SOLAR ENERGY COLLECTING AND STORING SYSTEM

A solar energy collecting and storing system includes a solar energy collecting unit and a heat reservoir. By the thermal energy collector, solar light is absorbed and converted into thermal energy for heating a working fluid contained in the thermal energy collector. Multiple input/output control valves and multiple input/output joints are connected with the heat reservoir for controlling the working fluid to flow into or out of the heat reservoir. If the light exposure is insufficient, the input control valve is closed and the heat reservoir is maintained in a thermally isolated state. For utilizing the thermal energy, the output control valve is opened and thus the thermal energy contained in the working fluid is transferred to the thermal energy application device through the thermal energy output piping line.

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Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a solar energy collecting and storing system, and more particularly to a solar energy collecting and storing system for converting solar energy into thermal energy, which is used in a thermal power generator and/or an indoor heating device if necessary.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, the ecological problems resulted from fossil fuels such as petroleum and coal have been greatly aware all over the world. Consequently, there are growing demands on clean energy. Among various alternative energy sources, solar energy is expected to replace fossil fuel as a new energy source because it provides clean energy without depletion. A conventional solar system has a thermal energy collector for converting solar energy into thermal energy, which is used in a hot-water heater, a thermal power generator and/or an indoor heating device if necessary. In other words, after the solar energy is converted into thermal energy by the thermal energy collector, the thermal energy could be stored in a hot water or directly converted into electrical energy.

Another conventional solar system has a specified window for collecting solar energy into an indoor environment or a water trough in order to warm a greenhouse.

The conventional solar systems, however, still have some drawbacks. For example, the thermal energy obtained by conversion of solar energy is usually used in some real-time applications. For most areas in the earth, sufficient solar energy is available only at certain time interval in a sunny day. In a cloudy day or a rainy day, the solar systems fail to normally provide thermal energy to the thermal power generator and/or an indoor heating device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a solar energy collecting and storing system for converting solar energy into thermal energy. The thermal energy is stored in a heat reservoir. If necessary, the stored thermal energy could be used in a thermal power generator and/or an indoor heating device at any time. In other words, the influence of light exposure amount is reduced.

