CA1072846A - Solar energy collector - Google Patents
Solar energy collectorInfo
- Publication number
- CA1072846A CA1072846A CA280,392A CA280392A CA1072846A CA 1072846 A CA1072846 A CA 1072846A CA 280392 A CA280392 A CA 280392A CA 1072846 A CA1072846 A CA 1072846A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- air
- collector
- plate
- flat
- outlet
- 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
- Roof Covering Using Slabs Or Stiff Sheets (AREA)
Abstract
SOLAR ENERGY COLLECTOR
Abstract of the Disclosure A metal collector plate with black paint on its face is mounted in a heat insulated space with a dual pane transparent -member transmitting solar rays to the face of the plate. The front face of the plate is spaced from the transparent member providing a passage for free flow of air upwardly along the painted surface. The back side of the plate is divided trans-versely for exposure to two air chambers, the lower air chamber receiving incoming cool air which becomes pre-heated by contact with the back side and then flows through suitable passages through the lower edge of the plate into the free flow passage, and the upper air chamber receiving heated air,from the free flow passage through slots at the upper edge of the plate and addi-tionally providing for contact between the heated air and the back side of the plate. A differential thermostat control for flow of air through the collector unit is operated by heat sensor .
probes in the cold air intake and hot air chamber.
Abstract of the Disclosure A metal collector plate with black paint on its face is mounted in a heat insulated space with a dual pane transparent -member transmitting solar rays to the face of the plate. The front face of the plate is spaced from the transparent member providing a passage for free flow of air upwardly along the painted surface. The back side of the plate is divided trans-versely for exposure to two air chambers, the lower air chamber receiving incoming cool air which becomes pre-heated by contact with the back side and then flows through suitable passages through the lower edge of the plate into the free flow passage, and the upper air chamber receiving heated air,from the free flow passage through slots at the upper edge of the plate and addi-tionally providing for contact between the heated air and the back side of the plate. A differential thermostat control for flow of air through the collector unit is operated by heat sensor .
probes in the cold air intake and hot air chamber.
Description
a~j Back~round of the Invention ___ __ __ ____ This invention relates -to a solar energy collector u-tilizing air or other fluid as the heat transfer media.
The initial cost and the efficiency of such collectors have been the major problems encountered in constructing a practical collector.
Collector units have been proposed employing flat plates disposed to face the sun and over which air flows in contact with the plates to pick up heat therefrom and transmit the same to a storage unit or to a point of use.
Furthermore, it has been known to apply a black paint to a flat-plate collector to provide a highly ef-ficient selective sur-face giving good absorptance of solar energy.
In systems utilizing air as the heat pick-up media, -there is a need for considering the optimum air velocity for turbu-lent air flow in contact with the surface of the heated flat-plate collector, and controlling the air flow in accordance with the available heat. In general the higher the temperature o-f the flat plate collector the higher air veloci-ty may be employed -for a given output air temperature, and/or the higher will be -the output air temperature ~or a given velocity o~ air. ~-Since the sun does not always shine constantly upon the collector, there may be frequent times in which the temperature of the flat-plate collector drops because of lack of solar energy 25 input.
- Summary of the Invent on The solar energy collector of the present invention is constructed in modules generally disposed side by side and facing the sun at a collector tilt determined by the climatic conditians of the particular location.
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Each module cons-titu-tes a heat insulated enclosure presenting a predetermined generally flat face of maximum area tilt -toward the sun and which has a dual pane glass front for transmitting solar energy to the flat-plate collec-tor within.
The flat-plate collector is of sheet metal such as aluminum mounted by its edges within the enclosure and spaced from the glass front to divide the enclosure into a front air flow channel and a space in back of the flat~plate.
The back space is partitioned midway across the same to provide support for the relatively thin flat plate in the enclosure.
The lower part of the back space constitutes an inlet chamber for air to directly contact the back of the -flat-plate collector, and is in communication with the front air flow channel 15 by a transverse slot or other opening along the lower edge portion of the flat-plate collector.
The upper part of the back space constitutes an outlet chamber for heated air passing in-to it through a transverse slot or other opening along the upper edge of the f~at-plate collector from the front air flow channel. The heated air in the outlet chamber directly contacts the back side of the fla-t-plate collector to additionally remove solar energy therefrom.
