AU6888091A

AU6888091A - Ridge cap

Info

Publication number: AU6888091A
Application number: AU68880/91A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Miles Chapman; Kenneth Ian Guthrie; William Edward Jones
Original assignee: RENEWABLE ENERGY AUTHORITY VICTORIA
Current assignee: RENEWABLE ENERGY AUTHORITY VICTORIA
Priority date: 1989-11-16
Filing date: 1990-11-16
Publication date: 1991-06-13

Description

RIDGE CAP

FIELD OF THE DJVENTION

The invention relates to a dual purpose ridge cap for a roof of a dwelling, more particularly, a ridge cap which comprises a solar collector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, solar heating has comprised a solar collector and tubing to conduct water or another fluid to and from the collector. A storage tank may be provided, typically in the roof, or alternately at ground level for hot water storage. Alternately, the warmed water may be used immediately by introduction for example into a pool.

The solar collector is typically extruded tubing of EPDM elastomeric material which has manifolds positioned at both ends to introduce colder water into and draw off warmer water from the tubing.

Another form of collector comprises a glass covered metal plate with tubes bonded to it or two plates bonded together with channels formed between the plates . This collector is of significant size and can be unsightly as it is required to be boxed on the roof .

In one attempt to integrate the solar collector into the dwelling it is known to provide a solar collector roofing tile . These solar tiles are generally clear tiles with a collector plate in modular form behind the clear tiles . These modules are connected together. However, this has the disadvantage of being of small size which means many modules have to be used.

Accordingly, investigations have been carried out to devise a solar collector which can fulfil another function, as well as that of a collector, so that the net cost of the collector can be reduced. In order to maximize the solar input, the collector needs to be in an area which has prolonged exposure to the sun.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a dual purpose solar collector which is preferably designed to aesthetically blend in or be functionally integrated with part of the roof of a dwelling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to this invention, there is provided a ridge cap for a roof of a dwelling comprising a solar collector which includes an elongated tube located upon an insulating base, the tube being adapted to permit fluid to pass therethrough.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to one preferred feature of the invention, the ridge cap has a first section and a second section, the first section including a solar collector which in use is located on one side of a ridge of the roof . The second section, when in use, is located on the other side of the ridge of the roof . Preferably, an insulating strip separates the first and second sections .

In a further preferred feature of the invention, the tube is made of metal, especially steel. Preferably, the tube is coated to better absorb solar radiation . Such coating may comprise chrome black .

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the solar collector comprises a plurality of elongated tubes each located upon the insulating base .

The lower external surface of the base may be adapted to substantially conform with the shape of the roof . Typically, the base may be deformed to adopt the shape of the roof .

In a further preferred feature of the invention, the tube or tubes are formed as part of an absorber plate located upon the base . Both the absorber plate and tube or tubes are adapted to absorb solar energy and, by heat exchange, transmit energy to the liquid flowing through the tube or tubes .

The collector may further comprise a light transmitting cover which may define a space between the cover and the tube or tubes . The cover preferably has edges which engage the base .

In another preferred feature the ridge cap further comprises a means to connect the tube or tubes of one solar collector with corresponding tube or tubes of an adjoining collector. Uenerally, the surface area of the absorber plate and the tube or tubes is about 4 square meters or, when two or more ridge caps of the invention are used in combination, the total such surface area is about 4 square meters .

DESCRIPTIONS OF DRAWINGS

The invention is now illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Figure 1 is a perspective cross -sectional view of a ridge cap according to a preferred embodiment of this invention.

A ridge cap including a solar collector 1 is shown installed atop of a corrugated roof 2. The collector 1 has a base 3, preferably of flexible foam, which base conforms with the corrugation of roof 2 and acts as thermal insulation behind the collector 1. Of course, it is not essential for weatherproofing to have such conformity as long as the collector spans the ridge a sufficient distance laterally down the roof.

A plate 4 covers base 3 and supports tubes 5. The number of tubes may be selected according to what solar capacity is desired. In this respect the collector area is a function of collector width and tube spacing. Tube spacing depends upon the thermal characteristic of the absorber plate. Heating medium fluid passes along, generally within, the tubes 5 and is heated by light energy. The base 3 forms a chamber 6 with cover 7. Cover 7 is light-transmissive and can be fabricated from any suitable material, such as acrylic. It spans across the ridge of roof 2 and may be affixed to the roof or base by any suitable means e. g. bolts 8.

Installation may be achieved with one or more collectors 1 interconnecting tubes 5 at their ends . In use solar radiation passes through cover 6 and strikes the absorber plate warming it directly by radiation. The circulating fluid is thereby also warmed and passes to a storage tank or is otherwise utilized.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A ridge cap for a roof of a dwelling comprising a solar collector which includes an elongated tube located upon an insulating base, the tube being adapted to permit fluid to pass therethrough.

2. A ridge cap as claimed in claim 1, comprising a first section and a second section, the first section including the solar collector.

3. A ridge cap as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first section and the second section are separated by an insulating strip.

4. A ridge cap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tube is of metal.

5. A ridge cap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the tube is a coated tube.

6. A ridge cap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 which comprises a plurality of elongated tubes .

7. A ridge cap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein an external surface of the insulating base is adapted to substantially conform with a portion of a surface of the roof .

8. A ridge cap as claimed in claim 7, wherein the base is deformable to adopt the shape of a portion of the roof surface.

9. A ridge cap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the tube is formed or the tubes are formed as part of an absorber plate.

10. A ridge cap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 further comprising a light transmitting cover.

11. A ridge cap as claimed in claim 10, wherein a space is defined between the cover and the tube or tubes.

12. A ridge cap as claimed in either claim 10 or 11, wherein the cover has edges which engage the base .

13. A ridge cap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a means to connect the tube or tubes of the collector with corresponding tube or tubes of an adjacent collector.

14. A ridge cap according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the surface area of the absorber plate and the tube or tubes is about 4 square meters .

15. A ridge cap for a roof of a dwelling as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1.