AU645887B2 - Improvements to solar absorber assemblies - Google Patents

Description

645887 COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 o r oo o r o Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: NEUMANN STEEL PTY LTD (ACN 009 818 035) Nuban Street, Currumbin, Queensland, 4223, Australia.

ROBERT NIVEN WALTON.

GRANT ADAMS COMPANY Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Le'vel 9 National Mutual Centre 144 Edward Street BRISBANE QUEENSLAND 4000

AUSTRALIA.

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR THE INEZNTION ENTITLED "IMPROVEMENTS TO SOLAR ABSORBER ASSEMBLIES" The following statement is a full description of the invention including the best method of performing it known to the applicant.

THIS INVENTION relates to improvements to solar absorber assemblies and, in particular, to solar absorber assemblies which may be incorporated in or comprise a fence or a fence panel.

Solar absorbers of many different forms are currently available. In one form, such absorbers when applied to use in the heating of swimming pools, comprise multiple tubes which are arranged on an exposed surface and through which water may run or be pumped so as to be heated when the tubes are subject to radiation from the sun. Generally, such absorbers are formed of a flexible plastics material and arranged on the roof of a building. In most swimming pools installations, it is necessary to employ a security fence to prevent the access of unauthorized personnel or children to the pool. Such fences have now in many situations become obligatory even for existing pools. This results in considerable additional expense both to the pool owner with an existing pool and also to the cost of new pool 20 installations.

The present invention aims to provide a solar absorber assembly which functions efficiently to heat water flowing therethrough.

The present invention also aims to provide a fence panel for forming a fence which may serve as a security fence for swimming pools and which incorporates o a solar absorber assembly for use in heating water of swimming pools or any other water supply.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention provides in one aspect, a solar absorber assembly including: first and second end fittings adapted to be connected to corresponding end fittings of an adjacent 2 said solar absorber assembly; at least one ducting member extending between said end fittings and connected in fluid communication therewith; and glazing means surrounding said ducting member or members and being supported between said first and second end fittings; wherein: said glazing means comprises a plurality of hollow glazing assemblies, each receiving said ducting member or members therethrough, each said glazing assembly including first and second parts adapted to be releasably interconnected to surround said ducting member or members.

Preferably, the end fittings include male and female parts adapted for connection to and communication with corresponding parts of an adjacent said fitting.

eo Preferably, said end fittings have a tubular body o portion and said male and female parts comprise a 20 tubular spigot portion at one end of the fitting and a tubular socket portion at the other end of the fitting respectively.

Suitably said fittings include a further spigot extending outwardly of the body portion of said fitting for engagement by one end of a ducting member.

In a preferred form, the fitting includes more than one further spigot and a plurality of ducting members extend between said spigots of opposite fittings.

Suitably, each fittings include about the further spigot or spigots a skirt to receive and support an end of said glazing assembly. The first and second parts are preferably identical in cross section and include at their opposite longitudinal edges complementary coupling means preferably of male/female form to enable releasable interconnection of the glazing parts.

Preferably, the glazing assembly is 4 constructed so as to support the ducting members along their length. For this purpose, the glazing parts preferably include on the inner side projections which support the ducting members. Preferably, the projections comprise ribs.

The ducting members in one form are of generally tubular construction. To improve heat collection, however, the ducting members are preferably provided with opposite webs which extend diametrically on opposite sides of the ducting members.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a fencing panel, said fencing panel including a plurality of spaced apart solar absorber assemblies of the above type adapted to be supported in an upright attitude, said absorber assemblies being in fluid communication through their adjacent end fittings.

o Means are preferably provided for introducing water to the fence panel for passage through the absorber assemblies, said water being heated upon said solar absorber assemblies to the fence panel for passage through the absorber assemblies, said water being heated upon said solar absorber assemblies being exposed to a *1~o* heat source such as the sun whereby said fencing panel may comprise a solar absorber for the heating of water 25 passing therethrough.

o* The end fittings of the solar absorber assemblies when interconnected define upper and lower rails for said fencing panel. Preferably, said rails comprise inlet and outlet manifolds for supplying water to the ducting members of said absorber assemblies.

Preferably, the fencing panel is supported by respective upright post members which extend into the ground.

Preferably, clip means detachably secure the fencing panels to the upright members.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein: FIG. 1 illustrates in elevation view, a section of a fence constructed and incorporating solar assemblies in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an absorber assembly according to the present invention; FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate in sectional side elevation and end elevation respectively an end connector for the absorber assembly of FIG. 2; FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate in plan and sectional view the connector of FIG. 3; FIG. 7 illustrates in sectional view the glazing panel extrusion for formation of the glazing assembly; eoo FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the absorber assembly along line A-A of FIG. 1; 9 illustrates a connector fitting of the 20 fence panel attached to a supporting post; and 0oooo FIG. 10 illustrates the manner in which the connector fitting of the fence panel is attached to a supporting post.

