Heat transfer system

DETAILED DESCRIPTION These and other problems and disadvantages associated with the prior art are overcome by the invention disclosed herein by providing a heat transfer link that connects the heat output from a heat source such as a solar collector to a heat sink capable of receiving heat such as a heat storage tank which allows rapid transfer of large quantities of heat from the heat output of the solar collector to the heat storage tank as long as the heat output from the solar collector is slightly higher than the temperature of the heat storage tank but substantially prevents the flow of heat from the storage tank back into the solar collector when the temperature of the storage tank is substantially equal or higher than the temperature of the solar collector.
The heat transfer link acts as a heat check valve to allow the heat from the heat source to flow into the heat sink but prevents the reverse flow of heat from the heat sink back into the heat source.
Various combinations of these heat transfer links can be used to provide a multiple storage tank system with the capability of storing heat at different temperatures without the use of temperature sensors, mechanical valves or control systems.
A similar heat transfer link can be used to provide a heat recovery system from the heat storage tanks.
By using various combinations of these heat transfer links, a heat recovery system for recovering heat from multiple heat storage tanks at different temperatures can be provided without the use of temperature sensors, mechanical valves or control systems.
The heat transfer link of the invention is adapted to transfer heat from a source of heat to a heat sink while substantially preventing the transfer of heat from the heat sink back to the source of heat.
The heat transfer link includes a first heat exchange means carrying a working fluid with a prescribed vaporization temperature and pressure range where the first heat exchange means is located at a first elevation and places the working fluid therein in a heat exchange relationship with the heat output of the source of heat to vaporize the working fluid