University of Central Florida Research Foundation Inc

Danny S Parker

Bart Dean Hibbs

John Sherwin

Guan Hua Su

Thomas Zambrano

Kendall Ryan Johnston

Carlos J Colon

Eric C Martin

Taras Kiceniuk, Jr

David A Chasar

Karen Fenaughty

A solar power system has a photovoltaic module that supplies electrical current derived from sunlight to a heater system of a hot water tank. The heater system uses the electrical energy from the photovoltaic module, and optionally also from a local power grid, to heat water up to a selected maximum stored hot water temperature. Control circuitry senses when the level of electrical power is below a threshold solar-power level, and in response sets the stored hot water temperature for the heater system to a first lower temperature value. The control circuitry also senses when the level of electrical power is above the threshold solar-power level, an in response sets the stored hot water temperature for the heater system to a second elevated temperature value higher than the lower temperature, making advantageous use of solar power when available. A mixing unit adds cold water to set the dispensed water temperature.

Photovoltaic-assisted heat pump water heater system and method

A smart ventilation system which uses outdoor temperature and moisture to optimize control of the system. The main principle is to shift ventilation from time periods that have large indoor-outdoor temperature and moisture differences to periods when these differences are smaller, and their energy and comfort impacts are expected to be less. Fan flow rates are reduced when the outside temperature and moisture falls outside of optimum levels, yet overall air exchange is maintained to ensure chronic and acute exposure to pollutants remains relative to best practice. Online weather and smart thermostat data can be used as control inputs, so no specific measurement devices are needed to control ventilation fans.

Weather responsive smart ventilation system using multiple optimization parameters

An insulation system for a water heater storage tank containing water heated to a temperature higher than ambient is provided. The water heater tank has a substantially cylindrical shape and a generally circular top portion from which one or more pipes extend. A top insulation structure having two half-moon shaped insulation segments lies on the top portion insulating most of it against heat loss to the ambient environment. The insulation segments each comprise an envelope of pliable heat-resistant sheet material enclosing shapeable insulating filler material of particles. The envelopes are deformable to conformingly fit between and around pipes projecting up from the top of the water heater. An insulating jacket extends around and covers a substantial portion of a radially outwardly disposed surface of the water heater tank.

Hot water tank insulation system and method with flexible insulation top

Efficient traditionally appearing ceiling fan blades with aerodynamical upper surfaces and wide tip ends for ceiling fans with blades formed from plastic and/or wood and/or separately attached surfaces that run at reduced energy consumption that move larger air volumes than traditional flat shaped ceiling fan blades. And methods of operating the novel ceiling fans blades for different speeds of up to and less than approximately 250 rpm. The novel blades twisted blades can be configured for ceiling fans having any diameters from less than approximately 32 inches to greater than approximately 64 inch fans, and can be used in two, three, four, five and more blade configurations. The novel fans can be run at reduced speeds, drawing less Watts than conventional fans and still perform better with more air flow and less problems than conventional flat type conventional flat and planar upper and lower surface blades.

Efficient traditionally appearing ceiling fan blades with aerodynamical upper surfaces

Highly efficient solar fans used in portable and built in configurations. A ventilation fan can be used for exhausting air out from underneath roofs, and/or for being portable in use and application. The fan can include optimized airflow blades having a twisted configuration that can move at a rotational speed operation of up to approximately 500 rpm. The approximately 15 inch diameter twisted blades can be premolded on a hub that together form a single molded unit of plastic. They can also be fabricated using metal. The unit can be mounted in an exhaust outlet having a conical diffuser on or adjacent to a roof. Another embodiment allows for portable solar powered fans used anywhere there is a need for ventilation and moving of air. The blades can rotate by a solar powered motor, where the blades and motor can generate up to approximately 1040 cfm while using no more than approximately 16 Watts. Portable fans can be powered by solar panels. One embodiment has solar panels mounted to a handtruck. Another embodiment has solar panels in a carrying case with a handle having leg(s) which can bend downward to different angled positions. The solar panel carrying case and the fan can each have single handles that allows for the portable fan assembly to carried and transported by both hands of a single user.

High efficiency solar powered fans

Ceiling fan blade

Highly efficient ventilation fans for exhausting air out from underneath roofs, and for being portable in use and application. The fan can include optimized airflow blades having a twisted configuration that can move at a rotational speed operation of up to approximately 500 rpm. The approximately 15 inch diameter twisted blades can be premolded on a hub that together form a single molded unit of plastic. They can also be fabricated using metal. The unit can be mounted in an exhaust outlet having a conical diffuser on or adjacent to a roof. Alternatively, the fan can be portable for use most anywhere there is a need for ventilation and moving of air. The blades can rotate by a solar powered motor, where the blades and motor can generate up to approximately 1040 cfm while using no more than approximatelyWatts.

High efficiency solar powered fan

High efficiency twisted leaf ceiling fan

Conical diffusers with or without conical center bodies can improve air moving performance by up to 21% at no increase in power. Embodiments coupled with electronically commutated motors (ECMs) showed additional reductions to condenser fan power of approximately 25%. A strip member, such as open cell foam can be applied as a liner to the interior walls of a condenser housing adjacent to the wall surface where the rotating blades sweep against. The porous edge can also be used with the trailing edge and/or tip edge of the blades. These members can both improve air flow by reducing dead air spacing between the rotating blade tips and the interior walls of the condenser housing, as well as lower undesirable noise sound emissions.

High efficiency air conditioner condenser fan with performance enhancements

Fan blade

Novel twisted blades with an air foil for use with air conditioner condensers and heat pumps that provide improved airflow efficiency to minimize operating power requirements having an overall diameter across the blades being approximately 19 inches, and approximately 27.6 inches. The blades (AC-A) can run at approximately 840 rpm to produce approximately 2200 cfm of air flow using approximately 110 Watts of power from an 8-pole motor. Using an OEM 6-pole &#x215b; hp motor produced approximately 2800 cfm with approximately 144 Watts of power while running the blades at approximately 1100 rpm. Power savings were 25% (50 W) over the conventional configuration. A second version of the fan (AC-B) with some refinements to the flow geometry produced a similar air flow while using only 131 W of power at 1100 rpm. Power savings were 32% (62 W) over the conventional configuration. Embodiments can include two, three, four and five blades equally spaced apart from one another about hubs. Additionally, a novel noise reduction configuration can include asymmetrically mounted blades such as five blades asymmetrically mounted about the hub. Short, conical diffusers were shown to further improve air moving performance by up to 18% at no increase in power. Embodiments coupled with electronically commutated motors (ECMs) showed additional reductions to condenser fan power of approximately 20%.

Growing community of inventors

Cocoa Beach, FL, United States of America

Danny S Parker