The circulation of air through the collec-tor is effected by a fan in a supply duct leading to the inlet chamber.
The initial cost and the efficiency of such collectors have been the major problems encountered in constructing a practical collector.
Collector units have been proposed employing flat plates disposed to face the sun and over which air flows in contact with the plates to pick up heat therefrom and transmit the same to a storage unit or to a point of use.
Furthermore, it has been known to apply a black paint to a flat-plate collector to provide a highly ef-ficient selective sur-face giving good absorptance of solar energy.
In systems utilizing air as the heat pick-up media, -there is a need for considering the optimum air velocity for turbu-lent air flow in contact with the surface of the heated flat-plate collector, and controlling the air flow in accordance with the available heat. In general the higher the temperature o-f the flat plate collector the higher air veloci-ty may be employed -for a given output air temperature, and/or the higher will be -the output air temperature ~or a given velocity o~ air. ~-Since the sun does not always shine constantly upon the collector, there may be frequent times in which the temperature of the flat-plate collector drops because of lack of solar energy 25 input.
- Summary of the Invent on The solar energy collector of the present invention is constructed in modules generally disposed side by side and facing the sun at a collector tilt determined by the climatic conditians of the particular location.
- ~. ~'''"" .
.ti~ "
.': :
' ~ 8~
Each module cons-titu-tes a heat insulated enclosure presenting a predetermined generally flat face of maximum area tilt -toward the sun and which has a dual pane glass front for transmitting solar energy to the flat-plate collec-tor within.
The flat-plate collector is of sheet metal such as aluminum mounted by its edges within the enclosure and spaced from the glass front to divide the enclosure into a front air flow channel and a space in back of the flat~plate.
The back space is partitioned midway across the same to provide support for the relatively thin flat plate in the enclosure.
The lower part of the back space constitutes an inlet chamber for air to directly contact the back of the -flat-plate collector, and is in communication with the front air flow channel 15 by a transverse slot or other opening along the lower edge portion of the flat-plate collector.
The upper part of the back space constitutes an outlet chamber for heated air passing in-to it through a transverse slot or other opening along the upper edge of the f~at-plate collector from the front air flow channel. The heated air in the outlet chamber directly contacts the back side of the fla-t-plate collector to additionally remove solar energy therefrom.
The circulation of air through the collec-tor is effected by a fan in a supply duct leading to the inlet chamber.
2~ A differential thermostat is employed to prevent actua-tion of the an motor whenever a difference in temperature of less than 7 F. is presen-t between the temperature of the air in the supply duct and either the air in the outlet chamber or the flat-plate collector in a region near -the upper edge of the latter.
The same differential thermostat additionally closes the supply duct and the discharge duct unless the temperature differential previously referred to does not exceed 7 F.
.
~ Z8~6 Brief Description of the Drawinq _______ __ _ __ The accompanying drawing illustrates the best mode presently con-templa-ted o-E carrying out the invention.
FIGURE 1 is a ver-tical schematic view of a collector unit and air flow system;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the collector of Fig. 1, and FIG. 3 is a front face view of the collector of Fig~ 1 with parts broken away to show the construction.
Description of the Preferred E bodiment The module of the solar energy collector as illustrated in the drawings, comprises a collector unit having an enclosure or housing 1 with a generally triangularly shaped body portion 2 and with a horizontal bottom 3, and vertical back side 4. `
The body portion 2 of housing 1 merges on either side with the wing portions 5 which extend .in a tilted plane across the Eront of the body portion.
The front of the housing 1 is tilted to a position reasonably normal to the rays of the sun at a prime -time of day~ ~
The body portion 2 and wing portions 5 are constructed ; ~ .
of heat insulating material such as and the front is closed by one or more panels of dual pane glass 6 set in a removable frame sealed to the body portion agains-t wea-ther leakage.
A flat-plate collector 7 is spaced from and preferably parallel to the glass 6 and is supported at its edges by suitable flanges or shoulders 8 in the walls of the housing.
