GB2527502A

GB2527502A - Solar drying system

Info

Publication number: GB2527502A
Application number: GB1410645.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Glancy
Original assignee: National College of Art and Design NCAD
Current assignee: National College of Art and Design NCAD
Priority date: 2014-06-13
Filing date: 2014-06-13
Publication date: 2015-12-30
Also published as: GB201410645D0; IE20150181A1

Abstract

A multifunctional drying system 1 comprises a solar collector and air distribution unit 2 and a conditioned drying section 3, which may be enclosed. The solar collector and air distribution unit 2 may comprise a glass plate (7 Figure 6), a thermal baffled solar collector plate (8), a fan unit (11) which may draw ambient air into the absorption plate and then into the conditioned section 3, also an insulating panel (9) and a backing plate (10). The glass plate (7) may allow electromagnetic radiation to pass through to heat the solar collector plate (8). The sunlight collecting plate (8) and fan unit (11) may also be detachable from the conditioning unit 3 and may also be adjustable. The baffled solar collector plate (8) may have a plurality of openings at different heights to take in ambient air. The conditioned section 3 may have an extendable drying rack (30). The system may have an upper horizontal section 4 which may be useable as a table-top surface.

Description

"Solar drying system"

Introduction

The invention relates to a compact multifunctional solar powered drying system.

Living in an apartment can have a number of restrictions in particular in relation to space for drying clothes. Washing and drying clothes is a necessity, however it can be a time-consuming chore when access to facilities means multiple trips to and from a laundrette and/or waiting for machines to be free for use. If one is lucky enough to have a balcony there is typically minimal space for manoeuvring a clothes drying rack. Invariably wet or damp clothes are draped across furniture throughout the apartment in an attempt to dry the clothes.

There is a need for an improved means for drying clothes more efficiently in a household where drying space is limited.

Statements of Invention

According to the invention there is provided a multifunctional drying system comprising a solar collector and air distribution unit and a conditioned drying section.

In one embodiment of the invention the solar collector and air distribution unit comprises a glass plate, a thermal baffled solar collector plate, a fan unit, an insulating panel and a backing plate. Preferably the glass plate allows electromagnetic radiation to pass through to heat the baffled solar collector plate.

In one embodiment of the invention the fan unit draws ambient air into the thennal baffled collector plate to be heated. Preferably heated air is directed into the conditioned drying section.

In one embodiment of the invention the solar collector and air distribution unit is detachably connected to the conditioned drying section. Preferably the attachment means between the solar collector and air distribution unit and the conditioned drying section is adjustable.

in one embodiment of the invention the attachment means comprises a hot air ducting system running between the solar collector and air distribution unit and the conditioned drying section.

In another embodiment of the invention the baffled solar collector plate comprises a plurality of openings at different heights to take in ambient air. Preferably the baffled solar collector plate mixes the air ensuring minimal laminar airflow. Most preferably the baffled solar collector plate provides a temperature in the conditioned drying section higher than the ambient temperature.

In one embodiment of the invention the conditioned drying section comprises an extendable drying rack unit. Preferably the drying rack is extendable vertically or horizontally, In one embodiment of the invention the conditioned drying section is enclosed.

In another embodiment of the invention the multifunctional drying system comprises an upper horizontal section. Preferably the horizontal section provides a frmnctional

table-top space.

Brief Description of the Invention

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: -Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the solar drying system of the invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of the solar drying system of Fig, 1; Fig. 3 is a rear view of the solar drying system of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a downward view of the solar drying system of the invention; Fig. 5 is a partially cross sectional downward view of the solar drying system of the invention; Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the solar collector and air disifibution unit of the solar drying system of the invention; Fig. 7 is an exploded view of the air conditioned unit of the solar drying system of the invention; Fig. S is an exploded view of the air conditioned unit in an extended position; Fig. 9 is a perspective view from the rear of the of the drying system of the invention; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the drying system in an extended working position; Fig. 11 is a side view of the drying system of Fig. 10; and Fig. 12 are views of the drying system in its extended working position.

Detailed description

The present invention provides a unique standalone or supplementary drying solution.

The solar drying system of the present invention is intended primarily for use where drying space is limited however the system may be used in any suitable setting. Many apartment buildings prohibit the hanging/drying of clothes on balconies as it adversely affects the aesthetics of the building. The design of the solar drying system of the present invention is such that the aesthetics of the building or balcony are not affected and indeed may be enhanced by its presence on a balcony area.

