GB2365518A

GB2365518A - Mounting for a solar collector

Info

Publication number: GB2365518A
Application number: GB0013897A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nissim Leon Jacob
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-06-07
Filing date: 2000-06-07
Publication date: 2002-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 2020-06-07
Also published as: GB0013897D0; GB2365518B

Abstract

A mounting 12 adapted to receive a solar collector 16 between the ends thereof comprises a mounting element for fixing the mounting 12 to a substrate, a hinge 15 at one end of the mounting element, and having a substantially horizontal hinge axis, and a stay 22 at the other end of the mounting element whereby the hinge can be fixed at a predetermined angle, the stay 22 permitting a solar collector 16 to be moved from and to a substantially vertical orientation. The mounting element may be adapted for fixing to a wall 11. The stay 22 may permit the angle of the hinge to be varied incrementally The mounting may have a roof element 28 to shield the solar collector 16 when in a vertical orientation. The mounting may have a rotary fluid coupling coincident with the axis of the hinge for fluid connection to the solar collector 16. The solar collector 16 on the mounting 12 may be connected to a building hot water supply system. The mounting 12 may have an external cover consisting of a roller blind.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> Improved Mounting for a Solar Collector This invention relates to an improved mounting for a solar collector, and particularly to an improved mounting for a domestic residence.

The use of solar energy to provide heat for domestic and industrial buildings is well understood. In essence a solar collector comprises a heat collecting unit mounted at the optimum angle, dependent on latitude, to maximise the value of received solar energy. Heat is transferred from the unit to a heat exchanger for further use. Typically the heat transfer mechanism is a closed circuit of water, and the heat exchanger is a heating coil of a hot water cylinder, from which water is supplied for e.g. washing. Alternatively potable water may be heated directly from a cold water rising main and supplied under mains pressure to the user, preferably via a hot water cylinder.

Other transfer fluids have been proposed, and the heat energy acquired may be used for other purposes, for example space heating or the charging of accumulators. In the latter case heat energy acquired during the daytime can be released at night.

In this specification, the generic term solar collector is used to mean any solar energy collector adapted to be aimed at the Sun, and is not restricted to any particular size or shape. The term could include one or more elements of multi-element solar collector.. The use of solar energy is rather limited notwithstanding the undoubted advantages. The reasons for this are somewhat complex, but are related to perceived problems of installation maintenance, complication and cost. Energy from conventional sources such as oil and gas has also been relatively inexpensive in recent years. As a result the use of solar energy has often been confined, in general, to specialist buildings which are usually of an industrial or multi-occupancy nature.

What is required is a relatively simple mounting which can be adapted to a commercially available solar collector, or solar collector element, and installed at relatively low cost in a domestic property. The market for such an installation is large, but is presently unsatisfied.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a mounting adapted to receive a solar collector between the ends thereof and comprising a mounting element for fixing the mounting to a substrate, a hinge at one end of the mounting element, and having a substantially horizontal hinge axis, and a stay at the other end of the mounting element whereby the hinge can be fixed at a predetermined angle, the stay permitting a solar collector to be moved from and to a substantially vertical orientation.

Such a mounting provides a radically different approach to the perceived problems of installation and use, and overcomes resistance to the wider adoption of solar energy collectors by facilitating easy installation and protection of the collector.

Preferably the mounting element is adapted for fixing to a wall, and the hinge is at the upper end thereof. The stay preferably permits the angle of the hinge to be varied incrementally, and predetermined markings may be provided corresponding to a particular latitude or time of year.

The angle of the hinge may be fixed by means of a screw threaded fastener, and the stay may comprise a slotted arm hinged to the mounting element at one end.

In a preferred embodiment the mounting element includes restraining means, such as clips of spring steel, plastic or other resilient material, to retain the solar collector in a vertical orientation. The solar collector may be mounted on a saddle extending between the ends of the mounting element, and the saddle may be retained by such clips.

The mounting may further include a roof element to shield the solar collector when in a vertical orientation.

Connection of the solar collector to the heat exchanger can be by any conventional means, for example a rotary fluid coupling coincident with the axis of said hinge, or by flexible pipes.

The mounting according to the invention can be manufactured at low cost to suit any available solar collector (or solar collector element), and can be easily fitted to a south facing wall of a building. The facility to stow the solar collector in a vertical orientation ensures that the collector can be rendered ineffective should the occupier wish. This feature means that the building can be safely left unoccupied, for example during a summer holiday, without fear that the solar collector will produce large and uncontrolled volumes of hot water for which there is no use. Fears of bursting or over heating can thus be allayed.

A variable orientation permits efficient use throughout the year if required. Monthly settings may be defined by notches in the stay. An external cover may be provided for the vertical orientation, for example a roller blind. Control means may be mounted on the mounting element for automatically adjusting the orientation of the solar collector, opening and closing fluid circuit valves, etc. Such control means may be powered from the domestic electrical supply, or by a rechargeable battery. The solar collector may be stowed in the vertical orientation at night or during periods of low availability of solar energy.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a building adapted to receive a mounting according to the first aspect of the invention or any of the consistory clauses thereof, the building having a hot water supply system including a hot water cylinder, said cylinder being connected via inlet and outlet pipes to the exterior of the building, and said pipes being plugged at the exterior ends thereof but adapted for connection to a solar collector of said mounting.

