WO2012060853A2

WO2012060853A2 - Solar thermal lamps and globes

Info

Publication number: WO2012060853A2
Application number: PCT/US2011/001702
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ali A. Fakih
Original assignee: Fakih Ali A
Priority date: 2010-10-25
Filing date: 2011-10-04
Publication date: 2012-05-10
Also published as: CA2813801C; CA2813801A1; WO2012060853A3

Abstract

A solar thermal lamp used for heating water in a water tank. The thermal lamp includes a transparent glass bulb with a threaded male coupling for attaching to a female coupling in the bottom or side of a water tank. The thermal lamp also includes a metal heat condenser with an enlarged water heating probe. The probe is received inside the water tank. The heat condenser can include a copper coil, copper fins, a heat absorbing coating, and the like for receiving solar energy thereon and conducting the solar heat to the water heating probe for heating the water inside the water tank.

Description

SOLAR THERMAL LAMPS AND GLOBES

FOR HEATING WATER IN A WATER TANK

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

This invention relates to solar thermal lamps and globes, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to solar thermal lamps used as inexpensive, solar energy collectors for heating water in a water tank and that are easy to replace and maintain as a solar heating system. The lamps can be installed on building walls, poles and similar applications. Also, the solar system can be installed facing south on flat and pitched roofs and on the ground. Further, the solar thermal lamps can be used on residential, commercial and industrial buildings and as decorative fixtures by architects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is a primary objective of the subject invention to provide solar thermal lamps and globes having their own water tanks and without the need of electricity to transfer hot water to a hot water tank.

Still another object of the invention is the solar thermal lamps and globes can be built to track the sun at all times of the year and without the need of water hoses and related maintenance problems.

Yet another object of the invention is the lamps and globes can be built with single, double and triple glass bulbs with vacuum for minimizing heat loss, when collecting solar heat.

Further, the lamps and globes can be attached to a pipe and used as a heat exchanger or hot water tank. Also, the lamps and globes can include fins and tubes attached thereto for increasing the surface area exposed to the sun and creating higher temperature systems.

The subject invention, in one embodiment, includes a thermal lamp having a transparent glass bulb with a threaded male coupling for attaching to a female coupling in the bottom or side of a water tank. The thermal lamp also includes a metal heat condenser with an enlarged water heating probe. The probe is received inside the water tank. The heat condenser can include a copper coil, copper fins, a heat absorbing coating, and the like for receiving solar energy thereon and conducting the solar heat to the water heating probe for heating the water inside the water tank.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those familiar with solar collectors and more specifically solar thermal lamps and globes when reviewing the following detailed description, showing novel construction, combination, and elements as herein described, and more particularly defined by the claims, it being understood that changes in the embodiments to the herein disclosed invention are meant to be included as coming within the scope of the claims, except insofar as they may be precluded by the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate complete preferred embodiments in the present invention according to the best modes presently devised for the practical application of the subject solar thermal lamps and globes and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a heat exchanger or hot water tank mounted on a roof top. Attached to the water tank are a series of different types of solar thermal lamps attached to the bottom or side of the water tank. FIG. 1 A is an enlarged perspective view of one of the solar thermal lamp shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 B illustrates a solar thermal lamp with solar heat reflector.

FIG. 1 C illustrates the solar thermal lamp with protective metal guard.

FIG. 2A shows a side view of a bank of thermal lamps mounted on an elongated hot water tank mounted on a floor base.

FIG. 2B illustrates a front view of the bank of thermal lamps, as shown in FIG.

2A.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a horizontal water tank with a downwardly extending, vertical water pipe having three different types of thermal lamps adapted from receipt thereon using a twist-lock coupling.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the horizontal water tank having three downwardly extending, vertical water pipes adapted for mounting different types of thermal lamps thereon.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a building wall and roof with a plurality of thermal lamps mounted on the wall and attached to the water pipes. The water pipes are disposed inside the building and behind the wall.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a thermal lamp in the shape of a leaf having a dark, absorbing coating on the surface of the lamp.

FIG. 7 illustrates an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the wall, shown in FIG. 5, and having a thermal lamp mounted thereon with a water heating probe of a metal heat condenser extending into the water pipe for heating hot water therein.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a solar thermal globe mounted on a base and connected to a cold water pipe for circulating and heating cold water inside the globe. FIG. 9 is another perspective view of the thermal globe having an internal, copper coil for circulating the cold water therein and heating the water prior to exiting out a hot water pipe.

FIG. 10 is similar to the thermal globe shown in FIG. 9 and having internal copper fins for heating the cold water inside the globe.

