors configured to monitor thermal and pressure conditions, including at least reservoir temperature of the heat pump;   a removable memory storing a directive file comprising operational parameters, including target reservoir temperature, target cold side temperature, pressure control data, valve timing, and temperature cycle instructions;   a control unit comprising a processor and a memory, communicably connected with the heat pump wherein the processor is configured to execute one or more modules stored in the memory, the modules comprising:   a data acquisition module configured to receive real-time data, collected from the plurality of sensors;   a firmware module, comprising sensor calibration routines, motor and valve control logic, and an adaptive control algorithm, wherein the firmware module is configured to:   (a) compare the real-time sensor data with the target parameters stored in the directive file to determine deviations in pressure and temperature of the heat pump; and   (b) adjust the operation of said one or more components based on the detected deviations,   thereby regulating temperature and pressure to drive the system toward a target steady-state thermal condition.   
     
     
         2 . The heat pump system of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature control cycle module, wherein the temperature control cycle module is configured to implement one of a linear or loop-based sequence of temperature adjustments, wherein the cycle involves a set of current temperatures used to guide the system to a final operating temperature incrementally. 
     
     
         3 . The heat pump system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprise temperature sensors positioned to measure the reservoir temperature (T1), the cold side temperature (T2) at a cold side heat exchanger, the hot side temperature (T3) at a hot side heat exchanger, the room temperature (T4) within an interior environment, and the outdoor temperature (T5) in an exterior environment, and also further comprises pressure sensors configured to measure: the reservoir pressure (P1), the wet mixture pressure (P2), and the hot side pressure (P3). 
     
     
         4 . The heat pump system of  claim 1 , further comprising a fan control module configured to control one or more heat exchanger fans in the heat pump system based on temperature thresholds and adaptive control commands. 
     
     
         5 . The heat pump system of  claim 1 , further comprising a heat pump simulator module configured to evaluate refrigerant behavior under application-specific environmental conditions using thermodynamic properties including internal energy (IE), pressure, entropy(S), and volume (V), for refrigerants. 
     
     
         6 . The heat pump system of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to operate in either a cooling mode or a heating mode based on a mode selection parameter stored in the directive file. 
     
     
         7 . The heat pump system of  claim 1 , wherein the memory further stores temperature control cycle data comprising a list including a set of current temperature, fill stroke degrees, and corresponding adaptive control settings for each step. 
     
     
         8 . The heat pump system of  claim 1 , wherein the adaptive algorithm comprises a reservoir temperature correction mechanism to compensate for internal energy loss by modifying the predetermined pressure and temperature of the hot side vapor. 
     
     
         9 . The heat pump system of  claim 4 , wherein the fan control module comprises a variable speed control using pulse width modulation (PWM) signals to adjust the speed of the heat addition or rejection heat exchanger fans. 
     
     
         10 . The heat pump system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat pump system operates with a refrigerant selected from a group consisting of non-toxic, low GWP (Global Warming Potential), low ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential), and non-flammable refrigerants. 
     
     
         11 . The heat pump system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat rejection heat exchanger includes a bypass valve that is controlled based on operational mode to optimize thermal efficiency. 
     
     
         12 . The heat pump system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to access a dual-ported RAM shared with an external application software module for advanced real-time control coordination. 
     
     
         13 . The heat pump system of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit periodically evaluates system efficiency metrics, including mechanical power output, volumetric efficiency, and coefficient of performance (COP), to optimize control decisions. 
     
     
         14 . A method for controlling an intelligent heat pump system, the method comprising:
 receiving real-time thermal and pressure data from a plurality of sensors monitoring the heat pump, including reservoir temperature;
 retrieving operational parameters from a directive file stored in a removable memory, the parameters including target reservoir temperature, target cold side temperature, pressure control data, valve timing, and temperature cycle instructions;
 comparing the received real-time sensor data with the target parameters to determine deviations in pressure and temperature of the heat pump by executing an adaptive control algorithm; 
 adjusting operation of one or more components of the heat pump selected from a supply valve, a regulating valve, a return valve, or a compressor-expander based on the determined deviations; and 
 regulating temperature and pressure to drive the heat pump system toward a target steady-state thermal condition. 
 
   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein regulating temperature and pressure includes executing a temperature control cycle as a loop method, the loop comprising a repeating sequence of final current temperature values configured to toggle between reservoir temperature correction and fan operation, thereby maintaining the reservoir temperature within a defined target range. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the adaptive control algorithm dynamically adjusts the fill stroke degree of a piston valve in response to pressure deviations during heating or cooling operations. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein internal energy changes are calculated using thermodynamic fluid properties. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of switching control from a set of temperatures, i.e., T2 to T1, once the cold side temperature reaches its final target setpoint. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the hot side pressure is adjusted using a stepper motor-controlled pressure regulator valve with a specified maximum response pressure and motor transit time. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the control unit operates with a solenoid valve delay calibration to synchronize refrigerant flow timing in coordination with temperature control cycles.