Temperature Responsive Patents (Class 126/585)
  • Patent number: 12058836
    Abstract: Fan controller (1) for a modular power supply having a fan (13). An output (8) is provided for transmitting control signals to the fan (13) for controlling fan speed. A plurality of sensor modules (20) are associated with a respective module (11, 6, 7) of the modular power supply. Each sensor module (20) includes a temperature detecting circuit comprising a sensor for sensing temperature variations in the respective module (11, 6, 7), a fan control circuit (30) galvanically isolated from the temperature detecting circuit for outputting a control signal to the output (8) for controlling the fan (13), and an optocoupler (10,9) for transferring an output signal from the temperature detecting circuit (20) to the fan control circuit (30) for generating the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: TDK-Lambda UK Limited
    Inventors: Quinn Kneller, Mark Saintey
  • Patent number: 11973463
    Abstract: An adaptor for adapting a solar electric generator and solar heater to a thermal storage device, the adaptor including a first port, a second port, a third port, a fourth port and a pump configured for receiving a fluid through the third port and pulling the fluid through the third port from a thermal storage device to the fourth port, wherein the first port and the fourth port are configured to be supplied on a first surface and the second port and third port are configured to be supplied on a second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Intellihot, Inc.
    Inventors: Sridhar Deivasigamani, Sivaprasad Akasam
  • Patent number: 11313999
    Abstract: An optical system is disclosed that can include a focal plane. The optical system can also include a primary mirror located in front of the focal plane and having a hole operable to allow light to pass through the primary mirror. The optical system can further include a secondary mirror located in front of the primary mirror and operable to direct light through the hole to the focal plane. The optical system can still further include an intermediate field baffle located at least partially in front of the focal plane. In addition, the optical system can include a shutter mechanism located in front of the baffle. An integrated baffle and shutter device is also disclosed that can include a shutter mechanism having a paddle and an actuator operable to selectively move the paddle between an open position that allows light past the shutter mechanism and a closed position that blocks light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Keith Carrigan, Robert L. Patterson, Jonathan Tong
  • Patent number: 11193691
    Abstract: This invention provides an electronic control for combination (fuel-fired boiler and electric heat pump) building space and water heating systems that optimizes operation of such within the operating temperature limits and heat capability of both the heat pump and boiler unit in the combination system. In a diagnostic mode, the controller assesses the ability of existing heat radiation systems in thermostatically controlled zones to meet heating loads at different operating temperature limits of the heat pump and boiler. The system/controller provides information to guide most effective deployment of system heat-dissipation devices. In its normal operating mode, the controller is capable of receiving input signals from zone thermostats, the boiler and heat pump, along with current outdoor temperature and other data, processing and evaluating inputs over time, and outputting control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Inventors: Eric C. Guyer, Mark J. Macaulay
  • Patent number: 11148503
    Abstract: An evaporator with a cool storage function includes a first refrigerant flow tube, a second refrigerant flow tube, a cold storage material container, and a heat conductor. The cold storage material container is provided between the first refrigerant flow tube and the second refrigerant flow tube. The heat conductor is provided in the cold storage material container. The heat conductor includes a base plate, first projections, and second projections. The base plate is apart from a first container wall and a second container wall of the cold storage material container. The first projections project from the base plate toward the first container wall to contact the first container wall. The second projections project from the base plate toward the second container wall to contact the second container wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: MAHLE Behr Thermal Systems (Japan) Company Limited
    Inventor: Osamu Kamoshida
  • Patent number: 10876740
    Abstract: A system of capturing waste heat includes a heat recovery unit (20) having a heat exchanger (35) arranged to transfer heat between a fluid circulating in a refrigerant loop (60) and a fluid circulating in a solar loop (70) and another heat exchanger (39) arranged to transfer heat between the fluid in the solar loop (70) and a fluid circulating in a water loop (50). Controllable first, second, and third three-way valves (V1-V3) provide or prevent, depending on fluid temperatures, an A-B, B-C, and A-C flow path through the valve. The first valve (V1) is arranged in the water loop (50) upstream of the second heat exchanger (39). The second (V2) is arranged in the solar loop (70) upstream of the second heat exchanger (39). The third valve (V3) is arranged in the solar loop (70) between the first and second heat exchangers (35, 39).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Inventor: Timothy Michael Graboski