The flat-plate collector 7 may be of any available material having the ability to become hea-ted by the rays of the ;~ -sun. That currently employed constitutes a thin sheet of aluminum~
copper or other metal preferably painted black with a composi-tion o~ high absorptance of solar energy,
The same differential thermostat additionally closes the supply duct and the discharge duct unless the temperature differential previously referred to does not exceed 7 F.
.
~ Z8~6 Brief Description of the Drawinq _______ __ _ __ The accompanying drawing illustrates the best mode presently con-templa-ted o-E carrying out the invention.
FIGURE 1 is a ver-tical schematic view of a collector unit and air flow system;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the collector of Fig. 1, and FIG. 3 is a front face view of the collector of Fig~ 1 with parts broken away to show the construction.
Description of the Preferred E bodiment The module of the solar energy collector as illustrated in the drawings, comprises a collector unit having an enclosure or housing 1 with a generally triangularly shaped body portion 2 and with a horizontal bottom 3, and vertical back side 4. `
The body portion 2 of housing 1 merges on either side with the wing portions 5 which extend .in a tilted plane across the Eront of the body portion.
The front of the housing 1 is tilted to a position reasonably normal to the rays of the sun at a prime -time of day~ ~
The body portion 2 and wing portions 5 are constructed ; ~ .
of heat insulating material such as and the front is closed by one or more panels of dual pane glass 6 set in a removable frame sealed to the body portion agains-t wea-ther leakage.
A flat-plate collector 7 is spaced from and preferably parallel to the glass 6 and is supported at its edges by suitable flanges or shoulders 8 in the walls of the housing.
The flat-plate collector 7 may be of any available material having the ability to become hea-ted by the rays of the ;~ -sun. That currently employed constitutes a thin sheet of aluminum~
copper or other metal preferably painted black with a composi-tion o~ high absorptance of solar energy,
- 3 -, . - . ~
'7ZB~6 The~ space in housing 1 behind the flat-plate collector 7 is divided by a transverse partition 9 in-to an inlet chamber 10 and an ou-tlet chamber 11.
The partition 9 extends from the bottom of the housing 1 to -the center of -the flat-plate collector 7 supports the latter centrally against undue sagging.
The inlet chamber 10 is generally beneath and toward the front -from the partition 9.
Chamber 10 is in communication with -the space 12 between flat-plate collector 7 and glass 6 by means o-f a series o-f slots 13 or other openings through the collector plate 7 along the l lower edge por-tion of the plate. ~-The outlet chamber 11 is generally behind and above the partition 9 and is in communication with space 12 by means of a series of slots 1~ or other openings through the collector plate 7 along the upper edge portion oE -the plate.
Air is supplied to inle-t chamber 10 through a pipe or duct lS by means of a fan 16 providing forced flow of air throu~h the collector.
Air is exhausted from outlet chamber 11 thraugh a plpe or duct 17 to a storage unit 18 or to equipment utilizing the heat from the air.
The air circuit as illustra-ted provides a continuous ;
flow of air through pipe or duct 15, inIet chamber 10, slots 13, space 12, slots 14, outlet chamber 11, pipe or duct 17 and storage unit 18 back to duct 15. The fan 16 is preferably located between the storage unit 18 and cold air duct 15.
Control of -the flow of air through -the circuit pro~ides a shut off for the fan 16 during periods when the solar energy reaching the flat-plate collector is belo~ a predetermined - minimum amount.
~ Z8~
For this purpose a dif-ferential thermosta-t 19 is opera-ted by -two -temperature sensing probes, probe 20 in duct 15 and probe 21 in ou-tlet chamber 11 preferably à-ttached to the back of the flat collector plate 7.
The -thermosta-t 19 opens and closes the energizing circuit 22 for the motor 23 dr~ving fan 16.
A suitable differential temperature between probes 20 and 21 for actuating the thermos-tat is of the order of 7 F.
In other words, when sensing probe 21 is at least 7 F. warmer than sensing probe 20 the thermostat 19 closes the motor circuit 22 to energize the motor 23 and dri~re fan 16, and when the sensing probe 21 is not at least 7 F. warmer than sensing probe 20 -the thermostat 19 will maintain circuit 22 open and ;~
motor 23 will not drive fan 16.
