GB2402999A

GB2402999A - Solar heat absorber panel and connection within a solar array

Info

Publication number: GB2402999A
Application number: GB0314232A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Martin Broatch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-06-19
Filing date: 2003-06-19
Publication date: 2004-12-22
Also published as: AU2004202615A1; US20050016524A1; GB0314232D0

Abstract

An array of panels 21 absorptive to solar radiation is made up of individual panels 24, 25, etc. Each panel has a duct (13 fig 1) which terminates near the panel edge in a cylindrical terminal 27. Each terminal shares a common axis with the terminal of an adjacent panel which may also include a connector 26, so that the panels may be coupled together by sliding one panel along the axis of its terminal towards the second panel and engaging adjacent terminals. The panels may be arranged in horizontal rows and may be supported on battens. The connector may be a "push fit" and may include sealing. The duct may comprise a pipe, which may be made of copper. The panels may be made of aluminium and may be coated with a layer which is highly absorptive to solar radiation. The panel may additionally include a translucent or transparent layer; the layer may be in the form of glass slates or tiles. The panels may further include an insulated layer (14 fig 1) positioned behind the panels, and gaps 22, 22a may be included to allow for fastening of panels to the battens.

Description

Solar Heat Absorber Panels This invention concerns heat exchange panels

of' the type used for absorbing solar radiation and using it to heat water. More specifically it concerns that type of panel designed to be lotted as an array to a wall or roof face.

Many different kinds of solar heat exchange panels are known. Conventional flat plate panels have the disadvantage in that they normally lie over the roof'covering, and are thus visually obtrusive and not easy to fit in the form of an array.

My previous patent application PC'I'/(I13()1/0444() describes panels which are integrated into a roof or wall covering and linked by a fluid duct. 'I'his application discloses some advantageous improvements which may be made to the system, and in particular to the method of connecting absorber panels together.

Thus according to the invention there is a plurality of panels absorbent to solar radiation laid ad Scent to each other, a duct liar a heat transfer medium running along each said panel, each duct having a terminal which is substantially cylindrical in form, said terminals positioned so that a terminal on one panel is adjacent to and shares a common axis with a second terminal on a second panel, whereby the terminals may be connected together.

I'he panels are best placed on a roof or wall face orientated generally towards the equator, and they ideally have a coating which is highly absorptive to solar radiation. The panels my be made of aluminum, stainless steel, copper, plastic or other suitable material.

The panels may be arranged adjacent to each other in rows, and a number of' rows may be arranged next to each other so as to form an array of panels. One way of achieving this is to support the panels in the rows by means ol'a number of horizontal battens of wood or suitable alternative material. The panels may overlie these battens, and a portion of batten between two adjacent panels may be lei't uncovered to receive fasteners to hold a covering of translucent or transparent roofing tiles, slates or shingles. Such a covering will let solar radiation pass through onto the panels, while preventing heat loss to the external air.

Alternatively the panels may be made to overlap each other so they themselves form a covering impermeable to precipitation.

The duet carries a heat transfer medium, such as water, a water mixture or other fluid, along a panel so as to collect the solar energy absorbed by it. One advantageous way oi'arranging this is by means of a pipe welded, glued or otherwise attached to the panel, whereby energy absorbed by the panel in the form of heat is transmitted to the transfer medium in the pipe.

The duct may prel'erable be made of copper, although other metals or plastics can be used.

An alternative arrangement is by means of a panel which embodies a duct, such as a double skin metal absorber, or a plastic absorber with ducts moulded into it, but still having the function of transmitting energy from the panel to the transfer medium in the duct.

The means of connection of the panels is important, as connections need to be reliable and easy to achieve while working on a roof. This invention provides t'or this by having duct terminals at the edges ol'the panels, positioned so that when two panels are placed adjacent to each other the terminals line up and thus may be connected with a suitable connector. An advantageous method is to use a nonmal push fit pipe connector which may be fitted to one terminal. the other terminal then being pushed info. If' the panels are arranged in a horizontal row, with the terminals on the ends of the panels and on an axis parallel to the row, then making the collections is facilitated by being able to slide one panel along the battens towards another panel, whereupon the terminals line up and may be pushed into a connector.

(his connector may be a discrete item, or may be attached to one or both ol' two ad jacent panel s.

An insulating layer Nay be placed behind the panels to reduce heat loss from the rear. A waterprool'membrane may be placed behind the panels catch any water penetrating through the panels. Such a membrane may be damaged by ultraviolet radiation l'rom the sun, and so it is advantageous to provide a barrier to this radiation. '['his may be by means of staggering the gaps between panels, and the gaps in the insulation layer, so a gap in one layer does not coincide with a gap in another. This is may be achieved by attaching the insulation layer to the panels, but offset slightly in a horizontal direction.

rl'he invention will now he described by way ol'example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

l'igure 1 shows a plan view of a single absorber panel.