  • Patent number: 10859066
    Abstract: A Sub-Terrestrial Updraft Tower-STUT, combination subsurface Downdraft/Updraft Tower, comprising an Inner Updraft Shaft and Outer Downdraft Shaft, housing the Inner Updraft Shaft, receiving air flow from air-inlets at surface level into Outer Downdraft Shaft. Upon reaching the bottom of the Outer Downdraft Shaft, air flow reverses in direction, inward and upward, into the Inner Updraft Shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: PowerSILO Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney Nash
  • Patent number: 10712048
    Abstract: A molten salt central receiver arrangement for transferring heat from panels to a molten salt that flows through the panels. A control device allows to change the condition of at least one of the panel arrangements of the molten salt central receiver arrangement depending on at least an operating parameter of at least one panel and/or depending on an environment signal that characterizes the actual or forecast available heat for the heat transfer to the molten salt. In normal operation passes, each having one or more panels, are connected in series such that molten salt flows in a serpentine or alternating way upward and downward through subsequent passes. In a parallel flow condition, molten salt may flow upward through all of the panels in parallel. In a drain condition, the molten salt is forced out of one or more panels and replaced by compressed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbH
    Inventors: John David McGrane, Pedro Israel Inigo, Apurba Kumar Das, Rahul Jayant Terdalkar, Abhinaya Joshi, Michael M. Clark, Joseph W. Quinn, Gary Pashko, Robert Derosa
  • Patent number: 10598392
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a solar energy system. The solar energy system comprises a solar collector for providing energy generated from incident solar radiation. The system comprises a first heat exchange system comprising an ejector that is arranged to operate using at least a portion of the energy provided by the solar energy collector. Further, the system comprises a second heat exchange system arranged to operate using energy from an energy source other than a source of solar source. The solar energy system is arranged for direct or indirect transfer of thermal energy between the first heat exchange system and a region and between the second heat exchange system and the region. Further, the solar energy system is arranged for direct or indirect transfer of thermal energy from the second heat exchange system for use by at least one of: the first heat exchange system and a system for heating water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Endless Solar Corporation LTD
    Inventor: Michael Dennis
  • Patent number: 10451325
    Abstract: Operation of a transcritical refrigerant vapor compression system is controlled, when operating in a high capacity mode, through control of the refrigerant pressure in the refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger (40) or the compressor (30) discharge pressure, also referred to herein as the high side pressure, so as to optimize energy efficiency. When operating in unloaded low capacity mode, such as for chilling perishable product during temperature maintenance operation, the high side pressure is controlled so that the system can operate in a continuous running mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jian Sun, Lucy Yi Liu
  • Patent number: 10337772
    Abstract: Provided is an hybrid solar heat absorption cooling system comprising: an absorption refrigerator; a solar heat steam generator configured to generate steam using solar heat; a daytime steam supplying unit configured to supply steam generated by the solar heat steam generator during the day as a heat source for the absorption refrigerator; a daytime hot water storage tank configured to store hot water discharged from the absorption refrigerator during the day; a nighttime hot water supplying unit configured to supply hot water stored in the daytime hot water storage tank during the night as a heat source for the absorption refrigerator; a nighttime hot water storage tank configured to store hot water discharged from the absorption refrigerator during the night; and a daytime hot water supplying unit configured to supply hot water stored in the nighttime hot water storage tank during the day to the solar heat steam generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Jong Kyu Kim, Yong Heack Kang, Hyun Jin Lee, Sang Nam Lee
  • Patent number: 10314139
    Abstract: A lighting control system for optimizing operation of skylights of distributed sites to facilitate daylight harvesting comprises a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor. The memory stores processor instructions, which causes the processor to identify skylight-linked lighting circuits from a plurality of lighting circuits by analyzing site configuration data, site instrumentation data, and ambient data, and determine interception points configured for each identified skylight-linked lighting circuit to switch from daylight utilization to electric consumption and to switch from electric consumption to daylight utilization. The processor is further caused to derive an optimum logic for the operation of skylight linked lighting circuits based on the interception points and current operating schedule of the skylight linked lighting circuits and optimize the operation of the skylights based on the optimum logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Prabhu Raja Subbarayalu Venkitapathi, Jasmine Singh, Subhasis Mandal, Baijayanta Nath
