Enclosure Temperature Control System

摘要

An enclosure temperature control system utilizes a renewable power source and a thermal sink to reduce the overall power requirements from a power grid. A renewable power source, such as a solar panel may provide power that drives the components required to maintain the greenhouse temperature within upper and lower limits, including a HVAC system and/or a heat transfer system coupled with a thermal sink. The thermal sink includes a phase change material that releases heat when it solidifies and this heat can be used to heat the greenhouse. Likewise, the phase change material absorbs heat during the day to reduce the temperature within the greenhouse. A heat transfer system may be coupled with the phase change material and a solid conductor component within the tank of a phase change material may increase thermal transfer rate.

主权项

1. An enclosure temperature control system comprising:
a) an enclosure that defines an interior of said enclosure; b) a solar power source that creates renewable power from sunlight; c) an auxiliary temperature control system comprising:
i) a heater configured to heat the interior of said enclosure;ii) a cooler configured to cool the interior of said enclosure; d) a thermal sink comprising a phase change material; e) a control system comprising:
i) a power network, for delivering electrical power from the solar power source to the auxiliary temperature control system;ii) a computing device having a processor;iii) a temperature sensor that measures an enclosure temperature of the interior of said enclosure; wherein the control system is coupled with the auxiliary temperature control system and turns on the heater when the enclosure temperature drops below a lower threshold temperature and turns on the cooler when the enclosure temperature rises above an upper threshold temperature; and wherein the phase change material has a melting temperature between the lower threshold and upper threshold temperatures, and wherein the phase change material will freeze, and release a heat of fusion, to heat the interior of said enclosure when an outside temperature drops below the phase change material melting temperature.