US20080302354A1 - Solar Collector - Google Patents

Solar Collector Download PDF

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Publication number
US20080302354A1
US20080302354A1 US11/573,878 US57387805A US2008302354A1 US 20080302354 A1 US20080302354 A1 US 20080302354A1 US 57387805 A US57387805 A US 57387805A US 2008302354 A1 US2008302354 A1 US 2008302354A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
solar
collector
heat
heat exchanger
transfer fluid
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Abandoned
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US11/573,878
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English (en)
Inventor
Darryl John Jones
Graeme Allan Collins
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Individual
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Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2004904668A external-priority patent/AU2004904668A0/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of US20080302354A1 publication Critical patent/US20080302354A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S10/00—Solar heat collectors using working fluids
    • F24S10/40—Solar heat collectors using working fluids in absorbing elements surrounded by transparent enclosures, e.g. evacuated solar collectors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S30/00—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules
    • F24S30/40—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement
    • F24S30/45—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement with two rotation axes
    • F24S30/455—Horizontal primary axis
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S50/00—Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors
    • F24S50/20—Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors for tracking
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S60/00—Arrangements for storing heat collected by solar heat collectors
    • F24S60/30—Arrangements for storing heat collected by solar heat collectors storing heat in liquids
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S90/00—Solar heat systems not otherwise provided for
    • F24S90/10—Solar heat systems not otherwise provided for using thermosiphonic circulation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
    • F24S25/10—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules extending in directions away from a supporting surface
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
    • Y02E10/44—Heat exchange systems
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
    • Y02E10/47—Mountings or tracking

Definitions

  • the present invention relates broadly to a solar collector and a solar powered heat exchanger.
  • the invention also relates to a solar tracking apparatus and a combination solar collector/tracking apparatus.
  • Solar hot water systems of a conventional construction include a solar collector connected to a storage cylinder containing stored water.
  • the solar collector is fabricated from an arrangement of heat absorbing pipes or tubes layed out in a parallel or serpentine arrangement.
  • the tubes are formed in a black heat absorbing mat which can be placed on a rooftop to capture the sunlight.
  • the pipes are housed within an enclosure having a glass pane front which is exposed to sunlight and the efficiency of heating is improved under the influence of the greenhouse effect.
  • the system may provide direct heating where the stored water itself is circulated through the solar collector.
  • indirect heating may be provided where for example a glycol mixture is recirculated through the solar collector and an associated solar circuit which passes through the storage cylinder.
  • the storage cylinder includes a heat exchanger for indirect heating of the stored water utilising the heat of the glycol mixture in the solar circuit.
  • the stored water or glycol mixture is pumped through the solar collector until the temperature of the stored water is equal to or approaches that of the liquid in the solar collector.
  • a solar collector comprising:
  • a collector housing having a translucent or transparent surface and being sealed to permit at least partial evacuation or reduction in pressure within the housing below atmospheric pressure; and a collector tank located within the collector housing and having a solar absorbent surface located adjacent the translucent or transparent surface, the collector tank being adapted to contain a heat transfer fluid which, on exposure of the solar collector to sunlight, is heated via solar energy which penetrates the translucent or transparent surface and, with the increased efficiency provided by the sealed and at least partially evacuated housing, is absorbed onto the solar absorbent surface which transfers heat to the heat transfer fluid.
  • the sealed collector housing defines a chamber between at least the translucent or transparent surface and the absorbent surface of the collector tank. More preferably the housing includes an evacuation valve which permits evacuation of the sealed chamber for drawing at least a partial vacuum within the chamber. Even more preferably the sealed chamber surrounds the collector tank which is separated from the collector housing on opposing internal surfaces by flexible spacers.
  • the solar collector includes an adjustable mounting assembly to which the collector housing is mounted, the mounting assembly being adapted to provide reorientation of the solar collector to increase exposure of the absorbent surface to sunlight. More preferably the adjustable mounting assembly effects seasonal reorientation of the solar collector by rotation about a first axis. Even more preferably the adjustable mounting assembly is effective in tracking the sun by pivoting about a second axis arranged generally transverse to the first axis. Still more preferably the first axis is the altitude axis and the second axis the azimuth axis.
