SOLAR POWERED HEATER

Abstract

A solar powered heater system includes a water heater located within an insulated closet or container along with a heater located internal to the closet that is configured to regulate an elevated air temperature around the water tank. The system includes a solar panel to generate the energy to power the heater. A controller is used to regulate the energy and optimize performance of the heater in the closet near the water heater. The system is used to heat the air around the water heater to minimize losses and inefficiencies found within water heaters and to allow the system to simply operate with any style water heater.

Claims

1. A solar powered heater, comprising: a water heater; a solar panel configured to capture solar energy; a controller in communication with the solar panel to receive the solar energy and convert it to usable electrical energy; and a heater coupled to the controller and configured to receive electrical energy to generate heat in air adjacent to the water heater, the heater configured to maintain an elevated air temperature around the water heater to minimize energy losses from the water heater.

2. The heater of claim 1, wherein the controller is separated from the heater so as to be exposed to different air environments.

3. The heater of claim 1, further comprising: a power supply coupled to the controller to provide electrical power as the solar panel fails to produce sufficient energy.

4. The heater of claim 1, further comprising: a control unit coupled to the controller configured to help regulate performance of the heater and collect data from the air environment around the heater.

5. The heater of claim 4, further comprising: a power supply coupled to the controller to provide electrical power as the solar panel fails to produce sufficient energy.

6. A solar powered heater system, comprising: a water heater; an insulated closet; a solar panel configured to capture solar energy; a controller in communication with the solar panel to receive the solar energy and convert it to usable electrical energy; and a heater coupled to the controller and configured to receive electrical energy to generate heat in air adjacent to the water heater, the heater configured to maintain an elevated air temperature around the water heater to minimize energy losses from the water heater.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the controller is external to the insulated closet.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the controller is internal to the insulated closet.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the controller is coupled to the water heater.

10. The system of claim 6, further comprising: a power supply coupled to the controller to provide electrical power as the solar panel fails to produce sufficient energy.

11. The system of claim 6, further comprising: a control unit coupled to the controller configured to help regulate performance of the heater and collect data from the air environment around the heater.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising: a power supply coupled to the controller to provide electrical power as the solar panel fails to produce sufficient energy.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the control unit is internal to the insulated closet.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the controller serves as a Master controller with a plurality of control units as slave.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The novel features believed characteristic of the application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the application itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a solar powered heater according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a front view of the solar powered heater of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 3 is an alternate perspective view of the solar powered heater of FIG. 1 showing a partial section view of a closet.

[0017] While the embodiments and method of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the application to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the process of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Illustrative embodiments of the preferred embodiment are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0019] In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present application, the devices, members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the embodiments described herein may be oriented in any desired direction.

[0020] The embodiments and method will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the assembly may be presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless otherwise described.

[0021] Referring now to the Figures wherein, like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements in form and function throughout the several views. The following Figures describe embodiments of the present application and its associated features. With reference now to the Figures, embodiments of the present application are herein described. It should be noted that the articles a, an, and the, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0022] The solar powered heater of the present application is configured to address the persistent challenges of traditional water heating systems. This innovative product heats air surrounding a water heater within a closet to maintain a relatively constant interior temperature. The source of power is solar power, eliminating the need for energy-draining cyclic heating. The solar powered heater can be equipped with a variety of heat generating components, collectively providing a maximum of 100 watts to the sensible air heating process, for example.

[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3 in the drawings, a solar powered heater assembly is illustrated. The solar powered heater assembly of the present application is configured to isolate and selectively heat a layer or volume of air surrounding a water heater. The heating effect is generated through the use of solar powered technology. Isolation of the water heater to a defined volume may be accomplished by incorporating the water heater within a closet or other insulated structure.

[0024] Multiple Slave units may be used with a single Master unit for close temperature control. Notably, changing the temperature of a pound of air is approximately four times easier than changing the temperature of a pound of water. This design consideration allows for compliance with NFPA 70, Class 2 circuits. The Slave version of the invention relies on the thermal characteristics of the water heater closet and the water heater itself, while maintaining a generally constant interior air temperature. This version requires insulation of the water heater closet to achieve air temperatures close to the stored hot water temperatures. The system is sensitive to various thermal variables, such as solar panel performance and hot water usage. It includes a high-temperature cutout switch for safety, automatically resetting around 115 F. for example. The more expensive version, Master, replaces the high-temperature cutout switch with a temperature controller, providing more precise temperature control. The Master temperature control is integrally mounted on the heater assembly but can be mounted remotely for convenience. Both the Master and Slave kits are compatible with solar-assisted battery backup systems.

