WO2018201221A1

WO2018201221A1 - Solar energy garage door and its unit

Info

Publication number: WO2018201221A1
Application number: PCT/CA2018/000082
Authority: WO
Inventors: Huazi Lin; Yuanhao LIN; Beirong ZHU; Hua Ma; Jian Wang
Original assignee: W&E International (Canada) Corp.
Priority date: 2017-05-01
Filing date: 2018-04-30
Publication date: 2018-11-08
Also published as: CA2965830A1

Abstract

This disclosure provides a solar energy garage door comprises a unit of a solar energy garage door. The unit comprises a solar energy absorbing sheet; a transparent sheet covering said solar energy absorbing sheet; and a separator separated said solar energy absorbing sheet and said transparent sheet to form a hollow space. The door also comprises a set of movable said units connected by hinges one by one, each said unit having at least two rollers being able to move in a guide rail/track; and a structure for opening or closing said garage door.

Description

SOLAR ENERGY GARAGE DOOR and ITS UNIT

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to solar energy application, i.e. solar energy used for building. This disclosure especially relates to the solar energy garage doors and its unit that used to generate solar thermal and/or solar electricity.

BACKGROUND

The world is entering to a new energy era in which solar energy will be the key and main energy. In the Canadian patent applications of 2781743 and PCT applications PCT/CA2012/000856, we have pointed out that all building element facing to sunlight, including doors, can become the solar energy generator. We also give examples to show how to integrate the solar energy features in the building elements.

Garage door usually is the largest door in a residential building. A door of one vehicle garage may have about 4 square meters of area. It can absorb a lot solar energy. Garage door is also one kind of the special doors of buildings. First, it has moving part which makes the differences with any other standing building element and solar heat collectors and solar electric panels. Second, it stands on the earth vertically. The angle of the door to ward to the sunlight cannot be adjusted. Therefore the efficiency of the garage door solar absorber is low. To make the solar energy garage door acceptable economically and commercially, we need to make the solar energy garage door with high energy efficiency and at low cost.

In view of the challenges mentioned above, some solar garage doors and their units have been developed. The key point is to make each unit of the garage door to become a solar energy collector. Following are some features of them.

1 . To let the solar heat absorber, which made of heat conducting material, connects with the inner space of garage directly. It makes the garage space as a heat storage room. Then we can pump the heated air from the garage space into to the building for building heating. In this case, the door can be made at a very low cost.

2. To integrate the solar heat absorbing with solar electricity generating in one unit or simply use the solar electricity panel as solar heat absorber. This will increase the efficiency of the door. 3. A heat storage tank for receiving and storing solar heat. A heat exchange fluid channel is arranged within the storage to transfer the heat. The heat insulation of the storage has a structure to allow a moving heat tube to be insulated continuously.

One sample unit of the solar garage door had showed at the exhibition of SOLAR CANADA December 5-6, 2016, TORONTO, CANADA .

SUMMARY

This disclosure provides a solar energy garage door unit for absorbing solar energy. The unit of a solar energy garage door comprises: a solar energy absorbing sheet; a transparent sheet covering said solar energy absorbing sheet; and a separator separated said solar energy absorbing sheet and said transparent sheet to form a hollow space.

This disclosure provides a solar energy garage door comprises: a unit of a solar energy garage door comprises: a solar energy absorbing sheet; a transparent sheet covering said solar energy absorbing sheet; and a separator separated said solar energy absorbing sheet and said transparent sheet to form a hollow space. A set of movable said units connected by hinges one by one, each said unit having at least two rollers being able to move in a guide rail/track; and a structure for opening or closing said garage door.

The solar energy absorbing sheet mentioned above can be selected from a group of: a solar heat absorbing sheet; a solar electricity sheet; a solar electricity and thermal combined sheet; a heat conductive sheet directly exposed in the air of the garage space; and a solar energy absorbing sheet with a heat insulation in the back of said unit.

