EP2019888A1

EP2019888A1 - Device for collecting rain water and calories from solar radiation

Info

Publication number: EP2019888A1
Application number: EP07766034A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christian Cristofari
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-05-12
Filing date: 2007-05-11
Publication date: 2009-02-04
Also published as: WO2007132117A1; FR2900947B1; US20090194094A1; FR2900947A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for collecting rain water and calories from solar radiation both for draining rain water and generating domestic hot water capable of being mounted at the base of a roof or on the edge of a balcony, comprising an open channel (2) having longitudinal walls and side walls (7, 8). The invention is characterized in that the open channel (2) has in cross-section a staged profile comprising first and second levels, in that a translucent or transparent covering plate (2) is mounted inside the open channel (2) at the second level being maintained by the side walls (7, 8) and delimits partly a sealed chamber (2b), in that a heat-exchanging device (20) inside which a coolant can flow is mounted inside said sealed chamber (2b), and in that the first level defines at least partly a section for the flow of rain water.

Description

Device for capturing rainwater and calories from solar radiation.

The present invention relates to a rainwater recovery device and calories from solar radiation. This capturing device is intended for buildings and is able to be mounted at the base of a roof or on the edge of a balcony.

We know how important it is to attach to the control of energy, especially in the building, to develop solar devices capable of reducing the energy bill.

We know how to recover solar energy by using solar collectors generally placed on the roof of buildings. Inside these sensors is put in motion a heat transfer fluid which can then be used to transmit the calories inside the living quarters, for example by means of individual solar water heaters (sometimes called CESI) or floors equipped with heat transfer fluid passages (sometimes referred to as "direct solar floors").

Water or heat transfer fluid solar converters, generally made of metallic or composite materials, comprising a lower part composed of a box, an insulator, an absorber and a collector and an upper part are known. composed of a translucent or transparent panel thus achieving a greenhouse effect. Also known are solar heat transfer fluid converters made of metal materials and glass that can be used in vacuum operation, or hybrid solar converters generating both heat through a heat transfer fluid and electricity.

Generally, these devices converters or solar collectors used in buildings, have a flat geometry (assemblies modules or vacuum tubes for a surface of 2m x Im for example) and have only one feature, the capture of solar energy.

The object of the present invention is to increase the solar energy uptake efficiency with respect to the devices usually used, thus to improve the heat efficiency of these solar devices, and to propose a solar product totally integrated in the building, and with a dual function of rainwater harvesting and energy capture of solar radiation. For this purpose, the present invention provides for the use of the physical phenomena related to the conversion of solar radiation such as absorption and the greenhouse effect by using as a structure a capture device mounted on the base of a roof of a roof. building or on the edge of a building balcony. The recovery of calories is carried out through a heat exchanger using the greenhouse effect, which equips a device for producing domestic hot water or heating. The capturing device thus has a dual function, being able both to recover the rainwater, and to recover the solar energy to transmit it to a coolant which may be water or another fluid. In addition, depending on the coating of the absorber of the exchanger, it is also possible to generate electricity.

In one embodiment, the device for capturing rainwater and calories from solar radiation that allows both to drain rain water and generate domestic hot water or heating, or electricity is capable of being mounted at the base of a roof or on the edge of a balcony and includes an open channel having longitudinal walls and side walls. The open channel has in cross section a floor profile comprising first and second stages. A translucent or transparent cover plate is mounted within the open channel at the second stage by being held by side walls, and partially delimits a sealed chamber.

A heat exchanger device inside which a heat transfer fluid can circulate is mounted inside said sealed chamber.

The first stage defines at least in part a flow section for rainwater.

In one embodiment, the translucent or transparent cover plate defines with at least one longitudinal wall of the second stage the sealed chamber.

Preferably, the lower part of the second stage of the open channel may at least partly define the sealed chamber. The sealed chamber may define, together with the first stage of the open channel, the flow section for rainwater.

In a preferred embodiment, the device further comprises a longitudinal bottom wall extending a bottom wall of the second stage of the open channel, said bottom wall partially forming the bottom of the sealed chamber and partially delimiting the flow section for rainwater.

Advantageously, the longitudinal bottom wall extends to the vicinity of an outer longitudinal wall of the first stage of the open channel.

In another embodiment, the lower portion of the second stage of the open channel completely defines the bottom of the sealed chamber. In another embodiment, the sealed chamber is attached against a bottom wall and a longitudinal wall of the second stage of the open channel.

The open channel and the side walls may be made of synthetic materials (polymer or composite type), glass, metal or alloy.

The open channel, on its part concerning the recovery of solar calories, has a translucent or transparent coverage ensuring the greenhouse effect. It may also have, in its lower part, an insulation strip disposed on at least a portion of the inner face of the longitudinal walls of the lower part of the second stage of the open channel inside the closed chamber.

