US 4,227,515 A · Dual phase solar water heater

Abstract

A solar energy conversion apparatus having two phases of operation which, in one phase, absorbs thermal energy from sunlight incident on the device, and in a second phase, absorbs energy from air in an attic-type space heated by solar radiation. The two phases may be utilized independently or in concert dependent upon conditions. A solar energy collector is disposed to collect and transfer incident solar energy to a fluid, such as water, flowing through the collector. A heat exchanger is disposed to permit flow of heated air therethrough from an attic-type space in a building, such air having been heated by solar energy incident on the roof of the building. The heat exchanger transfers heat from the air to a fluid, such as water, flowing therethrough. The solar collector and heat exchanger are connected via a plurality of valves and a pump to a water storage tank. Temperature sensors associated with the solar collector, the heat exchanger, and the water storage tank operate a control system which controls the valves and pump to determine the phases of operation of the system.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A dual-phase solar energy apparatus for mounting on a roof of a building having an attic-type space or the like comprising:

solar radiation absorption means for intercepting and absorbing solar radiation, said means having a first fluid-carrying grid for transferring absorbed energy to a fluid flowing therethrough;
heat exchange means communicating with an attic-type space for receiving a flow of heated air therefrom, said latter means having a second fluid-carrying grid for transferring energy from the heated air to a fluid flowing therethrough;
and
control means for controlling the flow of an input fluid through said first grid of said solar radiation absorption means and through said second grid of said heat exchange means in accordance with the temperature of the input fluid relative to the temperature of said first fluid-carrying grid and to the temperature of the heated air.

1 more element

A dual-phase solar water heater utilizing solar radiation and solar heated air for mounting on roofs or the like comprising:

a box-like enclosure having an upper section and a lower section separated by a heat insulating barrier, said upper section being covered by a transparent heat transmitting panel;
a solar energy collector disposed in said upper section positioned to intercept and absorb solar radiation passing through said heat transmitting panel, said collector having a first water-carrying grid of tubing to be heated by absorption of such radiation;
a heat exchanger disposed in said lower section having a downward extending air inlet duct for communicating with an attic space, and an exhaust outlet, said heat exchanger having a second water-carrying grid arranged in heat absorbing relationship with heated air flowing from said inlet duct to said exhaust outlet;
and
fan means positioned adjacent said inlet duct for forcibly moving air from the attic space, through said heat exchanger, and out said exhaust outlet.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dual phase solar water heater

Life of this patent

Dual phase solar water heater

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20