MXPA06005760A - Solar water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

An integral storage-collector solar water-heating system comprising a tank (11) and two absorbers (15,16). The water circulation goes from the bottom of the tank trough a fine-tube absorber plate (15), which is located between a transparent cover exposed to the sun and an insulated plate. The heated water passes through a second absorber (16) that heats them to a usage temperature and cause them flows into the tank's space. The second absorber is created between the exposed wall of the tank, by a grid of tunnels that are grooved in a thermally insulated layer (12) that are attached to the inside walls of the tank.

Description

SOLAR WATER HEATING SYSTEM FOR INTEGRAL STORAGE COLLECTOR PROTECTED FROM LOOP FREEZING OPEN PRESSURIZED.

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a solar energy system. More specifically, it refers to a system for heating water by solar energy.

Background of the Invention Solar water heaters have been well known and used for many years. They are divided into several groups. One such group is the integral solar water heater. These systems are characterized by the fact that the face of the storage tank or part of it is used as a solar absorber.

The advantage of integrated SCA (Water Heating System) systems compared to standard SCA systems is that they are cheaper, easier to install, the installation area is reduced and its aesthetic and attractive shape is reduced.

The disadvantages of SCA systems are that they have a very high heat loss, a high mix of cold and hot water in the storage tank and hot water usable only at the end of the day.

The present invention was developed to reduce the problems and disadvantages of common ACS using the configuration of the integral storage manifold with a solution to the problems that we have pointed out in previous lines. The present invention is a system that includes all the parts it needs to work properly. Easy to install, with three power lines (cold water inlet, hot water outlet and electric wire cable), high reliability, efficiency, static and performance. To achieve these goals, many technological improvements have been introduced into the system.

The system according to the present invention is friendly, lightweight, flexible, simple and easy to install.

This simplicity allows: • Simplified system installation. • Reduced system installation time. • Reduces transportation difficulties. • Reduces installation cost. • Reduces the problems of correction of damages. • Compact construction with fewer parts and fewer hours of production and assembly.- The present invention is built with fewer parts and requires fewer assembly hours than a standard SWH system, which causes the reduction of time needed by the present invention. • Simplified production processes that reduce system costs.

The present invention has a high aesthetic level. The shape of the system allows to integrate it in a simple way to a sloping roof or, in a flat roof.

The advantages of the invention in comparison with other integral solar systems are: • Low heat loss (can be controlled by the developer) • Short solar heating time to obtain a water temperature ready for use. • Open loop, thermo (thermal) siphon system • Protected against freezing • Electric heating element that operates as a heating accelerator and heats any amount of water to use temperature.

• When the water temperature is less than that required for use, the electric heating element operates as a flow heater and raises the temperature of the water leaving the storage tank.

The advantages of the invention compared to standard solar systems are: • The amount of raw material and the number of parts used in the System Integral SWH is smaller. • The number of production processes used in the new Integral SWH System is lower. • Transportation volume is lower (it is possible to transport more units in the same vehicle) • The present invention is a light weight system and equipped with special units that allow to load it in a simple and simple way • The present invention is equipped with all accessories that are assembled therein as an integral part. • The installation of the system of the present invention in a location is faster and easier than a standard system. All that the installer must do is: o Connect the cold water inlet o Connect the hot water outlet o Connect the electric power cable.

The system, according to the present invention, allows the roof to be used more efficiently and to install more new systems on the same roof area (inclined or flat roof).

U.S. Patent US 5,462,047 to Kleinwachter et al. It reveals an integral solar heating system, which is a pressurized system and includes a single absorber.

Moreover, this system has no protection against freezing. U.S. Patent US 6,009,906 to Salazar discloses a method to protect the pipes in case of freezing by using a compressible flexible core that shrinks while freezing takes place. In the present invention a shrinkage discharge nozzle is used for this purpose. A discharge nozzle is a helically shaped core, usually made of metal, located within the heat exchange pipes to efficiently increase heat transfer.

In the present invention the "thermosiphon valve" is used. The thermosiphon valve is a well-known unidirectional valve that allows hot water to flow up and prevents back flow of water downward.