The open channel, on its part concerning the evacuation of rain water, can be coated on the inside, with a cover or reflective coating so as to increase the effect of solar concentration. The reflective coating may be affixed to the inner face of the free air portion of a longitudinal wall of the first stage of the open channel.

In a preferred embodiment, the heat exchanger device consists of a metal plate, preferably corrugated, which serves as an absorber, and at least one metal tube for the passage of heat transfer fluid. The absorber, which can take different inclinations depending on the latitude of the installation site and the geometry of the device, make it possible to ensure an optimum effect of concentrating the solar radiation with a high efficiency.

Preferably, the corrugated metal plate is coated on its upper face with a selective black paint, a black coating made by anodizing, or a mineral coating type silicon mono or polycrystalline, optimally absorbing heat and radiating at long wavelengths, thereby maximizing the greenhouse effect.

The metal tube or tubes may be welded to the underside of the corrugated metal plate and attached to the side walls of the open channel. The corrugated profile makes it possible to obtain greater heat efficiency by concentration effect. Spacing advantageously remains between the corrugated metal plate and the translucent or transparent cover, thereby promoting the temperature rise inside the solar collector portion. In another embodiment, the heat exchanger device consists of at least one metal pipe or welded composite synthetic material, of rectangular section, fixed on the side walls and allowing the passage of heat transfer liquid. Preferably, the metal pipe or conduits are covered with a selective black paint, a black coating made by anodizing, or a mineral coating mono or polycrystalline silicon type, the composite plastic pipes incorporate black monochromatic polymers, thus absorbing heat optimally and radiating in long wavelengths, thus maximizing the greenhouse effect.

There is a gap between the metallic or composite plastic pipes and the translucent or transparent cover, thus favoring the rise in temperature inside the solar collector portion. In an advantageous embodiment, the side walls can be connected to each other by a simple junction, nested, glued or welded which can be provided, for expansion phenomena, with a polymer gasket. The closed sealed chamber can form an enclosure under a controlled atmosphere.

Advantageously, the metal plate is coated with at least one mineral to convert the radiation into electricity. The mineral coating may for example be silicon.

The invention will be better understood from the study of particular embodiments described by way of nonlimiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a top view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention;

- Figures 2, 3 and 4 are top views of individual modules to be assembled to form a second embodiment of a device according to the invention;

- Figure 5 is a section V-V of Figure 1 showing the internal structure of the device; and

FIG. 6 is a section corresponding to the section of FIG. 5 showing the internal structure of a third embodiment of a device according to the invention.

A first embodiment of the device for collecting rainwater and calories from solar radiation is referenced 1 as a whole in FIGS. 1 and 5.

The device 1 comprises an open channel 2, and a translucent or transparent cover plate 3 of generally rectangular shape. The device 1 is here shown mounted on the edge of a building roof 19, in the manner of a conventional gutter.

Of course, the arrangement of the device 1 on the edge of a roof 19 is in no way limiting. It could also be possible to mount the device on the edge of a balcony. The open channel 2 has on one of its two smaller sides, a flat lateral wall 7 of reduced section relative to the section of the open channel 2. The open channel 2 also has on its opposite side, a flat side wall 8 of section delimited in part by the section of the open channel 2. The open channel 2 may comprise in different sections one or more transverse flat plates (not shown) of section delimited in part by the section of the open channel 2, and this, in order to strengthen the mechanical strength of the device 1, and thus ensure good rigidity. As illustrated in Figure 5 showing the internal structure of the device 1, the open channel 2 has in cross section an upwardly open floor profile.

The open channel 2 comprises a bottom wall 10, an inner wall 1 1 longitudinal located on the side of the building roof 19 and extending substantially vertically upwardly one end of the bottom wall 10, and a longitudinal outer wall 12 extending substantially vertically. upwards the bottom wall 10, on the opposite side to the inner wall January 1.

The bottom wall 10 and the inner and outer walls 1 1 and 12 longitudinal thus constitute a first stage of the open channel 2 which has in cross section a generally U-shaped open upwards.

The open channel 2 also comprises an intermediate wall 13, extending substantially horizontally inwardly toward the building roof 19 the upper free end of the longitudinal inner wall 1 1, which is itself extended vertically upwards by a upper longitudinal inner wall 14, connected to its free end on the roof 19. The intermediate wall 13 and the inner paro 14 are the second stage of the open channel 2. This second stage has in cross section a general L-shaped profile. . In order to delimit a sealed chamber inside the open channel 2, the latter also comprises a longitudinal bottom wall 15 fixed to the side walls 7 and 8 of the open channel 2, so as to extend the intermediate wall 13 in the direction of the longitudinal outer wall 12, and a wall 16 extending vertically upwardly said lower wall 15 being substantially parallel to the outer wall 12.