Referring to the drawings and firstly to FIG.

i, there is illustrated a fence assembly 10 according to the present invention, comprising a fence panel 11 supported by a pair of upright support posts 12 which are arranged in conventional fashion preferably in concrete foundations. The fence panel 11 is constructed of a plurality of interconnected absorber assemblies 13 which are adapted to convey and heat water when the fence panel 11 is exposed to the sun.

Each absorber assembly 13 as shown more clearly in FIG. 2 includes an upper T-connector 14 and a lower T-connector 15 between which extend a plurality, in this instance three absorber tubes 16, suitably forme kof LURAN-S material. Also supported between the connectors 14 and 15 and surrounding the tubes 16 is a glazing panel assembly 17.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4, the Tconnector 15 comprises a main tubular body portion 18 defining a reduced diameter male end 19 and a socket at its opposite end for receipt of the male end 19 of an adjacent T-connector 15. Extending radially outwardly of the body portion 18 a>i. communicating therewith are three hollow spigots 21 hLch are adapted to locate within the ends of respective absorber tubes 16 in the manner shown in FIG. 2. Surrounding the spigots 21 is a skirt portion 22 which is adapted to receive and locate one end of the glazing assembly 17 in the manner described further below, the skirt portion 22 being provided with slots 23 for use in draining water, for example, rain water from the region within the skirt portion 22.

The upper T-connector 14 is of similar form to 20 the connector 15, except that the skirt portion 22 is of increased height for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent. Furthermore, the slots 23 in the skirt portion 22 of the upper connector 14 may be eliminated.

The connectors 14 and 15 are also preferably provided at one end adjacent the male end 19 with a locating recess 24 and at its opposite end with a locating key adapted for receipt in a recess 24 of an adjacent connector so that alignment can be assured between adjacent connectors.

The glazing assembly 17 as more clearly shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 includes two glazing members 26 which are of identical cross-sectional form preferably extruded and which include at opposite ends complementary female and male engagement members 27 and 28 which may be engaged with the members 27 and 28 of a further opposed glazing member 26 in the manner shown in FIG. 8. As shown the engagement members 27 are in the form of recesses having a reduced with entrance and the members 28 are of knob-like form in cross-section. Each glazing member 26 is provided with a series of inwardly directed parallel ribs 29 which co-operate when the glazing members 26 are interconnected to locate on opposite sides of, to engage and support, the tubes 16 as shown in FIG. 5. Preferably, the glazing members 26 are formed of a transparent or translucent material such as polycarbonate or acrylic. The glazing members 26 may also be provided on their outer surfaces with longitudinally extending diffuser ribs The tubes 16 preferably include on their opposite sides diametrically extending webs or ribs 31 which serve to increase the solar absorption area of the tubes 16. The edges of the respective ribs 31 are located adjacent to each other when assembled as shown oee.

in FIG. 8. The tubes 16 may be formed of plastics or Ssynthetic rubber and coloured such as being black so as 20 to maximise solar collection.

In use, a fencing panel 11 according to the invention is assembled by forming absorber assemblies 13 of the type shown in FIG. 2 with the respective tubes 16 being adhered or sealably connected at opposite ends to the spigots 21 of the respective connectors 14 and The upper and lower T-connectors 14 and 15 ar then interconnected with further connectors 14 and 15 with ee the use of adhesives between the male-female cooperating ends 19 and 20 to form a fence panel 11 of any required length. The glazing assembly 17 may then be assembled about the tubes 16 and located in position by means of the skirts 22. For this purpose, opposite glazing members 26 may be positioned on opposite sides of the tubes 16 and clipped together. The assembled members 26 may then be moved upwardly into the skirt portion 22 in the upper T-connectors 15 and then lowered to located within the skirt portion 22 in the lower Tconnectors 15, the upper extended length skirt portion 22 in the connector 14 then serve to maintain the upper ends of the glazing assembly 17 in position.

The assembled fence panel 11 may then be mounted to the upstanding posts 12. For this purpose, each post 12 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 .y be provided with spaced apertures 32 for engagement by a clip 33.

The clip 33 which is of generally U-shaped form is preferably formed of zinc plated mild steel rod or other resilient material and includes a pair of legs 34 which are notched on their outer sides at 35. The clip 33 is located about a connector 14 or 15 and the legs 34 pressed together so as to be in alignment with the apertures 32 such that they may be inserted into the apertures 32 up to the notches 35. Thereafter the legs *ooo *34 can be released to spring outwardly so that the oo• notches 35 located about the edges of the apertures 32 Sto lock the clip 33 to the post 12 and hold the connector 14 or 15 in position. The clip 33 may be S"detached by forcing the legs 34 together so that the notches 35 are free of the apertures 32 and thereafter withdrawing the legs 34.