The present invention is a solar water heating system of integral storage collector protected from pressurized open loop freezing.

In accordance with the teaching of the present invention, a solar water heating system of integral storage collector protected from pressurized open loop freezing is provided including: - A tank having an inlet for the entrance of the city water - located in the lower part of the tank, a first outlet of the water provided - located in the upper part of the tank - a second outlet to provide water to a fin - absorbent tube - located in the lower part of the tank: - A thermal layer insulated, which is attached to the internal walls of the tank, and - An upper absorbent solar tank and a low solar absorbent tube-fin, each for the purpose of enabling a stream of water through which solar heat collected by The absorbents can be transferred, where: The upper absorbent solar tank is built into the exposed tank wall, having an inlet and outlet to the tank, and The low solar absorbent tube-fin has an inlet and an outlet, where the inlet is connected to the second outlet of the tank and the outlet is connected to the inlet of the upper absorbent tank.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the integral solar water heater storage-collector system is provided, wherein the upper water absorbing tank water stream media is created between the insulated thermal layer and the exposed walls of the tank, by a grid of tunnels that are grooved in the isolated thermal layer.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the integral storage-collector system of solar water heating is provided, where the system is a low-profile solar system, where the bottom of the tank is located higher than the center of solar absorbers.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the integral storage-collector system of solar water heating is provided, where the insulated thermal layer is constructed in two parts, an upper part and a lower part, where the two parts are split by a flexible material in order to contract, while the water inside the solar absorber tank is freezing.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the integral solar water heating storage-collector system is provided, wherein the system further includes at least one flexible medium, located between the insulated thermal layer and the opposite wall of the exposed wall. of the tank, for the purpose of decreasing while the water inside the solar absorption tank is freezing.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention is provided an integral storage-collector system of solar water heating, also includes: - A water supply pipe, connected to the outlet of the tank allowing the supply of water from the tank; - An electric heating element, the element is attached around the supply pipe for heating -when the element is activated- the water that is running there-through; and - A thermo-siphon valve that is connected between the end of the pipe-supplier, and the second outlet located in the lower part of the tank or at the entrance of the city water in order to prevent the flow of water in the city. direct or via the tank- through the water outlet while it is supplied with water, where the thermo-siphon enables the water circle from the low side to the high side of the tank through a pipe-supplying while the water It is being heated by an electrical element.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, an integral storage system-collector of solar water heating is provided, where the tank also includes a plurality of horizontal dividing plates, dividing the tank into a plurality of cells, in order to increase the stratification in the tank, where each of the dividing plates has a small opening that allows the water to pass through and where the opening is located in opposition to the openings of the neighboring dividing plates.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, an integral solar water heating storage-collector system is provided, wherein the low solar absorbent tube-fin also includes a discharge nozzle longitudinally inside the water flow means to in order to increase heat transfer efficiently and where the discharge nozzle is made of flexible material which is capable of being contracted when the water that is inside the water stream means is freezing.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, an integral storage-collector system for solar water heating is provided, and it also includes a water supply pipe, connected to the outlet of the tank, allowing the tank to supply water and where the end of the tank The water pipe-cage and the tank inlet are on the same level, allowing the plural connection of the system serially.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, an integral storage-collector system for solar water heating is provided, in addition it includes at least one support, essentially joined to the system, allowing the system to be installed in a variety of angles.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, an integral solar water heating storage-collector system is provided, in addition it includes a conveyor and a compass, allowing to install the system in a variety of positions in accordance with the instructions given.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an integral storage-collector system of solar water heating is provided, which includes: - A tank having an entrance for the water intake of the city - located on the lower side of the tank - and an outlet for the water supply - located in the upper part of the tank, second outlet to feed the absorbent tube-fin - located on the bottom side of the tank; - An insulated thermal layer, which is attached to the internal walls of the tank, where the insulated thermal layer is constructed of two parts, a high part and a low part, where the two parts are split from a flexible material; - A solar absorbent tank and a solar absorber tube-fin, each with the purpose of allowing a flow of water there-through which the solar heat collected by the absorbers can be transferred, where: - The tank-absorbent solar is created between the isolated thermal layer and the exposed walls of the tank, by a network of tunnels that are grooved in the insulated thermal layer, having an entrance and an exit towards the tank; and - The solar absorber tube-fin has an inlet and an outlet, where the inlet is connected to the second outlet of the tank or to the water inlet duct of the city and the outlet is connected to the inlet of the upper solar tank-absorber; - A plurality of horizontal dividing plates, dividing the tank into a plurality of cells, where each of the dividing plates has a small opening that allows the passage of water through and where the opening is located in opposition to the openings of the neighboring dividing plates.

