Solar heating system

• US 4,384,568 A
• Filed: 11/12/1980
• Issued: 05/24/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Everett P. Palmatier
• Original Assignee: Everett P. Palmatier
• Inventors: Palmatier, Everett P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yeung, James C.
• Application Number:
  US06/205,924
• Time in Patent Office: 923 Days
• Field of Search: 126/435, 126/437, 126/432, 126/422, 126/450, 126/417, 126/419
• US Class Current: 126/589
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 11/003 combined with solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 19/1057 the system uses solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 10/753 the conduits being parallel to each other
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/20 Solar thermal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/70 Hybrid systems, e.g. uninterruptible or back-up power supplies integrating renewable energies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/44 Heat exchange systems

Abstract

A solar heating system comprising a solar collector having its input connected to a pressurized fluid source and its output connected to an input of a fluid storage device, the fluid flow from the output being controlled by a thermally controlled valve, a pressure release valve having one input connected to an input/output near the bottom of the fluid storage device, a second input connected to the pressurized fluid source and an output for discharging the excess fluid, and a pressure reducing valve connected between the pressurized fluid source and another input to the fluid storage device. When the pressure in the storage device increases to a predetermined level the pressure release valve will open and allow the excess fluid to be discharged therefrom. The pressure reducing valve enables the fluid storage device to be replenished if the pressure therein decreases to a level below the pressure of the fluid source. Thus, as the heated fluid flows from the output of the collector to the fluid storage device, the increased pressure in the fluid storage device is relieved by releasing the cooler fluid near the lower portion of the storage device. By constant monitoring of the pressures differential by the valves the fluid is allowed to circulate through the system without the necessity of circulating pumps or the use of a thermosyphon, even when the collector is elevated gravitationally above the storage tank.

Claims

1. A passive solar water heating system with an output and an input, said input connectable to a pressurized water supply comprising:

pressurized cold water system input at a first pressure;

a solar collector having an output end and having an input end, said input end of said solar collector connected to said system input;

said input end of said solar collector connectable to said pressurized water supply;

a hot water storage tank positioned below the elevation of said solar collector;

said storage tank having a normally hot first input at the top, a normally cold second input at the bottom, and a normally hot first output at the top, and a normally cold second output at the bottom;

a temperature control valve means interconnected between said output of said solar collector and said first input of said storage tank, said temperature control valve means for sensing the temperature adjacent said output end of said solar collector to allow only hot water to then enter said storage tank through said first input of storage tank;

said second input of said storage tank connected to said collector and said pressurized water system input;

a pressure reducing valve means interconnected between said second input of said storage tank and said system pressurized water input for supplying water to maintain pressure in said storage tank when water pressure in said storage tank drops below a certain second pressure lower than said first pressure;

said first output of said storage tank connected to at least one hot water valve means for supplying hot water; and

a pressure relief means having a first input and second input and an output, said first input of said pressure relief means connected to said second output of said storage tank output, said second input of said pressure relief means connected to said pressurized water system input, said pressure relief means for relieving cold water from the bottom of said storage tank through said cold second output at a rate equal to the flow from said solar collector output and into said normally hot first input to said storage tank;

said pressure relief means for regulating pressure in said storage tank when said pressure reducing valve means and said hot water valve means are closed, said pressure relief means for regulating a third pressure slightly below that of said first pressure of said pressurized water input to insure water flow through said collector whenever said temperature control valve is open, said third pressure is greater than said second pressure.

2. A passive solar water heating system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

an accumulator tank means having an input/output tube interconnected between said second output of said storage tank, and said pressure relief means first input;

said accumulator tank means for reducing water flow from said second output of said storage tank and for stabilizing water pressure in said storage tank under small water demands through said first output of said water tank.

3. A passive solar water heating system as set forth in claim 1 or 2 further comprising:

a safety control valve means positioned adjacent said first inlet of said pressure relief means for further minimizing water discharge from said storage tank third output; and

electric control means for regulating the opening and closing of said safety control valve means.

4. A passive solar water heating system as set forth in claim 3 wherein:

said electric control means is an event timer preprogrammable to open and close said safety control valve means regularly on a daily basis.

5. A passive solar water heating system as set forth in claim 3 wherein:

said electric control means is a thermostat means for sensing the metal plate or water temperature at the output end of said collector;

said thermostat means for opening said safety control valve means only during periods when the metal plate or water in said collector is above a certain temperature.