Solar thermal energy capture system with overheating protection and cold temperature bypass

摘要

A thermoregulation apparatus for a solar thermal energy capture system comprising a piping infrastructure in fluid communication with a fluid storage tank and one or more solar thermal energy collectors. The thermoregulation apparatus comprises: (i) a thermostatically actuated valve interposed the piping infrastructure downstream from the one or more solar energy collectors and upstream from the fluid storage tank, and (ii) piping for interconnecting the thermostatically actuated valve with the piping infrastructure, and the fluid storage tank. The thermostatically actuated valve can be configured for diverting the flow of working fluid away from the fluid storage tank when the temperature of the working fluid is below a selected set point for actuating the valve, and for diverting the flow of working fluid to the fluid storage tank when the temperature of the working fluid is about or greater than the selected set point.

主权项

1. A thermoregulation kit for installation into a solar thermal energy capture system, wherein the solar thermal energy capture system comprises a piping infrastructure in fluid communication with a liquid storage tank and one or more solar thermal energy collectors, the thermoregulation kit comprising:
a self-actuated temperature-responsive valve for installation interposed the piping infrastructure downstream from the one or more solar energy collectors and upstream from the liquid storage tank; and piping for interconnecting the self-actuated temperature-responsive valve with the piping infrastructure, and the liquid storage tank; wherein the self-actuated temperature-responsive valve either: (i) completely diverts the flow of a liquid working fluid away from the liquid storage tank when the temperature of the liquid working fluid is below a selected set point, or (ii) completely diverts the flow of the liquid working fluid to the liquid storage tank when the temperature of the liquid working fluid is about or greater than the selected set point.