WO2012125039A2

WO2012125039A2 - Panel for absorbing solar heat

Info

Publication number: WO2012125039A2
Application number: PCT/NL2012/050167
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bob Janssen
Original assignee: Heering Kunststof Profielen B.V.
Priority date: 2011-03-16
Filing date: 2012-03-16
Publication date: 2012-09-20
Also published as: WO2012125039A3; NL2006403C2; EP2686617A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a panel, particularly a facade cladding element, comprising an opaque synthetic basic profile provided with chambers extending in longitudinal direction for accommodating a hose or tube and with basic coupling parts, and one or more synthetic cover profiles provided with cover profile coupling parts cooperating with the basic coupling parts, and transmitting at least 50% of infrared thermal radiation and transmitting at most 20% of visible light.

Description

Panel for absorbing solar heat

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a panel, particularly a facade cladding element, for absorbing solar heat.

From DE-102008033398 a fagade cladding element is known for cladding a building, and that is provided with a self-supporting plate element with devices for utilizing solar energy. For that purpose the fagade cladding element has lines through which a heat-carrying medium that can be pumped is able to flow. The fagade cladding element is furthermore provided with a glass cladding, in one embodiment strips of glass, which in cross-section have a saw tooth arrangement.

From EP191866 a fagade cladding element is known from transparent polycarbonate and provided with channels in which a mirror element and special tubes with spacers can be arranged. A heat-absorbing medium can either flow through the channels or through the tubes in the channels. At an end of a fagade cladding element a connection can be provided for connecting the channels of each fagade cladding element in parallel to the channels of other fagade cladding elements, in the publication described as "tubular registry". In most of the known systems many connections are required. Moreover the panels often have a large basic size.

Document FR2398985 describes a device for absorbing solar energy. The device has a support panel, which looks like a corrugated plate, provided with recessed gutters that are upwardly open, are provided with lines for absorbing heat, and with a cover sheet. The device can be mounted on the roof of a building. There is room for improvement of these facade cladding elements that have been known per se for a long time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved panel for absorbing solar heat or solar radiation.

The invention furthermore or additionally has the object of providing a panel with which a solar collector can easily be made to size, and with new architectural possibilities.

For that purpose the invention provides a panel, particularly a facade cladding element, comprising an opaque synthetic basic profile provided with clamping parts for clamping a hose or tube on the synthetic basic profile and with basic coupling parts, and with one or more synthetic cover profiles provided with cover profile coupling parts cooperating with the basic coupling parts, and transmitting at least 50% of infrared thermal radiation and transmitting at most 20% of visible light.

By using an opaque basic profile and a cover profile according to the invention a facade cladding element can be provided that cannot or hardly be distinguished from a generally accepted fagade. Moreover a solar collector can easily be made to size by means of the panels. In addition it becomes possible to limit the number of coupling points, especially outside of a building, as much as possible.

In one embodiment the panel further comprises panel coupling parts along an edge for coupling to similar panels. An example of such panel coupling parts is a so-called tongue-and-groove. Other similar panel coupling parts can also be used. In that way panels can for instance be assembled into a complete facade cladding that can be made to size. In one embodiment the basic profile is provided with the panel coupling parts. In that way, for easy mounting, first the basic parts can be placed and coupled one to the other. Subsequently a continuous hose or tube can easily be arranged in at least a part of the chambers. In one embodiment the panel coupling parts are provided along two opposite longitudinal sides, particularly a tongue on one longitudinal side edge and a groove on the opposite longitudinal side edge, more particularly the panel forms a lath part or tongue-and-groove planking. In one embodiment the basic profile comprises clamping parts for a hose or tube in its chambers. In that way a tube or hose is kept in its place at a wanted position. Moreover this makes mounting even easier.

In one embodiment the cover profile is made of a for visible light transparent polymer, such as polycarbonate or Poly(meth)acrylate (PMMA). Preferably on the exterior side it is provided with a foil which transmits infrared, for instance transmitting at least 50%. In one embodiment it transmits less than 20% of visible light. In a further embodiment even less than 10%.