[0025] Assembly 101 includes the location of a water heater 103 within a closet 105. It is understood that closet 105 is insulated and may be sized so as to surround the exterior of water heater 103 but is not limited to a particular defined interior volume. It may be a container or be a combination of insulated walls surrounding water heater 103. Assembly 101 is configured to include solar panels 107 that are coupled to solar heaters 109. Solar panels 107 are high quality arrays configured to produce electrical energy from the rays of the sun. Electrical energy is then regulated and captured through one or more electrical components and provided as needed to solar heaters 109.

[0026] Solar heaters 109 are located ideally within closet 105 and are configured to increase the air temperature around water heater 103. Solar power heater 109 minimizes heat loss from the hot water storage tank by using solar energy to heat the air surrounding water heater 103. Heaters 109 may include thermal sensors and controls to constantly monitor air temperature and regulate on/off performance. Ideally heater 109 along with its sensors and controls respond solely to the air temperatures within closet 105. Heaters 109 may include a splice box for solar panel leads. These help to streamline the installation process. So may be installed on any external location suitable for receiving solar rays from the sun.

[0027] Controller 111 is externally mounted to closet 105 and is configured to regulate a temperature limit for heaters 109 at a predetermined temperature. An example limit may be that of approximately 135 F. Switch 111 is configured to automatically reset at lower temperatures. Controller 111 is ideally operative in a Slave version. In Master versions, such that controller 111 may be incorporated within closet 105 on water heater 103. It is understood that controller 111 may incorporate control units 108 that are located internally within the defined internal volume of closet 105. This may include other sensors and controls to monitor and regulate the temperature inside the closet 105. Such sensors may be integrated with controls that activate or deactivate the solar heating kits as needed so as to ensure efficient and automated operation. As depicted in the drawings, controller 111 is separated from heater 109 by an insulated wall of closet 105 such that controller 111 and heater 109 are exposed to different air environments, those being outside unheated air and internal closet heated air.

[0028] Assembly 101 may also include a power source 106 or power supply. An optional battery backup power supply is optional and may be used to help ensure temperature optimization during evening hours. Controller 111 and other sensors and devices may be used to selectively divert electrical energy captured through panels 107 to a power supply so as to automatically ensure full charge.

[0029] As seen in particular with FIG. 3 in the drawings, closet 105 is partially cut away to see the wall and floor infrastructure. Closet 105 is configured to be an insulated container configured to surround water heater 103. Assembly 101 is most efficient when gaps are eliminated thereby minimizing heat transfer losses escaping the interior volume. Closet 105 is not limited to insulation 113 of a particular type. It is understood that the better quality and thickness of insulation used allows assembly 101 to be more efficient and effective.

[0030] It is understood that assembly 101 incorporates many different parts wherein those parts may be provided through or obtained via other presently operated systems. Assembly 101 may be obtained or purchased as a kit including the essential components such as an electric heater assembly that is responsible for converting and transferring the sun's energy to the water heater closet. Water heater 103 may be already within a user's home. It is also not uncommon to have them surrounded by a closet or other structure. Furthermore heater 109 may utilize any number of different heat generating components and materials such as electric resistance wire, resistors, light bulbs, and so forth. The kits may include array 107 as well as water heater 103 and the associated switches, controls, and other hardware to generate heat. Assembly 101 is configured to ensure that air inside the defined closet space maintains A desired temperature without the need for excessive heating.

[0031] Assembly 101 revolutionizes water heating by reducing energy costs and environmental impact, while simultaneously ensuring hot water availability. By harnessing the power of solar energy through panels 107, this system not only delivers substantial savings for homeowners but also promotes sustainability, making solar water heating a viable and environmentally friendly choice. The Solar-Powered Heaters hold the potential to save billions in energy costs, revolutionizing water heating in millions of homes.

[0032] Listed Water heaters are considered protected if installed in accordance with their listing and labeling requirements. Operation of listed storage type water heaters does not change as a result of installation of the solar powered heater. Subsequently, application of the solar powered heater will benefit both older and newer state-of-the-art water heaters with storage tanks.

[0033] The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the application may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. It is apparent that an application with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. Although the present application is shown in a limited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.