Solar hot water heating system

• US 5,988,516 A
• Filed: 09/01/1998
• Issued: 11/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: W.E.S.T. Holdings (WA) Pty., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Sola-Kleen Pty Limited
• Inventors: Gilmour, Malcolm
• Primary Examiner(s): Tanner, Harry B.
• Application Number:
  US09/144,791
• Time in Patent Office: 448 Days
• Field of Search: 236/46 R, 236/46 F, 236/20 R, 237/8 R, 237/8 A, 219/492
• US Class Current: 236/46.00R
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 19/1042 the system uses solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 19/1051 for domestic hot water
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/223 in the water storage tank
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/281 Input from user
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/37 of electric heaters
• 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

Abstract

A heating and cooling system, particularly for water, provides advantages in safety, reliability and efficiency of temperature regulation systems for liquids. A temperature regulation unit is controlled by a controlling device. A sensing unit is relied upon to detect a particular liquid temperature and a safety unit enables the temperature regulation unit to be disabled. A reset device connectable to a power source via a transforming unit is adapted to lower the voltage level of the power source to a level safe for use by a user. The reset device is operable to reset the safety unit, thus enabling a controller unit to again operate the temperate regulation unit. In a preferred embodiment, the controller unit operates the temperature regulation unit through the safety unit, such that when the safety unit is activated, power cannot be transferred to the temperature regulation unit.

Claims

1. A water storage system to deliver liquid at an operating temperature at a preset time set by a user of the system comprising:

(a) a liquid storage means;

(b) a temperature regulation means;

(c) a temperature sensor to sense the temperature of liquid in said liquid storage means; and

(d) a controller which controls the operation of said temperature regulation means in accordance with a temperature sensed by said temperature sensor,

wherein said controller energises said temperature regulation means at a time prior to said preset time, at which said liquid is to be demanded at said operating temperature, sufficient that said liquid reaches operating temperature at said preset time.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controller is adapted to enable a plurality of preset times to be included.

3. A liquid storage system to deliver liquid at an operating temperature at a preset time set by a user of the system comprising:

a liquid storage means;

a temperature regulation means;

a controller means being adapted to control operation of said temperature regulation means;

a sensing means to detect a liquid temperature in said liquid storage means;

a safety means to enable said temperature regulation means to be disabled; and

a reset means coupled to a power source via a transforming means and adapted to lower a voltage level of said power source to a level safe for use by the user;

said reset means being operable to reset said safety means to enable said controller means to again operate said temperature regulation means;

wherein said controller means energizes said temperature regulation means at a time prior to said preset time, at which liquid is to be demanded at said operating temperature, sufficient such that said liquid reaches operating temperature at said preset time.

4. A liquid storage system to deliver liquid at an operating temperature at a preset time set by a user of the system comprising:

a liquid storage container;

a temperature regulator;

a controller being adapted to control operation of said temperature regulator;

a sensor to detect a liquid temperature in said liquid storage container;

a safety mechanism which disables said temperature regulator; and

a reset mechanism coupled to a power source and a transformer and adapted to lower a voltage level of said power source to a level safe for use by the user;

said reset mechanism being operable to reset said safety mechanism to enable said controller to again operate said temperature regulator;

wherein said controller energizes said temperature regulator at a time prior to said preset time, at which liquid is to be demanded at said operating temperature, sufficient such that said liquid reaches operating temperature at said preset time.