For achieving the above object, the present invention provides a solar energy collecting and storing system. The solar energy collecting and storing system includes a solar energy collecting unit and a heat reservoir. By the thermal energy collector, solar light is absorbed and converted into thermal energy for heating a working fluid contained in the thermal energy collector. Multiple input/output control valves and multiple input/output joints are connected with the heat reservoir for controlling the working fluid to flow into or out of the heat reservoir. If the light exposure is insufficient, the input control valve is closed and the heat reservoir is maintained in a thermally isolated state. For utilizing the thermal energy, the output control valve is opened and thus the thermal energy contained in the working fluid is transferred to the thermal energy application device through the thermal energy output piping line.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the solar energy collecting and storing system includes a solar energy collecting unit, a heat reservoir, a thermal energy input piping line, at least a thermal energy input pump, a thermal energy application device, a thermal energy output piping line, at least a thermal energy output pump, and a controller. The solar energy collecting unit is disposed at an environment with light exposure, and includes a thermal energy collector and a thermal energy collector temperature sensor. By the thermal energy collector, solar light is absorbed and converted into thermal energy for heating a working fluid contained in the thermal energy collector. A first temperature of the working fluid contained in the thermal energy collector is detected by the thermal energy collector temperature sensor so as to discriminate whether the light exposure is sufficient. The heat reservoir includes a receptacle and a heat reservoir temperature sensor. The working fluid is contained in the receptacle to store thermal energy. A second temperature of the working fluid contained in the receptacle of the heat reservoir is detected by the heat reservoir temperature sensor so as to discriminate whether the thermal energy is high or low. The thermal energy input piping line is interconnected between the thermal energy collector and the heat reservoir for providing a first circulating path of the working fluid between the thermal energy collector and the heat reservoir. The thermal energy input pump is arranged in the thermal energy input piping line for transporting the working fluid at a higher temperature from the thermal energy collector to the heat reservoir, and transporting the working fluid at a lower temperature from the heat reservoir to the thermal energy collector. The thermal energy output piping line is interconnected between the heat reservoir and the thermal energy application device for providing a second circulating path of the working fluid between the heat reservoir and the thermal energy application device. The thermal energy output pump is arranged in the thermal energy output piping line for transporting the working fluid at a higher temperature from the heat reservoir to the thermal energy application device, and transporting the working fluid at a lower temperature from the thermal energy application device to the heat reservoir. The controller is connected with the thermal energy collector temperature sensor, the heat reservoir temperature sensor, the thermal energy input pump and the thermal energy output pump. The thermal energy input pump and the thermal energy output pump are selectively enabled or disabled under control of the controller according to a first temperature detected by the thermal energy collector temperature sensor and a second temperature detected by the heat reservoir temperature sensor, thereby controlling the first circulating path and the second circulating path.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the solar energy collecting and storing system comprises: a solar energy collecting unit disposed at an environment with light exposure, and comprising a thermal energy collector and a thermal energy collector temperature sensor, wherein solar light is absorbed and converted into thermal energy by the thermal energy collector for heating a working fluid contained in the thermal energy collector, and a first temperature of the working fluid contained in the thermal energy collector is detected by the thermal energy collector temperature sensor so as to discriminate whether the light exposure is sufficient; a heat reservoir comprising a receptacle and a heat reservoir temperature sensor, wherein the working fluid is contained in the receptacle to store thermal energy, and a second temperature of the working fluid contained in the receptacle of the heat reservoir is detected by the heat reservoir temperature sensor so as to discriminate whether the thermal energy is high or low; a thermal energy input piping line interconnected between the thermal energy collector and the heat reservoir for providing a first circulating path of the working fluid between the thermal energy collector and the heat reservoir; at least a thermal energy input pump arranged in the thermal energy input piping line for transporting the working fluid at a higher temperature from the thermal energy collector to the heat reservoir, and transporting the working fluid at a lower temperature from the heat reservoir to the thermal energy collector; a thermal energy application device; a thermal energy output piping line interconnected between the heat reservoir and the thermal energy application device for providing a second circulating path of the working fluid between the heat reservoir and the thermal energy application device; at least a thermal energy output pump arranged in the thermal energy output piping line for transporting the working fluid at a higher temperature from the heat reservoir to the thermal energy application device, and transporting the working fluid at a lower temperature from the thermal energy application device to the heat reservoir; and a controller connected with the thermal energy collector temperature sensor, the heat reservoir temperature sensor, the thermal energy input pump and the thermal energy output pump, wherein the thermal energy input pump and the thermal energy output pump are selectively enabled or disabled under control of the controller according to a first temperature detected by the thermal energy collector temperature sensor and a second temperature detected by the heat reservoir temperature sensor, thereby controlling the first circulating path and the second circulating path; wherein the thermal energy application device has a first end connected with the thermal energy collector and a second end connected with the heat reservoir through the thermal energy input piping line, so that the working fluid transfers thermal energy to the thermal energy application device through both of the thermal energy input piping line and the thermal energy output piping line.

The above contents of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the architecture of a solar energy collecting and storing system according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a variant of the solar energy collecting and storing system shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the architecture of a solar energy collecting and storing system according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement and operations among the solar energy collecting unit, the heat reservoir and the thermal energy application device of FIG. 3 at day time; and

FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement and operations between the heat reservoir and the thermal energy application device of FIG. 3 at night time.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention will now be described more specifically with reference to the following embodiments. It is to be noted that the following descriptions of preferred embodiments of this invention are presented herein for purpose of illustration and description only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the architecture of a solar energy collecting and storing system according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the solar energy collecting and storing system 10 comprises a solar energy collecting unit 11, a thermal energy input piping line 12, a heat reservoir 13, a thermal energy output piping line 14, a controller 15 and a working fluid 16. The solar energy collecting unit 11 includes a thermal energy collector 111 and a thermal energy collector temperature sensor 112. A thermal energy input pump 121 is arranged in the thermal energy input piping line 12. The heat reservoir 13 includes an inner case 131, an inner case base 132, an outer case 133, multiple thermal energy input joints 134, multiple thermal energy output joints 135, multiple thermal energy input control valves 136, multiple thermal energy output control valves 137 and a heat reservoir temperature sensor 138. A thermal energy output pump 141 is arranged in the thermal energy output piping line 14. Example of the thermal energy input joints 134 and the thermal energy output joints 135 include hollow tubes.