Figure 2 shows an array of'absorber panels.

Figure 3 shows a cross section ol'a roof covered with absorbers.

Figure 4 shows a cross section of a roof' end absorbers, with a covering of glass slates.

Referring first to leisure 1, an absorber panel 11 is made ol'an aluminium sheet 12 coated in a coating absorptive to solar radiation, to which is welded a copper pipe 13. The pipe 13 traverses the sheet in a serpentine manner, and both ends are terminated at the edge as terminals I S and 1 Sa. 'l'hc panel is cut away 16, 16a to allow space for connectors (not shown). An insulation board 14 is attached to the rear of the panel and protrudes at one end so that it underlies the gap between this panel and a second panel placed adjacent to it, so as to provide a barrier to light passing through the gap between the panels.

leisure 2 shows an array of panels 21 formed of a number of horizontal rows of panels (three rows are shown). 'l'he panels are supported by horizontal battens (not shown) along the lines of the panel edges 28, Ala. Note the gaps 22, 22a between the panels which allows fixings for tiles or slates to be fixed directly into the battens. 'I'hc duct tcnminals arc joined by connectors as shown at 23. L)uring installation a panel 25 is placed on the battens near to a panel already installed 24. l'anel 24 has had a connector 26 fitted to its duct terminal. 'l'he panel 25 is moved towards the panel 24 whereupon the terminal 27 slides into the connector 26 to fonn a water tight seal. A fluid such as water may then be passed through the array of panels for the purpose ol'collecting the heat absorbed when the sun shines on the panels.

L'igurc 3 shows a cross section of roof with rafters 31 supporting battens 32, 32a. A waterproof membrane is placed between the ral'ters and the battens in a well known maimer.

On the battens arc laid panels 33, 33a, 33b which consist of aluminium sheet 34 with a duct fixed to it on the underside. An insulation board 36 is fitted between the battens. Gaps 37 are lelt between the panels. Thus an effective solar collector is built up on the roof'.

Figure 4 shows a roof with panels, similar to that in figure 3, with the addition of a transparent covering in the form ol'glass slates 41, 41a, 41b, 41c etc. 'these prevent loss of heat from the panels to the outside. The slates are held by clips 42, 42a which arc fastened to the battens with fixings 43' 43a which pass through the gap 46 between two adjacent panels.

I'o create an insulating air gap between the panels and the slates, the top edges of the slates rest on a spacer consisting of a bead of silicone or other suitable material 44, 44a.

Claims

Claims I) A plurality of panels absorbent to solar radiation laid ad

jacent to each other, a duct for a heat transfer medium running along each said panel, each duct having a terminal which is substantially cylindrical in form, said terminals positioned so that a terminal on one panel is adjacent to and shares a common axis with a second terminal on a second panel, whereby said terminals may be connected together.

2) A plurality of panels as claimed in claim I wherein the panels are arranged in substantially horizontal rows.

3) A plurality ol'panels as claimed in claim 2 wherein the panels are supported in the rows by a plurality of horizontal battens.

4) A plurality of panels as claimed in claim 3 wherein the panels overlie the battens.

5) A pl urality ol'panels as claimed in claim 4 wherein a portion of batten between two adjacent panels is left uncovered to receive a fastener.

6) A plurality of panels as claimed in claim 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein the axes of the terminals are substantially parallel to the rows.

7) A plurality of panels as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein a first panel may be moved along a row of panels in a horizontal direction towards a second panel, whereby a terminal on the first panel moves into sealing engagement with a terminal on the second panel.

X) A plurality of panels as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein the terminals of two adjacent panels are connected with a connector.

9) A plurality ol'panels as claimed in claim wherein a terminal is pushed into a connector and forms a sealing engagement therewith.

I ()) A plurality of panels as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein the duct comprises a pipe attached to the panel.

I I) A plurality ol'panels as claimed in claim 10 wherein the pipe is made of copper.

12) A plurality of panels as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein the panels embody the ducts.

13) A plurality of panels as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein the panels are coated with a layer highly absorptive to solar radiation.

14) A plurality ol'panels as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein the panels are made of aluminium 15) A plurality of panels as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein the panels are covered with a layer translucent or transparent to solar radiation.

16) A plurality ol'panels as claimed in claim 15 wherein the layer translucent or transparent to solar radiation consists of mutually overlapping tiles.

17) A plurality of'panels as claimed in claim 15 wherein the layer translucent or transparent to solar radiation consists of mutually overlapping glass slates.

18) A plurality of panels as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein an insulating layer is positioned behind the panels.

19) A plurality of panels as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein a membrane is positioned behind the panels.

20) A plurality of panels as claimed in claim 19 wherein the panels cooperate with the insulating layer to prevent solar radiation from reaching the membrane.

21) A plurality of panels as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein the panels mutually overlap so as to form a layer impermeable to precipitation.

22) A plurality of panels substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.