US20140366867A1

US20140366867A1 - Variable Angle Solar Collector

Info

Publication number: US20140366867A1
Application number: US13/918,177
Authority: US
Inventors: Clay Erskine Plemmons
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-06-14
Filing date: 2013-06-14
Publication date: 2014-12-18

Abstract

The Variable Angle Solar Collector, or from this point on is also known as VASC, function is to collect solar energy in/on the hot side, or exit side, of the Energy Exchanger inside the vacuum chamber and allow for the storage of the fluid in the cold side, or entrance side of the Energy Exchanger. The design of the Energy Exchanger can/will act as a fluid back check/back flow preventer in the event of the fluid become pressurized by the expansion of the heated fluid in the Energy Exchanger's Hot or Exit side of the Energy Exchanger. The VASC can be connected in a series (similar to cells in a battery pack are place −to +to increase voltage) or individually, directly in a storage tank. A back flow preventer value may/can also be used in conjunction with the head pressure created from the fluid in the Entrance side of the Energy Exchanger.

Description

The present invention relates generally to solar collectors and more specifically it relates to a Variable Angle Solar Collector/VASC to absorb solar energy and light and transfer the solar energy to the fluid contained in the Hot side or Exit side of the tube (energy exchanger). This will allow the fluid to increase in temperature. The fluid can remain a liquid and/or can increase in temperature until it becomes a gas. The gas may/will increase in pressure in the Energy Exchanger and the Energy Exchanger can/will contain said pressure to be use in a varied of ways after exiting the unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to a solar collector which has a clear and/or translucent Vacuum Chamber, a top and bottom block/cap, Energy Exchanger that consist of a Solar Collector and/or Shade, Hot/Exit and Cold/Entrance Energy Exchanger that is placed within the Vacuum Chamber in such a way as to minimize the energy loss to the surrounding environment and separate the fluid and/or vaporized fluid from the vacuum created in the Vacuum Chamber area, and an Energy Exchanger support/TRRB.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that may/will be described hereinafter.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of Construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following Description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways, Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. An object is to provide a Variable Angle Solar Collector to absorb solar energy and light and transfer the solar energy to the fluid contained in the inside Energy Exchanger's tube. The Variable Angle Solar Collector collects solar radiation and, in turn, Converts the solar radiation into heat that is absorbed by the fluid in the Energy Exchanger part of the VASC.
Another object of the Variable Angle Solar Collector (VASC) is to allow the collection of solar energy so that the Solar Energy may/will increase the temperature and/or convert the fluid to a gas, and in doing so, may/will increase the inner pressure of said fluid.
Another object of the Variable Angle Solar Collector (VASC) is to provide and allow the units to be connected in a series (like batteries placed in a series to increase voltage) to increase the amount of energy/heat in the fluid as the fluid flows from the Exit side of the 1st VASC to the Entrance side/or Cold side of the 2nd VASC. This progression can continue over and over until the desired results are achieved. This progression will increase back pressure of the fluid while allow the fluid to be exposed to additional solar energy.
Another object of the VASC is the Exit side of the Energy Exchanger has fins that are placed against the tube as to increase the Solar Energy that is collected during the early and late parts of the day.
Another object of the VASC is the Hot side of the Energy Exchanger with the fins, shades the Entrance Side/Cold Side of the Energy Exchanger so the fluid may not collect and/or loose additional solar energy inside the vacuum chamber.
Another object of the VASC is to provide an unit that can/will is delivered, received, and/or purchased assembled and/or unassembled as a kit that can to be assembled by the Buyer or his Agent.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of this application.

Index of Elements

Solar Collector and Shade.

The Solar Collector and Shade collects the solar energy and transfers it to the Hot side of the Energy Exchanger. It also shades the Cold side of the Energy Exchanger. The Solar Collector and Shade is a formed or molded metal, or other materials that can transfer solar heat and/or energy. The Solar Collector and Shade may be colored or painted a dark color.
It may be attached by friction, chemical, mechanical, or other way of attachment to the Energy Exchanger on the Hot side/Exit side and it gives stiffness and/or support to the Energy Exchanger. Additional bracing between the Hot side, the Cold side, of the Energy Exchanger and/or Solar Collector and Shade can be added to increase the stiffness and/or support of the Energy Exchanger.

Vacuum Chamber.