The heat storage unit 18 may be of -the rock type, or it may be any heat exchange apparatus for transferring the heat into storage material or into useful form.
In order to prevent loss of heat from unit 18 as by air convection when the -fan 16 is not operating, it is desirable to provide a damper 24 in duct 15 and a damper 25 in duct 17 actuated by suitable damper motors under the control of thermostat 19 to close the ducts when fan 16 is not operating and to- open the ducts when fan 16 is operating.
The dampers 24 and 25 are particularly needed where the collector unit is placed on the roof of a building 26 as illustrated in Fig. 1, and the heat storage or heat exchange unit 18 is located in the basement of the building.
The housing 1 of the collector unit is constructed to pro~vide for its location either on a slanting roof, as shownj on a flat roof, on a vertical wall, or on an angular support providing the required exposure of the flat collector plates 7 to the rays of the sun, `' ' ' ' . ' " , ', ' " ,' "' ' .' .' .. ' ~. ' ' ' ' ' . . ' `' ' . ' ' '. . ,, ' ' .. ~ `' " ,' '. "' " .~ '.. . . ', `
'7ZB~6 The~ space in housing 1 behind the flat-plate collector 7 is divided by a transverse partition 9 in-to an inlet chamber 10 and an ou-tlet chamber 11.
The partition 9 extends from the bottom of the housing 1 to -the center of -the flat-plate collector 7 supports the latter centrally against undue sagging.
The inlet chamber 10 is generally beneath and toward the front -from the partition 9.
Chamber 10 is in communication with -the space 12 between flat-plate collector 7 and glass 6 by means o-f a series o-f slots 13 or other openings through the collector plate 7 along the l lower edge por-tion of the plate. ~-The outlet chamber 11 is generally behind and above the partition 9 and is in communication with space 12 by means of a series of slots 1~ or other openings through the collector plate 7 along the upper edge portion oE -the plate.
Air is supplied to inle-t chamber 10 through a pipe or duct lS by means of a fan 16 providing forced flow of air throu~h the collector.
Air is exhausted from outlet chamber 11 thraugh a plpe or duct 17 to a storage unit 18 or to equipment utilizing the heat from the air.
The air circuit as illustra-ted provides a continuous ;
flow of air through pipe or duct 15, inIet chamber 10, slots 13, space 12, slots 14, outlet chamber 11, pipe or duct 17 and storage unit 18 back to duct 15. The fan 16 is preferably located between the storage unit 18 and cold air duct 15.
Control of -the flow of air through -the circuit pro~ides a shut off for the fan 16 during periods when the solar energy reaching the flat-plate collector is belo~ a predetermined - minimum amount.
~ Z8~
For this purpose a dif-ferential thermosta-t 19 is opera-ted by -two -temperature sensing probes, probe 20 in duct 15 and probe 21 in ou-tlet chamber 11 preferably à-ttached to the back of the flat collector plate 7.
The -thermosta-t 19 opens and closes the energizing circuit 22 for the motor 23 dr~ving fan 16.
A suitable differential temperature between probes 20 and 21 for actuating the thermos-tat is of the order of 7 F.
In other words, when sensing probe 21 is at least 7 F. warmer than sensing probe 20 the thermostat 19 closes the motor circuit 22 to energize the motor 23 and dri~re fan 16, and when the sensing probe 21 is not at least 7 F. warmer than sensing probe 20 -the thermostat 19 will maintain circuit 22 open and ;~
motor 23 will not drive fan 16.
The heat storage unit 18 may be of -the rock type, or it may be any heat exchange apparatus for transferring the heat into storage material or into useful form.
In order to prevent loss of heat from unit 18 as by air convection when the -fan 16 is not operating, it is desirable to provide a damper 24 in duct 15 and a damper 25 in duct 17 actuated by suitable damper motors under the control of thermostat 19 to close the ducts when fan 16 is not operating and to- open the ducts when fan 16 is operating.
The dampers 24 and 25 are particularly needed where the collector unit is placed on the roof of a building 26 as illustrated in Fig. 1, and the heat storage or heat exchange unit 18 is located in the basement of the building.
