Closed pressurized solar heating system with automatic solar collector drain-down

Patent · Mon Dec 08 23:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:6509786

Embree, J M

A closed pressurized solar heating system is described in which a solar collector is automatically drained of heat transport fluid independently of valve actuation or valve position. Undersized pipe return lines connect the solar collector to top, bottom and intermediate openings of a sump tank which is initially filled with the fluid, water, to a level between the top and intermediate openings. Drain-down automatically commences upon de-energization of a system pump, whereupon air from the top of the sump tank enters the pipe return line, breaking the vacuum existing within the flow path, and initiating fluid return to the sump tank. High flow rate embodiments with similarly automatic drain-down features are also disclosed. These embodiments employ flow diversion devices to divert fluid flow to undersized pipe return lines in communication with the sump tank during initial filling of the solar collector. After a predetermined time delay, fluid flow in the pipe return line is returned to oversized pipe sections which essentially bypass the sump tank and permit high flow rates.

• Assignee: Helios Corp
• Patent Number(s): US 4237862
• OSTI ID: 6509786
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140901* -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Space Heating & Cooling
141000 -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
CONTAINERS
DESIGN
DRAIN-DOWN SYSTEMS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS
HEATING SYSTEMS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PIPES
PUMPS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
TANKS
WATER