FIG. 11 illustrates the thermal globe having a dark, absorbing coating for heating the cold water circulated therein and a heat reflector surround the globe for adding additional solar heat to the globe.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a clear glass globe with a metal heat condenser and heat reflector mounted therein and connected to a hot water tank. The globe is mounted on a globe base having solar panels mounted thereon.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the glass globe with condenser and heat reflector, as shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a pair of motors and a pair of gear trains used to rotate the heat reflector with the angle of the sun during the day and during changes in the yearly seasons.

FIG. 15 is a top view of the motors and gear trains, shown along lines 15-15 in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a heat exchanger or hot water tank 20 is shown mounted on a roof top 22 of a building 24. The building includes walls 26. The roof top 22 and water tank 20 are shown facing the sun for absorbing solar heat. In this drawing, a series of different types of solar thermal lamps, having different unique features for collecting solar energy, are shown attached to a bottom or a side of the water tank 20. A portion of the left hand side of the water tank 20 has been cut away to illustrate water 28 stored therein for being heated by the thermal lamps using solar heat. The tank 20 can also include a hot water heater 27, shown in dashed lines, with electric leads 29. The heater 27 is used for heating water during inclement weather.

On the left side of the tank 20 is a thermal lamp, having general reference numeral 30. The thermal lamp 30 includes a single wall, transparent glass bulb 32 with a threaded male coupling 34 and is shown positioned for attachment to a threaded female coupling 36 in the side of the tank 20. The lamp 30 is also shown enlarged in FIG. 1 A. The lamp 30 includes a copper, or similar conductive metal, heat condenser 38. The condenser 38 includes an enlarged water heating probe 39 received inside the tank for heating the water. The condenser 38 further includes a metal bushing 40 connected to the probe 39 and attached to the top of the threaded male coupling 34. Still further, the condenser 38 includes a downwardly extending copper coil 42 attached to the metal bushing 40 and received inside the single glass bulb 32. The copper coil 42 is used for absorbing solar energy and conducting it to the water heating probe 39 for heating the water 28 inside the tank 20. Also, the lamp 30 can include a vacuum tube 44 for drawing a vacuum inside the glass bulb 32 for increased absorption of the solar energy by the copper coil 42.

Also shown in this drawing is another thermal lamp 30 attached to the water tank 20 and including the heat condenser 38 having attached copper fins 46. Further, another lamp 30 can include a glass heat absorbing coil 48 attached to the metal water heating probe 39. Still further, the lamp 30 can include the glass heat absorbing coil 48 attached to a glass water heating probe 50. Even further, the lamp 30 can have a dark, heat absorbing coating 52 and attached to the metal water heating probe 39. Still further, the lamp 30 can include the glass probe 50 connected to the heat absorbing coating 52 and with the glass bulb 32 having a double or triple layer of glass. It can be appreciated by viewing this drawings and the different embodiments of the thermal lamps 30 mounted on the hot water tank 20, various combinations of different sizes, shapes and designs of the thermal lamps with glass bulbs, metal and glass water heating probes and metal and glass coils can be anticipated for the effective use of capturing solar energy and heating the water inside the water tank.

In FIG. IB, the solar thermal lamp 30 is shown mounted inside a solar heat reflector 54 for increasing the reflection of sun rays on the glass bulb 32.

In FIG. 1 C, the solar thermal lamp 30 is shown with the solar heat reflector 54 and including a protective metal guard 56.

In FIG. 2A, a side view of a bank of the thermal lamps 30 is shown mounted on an elongated hot water tank 20 mounted on a rotatable, floor or roof base 58. The roof base 58 includes an elongated solar heat reflector 60.

In FIG. 2B, a front view of the bank of thermal lamps 30, as shown in FIG. 2 A, is illustrated with arrows 62 illustrating the reflection of sun rays toward the lamps 30 and providing an increased concentration of solar heat on the lamps.

In FIG. 3, a perspective view of the horizontal water tank 20 is shown and with a downwardly extending, vertical water pipe 64 and having square-shaped thermal lamps, having general reference numeral 66, with square-shaped transparent covers 68. The thermal lamps 66, in this embodiment, also include metal heat condensers 38 with metal probe 39 and a male twist-lock coupling 70. The coupling 70 is adapted for receipt through a female twist-lock coupling 72. The male coupling 70 includes two oppositely disposed lugs which are received through lug openings in the side of the female coupling 72. Therefore, by merely twisting the male coupling 70 a few degrees, the metal heat condenser 38 is secured on the water pipe 64. This type of coupling is used when the thermal lamps 66, by the nature of their angular shape, have limited coupling movement, when the lamps are mounted next to each other as shown in FIG. 5.

