초록 ▼

A control arrangement for a water heater system that includes a water heater having a heating element, an alternate heat source which is preferably a solar collector panel, and a heat exchange and storage unit containing a phase change material therein for storing heat energy from the alternate heat

A control arrangement for a water heater system that includes a water heater having a heating element, an alternate heat source which is preferably a solar collector panel, and a heat exchange and storage unit containing a phase change material therein for storing heat energy from the alternate heat source and for transmitting the stored heat to the water in the water heater when available and when needed. The control arrangement includes means for programming the system to operate in one or more of several different operating modes, including a mode in which the heating element is deenergized at all times, a mode in which priority is given to using stored energy rather than heating element energy, a mode in which both the stored energy and the heating element are utilized simultaneously, and a mode in which the heating element is deenergized during predetermined time periods. The control may also be programmed to select which modes are used during selected time periods of each day of the week.

대표청구항 ▼

In a water heating solar energy collection and storage system which includes a water heating means having an independent heating element and a predetermined storage capacity for heated water, a solar panel, a heat storage chamber containing a heat storing material for storing solar heat, selectively

In a water heating solar energy collection and storage system which includes a water heating means having an independent heating element and a predetermined storage capacity for heated water, a solar panel, a heat storage chamber containing a heat storing material for storing solar heat, selectively operable first fluid transfer means for passing a fluid between said solar panel and said storage chamber to transfer available heat from said solar panel to said storage chamber, and selectively operable second fluid transfer means for passing water between said water heating means and said storage chamber to transfer available heat from said storage chamber to said water heating means, control means for said system comprising: (a) selectively settable timer means; (b) first sensor means for sensing the temperature of the fluid in said heat storage chamber (Temp. 1); (c) second sensor means for sensing the temperature of the water in water heating means (Temp. 2); (d) programmable means for selectively operating said system in the following modes of operation: (i) a first mode in which said heating element is maintained in a deenergized condition whenever said Temp. 1 is greater than Temp. 2; (ii) a second mode in which said heating element is maintained in a deenergized condition during predetermined time periods determined by the setting of said timer means; (iii) a third mode in which said heating element is maintained in an energized condition whenever Temp. 2 is below a predetermined temperature level and is maintained in a deenergized condition whenever Temp. 2 is at or above said predetermined temperature.