Many apartment households share a communal laundry area. These are typically located in a basement area which means laundry has to be carried to and from the laundry area. Frequently the householder has to wait their turn for empty machines especially for drying machines to dry their washed wet laundry The solar drying system of the present invention provides a compact multifunctional system which is time saving and space saving. Every householder can have their own individual solar drying unit which is economical to buy and operate.

The solar drying system of the present invention provides an environmentally friendly means of drying clothes. It harnesses solar energy and provides a conditioned drying section which can efficiently dry clothes even with just winter sun. It is a compact multifunctional unit which not only dries clothes but the upper section provides a functional table top space.

The drying system provides an enclosed drying section so the clothes are protected from the wind and rain. There is no need to monitor the weather to determine whether to hang the washing out to dry before heading out to work for the day or worry about clothes getting wet when it starts to rain unexpectedly. The clothes are being dried and protected from the elements no matter what the weather is like.

The solar drying system of the invention works on two distinct principles, firstly the sun providing energy to run the electrical components through the use of solar cell technology and secondly heat being captured by a solar thermal collector.

The solar drying system 1 comprises a solar collector and air distribution unit 2 and a conditioned drying section 3. The solar collector and air distribution unit 2 is detachably connected to the conditioned drying section 3. In this way the system 1 is easy to transport and assemble in situ. The system I may also be adjusted to suit any width of balcony railing/wall etc. The solar collector and air distribution unit 2 is positioned on the outer side of a balcony while the conditioned drying section 3 is positioned on the inner side of the balcony, An attachment means 6 between the solar collector and air distribution unit 2 and the conditioned drying section 3 straddles the top of the balcony railings or wall etc. The attachment means 6 may also be adjusted so as to angle the solar collector and air distribution unit 2 in the right position so as to harness optimum sun energy. The solar collector and air distribution unit 2 has an outer glass section 7, a thermal/solar baffled collector plate 8, a fan unit 11, an insulating panel 9 and a backing plate section 10. The glass section 7, thermal collector plate 8, fan unit ii, insulating panel 9 and backing plate section 10 are S mounted within a solar PY housing/surround 12.

The drying system 1 functions by allowing ambient air to be drawn up through the solar collector and air distribution unit 2 where it is heated and brought into the conditioned drying space 3 through a hot air ducting system 15. The hot air ducting system 15 is located within the attachment means 6. The heat in the solar collector and air distribution unit 2 is achieved by allowing electromagnetic radiation pass through the glass plate 7 unscathed. This then heats the baffled collector plate 8 which warms the passing air that is captured between the collector plate 8 and the glass plate 7.

The system comprises means to charge a deep cell 12v DC battery which can run the fan unit 11 for up to 12 hours in the absence of any sun. This allows drying to occur from air flow over the clothes only, rather than both sun and air. The battery and circuitry are contained within the attachment means 6. The fan unit II also needs sufficient power to ensure there is enough turbulence in the system in order to mix the air and ensure that the fans have enough power to cope with pressure build up in the baffled solar collector plate. The baffled collector plate 8 is designed to take the air through different levels, mixing as it passes each baffle and inducing turbulence into the air flow to ensure minimal laminar air flow.

The temperature generated by the baffled solar collector plate 8 will always provide a higher temperature into the conditioned drying space 3 than the available ambient temperature which is sufficient for drying clothes. The unit should provide a temperature range between 0-SO degrees from ambient, depending on the solar radiance available.

The solar drying system I of the present invention is intended for use and is able to dry clothes even in places where winter chill temperatures are low. In most extreme cold weather environments the solar drying system 1 will still provide or aid the drying of clothes due to the fact that there will generally be clear skies with unimpeded solar radiance in colder climates.

The conditioned drying unit 3 may be extended vertically and/or horizontally. The unit has an upper drying frame section 25 and a lower drying frame section 26. The conditioned drying unit 3 has drying racks 30 which are telescopic which can be extended when more drying space is required The telescopic drying racks 30 may be extended to provide an area for longer garments as well as for shorter garments.

In its un-extended position an upper section 4 of the upper drying frame section 26 of the conditioned drying unit 3 forms a table top. The drying system 1 of the invention thereby provides a functional piece of furniture even when it is in use drying clothes.