In FIG. 4, a perspective view of the horizontal water tank 20 is shown having three downwardly extending, vertical water pipes 64 adapted for mounting three different types of square-shaped thermal lamps 66 thereon. In this drawing, one of the lamps 66 includes a copper coil 42 mounted on the heat condenser 38. Another of the lamps 66 includes copper fins 46 attached to the condenser 38. Yet another lamp 66 includes a heat absorbing coating 52 for collecting solar energy.

In FIG. 5, a perspective view of the building wall 26 is shown with a plurality of bulb-shaped, thermal lamps 30 and square-shaped thermal lamps 66 mounted next to the wall 26 and coupled to the water pipes 64. The water pipes 64 are disposed behind the wall 26.

In FIG. 6, an enlarged perspective view of a thermal lamp 66 in the shape of a leaf design is shown and having the dark, absorbing coating 52 on the surface of the lamp.

In FIG. 7, an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the wall 26 is shown and having one of the metal heat condenser 38 of one of the thermal lamps 66 received through a hole in the wall and coupled to the side of the vertical water pipe 64 for heating water 28 therein. In this drawing, the condenser 38 is shown attached to the copper coil 42 received inside the transparent, square-shaped cover 68.

In FIG. 8, a perspective view of a transparent, solar thermal globe, having a general reference numeral 74. The globe 74 includes a transparent globe cover 75, which is rotatably mounted on a hollow, "U" shaped bracket 76 and attached to a top of a globe base 78. The globe base 78 is used for receiving a cold water pipe 80 and a hot water pipe 82. The pipes 80 and 82 are connected to the hot water tank 20. The water tank 20 isn't shown in this drawing. Cold water, shown as arrows 84, is received from the tank 20 and circulated into the bottom of the globe 74 and heated therein using solar energy. The hot water, shown as arrows 86, is exited out the top of the globe 74, through the hollow bracket 76, and into the hot water pipe 82 for returning to the water tank.

In FIG. 9, another perspective view of the thermal globe 74 is shown. In this embodiment, the cold water 84 is circulated through the copper coil 42 inside the globe 74 for heating the cold water 84 and discharging the hot water 86 to the hot water pipe 82.

In FIG. 10, another embodiment of the thermal globe 74 is shown. In this example, copper fins 46 inside the globe are used for heating the cold water 84. is similar to the thermal globe shown in FIG. 9 and having internal copper fins for heating the cold water inside the globe.

In FIG. 11, a front view of the thermal globe 74 is shown having a dark, absorbing coating 52 for heating the cold water circulated therein. Also, a heat reflector 60 is shown surrounding the globe 74 for adding additional solar heat, shown as arrows 62, onto the coating 52.

In FIG. 12, a perspective view of another embodiment of the solar thermal globe is illustrated and having general reference numeral 88. In this drawing, the thermal globe 88 includes the clear glass globe cover 75 mounted on the "U" shaped bracket 76 received on top of the a globe base 89. The water tank 20 is shown disposed above the globe 88 for heating the water 28 therein.

The thermal globe 88 includes the metal heat condenser 38 with the enlarged water heating probe 39, shown received inside the water tank 20. The condenser 38 also includes a solar heat adsorbing ball 90 surrounded by the heat reflector 60. The reflector 60 is mounted on top of a rotatable drive shaft 92. The drive shaft 92 is attached to a first drive gear 94 with a first drive motor 96 mounted on a gear housing 98. The gear housing 98 is attached to the bottom of the globe cover 75. The drive motor 96 is programmed to rotate the globe 88 on the drive gear 94 with the movement of the sun during the day.

The drive shaft 92 is also attached to a second drive motor 100, which engages a second drive gear 102. The drive motor 100 is programmed to rotate the globe 88 on the drive gear 102 toward the sun and during the change in yearly seasons.

In FIG. 13, a front sectional view of the globe 88 and the globe cover 75 are shown with the heat absorbing ball 90 centered inside the heat reflector 60 for receiving the reflected sun rays thereon.

In FIG. 14, an enlarged view of the drive motors 96 and 100 and the drive gears 98 and 102 is shown and used to rotate the heat reflector 60 with the angle of the sun during the day and during yearly seasons.

In FIG.15, a top view of the drive motors 96 and 100 and the drive gears 98 and 102 is shown and taken along lines 15-15 in FIG. 12.

