AU6333380A - Modular solar collector system - Google Patents

Description

MODULAR SOLAR COLLECTOR SYSTEM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a modular solar energy system and, in particular, to the improved structural arrangement connecting the components of the system. Because of the increased focus on energy limitations, particularly those using fossil fuels, emphasis has been placed on the use of solar heat as an alternative and less expensive source. One of the major shortcomings in the use of solar energy lies in the relatively expensive systems which are currently available needed to produce the solar energy compared to the actual amount of energy they produce. Attempts have been made to reduce the cost of solar collec¬ tor installations, but heretofore, with relatively little success. Prior patent art in this area is shown by the pat¬ ents to Kelley (2,208,789), Gow et al (3,076,450), Mlavs y (3,976,508), Hojinowski (3,995,615), Pei (4,033,327) and Googan et al (4,048,980), among others.

The present invention relates to a leak-proof, quick connect, labor saving and efficient modular solar energy collector system. The system includes interlocking mani¬ fold sections which connect a plurality of tubular collec¬ tors. Locking rings are provided to form a leak tight connection between the tubing and the manifold. Among the objects of the present invention are the provisions of a modular solar energy collector system in¬ corporating preformed units which are fit together in any desired configuration, in situ, providing easy assembly and reduced installation cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows a partial perspective view of the solar energy collector of the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows an unassembled sectional view of part of the solar collector of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows an assembled sectional view of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 shows a partical perspective view of a second embodiment of the solar collector of the present invention. Fig. 5 shows a sectional view of part of the solar collector of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 shows a sectional view of an element of the collector of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 shows a side view of the element of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 shows an end view of the element of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 shows a sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a part of the solar collector of Fig. 4. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figs. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate a modular solar col- lector 10 of the present invention. A plurality of tubular collectors 12 are connected to a manifold section 14 by means of fittings in the form of a nipple 16 which projects outwardly from the manifold body as shown in the drawings. Each nipple 16 includes a shoulder 18 at the point where it is attached to the manifold. The nipple 16 also includes an annular rib 20 and an annular recess 22 which secures an 0-ring 24. The outer portion 26 of the nipple 16 is tapered toward the forward end in order to receive the tubular collectors 12. When the tubular collectors 12 are assembled, the ends of the collectors are fit over the nipples 16 and are locked in place by a locking ferrule 28. Fig. 2 illustrates a sectional view of the nipple 16 with a tubular collector 12 which is disengaged and the locking ferrule 28 in the unlocked position on the nipple. Fig. 3 illustrates the locking ferrule 28 in a locked position over a collector 12 on the nipple 16 where the ferrule 28 is centered over the O-ring 24 which is com¬ pressed by the inner wall of the tubular collector 12 and forms a liquid-tight connection at this point.

The female end 30 of the manifold 14 is provided with an increased diameter and includes locking hooks 32. The opposite male end 34 of the manifold 14 includes an O-ring 36 recessed in an annular groove and a series of rectangular shaped locking lugs 38. In order to make a modular system, the male end 34 of a plurality of manifold sections 14 are fit into corresponding female ends 30 of adjacent manifold sections 14. The hooks '32 engage the lugs 38 to secure the arrangement. The O-ring.36 provides a liquid-tight seal at this point. A tubing spacer support 40 maintains the tubular collectors 12 in place. It will be appreciated that any number of manifold sections and corresponding tubular collectors may be used to form a solar collector array. The parameters depend upon the particular location and design specifications needed. Once an array is set up, the module is then con- nee ed to conventional plumbing to complete the system. Fig. 4 shows a modular solar collector 50 which includes an alternate embodiment for interconnecting the manifold 52 with the tubular collectors 54. As shown in detail in Fig. 5, the collectors 54 are attached to a series of nipples 56 on the manifold 52 using a locking ferrule 58 to provide a liquid-tight connection. The nipple 56

includes a first shoulder 60 at the point where it is con¬ nected to the manifold body. Extending outwardly from the shoulder is a tubular section 62 of the nipple formed of a reduced diameter which terminates in an annular shoulder 64, the upper edge of which provides a peripheral sealing rim 66. The front tubular portion 68 of the nipple tapers gradually at an angle of 4° toward the front of the nipple. The extreme end 70 of the nipple is rounded to provide a smooth surface to receive the tubular collector 54. The locking ferrule 58 is an annular member which gradually tapers from a maximum diameter at the end nearest the mani¬ fold to a reduced diameter toward the front of the nipple 56. The inner surface of the locking ferrule 58 is formed with a flared opening 72 at the end adjacent the manifold 52. From the point, the inner surface 74 of the ferrule 58 tapers to a reduced diameter at an angle of 4° and ter¬ minates at an internal shoulder 76 which includes a peri¬ pheral sealing edge. The inner surface 78 between the shoulder 76 and the end of the ferrule 58 tapers outwardly at an angle of 15° which forms a sharp edge on the peri- pheral ceiling rim of the shoulder 76.

