NO892045L - ACTIVE, INTEGRATED SOLAR ENERGY CONSTRUCTION. - Google Patents

Description

Active, integrated solar energy construction

The invention is a principle for active utilization of solar energy, integrated in the construction context where the construction elements make up the system itself.

The invention is mainly based on known principles for recording and storing solar energy: the "Greenhouse effect" and the "Trombe wall" and "Dynamic insulation" (or "counter current insulation") for increased insulation effect and energy transport. These principles are combined and in this way give an increased efficiency with regard to energy absorption and insulation capacity. The construction elements make up the solar energy system itself, with energy absorption, storage and transport.

The application of the invention is as an integrated energy absorption and energy saving system in parts of buildings of different types. One can also imagine the principle applied to ships or other vessels, or installations in industry with a need for energy subsidies for heating and/or insulation.

The principle indicates how energy gains and insulation can be achieved through a construction principle, either by combining components or by using ready-made elements.

Previous application of the aforementioned principles separately has had a smaller energy gain and has been difficult to integrate as part of the construction. The combination increases efficiency and opens up far more economical solutions and a wider area of application. The principle can, for example, advantageously function as both a weather skin and load-bearing wall in a building context.

The principle is shown in figure 1, which is a section through the construction.

The effect and applicability of the system is achieved by an outer transparent or translucent layer being established in front of an inner air/gas open layer. Between these is an air layer. This causes short-wave solar radiation to pass through the outer layer, heating up the underlying layer, while long-wave radiation from the inner layer is reflected and captured. This is also known as the "greenhouse effect" and is used in the "Trombe wall".

The inner layer warms up and stores the heat. As this layer is open to the air, consisting of materials with adapted air passage and mass/heat storage capacity, this energy is drawn inward by an internal negative pressure that is established in the interior space by natural exhaust or by other techniques

The construction or principle mainly consists of 3 parts: The outer layer (a) which is a transparent or translucent, single or double glass plate or similar material. Between the outer layer (a) and the inner layer (c) is an air gap (b) of min. 4 cm. The inner layer (c) is open to the air and with an established negative pressure in the inner space (d) air from (b) will be drawn into (d) through (c). The inner layer (c) consists of material, either homogeneous eg lightweight concrete blocks or composite, filled rib or stud construction, which allows sufficient air passage.

The air layer (b) is open to the air at the bottom (f) where air from the outside is admitted. Shortwave solar radiation (i) escapes through the outer layer (a) and heats the air in the intermediate layer (b) and the material in the inner layer (c). Long-wave radiation (j) does not escape through (a) and an efficient energy absorption is achieved.

The air in (b) is drawn through the air-open inner layer (c) towards the inner space (d) where a negative pressure is established either by natural or mechanical extraction (g). The air passage is illustrated at (k). In this last process, absorbed heat energy is released to the room (d) or a heat exchange takes place between the incoming air and the material in (c). This effect is called "dynamic isolation" or "countercurrent isolation".

The size of the fields must be adapted to the volume they will serve, and the efficiency will depend on the degree of transparency and reflection in the outer layer, absorption and heat storage capacity, as well as air passage properties of the inner layer. In addition, there are external climatic conditions and orientation, which should be south-east to south-west.

The principle can be applied vertically or at an angle.

For flexibility in use and increased customization options, the air space between the outer and inner layers must have the possibility of venting. This is operated by a damper connected to opening (h).

Even in the absence of solar radiation, the construction will act as a good insulator.

The principle can be advantageously combined with other heating sources and energy recovery techniques in order to be supplemented and better utilized in this way.

Figure 2 illustrates how the principle can be applied in a building context. The sun's rays (i) pass through the transparent layer (a), heating the wall (c) and the air in the intermediate layer (b). The inner layer or wall (c) can be lightweight concrete blocks or other material with adapted air passage. The air is drawn through the wall (c) and heats the inner space (d). A negative pressure has been established in the inner space (d) by natural or mechanical extraction through valve (g).

If you do not want heating, (b) and (c) are vented through opening (h), which is operated by a damper.

If exhaust air from (g) is recovered, it can be used in connection with the radiator (j) and/or underfloor heating in the cover (I). The radiator (j) also serves to prevent cold drafts from the window (e) and to provide additional heat when the air (k) through the wall is too low in temperature.

Claims (6)

1. Active, integrated solar energy construction is characterized by the combination of: solar energy absorption by the "greenhouse effect", absorption and storage in the underlying layer, as well as heat transport and insulation effect by "dynamic insulation". 2. Active, integrated solar energy construction according to claim 1, characterized by energy absorption and transport as an integral part of the construction where the construction components make up the energy system itself. 3. Active, integrated solar energy construction according to claims 1-2, characterized by the combination of solar energy uptake by absorption and by reflection of long-wave heat radiation, which is combined with storage and transport through an air-open, inner layer using negative pressure in the interior space and as on this the method emits energy gain directly as heat. 4. Active, integrated solar energy construction according to claims 1-3 will provide a good insulating property even when active solar energy absorption does not take place. This because the outer layer a will function as a weather skin, the middle layer as an insulator and the inner layer as a dynamic insulator. 5. Active, integrated solar energy construction according to claims 1-4 has great potential for use together with other energy-saving and recovery techniques. 6. Active, integrated solar energy construction according to requirements 1-5, will function as ventilation and source of fresh air.