Control System for Solar-Assisted Heat Pump System

摘要

A control system for a solar-assisted heating and cooling system including a solar collector system, a thermal storage system, a water-to-air heat pump, a water-to-air heat exchanger, a domestic water heater, and a cooling tower. The preferred embodiment of the controller of the present invention includes a first temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature of the collector fluid at the outlet of the solar collector system, a second temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature of the storage fluid at the thermal storage system, and a third temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature of the inlet water to the domestic water heater. The controller energizes or deenergizes a collector fluid circulation pump and activates valve means to circulate the collector fluid between the collector system and the thermal storage system or the domestic water heater based on the temperature of the three sensors to provide efficient operation of the solar energy collection process. The controller compares the temperature of the thermal storage fluid with three control temperatures which define four temperature ranges. The controller, based on the temperature range in which the temperature of the thermal storage fluid falls, whether the system is in the heating or cooling mode, and whether there is a demand for heating or cooling automatically controls the thermal storage system, the heat pump, the heat exchanger, the cooling tower, and the connections there-between to provide increased efficiency. (Author)