The bottom wall 15 thus extends to the vicinity of the outer wall 12 so as to extend the intermediate wall 13 of the second stage continuously. In other words, the intermediate wall 13 and the bottom wall 15 are coplanar.

The bottom wall 15 is located at the first stage of the open channel 2, being disposed at a distance from the bottom wall 10 of said channel. For example, the wall 15 may be mounted so that its lower end is located halfway up the first stage of the open channel 2.

In order to define a closed sealed chamber inside the open channel 2, the translucent cover plate 3 is fixed on its edges 17 at the ends of the longitudinal walls 14 and the wall 16, as well as at the side walls 7 and 8. Fastening rods 18 ensure the maintenance of the cover plate 3. Under these conditions, the walls 13 to 16 and the cover plate 3 define a sealed closed chamber 2b.

The intermediate wall 13 and the wall 15 form the bottom of the sealed chamber 2b. An insulation blade 26 is fixed inside the channel, so as to line the bottom and the longitudinal walls 14 and 16 of the chamber 2b.

As mentioned above, the longitudinal bottom wall leaves a gap between the bottom wall 10 of the channel and said wall 15. In a similar way, the wall 16 leaves a space between it and the longitudinal outer wall 12 of the open channel 2 located on the opposite side to the roof 19 of the building.

In other words, the sealed chamber 2b extends from the wall 14 of the second stage of the open channel 2 to an upper part of the first stage of the open channel 2, being offset with respect to the bottom wall. 10 and with respect to the longitudinal outer wall 12.

Thus, the flow of rainwater occurs mainly between the wall 16 and the outer wall 12 of the open channel, as well as between the wall 15 and the bottom wall 10 of the channel.

The section of flow of rain water is thus delimited by the walls 15 and 16 of the sealed chamber 2b, as well as by the walls 10 to 12 of the first stage of the open channel 2.

In this embodiment, the rainwater can flow on the side and under the chamber 2b at the first stage of the open channel 2, the translucent cover plate 3 directing the rainwater to the first stage of the channel. The flow section for rainwater is therefore relatively important.

A heat exchanger 20 is mounted in the chamber 2b and comprises a corrugated metal plate 20a on the underside of which are fixed, for example by welding, two metal tubes 21.

Alternatively, it is also conceivable to provide a single metal tube.

The two metal tubes 21 allow the flow of a coolant according to the arrows 14 (Figure 1) from one of the faces of the wall 8 to the wall 7 with return to the wall 8, for example through a bend of back 180 ° not visible in the figures.

The two metal tubes 21 of the heat exchanger 12 are terminated by two end pieces 23 (FIG. 1) projecting out of the channel 2 and can be respectively connected to a supply and extraction pipe not shown in the figures. These supply and extraction pipes can be integrated into a downspout. This option allows total integration of the device 1 in the building structure. Alternatively, one could be satisfied with a single tube with tips located on both sides of the device.

In order to increase the heat yield, a reflective coating may be affixed to the inner side of the outer wall 12 of the first stage of the open channel 2 (Figure 5).

The capturing device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 can be fractionated along its length, thereby presenting a plurality of capture modules assembled to one another. Examples of such modules referenced l a, Ib and I c are respectively illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4 on which the similar elements have the same references. It is thus possible to achieve significant capture lengths.

The part of the open channel 2 intended for the rainwater flow according to the arrows 24 (FIG. 1) is delimited here by the bottom wall 10, the inner and outer walls 11 and 12, as well as by the bottom wall 15 and the wall 16. The flow of water is from the wall 7 to the wall 8 and the collection of rainwater is performed over the entire length of the device referenced 1 or the various modules referenced la, Ib and I c. In other words, the rainwater flow section is delimited by the first stage of the open channel, as well as by the walls 15 and 16 delimiting the sealed chamber 2b.

A water drop device 25 may be glued, welded or molded on the lower part of the first stage of the open channel 2, at the level of the junction between the bottom wall 10 and the outer longitudinal wall 12. Aeration and evacuation orifices (not shown) may be formed through the wall 16, so as to withstand any pressure variations in the sealed chamber 2b. These aeration and evacuation orifices are located above a horizontal plane passing through the upper free end of the outer wall 12, so as to prevent the infiltration of water inside the chamber 2b. .

The material constituting the channel 2 may be metallic such as that constituting the exchanger 12. Alternatively, the material constituting the channel 2 may be a synthetic polymer or any other material suitable for rainwater collection. It is also conceivable to provide a vacuum chamber 2b.

Although the description was made in connection with an exemplary embodiment where the heat exchanger comprises two round-trip passages for a coolant, one could consider a variant with a single heat transfer fluid passage. An absorber consisting of a flat metal plate could also be envisaged. The geometry of the open channel profile 2 is in no way essential and other shapes than those illustrated could be perfectly used.

Under these conditions, the sealed chamber walls 2b are not constituted in part by the walls 13 and 14, but are distinct from these walls and in conformance with each other. The third embodiment of the capture device, illustrated in FIG. 6, differs from the embodiments of the preceding figures in that the wall 16 extends the inner wall 11 of the first stage of the open channel 2 so as to be substantially parallel. to the outer wall 12 of said first stage. Thus, the sealed chamber 2b is located entirely at the second stage of the open channel 2. In other words, the intermediate portion 13 completely defines the bottom of the sealed chamber 2b.

Under these conditions, the flow section for rainwater is delimited by the inner and outer walls 1 1 and 12 and by the bottom wall 10. The device 1 here is devoid of paro i extending the wall 13 in the direction of the outer wall 12 and located at the first floor.

In order to obtain large capture lengths, the device, illustrated in FIG. 6, can also be fractionated along its length by presenting several capture modules assembled together.

Although in all of the previous embodiments, the sealed chamber 2b is delimited in part by the walls of the second stage of the open channel 2, it is easy to see that it is also possible, without departing from the scope of the invention, to provide a sealed chamber 2b which is assembled outside the open channel 2, then reported and fixed against the intermediate wall 13 and the inner wall 14 of the second stage of the open channel 2. The double-capture device according to the invention , has many advantages as regards its integration in buildings, its size, its positioning, its weight since it can be modular and its performance improved by the effect of concentration. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to integrate the device into an existing gutter and / or to provide a vacuum chamber 2b.

The dual capture device according to the invention can be associated, as a conventional gutter with downpipes via down connectors and, like a conventional solar collector to a control loop and a storage tank or tank for storing hot water thus generated, and / or equipment using electricity for its operation.

Claims

1 - Device for capturing rainwater and calories from solar radiation to both drain rainwater and generate domestic hot water or heat, able to be mounted at the base of a roof or on the edge of a balcony, comprising an open channel (2) having longitudinal walls and side walls (7, 8), characterized in that the open channel (2) has in cross section a floor profile comprising first and second second stage, that a translucent or transparent cover plate (3) is mounted inside the open channel (2) at the level of the second stage, being held by the side walls (7, 8) and partially defines a chamber 2b), that a heat exchanger device (12) inside which a heat transfer fluid can circulate is mounted inside said sealed chamber (2b), and that the first stage defines at least in part a flow section for ea rainwater.

2-Device according to claim 1, wherein the translucent or transparent cover plate (3) defines with at least one longitudinal wall (14) of the second stage, the sealed chamber (2b). 3-Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower portion of the second stage of the open channel (2) partially defines the sealed chamber (2b).

4-Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealed chamber (2b) together with the first stage of the open channel (2) defines the flow section for rainwater.

5-Device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a longitudinal bottom wall (15) extending a bottom wall (13) of the second stage of the open channel, said bottom wall partially forming the bottom of the sealed chamber (2b) and partially defining the flow section for rainwater.

6-Device according to claim 5, wherein the longitudinal bottom wall (15) extends to the vicinity of a longitudinal paro i (12) external of the first stage of the open channel (2).

7-Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lower part of the second stage of the open channel (2) completely defines the bottom of the sealed chamber (2b). 8-Device according to claim 1, wherein the sealed chamber (2b) is attached against a bottom wall (13) and a longitudinal paro i (14) of the second stage of the open channel.

9-Device according to any one of the preceding claims, fractionated along its length and having several modules (l a, Ib and I c) assembled to each other.

10-Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an insulating strip (1 1) is disposed on at least a portion of the inner face of the longitudinal walls of the lower part of the second stage of the open channel (2) to the inside the sealed chamber (2b).

1 1 -Dispositif according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a reflective coating is affixed to the inner face of the air free portion (2a) of an outer longitudinal wall (12) of the first stage of the open channel (2). 12-Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat exchanger device (12) comprises a corrugated metal plate (12a) on the underside of which is fixed by welding, at least one metal tube (5), to inside which circulates the coolant. 13-Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the material constituting the open channel (2) is different from that of the heat exchanger device (12).

14-Device according to any one of the preceding claims, associated with a rainwater down pipe via a down connector in which can be integrated pipes for supplying and extracting the heat transfer fluid.

15-Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealed chamber (2b) forms a chamber under controlled atmosphere.

16-Device according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the metal plate (12a) is coated with at least one mineral to convert the radiation into electricity.