PTC Heating Device and Method of Using Same

Abstract

A PTC heating device directly converts electrical energy in the form of a DC voltage of a photovoltaic module into heat. This heat may be introduced into a circuit in which at least one heat-emitting heat exchanger is integrated, for example, in the form of a radiator. The heat exchange may be located in or on a structure such as a building.

Claims

1. A PTC heating device, wherein the PTC heating device is configured to directly convert electrical energy in the form of a DC voltage of a photovoltaic module into heat.

2. The PTC heating device according to claim 2, wherein the PTC heating device comprises a thermally conductive heating chamber which is connected to a PTC element and which is integrated into a heating circuit of a building for heating a room or a facility of the building.

3. A device for the use of radiant energy from the sun, the device comprising: a photovoltaic module that is configured to be exposed to solar radiation and that is configured to convert the solar radiation into electrical energy; and a PTC heating device with a PTC element that is electrically connected directly to the photovoltaic module and that is connected to a heating chamber in a thermally conductive manner, wherein the heating chamber is integrated into a circuit of a heat transfer medium which is led via at least one heat-emitting heat exchanger.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the circuit is led via at least one heat-introducing heat exchanger.

5. The device according to claim 3, further comprising a disconnection device which disconnects the PTC element in the event of voltages outside a determinable operating voltage range.

6. A method for heating a structure, comprising: producing a DC voltage using a photovoltaic module; feeding the DC voltage to a PTC heating device with a PTC element that is connected to a heating chamber in a thermally conductive manner; transferring heat to the structure be circulating a heat transfer medium in a circuit passing through the heating chamber and at least one heat-emitting heat exchanger located in or on the structure.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the structure is a building, the circuit is a heating circuit of a building, and said heat-emitting heat exchanger is a radiator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Further advantages and details of the present invention shall arise from the following description of an embodiment in conjunction with the drawing, which in FIG. 1 shows schematically a device for the use of radiant energy from the sun for a heating circuit in a building.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The device shown in FIG. 1 is provided on and/or in a building 2 and comprises a photovoltaic module 4 which is mounted on the roof of the building 2, and a PTC heating device 6 which is arranged in the building 2 and electrically connected to the photovoltaic module 4. The photovoltaic module 4 and the PTC heating device are manufactured separately from one another and provided at a spatial distance from one another.

[0017] The PTC heating device 6 is separated into a connection chamber 8 and a heating chamber 10 which are separated from one another in a fluid-tight manner Three PTC elements 12 made of ceramic are arranged in the connection chamber 8, each of which is connected to a partition wall in a thermally conductive manner in a pocket-shaped recess in the partition wall between the connection chamber 8 and the heating chamber 10. The PTC elements 12 are electrically connected to the photovoltaic module and are energized with the direct voltage that the photovoltaic module 4 generates. The heat generated by the PTC elements 12 is transferred via the partition wall to a heat transfer medium, in particular water. The electrical output of the PTC heating device can be in a range between 1 KW and 5 KW.

[0018] Conductor tracks are typically provided on the outer side of the PTC elements 12 for introducing and discharging current into and out of the PTC elements 12. Electrical insulation with good thermal conductivity is typically provided between the walls of the pocket-shaped recesses of the partition wall and the conductor tracks. The conductor tracks and the electrical insulation are not shown in the schematic representation.

[0019] The heat transfer medium is led in a heating circuit 14 into which the PTC heating device 6 and two heat exchangers 16 configured as radiators are integrated. When circulating through the heating circuit 14, the heat transfer medium flows through the heating chamber 10 of the PTC heating device 6 where it takes up heat, and the heat exchanger 16 where it then gives off heat. Water can be used as the heat transfer medium. The heat exchanger 16 is not restricted to the radiator according to this embodiment. For example, it can also be integrated into underfloor heating or hot water preparation.

[0020] The PTC heating device 6 comprises a disconnection device 18 which disconnects the PTC elements 12 in the event of voltages outside a determinable operating voltage range. The determinable operating voltage range can be, for example, between 220 V to 500 V, between 220 V to 750 V, or between 220 V to 1000 V.