  • a solar powered heat exchanger comprising:
  • a solar collector including a collector housing having a translucent or transparent surface, the collector housing being sealed to permit at least partial evacuation or reduction in pressure within the housing below atmospheric pressures and a collector tank located within the collector housing and being adapted to contain a heat transfer fluid; a heat accumulator operatively coupled to the solar collector for storing the heat transfer fluid heated by exposure of the solar collector to sunlight wherein solar energy penetrates the translucent or transparent surface and, with the increased efficiency provided by the sealed and at least partially evacuated housing, is absorbed onto the solar absorbent surface which transfers heat to the heat transfer fluid; and a heat exchanger operatively coupled to the heat accumulator and being arranged for transferring heat to an external device utilising the heat of the heat transfer fluid from the heat accumulator or the solar collector.
  • the heat exchanger includes a heat exchange chamber in heat exchange communication with the external device, the heat exchange chamber being connected to the heat accumulator via a feed line which provides the heat transfer fluid from the accumulator. More preferably the heat exchange chamber is also connected to the accumulator via a return line for returning the heat transfer fluid to the accumulator after said fluid has exchanged its heat with the external device. Even more preferably the heat exchanger also includes an expansion tank connected to the heat exchange chamber and being designed to allow the heated fluid to expand as its temperature rises thus maintaining a relatively constant and low hydrostatic pressure within the heat exchanger. Still more preferably the heat exchanger further includes a pump connected to the return line to promote flow of the heat transfer fluid from the heat exchange chamber to the heat accumulator.
  • the heat accumulator includes an accumulator chimney connected to a supply line connected to the outlet of the collector tank, the accumulator chimney being positioned within the accumulator to convey the heat transfer fluid from the outlet of the collector tank.
  • the heat exchanger includes a heat exchange chimney connected to the feed line which interconnects the heat accumulator and the heat exchanger, the heat exchange chimney being positioned within the heat exchange chamber to convey the heat transfer fluid from the heat accumulator.
  • the solar powered heat exchanger also comprises a recirculation line connected between the heat accumulator and the solar collector for recirculation of the heat transfer fluid.
  • the collector tank includes an inlet connected to the recirculation line, and an outlet coupled to the heat accumulator, the outlet being elevated relative to the inlet to effect a flow of the heat transfer fluid from the inlet to the outlet and recirculation of the heat transfer fluid through the recirculation line by a thermal siphon effect at the inlet.
  • the collector tank includes a plurality of internal baffle plates being arranged to support the tank and oriented to promote the flow of the heat transfer fluid from the inlet to the outlet.
  • the solar powered heat exchanger further comprises a temperature control system operatively coupled to the heat exchanger to control the flow of the heat transfer fluid to the heat exchanger and thus the amount of heat exchanged with the external device.
  • the temperature control system includes a control valve connected to the feed line, and a temperature sensor connected to the external device, the temperature sensor being operatively coupled to the control valve whereby, depending on the temperature of the external device, the control valve is throttled to control the flow of the heat transfer fluid to the heat exchanger.
  • the heat transfer fluid is a liquid such as glycol or a water/glycol mixture.
  • a solar tracking apparatus comprising:
  • a base being adapted to mount to a solar collector; a shading member connected to the base at a fixed and predetermined angle; a pair of light sensitive elements mounted on the base on respective opposing sides of the shading member; and an actuator operatively coupled to the pair of light sensitive elements whereby in operation the light sensitive elements, dependent of their relative exposure to sunlight as controlled by the shading member, drive the actuator to effect movement of the solar collector.
  • the base is planar and the shading member is fixed substantially perpendicular to the planar base. More preferably the shading member includes a generally straight lower portion fixed to the base, and an upper portion extending from the lower portion at an obtuse angle. Even more preferably the upper portion includes a reflective surface on its lower face and directed toward one of the light sensitive elements.
  • the light sensitive elements are each in the form of a light dependent resistor.
  • the solar tracking apparatus also comprises an actuator circuit including the light dependent resistors which dependent on their exposure to sunlight are configured to drive the actuator.
  • the actuator circuit includes a voltage comparator having voltage inputs from the light dependent resistors and a reference voltage, respectively, whereby differential voltage applied to the inputs of the voltage comparator causes it to conduct driving the actuator.
  • the relay circuit includes an electromagnetic relay connected to a normally-open relay contact.
  • the actuator is in the form of a drive motor. More preferably the drive motor is electrically coupled to the pair of light sensitive elements via the actuator circuit.
  • a combination of a solar collector and a solar tracking apparatus as disclosed in the preceding aspects, the tracking apparatus being connected to the solar collector and designed for reorientation of the collector to optimise its exposure to sunlight.
