# US 4,378,908 A · Reversible solar assisted heat pump

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- Number: US 4,378,908 A
- Document ID: US4378908A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/101,687
- Filed: 1979-12-10
- Granted: 1983-04-05
- Earliest claimed: 1979-12-10
- Inventors: Robert A. Wood
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4378908A

## CPC

- F24D 11/0221: {combined with solar energy}
- F24F 3/001: {in which the air treatment in the central station takes place by means of a heat-pump or by means of a reversible cycle (reversible cycle for humidifying and drying air F24F3/147)}
- F24F 5/0046: {using natural energy, e.g. solar energy, energy from the ground}
- F24S 60/30: storing heat in liquids
- F28D 20/0043: {specially adapted for long-term heat storage; Underground tanks; Floating reservoirs; Pools; Ponds (F28D20/0052 takes precedence)}
- Y02B 10/20: Solar thermal
- Y02B 10/70: Hybrid systems, e.g. uninterruptible or back-up power supplies integrating renewable energies
- Y02E 10/40: Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
- Y02E 60/14: Thermal energy storage
- Y02E 70/30: Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
- F24D: DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR (using steam or condensate extracted or exhausted from steam engine plants for heating purposes F01K17/02)
- F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02)
- F24S: SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS (for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G6/00)
- F28D: HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT (fluid heaters having heat generating means and heat transferring means F24H; furnaces F27; details of heat-exchange apparatus of general)
- Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

Disclosed is a reversible, solar assisted heating system comprising an unglazed solar heat exchange panel, a storage tank, and a water source heat pump. In the heating mode, heat is collected from the air and sun through one or more unglazed panels, transferred to a storage tank and then to a heat pump. In the cooling mode, heat is transferred by the heat pump to the storage tank and then to the same panel or panels where the heat is rejected to the air.

## Claims

### Claim 1

In a solar assisted heating system comprising at least one solar collector panel, connected in fluid communication with a storage tank by conduit means, a snow removal mechanism for removing snow from said panel, said snow removal mechanism comprising an in-line heating element positioned in said conduit means providing fluid communication from said storage tank to said panel, means for transporting a heat transfer fluid at a less than normal flow rate through said heating element to said panel, and means for actuating said heating element, said heating system further comprising sensing means for sensing snow on said panel and automatic control means for actuating said heater in response to said sensing means sensing snow on said panel, said sensing means comprising a first sensor positioned on said panel and facing in parallel relationship therewith and a second sensor positioned proximate to said panel and facing generally horizontally.

### Claim 2

In a solar assisted heating system comprising at least one solar collector panel in fluid communication with a storage tank in fluid communication with a heat pump, a heat transfer package located in said storage tank, said package comprising a container having a lower chamber, a middle chamber, and an upper chamber, and wherein said lower chamber has a main pump therein for selectively effecting the transfer of fluid into said middle chamber under pressure and wherein said middle chamber is connected to a conduit communicating with said panel and to a conduit communicating with said heat pump.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system as recited in claim 1 including a heat transfer package positioned in said storage tank, said package comprising a container having a lower chamber, a middle chamber, and an upper chamber, and wherein said lower chamber has a main pump therein for selectively effecting the transfer of fluid into said middle chamber under pressure and wherein said middle chamber is connected to a conduit communicating with said panel and to a conduit communicating with said heat pump.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The system as recited in claim 3 wherein a second pump is positioned in said conduit communicating with said heat pump.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A solar assisted heating system as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said first and second sensors are photoelectric sensors.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A solar assisted heating system as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said first and second sensors is a temperature sensor.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

In a solar assisted heating system as recited in claim 2, wherein a second pump is positioned in said conduit communicating with said heat pump.