The solar energy collecting unit 11 is disposed at the outdoor environment with light exposure. The solar energy collecting unit 11 is connected with the thermal energy input piping line 12. The thermal energy input piping line 12 is connected with the heat reservoir 13. The inner case 131 and the outer case 133 of the heat reservoir 13 are spaced from each other by an insulating gap. The insulating gap is in a vacuum or filled with an insulating material. The inner case base 132 is disposed on the bottom surface of inner wall of the outer case 133. The inner case 131 is supported on the inner case base 132. The inner case 131 has a receptacle 139 for containing the working fluid 16. The thermal energy input joints 134 and the thermal energy output joints 135 are connected to the inner case 131. The thermal energy input control valves 136 and the thermal energy output control valves 137 are disposed at the inner wall of the outer case 133. The thermal energy input joints 134 and the thermal energy output joints 135 are connected with the thermal energy input control valves 136 and the thermal energy output control valves 137, respectively. The thermal energy input control valves 136 are connected with the thermal energy input piping line 12. The thermal energy output control valves 137 are connected with the thermal energy output piping line 14. The thermal energy output pump 141, which is arranged in the thermal energy output piping line 14, is connected with a thermal energy application device 19. The thermal energy application device 19 includes a thermal energy-based power generator 17 (e.g. a Stirling Engine) and/or an indoor heating device 18.

In a case that the light exposure amount is sufficient, the solar light is collected by the solar energy collecting unit 11 in order to heat the working fluid 16 contained in the thermal energy collector 111. A first temperature of the working fluid 16 contained in the thermal energy collector 11 is detected by the thermal energy collector temperature sensor 112. A second temperature of the working fluid 16 contained in the receptacle 139 is detected by the heat reservoir temperature sensor 138. According to the first temperature and the second temperature, the thermal energy input control valves 136, the thermal energy output control valves 137, the operations of the thermal energy input pump 121 and the thermal energy output pump 141 are controlled under control of the controller 15. For example, if the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is higher than a first threshold value, the thermal energy input control valves 136 are opened and the thermal energy input pump 121 is enabled under control of the controller 15. As such, the working fluid 16 with a higher temperature is transported from the thermal energy collector 11 to the heat reservoir 13; and the working fluid 16 with a lower temperature is transported from the heat reservoir 13 to the thermal energy collector 11. In other words, the working fluid 16 is circularly transported between the thermal energy collector 11 and the heat reservoir 13. As a consequence, the total thermal energy of the working fluid 16 contained in the heat reservoir 13 is continuously increased, thereby automatically collect or store thermal energy.

In a case that the light exposure amount is sufficient and the second temperature detected by the heat reservoir temperature sensor 138 is higher than a predetermined temperature, the thermal energy input control valves 136 and the thermal energy output control valves 137 are opened and the thermal energy input pump 121 and the thermal energy output pump 141 are enable under control of the controller 15. As such, the working fluid 16 is transported through the thermal energy output piping line 14 and thus a portion of thermal energy of the working fluid 16 is transferred to the thermal energy application device 19. As shown in FIG. 1, the thermal energy application device 19 includes a thermal energy-based power generator 17 (e.g. a Stirling Engine) and an indoor heating device 18, which are connected with each other in series. Moreover, the waste heat exhausted by the thermal energy-based power generator 17 (e.g. a Stirling Engine) could be provided to the indoor heating device 18 or discharged to the outdoor environment.

In a case that the light exposure amount is insufficient, the efficacy of collecting the solar light by the solar energy collecting unit 11 is unsatisfied. If the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is lower than a second threshold value, the thermal energy input control valves 136 and the thermal energy output control valves 137 are closed and the thermal energy input pump 121 and the thermal energy output pump 141 are disable under control of the controller 15. As such, the heat reservoir 13 is thermally isolated from the environment. If desired, the user could manually open the thermal energy output control valves 137 and enable the thermal energy output pump 141. In other words, the working fluid 16 is circularly transported between the heat reservoir 13 and the thermal energy application device 19 through the thermal energy output piping line 14. Under this circumstance, the thermal energy stored in the heat reservoir 13 will be utilized by the thermal energy application device 19. Similarly, the waste heat exhausted by the thermal energy-based power generator 17 (e.g. a Stirling Engine) could be provided to the indoor heating device 18 or discharged to the outdoor environment.

