NZ568450A

NZ568450A - Tube heat sheild reflector

Info

Publication number: NZ568450A
Application number: NZ568450A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Glenn Raymond Harvey
Original assignee: Solaclips Ltd
Priority date: 2009-07-31
Filing date: 2009-07-31
Publication date: 2010-03-26
Also published as: WO2011014080A1

Abstract

An assembly to shield a solar tube is disclosed. The assembly includes: (a) a shield having a cross section in the form of an arc cross section, and at least one recessed groove shaped to at least partially cover a solar tube; (b) a first clip located at one distil end of the shield and at least one further clip located sufficiently far from the first clip so that the clips retain the shield in a concentric position relative to the tube; and, (c) a shield rotating and fixing mechanism which communicates with the first clip to rotate the shield from a sun shading closed position via intermediate positions and to an open position where no shading occurs. The groove or grooves of the shield are received and retained by at least one corresponding receiving aperture or apertures in the clip or clips.

Description

RECEIVED at IPONZ on 17 November 2009 568450 PATENTS FORM NO. 5 Appln Fee: $250.00 Create!P ref: HAR100PNZ After Provisional No.568450 Dated 31 July 2009 We, Solaclips Limited, a New Zealand company of 12 Seafield Terrace, Nelson, New Zealand, do hereby declare this invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in the following statement.

PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION TUBE HEAT SHIELD REFLECTOR RECEIVED at IPONZ on 17 November 2009 568450 TUBE HEAT SHIELD REFLECTOR TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a tube heat shield reflector, an assembly utilising multiple heat shields and related kit sets that include the heat shield assembly.

BACKGROUND ART A common design of solar heater, particularly in residential settings is a device that uses 10 multiple evacuated elongated tubes which have a dark colour and which absorb sunlight and in turn, heat a working fluid such as water that is carried through the tubes.

A problem with this design is that it is not possible to easily 'switch off' the heating process during sunlight hours. This makes it difficult to regulate the fluid temperature and the fluid may reach temperatures in excess of that desired or in excess of what is mechanically acceptable. 15 A further problem with this design is that of maintenance. If solar collection cannot be stopped easily, completing maintenance on the solar heater may be dangerous due to high temperature tubes, high temperature fluid and associated hot parts of the device.

An existing option if used to prevent solar collection includes use of a cover over the tubes. Covers are generally used for temporary protection as they are expensive to manufacture and 20 install, and are harder to automate. Also, as this design of solar heater is usually fitted on roofs, there are weight and accessibility constraints that also need to be taken into account thereby effectively preventing many designs from reaching commercial reality.

German patent DE102005006329 attempts to address this problem. The patent describes various shield configurations including a roof over the solar collectors, individual shields that 25 cover individual tubes and a conveyer arrangement to shield multiple tubes. Whilst an individual shield arrangement is illustrated, a mechanism to achieve this arrangement is not described.

It should be appreciated that it would be ideal to provide a lightweight, easy to install and inexpensive shield assembly for use with existing solar tube heaters.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. 2 RECEIVED at IPONZ on 17 November 2009 568450 All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinence of the cited documents. It will be clearly 5 understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country.

It is acknowledged that the term 'comprise' may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless 10 otherwise noted, the term 'comprise' shall have an inclusive meaning - i.e. that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non-specified components or elements. This rationale will also be used when the term 'comprised' or 'comprising' is used in relation to one or more steps in a method or process.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the 15 ensuing description that is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The invention broadly relates to a simple clip together assembly to shield solar tubes from sunlight. The shields may be moved from a shield position to an open position and to semi-20 shade intermediate positions.

For the purposes of this specification the term 'assembly' and grammatical variations thereof refers to a set of parts.

The term 'solar tubes' refers to tubes used in solar heating that absorb heat and transfer this heat to a working fluid.

The term 'shield' refers to a material that is substantially impermeable to light.