As seen in the drawings, when the tubular collector 54 is placed upon the nipple 56 and the locking ferrule 58 is pulled down toward the front of the nipple, the sealing rim 66 created by the shoulder 64 on the front of the nipple and the sealing rim created by the shoulder 76 on the locking ferrule both compress the tubular collector 54 surface at two points forming a double locking seal. This arrangement provides a liquid-tight connection between the manifold 52 and the collectors 54.

OMPI Figs. 6, 7 and 8 show sectional, side and end views, respectively, of the manifold 52.

Fig. 9 shows a second alternate embodiment of the connection between the manifold section and the tubular collectors. A nipple 90 is connected to a manifold 92 and is formed of an elongated tubular section which gradually increases in diameter toward the front of the nipple away from the manifold. The front portion of the nipple tapers toward the front to a lesser diameter. At the intersec- tion between the two tapering sections of the nipple 90, the sealing rim 94 is formed. A locking ferrule 96 having an inside taper which is adapted to slide toward the front of the nipple 90, to engage a tubular collector 98 and secure it in place. The locking errule 96 forces the tubu- lar collector 98 against the sealing rim 94 compressing it and forming a leak-proof seal.

It will be appreciated modifications may be made in the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

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Claims (21)

Claims — —

1. A modular solar collector system comprising manifold sections, tubular collectors connected between said mani¬ fold sections and means connecting said tubular collectors and said manifold sections, said connecting means including fittings on said manifold sections adapted to receive said tubular collectors and locking means adapted to secure said tubular collectors on said fittings forming a liquid- tight seal between said collectors and said fittings.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said fittings and said locking means include two sealing edges forming a double seal between said fittings and said locking means.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said fittings form nipples each including at least one annular shoulder having a peri¬ pheral sealing rim.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said locking means is an annular ferrule including an inner surface formed with an annular shoulder having a peripheral sealing rim.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said peripheral sealing ring on said nipples and said peripheral sealing rim on said annular ferrule are juxtaposed when said ferrule is positioned on said nipple with said tubular collector therebetween forming said double seal.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said nipple further includes a tubular section perpendicular to the axis of said manifold between said manifold and said annular shoulder, and a second tapered annular section between said shoulder and the end of said nipple.

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7. The system of claim 6 wherein said second tapered annular section tapers inwardly at an angle of approxi¬ mately five degrees.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein said annular ferrule includes a first tapered internal annular surface between said annular shoulder and an end of said ferrule adjacent said manifold and a second tapered internal annular sur¬ face between said annular shoulder and an end of said fer- rule adjacent the outer end of said nipple.

9. The system of claim 9 wherein said first internal annular surface tapers at an angle of approximately 5 degrees and wherein said second internal annular surface tapers at an angle of approximately 15 degrees.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said manifold sections include locking hooks on one end and locking lugs on the opposite end to permit attachment of adjacent manifold sections.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said manifold sections each include an enlarged diameter section on one end adap¬ ted to receive adjacent manifold sections.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein said annular ferrule further includes a slot for sighting said tubular collector when said ferrule is in place.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein said annular ferrule further includes locking lugs to maintain it in the locked position.

14. The system of claim 1 further including support mem¬ ber interconnecting and spacing said tubular collectors between said manifold sections.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said support is a rec¬ tangular member having a plurality of arcuate cut-outs adapted to -receive and position said tubular collectors.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein said manifold section fittings are nipples formed of a tapered tubular section, and an annular shoulder having a peripheral sealing rim.

17. The system of claim 16 further including a sliding lock ring having an inside taper corresponding to the taper of said nipples whereby said lock ring is adapted to compress said tubular collectors against said peripheral sealing rim forming a liquid-tight seal.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein said fittings form nipples each including at least one annular rim and at least one annular groove and O-ring positioned within said groove.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein said locking means is an annular ferrule including an inner surface adapted to compress said O-ring forming a liquid seal.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein said tubular collectors are fit onto said nipples and secured in place thereon by said annular ferrule.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein said annular rim is positioned relative to said O-ring seal to prevent said locking ferrule from being loosened.

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