  • Patent number: 10184695
    Abstract: A heat source unit has a capacity-variable heat source-side compressor and a heat source-side heat exchanger which functions as a radiator of refrigerant. Usage units are connected to the heat source unit and have usage-side heat exchangers, respectively, which function as evaporators of refrigerant and cool an aqueous medium. An operating capacity controller controls the capacity of the heat source-side compressor so that evaporation temperature of refrigerant of each of the usage-side heat exchangers reaches a first target evaporation temperature. A decision unit calculates second target evaporation temperatures at which outlet temperatures of the aqueous medium in the usage-side heat exchangers of the respective operating usage units reach predetermined set temperatures, and decides a minimum value of the second target evaporation temperatures as the first target evaporation temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignees: Daikin Industries, Ltd., DAIKIN EUROPE N.V.
    Inventor: Masahiro Honda
  • Patent number: 9896347
    Abstract: A method for performing pasteurization cycles in a hot water system according to a time-temperature profile is provided. The hot water system includes a plurality of temperature sensors configured to measure temperatures of at least one fluid in the hot water system. The time-temperature profile is stored. A predefined modification criteria is stored. Fluid temperature data associated with the plurality of temperature sensors is determined. A determination is made whether the fluid temperature data meets a predefined modification criteria. The time-time temperature profile for performing a next pasteurization cycle is modified based at least in part on the determination that the fluid temperature data meets the predefined modification criteria. The next pasteurization cycle is performed in accordance with the modified time-temperature profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: SolarLogic, LLC
    Inventors: Bristol Stickney, Fredric Milder
  • Patent number: 9890314
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to solar water heaters, in particular to solar water heaters using glass vacuum tubes as both solar energy collector and thermal energy storage device, without a hot water storage tank. To improve the efficiency of thermal energy storage, a novel medium for thermal energy storage is disclosed, which utilizes the heat of solution of aluminum sulphate, comprising water and 40% to 47% of Al2(SO4)3. The working temperature range of such energy storage medium is between 50° C. and 100° C. The energy storage medium is contained in plastic capsules, submerged in water and placed in glass vacuum tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventor: Chengjun Julian Chen
  • Patent number: 9791180
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the heat medium sent from each of the intermediate heat exchangers to each of the use-side heat exchangers, and a temperature of the heat medium that has exited each of the use-side heat exchangers, an opening degree controller for regulating a flow rate of the heat medium through each of the heat medium flow control devices, and a computing unit for computing a usage capacity of each of the indoor units from a rotation speed of the pump, an opening degree of each of the heat medium flow control devices, temperatures detected by the temperature sensors, and power consumption of each of the indoor units, and proportionally dividing the power consumption for a common portion among each of the indoor units based on the computed usage capacity and the power consumption of the common portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Shimamoto, Osamu Morimoto, Takayoshi Honda, Koji Azuma, Koji Nishioka
  • Patent number: 9739507
    Abstract: The present invention limits fluid temperature at a point in a fluidic system to below a predetermined temperature by cooling the fluid when needed and without requiring a separate cold fluid source. The present invention “clips” the temperature of the fluid at a point in the system to within a temperature range and prevents overcooling the fluid. When the fluid temperature is below the temperature range, the temperature of the fluid is unchanged as it passes through the apparatus of the present invention. The present invention may operate without external power, can function in any orientation, and works for unpressurized and pressurized systems. The present invention has application in the areas of solar thermal energy systems, fluid tanks, engine oil and coolant systems, transmission fluid systems, hydraulic systems, machining fluid systems, cutting fluid systems, nuclear reactors and chemical reactors, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas Richard Wehner
  • Patent number: 9732312
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for feeding gases or gas mixtures into a liquid, suspension, or emulsion in a reactor in a specific manner. According to the invention, gases or gas mixtures are fed into a liquid, suspension, or emulsion in a reactor in a specific manner, wherein the gas or gas mixture is fed in a specific amount and/or at defined points in time in one pulse as a gas bubble into a flowing liquid in a tilted reactor system, whereby a pulsation effect is obtained, wherein a driving force is produced by means of an adiabatic relaxation of the fed-in gas or gas mixture, by means of which driving force wall adhesions on the reactor are prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Gicon Grossmann Ingenieur Consult GmbH