According to a first embodiment, there is provided an assembly to at least partially shield a solar tube including: (a) an arc cross section shield shaped to at least partially cover a solar tube; (b) a first clip located at one distil end of the shield that retains the shield in a 30 concentric position relative to the tube; and, (c) a sheild rotating and fixing mechanism which communicates with the first clip to rotate the shield from a sun shading closed position via intermediate positions and to an open position where no shading occurs. 3 568450 Received at IPONZ 29/01/2010 In one embodiment, the shield may also be retained in a concentric position relative to the tube by at least one additional clip. Preferably, the additional clip may be located at the opposing distil end of the shield to the first clip.

In a further embodiment, the shield rotating and fixing mechanism may be a rack and pinion 5 arrangement wherein the first clip includes a pinion received by a rack in the clip receiving portion.

Preferably, the clip or clips may at least partially encircle the tube and the shield only partially covers the tube.

Preferably, the shield may include at least one dove tailed tensioning recessed groove that are received and retained by the clip or clips.

In one embodiment, the shield and clip or clips may be retained via tension and friction between the pieces. In an alternative embodiment, the shield and clip or clips may be retained by use of adhesive.

An important feature in the design may be that the first clip preferably retains the shield with minimal or no loading at the clip bearing point on the tube when rotated around the tube.

Preferably, the shield convex surface may be a sun shading surface that prevents direct light from reaching the tube. Indirect light may also be prevented from reaching the tube via the shield.

In one embodiment the concave surface of the shield may also include a sun reflecting surface. As may be appreciated, a reflecting surface allows indirect light to be captured and concentrated on the tubes thereby increasing the solar efficicency.

In one embodiment, the distance between the tube exterior and shield when assembled may be less than 10mm. Preferably, the distance may be less than 5mm.

Preferably, the first clip may be retained within a housing cover. In one embodiment the housing cover may be made up of two parts, a first part being a locating cover and a second locating cover. In a preferred embodiment, the cover snap locks together around the first clip.

In preferred embodiments, the position of the shield relative to the tube may be adjusted via the rotating and fixing mechanism from an open position where the shield does not cover the tube at all; to a closed position where the shield blocks all sunlight to the tube; to a partially open position where the shield blocks a portion of the light received by the tube.

Preferably, the assembly may be manufactured from a light weight material. In one embodiment 30 assembly may be manufactured using plastic. 4 RECEIVED at IPONZ on 17 November 2009 568450 According to a second embodiment, there is provided a solar tube protector including two or more assemblies covering two or more tubes substantially as described above.

In one embodiment, the solar tube protector multiple assemblies may utilise one clip receiving portion that drives rotation of one or more of the assemblies.

Preferably, rotation of the shields may be completed via a uniting rack that engages the pinion of each first clip.

In one embodiment the shields may rotate around the tubes in unison.

In one further embodiment, the assembly may engage with a frame or holding bar.

According to a third embodiment there is provided a kitset for installation of a solar tube 10 heat shield assembly including: (a) at least one arc cross section shield shaped to at least partially cover a solar tube; (b) at least one first clip that receives and retains one distil end of the shield; (c) at least one first clip rotating and fixing mechanism.

Preferably, the kit may also include at least one second clip portion that receives the opposing distil end of the shield to the first clip.

Preferably, the kit may include at least one first clip housing portion or portions.

In one embodiment, the clip rotating and fixing portion includes a rack drive assembly to rotate a pinion assembly on the first clip thereby rotating the shield or shields around the solar tube or 20 tubes.