An example of the thermal energy collector 111 of the solar energy collecting unit 11 includes but is not limited to a solar collector tube or a solar panel with a heat transfer mechanism (not shown). By the solar panel, solar energy is converted into thermal energy (or electrical energy is converted into thermal energy). Through the heat transfer mechanism, the thermal energy produced by the solar panel is transferred to the thermal energy input piping line 12. In an embodiment, the heat transfer mechanism includes a solar collector tube and the working fluid 16.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a variant of the solar energy collecting and storing system shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the thermal energy-based power generator 17 and the indoor heating device 18 are connected in parallel. The other components included in the solar energy collecting and storing system 10 of FIG. 2 are similar to those shown in FIG. 1, and are not redundantly described herein.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the architecture of a solar energy collecting and storing system according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The solar energy collecting unit 11 is disposed at the outdoor environment with sufficient light exposure. The solar energy collecting unit 11 is connected with the thermal energy input piping line 12. The thermal energy collector 111 is connected with a first end of the thermal energy application device 19 through the thermal energy input piping line 12. The thermal energy application device 19 includes a thermal energy-based power generator 17 (e.g. a Stirling Engine) and/or an indoor heating device 18. A second end of the thermal energy application device 19 is connected with the heat reservoir 13 through the thermal energy input piping line 12. The heat reservoir 13 includes an inner case 131, an inner case base 132 and an outer case 133. The inner case 131 and the outer case 133 of the heat reservoir 13 are spaced from each other by an insulating gap. The inner case base 132 is disposed on the bottom surface of inner wall of the outer case 133. The inner case 131 is supported on the inner case base 132. The inner case 131 has a receptacle 139 for containing the working fluid 16. The thermal energy input joints 134 and the thermal energy output joints 135 are connected to the inner case 131. The thermal energy input control valves 136 and the thermal energy output control valves 137 are disposed at the inner wall of the outer case 133. The thermal energy input joints 134 and the thermal energy output joints 135 are connected with the thermal energy input control valves 136 and the thermal energy output control valves 137, respectively. The thermal energy input control valves 136 are connected with the thermal energy input piping line 12. The thermal energy output control valves 137 are connected with the thermal energy output piping line 14.

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement and operations among the solar energy collecting unit, the heat reservoir and the thermal energy application device of FIG. 3 at day time. Please refer to FIGS. 3 and 4A. In a case that the light exposure amount is sufficient at day time, the solar light is collected by the solar energy collecting unit 11 in order to heat the working fluid 16 contained in the thermal energy collector 111. A first temperature of the working fluid 16 contained in the thermal energy collector 11 is detected by the thermal energy collector temperature sensor 112. A second temperature of the working fluid 16 contained in the receptacle 139 is detected by the heat reservoir temperature sensor 138. According to the first temperature and the second temperature, the thermal energy input control valves 136, the thermal energy output control valves 137, the operations of the thermal energy input pump 121 and the thermal energy output pump 141 are controlled under control of the controller 15. For example, if the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is higher than a first threshold value, the thermal energy input control valves 136 are opened and the thermal energy input pump 121 is enabled under control of the controller 15. As such, the working fluid 16 is circularly transported between the thermal energy collector 111 and the heat reservoir 13. When the working fluid 16 is transported across the thermal energy application device 19, the thermal energy of the working fluid 16 is transferred to the thermal energy application device 19 to be employed by the thermal energy application device 19. In this embodiment, the thermal energy application device 19 includes a thermal energy-based power generator 17 (e.g. a Stirling Engine) and/or an indoor heating device 18. The waste heat exhausted by the thermal energy-based power generator 17 (e.g. a Stirling Engine) could be provided to the indoor heating device 18 or discharged to the outdoor environment.