    Inventors: Fritz Cotta, Jochen Grossmann, Martin Matschke, Andreas Koetz
  • Patent number: 9631846
    Abstract: A seasonal thermal energy storage system for heat supply and removal, including an energy-storage device, a solar collector, a refrigerating unit, and a water supply device in closed-loop connection to a user terminal. The energy-storage device includes at least a heat source storage pond and a cold source storage pond. The heat source storage pond and the cold source storage pond are connected to water source via first water pumps. The water supply device includes a hot water supply pool connected to the heat source storage pond and a cold water supply pool connected to the cold source storage pond. The solar collector is connected to the heat source storage pond and the hot water supply pool via second water pumps. The refrigerating unit is connected to the hot water supply pool and the cold water supply pool via third water pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: SUNSHINE KAIDI NEW ENERGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yilong Chen, Shuchuan Hu
  • Patent number: 9382815
    Abstract: A power generating system includes a flow dividing structure, a first detector, a flow dividing adjusting valve, a heat accumulator, a heat exchanger and a turbine. The flow dividing structure divides a first heat medium into a first flow path and a second flow path. The first detector detects a flow rate of the first heat medium. The flow dividing adjusting valve opens the second flow path when the flow rate of the first heat medium exceeds a predetermined value. The heat accumulator accumulates the first heat medium via the second flow path and delivers the first heat medium at a temporally leveled flow rate. The heat exchanger transfers heat from the first heat medium to a second heat medium having a lower boiling point than the first heat medium. The turbine rotationally moves by the second heat medium with heat having been transferred by the heat exchanging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Mohammad Ashari Hadianto, Mikhail Rodionov, Nobuo Okita, Akihiro Taniguchi, Katsuya Yamashita, Osamu Furuya, Kazuo Takahata, Mikio Takayanagi
  • Patent number: 9353969
    Abstract: A water tank may include an inner tank and a condenser. The condenser may have a liquid inlet tube, a liquid outlet tube, first and second condensing tubes wound around respectively an outer wall of an upper and lower part of the inner tank, first ends of the first and second condensing tubes being in fluid communication with the second end of the liquid inlet tube, and a third condensing tube wound around an outer wall of a bottom part of the inner tank beneath the lower part. A first end of the third condensing tube may be in fluid communication with second ends of the first and second condensing tubes respectively. A second end of the third condensing tube may be in fluid communication with a first end of the liquid outlet tube. A heat pump water heater comprising the water tank may be further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignees: GD MIDEA HEATING & VENTILATING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mingwen Luo
  • Patent number: 9322573
    Abstract: A solar receiver, particularly of the type for parabolic linear solar concentrators comprising a receiver tube, for the circulation of a heat transfer fluid, which is supported in a longitudinally adaptable manner in a shell that comprises a shielding body provided with a longitudinal slit, and at least one lens for closing the slit, which is permeable to the solar radiation that during use is reflected toward the receiver tube by a concentrator mirror, with which the shell is associated during use. Between the receiver tube and the shell an annular chamber is provided, which contains a preselected thermally insulating gas, at an operating pressure substantially comprised between 1 mbar and 31 mbar, the preselected gas having a thermal conductivity of substantially less than 0.01 W/mK at the operating temperature at the operating pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: RONDA HIGH TECH SRL
    Inventors: Tancredi Simonetti, Piero Salinari, Giovanni Ronda
  • Patent number: 9285144
    Abstract: An economizer for a solar powered intermittent absorption refrigeration system improves the coefficient of performance of the refrigeration system. The economizer recovers waste energy rejected by an absorber during an absorption process, stores the waste energy, and supplies the waste energy to a generator during a generation process, thereby reducing the amount of energy input needed to operate the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Syed Ahmed Mohammad Said, Muhammad Umar Siddiqui
  • Patent number: 9261542
    Abstract: Measured efficiency of an air conditioner or heat pump system is needed to accurately evaluate the economics of operating the system to provide a known amount of cooling. Significant degradation of air-conditioner and or heat pump components increases the operating cost by lowering the capacity of the system and/or increasing the power consumption. The invention provides measurement of the energy efficiency of any operating DX cooling, refrigeration, or heating unit, expressed in standard units by measuring the cooling or heating capacity and the power usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Advantek Consulting Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Kenneth West
