US20140034043A1

US20140034043A1 - Solar panel structure with plasticity

Info

Publication number: US20140034043A1
Application number: US14/001,172
Authority: US
Inventors: Wen-Hao Chen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-02-23
Filing date: 2011-02-23
Publication date: 2014-02-06
Also published as: DE212011100202U1; WO2012113097A1

Abstract

A solar panel has a plurality of heat collecting manifold, a water inlet tube and a water outlet tube that are formed as one body by plastic molding, so that the heat collecting manifold can be vertically arranged between the water inlet tube and water outlet tube, and connected therewith. The solar panel is also formed as one body by plastic molding, so a rib piece can be used to connect between the collecting manifold. In one embodiment, when the collecting manifold of the solar panel is formed, every sectional surface of the collecting manifold can be formed as hexagonal or octagonal, so every sectional surface thereof can be used as a force-receiving portion. Also, one side of the rib piece has a recessed portion to enable the other side thereof to relatively protrude to form a resilient portion, and the recessed portion and resilient portion are all V-shaped.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a solar panel structure with plasticity that can be installed in a solar water heater, and more particularly to a solar panel structure with plasticity having heat-collecting manifold with resilience.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional solar panel is shown in FIG. 7. The conventional solar panel 30 has a heat collecting manifold 31, a water inlet tube 32 and a water outlet tube 33 that are formed as one body by plastic molding, so the heat-collecting manifold 31 can be vertically arranged between the water inlet tube 32 and water outlet tube 33, and connected therewith. Also, a rib piece 34 is connected between the heat collecting manifold 31.
When in use, the solar panel 30 is installed at a solar water heater. The cold water to be heated is provided from the water inlet tube 32 to the heat collecting manifold 31, and when the water moves upwards, it absorbs the heat of the sun to heat up the cold water, and the heated water can be transported to a water storage tank from the water outlet tube 33.
However, conventional solar panel is disadvantageous because the heat collecting manifold 31 of the solar panel 30 is made by plastic with a little resilience, however, the sectional surface of the heat collecting manifold 31 is circular, the inner wall thereof cannot effectively sustain the pressure, nor generating a certain force sustaining surface. Furthermore, the expansion of the heat collecting manifold 31 may be interfered by the rib piece 34. So, when the water in the heat collecting manifold 31 is heated to a certain temperature to generate thermal expansion and contraction thereof, the heat collecting manifold 31 may not expand smoothly, which may cause breaking or bursting of the heating collecting manifold 31 to shorten the service life of the solar panel. Therefore, there remains a need for a new and improved solar panel structure to overcome the problems stated above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The technical problem the present invention wants to solve is that conventional solar panel is disadvantageous because the heat collecting manifold of the solar panel is made by plastic with a little resilience, however, the sectional surface of the heat collecting manifold is circular, the inner wall thereof cannot effectively sustain the pressure, nor generating a certain force sustaining surface. Furthermore, the expansion of the heat-collecting manifold may be interfered by the rib piece. So, when the water in the heat collecting manifold is heated to a certain temperature to generate thermal expansion and contraction thereof, the heat collecting manifold may not expand smoothly, which may cause breaking or bursting of the heating collecting manifold to shorten the service life of the solar panel.
The present invention provides a solar panel has a plurality of heat collecting manifold, a water inlet tube and a water outlet tube that are formed as one body by plastic molding, so that the heat collecting manifold can be vertically arranged between the water inlet tube and water outlet tube, and connected therewith. Furthermore, the solar panel is also formed as one body by plastic molding, so a rib piece can be used to connect between the collecting manifold. In one embodiment, when the collecting manifold of the solar panel is formed, every sectional surface of the collecting manifold can be formed as hexagonal or octagonal, so every sectional surface thereof can be used as a force-receiving portion. Sideway of the water outlet tube is closed, and with the transition of a connecting tube, water can be transported to both sides of the heat-collecting manifold. Also, one side of the rib piece has a recessed portion to enable the other side thereof to relatively protrude to form a resilient portion, and the recessed portion and resilient portion are all V-shaped.
In one embodiment, the solar panel structure with plasticity is disposed in a main frame of a solar water heater and connected with a water storage tank. A supporting unit is disposed at one side of the bottom of the main frame, so that the water storage tank and the water outlet tube of the solar panel is higher than the water inlet tube, namely a tilted configuration. Applying the law of communicating vases, the cold water that needs to be heated can be introduced from the water inlet tube to the heat collecting manifold, and when it gradually flows upwards, it can absorb the heat from the sun to heat up the cold water. The heated water can flow from the water outlet tube 13 and connecting tube to the heat-collecting manifold on both sides to be stored in the water storage tank.
In a further embodiment, a connecting head is disposed at water inlet tube and the heat-collecting manifold on both sides. Outer periphery of the connecting head has an inverted tooth portion to connect with external hoses to prevent the external hoses from falling off.
Comparing with the prior arts, the present invention is advantageous because every sectional surface of the collecting manifold is either hexagonal or octagonal, so every sectional surface thereof can be used as a force-receiving portion. When thermal expansion and contraction occurs when the water is heated up, each force-receiving portion can be used to provide support with internal pressure. Furthermore, the resilient portion of the solar panel has resilience when the pressure is applied thereon, so the sidewall of the heat collecting manifold can expand to a predetermined extent to prevent the heat collecting manifold from breaking or bursting due to excessive internal pressure and energy, and the solar panel is more durable and can extend its service life.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a three-dimensional view of the solar panel in the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial enlarged view of FIG. 1 in the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of solar panel in the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial enlarged view of FIG. 3 in the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of the solar panel structure in the present invention when it is in use.