Pairs of apertures 32 are preferably provided at upper and lower ends of the posts 12 so that clips 33 may be used to secure upper and lower connectors 14 and 15 to the posts. The posts are suitably hollow members a..

of conventional form. It will be apparent, however, that the fencing panels of the invention may be secured and supported in any other manner in an upright attitude.

The use of a two part glazing assembly 17 permits those assemblies to be readily detached and replaced by simply disconnecting the two halves 26, say in the event of discolouring. All the components of the fence panel 11 are preferably formed of a plastics

IT

material so as to eliminate corrosion and reduce maintenance. Water may be communicated to and from the fence panel 10 by any suitable connection to the upper and lower rails formed by upper and lower connectors 14 and 15. At the ends of the fencing panels plugs may be employed to close off the upper and lower rails whilst if fence panels arranged at different levels suitable connecting couplings may be used between adjacent panels.

The term "glazing" as used throughout the specification and claims includes glass ai.d other materi-1 which exhibit similar light or radiation transmission to glass such as transparent or translucent plastics.

If it is desired to stiffen the glazing o assembly 17, stiffening rods or members such as aluminium rods may be located between the two halves 26 in the assembled position and adjacent the opposite side .o connectors 27 and 28. Such stiffening members will S 90 serve to minimise lateral deflection of the glazing assembly 17 if a load is applied thereto.

In an alternative configuration, the glazing i assembly 17 may be constructed in one piece such as a hollow extrusion cut to the required length with the end fittings supporting opposite ends thereto. In yet a further configuration, the absorber tubes lu and glazing 17 may be replaced by a duct of rectangular crosssectional form to define faces for the collection of solar energy.

Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative embodiment of the invention, all such modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein defined in the appended claims.

d A/N

Claims (10)

1. A solar absorber assembly including: first and second end fittings adapted to be connected to corresponding end fittings of an adjacent said solar absorber assembly: at least one ducting member extending between said end fittings and connected iin fluid communication therewith; and glazing means surrounding said ducting member or members and being supported between said first and second end fittings; wherein: said glazing means comprises a plurality of hollow glazing assemblies, each receiving said ducting member or members therethrough, each said glazing assembly including first *and second parts adapted to be releasably interconnected to surround said ducting member or members.

2. A solar absorber assembly according to Claim 1 wherein: ween said end fittings include male and female parts adapted for communication with corresponding parts of an adjacent said fitting. A solar absorber assembly according to Claim 2 wherein: 25 said end fittings have a tubular body portion and said male and female parts comprise a tubular spigot portion at one end of said fitting and a tubular socket portion at the other end of said fitting respectively.

4. A solar absorber assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein: said first and second parts are identical in cross-section and include at their opposite longitudinal edges complementary coupling means to enable releasable interconnection of said glazing parts.

5. A solar absorber assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein: .NT O' 11 said glazing means suppom-s said ducting member or members along their length.

6. A solar absorber assembly ac, ding to Claim 4 wherein: said glazing means include inwardly directed projections which engage and support said ducting member or members.

7. A solar absorber assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein: 710 each said end fitting includes a spigot extending outwardly of the body portion of said fitting for engagement by one end of a said ducting member. b. A solar absorber assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein: said end fittings include a skirt or skirts for supporting said glazing means.

9. A solar absorber assembly according to any one ro of the preceding claims wherein: said duct4ng member or members are of generally tubuldr form and include opposite webs which S"extend diametrically on each side of the ducting member or members. 1: 0. A fencing panel including a plurality of 2 spaced apart solar absorber assemblies of the type defined in any one of Claims 1 to 9: said solar absorber assemblies being in fluid communication through their adjacent end connectors, said connectors defining upper and lower rails for said fencing panel.

11. A fencing panel according to Claim 10 wherein: said rails comprise inlet and outlet manifolds for supplying water to the ducting member or members of said solar absorber assemblies.

12. A solar absorber assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accomr.panying drawings.

13. A fence panel substantially as hereinbef ore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this seventeenth day of November 1993. NEUMANN STEEL PTY LTD, By its Patent Attorneys, GRANT ADAMS COMPANY. S S S S S o *SeSe* S S. S S C 0 e4 55 S S e S S Se S. 555 o S CS C*4 5505S5 p -v 1- -isv C 13 ABSTRACT A solar absorber assembly (13) having upper and lower connectors (14, 15) between which tubes (16) extend for conveying water to be heated, the tubes (16) being surrounded by a glazing assembly (17) which is supported by the connectors (14, 15). The connectors (14, 15) may be connected with adjacent connectors (14, of adjacent assemblies (13) to form a fence panel 911) which can be supported by posts the fence panel (11) also serving as a security fence for swimming pools. o *A S 0 o S e o *9 S Q