PV water heater with adaptive control

Abstract

A photovoltaic water heater includes a tank containing water and a heater element, a solar module, and a control circuit coupling the solar module to the heater element. One or more transducers in the system produce signals indicative of water usage. A microprocessor is programmed to produce a model of water usage from the signals and cause the heater element to heat water in accordance with the model.

1 . In a photovoltaic water heater including a tank containing water and a heater element, a solar module, and a control circuit coupling the solar module to the heater element, the improvement comprising:
 one or more transducers producing signals indicative of water usage;   a microprocessor programmed to produce a model of said water usage from said signals;   wherein said microprocessor is coupled to said control circuit for causing said heater element to heat water in accordance with said model.   
   
   
       2 . The photovoltaic water heater as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said one or more transducers includes a pair of temperature sensing transducers. 
   
   
       3 . The photovoltaic water heater as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said microprocessor is programmed to accumulate data taken at different times of day in different registers. 
   
   
       4 . The photovoltaic water heater as set forth in  claim 3  wherein accumulated data is made default data, thereby adapting the photovoltaic water heater to actual use.