Solar water heater control and protection system
AssigneeSolar Dynamics Corporation
InventorsDonovan B. Mathes, Floyd B. Hamilton, Douglas C. Spreng
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This disclosure relates to a control and protection system for a solar water heater apparatus, which incorporates a temperature differential controlled variable speed drive for the circulating pump, and a drain down valve which is responsive to low collector temperature, high tank temperature and also to power loss, to serve in combination as a device to optimize efficient energy collection while also protecting the tank against overheating and further protecting the collector panel against freeze-up even during periods of power loss.
Claims2
A solar water heater system wherein a collector receives a liquid from a tank through a feed conduit and provides said liquid to said tank through a return conduit, and first and second drain down valves connected to said first and second conduits, respectively, are operable to drain said liquid from said system, comprising:
- first and second isolating valves respectively situated in said feed and return conduits that isolate said tank from said conduits when said fluid is being drained;
- a venting valve connected to said collector and to the atmosphere that allows a flow of air therethrough into said conduits and said collector in response to said system being drained;
- a reversible gear motor;
- and
- linkage means for sealing said isolating valves prior to opening said drain down valves and for closing said drain down valves prior to opening said isolating valves.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.