  • Patent number: 9146039
    Abstract: An energy generation system comprises: (i) a first system comprising an electrical generator for converting at least a portion of solar energy into electrical energy; and (ii) a second system, in thermal contact with said first system by means of a device for transferring heat energy from said first system to said second system. The second system comprises a device for converting at least a portion of heat energy from said second system, into electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Flint Engineering Limited
    Inventor: Stephen Patrick Lester
  • Patent number: 8857426
    Abstract: Insulated solar panels provide that provide a solar thermal collector with means for limiting stagnation temperatures and preventing damage include: temperature limiting is provided by the insulated solar panel, isolating internal components from the environment, using passive closed systems within the sealed solar thermal collector, while also allowing alternative implementations as active systems and/or portions of the temperature limiting system outside the sealed solar thermal collector. A heat pipe can be used as a passive thermal switch, where the temperature induced action at a predetermined temperature causes an abrupt transition from a state of thermal isolation to a state of strong thermal coupling. Additionally, a set of siphon circulation pipes provides a passive closed system for temperature limiting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Tigi Ltd.
    Inventors: Shimon Klier, Zvika Klier, Michael Adel, Royi Efron
  • Publication number: 20140283815
    Abstract: A solar collector is made primarily of plastic materials. A wide variety of collector configurations may be made from similar parts, and thus the collector may be adapted to mount in locations where traditional flat panel collectors may not be feasible. The collector may conveniently be used with a nanofluid as the heat transfer fluid, to increase the heat transfer characteristics of the heat transfer fluid. A control system for stagnation remediation, freeze protection, or both may be utilized. For example, when the collector is in danger for stagnation or freezing, water may be circulated through a ground coupled heat exchange loop to cool or heat the collector. Preferably, the stagnation remediation mode does not sacrifice thermal energy previously collected and stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Watts Thermoelectric, LLC
    Inventor: Phillip C. Watts
  • Patent number: 8757142
    Abstract: A solar collector, comprising: (a) a plurality of thermosiphon tubes in which water flows, each tube having a top opening and a bottom opening; (b) a top manifold having a water inlet and water outlet and disposed at the top opening of the tubes, providing both a water feed into at least one of the plurality of tubes and a water exit from the rest of the tubes; and (c) a bottom basin connecting the bottom openings of the tubes. In some embodiments the plurality of tubes are divided into at least one inlet tube and the rest as outlet tubes by a stopper disposed in the top manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventors: Shlomo Gabbay, Abad Luis
  • Patent number: 8671932
    Abstract: In order to provide a method of operating a solar thermal power plant, in which a heat transfer medium is evaporated endothermally by solar radiation in an evaporator section, wherein the evaporator section comprises a plurality of evaporator branches, among which the heat transfer medium is distributed, in which method non-uniform radiation conditions of the evaporator section may be effectively taken into consideration, it is provided that the mass flow distribution at the evaporator section is controlled, wherein the mass flows are adjusted individually at all or a majority of the evaporator branches and a controlled variable is a variable characterizing a spatial energy rise in a respective evaporator branch in a region of the evaporator branch where the heat transfer medium has not yet evaporated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventors: Markus Eck, Tobias Hirsch
  • Publication number: 20130213455
    Abstract: A hybrid solar collector is disclosed having a passive solar collector unit and active photovoltaic panels. The inclination angle of the photovoltaic panels is optimized by linking the panels to the passive unit and its associated tracking controls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: MATALON ENERGY, LLC
    Inventor: David Matalon
  • Patent number: 8511296
    Abstract: Solar heating systems are provided which utilize an integrated fixture for transferring heat from a solar collector to a lower-temperature loop, e.g. a domestic hot water system or radiant heating system. The fixture provides a heat exchanger for transferring heat from the solar collector to the lower temperature loop. The fixture may also include a casting, in which are formed solar collector supply and return ports, lower temperature supply and return ports, a solar collector pump volute, and a lower temperature pump volute. The systems also include two pumps, and a temperature optimization control that varies the speed of at least one of the pumps depending on the temperature of the liquid in the solar collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Taco Inc.
