Abstract: A heat pump system for optimizing operational efficiency without charge imbalance, is disclosed. The heat pump system includes an indoor HVAC unit having an indoor coil and an outdoor HVAC unit in communication with the indoor HVAC unit. The outdoor HVAC unit includes a compressor in communication with a reversing valve, and an outdoor coil in communication with the indoor HVAC unit and the compressor. The outdoor coil includes at least one charge storage circuit. During a cooling mode, the liquid refrigerant flows into the indoor HVAC unit and the at least one charge storage circuit functions as a subcooling circuit. During a heating mode, the at least one charge storage circuit contains liquid refrigerant.

Abstract: A method of operating a heat pump system comprising: operating the heat pump system in a demand operation heating mode, wherein the demand operation heating mode comprises controlling an opening amount of an expansion valve based on a superheat difference between a compressor inlet superheat value and a target compressor inlet superheat value, and controlling a flowrate of the refrigerant through a compressor based on a thermal demand difference between a thermal output of the indoor heat exchanger and a customer thermal demand; monitoring with the one or more controllers a parameter of the refrigerant cycle indicative of a charge imbalance condition; and transitioning operation with the one or more controllers to a charge compensation mode when the parameter satisfies a first threshold condition, wherein the charge compensation mode comprises performing with the one or more controllers a charge imbalance mitigation strategy.

Abstract: A method of operating a heat pump system comprising: operating the heat pump system in a demand operation heating mode, wherein the demand operation heating mode comprises controlling an opening amount of an expansion valve based on a superheat difference between a compressor inlet superheat value and a target compressor inlet superheat value, and controlling a flowrate of the refrigerant through a compressor based on a thermal demand difference between a thermal output of the indoor heat exchanger and a customer thermal demand; monitoring with the one or more controllers a parameter of the refrigerant cycle indicative of a charge imbalance condition; and transitioning operation with the one or more controllers to a charge compensation mode when the parameter satisfies a first threshold condition, wherein the charge compensation mode comprises performing with the one or more controllers a charge imbalance mitigation strategy.

Abstract: A system and method of operating an HVAC system including a HVAC unit including a unit temperature sensor, a unit controller, and a variable speed compressor, and a two-stage system controller in communication with the unit controller, the method including operating the system controller to transmit a conditioning signal to the unit controller based in part on a system demand, operating the unit controller to receive the conditioning signal, and receive outdoor air temperature data from the unit temperature sensor, operating the unit controller to determine whether the outdoor air temperature data is greater than or equal to a cooling temperature limit or less than or equal to a heating temperature limit, and operating the unit controller to transmit a speed signal to the compressor based in part on the plurality of conditioning signals and the outdoor air temperature data.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having at least one inner conduit comprising of a second tubular member coaxially disposed within a first tubular member, wherein the second tubular member outer surface is in contact with the first tubular member inner surface. Each of the first and second tubular members is composed of a material with an approximately 0.015 inch maximum wall thickness.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having at least one inner conduit comprising of a second tubular member coaxially disposed within a first tubular member, wherein the second tubular member outer surface is in contact with the first tubular member inner surface. Each of the first and second tubular members is composed of a material with an approximately 0.015 inch maximum wall thickness.

Abstract: A method for managing a refrigerant charge in a system for heating water and conditioning an interior space by removing power from an indoor fan for a first duration of time prior to switching at least one valve to configure a second refrigerant circuit for satisfying a water heating demand. A method for managing a refrigerant charge in a system for heating water and conditioning an interior space by removing power from a water pump for a second duration of time prior to switching at least one valve to reconfigure a first refrigerant circuit to satisfy an interior space heating demand.

Abstract: An HVAC system, including a reversing valve including a first port, a second port, and a third port, wherein the reversing valve may be placed into a first position in which the first port is operably coupled to the second port for the flow of refrigerant therebetween, and a second position in which the second port is operably coupled to the third port for the flow of refrigerant therebetween, a first HVAC component operably coupled to the first port, a second HVAC component operably coupled to the second port, and a third HVAC component operably coupled to the third port.

