CA1069006A - Solar heating panel - Google Patents
Solar heating panelInfo
- Publication number
- CA1069006A CA1069006A CA281,948A CA281948A CA1069006A CA 1069006 A CA1069006 A CA 1069006A CA 281948 A CA281948 A CA 281948A CA 1069006 A CA1069006 A CA 1069006A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- sheet
- solar
- transparent
- heating panel
- sun
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Landscapes
- Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
This invention relates to an improved solar heating panel for converting solar energy to thermal energy in a cir-culating fluid to be used for heating or other purposes. A
transparent plastic film is secured to a flat dark opaque sur-face to form a channel therebetween for the circulating fluid.
The transparent film which faces the sun is uneven shaped whereby some of the sun's rays which strike the solar panel are reflected to an adjacent portion of the panel. For instance, the film may be shaped to form a series of interconnected domes or pyramids, or a number of interconnected semitubular portions.
The solar radiation which passes through the transparent film is received by the opaque surface where it is converted to thermal energy in the presence of the carrier fluid. The resulting im-proved efficiency permits smaller solar collectors to be con-structed at a lesser cost, and also eliminates the need to attempt to have the solar panel move to face the sun at right angles as it constantly changes position.
This invention relates to an improved solar heating panel for converting solar energy to thermal energy in a cir-culating fluid to be used for heating or other purposes. A
transparent plastic film is secured to a flat dark opaque sur-face to form a channel therebetween for the circulating fluid.
The transparent film which faces the sun is uneven shaped whereby some of the sun's rays which strike the solar panel are reflected to an adjacent portion of the panel. For instance, the film may be shaped to form a series of interconnected domes or pyramids, or a number of interconnected semitubular portions.
The solar radiation which passes through the transparent film is received by the opaque surface where it is converted to thermal energy in the presence of the carrier fluid. The resulting im-proved efficiency permits smaller solar collectors to be con-structed at a lesser cost, and also eliminates the need to attempt to have the solar panel move to face the sun at right angles as it constantly changes position.
Description
~lOti~fl6 .
BAC~CGROUND OF TE~E INVENTION
This in~ention relates generally to a system to convert solar energy to thermal energy for heating purposes and more particularly to an improved solar heating panel.
In the past, a variety of solar collectors have been constructed to conduct a thermal transfer fluid. A common type is ormed of black plastic which converts solar energy to thermal energy at its outer surface and the heat is then transferred through the plastic to the thermal carrier, which is usualIy 1~ water. This structure has the disadvantage that there is con-siderable heat loss to outside air due to the insulation pro-perties of the plastic, thereby resulting in very ineicient heat trans~er.
More recently, a more sophisticated and expensive system has been provided using a transparent~ planar front surface, usually formed of glass. In this system, incoming radiation passes through the glass to strike a black fluid carry-ing tube system where it is converted to thermal energy and carried away by the circulating ~luid. This system has improved efficiency-, but it is more expensive to construct and maintain, particularly if it is to be attached to a household or house trailer pressure system. This system has the disadvantage that the transparent surface becomes increasingly reflective of incident radiation as the angle of incidence departs from normal to the surface o the solar panel. This results in lowered eficiency and has led to costly efforts to have the collector located so that its surface is at right angles to incoming solar energy. In view of the fact that the position o the sun is constantly - changing relative to a point on earth, such efforts are of marginal value Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome these disadvantages by providing an improved solar heating panel which receives the solar energy through a transparent front side which is uneven shaped, such as semitu~ular or dome shaped.
A solar heating panel having a flow channel through which a fluid flows to be heated by solar energy comprising: -(a) a first dark opaque shset, and (b3 a second transparent sheet facing the sun, the second sheet being shaped to form a plùrality of interconnected adjacent protruding transparent portions, the first and second sheets being joined together to define the fluid flow channel therebetween which extends through hollow areas formed between the protruding portions of the second sheet and the first sheet, the protruding portions being shaped to reflect a portion of the incident energy from the sun to the adjacent portions.
A solar heating panel having a flow channel through which a liquid flows to be heated by solar energy, the panel havi~g a flat dark opaque surface with a transparent plastic film secured thereto, the film being shaped to form a series of outwardly projecting interconnected domes, the dark surface and the transparent film thereby defining a continuous liquid flow channel connecting a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, the panel being oriented whereby the sun's rays will pass through the transparent film and the liquid to strike the opaque surface.
With this structure, the loss of energy through reflection is minimized in that radiation striking the transparent ; side or film will be partially transmitted by refraction towards the black opaque surface or side and will be partially reflected.
,~
~ -169(~6 1 In most cases, the reflected portion of the energy will strikeanother portion of the transparent film wherein some of it will be converted to thermal energy. This action may be repeated :
several times with each angle o~ incidence varying until a considerable portion of the solar energy is converted to thermal . .
