Optimum Use of Solar Electricity

• US 20130327077A1
• Filed: 04/24/2013
• Published: 12/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marvin Motsenbocker
• Original Assignee: Marvin Motsenbocker
• Inventors: Motsenbocker, Marvin A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,455,572 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/324.1
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 27/005 in compression type systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells

Abstract

Solar electric energy is optimally used by varying one or more connected loads to achieve a maximum output power voltage. Entire appliances may be switched on or off, or modulated, as in the case for example of a heat pump compressor circuit or electric water heater. Variations of this theme are used to prioritize appliance usage for overall improved convenience and efficiency. Solar electric appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, air dryers and water pumps are described. This and other electric sources may be used to power electric garden tools. Electric distribution tools and methods are described as well as electric garden tillers with features such as semi-control and smooth operation.

Claims

1. A solar electric converter system comprising:

one or more solar panels,

an energy storage unit charger and a variable appliance loader connected in parallel,

wherein the variable appliance loader is configured to load the one or more solar panels to maintain an optimized maximum power output voltage.

2. The solar electric converter system of claim 1, wherein the variable appliance loader uses pulse width modulation and increases pulse width with increased detected voltage above the optimized output voltage.

3. The solar electric converter system of claim 1, wherein, a maximum of one blocking diode and one other power semiconductor device is necessarily electrically connected in series between the solar panel output and the appliance to achieve regulated power.

4. The solar electric converter system of claim 1, wherein the power provided to the appliance is direct current provided to at least one of:

a heating element, a DC motor, a high power ultraviolet light used for disinfection, an infrared light used for heating or drying, a grow light, and an electrochemical reaction for splitting of water.

7. The solar electric converter system of claim 1, wherein the variable appliance loader is configured to apply solar electricity to two or more loads that are prioritized.

8. The solar electric converter system of claim 7, wherein the two or more loads are selected from the group consisting of a refrigeration compressor, a heat pump compressor, a water pump, a fan, lights, a dryer heater, a dryer motor, a water tank heater, an infrared heater, a floor heater, and a resistance air heater.

5. A solar powered heat pump, comprising one or more solar panels, a heat pump comprising an air handling fan and a variable speed compressor, wherein the variable speed compressor is configured to be driven at different levels from solar panel energy output at commersurately different levels.

6. The solar powered heat pump of claim 5, wherein a maximum of one blocking diode and one other power semiconductor device is necessarily electrically connected in series between the solar panel output and the heat pump compressor.

9. A solar electric prioritizing converter system for optimizing load on a solar electric output, comprising:

a battery charger electrically connected to the solar electric output that charges a battery as needed;

a converter that electrically connects the solar electric output to at least a higher priority category of appliances and a lower priority category of appliances,

wherein the higher priority of appliances preferentially are presented as a load on the solar electric output to maintain an optimum output voltage.

10. The solar electric prioritizing system of claim 9, wherein the lower priority category of appliances comprises at least one resistance heater.

11. The solar electric prioritizing system of claim 9, wherein the battery charger comprises a phase width modulation circuit and the converter comprises a phase width modulation circuit for differentially loading the solar electric output by variably activating one or more appliances.

12. The solar electric prioritizing system of claim 9, wherein a maximum of one blocking diode and one other power semiconductor device is necessarily electrically connected in series between the solar electric output and the appliance to maintain optimum output voltage.