The solar energy absorbing sheet may comprises: a heat conductive sheet directly exposed in the air of the garage space; said garage space being a solar heat storage space; a fan to pump the heated air in said garage to building; and a thermal censer and a controller to control the fan.

The transparent sheet is selected from a group of: a transparent glass; a transparent polymer sheet; a translucent glass with a transparent or translucent solar heat absorbing coat; a translucent glass with a transparent or translucent solar electricity coat; a translucent polymer with a transparent or translucent solar heat absorbing coat; and a translucent polymer with a transparent or translucent solar electricity coat. The separator can be selected from a group of: a separator closed and airtight said hollow space completely; a separator further separated the hollow space into several sub-hollow space; and a separator having channel for fluid exchange between inside and outside of said hollow space.

The unit of the solar energy garage door may further comprises one selected from following: a heat tube thermally connected said solar energy absorbing sheet; a heat storage devise;

a heat storage tank with heat storage material; a heat driven self- circulating system; and a heat storage device having a heat exchanger for providing absorbed heat for use.

The unit of the solar energy garage door may further comprises: a solar heat storage device having a heat insulation, said insulation having a structure allowing an end of a fluid channel moving in the insulation to transfer heat to the heat storage tank and kept the device and said end of the fluid channel to be heat insulated.

The unit of the solar energy garage door may comprise one or more selected from the group of: a fluid channel thermally connected to the solar energy absorber; and a fan or pump to pump the fluid for heat transferring; and a controller to control the operation of fan or pump.

The unit of the solar energy garage door may further comprises one or more selected from the group of following: an electric garage door opener with control system; a length adjustable cable connected the electricity connection box; and a length adjustable cable arranged around the garage door opener rail assembly parts for transfer generated electricity for use.

The solar energy garage door comprises a component selected from follows: spring system such as torsion spring; safety system such as safety photo eyes; lifting cable; electric system such as electric cable and control system; rail and rail component, bottom fixtures; locks and handle for opening and close the door manually.

The solar energy garage door may comprises one or more selected from a group of: a connector; a switcher; a DC/AC converter; and a battery. Other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art up review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIBTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the figures which illustrate exemplary embodiments of this invention:

Fig. 1 is schematic side view illustrating an element of solar garage door in vertical section view and horizontal section view;

Fig. 2 is schematic side view illustrating the indoor image of a solar garage door with an air channel including the open/close structure at the bottom element;

Fig.3 is schematic side view illustrating the indoor image of a solar energy garage with solar heat storage and a liquid channel.

DETAILED DESCRIBTION

Referring to Fig. 1, a key unit 10 of a solar garage door is illustrated in vertical section view (A and B) and horizontal section view (Al , Bl, C and D). The unit 10 can be any one of the units 201 -205 of the solar energy garage door 20 in Fig. 2. It also can be any one of the unit 301 - 305 of the solar energy garage door 30 in Fig.3. In Fig. 1 , A, B, A 1 , B 1 , C and D are small sections of the unit 10. They have different solar energy absorbing sheets. Please note that the separator of the unit is not only around the hollow space, but also have some in the middle of the unit that separate the hollow space into several sub- hollow space for the reason of mechanical strength. Therefore a section of the garage door can also be a closed square as shown in Fig. 1. In Fig.l , A and Al shows a section of a solar energy garage door having a solar heat absorbing sheet 1 10 with a base material 114 and solar heat absorbing coating 1 13. A transparent sheet 1 1 1 covered 1 10.

