HEAT PUMPS
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.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/173,011, filed Apr. 9, 2021 and entitled HEAT PUMPS, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to water-heating systems for water-containing vessels and more particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, to heat pumps for swimming pools or spas.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONHeat pumps are commercially available for use in connection with many different pools and spas. For example, Zodiac Pool Care Europe (the applicant hereof) sells heat pumps under the marks “Z200,” “Z400 iQ,” “ZS500,” and “Z600.” U.S. Pat. No. 9,212,835 to Berens discloses additional information concerning other exemplary types of heat pumps and uses therefor.
Among challenges associated with using existing heat pumps is that the human-machine interface (HMI), or control pad, of the apparatus must be readily accessible to a user desiring to change any operational characteristic of the apparatus. As an example, if the HMI is present on a nominal front surface of an apparatus, that front surface cannot be placed closely adjacent a wall, as the user could not then access the HMI. Accordingly, static placement of an HMI of a conventional heat pump restricts the locations and orientations at which the apparatus may be installed.
Additionally challenging in connection with existing heat pumps is management of condensate associated with their use. For many heat pumps, condensate is allowed simply to drip onto the ground or other surfaces on which the apparatus are mounted. Such a result is not always desirable either aesthetically or functionally. This result also “wastes” water that could be used in alternative manners instead.
SUMMARYEmbodiments covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various embodiments and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings, and each claim.
According to certain embodiments, a heating device includes a body and a cap repositionable relative to the body. The cap may include an HMI.
According to some embodiments, a method of installing a heat pump for a swimming pool includes mounting a body of the heat pump in a fixed position on a surface, attaching a cap having an HMI to the body in a first orientation relative to the body, 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.
According to some embodiments, a heat pump includes an evaporator, an outlet for returning water to a swimming pool, and means for moving condensate created by operation of the evaporator to the outlet.
According to certain embodiments, a heat pump includes a cap having an HMI. The HMI may include a light source, the cap may include an opening, and light emitted from the light source may be reflected through the opening.
According to some embodiments, a heat pump includes a cap having an HMI and mounting means. At least one of a plurality of heat pump accessories are attachable to the heat pump via the mounting means.
According to various embodiments, a heat pump includes a body, and the body includes a first wall, a second wall, and a beveled face extending between the first wall and the second wall. The beveled face extends at an oblique angle relative to the first wall and the second wall.
According to certain embodiments, a method of heating water of a swimming pool includes (i) causing water from the swimming pool to travel to an inlet of a heat pump, (ii) heating the water from the swimming pool, (iii) causing the heated water to exit an outlet of the heat pump for return to the swimming pool, 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.
Various implementations described herein may include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which cannot necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.
The specification makes reference to the following appended figures, in which use of like reference numerals in different figures is intended to illustrate like or analogous components.
The subject matter of embodiments is described herein with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described. Directional references such as “up,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “front,” and “back,” among others, are intended to refer to the orientation as illustrated and described in the figure (or figures) to which the components and directions are referencing. In the figures and the description, like numerals are intended to represent like elements. As used herein, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes singular and plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Described herein are heat pumps and associated systems and methods for resolving the aforementioned challenges associated with existing heat pumps and other challenges associated with existing heat pumps. In some embodiments, heat pumps described herein include an HMI that is movable relative to a housing, or body, of the heat pump. In such embodiments, 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. This approach materially enhances the positional flexibility of the apparatus, rendering it suitable for use in more areas than conventionally would be available.
Additionally or alternatively, heat pumps described herein may include management systems for condensate associated with use of such heat pumps. As an example, heat pumps described herein may route condensate from the apparatus to the swimming pool or spa rather than allow it merely to drip beneath the apparatus under force of gravity. Doing so undoubtedly minimizes the volume of water leaking from, or otherwise exiting, the heat pump onto the ground or other mounting surface. It also avoids “wasting” the water by instead using the water further to fill the pool or spa. Heat pumps and associated systems and methods provided herein may also allow for improved attachment of accessories to the heat pump and/or improved communication with a user of the heat pumps. Various other benefits and advantages may be realized with the systems and methods provided herein, and the aforementioned advantages should not be considered limiting.