It should be appreciated from the above description that there is provided a shield assembly, solar tube protector and kitset to shield light from a solar tube or tubes. Advantages which should be apparent over the art include provision for a specific assembly that is simple to manufacture, easy to install, capable of being retrofitted to existing tubes and is lightweight. 25 The assembly can also be automated to 'switch off' or 'switch on' the shield depending on control parameters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION QP THE DRAWINGS Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description 30 that is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in RECEIVED at IPONZ on 17 November 2009 568450 which: Figure 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the components of a shield assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the shield assembly partly assembled according to 5 one embodiment; Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of an extruded aluminium bar that attaches to a frame including slots and holes to allow for hooked tabs according to one embodiment; Figure 4 illustrates a perspective cross section view of the lower tube bar as well as a detail 10 cross section of the pinion shield cover according to one embodiment; and, Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of a typical evacuated solar tube water heater with a frame and manifold, tubes and the shield assembly according to one embodiment fitted to the tubes.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The invention is now described with reference to a detailed description of an embodiment of the adjustment mechanism and a related method of use.

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of five components of the shield assembly that includes an injection moulded plastic clip bearing 1 that has an aperture 3 that is circular, and shows a 20 dovetailed bearing 2 with sprung fingers in order that it can be pushed and glued or friction fitted to the end of the dovetailed profiled, curved extruded rigid aluminium or plastic shield 4.

An injection moulded plastic pinioned shield upper locating cover 9 that shows a locking tab 10 an aperture 11 and another locking tab 12, can be lifted up and over the bottom end of the shield 5 to hang freely whilst an injection moulded lower plastic clip 8 pinioned bearing that 25 has an aperture 7 and dovetailed sprung fingers 6 that is pushed and glued or friction fitted to the bottom end of the curved rigid shield 5.

A lower plastic housing locating cover 13 that has an aperture 14 and snap lock clipping points 15 that locate shield locating cover tabs 10 and the clip frame locating tab 16 along with another strengthening tab locating pin 17 and side lateral clipping tabs 18 and 19 provide for 30 the assembly to be clipped together and finally fully clipped using locking tabs 12 and 20.

When these components are clipped together, a full assembly can be seen in Figure 2. 6 568450 RECEIVED at IPONZ on 17 November 2009 Figure 2 shows a completed shield assembly together with the injection moulded plastic ciip bearing 1 dovetailed to the shield 4 and also dovetailed to the pinioned clip 8 that is held in location and positioned by the upper locating cover 9 that clips together to lower cover 13 to form a housing. A second housing 21 that excludes the shield components of 1,4,9,13 is 5 shown clipped to and alongside 9 and 13 in series to show the modular blocking feature that the side lateral clipping tabs Figure 1 18,19 provide for. A plastic rack 22 is also shown in position in the shield assembly to confirm the defined space as a feature necessary in order that the pinioned shield assembly can rotate when engaged with a rack 22.

Figure 3 shows a custom made extruded aluminium bar 23 that attaches to a frame 24 that includes slots 25 and holes 26 to allow for hooked tabs (see Figure 4) that protrude from the lower pinioned shield assembly housing 13, to push locate and friction fit into the aluminium bar 23 and firmly lock against and position against the bar 23 thus providing for precise fitting in series of a number of assemblies together as one block, all fixed to the aluminium bar 23 to share load transfer of the full shield assembly covers 4 when they are rotated in unison.

The assembly ensures the shields 4 can be kept longitudinal and concentric to the full length of the tube yet not touch the evacuated tube when rotated.

Pressed slots and a raised surface 27 allow for a standard existing method of locating an evacuated tube to a frame 24 in series by using a metal circular clip that threads through the slot and around the bottom of the tube (see Figure 5).

Figure 4 shows a cross section of the bar 23 with a cross section of the pinion shield cover upper 9 and lower 13 that have locating tabs 27 and a friction snap lock hook clip 15,16 that friction fit into the slotted extruded aluminium bar 23. Also shown is a lower cover 13 with clear picture of the friction snap lock hook clip 16.

