US 12,405,012 B2
Apparatus and method for solar heat collection
Daniel S. Hokanson, Fargo, ND (US); and Greg M. Smith, Sabin, MN (US)
Assigned to Lasting Image Laser Etching Company, Fargo, ND (US)
Filed by D & M Roofing Company, Fargo, ND (US)
Filed on Jul. 14, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/928,713.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/874,345, filed on Jul. 15, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0018184 A1, Jan. 21, 2021
Int. Cl. F24D 11/00 (2022.01); C04B 28/04 (2006.01); F24S 50/40 (2018.01); F28F 13/18 (2006.01)
CPC F24D 11/003 (2013.01) [C04B 28/04 (2013.01); F24S 50/40 (2018.05); F28F 13/185 (2013.01)] 30 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
a solar collector mounted to a building that absorbs solar energy and that heats a liquid heating-energy-transfer fluid (HETF);
a first plurality of energy-storage cells that form a foundation of a building, wherein each one of the first plurality of energy-storage cells is configured as a generally horizontal layer having a horizontal extent that is larger than a vertical extent, and that are each thermally insulated from one another by a generally horizontal layer of foamed cellular concrete on both a top face and a bottom face of each of the first plurality of energy-storage cells, wherein the first plurality of energy-storage cells includes a first energy-storage cell and a second energy-storage cell;
a first pump;
a first plurality of temperature sensors, wherein the first plurality of temperature sensors includes a first temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the first energy-storage cell and a second temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the second energy-storage cell and a third temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the HETF coming from the solar collector;
a first plurality of valves;
a controller, operatively coupled to the first pump, to the first plurality of temperature sensors, and to the first plurality of valves, wherein the controller controls a flow of the HETF from the solar collector through one or more fluid conduits to the first plurality of energy-storage cells, and wherein, in a first mode, the controller is configured to cause the first pump and the first plurality of valves to:
move the HETF from the solar collector first to the first energy-storage cell and later back to the solar collector if the temperature of the HETF coming from the solar collector is greater than the temperature of the first energy-storage cell and the temperature of the HETF coming from the solar collector is less than the temperature of the second energy-storage cell, and
move the HETF from the solar collector first to the first energy-storage cell and then to the second energy-storage cell if the temperature of the HETF coming from the solar collector is greater than the temperature of the first energy-storage cell and the temperature of the first energy-storage cell is greater than the temperature of the second energy-storage cell, and
recirculate the HETF in the solar collector if the temperature of the HETF coming from the solar collector is less than the temperature of the first energy-storage cell and the temperature of the HETF coming from the solar collector is less than the temperature of the second energy-storage cell.