- At least one flexible medium, located between the lower part of the thermal insulated layer and the bottom of the tank, for the purpose of contracting while the water inside the tunnels of the solar absorption tank is freezing; - A water supply pipe, connected to the outlet of the tank allowing the supply of water from the tank; - An electric heating element, the element is attached around the supply tube for heating -when the element is activated- the water that is running there- through; - A siphon valve that is connected between the end of the supply pipe, parallel to the water outlet of the supply pipe and the lower part of the tank or to the water of the city, in order to prevent the flow of water from the city -directly or via the tank- through the water outlet while the water is supplied, where the thermo-siphon allows the water circle from the low side to the high side of the tank through the supply pipe while the water is being heated by the electrical element; and - A discharge nozzle located longitudinally inside the water flow medium of the solar absorbent tube-fin, where the discharge nozzle is made of a flexible material that is capable of contracting while the water inside the flow medium of the water It's freezing.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, an integral storage-collector system for solar water heating is provided, and also includes a circulation pump in order to circulate the water from the tank through the absorbers.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, an integral storage-collector system for solar water heating is provided, wherein the circulation pump has a sensor that activates the circulation pump according to a predetermined temperature and / or level of water. radiation.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, an integral storage-collector system for solar water heating is provided, where an absorbent tube-fin is located higher than the tank and the absorbent tube-vane is empty when the pump circulation is not activated.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a storage-collector method of solar water heating is provided, including the following steps: - installing the water flow network in a tank, channeling the tunnels in an insulated thermal layer and attaching the corrugated side of the thermal insulation layer to the exposed wall inside the tank, where the water flow network has a entry and exit, - installing a thermosiphon valve or a circulation pump between the internal space of the tank and the outlet of the water flow network, and - connecting an external absorbent between the bottom of the tank and the inlet of the tank. Water flow network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES.

The invention is described by this means, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is detailed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred incarnations of the present invention only, and that they are presented in the cause of providing what is considers to be the most useful and profitable description understood of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, there is no intention to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings facilitates for those with aptitudes in the art the sample of the different ways in which the present invention can be personified in practice.

Figure 1 illustrates a basic drawing of the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a cross section of the tank with antifreeze protection elements.

Figure 3 illustrates the location of the dividing plates within the tank of the present invention.

Figure 3 illustrates a cross section of a preferred embodiment of the system, according to the present invention.

Figure 5 illustrates a serial connection of a plurality of the system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an integral system for collecting, storing and heating water by means of solar energy. The system includes a tank and two absorbers, where the entire system is filled with water. The circulation of water goes from the bottom of the tank through a thin tube absorber plate, which is located between a transparent cover exposed to the sun and an insulated plate. The heated water passes through a second absorber that heats them to temperature of use and causes flows in the space of the tank.

The second absorber is created between the exposed wall of the tank by a grid of tunnels that are joined in an insulated layer thermally attached to the inner walls of the tank. The second absorber is also covered with a transparent layer. The flow of water in the upper part of the tank and a thermosiphon valve prevents backflow. After double heating, the water is stored inside the tank and ready to be used.

The system may also have an option for electric heating, a flexible discharge nozzle in the absorber tube to be shrunk in case of freezing and flexible means inside the tank for the same purpose.

The principles and operation of the integral system of the present invention can be better understood with the drawings and the description appended to this document.

