초록 ▼

A solar heating and cooling system is disclosed which provides substantially consistent levels of temperature within a preselected range in an air space of an enclosed structure. The system includes a first store which functions as a heat source and a second store which functions as a heat sink. A v

A solar heating and cooling system is disclosed which provides substantially consistent levels of temperature within a preselected range in an air space of an enclosed structure. The system includes a first store which functions as a heat source and a second store which functions as a heat sink. A variable feed fan is used for transmitting air through the first store and into the air space when the level of the sensed temperature within the air space drops below the preselected range. A second variable speed fan is used for transmitting air through the second store and into the air space when the level of the sensed temperature within the air space rises above the preselected range. Both fans are used to transfer heat from the warm store to the cool store when the warm store overheats. Energy may be purchased on an as needed basis or at off peak periods in anticipation of need.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A heating and cooling system for use in an enclosed structure including an air space, said system comprising, in combination: first store means for providing a source of heat and including a first heat transfer material for storing excessive heat; second store means, disposed substantially be

1. A heating and cooling system for use in an enclosed structure including an air space, said system comprising, in combination: first store means for providing a source of heat and including a first heat transfer material for storing excessive heat; second store means, disposed substantially below said first store means, for providing a heat sink and including a second heat transfer material for absorbing heat from air passing through said second store means; and temperature control means for maintaining the temperature within said air space substantially within a predetermined temperature range between first and second preselected levels of temperature, said temperature control means including first means for transmitting air through said first store means, means for selectively directing the flow of air either (a) from said first store means into said air space or (b) from said air space into said second store means, second means for transmitting air through said second store means, sensor means for sensing the level of temperature within said air space, wherein said temperature control means is operable in response to said sensor means in (1) a first mode of operation for heating said air space wherein said first means for transmitting air through said first store means and said means for selectively directing the flow of air heated by said first store means into said air space when the temperature sensed by said sensor means drops below said first preselected level; and (2) a second mode of operation for cooling said air space wherein said second means for transmitting air through said second store means and said means for selectively directing the flow of air from said air space to said second store means when the temperature level sensed by said sensor means rises above said second preselected level; wherein said means for selectively directing the flow of air includes (i) common duct means connected between said first and second store means for transmitting air in said first and second modes of operation, (ii) first damper means adapted to open from said common duct means into said air space during said first mode of operation, and remain closed during said second mode of operation, and (iii) second damper means adapted to remain closed during said first mode of operation and open from said air space into said duct during said second mode of operation. 2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said first means for transmitting air transmits air at a first flow rate as a function of the difference the temperature level sensed by said sensor means is below said first preselected level and said second means for transmitting air transmits air at a second flow rate as a function of the difference the temperature level sensed by said sensor means is above said second preselected level. 3. A system according to claim 2, wherein said first and second flow rates are each selectively adjustable. 4. A system according to claim 3, wherein said first and second means for transmitting air are each fans. 5. A system according to claim 4, wherein said fans are each a variable speed fan whose speed varies as a function of the temperature level sensed by the respective first and second sensors and the corresponding first and second preselected levels. 6. A system according to claim 5, further including means for selectively varying said speed of each function of the temperature level sensed and corresponding preselected level. 7. A system according to claim 1, wherein said temperature control means includes means for adjusting first and second preselected levels of temperature. 8. A system according to claim 7, wherein said sensor means includes means for generating at least one temperature-related signal as a function of the temperature level in said air space and said temperature control means includes means for generating a pair of reference signals as a function of the respective first and second preselected levels of temperature, means for comparing said temperature-related signal with each of said reference signals, and means for generating a first signal to said first means for transmitting air when said temperature-related signal drops below said first reference signal and a second signal to said second means for transmitting air when said temperature-related signal exceeds said second reference signal. 9. A system according to claim 1, further including means for transferring heat from said first store to said second store when the temperature in the vicinity of said first store exceeds a third preselected temperature level. 10. A system according to claim 1, further comprising auxiliary heater means for generating heat in response to a power signal, means for coupling said temperature control means to said auxiliary heater means said temperature control means being operable in a third mode for heating said air space wherein said first means for transmitting air through said first store means through said first store means transmits air heated by said first store means and said auxiliary heater means into said air space when the temperature sensed by said sensor means drops below a third preselected level, said third preselected level being lower than said first preselected level. 11. A system according to claim 10, wherein said temperature control means includes second sensor means positioned in the vicinity of said first store, and said temperature control means is operable in said third mode when the temperature sensed by said second sensor means drops below a fourth preselected level. 12. A system according to claim 10, wherein said means for coupling said temperature control means to said auxiliary heater means include clocking means for selectively coupling said temperature control means to said auxiliary heater means as a function of time of day. 13. A heating and cooling system for use in an enclosed structure including an air space, said system comprising, in combination: first store means for providing a source of heat and including a first heat transfer material for storing excessive heat; second store means for providing a heat sink and including a second heat transfer material for absorbing heat from air passing through said second store means; and temperature control means for substantially maintaining the temperature within said air space within a predetermined temperature range between first and second preselected levels of temperatures, said temperature control means including first means for transmitting air through said first store means, second means for transmitting air through said second store means, means for transferring heat from said first store means to said second store means when the temperature in the vicinity of said first store means exceeds a third preselected temperature level, first sensor means for sensing the level of temperature within said air space, and second sensor means positioned in the vicinity of said first store means, wherein said temperature control means is operable in response to (A) said first sensor means in (1) a first mode of operation for heating said air space wherein said first means for transmitting air through said first store means transmits air heated by said first store means into said air space when the temperature sensed by said sensor means drops below said first preselected level; and (2) a second mode of operation for cooling said air space wherein said second means for transmitting air through said second store means transmits air from said air space to said second store means when the temperature level sensed by said sensor means rises above said second preselected level, and (B) said second sensor means in a third mode of operation wherein said first and second means for transmitting air are both responsive to said second sensor means so that said first and second means for transmitting air transmit air through said first store into said second store.