GB2198759A - Solar heat collecting cladding component - Google Patents

Abstract

Cladding component for forming weatherproof exterior facing on a building or other structure, typically a pitched roof, defines at least one duct (20) integral with or in intimate relationship to a panel portion (12) which is exposed as part of the facing in use so that the assembled cladding forms a solar heat collector, fluid being circulated through the interconnected ducts in use. Conveniently the components are aluminium extrusions and are provided with edge portions having integral ducts and including edge formations (14, 16) for overlapping engagement with each other in the manner of roof tiles and a fixing formation (24) for attaching the courses of components to supporting structure such as rafters. <IMAGE>

Description

CLADDING COMPONENT This invention relates to cladding components for the exterior facing of a building or other structure. While the invention is of particular use in the form of tiling for covering a pitched or other roof it may be manufactured in various shapes, sizes and forms and/or may be used in other ways, for example to form weather boarding or other facing on a vertical wall or a covering for a flat roof.

Solar heat collectors for buildings are well known, these commonly take the form of specially constructed panels incorporating fluid circulation ducting for heat transfer e.g. using a heat pump, the panels being mounted on the outside of the roof of the building or in some other convenient exposed location. They are costly to provide and install, often access to them for maintenance or repair is difficult, and they add substantially to the complexity of the roof or other structure of the building. Moreover the panels are sometimes unsightly and detract from the appearance of a traditionally constructed building, indeed in some circumstances their use may be precluded by planning regulations for this reason.

The object of the invention is to provide cladding components which enable solar heating to be conveniently and economically arranged, which is easy to install and maintain and durable in use, and which has a particularly neat and pleasing appearance.

According to the invention there is provided a cladding component for use in forming a weatherproof exterior facing on a building or other structure, the component defining at least one duct integral with or in intimate relationship to a panel portion of the component which is exposed as part of said facing in use whereby heat absorbed by said portion can be operatively transferred to fluid flow through the duct or ducts.

Conveniently the component is formed as a continuous elongate extrusion e.g. of aluminium, with the duct or ducts running along its length as an integral part of the extruded section, the extrusion being cut to length as required for use.

Edge portions of the extrusion or other cladding component may be shaped for interengagin or interlocking with further lengths of the component laid side-by-side or in overlapping relationship with one another e.g. in the manner of tiling on a pitched roof.

Preferably the or at least one of the longitudinal ducts is provided on an inner part of an edge portion of the component, which portion or part is adapted to be clipped or otherwise attached to rafters or other parts of the structure.

An example of the invention is now more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is a vertical lateral section through cladding components embodying the invention as used on a pitched roof, and Figure 2 is a vertical section of a ridge portion of the roof.

Referring to Figure 1 a cladding component in accordance with the invention in the form of tiling for cladding a pitched roof is shown. The component 10 is an aluminium extrusion, in this example having an overall width of some 230mm which can be of indefinite length. It is contemplated that for roofs of average size each section of component will be long enough to extend continuously across one pitched face of the roof, however, the length for practical use may be limited to some 8-12 meters due to the constraints of transport and handling. It is therefore contemplated that lengths of the component may be joined end-to-end if necessary.

The component includes a generally planar panel portion 12 whose upper face will be exposed on the assembled roof. Portion 12 is bounded by a lower edge formation 14 having a downwardly and inwardly directed flange for hooked engagement with the upper edge formation of the next component 10 immediately below.

The upper edge of portion 12 is bounded by an upper edge formation which includes an upwardly extending flange 16 normal to portion 12 and terminating in a head 18 shaped for close fitting wedge-engagement in the hook shaped lower edge formation 14 of the next upper component 10.

In this way the series of components 10 down the roof slope form a continuous weathertight cladding which, from the exterior, has the appearance of a traditional overlapped tiled roof.

This exterior appearance may be enhanced by providing suitable colouring or other finish to the components, a dark shade is preferable for the most effective heat transfer to the body of the component and a brown, dark red or dark green painted or other finish may be appropriate.

The upper edge formation further includes a continuous longitudinal circular section duct 20 extending below but in immediate relationship to the angle junction between panel portion 12 and flange 16. In this example the interior diameter of duct 20 is about 12mm to receive an adequate flow of fluid for effecting heat transfer from the assembled components.

A substantial part of the heating effect will be derived from the panel portion 12 integral with the related duct but it is contemplated that there will also be transfer by conduction from the lower edge part of the next upper component by way of the close fitting edge formations. The ducts of the respective lengths of component across the roof may be interconnected at the ends to form a continuous path for circulation of fluid through the entire area of the cladding or tiling of the pitched face of the roof. Thus this entire face acts as a solar panel.

The fluid used will normally be waterbased with suitable additives of known kind to prevent freezing and the circulation and heat will be extracted and applied by a heat pump and/or other associated equipment of known kind.