    Inventor: David Sweet
  • Publication number: 20130112188
    Abstract: Embodiments of a solar reflector assembly and methods of controlling a solar reflector assembly are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventor: Glenn A. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 8426721
    Abstract: A photovoltaic receiver comprising an elongated structure bearing a plurality of photovoltaic cells. Said structure carries a plurality of finned dissipators, mounted on which are said photovoltaic cells, and ventilating means, designed to convey a flow of cooling air towards said dissipators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Savio S.p.A.
    Inventors: Aimone Balbo Di Vinadio, Mario Palazzetti
  • Patent number: 8371287
    Abstract: The solar collector-reflector system includes at least one modular solar panel arranged singly or in an array, each solar panel having a solar collector-reflector assembly, a driver for selective collection or reflection of solar energy, attachment assembly, mounting assembly, ducting and a controller for controlling the solar energy collection and reflection configuration based on the sensed differential temperature between the solar panel or array and a dwelling set temperature. The solar collector-reflector assembly has surfaces that either collect or reflect solar energy, and the solar collector-reflector system utilizes air-to-air heat transfer to provide additional heating to an existing ducting system in the dwelling or reflect solar flux from the roof, thereby reducing heating and cooling energy consumption and costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Lewis W. Fleischmann
  • Publication number: 20130019858
    Abstract: A non electric, temperature controlled system for passing or bypassing a solar water heating apparatus includes a temperature controlled water distribution valve directing water to flow from a main supply of water toward a user depending on the setting and configuration of the temperature controlled water distribution valve within the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: Jeff Wieland
    Inventor: Jeff Wieland
  • Publication number: 20130014508
    Abstract: Methods and systems for aiming heliostats toward a receiver. One of the methods includes directing a first subset of a set of heliostats to reflect solar rays toward a first location within an aperture of a receiver and directing a second subset of the set of heliostats to reflect solar rays toward one or more second locations within the aperture of the receiver. The solar rays reflected toward the first location provide solar heat to at least a first flow path of a working fluid in an engine assembly coupled to the receiver. The solar rays reflected toward the one or more second locations provide solar heat to a second flow path of the working fluid. The first and second flow paths correspond to heating at first and second stages respectively within the engine assembly, which is configured to generate power from the solar rays reflected to the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventor: Alec Brooks
  • Publication number: 20120266864
    Abstract: A solar water heating arrangement comprising a solar water heating element and a hot water storage vessel having a heat insulated internal volume for storage of hot water for use by a user and conduits linking them to form a fluid circulation loop is improved by providing a further, intermediate storage tank linked to the solar water heating arrangement to form another fluid circulation loop whereby the flow of fluid from the solar water heating element to the hot water storage vessel and the intermediate storage tank through the respective fluid circulation loops may be controlled for enhanced heat capture efficiency and heat storage management.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventor: Alan Derek Wright
  • Publication number: 20120210999
    Abstract: A solar heating system for a hot water heater. The system has at least one solar heating unit that heats water contained therein and is fluidly connected to a water storage tank. The water storage tank is enclosed underneath the surface of the earth and is fluidly connected to the hot water heater in order to provide hot water to the hot water heater. An active over-heat protection system for the heating panels that tilts away from the sun when heating isn't needed. An active system that maintains proper water temperature in the storage tank during use of hot water and during reheating of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: James E. Straeter
  • Patent number: 8235034