FIG. 6 illustrates another schematic view of the heat-collecting manifold in the present invention when it expands.

FIG. 7 illustrates a three-dimensional view of a prior art.

FIG. 8 is a prior art illustrating the burst of the heat-collecting manifold.

FIG. 9 is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the presently exemplary device provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be prepared or utilized. It is to be understood, rather, that the same or equivalent functions and components may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices and materials similar or equivalent to those described can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the exemplary methods, devices and materials are now described.
All publications mentioned are incorporated by reference for the purpose of describing and disclosing, for example, the designs and methodologies that are described in the publications that might be used in connection with the presently described invention. The publications listed or discussed above, below and throughout the text are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.
In order to further understand the goal, characteristics and effect of the present invention, a number of embodiments along with the drawings are illustrated as following:
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a solar panel 10 has a plurality of heat-collecting manifold 11, a water inlet tube 12 and a water outlet tube 13 that are formed as one body by plastic molding, so that the heat-collecting manifold 11 can be vertically arranged between the water inlet tube 12 and water outlet tube 13, and connected therewith. Furthermore, the solar panel 10 is also formed as one body by plastic molding, so a rib piece 14 can be used to connect between the heat-collecting manifold 11. In one embodiment, when the heat-collecting manifold 11 of the solar panel 10 is formed, every sectional surface of the heat-collecting manifold 11 can be formed as hexagonal or octagonal, so every sectional surface thereof can be used as a force-receiving portion 111. Sideway of the water outlet tube 13 is closed, and with the transition of a connecting tube 15, water can be transported to both sides of the heat-collecting manifold 11. Also, one side of the rib piece 14 has a recessed portion 141 to enable the other side thereof to relatively protrude to form a resilient portion 142, and the recessed portion 141 and resilient portion 142 are all V-shaped.
Referring to FIG. 5, the solar panel structure with plasticity is disposed in a main frame 20 of a solar water heater and connected with a water storage tank 21. A supporting unit 22 is disposed at one side of the bottom of the main frame 20, so that the water storage tank 21 and the water outlet tube 13 of the solar panel 10 is higher than the water inlet tube 12, namely a tilted configuration. Applying the law of communicating vases, the cold water that needs to be heated can be introduced from the water inlet tube 12 to the heat-collecting manifold 11, and when it gradually flows upwards, it can absorb the heat from the sun to heat up the cold water. The heated water can flow from the water outlet tube 13 and connecting tube 15 to the heat-collecting manifold 11 on both sides to be stored in the water storage tank 21.
Furthermore, a connecting head 16 is disposed at water inlet tube 12 and the heat-collecting manifold 11 on both sides. Outer periphery of the connecting head 16 has an inverted tooth portion 161 to connect with external hoses to prevent the external hoses from falling off.
According to the embodiments described above, the present invention is advantageous because every sectional surface of the heat-collecting manifold 11 is either hexagonal or octagonal, so every sectional surface thereof can be used as a force-receiving portion 111. When thermal expansion and contraction occurs when the water is heated up, each force-receiving portion 111 can be used to provide support with internal pressure. Furthermore, the resilient portion 142 of the solar panel 10 has resilience when the pressure is applied thereon, so the sidewall of the heat-collecting manifold 11 can expand to a predetermined extent to prevent the heat-collecting manifold 11 from breaking or bursting due to excessive internal pressure and energy, and the solar panel 10 is more durable and can extend its service life.
Having described the invention by the description and illustrations above, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the invention and are not to be considered as limiting. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as limited by the foregoing description, but includes any equivalents.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A solar panel structure with plasticity comprising

a plurality of heat-collecting manifold, a water inlet tube and a water outlet tube that are formed as one body by plastic molding, a rib piece used to connect between the heat-collecting manifold,

wherein every sectional surface of the heat-collecting manifold is used as a force-receiving portion, and one side of the rib piece has a recessed portion to enable the other side thereof to relatively protrude to form a resilient portion.

2. The solar panel structure with plasticity of claim 1, wherein the recessed portion and the resilient portion are V-shaped.

3. The solar panel structure with plasticity of claim 1, wherein the force-receiving portion is either hexagonal or octagonal.

4. The solar panel structure with plasticity of claim 1, wherein sideway of the water outlet tube is closed, and with the transition of a connecting tube, water is transported to both sides of the heat-collecting manifold

5. The solar panel structure with plasticity of claim 1, wherein a connecting head is disposed at water inlet tube and the heat-collecting manifold on both sides.

6. The solar panel structure with plasticity of claim 5, wherein outer periphery of the connecting head has an inverted tooth portion to connect with external hoses to prevent the external hoses from falling off.

7. The solar panel structure with plasticity of claim 1, wherein the solar panel structure with plasticity is disposed in a main frame of a solar water heater and connected with a water storage tank, and a supporting unit is disposed at one side of the bottom of the main frame, so that the water storage tank and the water outlet tube of the solar panel is higher than the water inlet tube to form a tilted configuration.