The conditioned drying unit 3 has a support frame 20 and linear guide rails 21. The linear guide rails 2t allow the drying space to be extended vertically. A handle 14 on the upper section 4 allows the conditioned drying unit 3 to be pulled into an extended working position when more drying space is required.

The conditioned drying unit 3 is extendable and in its extended form has an upper section 26 and a lower section 25, Side sliders 5 on the outer side of the conditioned drying section 3 are used to align the upper 26 and lower 25 drying frames when the conditioned drying section 3 is in an extended position. The side sliders S ensure the doors 32 on the rear of the conditioned drying unit 3 are aligned. By sliding the lower unit 25 under the upper section 26 it also allows the load of the upper unit 26 to be transmitted back to the main frame system 20 of the lower unit 25, thereby creating a stable conditioned drying space 3 when it is opened. When closing the conditioned drying section 3 the lower drying frame 25 is pulled towards the user and the upper drying frame 26 gently slides down behind it.

An extendable cover means or roller blind 31 ensures that the clothes in the conditioned drying unit 3 are enclosed and not in sight, In addition the clothes are not exposed to the elements, The solar drying system of the invention may be used with the air conditioned unit frilly closed. In this way the lower drying frame section 25 is used without having to lift and/or extend the upper drying frame section 26. The doors 32 are opened and the drying rack 30 is pulled down and/or extended as required as shown in Fig. 9. When all the clothes are loaded the roller blind 3 t is pulled down to close the unit. The thennal roller blind 3] extends around the top back and bottom of the conditioned drying space 3.

Alternatively the drying system] of the invention may be used in its frilly extended position. The upper section/table top 4 is pulled toward the user and lifted up. This results in the upper drying frame section 26 moving upward. The lower drying frame section 25 is then pushed under the upper drying frame section 26 to stabilise the unit and the side sliders 5 are aligned and secured. The clothes are then loaded onto the extended drying racks 30 and the extendable cover means or roller blind 31 is pulled down to close the unit as shown in Figs. tO to t2.

The solar drying system of the invention provides a multifunctional unit, It provides a neat table area on a balcony. This feature is very useful for narrow balcony spaces where there is no space for a stand alone table. The solar drying system dries clothes both through the heat of the sun and by airflow. The extendable drying racks within the conditioned drying section provide multiple drying options. The solar drying system of the invention in addition has the benefit of being a storage unit as the clothes may be left in it safely for as long as the user requires.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which may be varied in constmction and detail.

Claims

Claims 1. A multifunctional drying system comprising a solar collector and air distribution unit and a conditioned drying section.
2. A multifunctional drying system as claimed in claim I wherein the solar coflector and air distribution unit comprises a glass plate, a thermal baffled solar collector plate, a fan unit, an insulating panel and a backing plate.
3. A multiftmnctional drying system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the glass plate allows electromagnetic radiation to pass through to heat the baffled solar collector plate.
4. A multifunctional drying system as claimed in claims 2 or 3 wherein the fan unit draws ambient air into the thermal baffled collector plate to be heated.
5, A multifunctional drying system as claimed in claim 4 wherein heated air is directed into the conditioned drying section.
6. A multifunctional drying system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the solar collector and air distribution unit is detachably connected to the conditioned drying section.
7, A multifunctional drying system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the attachment means between the solar collector and air distribution unit and the conditioned drying section is adjustable.
8. A multifunctional drying system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the attachment means comprises a hot air ducting system running between the solar collector and air distribution unit and the conditioned drying section.
9. A multifunctional drying system as claimed in any of claims 2 to 8 wherein the baffled solar collector plate comprises a plurality of openings at different heights to take in ambient air.
10. A multifunctional drying system as claimed in any of claims 2 to 9 wherein the baffled solar collector plate mixes the air ensuring minimal laminar air flow.
11. A multifunctional drying system as claimed in any of claims 2 to 10 wherein the baffled solar collector plate provides a temperature in the conditioned drying section higher than the ambient temperature.
12. A multifunctional drying system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the conditioned drying section comprises an extendable drying rack unit.
13. A multifunctional drying system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the drying rack is extendable vertically or horizontally.
14. A multifunctional drying system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the conditioned drying section is enclosed.
15. A multifunctional drying system as claimed in claim comprising an upper horizontal section.
16. A multifunctional drying system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the upper horizontal section provides a frmnctional table-top space.
17. A multifunctional drying system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.