Water-heating system
US8096293B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 4, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jan 17, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 12, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B10/70
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A liquid-heating system has a solar energy collector exposed to solar radiation, a geothermal heat exchanger buried in the ground at a depth between 0.5 m and 5 m, a heater through which a liquid to be heated passes, and a heat pump having a sink side connected to the heater and a source side connected to the geothermal heat exchanger or to the solar energy collector. A first controller or valve setup connected to the heat collector can in one position connect the solar energy collector to the water heater such that heat collected by the solar energy collector is applied to the water heater. In another position it can connect the solar energy collector to the geothermal heat exchanger such that heat collected by the solar energy collector is applied to the ground surrounding the geothermal heat exchanger.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.