초록 ▼

An improved solar energy control system and method are disclosed that enables efficient utiliziation of heat produced from solar energy in heating air and/or water. The system and method sense the availability of heat along with the need for such heat at monitored areas and, responsive thereto, sele

An improved solar energy control system and method are disclosed that enables efficient utiliziation of heat produced from solar energy in heating air and/or water. The system and method sense the availability of heat along with the need for such heat at monitored areas and, responsive thereto, selectively directs the heat to the monitored areas as necessary to cause the temperature in each area to be increased to predetermined levels. To most efficiently utilize heat derived from a solar collector, the heat initially made available from the collector is directed to the water within a temperature monitored water heater when the water is sensed to be at a temperature lower than the air in a temperature monitored room. The heat available from the collector is directed to the air in the temperature monitored room when sufficient heat is sensed to be available at the collector to heat the room and such heat application is continued until the temperature of the monitored room reaches a preselected temperature, after which the heat from the collector is directed to the water in the water heater until the water temperature is increased to a preselected temperature, and then the heat from the collector is directed to the air in the monitored room until the temperature of the monitored room is increased to a preselected temperature higher than the first preselected room temperature. The control system includes visual displays for indicating sensed temperatures, determined capabilities and/or needs. Improved probes are also disclosed for sensing of air, water and collector temperatures.

대표청구항 ▼

A solar energy control system, comprising: first means adapted to provide an indication of availability of heat derived from a solar collector; second means adapted to provide separate indications of heat needs at each of a plurality of defined areas, said defined areas including a room and a water

A solar energy control system, comprising: first means adapted to provide an indication of availability of heat derived from a solar collector; second means adapted to provide separate indications of heat needs at each of a plurality of defined areas, said defined areas including a room and a water heater; and processing means for receiving said indications from said first and second means and responsive thereto providing control outputs for enabling application of heat, when indicated to be available from solar energy, to said defined areas indicating heat needs, said processing means including determining means for causing heat to be applied at any given time to that one of said defined areas that enhances the efficiency of said solar collector and for controlling the application of heat to said defined areas needing heat consistent with heat availability so that water in said water heater is caused to be heated prior to heating of air in said room when said water is sensed to be colder than said air and sufficient heat is available at said solar collector to heat said water.