Solar energy water heating system

Abstract

In one aspect, the invention is directed to a solar energy water heating system for heating water in a water storage tank. In one particular embodiment, the system includes a controller, a solar energy collector whose energy contribution to water in the tank is controlled by the controller, and a non-solar heating system that is not controlled by the controller. Water in the tank may be heated by one or both of the non-solar heating system and energy from the solar energy collector. The controller can determine the amount of energy contributed by solar energy to the water in the tank. In another embodiment, the solar energy water heating system incorporates a controller that controls both the operation of the pump and the operation of the non-solar heating system. In another embodiment, a network of solar energy water heating systems is provided.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application 61 / 100,002, filed Sep. 25, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a solar energy water heating system, network and method, particularly to a solar energy water heating system that heats water using a combination of solar energy and a non-solar heating system, and more particularly to a solar energy water heating system that heats water using a combination of solar energy and an electric heating system.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]In homes, other residential buildings, commercial buildings and industrial buildings, a hot water tank is typically provided so that hot water is readily available for use by a user for a variety of purposes. A heating system that may be powered by electricity, natural gas, oil, propane or by some other means is provided for heating water in the tank. The heating system, however...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]In a first embodiment, the invention is directed to a solar energy water heating system comprising a water storage tank, a non-solar heating system configured to heat water in the water storage tank, a thermostat positioned to sense the temperature indicative of the temperature of water in the water storage tank, a solar energy collector, a heat exchanger, a first fluid circuit between the solar energy collector and the heat exchanger, a pump configured to pump fluid through the first fluid circuit, a second fluid circuit between the water storage tank and the heat exchanger, and a controller. The second fluid circuit is fluidically connectable to a water source. The heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat from fluid in the first fluid circuit to water in the second fluid circuit. The thermostat is operatively connected to the non-solar heating system. The controller is configured to control the operation of the pump. The controller is further configured to receive non-solar heating system state signals indicative of whether the non-solar heating system is on and is configured to determine the amount of energy transferred from the solar energy collector to water in the water storage tank based at least in part on the non-solar heating system state signals.

[0007]In a second embodiment, the invention is directed to a solar energy water heating system comprising a water storage tank, a non-solar heating system configured to heat water in the water storage tank, a solar energy collector, a heat exchanger, a first fluid circuit between the solar energy collector and the heat exchanger, a pump configured to pump fluid through the first fluid circuit, a second fluid circuit between the water storage tank and the heat exchanger, a storage tank water temperature sensor, and a controller. The second fluid circuit is fluidically connectable to a water source. The heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat from fluid in the first fluid circuit to water in the second fluid circuit. The controller is configured to receive signals from the storage tank water temperature sensor indicative of the temperature of water in the water storage tank. The controller is configured to prevent operation of the pump if the signals from the storage tank water temperature sensor indicate the temperature of water in the water storage tank exceeds a predetermined high storage tank water temperature.

[0008]In a third embodiment, the invention is directed to a solar energy water heating system comprising a water storage tank, a solar energy collector, a heat exchanger, a first fluid circuit between the solar energy collector and the heat exchanger, a pump configured to pump fluid through the first fluid circuit, a second fluid circuit between the water storage tank and the heat exchanger, a solar energy co

Problems solved by technology

The heating system, however, can be expensive to operate due to the cost of electricity or fuel.

Such systems, however, may include a non-solar heating system, such as an electric heating system, but may lack control over the non-solar heating system, and may also lack the ability to determine the savings achieved by the use of the solar energy collector.

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