Photovoltaic DC heater systems
OwnerBarry Lynn Butlerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Direct current solar electric heating elements can be powered by an array of photovoltaic panels. The direct current voltage can be low or high with proper electrocution protection. Insertable immersion heating elements can be placed into any existing, gas, propane or electric hot water tank, cooking pot or hot tub. Heating elements in air can also be used for heating ovens, range cook tops and sauna heaters. The output of the photovoltaic panel is interfaced to the electric heater element via either direct connection or using a load-matching controller which maximizes the power delivered to the heater under all sun conditions. The maximum heater temperature is regulated by a thermostat.
Claims4
A photovoltaic powered electric water heater for use with a pressurized hot water tank or unpressurized water tanks or open containers, comprising:
- a double wall isolation immersion heater, the immersion heater comprising:
- inner and outer walls having mechanical contact with a space between them;
- a threaded plumbing fitting such that the immersion heating element is configured to be threaded to the tank, the outer wall being mounted to the plumbing fitting such that the space is vented outside of the fitting;
- an immersion resistance heating element being encased within the inner wall such that the inner and outer walls space the heating element from an interior of the tank;
- the heating element further comprising:
- internal resistance heating wires and lead in wires sealed within said inner wall and insulated by being encased in solid or powdered ceramic materials or by being immersed in mineral oil;
- solar photovoltaic panels wired to power the immersion resistance heating element such that the heater resistance is configured to match DC power produced by the panels without the use of impedance matching circuitry;
- the power wiring is directly connected through one open end to the immersion resistance heating element through only an independent temperature sensor activated switch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.