EP0204734A1 - Solar water heater - Google Patents

Solar water heater

Info

Publication number
EP0204734A1
EP0204734A1 EP85905738A EP85905738A EP0204734A1 EP 0204734 A1 EP0204734 A1 EP 0204734A1 EP 85905738 A EP85905738 A EP 85905738A EP 85905738 A EP85905738 A EP 85905738A EP 0204734 A1 EP0204734 A1 EP 0204734A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
water heater
collector
solar water
tank
storage tank
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP85905738A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0204734A4 (en
Inventor
Kenneth George Williamson
Keith Stuart Pamplin Graham
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
K and K Holdings Pty Ltd
Original Assignee
K and K Holdings Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by K and K Holdings Pty Ltd filed Critical K and K Holdings Pty Ltd
Publication of EP0204734A1 publication Critical patent/EP0204734A1/en
Publication of EP0204734A4 publication Critical patent/EP0204734A4/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S80/00—Details, accessories or component parts of solar heat collectors not provided for in groups F24S10/00-F24S70/00
    • F24S80/40—Casings
    • F24S80/45—Casings characterised by the material
    • F24S80/457—Casings characterised by the material made of plastics
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S60/00—Arrangements for storing heat collected by solar heat collectors
    • F24S60/30—Arrangements for storing heat collected by solar heat collectors storing heat in liquids
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers

Definitions

  • THIS INVENTION relates to a solar water heater.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a solar water heater which is simple to construct in relation to existing designs of solar water heaters.
  • the majority of solar water heater units in production at the present time comprise a collector and a separate tank which may be located close to the upper end of the collector or remote therefrom.
  • the production of these units and particularly the collector is labour intensive.
  • the invention resides in a solar water heater in which the collector and the tank are formed integrally as a single unit.
  • the surface of the collector exposed to the sun should be covered with glass in the normal manner and the underside of the collector and the tank suitably insulated with a suitable insulating material such as polyurethane foam.
  • the exposed surface of the collector may be ribbed parallel to the sides to increase the contact area, promote upward convective flow and stiffen the surface.
  • the collector portion of the integral unit may be wedge shaped, the mouth of the wedge merging with the tank portion which is circular in cross section.
  • the upper and lower surfaces of the collector portion may be parallel. In each case the surface of the collector which is exposed to solar radiation is in direct contact with the water.
  • the unit of the present invention be formed of a suitable plastic material such as polypropylene using a roto-moulding technique.
  • Any one of a wide range of plastics which retain their strength and rigidity at temperature of the order of 30° - 90°C, and which are substantially unaffected by prolonged exposure to the sun and other elements may be used.
  • Fig. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of the embodiment of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view showing details of construction of the first embodiment.
  • Fig. 4. is a sectional elevation of a second embodiment.
  • the unit is moulded from polypropylene compounded with suitable pigments and UV retarders.
  • the collector 11 has a parallel upper and lower faces when viewed in side elevation and the upper surface thereof covered with a sheet of glass 12.
  • the upper end of the collector merges with and is integral with a tank 14 which is generally circular in cross section.
  • the collector is provided with a water inlet 15 adjacent the end of the collector remote from the tank.
  • the water inlet is connected to a water supply through a header tank fitted with a float control valve or some similar low pressure source.
  • the tank has a hot water outlet 16 which is located in the upper half of the tank portion of the unit and in addition a relief vent to relieve any undue build up of pressure in the unit.
  • the body of the unit is provided with insulation 18 on all surfaces except the surface of the collector portion.
  • the insulation is encased in a metal casing 19 whilst the absorption surface is covered with the sheet of glass 12.
  • the collector portion 21 is formed as a wedge shape which merges with the tank 22.
  • the two embodiments described above are for particularly suitable for production from a plastic material such as polypropylene by a roto-moulding technique. It may also be fabricated from metal or other suitable materials.
  • the unit of the present invention is particularly suitable for use in areas having a high ambient temperature. It may be used to supply hot water directly or as a preheating unit for other types of low pressure hot water storage units.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Heat-Pump Type And Storage Water Heaters (AREA)
  • Water Treatment By Sorption (AREA)
  • Details Of Fluid Heaters (AREA)
  • Thermotherapy And Cooling Therapy Devices (AREA)