With reference to the drawing, Figure 1 illustrates a basic drawing of the present invention. The system 10 is made of a water tank 11 with a thermally insulated layer 12 attached to the inner walls of the tank 11. The tank 11 has an inlet 13 to connect to the water of the city and an outlet 14 to provide the hot water. The system has two absorbers, an absorber tube 15 and an absorber tank 16, which has tunnels in the thermally insulated layer 12 which are located in the exposed wall of tank 11. The water of the city enters tank 11 through the inlet 13 and flows through a pipe 20 to the bottom of the thin tube sprinkler 15. Solar energy heats the water. The temperature difference between the water in the inlet pipe of the sprinkler 20 and the water within the sprinkler 15 creates a pressure that forces the water to move - through the sprinkler connection 17 - to the sprinkler of the tank 16 where the temperature of the water rises and the water flows through a thermosiphon valve 22 and through the outlet of the sprinkler of the tank 18 into the tank 11. For the electric heating option, an electric heating element 19 is attached around the the outlet of the tube 14. When the electric element 19 is activated and the temperature of the water is less than the point of the thermostat, the water provided is heated by the electric element 19 and while the water is not used the valve of the thermosiphon 21 it allows cold water to flow from the bottom of the tank 11 through the pipe 20 and the outlet pipe 14 in the tank 11 while the water is heated by the electric element 19.

Figure 2 illustrates a cross section of the tank with antifreeze protection elements. Two parts of the thermally insulated layers are attached to the inner walls of the tank 11, the first part 12a and the second part 12b, both are connected by a flexible connector 23. Another flexible material 24 is installed between the second layer part 12b and the wall not exposed from the tank. In case the water in the tunnels 25 or in the tank is freezing, the first layer part 12a and / or the second layer part 12b is pushed down and the flexible connector 23 and / or flexible material 24 shrink it. that allows to evacuate space for frozen water.

Figure 3 illustrates the location of the dividing plates within the tank of the present invention. A plurality of division plates 26 separate the tank 11 in a plurality of horizontal cells to increase the stratification in the tank 11. Each plate has an opening 27 where each opening of the dividing plate is located on the side opposite the openings of the dividing plates of its neighbors to lengthen the pattern flow. As the length of the flow pattern increases, there is a reduction in the contact area between the hot and cold layers. This reduction decreases the heat transfer between the layers and increases the solar fraction. Therefore, the temperature difference between the plates 26 is significant. Cells 28 and 29 are created at different temperature; the highest cell has the hottest temperature. As the hot water enters the higher cell 28, the temperature in this cell is higher than in the lower cell 29 and so on. The water used is provided from the highest cell 28 and therefore the user has water with high temperature.

Figure 4 illustrates a cross-section of a preferred embodiment of the system, corresponding to the present invention. Basically, the compressed system of a tank 11 and two sprinklers - the sprinkler of the tank 16 and the sprinkler of the thin tube 15.

The bottom of the tank 11 is slightly higher than half the total height of the two sprinklers 15 & 16 and lower than the height of the two 15 & sprinklers 16. The reduction of the height of the tank 11 under the height of the sprinklers causes the force of the thermosiphon to decrease and therefore causes a reduction in the flow range that increases the temperature of the water. Throughout the day tank 11 is filled with hot water. By lowering the contact layer of heat and cold, the forces of the thermosyphon are reduced, the flow decreases and the water temperature increases. By maintaining the height of the bottom of the storage tank corresponding to the new invention, the water temperature in the sprinklers is high enough to be used. The temperature difference between the cells is significant. The cells are created between the dividers 27, with different temperature, the highest cell has the highest temperature. As hot water enters the highest cell, the temperature in this cell is higher than in the lowest cell and so on. The water used is provided by the highest cell and therefore the user has water with medium temperature.

A transparent plate 33 covers both sprinklers 15 & 16 and the thin tube sprinkler 15 has a reverse insulated by a thermally insulated plate 31. The system is assembled with additional elements, which will be described below.

The sprinkler of the tank 16 is created by the exposed wall 11a of the tank 11 and the part of the layer 12a of the thermally insulated layer 12 which is attached to the exposed wall 11a by tunnels 25 which are annexed in the part of the layer 12a .