While the invention has been particularly shown, described and illustrated in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments and modifications thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as claimed except as precluded by the prior art.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention for which an exclusive privilege and property right are claimed are defined as follows:

1. A solar thermal lamp for heating water, the lamp comprising:

a transparent glass bulb:

a threaded male coupling mounted on one end of the bulb:

a water tank adapted for mounting on a building roof, a building wall and similar structure, the water tank adapted for storing water therein;

a threaded female coupling disposed in the side of the water tank, the male coupling threadably attached to the female coupling;

a hot water, heat condenser mounted inside the bulb, the condenser having an enlarged water heating probe extending outwardly from the male coupling and disposed inside the water tank, the heat condenser having means for absorbing solar energy inside the bulb and connected to the probe for heating the probe, whereby the heated probe heats the water in the water tank.

2. The lamp as described in claim 1 wherein the means for absorbing solar energy is a copper coil, the copper coil is connected to a copper water heating probe.

3. The lamp as described in claim 1 wherein the means for absorbing solar energy is a plurality of copper fins, the copper fins are connected to a copper water heating probe.

4. The lamp as described in claim 1 wherein the means for absorbing solar energy is a glass coil, the glass coil connected to a glass water heating probe.

5. The lamp as described in claim 1 wherein the means for absorbing solar energy is a glass coil, the glass coil connected to a copper water heating probe.

6. The lamp as described in claim 1 wherein the means for absorbing solar energy is a dark, heat absorbing coating disposed on the glass bulb, the dark, heat absorbing coating connected to a copper water heating probe.

7. The lamp as described in claim 1 further including a solar heat reflector attached to the glass bulb and disposed around the back of and the sides of the glass bulb for reflecting solar heat onto the means for absorbing solar energy.

8. A solar thermal lamp for heating water, the lamp comprising:

a transparent glass cover:

at least one downwardly extending water pipes, an upper end of the pipe attached to the water tank and receiving water therefrom;

a female coupling disposed in the side of the water pipe;

a hot water, heat condenser mounted inside the glass cover, the condenser having an enlarged water heating probe with male coupling extending outwardly from the glass cover and disposed inside the water tank, the heat condenser having means for absorbing solar energy inside the glass cover and connected to the probe for heating the probe, whereby the heated probe heats the water inside the water pipe.

9. The lamp as described in claim 8 wherein the male coupling is a male twist- lock coupling and the female coupling is a female twist-lock coupling.

10. The lamp as described in claim 8 wherein the means for absorbing solar energy is a copper coil, the copper coil is connected to a copper water heating probe.

11. The lamp as described in claim 8 wherein the means for absorbing solar energy is a plurality of copper fins, the copper fins are connected to a copper water heating probe.

12. The lamp as described in claim 8 wherein the means for absorbing solar energy is a dark, heat absorbing coating, the coating is connected to a copper water heating probe.

13. A solar thermal globe adapted for heating water from a water tank, the globe comprising:

a transparent globe cover:

a "U" shaped, hollow bracket attached to the globe cover, the globe cover rotatable on the bracket;

a globe base, the bracket mounted on top of the globe base;

a cold water pipe adapted for attachment to the water tank, the cold water pipe attached to the globe base and to the bottom of the globe cover for introducing cold water inside the globe cover; a hot water pipe adapted for attachment to the water tank, the hot water pipe attached to the globe base for receiving hot water heated inside the globe cover and circulating through the hollow bracket back to the globe base.

14. The thermal globe as described in claim 13 further including a copper coil mounted inside the globe cover for receiving the cold water from the globe base and heating the water therein prior to discharging the heated water to the hollow bracket.

15. The thermal globe as described in claim 13 further including a copper fins mounted inside the globe cover for receiving the cold water from the globe base and heating the water therein prior to discharging the heated water to the hollow bracket.

16. The thermal globe as described in claim 13 further including a dark, absorbing coating on the inside the globe cover for heating cold water received from the globe base and heating the water therein prior to discharging the heated water to the hollow bracket.

17. The thermal globe as described in claim 13 further including an elongated heat reflector mounted on the globe base and adapted for reflecting sun rays onto the globe cover for adding additional solar energy to the thermal globe.

18. The thermal globe as described in claim 13 further including a first drive motor connected to a first drive gear and attached to the globe cover for orienting the globe cover toward the direction of the sun and moving the globe cover during the sun's movement during the day.

19. The thermal globe as described in claim 13 further including a second drive motor connected to a second drive gear and attached to the globe cover for orienting the globe cover toward the direction of movement of the sun during the seasonal changes of the sun.