US 12,000,599 B2
System, apparatus and method for efficient use of solar photovoltaic energy
Grant Andrew Stepa, Rydalme (AU); and Peter Robert Kerr, Rydalme (AU)
Assigned to Rheem Australia Pty Limited, Rydalmere (AU)
Filed by Rheem Australia PTY Limited, Rydalmere (AU)
Filed on Jun. 21, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/352,727.
Application 17/352,727 is a continuation of application No. 15/795,174, filed on Oct. 26, 2017, granted, now 11,041,640.
Claims priority of application No. 2016250449 (AU), filed on Oct. 28, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2022/0010977 A1, Jan. 13, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F24D 19/10 (2006.01); F24D 17/00 (2022.01); F24H 1/18 (2022.01); F24H 15/225 (2022.01); F24H 15/292 (2022.01); F24H 15/296 (2022.01); F24H 15/37 (2022.01); F24H 15/407 (2022.01); G05F 1/67 (2006.01); H02J 3/14 (2006.01); H02J 3/38 (2006.01); H02S 10/20 (2014.01); H02S 40/32 (2014.01); H02S 40/44 (2014.01); F24H 15/164 (2022.01); H02J 7/35 (2006.01); H02S 40/38 (2014.01); H02S 50/00 (2014.01)
CPC F24D 19/1057 (2013.01) [F24H 1/185 (2013.01); F24H 15/225 (2022.01); F24H 15/292 (2022.01); F24H 15/296 (2022.01); F24H 15/37 (2022.01); F24H 15/407 (2022.01); H02J 3/14 (2013.01); H02J 3/38 (2013.01); H02J 3/381 (2013.01); H02S 10/20 (2014.12); H02S 40/32 (2014.12); H02S 40/44 (2014.12); F24D 17/0068 (2013.01); F24D 2200/02 (2013.01); F24D 2200/08 (2013.01); F24D 2200/14 (2013.01); F24D 2200/32 (2013.01); F24H 15/164 (2022.01); G05F 1/67 (2013.01); H02J 7/35 (2013.01); H02J 2300/22 (2020.01); H02J 2300/24 (2020.01); H02S 40/38 (2014.12); H02S 50/00 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A controller for a variable energy source system, the controller comprising:
one or more processors; and
memory having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the controller to:
receive temperature information from a temperature sensor, the temperature information being indicative of a temperature of fluid in a tank of a water heater;
receive current flow direction information indicative of a current inflow from a utility grid or current flow to the utility grid; and
control delivery of energy from a variable energy source to the water heater by:
in response to determining that the temperature of the fluid is less than a threshold temperature and the current flow direction information is indicative of current outflow to the utility grid, outputting instructions for modulating a flow of energy from the variable energy source to at least a first heating element of the water heater; and
in response to determining that (i) the temperature of the fluid is less than the threshold temperature, (ii) the current flow direction information is indicative of current outflow to the utility grid, and (iii) the first heating element has reached a maximum power output, outputting instructions for operating a second heating element of the water heater and further modulating the flow of energy from the variable energy source to at least the first heating element.