    Abstract: A system including a solar heat collector and a heat receiving structure has a supply conduit extending through an airspace within the solar heat collector, to the heat receiving structure, and into the heat receiving structure. A temperature sensor within the airspace of the solar heat collector measures a temperature within the airspace of the solar heat collector and turns an air pump on to move air through the supply conduit it this temperature is too high. This air may be exhausted through a bypass valve instead of being pumped into the heat receiving structure. The heat receiving structure may include a pool with water heated by bubbles of hot air from the supply conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: B. Michael Flaherty
  • Patent number: 8210163
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a semi-cylindrical solar collecting apparatus for a solar boiler that is provided with a plurality of solar collecting plates having a semi-cylindrical shape, thereby greatly enhancing solar collecting efficiencies, and that connects a plurality of heat-exchanging pipes adapted to be heated by the plurality of solar collecting plates with an underground heat-exchanging pipe by means of auxiliary pipes, such that water is circulated well by means of a circulation pump, thereby completely solving the frozen and burst problems of the heat-exchanging pipes and circulation pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventor: Insig Seong
  • Patent number: 8201553
    Abstract: A solar hot water system is provided, comprising an ambient temperature sensor, a controller, a valve, a water storage tank, having an inlet and an outlet, and at least a first solar panel, having an inlet in fluid communication with the water storage tank outlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the water storage tank inlet. When the temperature sensor indicates to the controller that the ambient temperature is above a predetermined level, the controller controls the valve to direct flow from the water storage tank outlet to the solar panel inlet and from the solar panel outlet to the water storage tank inlet. When the temperature sensor indicates to the controller that the ambient temperature is below a predetermined level, the controller controls the valve to direct flow from the solar panel inlet to the valve and so to atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Dux Manufacturing Limited
    Inventor: Patrick Pussell
  • Publication number: 20120048259
    Abstract: The solar installation (10) according to the invention having a collector array (K) and a heat storage container (20) has a drain-back holding device (24) which is integrated with a heat exchanger (22), which is located in the container (20), in that its upper area has an expansion and return volume. It is preferably in the form of an integral pipe coil (R), which is a smooth-pipe helix with a uniform gradient. Furthermore, a second heat exchanger (34) can be arranged, coaxially with respect to it. The pipe coil (R) has means, at least in the lower area, for reducing the free flow cross section in the pipe interior (32), specifically cylindrical or profiled, fixed or moving filling bodies (30) which, for example, are individual bodies, which are closed at the end, with a standard form which promotes swirling, and/or which may be composed of a material of high thermal capacity, such as steel, stone, ceramic or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Wagner & Co., Solartechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Wagner, Thomas Schabbach
  • Patent number: 8118135
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a photovoltaic soundproof wall having a plurality of soundproof members each formed by surrounding the edge portions of two transparent sheets with a main frame and a plurality of posts adapted to mount the plurality of soundproof members therebetween, the photovoltaic soundproof wall including: a subframe disposed inside the main frame; a motor disposed inside the subframe for rotating a drive shaft rotatably mounted inside the subframe; a power transmission unit adapted to transmit the rotary force of the motor; a plurality of slats spaced apart from each other vertically between the two transparent sheets in such a manner as to be moved collectively by the power transmitted from the power transmission unit; and a plurality of solar cells attached to the top surface of each of the plurality of slats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventor: Jae Sung Park
  • Publication number: 20110308512
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for controlling arrays of solar thermal energy collectors. Rows of the array are actuated sequentially or consecutively rather than concurrently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: SOPOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Keiichi Nakasato, Kip H. Dopp, Jason Wayne Forester
  • Publication number: 20110283993