The city water enters the tank 11 through the inlet 13 and through the tube 20, which flows to the sprinkler of the thin tube 15 where the solar energy is collected and transmitted to the water. The hot water flows up through a connector 17 to the tunnels 25 of the sprinkler of the tank 16, the water temperature is high and the water flows through a thermosiphon valve to the tank 11. To maintain the temperature of the water, a thermally insulated layer 12 is attached to the inner walls of the tank 11. A plurality of divider plates 26 are installed inside the tank 11 by dividing it into cells, where each divider plate 26 has an opening 27 which is located on the opposite side of the tank. the openings of the adjoining dividing plates. This structure is made to increase stratification in the tank.

To protect the system in case of freezing, the thermally insulated layer 12 is divided and connected by a flexible connector 23 and a flexible material 24 is installed between the wall of the tank and the layer 12. In case the water in the tunnels 25 or in the tank 11 are frozen, the first part of the layer 12a, and / or the second 12b, is pushed down and the flexible connector 23 and / or flexible material 24 are shrunk, which allows to evacuate space for the frozen water .

To prevent damage from freezing in the thin tube sprinkler 15 it is possible to install it higher than the sprinkler in tank 16. In this case, a circulation pump is installed in place of the thermosiphon valve and the valve is activated with dependence to radiation and / or temperature. In a low radiation the temperature drops, the pump stops and the sprinkler of the thin tube 15 is drained by the water. This mode is called self-draining.

For the electric heating option, an electric heating element 19 is attached around the tube through which water 14 enters, which heats the water flow while the trigger point of the thermostat is higher than the water temperature.

In the period when the water is not provided, the water inside the tube 14 is heated by the electric element 19 and flows to the tank 11 while sucking water from the bottom of the tank by means of a pipe 20 through a thermos valve - Siphon 21, which prevents the counterflow of hot water.

The system includes at least one support 32 that allows the system to be installed in a variety of angles.

To achieve maximum thermal solar efficiency, it is recommended that the bottom of the tank bottom of the system should be little more than half of the total height of the system.

Figure 5 illustrates a serial connection of a plurality of the system of the present invention. In the preferred presentation of the input 13 and the output 14 of the system are on the same level, which allows to connect the output 14 of system A to input 13 of system B and the same system B to system C, having these three systems connected serially.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific presentations, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those familiar with the subject and therefore it is intended to cover all these alternatives, modifications and variations that may be included in the broad frame of the claims.

Claims (16)

1. An integral system for storage and collection of solar heated water, characterized in that it comprises: A tank with an inlet for water from the city located in the lower part of the mentioned tank, a first outlet to provide water - located in the upper part of the mentioned tank - a second outlet to feed water to a thin tube sprinkler - located in the lower part of the mentioned tank. A thermally insulated layer, which is attached to the inner walls of the tank, and A solar tank sprinkler and a thin tube solar sprinkler, each to allow a flow of water through which the solar heat collected by the sprinklers can be transferred, so that: The aforementioned solar sprinkler tank is built inside the exposed layer of said tank, by a tunnel grating in said thermally insulated layer, with an inlet and outlet in said tank, and The mentioned low solar tube sprinkler has an inlet and an outlet, where the aforementioned entrance to the second tank outlet mentioned and the outlet is connected to the inlet of the solar tank sprinkler.

2. - The system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the means of water flow of said solar sprinkler-tank are created between the thermally insulated layer and the exposed walls of the tank mentioned by a grid of tunnels that are joined in the aforementioned thermally insulated layer.

3. - The system according to claim 1, further characterized in that said system is a low profile solar system, where the bottom of said tank is located higher than half of the solar sprinklers.

4. - The system according to claim 1, further characterized in that said thermally insulated layer is formed by two parts, an upper part and a lower part, where the two mentioned parts are divided by a flexible material for the purpose of shrinking while the Water inside the aforementioned solar tank sprinkler freezes.