Abstract

Un chauffe-eau solaire comprend un collecteur (11) et un réservoir de stockage (14), et se caractérise en ce que le collecteur (11) et le réservoir de stockage (14) sont formés de manière intégrale en une seule unité. Le chauffe-eau peut être constitué en un matériau plastique approprié en utilisant une technique de roto-moulage.A solar water heater comprises a collector (11) and a storage tank (14), and is characterized in that the collector (11) and the storage tank (14) are integrally formed in a single unit. The water heater can be made of a suitable plastic material using a rotational molding technique.

Description

"Solar Water Heater"
THIS INVENTION relates to a solar water heater.
The object of the invention is to provide a solar water heater which is simple to construct in relation to existing designs of solar water heaters. The majority of solar water heater units in production at the present time comprise a collector and a separate tank which may be located close to the upper end of the collector or remote therefrom. The production of these units and particularly the collector is labour intensive.
It has now been found that if the collector and the tank are formed integrally as a single unit from a suitable material there are significant reductions in cost.
Thus in one form the invention resides in a solar water heater in which the collector and the tank are formed integrally as a single unit.
It will be appreciated that the surface of the collector exposed to the sun should be covered with glass in the normal manner and the underside of the collector and the tank suitably insulated with a suitable insulating material such as polyurethane foam.
If desired the exposed surface of the collector may be ribbed parallel to the sides to increase the contact area, promote upward convective flow and stiffen the surface.
The collector portion of the integral unit may be wedge shaped, the mouth of the wedge merging with the tank portion which is circular in cross section. Alternatively the upper and lower surfaces of the collector portion may be parallel. In each case the surface of the collector which is exposed to solar radiation is in direct contact with the water.
It is preferable that the unit of the present invention be formed of a suitable plastic material such as polypropylene using a roto-moulding technique.
Any one of a wide range of plastics which retain their strength and rigidity at temperature of the order of 30° - 90°C, and which are substantially unaffected by prolonged exposure to the sun and other elements may be used.
The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of one specific embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings of which:
Fig. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of the embodiment of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view showing details of construction of the first embodiment; and
Fig. 4. is a sectional elevation of a second embodiment.
As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing the unit is moulded from polypropylene compounded with suitable pigments and UV retarders. The collector 11 has a parallel upper and lower faces when viewed in side elevation and the upper surface thereof covered with a sheet of glass 12. The upper end of the collector merges with and is integral with a tank 14 which is generally circular in cross section. The collector is provided with a water inlet 15 adjacent the end of the collector remote from the tank. The water inlet is connected to a water supply through a header tank fitted with a float control valve or some similar low pressure source. The tank has a hot water outlet 16 which is located in the upper half of the tank portion of the unit and in addition a relief vent to relieve any undue build up of pressure in the unit.
As will be seen from Fig. 3 of the drawings the body of the unit is provided with insulation 18 on all surfaces except the surface of the collector portion. The insulation is encased in a metal casing 19 whilst the absorption surface is covered with the sheet of glass 12.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the collector portion 21 is formed as a wedge shape which merges with the tank 22.
The two embodiments described above are for particularly suitable for production from a plastic material such as polypropylene by a roto-moulding technique. It may also be fabricated from metal or other suitable materials.
It has been found that the unit of the present invention is particularly suitable for use in areas having a high ambient temperature. It may be used to supply hot water directly or as a preheating unit for other types of low pressure hot water storage units.