As best illustrated in
In some embodiments, and as best illustrated in
In various embodiments, the beveled face 92 extends between adjacent walls 13 of the body 14. When included, the beveled face 92 may extend at an oblique angle relative to the walls 13 of the body. In some non-limiting examples, the beveled face 92 may be a rear panel positioned at an angle of approximately 5-45°, inclusive, relative to adjacent walls 13 of body 14 of heat pump 10. Optionally, a height of the beveled face 92 may be less than the height of the walls 13 (i.e., the beveled face 92 optionally does not extend from the bottom end 17 to the top end 15). However, in other embodiments, the beveled face 92 may have other heights relative to the walls 13 as desired, including having the same height as the walls 13.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
As mentioned, the walls 13 define the housing area 43. Referring to
Referring to
The upper support 23 may also support the cap 18 of the heat pump 10 and/or allow for rotation and/or orientation of the cap 18 relative to the body 14. In such embodiments, the upper support 23 of the body 14 may include attachment features 29 facilitating attachment of the cap 18 to the body 14. In the embodiment illustrated, the attachment features 29 are screw apertures configured to received mechanical fasteners such as screws; however, other types of attachment features 29 may be used as desired. The upper support 23 optionally defines one or more support locations 27, and when the cap 18 is assembled, the cap 18 may be positioned and/or oriented relative to the upper support 23 such that the HMI 22 is aligned with one of the support locations 27. As shown in
Referring to
Referring to
If present, the cover 34 may help protect interface 30 from damage caused by, for example, the external environment. As shown, cover 34 may be configured to pivot about an axis 46 so as to cover, or reveal, the interface 30. In other embodiments, the cover 34 may have other configurations as desired and/or may be movable relative to the cap 18 using other techniques or mechanisms as desired. As a non-limiting example, the cover 34 may include two sub-covers, each of which is hingedly attached to the cap 18. Other types of covers 34 may be used as desired.
Referring to
In some optional embodiments, the heat pump 10 may include a light guide reflective assembly. In such embodiments, and as illustrated in
In addition to the one or more light sources, the body 14 and/or the cap 18 may include an opening 83 through which light emitted from LEDS 80 (or other light sources) may pass. In the embodiment illustrated, the opening 83 is defined in the cap 18. In some cases, as shown in
In certain embodiments, the HMI board 58 may be programmed so the color emitted from LEDS 80 provides a visual indication to a user of HMI 22 about a status or operating state of heat pump 10. In such embodiments, at least one characteristic of the one or more light sources may be controlled to provide different information to the user about the heat pump 10. For example, LEDS 80 emitting a first color light may be activated when heat pump 10 is in a first operating state, while LEDS 80 emitting a second color light may be activated when heat pump 10 is in a second operating state, and so forth (e.g., a first light color may correspond to a heating state, while a second light color may correspond to a cooling state, while a third light color may correspond to an error state, etc.). In other embodiments, the light sources may be controlled to have a steady/constant on pattern for a first status, a first blinking pattern for a second status, etc. Various other controls of the light sources may be used as desired to provide various information about the heat pump 10.
In addition to supporting the HMI 22, [0001] various optional add-on assemblies for heat pump 10 may be attached via the cap 18. As an example, and referring to
As mentioned, the cap 18 is movable and repositionable relative to the body 14. In certain embodiments, the cap 18 may be easily removed from, and easily attached (or re-attached) to, the body 14.
In at least some versions of heat pump 10, cap 18 may be moved relative to body 14 without disconnecting any cables or wiring to board 26. In certain embodiments, the cap 18 may be moved relative to the body 14 without removing the cap 18 from the body 14. In some embodiments, the cap 18 optionally may include movement mechanisms to facilitate movement of the cap 18 relative to the body 14. Such movement mechanisms may include sliders, rollers, gears, combinations thereof, and/or other mechanisms facilitating movement of the cap 18 relative to the body 14 as desired. In other embodiments, the cap 18 need not include movement mechanisms.
Referring to
The change in orientation of the HMI 22 relative to the body 14 may occur due to the movability of cap 18 relative to body 14. The movability of the HMI 22 relative to the body 14 may allow for the HMI 22 to remain accessible to a user regardless of how the body 14 of the heat pump 10 is installed at a particular location. This is true notwithstanding that various portions of body 14 may be positioned immediately adjacent the walls (with exemplary distances as small as 2 cm, 10 cm, 18 cm, and 20 cm, among others).