. , -: 3~
- 2a -.~, .
~` ~06~U06 1 energy in the carrier fluid. Thus, the loss of efficiency as the sun assumes different positions in the sky as the days and se~sons pass is minimized. Furthermore, this structure reduces loss due to reradiation of energy from the solar panel. This structure provides for conversion of radiant solar energ~ to thermal energy at the surface of the opaque side which is in contact with the carrier fluid. This, combined with the in-creased efficiency due to reduced reflection losses enables smaller, less costly panels to be used and eliminates the costly attempts to arrange the panels to intercept the solar energy at right angles.
Furthermore, because of the relief factor of the present structure, when the sun is not at right angles to the panel, energy will be captured along the edges of the panel which would not otherwise strike the panel.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will - appear from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a solar panel accord-ing to a first embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure l;
Figure 3 shows a portion of the sectional view seen in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a solar panel accord-ing to a second embodiment of the invention; and Figure 5 (located on page with Figures 1-3) is a ; 3~ sectional view taken along line V-V in Figure 4.
;. .
~ ~ .
~o~g~.6 DESCRIPTION OF THE PRE:FERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference is first made to Figures 1 to 3 which show the first embodiment of a solar panel 10 formed by an upper trans-parent side or film 12 secured to a lower dark opaque side 14. The lower side 14 is a flat rectangular sheet, while the upper side 12 is molded of plastic to form series of interconnected domes 16.
As may be seen, adjacent domes 16 intersect each other at necks 26, while the end domes of adjacent rows are interconnected by arch portions 18, and a fluid inlet ~0 and a fluid outlet 22 are 1o provided to form a continuous fluid channel 24 between the upper and lower sides. The lower side 14 is normally black and the upper transparent side 12 is cemented to it to prevent leakage of the fluid.
In use, the fluid inlet 20 and fluid outlet 22 are connected to a source of thermal fluid, usually water, which cir-culates through the solar panel 10 to transfer heat as required.
Referring in more detail to Figure 3, an incoming ray of solar radiation 28 strikes the surface of one of the domes 16 and a portion of it is refracted to strike the black lower side 14 where 20 it is converted to thermal energy and transferred to the circula-ting fluid ~ A portion of the solar radiation will be reflected at 30 to strike an adjacent dome, where a portion of it in turn will be transmitted to the thermal conversion side 1~ and another portion reflected back to the first dome. Thus, the shape of the upper transparent side 12 provides a significant increase in the efficiency of absorption of solar energy over the previously known planar surface.
Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention, and as many of the features are identical to those of 30 the first embodiment, features common to both embodiments are described and illustrated using the same reference numerals. In this second embodiment, the solar panel 10 is similarly formed . - 4 -9(~
1 of a transparent side or film 12 secured to a lower dark opaque side 14. However, in this embodiment, the upper side 12 is shaped to form a series of semitubular portions 32. As may be seen, these semitubular portions 32 are interconnected at alter-na-te ends by arch portions 18 and are provided with a fluid inlet 20 and a fluid outlet 22 to also form a continuous fluid channel 24. It will be appreciated that ~his embodiment also provides considerably improved energy conversion efficiency over a solar panel with a flat planar front surface for solar radiation with a low angle of incidence in that some o~ the solar energy re~lected from one semitubular portion 32 will be received by an adjacent semitubular portion~ The importance of this will be appreciated when it is considered the small percentage of time that the sun is located perpendicular to the plane of the solar panel. Operation of this second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment and its description need not be repeated.
Although the description of this invention has been given with respect to particular embodiments, it is not to be con~trued in a limiting sense. Many variations and modifications will now occur to those skilled in the art. For instance, the , ; domes might be formed to have polygonal or elliptical bases.
Alternatively r the domes might be replaced by pyramids or the semitubular portions ~ be of another modified tubular shape.
As well, the opaque side 14 could be provided with fluid channels on both the front and rear. Thus, in the higher latitudes advantage might be gained from the act that the sun rises north of east and sets north of west in the summer months. Further-more, although the solar panel is preferably formed of plastic, other materials such as glass and metals might be combined.
_ 5 _
BAC~CGROUND OF TE~E INVENTION
This in~ention relates generally to a system to convert solar energy to thermal energy for heating purposes and more particularly to an improved solar heating panel.
In the past, a variety of solar collectors have been constructed to conduct a thermal transfer fluid. A common type is ormed of black plastic which converts solar energy to thermal energy at its outer surface and the heat is then transferred through the plastic to the thermal carrier, which is usualIy 1~ water. This structure has the disadvantage that there is con-siderable heat loss to outside air due to the insulation pro-perties of the plastic, thereby resulting in very ineicient heat trans~er.