In Fig. 1 , 1 10, 1 10 C, 120 and 120 D are the solar energy absorbing sheets. The solar absorbing sheets can be a solar thermal sheet, a solar electric panel or a solar electric and solar thermal integrated panel. Of cause, the solar electric panels also generate solar heat. The examples of solar electricpanels are PV panel, thin film solar electricity panel and a base material with solar to electricity coating etc. In A and Al , B and Bl, the sheet 110 and 120 are soar thermal sheets. 1 14 and 124 are the base material of a solar energy absorbing sheet. 1 13 and 123 are solar heat absorb coating on the surface of the base material 1 14 and 124. Any kind of the solar heat absorbing material can be used. Some time, the sheet 1 10 and 120 can be dark color sheet without coating. The sheet 1 1 1 and 121 are transparent sheet covers 1 13 and 123 respectively. A separator 1 12 separates the 1 10, 1 10 C and 1 1 1. A separator 122 separates the 120, 120 D and 121. The difference between A and B is that a heat insulation sheet 125 attaches at the back of 124. In A, the separator 112 closed the hollow space completely and air tightly. In B the separator 122 has fluid channel 2082 that also shown in Fig. 2.

When sunlight 100 shins on the transparent sheet 1 11 in A. The sunlight passes through 1 1 1 and arrives solar heat absorber 1 10 to generate solar heat. The solar heat absorbing sheet is made of heat conductive material. So the absorbed solar heat will be transferred to the space of garage. When the space temperature is high enough, an air pump (did not show in Fig.1) can be used to pump the heated air in the garage to heat the building where the garage located. The pump also can be used to pump the heated air to the atmosphere outside of the garage at Summer time. At evening time, the heat in the garage will not transfer to outside of the garage, because the hollow space in between 1 1 1 and 1 10 is air tightly closed space by the spacer 1 12. There is heat insulation for the garage door. In a warm area, we may also want to keep the solar heat out of the building at summer time. So some solar heat absorbing coating may be applied on the either surface of the two sides of transparent sheet 1 11. The coat can be selectively as follows: s transparent or translucent solar electric coat, a transparent or translucent solar heat coat, In the hot area, the coating also can be sunlight reflect coating.

The operation case of the unit B will descript in the description of Fig. 2. Here the heat conductive sheet is not necessary a pure metal sheet. It can be a material sheet attached by a thin decorative plate, or the like. The key point is that the absorbed solar heat can be transferred to the air in garage space safely.

Of cause in some area, i.t. in the warm area, one solar electricity panel such as PV panel can replace the unit mentioned above, because the solar electric panel may have two layers of glasses. It is semi heat insulated part.

In C, the transparent sheet 11 land the separator 1 12 are the same as in A. The solar energy absorbing sheet 110 C is a solar electric panel as mentioned above. In this case, 1 14 can be a base sheet made of any material and 1 13 may be a coating of solar to electricity. An electricity connection box 1 17 is for transfer the generated electricity for use. It may selectively comprise connector, switcher, DC/AC converter etc. In D, the transparent sheet 121, the insulation 125 and the separator 3 12 are the same as in B. The solar energy absorbing sheet 120 D is a solar electric panel as mentioned above and similar to 124 in C.

Another difference comparing with A, B and C is that there is a heat tube 126 thermally connected to the solar energy absorbing sheet 120 D for transferring the collected solar heat for use. (the tube should be closely contact to 120 D, the tube 126 in D is to show the existing of the tube). The operation case of the unit C and D will be descripted in the description of Fig. 3.

In Fig. 2, 20 is a solar energy garage door. The door 20 has 5 units 201, 202, 203, 204 and 205 as mentioned in B of Fig. 1. Each unit, therefore the garage door 20 has fluid channel e.g. 2082 from bottom to top. Here it is an air channel. The bottom unit 205 has a channel 2081 connected to 2082. A opener 2083 for open and close the channel. At the top of the door 20, there is a second fluid channel 209. In this case it is an air channel. Of cause it also can be a liquid channel, if 2082 is a liquid channel. 209 receives the heated fluid in the garage door 20 and transferred the to the top channel 209. A fan 2091 is pumping the fluid. When sunlight shines on the door 20, the sunlight 100 passes through the transparent sheet 121 and arrives at the surface of the solar energy absorbing sheet 120. The heated air in the hollow space of the units will move up toward 209. When the temperature in 209 reach a starting temperature of a thermal control system, the pump 2091 will operate to pump the heated air selectively to following place: a. to the building for heat; b. to the garage for heating the garage and c. to outdoor for cooling the building. We also can replace the fan 2091 by an automatic open/close cover to heat the garage only.