The thermal energy-based power generator 17 (e.g. a Stirling Engine) has a first end 171 (e.g. hot end) communicating with the solar energy collecting unit 11 via the thermal energy input piping line 12 and a second end 172 (e.g. cold end) communicating with the heat reservoir 13 via the indoor heating device 18 and the thermal energy input piping line 12. The temperature at the second end 172 (e.g. cold end) of the thermal energy-based power generator 17 is still high and the thermal energy of the working fluid 16 can still be collected by the heat reservoir 13. For the indoor heating device 18 (e.g. steam engine), the hot end of the indoor heating device 18 is where the working fluid 16 gets heated and the cold end of the indoor heating device 18 can be the exhaust of the steam. The heat of exhausting steam can be collected by the heat reservoir 13.

In a case that the light exposure amount is sufficient and the second temperature detected by the heat reservoir temperature sensor 138 is higher than a predetermined temperature, the thermal energy output control valves 137 are opened and the thermal energy output pump 141 is enable under control of the controller 15. As such, the working fluid 16 is circularly transported between the heat reservoir 13 and the thermal energy application device 19. When the working fluid 16 is transported across the thermal energy application device 19, the thermal energy of the working fluid 16 is transferred to the thermal energy application device 19 to be employed by the thermal energy application device 19. In other words, the working fluid 16 could offer thermal energy to the thermal energy application device 19 through the thermal energy input piping line 12 and the thermal energy output piping line 14. Similarly, the waste heat exhausted by the thermal energy-based power generator 17 (e.g. a Stirling Engine) could be provided to the indoor heating device 18 or discharged to the outdoor environment.

FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement and operations between the heat reservoir and the thermal energy application device of FIG. 3 at night time. Please refer to FIGS. 3 and 4B. In a case that the light exposure amount is insufficient at night, the efficacy of collecting the solar light by the solar energy collecting unit 11 is unsatisfied. If the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is lower than a second threshold value, the thermal energy input control valves 136 and the thermal energy output control valves 137 are closed and the thermal energy input pump 121 and the thermal energy output pump 141 are disable under control of the controller 15. As such, the heat reservoir 13 is thermally isolated from the environment. If necessary, the user could manually open the thermal energy output control valves 137 and enable the thermal energy output pump 141. As such, the working fluid 16 is circularly transported between the heat reservoir 13 and the thermal energy application device 19 through the thermal energy output piping line 14. Under this circumstance, the thermal energy stored in the heat reservoir 13 will be utilized by the thermal energy application device 19. Similarly, the waste heat exhausted by the thermal energy-based power generator 17 (e.g. a Stirling Engine) could be provided to the indoor heating device 18 or discharged to the outdoor environment.

The thermal energy-based power generator 17 (e.g. a Stirling Engine) has a third end 173 (e.g. hot end) communicating with heat reservoir 13 via the thermal energy output piping line 14 and a fourth end 174 (e.g. cold end) communicating with the heat reservoir 13 via the indoor heating device 18 and the thermal energy output piping line 14. The temperature at the fourth end 174 (e.g. cold end) of the thermal energy-based power generator 17 is still hot enough to heat up the indoor heating device 18. According to the arrangement and operations as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the switching of the hot end and cold end of the thermal energy-based power generator 17 can be controlled by the controller 15 via the thermal energy input control valves 136 and the thermal energy output control valves 137 so that the same thermal energy-based power generator 17 can be used.

From the above description, the solar energy collecting and storing system of the present invention is capable of collecting and storing thermal energy in order to expand utilization of solar energy.

While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.