Figure 5 shows a standard type evacuated tube solar water heater with a frame 29 and manifold 32 fitted together with evacuated tubes in series 31 together with a pinioned shield assemblies 28 that are pushed friction fitted to the tube holding bar 30 as detailed and explained in Figures 1-4, to fix and locate the pinioned shield assembly in a position longitudinally and concentric to each evacuated tube 31 in series to allow for controlled rotation of the shields in unison using a plastic rack as in Figure 2.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the claims herein. 7 568450 Received at IPONZ on 17 February 2010

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An assembly to at least partially shield a solar tube including: (a) an arc cross section shield with at least one recessed groove shaped to at least partially cover a solar tube; (b) a first clip located at one distil end of the shield and at least one further clip located sufficiently far from the first clip so that the clips retain the shield in a concentric position relative to the tube; and, (c) a shield rotating and fixing mechanism which communicates with the first clip to rotate the shield from a sun shading closed position via intermediate positions and to an open position where no shading occurs; and, wherein the groove or grooves of the shield are received and retained by at least one corresponding receiving aperture or apertures in the clip or clips.

2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the additional clip is located at the opposing distil end of the shield to the first clip.

3. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the shield and clips are retained via tension and friction between the shield groove or grooves and clip aperture or apertures.

4. The assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the shield and clips have a differential radius sufficient to cause said tension and friction between the shield and clips.

5. The assembly as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the shield and at least one of the clips are retained by use of adhesive.

6. The assembly as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the shield rotating and fixing mechanism is a rack and pinion arrangement wherein the first clip includes a pinion received by a rack in a clip receiving portion.

7. The assembly as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the clip or clips encircle the tube and the shield only partially covers the tube so that when the clip is rotated around the solar tube, the shield also rotates thereby either exposing or covering the solar tube.

8. The assembly as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the shield convex surface includes a sun repelling surface.

9. The assembly as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the concave surface of the shield includes a sun reflecting surface.

10. The assembly as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the distance between the tube exterior and shield is less than 10mm. 8 568450 Received at IPONZ on 17 February 2010

11. The assembly as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the first clip is retained within a housing cover.

12. The assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the housing cover is made up of two parts, a first part being a locating cover and a second locating cover.

13. The assembly as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the position of the shield relative to the tube can be adjusted via the rotating and fixing mechanism from an open position where the shield does not cover the tube at all; to a closed position where the shield blocks all sunlight to the tube; to a partially open position where the shield blocks a portion of the light received by the tube.

14. A solar tube protector including two or more assemblies covering two or more tubes as claimed in any one of the above claims.

15. The solar tube protector as claimed in claim 14 wherein the multiple assemblies utilise one clip receiving portion that drives rotation of one or more of the assemblies.

16. The solar tube protector as claimed in claim 15 wherein rotation of the shields is completed via a uniting rack that engages the pinion of each first clip.

17. The solar tube protector as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein the shields rotate around the tubes in unison.

18. A kitset for installation of a solar tube heat shield assembly including: (a) at least one arc cross section shield with at least one recessed groove shaped to at least partially cover a solar tube; (b) at least two clips that receive and retain the shield in a concentric position relative to the solar tube; (c) at least one first clip rotating and fixing mechanism; and, wherein the groove or grooves of the shield are received and retained by at least one corresponding receiving aperture or apertures in the clip or clips.

19. The kitset as claimed in claim 18 wherein the kit also includes at least one second clip portion that receives the opposing distil end of the shield to the first clip.

20. The kitset as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19 wherein the shield and clips are retained via tension and friction between the shield groove or grooves and clip aperture or apertures.

21. The kitset as claimed in claim 20 wherein the shield and clips have a differential radius sufficient to cause said tension and friction between the shield and clips. 9 568450 Received at IPONZ on 17 February 2010

22. The kitset as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 21 wherein the shield and at least one of the clips are retained by use of adhesive.

23. The kitset as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 22 wherein the kit includes at least one first clip housing portion or portions.

24. The kitset as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 23 wherein the clip rotating and fixing portion includes a rack drive assembly to rotate a pinion assembly on the first clip thereby rotating the shield or shields around the solar tube or tubes.

25. An assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the examples and figures.

26. A solar tube protector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the examples and figures.

27. A kitset substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the examples and figures. Solaclips Limited By their attorneys CreatelP 10