  • the solar tracking apparatus is arranged to rotate the solar collector about an azimuth axis to effectively track the sun and optimise daily exposure to sunlight. More preferably the tracking apparatus is one of a pair of said apparatuses, the other solar tracking apparatus being designed to permit rotation or tilting of the solar collector about an altitude axis to optimise its seasonal exposure to sunlight.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a solar powered heat exchanger of an embodiment of one aspect of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken through A-A of the solar collector of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is another sectional view taken through B-B of the accumulator and heat exchanger of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 4 is a further sectional view taken through C-C of the heat exchanger of FIG. 3 ;
  • FIG. 5 is a plan and elevational view of the solar powered heat exchanger of FIG. 1 together with an adjustable mounting assembly;
  • FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a solar powered heat exchanger together with a solar tracking apparatus of an embodiment of a further aspect of the invention
  • FIG. 7 is a plan and elevational view of a tracker sensor of the solar tracking apparatus of FIG. 6 ;
  • FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of the solar tracking apparatus of FIG. 6 ;
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of the tracker sensor showing its rotational movement about the azimuth axis.
  • FIG. 1 there is a solar powered heat exchanger designated generally as 10 comprising a solar collector 12 , a heat accumulator 14 , and a heat exchanger 16 .
  • the solar collector 12 is operatively coupled to the heat accumulator 14 via a supply line 18 and a recirculation line 20 .
  • the heat accumulator 14 is in turn operatively coupled to the heat exchanger 16 via a feed line 22 and a return line 24 .
  • the solar collector 12 includes a collector housing 26 having a translucent or transparent surface in the form of a glass pane 28 .
  • the solar collector 12 also includes a collector tank 30 located within the collector housing 26 and in operation being adapted to contain a heat transfer fluid such as glycol or a water/glycol mixture.
  • the water/glycol mixture is heated by the solar collector 12 and circulates by a thermosiphon effect between the solar collector 12 and the heat accumulator 14 via the supply and the recirculation lines 18 and 20 , respectively.
  • the solar heated water/glycol mixture flows from the heat accumulator 14 to the heat exchange 16 via the feed line 22 and transfers heat to an external device 32 which is in heat communication with the heat exchanger 16 .
  • the water/glycol mixture is then returned to the heat accumulator 14 via the return line 24 either by pump of thermosiphon.
  • the solar collector 12 is of a generally flat and cuboidal configuration wherein the collector housing 26 includes a rectangular perimeter frame 34 sandwiched between a rear opaque plate 36 and the front glass pane 28 .
  • the glass pane 28 and the rear plate 36 are fixed to the perimeter frame 34 via a sealant 38 .
  • This arrangement provides a sealed chamber 40 within the collector housing 26 which is specifically designed to permit a reduction in pressure within the housing below atmospheric pressure, or preferably a full vacuum.
  • the collector tank 30 includes a solar absorbent surface 41 which faces the glass pane 28 for exposure to sunlight, and is shaped and coloured (preferably matt black) for maximum solar absorption.
  • the sealed collector housing 26 houses the collector tank 30 which is of a complementary shape to the sealed pressure reduction chamber 40 .
  • the sealed chamber 40 surrounds all faces of the collector tank 30 which is spaced from the glass pane 28 and the rear plate 36 by respective internal flexible spacers such as 42 and 44 .
  • the collector tank 30 has an inlet 46 and an outlet 48 diagonally spaced and located in opposite perimeter walls and connected to the recirculation line 20 and the supply line 18 , respectively.
  • the collector tank 30 also includes a series of internal baffle plates such as 50 which in this example are equally spaced transversally and arranged generally parallel to one another.
  • the solar collector 12 is oriented so that the collector tank outlet 48 is elevated relative to its inlet 46 to provide a flow of the water/glycol mixture through the collector tank 30 with a thermal siphon effect at the inlet 46 .
  • the internal baffle plates such as 50 are, as best shown in FIG. 1 , oriented relative to the inlet 46 and outlet 48 to further promote this flow of the heat transfer fluid.
  • the solar collector 12 is designed to permit at least partial evacuation of the sealed chamber 40 about the collector tank 30 .
  • the collector housing 26 or perimeter frame 34 of this embodiment includes an evacuation valve 51 which permits evacuation of the sealed chamber 40 for drawing a vacuum within the chamber 40 .
  • the flexible spacers such as 42 and 44 maintain the separation between the collector housing 26 and the collector tank 30 whereas the baffle plates such as 50 provide support for the relatively thin walled collector tank 30 .