5. The system according to claim 1, further characterized in that said system also includes at least one of flexible means, located between said thermally insulated layer and the opposite wall of said exposed wall of said tank for the purpose of shrink while the water inside the mentioned solar tank freezes.

6. The system according to claim 1 further characterized in that it includes: A pipe to provide water, connected to said outlet of said tank which allows water to be carried from said tank. An electric heating element, said element is attached around said supply tube for heating -when the said element is activated- the water that flows; A thermosiphon valve that is connected between the end of the supply pipe and the second outlet are located in the lower part of the tank or the water inlet of the city to prevent the flow of water from the city - directly or through the tank - through the aforementioned water outlet while supplying water where said thermosiphon allows the water cycle from the lower part to the upper part of the mentioned tank while the water is heated by said electric element.

7 -. 7 - The system according to claim 1, further characterized in that said tank further includes a plurality of horizontal dividing plates, dividing said tank into a plurality of cells, to increase the stratification in the tank, where each of the dishes Divisions have a small opening that allows the water to cross it and where the aforementioned opening is on the opposite side to the openings of the adjoining dividing plates.

8. - The system according to claim 1, further characterized in that said low thin tube sprinkler includes a discharge nozzle longitudinally within the water flow means to increase the heat transfer efficiency and where said discharge nozzle is made of flexible material that is capable of being shrunk while the water inside the flow freezes.

9. - The system of claim 1, further characterized in that it includes a water supply pipe, connected to the outlet of said tank allowing said tank to supply water and where the end of said supply pipe and the entrance of said tank are at the same level allowing to connect serially the plurality of the system.

10. - The system according to claim 1 further characterized in that it includes at least strut, pivotally attached to the aforementioned system allowing the aforementioned system to be installed in a variety of angles.

11. - The system according to claim 10 further characterized in that it includes a conveyor and a compass, allowing to install said system in a variety of positions corresponding to certain instructions. 12. An integrated system for storage and collection of solar heated water, characterized in that it comprises: - a tank with an entrance for water of city located in the lower part of the mentioned tank - and an exit to supply water - located in the superior part of the mentioned tank. - a thermally insulated layer, which is attached to the inner walls of said tank, where said layer is made of two parts, an upper part and a lower part, where the two parts are joined by a flexible material; - a solar sprinkler-tank and a thin-tube solar sprinkler, each to allow the flow of water to where the heat from the sprinklers can be transferred: -the aforementioned solar sprinkler tank is created between said thermally insulated layer and the exposed walls of said tank, by a grid of tunnels that are joined in the layer, with an inlet and outlet in said tank. - a plurality of horizontal dividing plates in the mentioned tank in a plurality of cells, where each of the plates has a small opening that allows the water to pass and where the opening is located on the side opposite the openings. - At least one of the flexible means, located between the lower part of the insulated layer and the bottom of the mentioned tank with the aim of shrinking while the water inside the sprinkler freezes; - a water supply pipe, connected to the aforementioned outlet of the tank allowing the supply of water from the tank. -an electrical element for heating, attached around the tube for heating

- A thermosiphon valve connected between the end of the supply pipe, parallel to the water outlet and to the bottom of the tank or city water, to prevent the flow of water from the city directly or through the tank. - a discharge nozzle located longitudinally within the water flow of the fine tube sprinkler; The discharge nozzle made of flexible material that can be shrunk while the water freezes.

13. The system according to claim 12 further characterized in that it includes a circulating pump to circulate water from the tank to the sprinklers.

14. The system according to claim 13, further characterized in that the pump has a sensor that activates the pump according to predetermined temperature and / or radiation level.

15. The system according to claim 14, further characterized in that said thin tube sprinkler is located higher than the tank.

16. A method of collecting and storing solar heated water characterized by: - Creating a grid of tunnels in a tank in a thermally insulated layer and annexing the part an exposed wall inside the tank, where the grid has an entrance and an exit. -installing a thermosiphon valve or a circulation pump between the interior space of the tank and an exit from the tunnel grating; Y -connecting an external sprinkler between the bottom of the tank and the entrance of the tunnel grating.