PV water heating system

a water heating system and water heater technology, applied in the field of water heaters, can solve the problems of high initial cost, difficult installation, and low use of solar thermal water heaters, and achieve the effect of improving the efficiency of conventionally powered water heaters

Inactive Publication Date: 2009-08-27
THOMASSON SAMUEL L
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]Another object of the invention is to improv...

Problems solved by technology

Solar thermal water heaters are not widely used because of problems of durability, difficulty of installation, weight, and relatively high initial cost.
Durability includes problems with freezing, leakage, pump failure, and hard (mineral bearing) water.
Installation has often proved difficult, requiring roof penetrations for the plumbing that transports water to and from solar collectors (arrays of pipes containing water that is heated by the sun).
Basically, the demand for hot water and the demand for solar energ...

Method used

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Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0023]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional, expanded view of a heater element attached to the wall of a water heater. Heater element 10 includes plug 11 supporting a cantilever mounted resistive heating element 12. Plug 11 is sealed against bushing 14 and held in place by cap 15. Bushing 14 is welded or otherwise sealed to wall 13. Insulating member 16 contains connections for the resistive heating element and fits through aperture 17 in cap 15 for external access.

[0024]As illustrated in FIG. 2, insulating member 16 includes three terminals. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there are at least two resistive heating elements, one for 110 volts AC and one for low voltage direct current. The amplitude of the low voltage depends upon the actual output voltage of a photovoltaic solar panel used with the system but is generally twenty four volts or higher.

[0025]The electrical connections are illustrated in FIG. 3. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the resistive heater elemen...

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Abstract

A system for heating water includes a first tank, a solar panel, a control circuit, and a second tank for receiving water from the first tank. There is a first resistive heating element in the first tank and a second resistive heating element in the second tank. The control circuit couples power from the solar panel to the second resistive heating element unless the water in the second tank is at a preset maximum temperature, then the control circuit couples power to the first resistive heating element. If the water in the second tank is below a preset maximum temperature and above a preset minimum temperature, then the control circuit couples power from the solar panel to both the first heater element and the second heater element. If the temperature of the water in the second tank is below a preset minimum temperature, then the control circuit turns on conventional heating means in the second tank. Water is withdrawn from the second tank for use.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to water heaters and, in particular, to a water heating system powered by electricity from a photovoltaic (PV) solar panel.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The number of solar water heaters in use is less than one percent of the total number of water heaters. Of these, the vast majority are solar thermal water heaters. That is, solar energy directly heats water in a collector containing a plurality of pipes containing water. It is also known to convert solar energy to electricity and use the electricity to heat the water. This is PV water heating.[0003]Solar thermal water heaters are not widely used because of problems of durability, difficulty of installation, weight, and relatively high initial cost. Durability includes problems with freezing, leakage, pump failure, and hard (mineral bearing) water. Installation has often proved difficult, requiring roof penetrations for the plumbing that transports water to and from solar collect...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): F24H1/20
CPCF24D11/003F24D11/004F24D2200/02Y02B10/20F24D2200/08F24D2240/10F24D2220/08
Inventor THOMASSON, SAMUEL L.
Owner THOMASSON SAMUEL L
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