  • the supply and recirculation lines 18 and 20 pass through insulating glands such as 52 located within openings in the perimeter frame 34 aligned with the tank inlet and outlet 46 and 48 . This arrangement allows the collector tank 30 to expand or contract relative to the collector housing 26 under differential temperature conditions.
  • the heat accumulator 14 includes a cylindrical accumulator tank 54 laid on its side, and an accumulator chimney 56 extending radially across the tank 54 from its circumferential wall.
  • the accumulator chimney 56 is connected to the supply line 18 and is disposed in a generally upright position.
  • the accumulator chimney 56 is in this disposition designed to allow the heated fluid to rise by convection from the collector 12 into the top of the accumulator 14 .
  • the chimney 56 is insulated to reduce heat transfer from the rising heated fluid to cooler fluid stored in the accumulator 14 .
  • the accumulator tank 54 is of a size and volume dependent on the heating requirements. For example, if heating is required for extended periods outside effective sunlight hours then the accumulator tank 54 will be relatively large.
  • the accumulator tank 54 is insulated with known cladding (not shown) to minimise heat losses from the heat transfer fluid.
  • the recirculation line 20 extends within the accumulator tank 54 with its mouth or entrance 58 at a height dependent on the maximum volume of heat transfer fluid to be retained in the heat accumulator 14 .
  • the feed line 22 is connected to the accumulator tank 54 and generally aligned coaxially with the accumulator chimney 56 .
  • the feed line 22 is flared outwardly in a frusto-conical form 60 at its connection to the accumulator tank 54 . It is understood that this flared connection immediately adjacent the accumulator tank 56 increases the rate at which the heat transfer fluid or water/glycol mixture can flow into the heat accumulator 14 .
  • the heat exchanger 16 of this embodiment includes a heat exchange chamber 62 within which the heat exchange device 32 is partly housed.
  • the heat exchanger 16 also includes a heat exchange chimney 64 connected to the feed line 22 and arranged upright within the heat exchange chamber 62 to allow hot fluid to rise to the top of the exchanger 16 .
  • the feed line 22 includes a control valve in the form of a throttle valve 66 for controlling the flow of the water/glycol mixture to the heat exchanger 16 depending on the heating requirements of the external device 32 .
  • the heat exchanger 16 is also provided with a temperature sensor 68 operatively coupled to the external device 32 and designed, dependent on the external device 32 temperature, to control throttling of the control valve 66 .
  • the heat exchanger 16 further includes an expansion tank 70 connected to the heat exchange chamber 62 via a relatively small pipe 72 and designed to allow for expansion of the heat transfer fluid within the heat exchanger 16 .
  • the expansion tank 70 has a loose fitting lid to allow atmosphere to leave or enter the tank 70 according to the level of fluid in the tank 70 .
  • the water/glycol mixture having exchanged its heat within the heat exchanger 16 is returned to the heat accumulator 14 via the return line 24 .
  • the return line 24 of this example includes a pump 76 designed to promote the flow of heat transfer fluid from the heat exchanger 16 to the heat accumulator 14 .
  • a thermosiphon effect may eliminate the need for a pump.
  • FIG. 4 shows in cross section the external device 32 with which the solar powered heat exchanger 10 of this embodiment exchanges heat.
  • the external device 32 includes another chamber 76 which contains a separate fluid to be heated.
  • Heat transfer fluid in the heat exchange chamber 62 transfers heat by conduction through the walls of the other chamber 32 into the separate fluid to be heated. As the transfer fluid cools it falls by thermosiphon to the bottom of the heat exchange chamber 62 and then flows via the return line 24 back to the accumulator 14 .
  • the solar collector 12 includes an adjustable mounting assembly 90 to which the collector housing 26 is mounted.
  • the adjustable mounting assembly 90 includes a mechanical actuator and lock arrangement 92 having a lever 94 at one end being fixed to a shaft 96 , and releasably lockable to a fixed seasonal reference point.
  • the level 94 includes a retractable pin (not shown) which in this example engages one of three (3) holes 100 A to C in the plate 98 which are angularly displaced depending on the season, summer, spring/autumn, and winter respectively.
  • the mounting assembly 90 also includes a drive motor 102 connected to a drive shaft or spindle 104 which in turn is fixed to the solar collector 12 . The drive motor 102 thus rotates the solar collector 12 to track the sun and maximise daily exposure to sunlight.
  • the adjustable mounting assembly 90 is thus effective in providing either continuous or intermittent seasonal reorientation of the solar collector 12 by re-inclination or orientation about a primary or altitude axis.