In one embodiment the cover profile has a multi-layered foil on a carrier layer of the above-mentioned material. In one embodiment the foil comprises several layers, comprising a transparent top layer on the side which when used is the exterior side, a UV protective layer that is substantially transparent, and a pigmented basic layer.

In one embodiment on the side which, when used, is the exterior side, the foil is provided with a top layer of fluoropolymer. In one embodiment the top layer comprises Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) material. In particular the top layer is made of PVDF material. In one embodiment said layer has a thickness of 1-20 micron. In one embodiment the layer has a thickness of 1- 10 micron. In one embodiment the layer has a thickness of 3-8 micron. In one embodiment the layer comprises the additives that are usual for such materials.

In one embodiment the UV-protective layer comprises a poly(meth)acrylate. In one embodiment the UV-protective layer comprises polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). In one embodiment said layer has a thickness of between 20 and 60 micron. In one embodiment said UV- protective layer has a thickness of 30-50 micron. In one embodiment the UV-protective layer comprises the additives that are usual for such materials.

In one embodiment the basic layer is made of a pigmented acrylate. In one embodiment the basic layer has a thickness of 10-100 micron. In one embodiment the basic layer is provided with infrared-transparent pigments. In one embodiment the basic layer comprises the additives that are usual for such materials.

In one embodiment a pigmented layer is disposed on the basic layer. In that way for instance a decoration can be arranged. An example thereof is a woodgrain decoration. In order to effect a high degree of transmission, the basic layer is transparent to infrared radiation.

In one embodiment the basic layer on the side which, when used, is the interior side is provided with a primer layer. It has turned out that in case of different colours of the cover profile, such as dark green and mahogany a sufficient heating takes place, but that the panel as a whole still has a substantially even look. In case of proper solar irradiation it turned out that the water temperature could rise up to 74 degrees Celcius, more than sufficient for the supply of hot water in houses or offices.

In one embodiment the basic profile is provided with clamping parts for a hose or tube in its chambers, and wherein the cover profile in the longitudinal direction is provided with cylinder lenses in register with clamping parts for hoses or tubes for focusing light on the hoses or tubes. In one embodiment the light or the infrared radiation is essentially bundled in the centre of the chambers, effectively that means in a line.

In one embodiment the cylinder lenses are provided on the side of the cover profile that faces the basic profile. In that way a smoothly finished look can be obtained on the exterior side of the panel. In one embodiment the chambers are provided with continuous partition walls, which at least at one outer end are provided with passages. In that way a tube or hose can be arranged so as to zig-zag through a panel.

In one embodiment, at least at one end of a panel at a longitudinal side, the panel is provided with a passage for a hose or tube.

In one embodiment, at the same end at an opposite longitudinal side, the panel is provided with a passage for a hose or tube. In one embodiment at the opposite end the continuous partition walls are provided with passages.

The placement of the passages facilitates the arrangement of the hose or tube. Moreover the location of connection to a further installation can thus be properly established. In one embodiment the chambers are provided with partition walls, which at outer ends comprise passages to make it possible to position a hose or tube so as to zig-zag through the chambers through the panel. In one embodiment the chambers are provided with partition walls and passages in the partition walls that are provided to lead a hose or tube through several chambers, wherein the passages are provided at outer ends yet spaced apart therefrom for leaving at least a part of the partition walls standing intact at the outer ends.

In one embodiment the basic coupling parts are provided at outer ends of partition walls between the chambers, and the cover profile coupling parts cooperate therewith. The invention further relates to a panel assembly comprising a series of mutually coupled panels as described, and provided with a continuous tube or hose for a heat absorbing fluid, which tube or hose runs through the panels. In one embodiment the continuous tube or hose is a flexible synthetic hose, in one embodiment a black synthetic or rubber hose. Preferably said hose is highly flexible, rotation free, antifreeze resistant and resistant to temperature fluctuations from -30 degrees to 90 degrees Celcius. In one embodiment the chambers are provided with continuous partition walls, which at the outer ends of the panel comprise a passage to lead the hose or tube zig-zag through a panel.

In one embodiment the basic profile is made of a black synthetic material. As a result the heat absorption can be further increased. Moreover this results in the panel, when seen as a whole from the outside, having a more even colour and the interior work cannot or hardly be seen. In one embodiment infrared thermal radiation is NI infrared radiation according to ISO 20473. Particularly radiation in the range 800-2500 nm. The degree of transmission in one embodiment on average exceeds 50% in the wavelength range of 800-2500 nm. It turned out that in case of such a transmission, the temperature of for instance water in a hose or tube may rise up to 74 degrees Celcius. When moreover the degree of transmission for visible light on average is below 20%, then certainly at some distance it is not perceptible that the panel has been provided with an interior work of a hose.

The invention further relates to a basic profile as described in this description or according to the claims.

The invention further relates to a cover profile as described in this description or according to the claims.

The invention furthermore relates to a panel, particularly a fagade cladding element, comprising an opaque synthetic basic profile provided with chambers extending in longitudinal direction for accommodating a hose or tube and with basic coupling parts, and a synthetic cover profile provided with cover profile coupling parts cooperating with the basic coupling parts, and transmitting at least 50% of infrared thermal radiation and transmitting at most 20% of visible light. The invention further relates to a device provided with one or more of the characterising measures described in the attached description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

It will be clear that the various aspects mentioned in this patent application can be combined and each individually can be eligible for a divisional patent application. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the attached figures an embodiment of a panel is shown in which: Figure 1 shows a view in perspective of an embodiment of a panel for absorbing solar heat;

Figure 2 shows a view in perspective of the panel of figure 1 without cover profile, and

Figure 3 shows a view in cross-section of an embodiment of a panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a view in perspective of an embodiment of an outer end of a panel for absorbing solar heat. The panel 1 has a basic profile 2 and a cover profile 3. The basic profile 2 is provided with continuous chambers 5 with partition walls 6. A hose or tube 4 runs through the chambers 5. In the embodiment shown the tube or hose 4 enters through a longitudinal side at one end of a panel, and said tube or hose 4 exits the panel at the same side through the opposite longitudinal side. In that way connection, for instance within a building, can easily be made. Moreover the hose or tube 4 can easily be laid so as to zig-zag through a series of basic profiles. This is visible in figure 2, in which the cover profile has been removed.

In this embodiment the panel 1 is provided with a tongue 7 and groove 8 as panel coupling parts to couple several panels. In this embodiment the basic profile 2 is provided with partition walls 6 between the continuous chambers 5. In this embodiment the partition walls continue from the basic profile through to the cover profile 3. Other embodiments are possible too, such as partition walls that partially extend away from the basic profile and partition walls that connect thereto and are connected to the cover profile 3.

In the shown embodiment at their outer ends the wall sections are provided with coupling parts 10 and the cover profile 3 is provided with coupling parts 1 1 cooperating therewith. Shown here is a groove 10 in the partition wall outer ends and a part 1 1 on the cover profile 3 that snaps into said groove. Alternatively basic profile and cover profile can for instance be coupled in a snapping way at the longitudinal edges.

In figure 2 an outer end of the basic profile 2, provided with a hose or tube 4 running zig-zag therethrough, is shown without cover profile 3.

In order to close off the chambers 5 an end partition 9 is provided in this embodiment. This may be a separate part, for instance a synthetic part that can be snapped into the basic profile 2. In that way insects and dust cannot penetrate the panel. In addition this embodiment is provided with longitudinal closing partitions 12 in which ensure further closure and which are provided with a passage for fittingly allowing a hose or tube 4 to pass through.

In figure 3 a cross-section of a panel is shown. In this embodiment the partition walls 6 are single-walled and not hollow. The continuous chambers 5 are provided with clamping parts or retaining parts 13 for retaining the hose or tube 4 in the continuous chambers 5. In one embodiment the retaining parts 13 are continuous. In this case the retaining parts are adapted for clamping an essentially circular hose or tube. In this embodiment the retaining parts run more than halfway around the hose or tube 4 and are provided with edges 14 so that the hose or tube 4 is clamped.

In order to retain more heat the continuous chambers 5 are in this case further provided with reducers 15 that reduce the volume of the continuous chamber and moreover are able to concentrate the heat towards the hose or tube 4.

In this embodiment the clamping parts to clamp basic profile and cover profile onto each other are furthermore inverted with respect to figure 1. By way of clamping, the cover profile is furthermore provided with an undercut groove 16 and a hook member 17 that is continuously L-shaped in longitudinal direction and fits in the groove. Not shown in the figures is that the cover profile can be provided with cylinder lenses that extend in longitudinal direction. Such cylinder lenses will then be positioned to concentrate the light towards the tube or hose.

The cover profile preferably is made of a synthetic material that transmits infrared radiation to a high extent, preferably infrared radiation near or consecutive to the visible light. Usually in the range having a wavelength longer than approximately 700 nm. An example of a suitable synthetic material is for instance polycarbonate, or P A. In one embodiment the cover profile furthermore comprises a foil layer. An object of the foil layer is to improve weather resistance. In addition the foil provides a wanted colour and possibly even a texture, such as wood grain. As a result the panel cannot or hardly be distinguished from a regular lath part or tongue-and-groove planking, or other facade cladding panel. In one embodiment the cover profile transmits visible light, that means light in a wavelength range of approximately 400-700 nm, of less than 10%. Certainly in combination with a dark to black basic profile it provides the impression of a solid panel. In order to make proper heat absorption possible the transmission of infrared light should exceed 60%. In order to give a cover profile those properties the foil in one embodiment is a foil that transmits more than 50% of infrared, in one embodiment more than 60%. Transmission of visible light is less than 20%, in one embodiment even less than 10%. Both the basic profile and the cover profile can be synthetic extrusion profiles. As regards the basic profile it may even be recycled synthetic material, preferably provided with a black colorant. After extrusion the profiles can be made to length, and passages for the hose or tube can be made at the outer ends. Optionally the lower and upper partition wall can be left (partially) intact, and/or be provided with a fitting hole for the hose or tube. It may even be possible to mount a bond or series of connecting basic profiles, for instance also with their outer ends abutting. At the outer ends of the assembly partition walls can be removed afterwards, after which the hose or tube is laid. Alternatively some basic profiles can be provided with removed partition walls beforehand.

In an alternative that is also described the passages can be removed completely, and during or after arranging the tube or hose closing parts can be arranged. When constructing for instance first the basic profiles can be arranged on a building. After that the hose or tube can be laid through all profiles. In addition the length can be adjusted to the wanted yield. After arranging a continuous hose or tube the cover profiles can be arranged. In that way it is easy to mount an installation and to make it to size.

In an alternative embodiment the basic profile is obtained by means of injection moulding instead of by means of extrusion. Such a basic profile 2 can almost be identical to the basic profile 2 of figures 1-3. Injection moulding provides a number of other options however. By means of extrusion the basic profiles can have a length that can almost be freely chosen. In practice the length will usually be 2-5 metres for houses. Moreover a width will be chosen that corresponds with the width of known panels such as tongue-and-groove planking. That means that such basic profiles will usually be 10-30 cm wide and be provided with a cover profile having a width corresponding therewith. As explained such basic profiles will first be connectingly attached to a building until a part of a fagade is clad.

Injection moulding, as already stated, provides other options. For instance the basic profiles will have a dimension with sides of 50-200 cm, usually having a rectangular shape. Such basic profiles are also laid as described for the basic profiles obtained through extrusion. As already stated, injection moulding offers other possibilities regarding design. In one embodiment the basic profile is provided with a pattern of clamping parts projecting from the surface of the basic profile. A tube or hose can be laid between the clamping parts so as to be clamped in a path that can be relatively freely chosen. If so desired such clamping parts can also have the function of the basic coupling parts. In one embodiment the clamping parts comprise projecting pillars. In one embodiment such pillars have a base and a top, and the cross-section at the base is smaller than the cross- section at the top. In that way a hose or tube can be clamped between two or more clamping parts that are situated on both sides of the hose or tube. An advantage of the embodiment with such basic profiles is the greater freedom to lay the hose or tube through the clamping parts of the basic profiles.

In one embodiment of the basic profile obtained through injection moulding, a series of basic profiles fills a surface and the clamping parts form a pattern in the surface. A flexible hose or tube can be clamped between the clamping parts so as to meander.

In one embodiment the surface of the basic profiles is covered by means of a series of cover profiles. Said cover profiles may have a top view that corresponds with a look of a wall of laths. Alternatively the cover profiles provide a substantially smooth wall. In one embodiment the dimensions of the cover profiles and the basic profiles do not need to correspond. It will be clear that the description above is included to illustrate the operation of preferred embodiments of the invention, and not to limit the scope of the invention. Starting from the above explanation many variations that fall within the spirit and the scope of the present invention will be evident to an expert.

Claims

1. Panel, particularly a facade cladding element, comprising an opaque synthetic basic profile provided with clamping parts for clamping a hose or tube on the synthetic basic profile and with basic coupling parts, and one or more synthetic cover profiles provided with cover profile coupling parts cooperating with the basic coupling parts, and transmitting at least 50% of infrared thermal radiation and transmitting at most 20% of visible light.

2. Panel according to claim 1 , further comprising panel coupling parts along an edge for coupling to similar panels.

3. Panel according to claim 2, wherein the basic profile is provided with the panel coupling parts.

4. Panel according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the panel coupling parts are provided along two opposite longitudinal sides, particularly a tongue on one longitudinal side edge and a groove on the opposite longitudinal side edge, more particularly each basic profile comprises a cover profile and the panel forms a lath part or tongue-and-groove planking.

5. Panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the basic profile comprises chambers extending in longitudinal direction for accommodating a hose or tube, with the clamping parts for a hose or tube in its chambers.

6. Panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover profile is substantially made of polycarbonate or polymethacrylate, on the exterior side provided with a foil which transmits at least 60% of infrared.

7. Panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the basic profile comprises the clamping parts for a hose or tube in its chambers, and wherein in the longitudinal direction the cover profile is provided with cylinder lenses in register with the clamping parts for hoses.

8. Panel according to the preceding claim, wherein the cylinder lenses are provided on the side of the cover profile that faces the basic profile.

9. Panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chambers are provided with continuous partition walls, which at least at one outer end are provided with passages.

10. Panel according to any one of the preceding claims, at one end of a panel at a longitudinal side provided with a passage for a tube or hose.

1 1. Panel according to claim 10, at the same end at an opposite longitudinal side provided with a passage for a tube or hose.

12. Panel according to any one of the claims 9-11 , wherein at the opposite end the continuous partition walls are provided with passages.

13. Panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chambers are provided with partition walls, which at outer ends comprise passages to make it possible to position a hose or tube zig-zag through the chambers through the panel.

14. Panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chambers are provided with partition walls and passages in the partition walls that are provided to lead a hose or tube through several chambers, wherein the passages are provided at outer ends yet spaced apart therefrom for leaving at least a part of the partition walls standing intact at the outer ends.

15. Panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the basic coupling parts are provided at outer ends of partition walls between the chambers, and the cover profile coupling parts cooperate therewith.

16. Panel assembly comprising a series of mutually coupled panels according to any one of the preceding claims, provided with a continuous tube or hose for a heat absorbing fluid, which tube or hose runs through the panels.

17. Panel assembly according to claim 16, wherein the continuous hose or tube is a flexible synthetic hose, in one embodiment a black synthetic or rubber hose.

18. Panel assembly according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the chambers are provided with continuous partition walls, which at the outer ends of the panel comprise a passage to lead the hose or tube zig-zag through a panel.

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