Claims

1. A solar energy collecting and storing system comprising:

a solar energy collecting unit disposed at an environment with light exposure, and comprising a thermal energy collector and a thermal energy collector temperature sensor, wherein solar light is absorbed and converted into thermal energy by said thermal energy collector for heating a working fluid contained in said thermal energy collector, and a first temperature of said working fluid contained in said thermal energy collector is detected by said thermal energy collector temperature sensor so as to discriminate whether said light exposure is sufficient;
a heat reservoir comprising a receptacle and a heat reservoir temperature sensor, wherein said working fluid is contained in said receptacle to store thermal energy, and a second temperature of said working fluid contained in said receptacle of said heat reservoir is detected by said heat reservoir temperature sensor so as to discriminate whether said thermal energy is high or low;
a thermal energy input piping line interconnected between said thermal energy collector and said heat reservoir for providing a first circulating path of said working fluid between said thermal energy collector and said heat reservoir;
at least a thermal energy input pump arranged in the thermal energy input piping line for transporting said working fluid at a higher temperature from said thermal energy collector to said heat reservoir, and transporting said working fluid at a lower temperature from said heat reservoir to said thermal energy collector;
a thermal energy application device;
a thermal energy output piping line interconnected between said heat reservoir and said thermal energy application device for providing a second circulating path of said working fluid between said heat reservoir and said thermal energy application device;
at least a thermal energy output pump arranged in the thermal energy output piping line for transporting said working fluid at a higher temperature from said heat reservoir to said thermal energy application device, and transporting said working fluid at a lower temperature from said thermal energy application device to said heat reservoir; and
a controller connected with said thermal energy collector temperature sensor, said heat reservoir temperature sensor, said thermal energy input pump and said thermal energy output pump, wherein said thermal energy input pump and said thermal energy output pump are selectively enabled or disabled under control of said controller according to a first temperature detected by said thermal energy collector temperature sensor and a second temperature detected by said heat reservoir temperature sensor, thereby controlling said first circulating path and said second circulating path.

2. The solar energy collecting and storing system according to claim 1 wherein said thermal energy application device comprises:

a thermal energy-based power generator for converting thermal energy into electrical energy; and/or
an indoor heating device for heating an indoor environment.

3. The solar energy collecting and storing system according to claim 1 wherein said heat reservoir further comprises:

multiple thermal energy input control valves connected with said thermal energy input piping line and said controller; and
multiple thermal energy output control valves connected with said thermal energy output piping line and said controller,
wherein said thermal energy input control valves and said thermal energy output control valves are selectively opened or closed under control of said controller according to said first temperature and said second temperature.

4. The solar energy collecting and storing system according to claim 3 wherein said heat reservoir further comprises:

an outer case;
an inner case enclosing said receptacle and spaced from said outer case by an insulating gap, wherein said insulating gap is in a vacuum or filled with an insulating material;
multiple thermal energy input joints communicating with said receptacle of said inner case and said thermal energy input control valves; and
multiple thermal energy output joints communicating with said receptacle of said inner case and said thermal energy output control valves.

5. The solar energy collecting and storing system according to claim 4 wherein said thermal energy application device has a first end connected with said thermal energy collector and a second end connected with said heat reservoir through said thermal energy input piping line, so that said working fluid transfers thermal energy to said thermal energy application device through both of said thermal energy input piping line and said thermal energy output piping line.

6. The solar energy collecting and storing system according to claim 4 wherein according to said first temperature and said second temperature and under control of said controller, said thermal energy output control valves and said thermal energy input control valves are selectively opened or closed, and said thermal energy input pump and said thermal energy output pump are selectively enabled or disabled, thereby automatically collect or store thermal energy.

7. The solar energy collecting and storing system according to claim 6 wherein when the difference between said first temperature and said second temperature is higher than a first threshold value, said thermal energy input control valves are opened and said thermal energy input pump is enabled under control of said controller.

8. The solar energy collecting and storing system according to claim 6 wherein when said second temperature detected by said heat reservoir temperature sensor is higher than a predetermined temperature, said thermal energy input control valves and said thermal energy output control valves are opened and said thermal energy input pump and said thermal energy output pump are enable under control of said controller.

9. The solar energy collecting and storing system according to claim 6 wherein when the difference between said first temperature and said second temperature is lower than a second threshold value, said thermal energy input control valves and said thermal energy output control valves are closed and said thermal energy input pump and said thermal energy output pump are disable under control of said controller.

10. The solar energy collecting and storing system according to claim 4 wherein said thermal energy output control valves are manually opened or closed, and said thermal energy output pump is manually enabled or disabled, thereby manually collect or store thermal energy.

11. The solar energy collecting and storing system according to claim 1 wherein said thermal energy collector of said solar energy collecting unit includes a solar collector tube or a solar panel with a heat transfer mechanism.

