Photovoltaic water heating control system and process
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water heating systems face inefficiencies and high costs due to reliance on single energy sources, with electric immersion heaters consuming high energy, solar thermal systems being limited by weather conditions, and indirect systems requiring complex installations and backup energy sources.
Innovation Solution
A system that integrates a photovoltaic (PV) controller with multiple power input sources and heating elements, using a mixing valve to regulate temperature, and operation efficiency routines to determine optimal energy use based on water usage profiles, energy costs, and weather conditions, allowing for efficient switching between PV, grid, and other energy sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If solar thermal systems are used to heat water, then renewable energy is utilized, but the system is damaged by freezing and thermal losses occur in cold temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thermal transfer fluid as an intermediary substance that circulates through the solar collector and heat exchanger system. This fluid transfers thermal energy from the solar collector to the water in the tank without requiring direct contact between the solar system and the water, thereby preventing freezing damage while maintaining renewable energy utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct water heating mechanics with an indirect thermal transfer fluid circulation system. Instead of heating water directly in the solar collector, the system uses a circulating fluid that transfers heat through a heat exchanger, eliminating the mechanical vulnerability of freezing water in the solar collector.
2Loss of energy
If indirect solar thermal systems are used, then heat loss to environment is reduced, but installation becomes costly and complex with multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the solar collector, thermal transfer fluid circulation system, heat exchanger, and water storage tank into an integrated water heating system. By merging these components into a unified design, the system reduces heat loss to the environment while simplifying installation compared to separate indirect solar thermal systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional system that can operate in both direct solar heating mode (when temperatures are favorable) and indirect thermal transfer mode (when freezing conditions exist). This universal design allows the same system to adapt to different environmental conditions, reducing the need for complex specialized installations.
3Ease of manufacture
If electric immersion heaters are used, then simple construction and low cost are achieved, but high energy consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses solar energy to preheat the water in the storage tank before the heating elements are activated. By performing preliminary heating with free solar energy, the electric heating elements only need to provide supplemental heating, dramatically reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining simple construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic control system that monitors water temperature and automatically activates heating elements only when solar heating is insufficient. This dynamic operation optimizes energy consumption by using electric power selectively rather than continuously, while maintaining the simple immersion heater construction.
4Use of energy by moving object
If heat-pump technology is used, then energy efficiency is improved, but physical size increases and noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the compressor and condenser components from the water heating system that are present in heat-pump water heaters. Instead, it uses a simpler solar collector and heat exchanger configuration that achieves energy efficiency through solar thermal conversion rather than mechanical heat pumping, thereby reducing physical size.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system minimizes energy costs and usage by intelligently managing energy inputs, optimizing water heating based on user demand and environmental factors, providing efficient and cost-effective hot water generation.
Implementation Method 1
The PV inverter is configured to invert the direct current (DC) supplied from PV or Solar cell to alternating current (AC)
Implementation Method 2
Heat is generated by passing current through a resistive element which then conducts heat to water
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides a system and process to optimize photovoltaic (PV), grid, and other electricity in powering an electric water heater. The system comprises a photovoltaic (PV) controller coupled to a plurality of power input sources and heating elements wherein the heating elements immersed in an electric immersion heater water tank. The PV controller is further configured with control circuitry having an operating efficiency routine calculating optimal use cases from a variety of installation parameters and learned parameters to determine the appropriate power input source and switch between sources accordingly.