To add to the rigidity of the panel portion 12 this example is provided with two longitudinal shallow ribs 22 which project outwardly and which also enhance the appearance of the cladding by breaking the flat outer face into one third portions. For further increased rigidity the thickness of the middle portion between ribs 22 is slightly increased to 2mm, the flanking upper and lower parts of panel portion 12 having a thickness of 1.8mm.

Figure 2 shows one possible manner of finishing the ridge of a pitched roof and also the way in which the tiles or components 10 can be conveniently attached to the roof rafters. The component includes a fixing ledge 24 which extends tangentially from the lower part of the circumference of duct 20 and which is provided with a thickened edge portion for engagement by fixing clips 26 (Figure 2) which are screwed or nailed to the rafters at intervals along the length of the component.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 2 a sheet aluminium ridge capping 30 has parallel lower edges with profiles corresponding to lower edge formations 14 of components 10 for hooked engagement with the uppermost flanges 16 of the cladding components 10 on the two angled faces of the pitched roof.

Various other anciliary components may be provided for finishing the roof at the eaves and also for providing a bargeboard-like edging at the gable of the roof which conveniently extends over the ends of components 10 to cap them and also enclose the interconnections with the lengths of duct 20.

Yet other finishing components may be provided e.g. for forming flashing around chimneys or at the junction between the lateral edge of the roof face and a vertical wall or the like.

To facilitate connection to the duct lengths at the ends of the components a rotary cutter may be provided, driven by a portable drill or other power tool centered on the duct interior to remove surrounding parts of the panel portion 12, flange 16 and ledge 24 leaving a cylindrical spigot to which flexible or other tubing can be connected e.g. by means of compression clips. If lengths of component 10 have to be joined end to end suitable couplings can be provided for interconnecting the abutting lengths of duct 20.

The invention enables solar heating and resulting thermal efficiency to be provided very simply and economically when a building is constructed or re-roofed. Even if the solar heating facility is not immediately required in a building the invention may be used for cladding at least the appropriate face or faces of a pitched roof or the like so that, if and when required (e.g. due to rises in fuel costs) the ducting may be simply interconnected to an appropriate circulating pump and other anciliary equipment to make the system operational without having to modify the roof or install extra panels thereon.

It will be appreciated that cladding according to the invention may be provided in a number of alternative materials, shapes and forms. Use of an extruded plastics section is a possibility and/or a composite construction in which e.g. a metal duct is embedded intimately in a plastics extrusion or moulding is also possible. While the above example uses only a single length of duct along the component it is also contemplated that more than one longitudinal duct might be incorporated and/or ducting following a zig zag or other non-linear path through or along the component might be employed in some cases.

Translucent or transparent components embodying the invention might also be provided e.g. to form a skylight window or possibly for use in such structures as greenhouses, conservatories, sun lounges or roofing and walls for swimming pools or the like. In some applications such as these there may not only be heat transfer to the fluid carried by the ducts by direct conduction from the panel portions of the components but also secondary heating from the interior of the structure e.g. as warm air accumulates in the roof space of a greenhouse or conservatory.

While a water-based or other liquid will be used as the circulating fluid in most applications it is contemplated that the fluid might be air or some other gas or gases.

The invention may take the form of an extruded aluminium or other component having a sectional profile similar to roofing pantiles, the lengths or courses running between the eaves and ridge of a roof in use.

Claims (13)

1. A cladding component for use in forming a weatherproof exterior facing on a building or other structure, the component defining at least one duct integral with or in intimate relationship to a panel portion of the component which is exposed as part of said facing in use whereby heat absorbed by said portion can be operatively transferred to fluid flow through the duct or ducts.

2. A component as in Claim 1 formed as a continuous elongate extrusion with the duct or ducts running along its length as an integral part of the extruded section.

3. A component as in Claim 1 or 2 having edge portions shaped for interengaging or interlocking with further like components laid in use side by side or in overlapping relationship with one another.

4. A component as in Claim 3 shaped to be laid in overlapping relationship in the manner of tiling on a pitched roof.

5. A component as in any preceding claim wherein the or at least one of the longitudinal ducts is provided on an operatively inner part of an edge portion of the component, said edge portion or part being adapted to be clipped or otherwise attached to rafters or other supporting parts of the structure in use.

6. A component as in any preceding claim formed from aluminium.

7. A component as in any one of Claims 1 to 5 formed of translucent or transparent material.

8. A cladding component substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

9. A set of parts for cladding a pitched roof including a plurality of cladding components as in any preceding claim.

10. A set of parts as in Claim 9 wherein the cladding components are adapted to be mounted in horizontally extending courses with a lower edge portion of one course overlapping the upper edge portion of the next lower adjacent course.

11. A set of parts as in Claim 9 wherein the cladding components are adapted to be mounted in courses extending normally to the eaves and ridge of the roof in the manner of roofing pantiles in use.

12. A set of parts for cladding a pitched roof substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

13. A pitched roof including components or parts as in any preceding claim.