Refer to Fig. 3, Fig.3 is schematic side view illustrating the indoor image of a solar energy garage with solar heat storage and a liquid channel. As in Fig. 2, 301 , 302, 303, 304 and 305 are the five solar energy absorbing units. The unit number is not necessary to limit to 5. More and less number of the unit is passible in different design. The units have solar electricity panel 1 10 D. They may be PV panel, thin film solar electric panel or solar electricity and solar thermal integrated panel. The units also have heat insulations in the back as shown in Fig. 1. The units are connected one by one from bottom to top by hinges e.g. 3040. The unit has descripted in Fig. 1, D. Here 2251 , 2252, 2253, 2254 and 2255 are five heat tubes for transferring the solar heat absorbed by solar energy absorbing sheets. (Part of the tube is shown as 120 D in Fig, 2, D. ) The heat tubes need to have an angle up toward. So each unit may have two tubes face to opposite directions and extended into two heat storages.

Even though in Fig. 3, only one heat tube for each said unit is shown in each unit. The tubes are thermally connected to the sheets closely. The one upper ends of the heat tubes can be separated from the rollers. They also can be hided in the ends of the rollers as axis. A solar heat storage tank 227 is arranged in a side of the garage door. A heat storage material is arranged in the tank. The material can be solid material, liquid material, phase change material and their combination. A heat exchanger such as a heat conductive coil 226 containing fluid is passing through the heat storage material to transfer the solar heat. The insulation 2271 of the heat storage tank 227 has a material 2271 e.g. soft foam. It has a linear gap. The gap allows the heat tube to move around the linear gap while the tube 225 is kept to be heat insulated. One end 2256 of the heat tube is extended into the tank for heat transferring. The garage door 30 further comprises a set of electric connection boxes 3017, 3027, 3037, 3047 and 3057 for transferring the generated solar electricity for use. The box may comprise one or more selected from the group of a connector; a switcher, a DC/ AC converter and a battery. In Fig. 30, the connection boxes and connected by length adjustable cables, e. g. a coil cable to allow the extension of the cable when the door is open. The cable also is arranged to around the path of rail components, the garage door opener rail assembly parts. So the cable always follows the movement of the rail components when it opens and closes.

In Fig. 3, the solar heating system including the heat tube 225 and the heat storage tank 227 etc. can be used in the case B too. The solar energy absorbing sheet can be a solar heat absorbing sheet such as 120 in case B.

Of cause as normal garage door, the solar energy garage door may further selectively comprise the components or accessories as follows: Spring system such as torsion spring, safety system such as safety photo eyes, lifting cable; electric system such as electric cable and control system, rail and rail component, bottom fixtures; locks and handle for opening and close the door manually. They are familiar to those skilled in the art. So they are not described and showed in details in this disclosure.

When the sunlight 100 shine on the solar energy garage door 30, the sunlight passing through the transparent sheet 121 and arrived at the solar energy absorbing sheet 120 D of each solar energy unit. The solar energy absorbing sheet is a solar electric panel, or a solar electrical and solar thermal integrated panel, as mentioned above. The absorbed solar heat transferred to the heat tubes 2251 -2255. The heat tubes have one end exerted into the heat storage tank 227 and transfer the heat to the heat storage material in the heat storage tank. The fluid heat exchanger, e.g. a coil 226, picks up the heat for use. The electric connection boxes 3017-3057 pick up the solar electricity generated by the panels. The box may comprise one or more selected from the group of a connector; a switcher, a DC/ AC converter and a battery. The battery is for store the electricity. The DC electricity also can be converted or do not convert to AC. The electricity can be transferred to user through the electric cables for use.

When the garage door opener 309 operates, the units will move up by towing of the hinges. The rollers with or without ball bearings will lead the units to move and are guided by the trucks e.g. 307. The length adjustable cables are follows the unit. The cables arranged around the rail components 36 will be kept at same location except changing the length. The one ends of the heat tubes will move in the insulation of the heat storage tank 227. The insulation may be plastic foam. A gap in the insulation is cut to open, but remain closed. When the section of heat tubes move in the gap the tube is still surrounded by the insulation. The heat storage tank is also kept under the insulation. When the door is closed, all the components will return to the normal location. The solar energy absorbing processing will be continued.

Other modification will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and therefore, the invention is defined in the claims.

Claims

1. An unit of a solar energy garage door comprises: a solar energy absorbing sheet; a transparent sheet covering said solar energy absorbing sheet; and a separator separated said solar energy absorbing sheet and said transparent sheet to form a hollow space.

2. A solar energy garage door comprises: a unit of a solar energy garage door comprises: a solar energy absorbing sheet; a transparent sheet covering said solar energy absorbing sheet; and a separator separated said solar energy absorbing sheet and said transparent sheet to form a hollow space; a set of movable said units connected by hinges one by one, each said unit having at least two rollers being able to move in a guide rail/track; and a structure for opening or closing said garage door.

3. The unit of the solar energy garage door according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said solar energy absorbing sheet is selected from a group of:

a solar heat absorbing sheet;

a solar electricity sheet;

a solar electricity and thermal combined sheet;

a heat conductive sheet directly exposed in the air of the garage space; and

a solar energy absorbing sheet with a heat insulation in the back of said unit;

4. The unit of the solar energy garage door according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said solar energy absorbing sheet comprises: a heat conductive sheet directly exposed in the air of the garage space;

said garage space being a solar heat storage space;

a fan to pump the heated air in said garage to building; and

a thermal censer and a controller to control the fan.

5. The unit of the solar energy garage door according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said transparent sheet is selected from a group of:

a transparent glass;

a transparent polymer sheet;

a translucent glass with a transparent or translucent solar heat absorbing coat;

a translucent glass with a transparent or translucent solar electricity coat;

a translucent polymer with a transparent or translucent solar heat absorbing coat; and a translucent polymer with a transparent or translucent solar electricity coat.

6. The unit of the solar energy garage door according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said separator is selected from a group of:

a separator closed and airtight said hollow space completely;

a separator further separated the hollow space into several sub-hollow space; and

a separator having channel for fluid exchange between inside and outside of said hollow space.

7. The unit of the solar energy garage door according to claim 1 or 2, further comprises one selected from following:

a heat tube thermally connected said solar energy absorbing sheet;

a heat storage devise;

a heat storage tank with heat storage material;

a heat driven self- circulating system; and

a heat storage device having a heat exchanger for providing absorbed heat for use.

8. The unit of the solar energy garage door according to claim 1 or 2, comprises: a solar heat storage device having a heat insulation, said insulation having a structure allowing an end of a fluid channel moving in the insulation to transfer heat to the heat storage tank and kept the device and said end of the fluid channel to be heat insulated.

9. The unit of the solar energy garage door according to claim 1 or 2, comprises a fluid channel thermally connected to the solar energy absorber; and a fan or pump to pump the fluid for heat transferring; and a controller to control the operation of fan or pump.

10. The unit of the solar energy garage door according to claim 1 or 2, comprises one seleted from following:

an electric garage door opener with control system;

a length adjustable cable connected the electricity connection box; and

a length adjustable cable arranged around the garage door opener rail assembly parts for transfer generated electricity for use. ί 1. The solar energy garage door according to claim 1 or 2 further comprises a component

selected from follows:

Spring system such as torsion spring; safety system such as safety photo eyes; lifting cable; electric system such as electric cable and control system; rail and rail component, bottom fixtures; locks and handle for opening and close the door manually.

12. The solar energy garage door according to claim 1 or 2 further comprises one selected from a group of:

a connector;

a switcher,

a DC/ AC converter; and

a battery.