Such an arrangement can be easily incorporated in a new building, especially a domestic house, at minimal expense, and thus encourage retrofitting of a solar collector.

Other features of the invention are included in the following description of a preferred embodiment shown by way of example only in the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. l is a schematic side elevation of a mounting according to the invention; and Fig.2 is a front elevation corresponding to Fig. l .

Fig. 3 is a partial side elevation showing an equipment compartment.

With reference to the drawings, Fig. l illustrates a house wall 11 of bricks to which is attached a vertically extending mount 12 of epoxy coated steel or the like. The mount is secured by screws 13 passing through resilient pads 14.

At its upper end the mount 12 has a fixed upper support 15 in the form of a flange to which is hinged a solar collector element 16. The precise design of the element 16 is not important save that it has top and bottom mountings 17, 18 and a solar energy collecting area 19. The mountings 17, 18 may alternatively form part of the mount 12 and be adapted to hold a solar collector element therebetween. A typical solar collector element may comprise a tube of stainless steel, coated with an energy absorbing paint, and encapsulated in an evacuated glass enclosure.

The upper support 15 and upper mounting 17 are hinged together in any convenient manner about a generally horizontal axis.

At its lower end the mount 12 has a fixed lower support 21 to which is hinged a slotted stay 22 connected to the bottom mounting 18 by a screw threaded fastener 23. In use the fastener 23 can secure the element 16 at any orientation permitted by the slot, including stowing in a vertical orientation. The slot 29 is long enough to suit the maximum angle of the Sun at a given latitude. By arranging lower support 21 to be well below the bottom mounting 18, and for the inner end of the slot 29 to be very closely adjacent the end pivot axis, it will be understood that it may be possible also to stow the stay vertically when the element 16 is in the stowed position. Clips (not shown) may be provided on the mount 12, for example adjacent the screws 13, to secure the mount 12 and/ or element 16 in the vertical orientation. Alternatively the

fastener can secure the panel vertically, or a clip can be provided between the bottom mounting 18 and the lower support 21.

Fixed pipes 24, 25 are connected to a heat exchanger and terminate in fittings to which are attached flexible hoses 26,27 for coupling to the solar element 16.

A roof 28 extends outwardly of the mount 12 in order to protect the element 16 from weather when in the vertical orientation, and the hinge in any orientation. The roof 28 is omitted from Fig. 2 for reasons of clarity, but can be of any suitable kind. The roof may be fixed or may be detachable.

The roof 28 may include a draw down vertical blind, (not shown) and the mount may further be fitted with a tray 30 within which such a blind may be secured when closed. The tray 30 preferably includes a hinged outer flap 31 (the closed position of which is shown in dotted outline) within which control apparatus, a pump or the like may be fitted. Side walls may be provided, if desired.

An equipment platform 32 may also be provided below the roof 28, as illustrated in Fig. 3, preferably with a drop down hinged door 33.

Claims

Claims 1. A mounting adapted to receive a solar collector between the ends thereof and comprising a mounting element for fixing the mounting to a substrate, a hinge at one end of the mounting element, and having a substantially horizontal hinge axis, and a stay at the other end of the mounting element whereby the hinge can be fixed at a predetermined angle, the stay permitting a solar collector to be moved from and to a substantially vertical orientation. 2. A mounting according to claim 1 wherein said mounting element is adapted for fixing to a wall, and the hinge is at the upper end thereof. 3. A mounting according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said stay permits the angle of the hinge to be varied incrementally. 4. A mounting according to claim 3 and having markings for selected hinge angles and corresponding to a particular latitude or time of year. S. A mounting according to any preceding claim wherein the angle of the hinge is fixed by means of a screw threaded fastener, and the stay comprises a slotted arm hinged to the mounting element at one end. 6. A mounting according to any preceding claim wherein said mounting element includes restraining means, to retain a solar collector in a vertical orientation. 7. A mounting according to claim 6 wherein said solar collector is mounted on a saddle extending between the ends of the mounting element, the saddle being retained by said restraining means. 8. A mounting according to any preceding claim and further including a roof element to shield a solar collector when in a vertical orientation.

<Desc/Clms Page number 7>

9. A mounting according to any preceding claim and further including a rotary fluid coupling coincident with the axis of said hinge, for fluid connection to a solar collector. 10. A mounting according to any preceding claim and further including an external cover for a solar collector in the vertical orientation. 11. A mounting according to claim 10 wherein said external cover comprises a roller blind. 12. A mounting according to any preceding claim and further including control means mounted on said mounting element for automatically adjusting the orientation of a solar collector. 13. A building adapted to receive a mounting according to any preceding claim, the building having a hot water supply system including a hot water cylinder, said cylinder being connected via inlet and outlet pipes to the exterior of the building, and said pipes being plugged at the exterior ends thereof but adapted for connection to a solar collector of said mounting. 14. A mounting substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.