12. A solar energy collecting and storing system comprising:

a solar energy collecting unit disposed at an environment with light exposure, and comprising a thermal energy collector and a thermal energy collector temperature sensor, wherein solar light is absorbed and converted into thermal energy by said thermal energy collector for heating a working fluid contained in said thermal energy collector, and a first temperature of said working fluid contained in said thermal energy collector is detected by said thermal energy collector temperature sensor so as to discriminate whether said light exposure is sufficient;
a heat reservoir comprising a receptacle and a heat reservoir temperature sensor, wherein said working fluid is contained in said receptacle to store thermal energy, and a second temperature of said working fluid contained in said receptacle of said heat reservoir is detected by said heat reservoir temperature sensor so as to discriminate whether said thermal energy is high or low;
a thermal energy input piping line interconnected between said thermal energy collector and said heat reservoir for providing a first circulating path of said working fluid between said thermal energy collector and said heat reservoir;
at least a thermal energy input pump arranged in the thermal energy input piping line for transporting said working fluid at a higher temperature from said thermal energy collector to said heat reservoir, and transporting said working fluid at a lower temperature from said heat reservoir to said thermal energy collector;
a thermal energy application device;
a thermal energy output piping line interconnected between said heat reservoir and said thermal energy application device for providing a second circulating path of said working fluid between said heat reservoir and said thermal energy application device;
at least a thermal energy output pump arranged in the thermal energy output piping line for transporting said working fluid at a higher temperature from said heat reservoir to said thermal energy application device, and transporting said working fluid at a lower temperature from said thermal energy application device to said heat reservoir; and
a controller connected with said thermal energy collector temperature sensor, said heat reservoir temperature sensor, said thermal energy input pump and said thermal energy output pump, wherein said thermal energy input pump and said thermal energy output pump are selectively enabled or disabled under control of said controller according to a first temperature detected by said thermal energy collector temperature sensor and a second temperature detected by said heat reservoir temperature sensor, thereby controlling said first circulating path and said second circulating path;
wherein said thermal energy application device has a first end connected with said thermal energy collector and a second end connected with said heat reservoir through said thermal energy input piping line, so that said working fluid transfers thermal energy to said thermal energy application device through both of said thermal energy input piping line and said thermal energy output piping line.

13. The solar energy collecting and storing system according to claim 12 wherein said thermal energy application device comprises:

a thermal energy-based power generator for converting thermal energy into electrical energy; and/or
an indoor heating device for heating an indoor environment.

14. The solar energy collecting and storing system according to claim 12 wherein said heat reservoir further comprises:

multiple thermal energy input control valves connected with said thermal energy input piping line and said controller; and
multiple thermal energy output control valves connected with said thermal energy output piping line and said controller,
wherein said thermal energy input control valves and said thermal energy output control valves are selectively opened or closed under control of said controller according to said first temperature and said second temperature.

15. The solar energy collecting and storing system according to claim 14 wherein according to said first temperature and said second temperature and under control of said controller, said thermal energy output control valves and said thermal energy input control valves are selectively opened or closed, and said thermal energy input pump and said thermal energy output pump are selectively enabled or disabled, thereby automatically collect or store thermal energy.

16. The solar energy collecting and storing system according to claim 15 wherein when the difference between said first temperature and said second temperature is higher than a first threshold value, said thermal energy input control valves are opened and said thermal energy input pump is enabled under control of said controller.

17. The solar energy collecting and storing system according to claim 15 wherein when said second temperature detected by said heat reservoir temperature sensor is higher than a predetermined temperature, said thermal energy output control valves are opened and said thermal energy output pump is enable under control of said controller.

18. The solar energy collecting and storing system according to claim 15 wherein when the difference between said first temperature and said second temperature is lower than a second threshold value, said thermal energy input control valves and said thermal energy output control valves are closed and said thermal energy input pump and said thermal energy output pump are disable under control of said controller.

19. The solar energy collecting and storing system according to claim 14 wherein said thermal energy output control valves are manually opened or closed, and said thermal energy output pump is manually enabled or disabled, thereby manually collect or store thermal energy.

Patent History
Publication number: 20100024804
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 28, 2009
Publication Date: Feb 4, 2010
Inventors: Han-Chieh Chiu (Yonghe City), Jer-Huan Jang (Taishan Township), Hung-Wei Yeh (Danshuei Township), Chia-Chi Wang (Windsor, CT)
Application Number: 12/510,571
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: With Storage Tank For Fluent Medium (126/640)
International Classification: F24J 2/04 (20060101);