  • the adjustable mounting assembly 90 may also permit pivoting about a secondary or azimuth axis, arranged generally transverse to the primary axis, and designed to have the solar collector 12 effectively track the sun during daylight hours.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a variant of the solar powered heat exchanger of FIG. 1 together with an embodiment of a solar tracking apparatus 110 of a further aspect of the invention.
  • the solar tracking apparatus 110 of this embodiment is one of a pair of these apparatuses 110 and 110 ′ being designed for rotation of the solar collector 12 ′ about an azimuth axis 112 and an altitude axis 114 , respectively.
  • the solar collector 12 ′ (preferably together with the accumulator and heat exchange not shown) is elevated above ground via a fixed support column or pedestal 116 .
  • the pedestal 116 is at an upper end rotationally mounted to an intermediate mounting assembly 118 for tilting or reinclination of the solar collector 12 ′ about the altitude axis 114 .
  • the intermediate mounting assembly 118 provides mounting for a drive motor 120 having a shaft 122 defining the azimuth axis 112 about which the solar collector 12 is rotated.
  • the shaft 122 is rotatable about the intermediate support assembly 118 and fixed to a mounting bracket 124 which in turn is secured to an underlying surface of the solar collector 12 ′.
  • the solar tracking apparatus 110 for rotation of the solar collector 12 ′ about the azimuth axis 112 includes the drive motor 120 together with an azimuth sensor 126 .
  • the other solar tracking apparatus 110 ′ includes an altitude drive motor 128 having a shaft fixed to the intermediate mounting assembly 118 for tilting of the solar collector 12 ′ about the altitude axis 114 , and an altitude sensor 130 .
  • the azimuth and altitude sensors 126 and 130 are mounted coplanar with and at opposing sides of the solar collector 12 ′ facing the sun.
  • FIG. 7 shows in elevation and plan the tracker sensors 126 and 130 of the apparatus of FIG. 6 .
  • the azimuth sensor 126 for example includes a base plate 132 to which a generally upright shading member or arm 134 is fixed at right angles.
  • the shading arm 134 is at its upper end formed continuous with a reflector 136 ranged at an obtuse angle to the shading arm 134 .
  • the tracker sensor 126 includes a pair of light sensitive elements in the form of light dependent resistors (LDR) 138 and 140 mounted to an upper face of the base plate 132 on opposing sides of the shading arm 134 .
  • the shading arm 134 together with the reflector 136 control the relative exposure of the opposing LDRs 138 and 140 to sunlight.
  • the opposing LDRs 138 and 140 are as the name suggests light dependent and have a relatively high electrical resistance in low and zero light, and relatively low resistance in bright light. Therefore, with reference to the actuator circuit 150 of FIG. 8 , with equal intensity of light falling on both LDRs 138 / 140 (normal condition) the voltage at V 1 is half the supply voltage. If the intensity of light on LDR 1 138 rises above that on LDR 2 140 then the voltage at the one rises above half the supply voltage. Conversely, if the intensity of light on LDR 1 138 falls below that on LDR 2 140 then the voltage at Vl falls below half the supply voltage.
  • the actuator circuit 150 of the embodiment includes a voltage divider provided by resistors R 1 152 and R 2 154 which provides a reference voltage at V 2 equal to half the supply voltage.
  • the circuit 150 also includes a voltage comparator A 1 or 156 having positive and negative inputs to which the respective voltages V 1 and V 2 are applied.
  • the circuit 150 further includes another voltage comparator 158 having positive and negative inputs to which the respective voltages V 2 and V 1 are also applied.
  • neither of the voltage comparators 156 or 158 conduct. With increased light on, for example, LDR 1 138 an output of the comparator A 1 or 156 is relatively high whereas an output of the other voltage comparator A or 158 remains relatively low.
  • the voltage comparator A 1 or 156 is electrically connected to a transistor Q 1 or 160 which under these conditions is caused to conduct which in turn energises an electromagnetic relay R 1 or 162 to which it is connected.
  • the energised relay R 1 or 162 causes associated relay contacts CR 1 or 164 to close and apply a normal voltage polarity to the actuator or, for example, azimuth drive motor 120 .
  • LDR 2 or 140 is exposed to increased light this causes the output of the voltage comparator A 2 or 158 to be relatively high whilst the voltage output of the other comparator A 1 or 156 remains relatively low.
  • another transistor Q 2 or 166 which is connected to the output of the comparator A 2 or 158 conducts to energise an electromagnetic relay R or 168 .
  • the energised relay 168 closes relay contacts 170 which apply a reversed voltage polarity to the drive motor 120 .