Abstract: A system and method of operating an HVAC system including a HVAC unit including a unit temperature sensor, a unit controller, and a variable speed compressor, and a two-stage system controller in communication with the unit controller, the method including operating the system controller to transmit a conditioning signal to the unit controller based in part on a system demand, operating the unit controller to receive the conditioning signal, and receive outdoor air temperature data from the unit temperature sensor, operating the unit controller to determine whether the outdoor air temperature data is greater than or equal to a cooling temperature limit or less than or equal to a heating temperature limit, and operating the unit controller to transmit a speed signal to the compressor based in part on the plurality of conditioning signals and the outdoor air temperature data.

Abstract: A water heater module with a heat exchanger configured to be submersible inside a water storage tank, and further configured to divert refrigerant between the heat exchanger and an air handler in response to a demand for heating water or a demand for conditioning an interior space.

Abstract: An HVAC system, including a reversing valve including a first port, a second port, and a third port, wherein the reversing valve may be placed into a first position in which the first port is operably coupled to the second port for the flow of refrigerant therebetween, and a second position in which the second port is operably coupled to the third port for the flow of refrigerant therebetween, a first HVAC component operably coupled to the first port, a second HVAC component operably coupled to the second port, and a third HVAC component operably coupled to the third port.

Abstract: A heater transfer module including at least one heat exchanger. Each of the at least one heat exchangers includes at least one first conduit, including a first conduit outer surface, the at least one first conduit configured to allow a first liquid to flow therethrough, and at least one second conduit, including a second conduit outer surface, the at least one second conduit configured to allow a second liquid to flow therethrough. The at least one first conduit outer surface is coupled next to the at least one second conduit outer surface, using a method of joining metal parts using nonferrous filler metals, such that the longitudinal axes of each conduit are substantially parallel to one another.

Abstract: A method for using an electronic expansion device in a system for heating water and conditioning an interior space by operating a first controller to monitor the operating discharge pressure from the compressor; and operating the first controller to produce a signal designating expansion of an orifice within the electronic expansion valve when the operating discharge pressure is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure value.

Abstract: A method for improving a water heater cycle in a system for heating water and conditioning an interior space by operating a water pump at a first rate of speed until the entering water temperature is within a desirable range, or the water pump has operated at the first rate of speed for a predetermined time, then operating the water pump at a second rate of speed.

Abstract: A method for managing a refrigerant charge in a system for heating water and conditioning an interior space by removing power from an indoor fan for a first duration of time prior to switching at least one valve to configure a second refrigerant circuit for satisfying a water heating demand. A method for managing a refrigerant charge in a system for heating water and conditioning an interior space by removing power from a water pump for a second duration of time prior to switching at least one valve to reconfigure a first refrigerant circuit to satisfy an interior space heating demand.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having at least one inner conduit comprising of a second tubular member coaxially disposed within a first tubular member, wherein the second tubular member outer surface is in contact with the first tubular member inner surface. Each of the first and second tubular members is composed of a material with an approximately 0.015 inch maximum wall thickness.

Abstract: A water heater module with a heat exchanger configured to be submersible inside a water storage tank, and further configured to divert refrigerant between the heat exchanger and an air handler in response to a demand for heating water or a demand for conditioning an interior space.

Abstract: A hybrid space and water heating heat pump system includes a heat pump including an outdoor assembly and an indoor assembly; a hot water module including a first heat exchanger, a controller, and a water pump connected to a water line, the first heat exchanger being configured for heating water; and a water heater in fluid communication with the hot water module, the water heater configured for receiving heated water from the first heat exchanger; wherein the controller is configured to select between one of conditioning an interior space or heating of the water in the first heat exchanger; and wherein the heat pump is configured for circulating a refrigerant through a first refrigerant circuit in response to the conditioning of the interior space and circulating the refrigerant through a second refrigerant circuit in response to the heating of the water in the first heat exchanger.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a first manifold, a second manifold and a plurality of tubes extending between the first manifold and the second manifold. An adapter is mounted to the first manifold, and the adapter includes a plurality of engagement features engageable by a forming machine to form the heat exchanger into a shape.

Abstract: A support bracket suitable for use in a casing of an outdoor condensing unit includes a main body configured to reside between a corner post and a coil of the condensing unit, a first extension member extending from a first end of the main body, and a second extension member extending from a second end of the main body. The first extension member is configured to attach to a first inlet grille of the condensing unit. The second extension member is configured to attach to a second inlet grille of the condensing unit.