This allows solar energy to pass through it and collect on the Solar Collector and Shade and/or Energy Exchanger. It also allows the gasses inside the chamber to be changed and/or removed to create a vacuum to minimize energy loss to the environment. The Vacuum Chamber tube between the Top Cap and the Bottom Cap/RCT is a clear or translucent tube that allows all or part of the solar radiation to pass through its wall. The length will vary and the inner radius is between 1″-11′6″, with varying thickness of the side, or wall, of the chamber. The Vacuum Chamber allows the interior area to have a vacuum imposed in the Interior area of the Vacuum Chamber. The Vacuum Chamber also contains and/or maintains the natural or adaptive environment inside the Vacuum Chamber. Its primary function is to separate the interior atmosphere from the environment and provide support between the Top Cap and the Bottom Cap.
Top Cap and/or Block
The Top Block is made of a solid or semi-solid material comprised of metal, composite, plastic, and/or other rigid or firm material. Its function is to cap one end of the Vacuum Chamber, and supports the Vacuum Chamber's end. The Top Block has two Penetrations that allow the Energy Exchanger to pass through and maintain the separation of the interior and exterior environments. The Top Block also Supports the top of the Energy Exchanger, the Solar Collector and Shade. It has a penetration to allow the VAT to allow for the exchange of interior gas or gases within the Vacuum The Top Cap is used to close the end of the Vacuum Chamber and provide a form to accept a/an seal for the Vacuum. The Top Cap also supports the Vacuum Chamber.
Bottom Cap and/or Block
The Bottom block is made of a solid or semi-solid material comprised of metal, composite, plastic, and/or other rigid or firm material. Its function is to close the end of the Vacuum Chamber and support the end of the Vacuum Chamber. It may have a tube or channel that allows the gasses inside the Vacuum Chamber to be removed and a valve or other connection to be installed on/in the bottom Cap/block.

Bottom Energy Exchanger Support/TRRB

The Bottom Energy Exchanger Support attaches the Bottom Cap/Block to the Energy Exchanger and is made of a firm but flexible material and/or materials that will allow for expansion and contraction of the Energy Exchanger and support the Energy Exchanger's weight, the fluid's weight, and transfer that weight to the Bottom Cap/Block. It also holds the Energy Exchanger in the proper location inside the Vacuum Chamber and is resistant to the transfer of solar energy.

Connections of Main Elements and Sub-Elements of Invention

The connection between the Top Cap/Block and the Vacuum Chamber is done by inserting the Vacuum Chamber into the Top Cap/Block with an appropriate bonding agent.
The Vacuum Chamber Tube is placed between the Top Cap/Block and the Bottom Cap/Block The Energy Exchanger is located inside the Vacuum Chamber and has two tubes that penetrate the Top Block through the MTOCT.
The Solar Collector and Shade is attached to the Energy Exchanger on the Hot side tube located in the front side of the Vacuum Chamber which is located inside the Vacuum Chamber and between the Top and Bottom Blocks. It may be attached to the Energy Exchanger Mechanically, chemically, or by friction and/or clamp. It may also be manufactured into and/or adapted and/or attached to the Energy Exchanger.

Alternative Embodiments Invention

The Vacuum Chamber's length can be adjustable. The diameter and thickness of the Vacuum Chamber can vary. The Energy Exchanger size, length, and dimension can vary. The Solar Collector and Shade can be made of a variety of materials. The color can also be changed, though it should be of a darker color. The Bottom Energy Exchanger Support can be made of a variety of materials, shapes, and sizes.

Operation of Preferred Embodiment

The Solar Collector function is to collect solar energy in the front half (Hot side) of the Energy

Claims

1. A device that a fluid enters the Cold side/Entrance side of the Energy Exchanger, placed inside the Vacuum Chamber, by way of natural convection or mechanical pump, flows through the Energy Exchanger, then exit the Hot side/Exit side. The device collects solar energy and facilitates the movement of said energy to the fluid located in the Energy Exchanger.

2. The Vacuum Chamber as in claim 1, which a clear tube with a cap on the top and bottom, a support device for the Energy Exchanger in the bottom cap, and a port/valve that allows the attachment of a vacuum pump or other mechanisms. The vacuum chamber contains the Energy Exchanger which exiting this part of the device through the top cap.

3. The Vacuum Chamber as in claim 2 has a vacuum, or an temperature resistant gas on the interior environment that is inside the clear tube, top and bottom caps, but separated from the interior of the Energy Exchanger by the tubes of the Energy Exchanger.

4. The Energy Exchanger as per claims 1 & 2, has an angular shaped fin that collects solar energy and transmits this energy into the Energy Exchanger on the Hot side/Exit side.

5. The Angular fin as per claim 3 blocks the solar energy away from the Cold side/Entrance side of the Energy Exchanger and allows said solar energy to be collected and transmitted into the Hot side/Exit side of the Energy Exchanger.

6. A device as in claim 1, the cold side/Entrance side is attached to a storage tank that allows head pressure on the Energy Exchanger.

7. A device as in claim 1, the Hot side/Exit side may/is attached to the 2nd device on the cold side/Entrance side (as in like AA batteries are placed in a series in a flashlight to increase voltage). This hot side/exit side attachment to the cold side/entrance side in a series, increasing the solar energy exposed to the liquid/gas in the Energy Exchanger and may/is reproduced any number of times.

8. The Hot side/Exit side of the unit, or the last unit in a series, may/can have a fluid/gas valve that allows the movement of gas only through the valve, but stops the movement of the fluid. Thus allowing the increase in interior pressure of the fluid, but not allowing the fluid to pass the valve.