Claims

THE CLAIMS defining the invention are as follows:
1. A solar water heater comprising a collector and a storage tank characterised in that the collector and the storage tank are formed integrally as a single unit.
2. A solar water heater as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper and lower surfaces of the collector portion are parallel.
3. A solar water heater as claimed in claim 1 wherein the collector portion is wedge shaped in section with the wider portion of the wedge merging with the tank.
4. A solar water heater as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 formed from a suitable plastic material by a roto-moulding technique.
5. A solar water heater as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the upper surface of the collector is ribbed.
6. A solar water heater substantially as herein described and as shown in Fig. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings.
7. A solar water heater substantially as herein described and as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings.
EP19850905738 1984-11-19 1985-11-18 Solar water heater. Withdrawn EP0204734A4 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU8188/84 1984-11-19
AUPG818884 1984-11-19

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0204734A1 true EP0204734A1 (en) 1986-12-17
EP0204734A4 EP0204734A4 (en) 1987-04-14

Family

ID=3770845

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19850905738 Withdrawn EP0204734A4 (en) 1984-11-19 1985-11-18 Solar water heater.

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0204734A4 (en)
JP (1) JPS62500880A (en)
BR (1) BR8507091A (en)
IN (1) IN166333B (en)
MY (1) MY101715A (en)
WO (1) WO1986003280A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE29621326U1 (en) * 1996-12-07 1997-02-06 Heimann Frank Dipl Ing Fh Device for the solar heating of liquids
DE102006041202B4 (en) * 2006-09-02 2009-12-03 Franz Seitz Solar module device
WO2010103255A2 (en) * 2009-03-09 2010-09-16 David Osborne Solar panel for water heating
GR1006760B (en) * 2009-04-03 2010-04-21 Θεοδωρος Στυλιανου Παπαδοπουλος 3d solar radiator enhanced with photovoltaic cells for heating swimming pools and greenhouses
WO2018226084A1 (en) * 2017-06-09 2018-12-13 Martinez Silva Jorge Adrian Storage tank for solar heaters

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4165735A (en) * 1977-10-25 1979-08-28 Smith Harold T Solar energy collector and storage device
FR2427559A1 (en) * 1978-06-02 1979-12-28 Amcor Ltd Collector for solar radiation energy - has bank to tubes connected to horizontal cylindrical water reservoir fixed at top mounted in insulating casing
JPS5538402A (en) * 1978-09-08 1980-03-17 Asahi Glass Co Ltd Solar warmer
JPS56102649A (en) * 1980-01-19 1981-08-17 Besuto Kogyo Kk Solar water heater

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4367726A (en) * 1979-02-22 1983-01-11 Environmental Research Institute Of Michigan Solar hot water heater
US4284066A (en) * 1980-06-04 1981-08-18 Brow Robert J Solar liquid heater
US4353352A (en) * 1980-10-23 1982-10-12 Bio-Energy Systems, Inc. Solar thermosyphon water heater
WO1982002087A1 (en) * 1980-12-08 1982-06-24 John Delacretaz Solar collector
AU568826B2 (en) * 1982-11-24 1988-01-14 Solar Engineering Pty. Ltd. Solar fluid heater

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4165735A (en) * 1977-10-25 1979-08-28 Smith Harold T Solar energy collector and storage device
FR2427559A1 (en) * 1978-06-02 1979-12-28 Amcor Ltd Collector for solar radiation energy - has bank to tubes connected to horizontal cylindrical water reservoir fixed at top mounted in insulating casing
JPS5538402A (en) * 1978-09-08 1980-03-17 Asahi Glass Co Ltd Solar warmer
JPS56102649A (en) * 1980-01-19 1981-08-17 Besuto Kogyo Kk Solar water heater

Non-Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENTS ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, vol. 4, no. 76 (M-14)[558], 3rd June 1980; & JP-A-55 38 402 (ASAHI GLASS K.K.) 17-03-1980 *
PATENTS ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, vol. 5, no. 183 (M-97)[855], 21st November 1981; & JP-A-56 102 649 (BESUTO KOGYO K.K.) 17-08-1981 *
See also references of WO8603280A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1986003280A1 (en) 1986-06-05
JPS62500880A (en) 1987-04-09
EP0204734A4 (en) 1987-04-14
BR8507091A (en) 1987-03-31
MY101715A (en) 1992-01-17
IN166333B (en) 1990-04-14

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Legal Events

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PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

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Effective date: 19880415

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18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19880826

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: GRAHAM, KEITH, STUART, PAMPLIN

Inventor name: WILLIAMSON, KENNETH, GEORGE