    Abstract: A water heater includes: an inner tank having an internal cavity configured to hold water therein; a heating device residing in the internal cavity; an outer lining that surrounds the inner tank, a gap being present between the outer lining and the inner tank; and insulation material located in the gap. The gap is under a vacuum of between about 5 and 200 microns. In this configuration, the water heater can have an R value in excess of 500. With this level of insulative capacity, water stored in the water heater may lose only 2° F. or less over a 24 hour period, thereby substantially outperforming conventional water heaters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rex Winegar, James Steven Payne, William Robert Jones
  • Patent number: 8037931
    Abstract: A hybrid heating apparatus heats potable water with waste heat from heat recovery units and insolation from solar collectors. A single circulation pump circulates fluid between at least one heat exchanger and each of the heat recovery units and preferably the solar collector. A single controller receives sensor readings from the heat recovery units and the solar collector units and receives a demand to heat the potable water. To satisfy the demand, the controller determines the extent to which the demand may be satisfied from heat available from the heat recovery units and the solar collector units and sends command signals both to the circulating pump to circulate the fluid and to appropriate ones of valves at connections to those heat recovery units and solar collector units to allow fluid to circulate to be heated to flow to the heat exchanger for effecting heat exchange to heat the potable water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Inventors: Krassimire Mihaylov Penev, Gordon Patrick Whelan
  • Patent number: 8040609
    Abstract: A self-adjusting solar light transmission (daylighting) apparatus includes a sunlight concentrating member (e.g., a lens array) for concentrating direct sunlight in focal zone regions disposed inside a sheet containing an evenly-distributed stimuli-responsive material (SRM) that has a relatively high transparency state in the absence of concentrated sunlight, and changes to a relatively opaque (light scattering or absorbing) state in small portions located in the focal zone regions in response to concentrated direct sunlight. Thereby, 80% or more of direct sunlight is prevented from passing through the apparatus, but 80% or more of diffuse light is passed. The outer sheet surfaces are locally parallel (e.g., planar) such that sunlight scattered by the light-scattering SRM portions is transmitted by total internal reflection through the remaining transparent sheet material, and outcoupled to one or more optional solar energy absorbing structures (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Philipp H. Schmaelzle, Gregory L. Whiting, Joerg Martini, David K. Fork, Patrick Y. Maeda
  • Publication number: 20110180056
    Abstract: A water valve device includes: a valve unit having an input port for receiving solar heated water from a solar water heating system, a first output port connected to a cold water inlet of a water heating device using non-solar energy, and a second output port; a temperature sensor for sensing temperature of water flowing through the input port of the valve unit to generate a temperature sensing signal corresponding to the temperature; and a controller controlling, based on the temperature sensing signal from the temperature sensor, the valve unit to operate in a first state, where the input port is in fluid communication with the first output port, when the temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature, or in a second state, where the input port is in fluid communication with the second output port, when the temperature is not lower than the predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventor: Hsiang-Nan Wang
  • Publication number: 20110168162
    Abstract: A relatively simple, inexpensive, and easily manufactured device for accurately tracking the daily and seasonal movement of the sun anywhere, and in any climate, without the need for human and/or computer intervention. This sun tracker can be made to any size, out of common materials, and using standard assembly line techniques. Said sun tracker can be installed for any application by an unskilled person. Once installed, it will use a simple electro-mechanical configuration instead of a complex mechanical or costly computer control, as all prior art required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Bryan David Rogers
  • Publication number: 20110168163
    Abstract: The present invention describes enhancement of non-solar water heating systems (such as systems that operate on gas, diesel fuel, or electricity energy) to work with solar heating panel as well. The retrofitable system addresses the need to provide a simple to install, cheap, and clean add-on solar panel and parts to existing non-solar based heating systems. The hot water extracted from the system has homogeneous temperature, and when water is not taken from the system the hot water are being collected in the existing boiler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Asher Ben Shlomo