Solar energy space heating thermostatic controller
First Claim
1. A thermostatic controller to manage solar energy space-heating comprising:
- microcomputer program functions to gather solar heated air from within an attic or a solar air-heating collector for supply to a building interior;
a plurality of remotely located temperature sensors within the building or solar heat collection source to signal data to the microcomputer program to manage thermostatic control;
electronic peripheral devices connected to the microcomputer for communicating inputs and outputs enabling software programmed execution of command parameter settings through a user interface and display of thermostatic status, and to activate on/off regulator(s) for solar space heating operation;
a data logger communicating with a microcomputer program to collect time stamped temperature and humidity data during operation;
a control system exclusive to collection and management of air heated by solar radiation captured within said attic or solar air-heating apparatus with such heated air conserved as a source of measurable heat energy, concentrated within such apparatus during limited daily sunlight hours, for supply by air mover(s) into a building habitable or work space through a closed loop HVAC solar heating system, whereas artificial heat created by conventional space heating apparatus is managed through an HVAC system separated from the solar air-heating HVAC system;
an air temperature/humidity sensor located within said attic or solar air-heating collector to measure temperature and humidity, and send a signal based on that measurement;
an air temperature sensor in communication with the supply air vent to measure temperature and send a temperature signal based on that measurement;
an air temperature sensor in communication with the building interior habitable or working space and send a temperature signal based on that measurement.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A solar energy thermostatic controller using a solid-state microcomputer that manages air mover(s) to supply heated air for building space heating. Methods includes microcomputer software for communicating with temperature sensors located at the solar heating source, the supply vent source and the building room/interior. The present invention thermostatic control device features a data logger to record temperatures and humidity history, and elapsed time usage history of solar heated air available from attics and crawl spaces; or solar collectors mounted in or on walls, rooftops, or exterior locations. The thermostatic control device manages use of limited solar heated air for building environmental control. Program controlled temperature set points manage an HVAC blower to gather solar heated air during the daily sunlight solar excursion and to control shutdown of the supply system when solar heated air temperature falls below present room/interior temperature. Methods include permanent memory storage of historical data.
41 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A thermostatic controller to manage solar energy space-heating comprising:
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microcomputer program functions to gather solar heated air from within an attic or a solar air-heating collector for supply to a building interior; a plurality of remotely located temperature sensors within the building or solar heat collection source to signal data to the microcomputer program to manage thermostatic control; electronic peripheral devices connected to the microcomputer for communicating inputs and outputs enabling software programmed execution of command parameter settings through a user interface and display of thermostatic status, and to activate on/off regulator(s) for solar space heating operation; a data logger communicating with a microcomputer program to collect time stamped temperature and humidity data during operation; a control system exclusive to collection and management of air heated by solar radiation captured within said attic or solar air-heating apparatus with such heated air conserved as a source of measurable heat energy, concentrated within such apparatus during limited daily sunlight hours, for supply by air mover(s) into a building habitable or work space through a closed loop HVAC solar heating system, whereas artificial heat created by conventional space heating apparatus is managed through an HVAC system separated from the solar air-heating HVAC system; an air temperature/humidity sensor located within said attic or solar air-heating collector to measure temperature and humidity, and send a signal based on that measurement; an air temperature sensor in communication with the supply air vent to measure temperature and send a temperature signal based on that measurement; an air temperature sensor in communication with the building interior habitable or working space and send a temperature signal based on that measurement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method comprising:
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a control system incorporating microcomputer software to manage collection of solar generated heated air within an attic or a solar air-heating collector, either of which function as heated air containment apparatus used for supplemental space heating; wherein air mover “
on”
/“
off”
regulation of building environmental temperature is managed by parameter set points for;(i) temperature change within the solar heated air of the heat containment apparatus, (ii) temperature desired for the building interior, using a typical set point range of 45 F to 85 F degrees, (iii) differential temperature set point range from 0 F to 15 F degrees, as applied to temperature level of;
(a) the solar source heated air, (b) the vent/diffuser heated air,(iv) interior differential temperature set point from 0 F to 3 F degrees to maintain a threshold for building interior comfort when solar heated air is the primary space heating source requiring a thermostatic control set point to manage such interior temperature; wherein the software manages activation and deactivation of the air mover using parameter temperature set point thresholds compared to changes in solar heated air supplied into the building interior through an HVAC duct and vent/diffuser, with temperature at such vent/diffuser measured in relation to the air temperature of the building interior, while solar heated air flows by air mover into the HVAC network for supply through such vent/diffuser; wherein a user makes adjustments as necessary to any of the parameter set points due to changes in solar energy level and weather conditions during the heating season. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification