GB2175995A

GB2175995A - Apparatus for heating fluid

Info

Publication number: GB2175995A
Application number: GB08513035A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Russell Wing
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-05-23
Filing date: 1985-05-23
Publication date: 1986-12-10
Also published as: FR2607908A1; DE3641887A1; GB8513035D0

Abstract

The invention relates to apparatus 1 for heating fluid by incident solar energy, comprising an inlet 2 for fluid to be heated 3, an outlet for heated fluid, and means 4 in the form of a plurality of substantially parallel partitions 4 which provide a passage 5 connecting the inlet 2 and outlet 3 and provide a flow of fluid which reverses at least once, in the embodiment shown a plurality of times, between the inlet 2 and the outlet 3. The apparatus 1 is made from two sheets 7 and 8 of plastics material which are formed to the desired shape, for example by fusing the sheets together at the edges and to form the partitions 4 by passage through suitable rolls such as calendering rolls. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for heating fluid The invention relates to apparatus for heating fluid, in particular by incident solar energy.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for heating fluid by incident solar energy, comprising an inlet for fluid to be heated, and outlet for heated fluid, and means connecting the inlet and outlet and providing a flow of fluid which reverses at least once between the inlet and the outlet whereby to increase the time of exposure of fluid to solar energy incident on the apparatus during passage of the fluid from the inlet to the outlet.

The connecting means comprises a hollow body having a plurality of internal partitions so arranged and disposed that a reversible flow of fluid through the body is obtained.

The partitions may be spaced apart and substantially parallel, each partition providing a fluid flow path at or adjacent an end opposite a like fluid flow path of an immediately adjacent partition.

The hollow body may be of rectangular configuration and alternate partitions may project from one wall towards the opposite wall and may terminate short thereof to provide the fluid flow path.

The inlet, outlet and hollow body may be integral, and may be formed from plastics material.

The hollow body may have edge means whereby the apparatus may be mounted in a frame for mounting at any desired position or attitude. The frame may support a pane of glass or similar at a position spaced from the apparatus.

There may be a heat absorbing membrane on a side of the pane nearest the apparatus.

There may be insulation means within the frame adjacent the apparatus on the side thereof remote from the pane.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of making apparatus for heating fluid by incident solar energy, comprising providing two sheets of mouldable material, forming those sheets to a desired hollow configuration and securing the sheets together to provide an inlet and an outlet for fluid and means connecting the inlet and outlet to provide a flow path which reverses at least once.

The mouldable material may be plastic and the method may comprise feeding two substantially parallel sheets of the plastics material through heated calendering rolls to secure material at its edges and to provide partions which provide the fluid flow path.

Apparatus embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the apparatus; Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus; and Figure 3 is a schematic part sectional view of a solar heating panel incorporating the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to the drawings there is shown apparatus 1 for heating fluid by incident solar energy, comprising an inlet 2 for fluid to be heated 3, an outlet for heated fluid, and means 4 in the form of a plurality of substantially parallel partitions 4 which provide a passage 5 connecting the inlet 2 and outlet 3 and provide a flow of fluid which reverses at least once, in the embodiment shown a plurality of times, between the inlet 2 and the outlet 3. This construction increases the time of exposure of the fluid to solar energy incident on the apparatus 1 during passage of the fluid from the inlet 2 to the outlet 3.

The apparatus 1 is substantially rectangular as shown and comprises a hollow body, with the inlet 2 and outlet 3 being integral therewith. Alternate partitions 4 extend from the same wall and extend towards the opposite wall and stop short thereof so providing flow paths 6 whereby the flow reversal is achieved, as shown by the arrows 'X'.

The apparatus 1 is made from two sheets 7 and 8 of plastic material which are formed to the desired shape, for example by fusing the sheets together at the edges and to form the partitions 4 by passage through suitable rolls such as calendering rolls.

The inlet 2 is provided with a restrictor valve for fluid, in the embodiment shown water, and the outlet 3 has a non-return valve.

The apparatus 1 is formed with a peripheral mounting flange 9 by which it is mounted in a frame 10, suitably of wood, of a heat collection unit 11, Figure 3. The frame 10 also supports a pane 12 of glass spaced from the front (in use) surface of the apparatus 1. The pane 12 has a heat absorbing membrane 13 on the side nearest the apparatus 1, which in turn is situated in front of an insulation material 14, such as rock wool, in other words the insulation material 14 is on the side of the apparatus 1 remote from the pane of glass 12.

The apparatus 1 may have a heat reflective layer 15 on the side remote from the pane 12 so that incident heat energy is reflected back into the water after initially passing through the water so enhancing the heating effect. The plastic may also be a heat absorbent plastics for example matt back polythene.

The unit 11 also mounts a front protection grille 16.

In use the unit 11 is placed at any desired location and the apparatus 1 is connected up to a system carrying water which is to be heated for example a swimming pool.

The units may be readily connected together to provide a composite array and the array, or individual units may be arranged at any suitable position or attitude, for example inclined at a 45" angle to maximise incidence of solar energy thereon. By making the inlet and outlet complementary and self-connecting, a plurality of units can readily be connected together to form the composite array.

Each apparatus may provide 24.38 M of water passage between inlet and outlet for apparatus 1.524 M x 0.762 M.

Claims

1. Apparatus for heating fluid by incident solar energy, comprising an inlet for fluid to be heated, and outlet for heated fluid, and means connecting the inlet and outlet and providing a flow of fluid which reverses at least once between the inlet and the outlet whereby to increase the time of exposure of fluid to solar energy incident on the apparatus during passage of the fluid from the inlet to the outlet.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, in which the connecting means comprises a hollow body having a plurality of internal partitions so arranged and disposed that a reversible flow of fluid through the body is obtained.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, in which the partitions are spaced apart and substantially parallel, each partition providing a fluid flow path at or adjacent to an end opposite a like fluid flow path of an immediately adjacent partition.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, the hollow body being of rectangular configuration and alternate partitions projecting from one wall towards the opposite wall and terminating short thereof to provide the fluid flow path.

5. Apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 4, the inlet, outlet and hollow body being integral, and formed from plastics material.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, the hollow body having edge means whereby the apparatus is mounted in a frame for mounting at any desired position or attitude.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, the frame supporting a pane of glass or similar at a position spaced from the apparatus.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, in which there is a heat absorbing membrane on a side of the pane nearest the apparatus.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, in which there is insulation means within the frame adjacent the apparatus on the side thereof remote from the pane.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 9, in which there is heat reflecting means adjacent a surface of the body remote from the pane.

11. Apparatus for heating fluid by incident solar energy, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A method of making apparatus for heating fluid by incident solar energy, comprising providing two sheets of mouldable material, forming those sheets to a desired hollow configuration and securing the sheets together to provide an inlet and an outlet for fluid and means connecting the inlet and outlet to provide a flow path which reverses at least once.

13. A method according to Claim 12, in which the mouldable material is plastic, and the method comprises feeding two substantially parallel sheets of the plastics material through heated calendering rolls to secure material at its edges and to provide partitions which provide the fluid flow path.

14. A method according to Claim 12, substantially as hereinbefore described.