Condensate Management SystemReferring to
In certain embodiments, the condensate management system 31 includes means for moving condensate created by operation of the heat pump 10 to the outlet 98 of the heat pump 10. In various embodiments, the condensate management system 31 includes the base 77 of the heat pump 10. As illustrated in
As shown conceptually in
Exemplary concepts or combinations of features of the invention may include:
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- A. A heating device for a swimming pool or spa comprising a body and a cap repositionable relative to the body, with the cap comprising an HMI.
- B. The heating device according to statement A, wherein the cap is repositionable while maintaining connections of cabling or wires to the HMI.
- C. The heating device according to statement A or B, wherein the heating device is a heat pump.
- D. The heating device according to any one of statements A-C, wherein the HMI comprises at least one selectable feature and at least one display.
- E. The heating device according to any one of statements A-D, 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.
- F. The heating device according to any one of statements A-E, wherein the cap comprises an aperture, and wherein an illumination path is defined from the at least one light source to the aperture.
- G. The heating device according to any one of statements A-F, wherein the cap further comprises a cover movable relative to the cap for preventing access to the HMI or providing access to the HMI.
- H. The heating device according to any one of statements A-G, 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.
- I. A method of installing a heat pump for a swimming pool or spa, comprising mounting a body of the heat pump in a fixed position on a surface and attaching a cap to the body in a manner such that an HMI of the cap is accessible to a user of the heat pump regardless of the fixed position in which the body is mounted.
- J. The method according to statement I, wherein changing the orientation comprises maintaining cabling or wiring connections with the HMI.
- K. The method according to statement I or J, wherein changing the orientation comprises moving the cap to one or more predetermined orientations.
- L. The method according to any one of statements I-K, wherein changing the orientation comprises rotating the cap on the body.
- M. The method according to any one of statements I-L, wherein changing the orientation of the cap comprises aligning the HMI with a corner of the body of the heat pump.
- N. 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.
- O. The heat pump according to statement N, wherein the means for moving condensate comprise a pump.
- P. The heat pump according to statement N or O, 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.
- Q. The heat pump according to any one of statements N-P, wherein the means for moving condensate indirectly or directly move condensate to the outlet.
- R. The heat pump according to any one of statements N-Q, wherein the means for moving condensate comprise a filtering device.
- S. A heat pump for a swimming pool or spa comprising a cap comprising a HMI, wherein the HMI includes an opening through which light is emitted to reflect an operating state of the heat pump.
- T. A heat pump for a swimming pool or spa comprising a cap, the cap comprising an 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.
- U. The heat pump according to statement T, wherein at least one characteristic of the light emitted from HMI is adjustable based on an operating state of the heat pump.
- V. The heat pump according to statement T or U, wherein the light source is a first light source of a plurality of light sources.
- W. The heat pump according to any one of statements T-V, 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.
- X. A heat pump for a swimming pool or spa 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.
- Y. The heat pump according to statement X, 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.
- Z. A heat pump for a swimming pool or spa 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.
- AA. The heat pump according to statement Z, wherein the beveled face extends at an approximately 5-45° angle relative to the first wall and the second wall of the body.
- BB. The heat pump according to statement Z or AA, wherein the first wall is orthogonal to the second wall.
- CC. The heat pump according to any one of statements Z-BB, 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.
- DD. The heat pump according to any one of statements Z-CC, wherein the beveled face comprises at least one of an inlet or an outlet for the heat pump.
- EE. 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.
These examples are not intended to be mutually exclusive, exhaustive, or restrictive in any way, and the invention is not limited to these example embodiments but rather encompasses all possible modifications and variations within the scope of any claims ultimately drafted and issued in connection with the invention (and their equivalents). For avoidance of doubt, any combination of features not physically impossible or expressly identified as non-combinable herein may be within the scope of the invention.
The entire contents of the Berens patent are incorporated herein by this reference. Further, although applicant has described heating systems for use with water containing vessels, persons skilled in the relevant field will recognize that the present invention may be employed in other manners. Finally, references to “pools” and “swimming pools” herein may also refer to spas or other water containing vessels used for recreation or therapy and for which cleaning is needed or desired.
The above-described aspects are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims that follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the described embodiments, nor the claims that follow.
Claims
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.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 28, 2022
Publication Date: Oct 13, 2022
Applicant: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE (Belberaud)
Inventors: Steve Billy (Gargas), Louis Favié (Colomiers), Rémi Deloche (Toulouse)
Application Number: 17/705,731