More recently, a more sophisticated and expensive system has been provided using a transparent~ planar front surface, usually formed of glass. In this system, incoming radiation passes through the glass to strike a black fluid carry-ing tube system where it is converted to thermal energy and carried away by the circulating ~luid. This system has improved efficiency-, but it is more expensive to construct and maintain, particularly if it is to be attached to a household or house trailer pressure system. This system has the disadvantage that the transparent surface becomes increasingly reflective of incident radiation as the angle of incidence departs from normal to the surface o the solar panel. This results in lowered eficiency and has led to costly efforts to have the collector located so that its surface is at right angles to incoming solar energy. In view of the fact that the position o the sun is constantly - changing relative to a point on earth, such efforts are of marginal value Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome these disadvantages by providing an improved solar heating panel which receives the solar energy through a transparent front side which is uneven shaped, such as semitu~ular or dome shaped.
A solar heating panel having a flow channel through which a fluid flows to be heated by solar energy comprising: -(a) a first dark opaque shset, and (b3 a second transparent sheet facing the sun, the second sheet being shaped to form a plùrality of interconnected adjacent protruding transparent portions, the first and second sheets being joined together to define the fluid flow channel therebetween which extends through hollow areas formed between the protruding portions of the second sheet and the first sheet, the protruding portions being shaped to reflect a portion of the incident energy from the sun to the adjacent portions.
A solar heating panel having a flow channel through which a liquid flows to be heated by solar energy, the panel havi~g a flat dark opaque surface with a transparent plastic film secured thereto, the film being shaped to form a series of outwardly projecting interconnected domes, the dark surface and the transparent film thereby defining a continuous liquid flow channel connecting a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, the panel being oriented whereby the sun's rays will pass through the transparent film and the liquid to strike the opaque surface.
With this structure, the loss of energy through reflection is minimized in that radiation striking the transparent ; side or film will be partially transmitted by refraction towards the black opaque surface or side and will be partially reflected.
,~
~ -169(~6 1 In most cases, the reflected portion of the energy will strikeanother portion of the transparent film wherein some of it will be converted to thermal energy. This action may be repeated :
several times with each angle o~ incidence varying until a considerable portion of the solar energy is converted to thermal . .
. , -: 3~
- 2a -.~, .
~` ~06~U06 1 energy in the carrier fluid. Thus, the loss of efficiency as the sun assumes different positions in the sky as the days and se~sons pass is minimized. Furthermore, this structure reduces loss due to reradiation of energy from the solar panel. This structure provides for conversion of radiant solar energ~ to thermal energy at the surface of the opaque side which is in contact with the carrier fluid. This, combined with the in-creased efficiency due to reduced reflection losses enables smaller, less costly panels to be used and eliminates the costly attempts to arrange the panels to intercept the solar energy at right angles.
Furthermore, because of the relief factor of the present structure, when the sun is not at right angles to the panel, energy will be captured along the edges of the panel which would not otherwise strike the panel.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will - appear from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a solar panel accord-ing to a first embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure l;
Figure 3 shows a portion of the sectional view seen in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a solar panel accord-ing to a second embodiment of the invention; and Figure 5 (located on page with Figures 1-3) is a ; 3~ sectional view taken along line V-V in Figure 4.
;. .
~ ~ .
~o~g~.6 DESCRIPTION OF THE PRE:FERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference is first made to Figures 1 to 3 which show the first embodiment of a solar panel 10 formed by an upper trans-parent side or film 12 secured to a lower dark opaque side 14. The lower side 14 is a flat rectangular sheet, while the upper side 12 is molded of plastic to form series of interconnected domes 16.
As may be seen, adjacent domes 16 intersect each other at necks 26, while the end domes of adjacent rows are interconnected by arch portions 18, and a fluid inlet ~0 and a fluid outlet 22 are 1o provided to form a continuous fluid channel 24 between the upper and lower sides. The lower side 14 is normally black and the upper transparent side 12 is cemented to it to prevent leakage of the fluid.
In use, the fluid inlet 20 and fluid outlet 22 are connected to a source of thermal fluid, usually water, which cir-culates through the solar panel 10 to transfer heat as required.
Referring in more detail to Figure 3, an incoming ray of solar radiation 28 strikes the surface of one of the domes 16 and a portion of it is refracted to strike the black lower side 14 where 20 it is converted to thermal energy and transferred to the circula-ting fluid ~ A portion of the solar radiation will be reflected at 30 to strike an adjacent dome, where a portion of it in turn will be transmitted to the thermal conversion side 1~ and another portion reflected back to the first dome. Thus, the shape of the upper transparent side 12 provides a significant increase in the efficiency of absorption of solar energy over the previously known planar surface.
Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention, and as many of the features are identical to those of 30 the first embodiment, features common to both embodiments are described and illustrated using the same reference numerals. In this second embodiment, the solar panel 10 is similarly formed . - 4 -9(~
1 of a transparent side or film 12 secured to a lower dark opaque side 14. However, in this embodiment, the upper side 12 is shaped to form a series of semitubular portions 32. As may be seen, these semitubular portions 32 are interconnected at alter-na-te ends by arch portions 18 and are provided with a fluid inlet 20 and a fluid outlet 22 to also form a continuous fluid channel 24. It will be appreciated that ~his embodiment also provides considerably improved energy conversion efficiency over a solar panel with a flat planar front surface for solar radiation with a low angle of incidence in that some o~ the solar energy re~lected from one semitubular portion 32 will be received by an adjacent semitubular portion~ The importance of this will be appreciated when it is considered the small percentage of time that the sun is located perpendicular to the plane of the solar panel. Operation of this second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment and its description need not be repeated.
Although the description of this invention has been given with respect to particular embodiments, it is not to be con~trued in a limiting sense. Many variations and modifications will now occur to those skilled in the art. For instance, the , ; domes might be formed to have polygonal or elliptical bases.
Alternatively r the domes might be replaced by pyramids or the semitubular portions ~ be of another modified tubular shape.
As well, the opaque side 14 could be provided with fluid channels on both the front and rear. Thus, in the higher latitudes advantage might be gained from the act that the sun rises north of east and sets north of west in the summer months. Further-more, although the solar panel is preferably formed of plastic, other materials such as glass and metals might be combined.
_ 5 _
Claims (8)
1. A solar heating panel having a flow channel through which a fluid flows to be heated by solar energy comprising:
(a) a first dark opaque sheet, and (b) a second transparent sheet facing the sun, the second sheet being shaped to form a plurality of interconnected adjacent protruding transparent portions, the first and second sheets being joined together to define the fluid flow channel therebetween which extends through hollow areas formed between the protruding portions of the second sheet and the first sheet, the protruding portions being shaped to reflect a portion of the incident energy from the sun to the adjacent portions.
(a) a first dark opaque sheet, and (b) a second transparent sheet facing the sun, the second sheet being shaped to form a plurality of interconnected adjacent protruding transparent portions, the first and second sheets being joined together to define the fluid flow channel therebetween which extends through hollow areas formed between the protruding portions of the second sheet and the first sheet, the protruding portions being shaped to reflect a portion of the incident energy from the sun to the adjacent portions.
2. A solar heating panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the transparent portions of the second sheet have the shape of a series of interconnected domes.
3. A solar heating panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the transparent portions of the second sheet are substantially semitubular shaped.
4. A solar heating panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the transparent portions of the second sheet have the shape of a series of interconnected pyramids.
5. A solar heating panel as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein the first sheet is flat.
6. v A solar heating panel as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein the first sheet is black.
7. A solar heating panel as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein the second sheet is formed of a transparent plastic and adhesively secured to the first side.
8. A solar heating panel having a flow channel through which a fluid flows to be heated by solar energy, the panel having a flat dark opaque surface with a transparent plastic sheet secured thereto, the sheet being shaped to form series of outwardly projecting interconnected domes whereby a portion of the incident energy from the sun is reflected from each dome to an adjacent dome, the dark surface and the transparent sheet thereby defining a continuous liquid flow channel connecting a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, the panel being oriented whereby a portion of the incident energy from the sun will pass through the transparent sheet and the liquid to strike the opaque surface.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA281,948A CA1069006A (en) | 1977-07-04 | 1977-07-04 | Solar heating panel |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA281,948A CA1069006A (en) | 1977-07-04 | 1977-07-04 | Solar heating panel |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1069006A true CA1069006A (en) | 1980-01-01 |
Family
ID=4109049
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA281,948A Expired CA1069006A (en) | 1977-07-04 | 1977-07-04 | Solar heating panel |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1069006A (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4763641A (en) * | 1986-05-29 | 1988-08-16 | Smith William F | Solar energy absorber |
| US4858594A (en) * | 1988-03-28 | 1989-08-22 | K-S-H Canada Inc. | Solar heating panel with curvilinear passageway |
| WO2006017885A1 (en) * | 2004-08-17 | 2006-02-23 | Bodgan Goczynski | Solar collector panel system |
-
1977
- 1977-07-04 CA CA281,948A patent/CA1069006A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4763641A (en) * | 1986-05-29 | 1988-08-16 | Smith William F | Solar energy absorber |
| US4858594A (en) * | 1988-03-28 | 1989-08-22 | K-S-H Canada Inc. | Solar heating panel with curvilinear passageway |
| WO2006017885A1 (en) * | 2004-08-17 | 2006-02-23 | Bodgan Goczynski | Solar collector panel system |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |