WO2016193807A1

WO2016193807A1 - Device to reduce the temperature of a solar photovoltaic panel

Info

Publication number: WO2016193807A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/000759
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karl W. BÖER
Original assignee: Böer Karl W
Priority date: 2015-06-03
Filing date: 2016-06-03
Publication date: 2016-12-08

Abstract

A device which reduces the temperature of a solar PV panel is disclosed. The device includes an enclosure comprising a heat sink attachable to a bottom side of the solar PV panel to provide an air channel, and a tornado tube. The tornado pipe may be oriented vertically to the plane of the earth, and may act as a solar chimney, instigating a flow of air to enter the enclosure through an air inlet. This air flow may be drawn across the heat sink and exit back to the atmosphere through the tornado tube.

Description

DEVICE TO REDUCE THE TEMPERATURE OF A

SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC PANEL

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This present invention pertains generally to thermal dissipation devices for a solar panel. More specifically, the invention pertains to a device attachable to the bottom of a solar PV panel which directs air flow across a heat sink, wherein the air flow is triggered by a thermal pipe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In recent years, solar photovoltaic power generation as a clean energy source has attracted attention owing to increasing awareness of environmental issues such as global warming. Photovoltaic (PV) solar cells provide an excellent way of making solar electric energy cost competitive compared to conventional electric generation technologies such as fossil fuels or nuclear. Sunlight also produces heat that brings the PV solar cells to elevated temperatures, typically between 80 and 120°C. Because of this, the cell efficiency decreases proportionally with increased temperature typically by 0.3 - 0.45% per degree (in Sunpower Si Panels by 0.38%) to reduced electrical power output.

[0003] US 2014/0166073 A l describes a non-power cooling type solar panel attachment, whereby a cooling fluid, such as water, cools the panel, by contacting the surface of the panel. Thereby, a closed box is arranged attaching the panel, where the cooling fluid circulates without in-or outlet of the cooling fluid.

SUMMARY

[0004] The presently disclosed invention provides a device which reduces the temperature of a solar PV panel without moving parts. More specifically, the device includes an enclosure (a box) comprising of a heat sink that is a metal sheet with metal fins, which is attachable to the bottom side of a solar PV panel. The box includes an air inlet and an air outlet in fluid communication with a tornado pipe. The tornado pipe may be oriented vertically to the plane of the earth, and may act as a solar chimney, instigating a flow of air to be sucked from the air outlet of the box. This air flow may be drawn across the heat sink and being sucked into the tornado tube. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Aspects, features, benefits and advantages of the embodiments herein will be apparent with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. In the following figures, like numerals represent like features in the various views. It is to be noted that features and components in these drawings, illustrating the views of embodiments of the presently disclosed invention, unless stated to be otherwise, are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a thermal dissipation device (the cooling device) in accordance with certain aspects of the presently disclosed invention;

[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates various orientations of a heat transfer sheet in accordance with certain aspects of the presently disclosed invention;

[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates a connection funnel and tornado pipe in accordance with certain aspects of the presently disclosed invention; and

[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates a connection funnel and tornado pipe in accordance with certain aspects of the presently disclosed invention.

[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates a first embodiment of the device in accordance with certain aspects of the presently disclosed invention and showing in the middle the opening for wires of the E-20 PV Panel;

[0011] FIG. 6 illustrates a detail of the connection between the solar panel, the frame of the solar panel and the enclosure (box).

[0012] Fig. 6a and 6b illustrates a second embodiment of the device in accordance with certain aspects of the presently disclosed invention and showing in the middle the opening for wires of the E-20 PV Panel;

FIG. 7 and 7a illustrate further embodiments of the device in accordance with certain aspects of the presently disclosed invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] In the following description, the present invention is set forth in the context of various alternative embodiments and implementations involving a thermal dissipation device (cooling device) for a solar PV panel. While the following description discloses numerous exemplary embodiments, the scope of the present patent application is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but also encompasses combinations of the disclosed embodiments, as well as modifications to the disclosed embodiments.

[0014] Various aspects of the thermal dissipation device may be illustrated by describing components that are coupled, attached, and/or joined together. As used herein, the terms "coupled", "attached", and/or "joined" are interchangeably used to indicate either a direct connection between two components or, where appropriate, an indirect connection to one another through intervening or intermediate components. In contrast, when a component is referred to as being "directly coupled", "directly attached", and/or "directly joined" to another component, there are no intervening elements shown in said examples.

[0015] Various aspects of the thermal dissipation device may be illustrated with reference to one or more exemplary implementations. As used herein, the term "exemplary" means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration," and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other variations of the devices, systems, or methods disclosed herein. "Optional" or "optionally" means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where the event occurs and instances where it does not. In addition, the word "comprising" as used herein means "including, but not limited to".

[0016] Relative terms such as "lower" or "bottom" and "upper" or "top" may be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element illustrated in the drawings. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of aspects of the thermal dissipation device in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. By way of example, if aspects of the thermal dissipation device in the drawings are turned over, elements described as being on the "bottom" side of the other elements would then be oriented on the "top" side of the other elements as shown in the relevant drawing. The term "bottom" can therefore encompass both an orientation of "bottom" and "top" depending on the particular orientation of the drawing.

[0017] It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0018] The device consists of a flat box that fits to the bottom of a solar PV panel and has a cover of a finned sheet for heat transfer. It has a slit opening at opposing ends for letting air in and out. At one end is a slim funnel that connects (under 45 degree) the airstream to a cylinder of small diameter, called tornado-pipe. The pipe may perform as a solar chimney that is vertical to the earth's ground with circular, tornado-like air movement inside, and may create the necessary suction to make the air stream turbulent (in order to increase its velocity above a critical Reynold number) in order to maximize the heat transfer.

[0019] The device may reduce the operational temperature of a typical PV panel from about 100°C at maximum sunlight exposure to within less than 20°C of the ambient temperature with an expected benefit of 0.3 to 0.45% gain in conversion efficiency for every degree temperature drop. Thus, a device according to the presently disclosed invention produced for an E-20 SUNPOWER panel with nominal 327 W electric output is expected to gain 0.38% per degree C and pay for itself in less than 2 years when deployed in a typical NYC weather, or in excess of 15% ROI. However in a preferred deployment in an arid climate, e.g., in Arizona or AbuDabi with 6 hours average full sunshine per day, the return is much higher with an expected ROI of 25%.

[0020] Referring now to the drawings, embodiments of the thermal dissipation device of the presently disclosed invention are shown in FIGs. 1 through 4 generally designated by the reference numeral 100.

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a thermal dissipation device 100 of the presently disclosed invention. The device 100 includes an enclosure 110 including an enclosure base having two opposing upstanding sides 112, an inlet end 114, and an outlet end 116; at least one heat transfer sheet 120 sized to fit within the enclosure between the two opposing upstanding sides; a tornado pipe 140; and a connection funnel 130 having a first open end and a second open end, wherein the first open end is sized and configured to connect to the outlet end of the enclosure 116 and the second open end is sized and configured to connect to the tornado pipe 140. Attachment of the two opposing upstanding sides of the enclosure to a bottom side of a solar PV panel may provide an air channel having a channel inlet adjacent the inlet end of the enclosure 114 and a channel outlet 116 adjacent the first open end of the connection funnel. The second open end of the connection funnel may be in fluid communication with the tornado pipe 140.

[0022] The enclosure 110 and/or the connection funnel 130 and/or the tornado pipe 140 may comprise a metal sheat or a thermally stabile polymeric material. Exemplary polymeric materials include epoxy, polyimide, polyetherimide, cyanate ester, silicone, polyphenylenesulfide, polyaryletherketone, polyetheretherketone, polyarylsulfone, polyethersulfone, polytetrafluoroethylene, perfluoroalkoxy, nylon, polyvinyl chloride, or combinations thereof.

[0023] For the tornado pipe 140 it is preferred, that the building material comprises (preferably is made of) a material, which is transparent for light having wave lengths in the area of the active spectrum of the absorber material of the panel. A proper material is for example plexiglass. This leads to a higher efficiency of adjacent panels, which were otherwise shadowed by the tornado pipe 140 and thus would show a reduced current compared with the unshadowed parts of the panel.

[0024] In certain embodiments, the tornado pipe 140 may be comprised of a sheet metal, such as galvanized steel, or preferably a nonconducting polymetric material as described under [0020], In this case it may preferably be painted black to increase its internal temperature and additionally assist the turbulent air flow.

[0025] The enclosure 110 base may have a cross-sectional shape which is uniform in a longitudinal direction to enable extrusion molding. For example, the enclosure 110 base and the two opposing upstanding sides 112 may have a thickness of about 1 to 8mm as required for stability and minimizing cost.

[0026] The enclosure 110 should be preferably in the range from 6 to 7 cm (especially 6.35 cm) high, with indentation in the range from 1 to 2 cm (esp. 1 .27 cm) at the side to contain the panel and finned heat transfer sheet 120 and in a range from 0.75 cm to 1 .5 cm (esp. 0,9525cm) thickness of the bottom. The fins 220 preferably extend inside the enclosure 110 by 1 to 2 cm ( esp. 1.625 cm) height, fitting to closely touch the bottom of the enclosure for a tight fit. In other words, the length of the fins 220 is preferably in the range of the inner height of the enclosure 110, so the fins 220 are in contact with the inner surface of the enclosure 110 and could be supported by this. In order to secure the fins 220 during transportation from slight sideways motion they may rest in 1/8" deep v-shaped riles along the bottom of the box.— a better picture may be drawn rather than the one noted as penciled #6 that has some space between then fin 220 and the bottom of the box , an arrangement that has slight advantages since it decouples the heat from the fins 220 and the box 110.

[0027] The enclosure 110 may be attached the bottom side of the solar photovoltaic (PV) panel via an adhesive with a 30 year life expectancy under daily temperature cycling of 60°C alternatively or additionally it may comprise mechanical clamps. The bottom side of the photovoltaic panel according to the invention is the side opposite to the active side of the panel that is the side, which is shadowed in a motion mode of the panel.

[0028] An example of the connection between the solar PV, the frame 2 of the solar PV and the enclosure 110 is shown in Fig. 6. The embodiment shown in Fig. 6 shows a combination of fixing tools. First, the panel 1 is fixed to the device 100 by clamps which are snapped through between the frame 3 of the panel and one of the opposing upstanding sites 112, respectively and second by an adhesive 4. Fig 6a, b show the top of the panels with the solar cells on top pointing toward the sun. On the bottom of the box 1 10 undent not transparent is a hole to let the wires from the solar panels to the underlying roof.

[0029] Clamps 3 optionally be arranged to fix the funnel 130 and/or the tornado pipe 140 to the panel 1 , especially its frame 2, and/or the enclosure 110 via an elastomer string.

[0030] In certain embodiments, the two opposing upstanding sides 112 may each comprise a region of increased thickness at an edge opposite of the enclosure base, thus providing a greater surface area for the adhesive to bond the enclosure to the bottom of the solar PV panel. [0031] In certain other embodiments, the enclosure 110 may be attached to the bottom side of the solar PV panel via a plurality of clamps 3.

[0032] Once the enclosure 120 is attached to a bottom side of the solar PV panel 1 , an air channel is formed having an air inlet 114. The height of the air channel is slightly larger than the height of the fins extending into the channel, typically by 10% (from 5-20%). For example, the height of the air channel itself may be 5 to 15 cm, with the heights of the fins slightly less. Furthermore, the height of the air channel inlet 114 formed when the two opposing upstanding sides 112 of the enclosure 120 are attached to the bottom side of the solar PV panel may be smaller than the height of the air channel. For example, the air channel inlet 114 may be only about 40 to 75% of the height of the channel. The height of the air outlet may be a little larger, typically 60 to 90% of the height of the channel in order to restrict little of the air flow, but to provide enough material to glue the funnel to the outlet 1 16.

[0033] In certain embodiments, the enclosure base may have a dimension of about 100 cm on opposing short sides and about 150 cm on opposing long sides or of appropriate sixe of the dimension of the solar panels to which they are attached.. Each of the two opposing upstanding sides 112 of the enclosure base may be attached along each of the opposing short sides of the enclosure base. The width of the air channel inlet 114 formed when the two opposing upstanding sides of the enclosure are attached to the bottom side of the solar PV panel may be the same as the width of the enclosure base, or may be smaller than the width of the air channel. For example, the enclosure base may be 100 cm wide and the air channel inlet 114 may be only 95 cm wide.

[0034] The device may comprise at least one heat transfer sheet 120. Each heat transfer sheet 120 has a front edge, a plurality of spaced fins 220, and, optionally, a plurality of spaced openings 210. There are two preferred possibilities to build the fins 220. Thereby, each of the plurality of spaced fins 220 comprises a section of material of the heat transfer sheet 120 a) removed to form each of the plurality of spaced openings 210 or b) be welded to form a profile of elevations and grow downs. The second alternative (b) gives the advantage of increasing the heat transfer surface by making the finned surface stick to the panel surface without peeling loose effect from the outer edges. [0035] In both alternatives, the heat transfer sheet 120 is preferably adhesed with a heat transfer compound, preferably a silicon or non-silicon oil, to the enclosure. This has the advantage of taking care for the differential thermal expansion. For example the compound MG Chemicals Code SDS 860 or 8610, or the CG Electronics Type Z9 Heat Sink Compound could be used as heat transfer adhesive 3. The compound may be put onto the metal sheet between the fins 220 in beets and pressed flat when turned around to the Solar PV Panel for adeasion. This lead to ease installation and to avoid cumbersome painting of the compound to the finned metal surface.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, each heat transfer sheet 120 may have a front edge, a plurality of spaced needles 210. and a plurality of spaced fins 220. Each of the plurality of spaced fins 220 may comprise a small section of material of the heat transfer sheet removed and bend upward to form each of the plurality of spaced openings and fins. Furthermore, each of the plurality of spaced fins 220 may be bent 90° relative to a longitudinal plane of the heat transfer sheet.

[0037] In certain embodiments, the plurality of spaced openings 210 may be formed in at least two rows of openings, wherein the at least two rows of openings may be offset so that a front of each of the plurality of spaced fins 220 is exposed to an air flow in the air channel. For example, the offset may be about 1 cm while the opening is 2x2 cm². Furthermore, each of the plurality of spaced openings 210 of the heat transfer sheet 120 may have a dimension of about 2cm square. In a preferred embodiment there will be at least 60 rows in series, each one offset from the next one by half the width of the holes.

[0038] In certain embodiments, the heat transfer sheet 120 may have a thickness of about 1 to 3 mm, typically 1.5mm. The heat transfer sheet 120 may comprise a thermally conductive material, such as highly conductive (pure) copper or highly conductive (pure) aluminum, or similar highly heat conductive and inexpensive materials.

[0039] Individual heat transfer sheets 120 may be separated along a longitudinal plane within the enclosure 110. For example, adjacent heat transfer sheets may be separated along a longitudinal plane within the enclosure by a distance of about 1 mm to account for differential expansion coefficients of the sheet and the PV panel. [0040] At least one heat transfer sheet 120 may comprise a turbulence initiator strip 230 on the front edge, wherein the front edge is positioned nearest the channel inlet 114. An exemplary turbulence initiator strip 230 comprises a row of needles with projections having a triangular cross-section to initiate turbulent airflow. The projections may have sharp edges and may be placed with their broad base facing the air flow.

[0041] In certain embodiments, the device may comprise four separate heat transfer sheets for the length of each solar panel to minimize the negative effect of differential thermal expansion on the life-expectancy. A thin spacer may be included between each sheet to maintain a safe distance (about 1 mm) between each sheet that will self-eliminate after a few initial operational cycles.

[0042] As shown in FIGs. 3 and 4, in certain embodiments, the second open end of the connection funnel 130 may be attached to the tornado funnel 140 at a midpoint of the tornado funnel 310. In such instances, the device may comprise a valve 340 which may be used to direct the air flow 330 in an upward direction, as shown in FIG. 3, or in a downward direction, as shown in FIG. 4. For example, in a cold climate, the valve 340 may be used to direct the air flow in a downward direction, such as toward a portion of a building, and may be used to provide a source of heated air to the building. In such embodiments, a pump may be used to pull the air through the air inlet 330 of the funnel to exit through a lower portion of the pipe 320.

[0043] The valve 340 may be controlled manually, or may be activated by an external sensor, such as an external temperature sensor. As such, when an external temperature drops below a certain set point, the valve may be switched to direct the air flow in a downward direction 320. Further, several panels may be connected closely to each other in parallel and the air flow downward may be collected in a horizontal pipe and pumped downward by only one pump. Further the heated air may be pumped down into hollow cinderblocks that act as room- dividers and also act as some heat storage devices to maintain heating beyond the time the sun shines.

[0044] In certain embodiments, the second open end 340 of the connection funnel 130 may comprise an upstanding tube, wherein the tornado pipe 140 is comprised of a top pipe portion 310 attachable to an upper portion of the upstanding pipe and a bottom portion 320 attachable to a lower portion of the upstanding tube. In all embodiments however, at least one portion of the tornado pipe 140 is in fluid communication with the air channel formed by the enclosure 110 via the connection funnel 130.

[0045] During normal operation, the valve 340 may direct the air to exit from the top of the tornado pipe 140. The tornado pipe acts as a solar chimney, and may produce the suction needed to pull air through the device. As such, and with reference to FIG. 1 , cooler external air may be pulled into the air inlet channel 114, across the heat transfer sheets 120, through the connection funnel 130, and may exit the tornado pipe 140 out into the environment. In certain embodiments, the device may comprise a tornado pipe attachment releasably attachable to a top end of the tornado pipe, wherein the tornado pipe attachment may direct an air flow out of the tornado pipe in a direction substantially against an external air flow to minimize initiation of a meteorological tornado.

[0046] The tornado pipe 140 may connect to the connection funnel 130 at an angle that places the tornado pipe 140 in a vertical orientation when in normal deployment. For example, a standard installation of a solar PV panel places the panel normal to the sun, i.e. typically inclined under 30 to 45° depending on the place of deployment (latitude) and technology (silicon, thin film a.s.o.)) to the earth's surface. Thus, the tornado pipe 140 may be connected to the connection funnel at an angle of 45(±15)°. The angle of the connection funnel may be adjustable to maintain the tornado pipe 140 in a vertical orientation for different panel deployments between 0 and 180 degree to the earth's surface.

[0047] The inside of the connection funnel 130 may be smooth and may avoid sharp corners to minimize resistance to the air flow. Further, toward the entry of the tornado pipe 140, two small fins may be included inside the connection funnel 130 to direct the air from opposite sides into circular motion. It is proposed to orient this motion to the left or right depending on the deployment in the northern or southern hemisphere, to minimize inducing external tornados

[0048] The Glue: to connect the finned sheet to the solar panel is preferably of flexible graphite filled cement with high ductility and heat transfer and 30 year life expectancy under daily temperature cycling of 60°C. Alternatively a commercially available thin heat transfer sheet may be used that can be used after peeling off the two protecting cover sheets to stick the finned sheet 120 to the bottom of the solar PV Panel. [0049] The Tornado Spoiler: on top of the tornado pipe we offer to customers who may be worried about accidentally initiation of a meteorological tornado, a weather- vane type of spoiler that directs the out-coming turbulent air under 125° against the outside wind direction.

[0050] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6a and 6b illustrate embodiments of the invention. : In order to make the tornado pipe more effective it is a) most important to orient it vertically to minimize bouncing of the spiral flow for and back on the walls and b) to cover the interior surface with a surface friction reducing cover like the one used for water drop repellents on wind shields or in dishwashers for increasing the flow. Fig. 6a and 6b are showing in the middle the opening 150 for wires of the E-20 PV Panel;

[0051] Fig 6 FIG a part of the cross section of an inventive solar panel attachment comprising a photovoltaic panel which is mounted on an inventive dissipation device. It is shown, that the fins 220 are made from the plate 5, which has a thickness of from 1 .5 to 4 mm, preferably 2 mm. Preferably, the fins 220 are in contact with the bottom of the box 110, to stabilize the fins 220. In preferred embodiment, there are recesses build on the bottom of the box 110 for receiving the fins 220. Preferably, the recesses are trapezoidal, 2.5 cm apart and/or 2mm deep. FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of the invention. In order to stabilize the tornado pipe 140 an additional stabilization mean should be mounted, which connects the tornado pipe 140 with the panel frame 2 and/or the upstanding sides 112 of the enclosure 110 in a triangular way. In a preferred embodiment it is realized, by a stabilization mean 20 having a first end 21 and a second end 22, e.g. a rope, connecting the tornado pipe 140 (preferably mounted in a middle area of the tornado pipe 140) on its first end 21 and the panel 1 or the upstanding sides 112 of the enclosure 110 on its second end 22. The embodiment shown in Fig 7 also show a fluid permeable barrier 30 (e.g. a mesh) arranged in front of the inlet end 114. The barrier 30 covers the openings and thus prevents the penetration of animals (such as mice and insects) and/or dirt into the enclosure. This barrier 30 could be mounted to all the embodiments of the invention.

[0052] A further possibility to stabilize the tornado pipe 140 is given by the embodiment shown in FIG. 7a. In this embodiment the device further comprise a stick 25 which should be pulled from the end of the enclosure 110 which is adjacent to the tornado pipe 140. The stick 25 is than connected with the tornado pipe 140 through the stabilization mean 20. [0053] While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternations and applications could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements, systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention.

[0054] Main points of the invention are : A thermal dissipation device as substantially described in the specification and accompanying drawings.

Thermal dissipation device comprising:

an enclosure comprising an enclosure base having two opposing upstanding sides, an inlet end, and an outlet end; when two panels are in series arranged, then the entrance and exit slits are eliminated and the panels are budded closely together so as to minimize air resistance; at least one heat transfer sheet sized to fit within the enclosure between the two opposing upstanding sides;

a tornado pipe; and

a connection funnel having a first open end and a second open end, wherein the first open end is sized and configured to connect to the outlet end of the enclosure and the second open end is sized and configured to connect to the tornado pipe,

wherein attachment of the two opposing upstanding sides of the enclosure to a bottom side of a solar PV panel provides an air channel having a channel inlet adjacent the inlet end of the enclosure, and

wherein the tornado pipe is in fluid communication with the channel inlet.

[0055] Preferably each heat transfer sheet has a front edge, a plurality of spaced openings, and a plurality of spaced fins. Additionally, each of the plurality of spaced fins comprises a section of material of the heat transfer sheet removed to form each of the plurality of spaced openings. Moreover it is preferred, that each of the plurality of spaced fins is bent upward, preferably under 90° relative to a longitudinal plane of the heat transfer sheet. Further, the plurality of spaced openings are formed in at least two rows of openings. [0056] Main points are also, the thermal dissipation device, wherein the at least two rows of openings are offset so that a front of each of the plurality of spaced fins is exposed to an air flow in the air channel. It is preferred, that the at least two rows of openings are offset by about half the size of the hole or about 1 cm. Additionally, each of the plurality of spaced openings of the heat transfer sheet have a dimension of about 2cm square or any other rectangular form, e.g. in a preferred for of 5 x 12 cm or triangular form. Moreover, it is advantageous, that the heat transfer sheet has a thickness of about 1 to 3 mm, preferably 2 mm. Further, the heat transfer sheet comprises a thermally conductive material.

[0057] Main topic is, the thermal dissipation device, wherein the thermally conductive material comprises copper, aluminum, or other highly heat conductive materials; the thermal dissipation device, wherein the enclosure comprises a thermally stabile polymeric material or a metal sheet; and the thermal dissipation device , wherein the polymeric material comprises an epoxy, polyimide, polyetherimide, cyanate ester, silicone, polyphenylenesulfide, polyaryletherketone, polyetheretherketone, polyarylsulfone, polyethersulfone, polytetrafluoroethylene, perfluoroalkoxy, nylon, polyvinyl chloride, or combinations thereof. Or the metal sheet could be galvanized iron, or aluminum or other metals that are inexpensive weather resistant and mechanically stable.

[0058] Further main topics are listed below:

The thermal dissipation device, wherein the enclosure is attached the bottom side of the solar PV panel via an adhesive.

The thermal dissipation device, wherein the adhesive comprises a graphite filled or Z7 compound filled cement or a heat transfer plastic sticking sheet.

The thermal dissipation device, further comprising:

a tornado pipe attachment releasable attachable to a top end of the tornado pipe, wherein the tornado pipe attachment directs an air flow out of the tornado pipe in a direction substantially against the preferential rotation of an external tornado forming air flow.

The thermal dissipation device, wherein the tornado pipe has a diameter of from 3cm to 8cm and a length of from 0.5 meters to 2.5 meters. The thermal dissipation device, wherein the tornado pipe has a diameter of about 5cm and a length of about 1.5 meter.

The thermal dissipation device, wherein the connection funnel comprises a thermally stabile polymeric material.

The thermal dissipation device, wherein the polymeric material comprises an epoxy, polyimide, polyetherimide, cyanate ester, silicone, polyphenylenesulfide, polyaryletherketone, polyetheretherketone, polyarylsulfone, polyethersulfone, polytetrafluoroethylene, perfluoroalkoxy, nylon, polyvinyl chloride, or combinations thereof.

The thermal dissipation device, wherein the enclosure base has a cross-sectional shape which is uniform in a longitudinal direction to enable extrusion molding.

The thermal dissipation device, wherein the enclosure base and the two opposing upstanding sides are sized and configured to attach to the bottom side of the solar PV panel adjacent an edge of the solar PV panel.

The thermal dissipation device , wherein the enclosure is attached the bottom side of the solar PV panel via an adhesive.

The thermal dissipation device, wherein the two opposing upstanding sides each comprise a region of increased thickness at an edge opposite of the enclosure base.

The thermal dissipation device, wherein the enclosure is attached the bottom side of the solar PV panel via an adhesive applied to the region of increased thickness.

The thermal dissipation device, wherein the enclosure is attached to the bottom side of the solar PV panel via a plurality of clamps.

The thermal dissipation device, wherein the enclosure base and the two opposing upstanding sides have a thickness of about 8mm.

The thermal dissipation device, wherein a height of the air channel formed when the two opposing upstanding sides of the enclosure are attached to the bottom side of the solar PV panel is about 5cm. The thermal dissipation device, wherein a height of the two opposing upstanding sides of the enclosure is about 5cm.

The thermal dissipation device, wherein a height of the channel inlet formed when the two opposing upstanding sides of the enclosure are attached to the bottom side of the solar PV panel is smaller than the height of the air channel.

The thermal dissipation device, wherein a height of the channel inlet formed when the two opposing upstanding sides of the enclosure are attached to the bottom side of the solar PV panel is 3 cm.

The thermal dissipation device, wherein the enclosure base has a dimension of about 100 cm on opposing short sides and about 150 cm on opposing long sides.

The thermal dissipation device, wherein each of the two opposing upstanding sides of the enclosure base are attached along each of the opposing short sides of the enclosure base.

The thermal dissipation device, wherein a width of the channel inlet formed when the two opposing upstanding sides of the enclosure are attached to the bottom side of the solar PV panel is smaller than the width of the air channel.

The thermal dissipation device, wherein a width of the channel inlet formed when the two opposing upstanding sides of the enclosure are attached to the bottom side of the solar PV panel is 95 cm.

The heat dissipation device, wherein the tornado pipe connects to the connection funnel at an angle of about 45°.

The thermal dissipation device, wherein the tornado pipe is vertical under normal deployment on a roof top or any other conventional deployment structures.

The heat dissipation device, wherein the tornado pipe connects to the connection funnel at an adjustable angle so that the tornado pipe is vertical under any normal deployment on a roof top.

The thermal dissipation device, further comprising:

two blades attachable at the second open end of the connection funnel, wherein the two blades direct an air flow through the air channel to exit the tornado pipe in a circular motion. The thermal dissipation device, wherein the circular motion is left rotating or right rotating depending on the hemisphere of deployment.

Thermal dissipation device where more than one tornado pipe is connected in parallel through a wider funnel to increase the suction for increased air flow along the heat transfer sheet and its fins.

When more than one Tornado pipe is used the height of each tornado pipe may be substantially reduces compared to a single one.

Thermal dissipation device where the parallel sets of Tornado pipes are hidden behind a shield to make a more esthetic appearance, (see supplied picture)

The thermal dissipation device, comprising four heat transfer sheets, wherein adjacent heat transfer sheets are separated along a longitudinal plane within the enclosure.

The heat dissipation device, wherein the adjacent heat transfer sheets are separated along a longitudinal plane within the enclosure by a distance of about 1 mm.

The heat dissipation device, having an expected performance benefit of about 0.38% gain in a conversion efficiency for every degree temperature drop

The thermal dissipation device, wherein at least one heat transfer sheet comprises a turbulence initiator strip on the front edge, wherein the front edge is positioned nearest the channel inlet.

The thermal dissipation device, wherein the turbulence initiator strip comprises projections having a triangular cross-section, preferably with sharp edges toward the incoming air stream.

A non-power cooling type solar panel attachment comprising:

[a solar PV panel provided with solar cells for converting sunlight into electric energy, the panel having a top side for collecting the sunlight and a bottom side directly opposite the top side; and

a thermal dissipation device configured for attachment to the bottom side of the solar PV panel, the thermal dissipation device comprising:

an enclosure comprising an enclosure base having two opposing upstanding sides, an inlet end, and an outlet end; at least one heat transfer sheet sized to fit within the enclosure between the two opposing upstanding sides;

a tornado pipe; and

wherein the tornado pipe is in fluid communication with the channel inlet.

The non-power cooling type solar panel attachment, wherein each heat transfer sheet of the thermal dissipation device has a front edge, a plurality of spaced openings, and a plurality of spaced fins.

The invention further relates to:

The non-power cooling type solar panel attachment, further comprising:

a tornado pipe attachment releasable attachable to a top end of the tornado pipe, wherein the tornado pipe attachment d irects an air flow out of the tornado pipe in a direction with a component substantially against the flow of a potential or developing tornado [attention: you do not want the opening against the wind that would kill the tornado action in the pipe!— so the words have to be used carefully to describe a direction in which the wind still provides some help but it has a component that is component slightly from the other side of the torsion] .

Claims

1 . A thermal dissipation device (100) for cooling a photovoltaic (PV) panel, the device comprising:

an enclosure ( 1 10) comprising an enclosure base having two opposing upstanding sides (1 12), an inlet end (1 14), and an outlet end ( 1 16)

at least one heat transfer sheet ( 120) sized to fit within the enclosure ( 1 10) between the two opposing upstanding sides;

a tornado pipe ( 140); and

a connection funnel ( 130) having a first open end (330) and a second open end (340), wherein the first open end (330) is sized and configured to connect to the outlet end ( 1 16) of the enclosure (1 10) and the second open end (340) is sized and configured to connect to the tornado pipe ( 140),

wherein attachment of the two opposing upstanding sides ( 1 12) of the enclosure ( 1 10) to a bottom side of a solar photovoltaic panel provides an air channel having a channel inlet adjacent the inlet end of the enclosure if a photovoltaic panel is mounted on the device , and

wherein the tornado pipe ( 140) is in fluid communication with the channel inlet ( 1 14).

2. The thermal dissipation device (100) according to claim 1 , wherein each heat transfer sheet (120) has a front edge, a plurality of spaced fins (220), and, optionally, a plurality of spaced openings (210).

3. The heat dissipation device (100) according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of spaced fins (220) comprises a section of material of the heat transfer sheet ( 120) a) removed to form each of the plurality of spaced openings (210) or b) be welded to form a profile of elevations and grow downs.

4. The heat dissipation device ( 100) according to claim 3, wherein in alternative (a) each of the plurality of spaced fins (220) is bent upward, preferably under 90° relative to a longitudinal plane of the heat transfer sheet (120).

5. The thermal dissipation device ( 100) according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spaced openings (210) are formed in at least two rows of openings (210), wherein the at least two rows of openings (210) are preferentially offset so that a front of each of the plurality of spaced fins (220) is exposed to an air flow in the air channel.

6. The thermal dissipation device (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer sheet ( 120) comprises a thermally conductive material, preferably select from a group comprising copper, aluminum, or other highly heat conductive materials.

7. The thermal dissipation device ( 100) according to claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer sheet ( 120) is connected to the enclosure ( 1 10) by glue and/or an adhesive heat transfer compound.

8. The thermal dissipation device (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the enclosure ( 1 10) and/or the connection funnel ( 130) comprises a thermally stabile polymeric material, preferentially comprising an epoxy, polyimide, polyetherimide, cyanate ester, silicone, polyphenylenesulfide, polyaryletherketone, polyetheretherketone, polyarylsulfone, polyethersulfone, polytetrafluoroethylene, perfluoroalkoxy, nylon, polyvinyl chloride, or combinations thereof or a metal sheet, preferentially galvanized iron or aluminum.

9. The thermal dissipation device ( 100) according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a tornado pipe (140) attachment releasable attachable to a top end of the tornado pipe (140), wherein the tornado pipe attachment d irects an air flow out of the tornado pipe ( 140) in a direction substantially against the preferential rotation of an external tornado forming air flow.

10. The thermal dissipation device ( 100) according to claim 1 , wherein the tornado pipe ( 140) is substantially vertical to the earth surface normal and/or connects to the connection funnel (130) at an angle of 45(± 15)°

1 1 . The heat dissipation device ( 100) according to claim 1 , wherein the device comprises an adjustable connection mean, connecting the tornado pipe ( 140) to the connection funnel ( 130) at an adjustable angle.

12. The thermal dissipation device ( 100) accord ing to claim 1 , further comprising:

two blades attachable at the second open end (340) of the connection funnel ( 130), wherein the two blades direct an air flow through the air channel to exit the tornado pipe ( 140) in a circular motion.

13. Thermal dissipation device (100) according to claim 1 , where more than one tornado pipe ( 140) is connected in parallel through a wider funnel ( 130) to increase the suction for increased air flow along the heat transfer sheet (120) and its fins (220).

14. The thermal dissipation device ( 100) according to claim 1 , comprising a plurality of heat transfer sheets (120), wherein adjacent heat transfer sheets (120) are separated along a longitudinal plane within the enclosure (1 10), preferably by a distance of about 1 mm.

15. The thermal dissipation device ( 100) according to claim 1 , wherein at least one heat transfer sheet (120) comprises a turbulence initiator strip (230) on the front edge, wherein the front edge is positioned nearest the channel inlet (1 14), and wherein the turbulence initiator strip (230) comprises preferably projections having a triangular cross-section, preferably with sharp edges toward the incoming air stream.

16. A non-power cooling type solar panel attachment comprising:

a thermal dissipation device ( 100) according to one of the preceding claims and a photovoltaic panel which is attached on a side opposing to the active side of the solar panel (bottom side) with the thermal dissipation device.

17 The non-power cooling type solar panel attachment according to claim 16, wherein the enclosure base ( 1 10) of the device ( 100) and the two opposing upstanding sides ( 1 12) of the panel are sized and configured to attach to the side opposing to the active side of the panel (bottom side) adjacent an edge of the photovoltaic panel.

18. The non-power cooling type solar panel attachment according to claim 16, wherein the enclosure ( 1 10) of the device ( 100) is attached to the photovoltaic panel via a plurality of clamps or an adhesive, the adhesive preferably comprising a graphite filled cement or a heat transfer plastic sticking sheet.

19. The non-power cooling type solar panel attachment according to claim 16, wherein a height of the channel inlet formed when the two opposing upstanding sides of the enclosure are attached to the bottom side of the photovoltaic panel is smaller than the height of the air channel and/or the width of the air channel.

20. The non-power cooling type solar panel attachment according to claim 16, wherein the attachment further comprises a plurality of clamps arranged to clamp funnel (130) and tornado pipe (140) to panel and/or enclosure (1 10).

21 . The non-power cooling type solar panel attachment according to claim 16, wherein the device (100) further comprises at least one stabilization mean, connecting the tornado pipe ( 140) via with the panel and/or the opposing sides ( 1 12)