Method and apparatus for solar heating air in a forced draft heating system

Abstract

A solar heating system for use in combination with a forced draft heating system for heating ventilation air of a building. The solar heating system includes a solar collector assembly for heating a liquid circulated through the assembly. The heated liquid is stored in an insulated storage tank where it can be circulated through a heat exchanger positioned in an air duct of the forced draft heating system as need to heat air flow through the duct. The use of a liquid as the heat transfer fluid and providing a storage facility for heated liquid permits the heating system to operate for a period of time after the sun sets or becomes ineffective in providing solar radiation until the heat stored in the liquid becomes exhausted. To increase the heat storage capacity of the liquid, one or more heat sinks can be utilized to absorb excess heat from the liquid and then transfer the absorbed heat back to the liquid when an opposite thermal gradient exists. Additionally, the heating system can recover waste heat from hot combustion gases exhausted from a fuel-fired forced draft heating system.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to heating of ventilation air of a building, and more particularly, to solar heating of ventilation air in an existing forced draft heating system.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]In recent years, the cost of energy has increased substantially resulting in higher operation costs associated with heating a building including residential and commercial buildings a like. In the most sever situations, the increased costs have forced limited or no operation of the building heating systems. It is known that solar radiation can be used for heating such buildings and an example of such devices are described in the following U.S. Pat. No. 6,880,553; 4,934,338; 4,509,503; and 4,343,296.[0003]While the devices heretofore fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, they do not provide a solar heating system that is used in combination with an existing forced draft heating system, that can be easily installe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]The present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, includes a heating system for installation in a forced draft heating system to heating air flow through the ducting of the forced draft heating system. The heating system includes a solar collector assembly for heating a liquid circulated through the assembly. The heated liquid is stored in an insulated storage tank where it can be circulated through a heat exchanger positioned in an air duct of the forced draft heating system as need to heat air flow through the duct. The use of a liquid as the heat transfer fluid and providing a storage facility for heated liquid permits the heating system to operate for a period of time after the sun sets or becomes ineffective in providing solar radiation until the heat stored in the liquid becomes exhausted. To increase the heat storage capacity of the liquid, one or more heat sinks can be utilized to absorb excess heat from the liquid and then transfer the absorbed heat back to the liquid when an opposite thermal gradient exists. Additionally, the heating system can recover waste heat from hot combustion gases exhausted from a fuel-fired forced draft heating system.

Problems solved by technology

In recent years, the cost of energy has increased substantially resulting in higher operation costs associated with heating a building including residential and commercial buildings a like.

In the most sever situations, the increased costs have forced limited or no operation of the building heating systems.

While the devices heretofore fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, they do not provide a solar heating system that is used in combination with an existing forced draft heating system, that can be easily installed in an existing forced draft heating system without substantial modification of the forced draft heating system, can be used alone or concurrently with the forced draft heating system, which can recovery waste heat from a fuel-fired forced draft heating system and which remains to be effective for a period of time after the sun has set or the sun becomes ineffective in providing solar radiation, as such there exists and need for an improved solar heating apparatus and method of using the same in a forced draft heating system, which substantially departs from the prior art.

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