Abstract:
The tempering system using the solar collector (1) with the heat absorber (2), which is the part of the low pressure circuit of the heat pump (6) connected in such a way that the expansion valve (3) of the heat pump is placed at the inlet (8) of the heat absorber (2), and the outlet of the heat absorber is connected to the inlet of the heat pump (6), so the heat absorber works as the heat pump vaporizer. In the same time the solar collector is protected by internal or external blinds (7), and it is controlled by the own control system (14) which keeps desired temperature conditions in the system, and simultaneously it protects the whole system against damage at the extreme external conditions. If the solar collector (1) is included only in the secondary circuit of the heat pump (6), the heat transferring medium (17), preferably ethylene glycol, rather than the cooling agent (5), circulates in it.
Abstract:
A temperature sensor apparatus for a water storage apparatus in which an amount of hot water stored can be determined by the vertical position of a hot/cold water boundary, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of temperature sensors for installation at different height levels in the water storage apparatus, and a control unit, wherein the control unit is arranged to determine sensor location, in use, based on the order in which the sensors detect a temperature change during operation of the water storage apparatus.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for heating water in a domestic water heating system, that comprises the steps of: (a) providing a water tank containing mw liters of water; (b) providing at least one temperature sensing unit in said water tank for sensing the temperature of the water in the tank; (c) providing a heating element in said water tank; (d) providing a control unit for activating said heating element, said control unit continuously receiving indication for the water temperature from said temperature sensing unit; (e) providing to said control unit a desired water temperature, and designating a time for using the water at said desired temperature; (f) knowing the current water temperature, the desired water temperature at said designated time, the power of the heating element, and the specific heat of the water, calculating by the control unit the heating period &Dgr;t needed for heating the water in the tank from the current temperature as measured by said temperature sensing unit, to the desired temperature; (g) periodically repeating said calculation and updating said calculated period &Dgr;t according to changes in the sensed water temperature; and (h) when the designated usage time is approaching, activating the heating element a &Dgr;t period before the said designated period.
Abstract:
The invention provides a method of assessing remotely the temperature on the remote side of a barrier in the form of an insulated wall of a hot water cylinder (10), comprising applying to the near side (14) of the barrier a temperature measuring device (22) comprising a first temperature sensor (24) in contact with the near side of the barrier and a second temperature sensor (26) spaced from the first temperature sensor and separated therefrom by thermally insulating material (28), measuring the temperature (theta1) at the first temperature sensor and the temperature (theta2) at the second temperature sensor, and calculating from the measured temperature values the temperature (thetaU) on the remote side of the barrier, based on the thermal conductivity properties of the barrier (UB) and of the thermally insulating material of the temperature measuring device (UM). The invention also provides a hot water cylinder, a temperature measuring device for use with a hot water cylinder, and a kit of parts for retrofitting to a hot water cylinder.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods are provided for thermal energy metering by measuring the average temperature of fluid in a tank, such as a hot water storage tank. Average temperature is measured with an elongated temperature sensor spanning the vertical height of the tank. A controller collects measurements from the temperature sensor and computes changes in thermal energy, from which the system can more accurately attribute gains of thermal energy to sources such as thermal, electric, or gas production, or losses of thermal energy to ambient losses and consumption.
Abstract:
The tempering system using the solar collector (1) with the heat absorber (2), which is the part of the low pressure circuit of the heat pump (6) connected in such a way that the expansion valve (3) of the heat pump is placed at the inlet (8) of the heat absorber (2), and the outlet of the heat absorber is connected to the inlet of the heat pump (6), so the heat absorber works as the heat pump vaporizer. In the same time the solar collector is protected by internal or external blinds (7), and it is controlled by the own control system (14) which keeps desired temperature conditions in the system, and simultaneously it protects the whole system against damage at the extreme external conditions. If the solar collector (1) is included only in the secondary circuit of the heat pump (6), the heat transferring medium (17), preferably ethylene glycol, rather than the cooling agent (5), circulates in it.
Abstract:
A hot water system is provided that includes a solar field comprising one or more solar collectors through which water passes from an inlet to an outlet and is heated by solar radiation. The heated water is fed to a water storage tank arranged to receive the water from the outlets of the solar collectors via a return line and a water outlet at the base of the water storage tank. A circulation pump is connected to the water storage tank to receive water from the water outlet at the base of the water storage tank and to pump the water through a supply line to the inlets of the solar collectors. A bypass line is connected between the supply line and the return line. A non-return valve is arranged between the circulation pump and the point at which the bypass line connects to the supply line. The bypass line and the return line are selectively closable by one or more flow control valves, such that the return line is selectively closable between the outlets of the solar collectors and the section of the return line that is connected to the bypass line. The interconnections in the hot water system enable the drainage of hot water from the solar collectors into the water storage tank in case the solar field is taken out of operation.