  • the tracker sensor 126 of this example 130 provides effective rotation of the solar collector about the azimuth axis 112 to maximise its daily exposure to sunlight.
  • the drive motor 120 for the azimuth rotation is not energised. If light falling on the LDR 1 or 138 is higher in intensity than that falling on the LDR 2 or 140 then the drive motor 120 rotates in one direction or vice versa.
  • the solar tracking apparatus rotates the solar collector about the azimuth axis 112 in the following stages:
  • the sensitivity of the solar tracking apparatus can be adjusted by the height of the shading arm such as 134 whereby increasing its height increases the apparent speed with which the shadow of the shading arm 134 falls on the LDR or 140 .
  • the other solar tracking apparatus 110 ′ of FIG. 6 operates in a similar manner wherein the altitude drive motor 128 rotates or tilts the solar collector 12 ′ about its altitude axis 114 .
  • the altitude sensor 130 is generally oriented perpendicular to the azimuth sensor 126 in that it has its shading arm disposed in an east-west direction so as to maintain the solar collector 12 ′ facing the track of the sun as its altitude varies between summer and winter.
  • the solar powered heat exchanger 10 of this embodiment has application in the heating of water where, for example, the external device 32 contains a domestic potable water supply.
  • the solar powered heat exchanger 10 is used as a heat source for driving an apparatus designed to produce water from ambient air.
  • the specification of the applicant's Australian provisional application No. 2003904488 describes an apparatus of this type, and the disclosure of this specification is included herein by way of reference.
  • heat from the solar powered heat exchanger 10 may be used in an absorption system to drive a refrigerator or an air-conditioner.
  • the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described.
  • the specific construction of the solar collector may vary from that described provided the heat transfer fluid is effectively heated within the solar collector.
  • the control mechanisms by which the flow of heat transfer fluid is controlled to the heat exchanger may also vary.
  • the construction and control of the adjustable mounting assembly for the solar collector may be different from that described.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)
  • Heat-Pump Type And Storage Water Heaters (AREA)
US11/573,878 2004-08-17 2005-08-17 Solar Collector Abandoned US20080302354A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2004904668A AU2004904668A0 (en) 2004-08-17 Solar collector
AU2004904668 2004-08-17
PCT/AU2005/001236 WO2006017897A1 (fr) 2004-08-17 2005-08-17 Capteur solaire

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US20080302354A1 true US20080302354A1 (en) 2008-12-11

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US11/573,878 Abandoned US20080302354A1 (en) 2004-08-17 2005-08-17 Solar Collector

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US (1) US20080302354A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1794508A1 (fr)
CN (1) CN101137871A (fr)
IL (1) IL181360A0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2006017897A1 (fr)

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US20090145423A1 (en) * 2007-12-11 2009-06-11 Lasen Development Llc Solar-panel unit
US20090145425A1 (en) * 2007-12-11 2009-06-11 Lasen Development Llc Photovoltaic panel and solar-panel unit made using photovoltaic panels of the same sort
US20110048502A1 (en) * 2009-08-28 2011-03-03 Tigo Energy, Inc. Systems and Methods of Photovoltaic Cogeneration
US20110168162A1 (en) * 2009-09-18 2011-07-14 Bryan David Rogers Inexpensive bi-axial sun tracker for solar concentrators
ITMI20100179A1 (it) * 2010-02-05 2011-08-06 Delmet S R L Apparecchiatura per la lavorazione di metalli tramite immersione in un bagno di processo
US20140230804A1 (en) * 2011-09-21 2014-08-21 The University Of Western Ontario Solar tracker
CN112594948A (zh) * 2020-12-15 2021-04-02 上海电力大学 一种纳米流体微通道光伏光热一体化蒸发器/集热器

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DE102006010781A1 (de) * 2006-03-08 2007-09-13 Krinner Innovation Gmbh Sonnenstandsnachführeinrichtung für ein Solarmodul
ES2304211B1 (es) * 2007-02-01 2009-05-22 Manuel Lahuerta Romeo Seguidor solar de paneles termicos y fotovoltaicos con sistema impulsor de aire aplicable a edificios.
CN101588147B (zh) * 2008-05-20 2012-10-10 鸿富锦精密工业（深圳）有限公司 太阳能收集系统
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CN112594948A (zh) * 2020-12-15 2021-04-02 上海电力大学 一种纳米流体微通道光伏光热一体化蒸发器/集热器
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WO2006017897A1 (fr) 2006-02-23

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