The housing 1 of the collector unit is constructed to pro~vide for its location either on a slanting roof, as shownj on a flat roof, on a vertical wall, or on an angular support providing the required exposure of the flat collector plates 7 to the rays of the sun, `' ' ' ' . ' " , ', ' " ,' "' ' .' .' .. ' ~. ' ' ' ' ' . . ' `' ' . ' ' '. . ,, ' ' .. ~ `' " ,' '. "' " .~ '.. . . ', `
Claims (10)
1. A solar energy collector system comprising a collector unit having an air inlet and an air outlet, storage means for removing heat from air received from the collector unit, and means to circulate air from said storage means to said collector inlet and from said collector outlet to said storage means; said collector unit comprising a heat insulated housing having a back, side walls and a transparent face exposed to the rays of the sun, a flat-plate collector spaced from said face in said housing and extending to the side walls of said housing, a partition in said housing disposed between said housing back and said flat-plate collector and supporting said flat-plate collector and dividing the portion of said housing between the flat-plate collector and the housing back into separate inlet and outlet chambers, said outlet chamber being disposed above said inlet chamber, and passage means for the flow of air from said inlet chamber into and upwardly through the space between said transparent face and said flat-plate collector to said outlet chamber.
2. The construction according to claim 1 in which said flat-plate collector has bottom and top edges and is sealed against the side walls of said housing, and said passage means comprises openings near the bottom and top edges of said flat-plate collector.
3. The construction according to claim 1 and a differential thermostat control sensing the supply of heat energy received by said flat-plate collector for controlling said air circulating means.
4. The construction according to claim 3 in which said differential thermostat is controlled by a first heat sensing probe disposed in the air inlet for said collector unit and a second heat sensing probe disposed adjacent the outlet of said flat-plate collector.
5. The construction according to claim 4 in which said air circulating means comprises a motor driven fan responsive to said differential thermostat whereby a predetermined temperature differential between said heat sensing probes actuates the thermostat to energize said motor and drive said fan.
6. The construction according to claim 3 in which said collector unit is disposed above said heat removal means, said air circulating means comprises separate ducts between said heat removal means and said inlet and outlet for said collector unit, and damper means in said ducts operatively controlled by said differential thermostat.
7. The construction according to claim 6 in which said differential thermostat is controlled by a first heat sensing probe disposed in the air inlet for said collector unit and a second heat sensing probe disposed adjacent the outlet of said flat-plate collector.
8. The construction according to claim 7 in which said air circulating means comprises a motor driven fan responsive to said differential thermostat.
9. The construction according to claim 6 in which said differential thermostat is controlled by a first heat sensing probe disposed in the air inlet for said collector unit and a second heat sensing probe disposed adjacent the outlet of said flat-plate collector, whereby a
9. The construction according to claim 6 in which said differential thermostat is controlled by a first heat sensing probe disposed in the air inlet for said collector unit and a second heat sensing probe disposed adjacent the outlet of said flat-plate collector, whereby a
Claim 9 Continued predetermined temperature differential between said heat sensing probes actuates the thermostat to energize said motor for driving said fan and also to open said damper means in said air ducts.
10. The construction of claim 2, in which said partition extends generally horizontally across the back side of the collector plate so that the air in the inlet chamber is in direct contact with one portion of the back side of said plate and the air in the outlet chamber is in direct contact with another portion of the back side of said plate.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA280,392A CA1072846A (en) | 1977-06-13 | 1977-06-13 | Solar energy collector |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA280,392A CA1072846A (en) | 1977-06-13 | 1977-06-13 | Solar energy collector |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1072846A true CA1072846A (en) | 1980-03-04 |
Family
ID=4108874
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA280,392A Expired CA1072846A (en) | 1977-06-13 | 1977-06-13 | Solar energy collector |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1072846A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4497311A (en) * | 1982-08-26 | 1985-02-05 | Brandenburg Jr Frank J | Sun tracking solar air heating system |
-
1977
- 1977-06-13 CA CA280,392A patent/CA1072846A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4497311A (en) * | 1982-08-26 | 1985-02-05 | Brandenburg Jr Frank J | Sun tracking solar air heating system |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |