894results about "Fluid circuit connections" patented technology

A digital fluid heating system may include a solar collection system configured for focusing sunlight on a focal axis, an elongated flow element arranged and configured for transporting fluid along the solar collection system at the focal axis, and a flow-control assembly comprising a digitally controlled valve configured to control the flow of the fluid in the elongated flow element such that pathogens present in the fluid are substantially inactivated before the fluid exits the fluid heating system and at a maximized flow rate under the given energy providing conditions. The system may also include one or more digital controls and communication systems for remote and / or automatic control.

An integral solar module power conditioning system includes one or more solar module support frames. Each frame includes a plurality of plug-and-play electrical connectors integrated therewith. A microinverter or microinverter connector is also integrated with each frame. Each frame is configured to receive a respective solar electric module and to carry electrical power through a plurality of solar electric modules and corresponding microinverters connected together via a plurality of solar module support frames connected together via the plurality of integrated plug-and-play electrical connectors.

A flashable, rooftop enclosure with a solar radiation transmissive glazing suitable for holding solar energy collector of a solar power system includes an insulated base section with sidewalls which is secured to the roof sheathing and flashed all around, and a removably attachable glazed top section with full skirt, that is secured to and over the base unit after the interior components and connections are made, so as to seal the enclosure, overlap the flashing, and admit solar radiation. The internal components may include any or all of photovoltaic and thermal converters, with electrical and thermal fluid means of removing energy from the enclosure to respective energy distribution systems.

A small scale, concentrated solar power generation system includes a solar field of parabolic reflectors that may be located in proximity to load centers such that waste heat from the generation system may be employed in distributed, auxiliary applications.

Solar water heating systems that are formed as all-in-one kits that include all the components necessary for assembling the solar water heating systems at a chosen site is disclosed. Depending on the desired system, the kit may for example include a solar collector, one or more supplemental storage tanks, pumps, heat exchangers, valves, fittings, piping, timers, insulation, flashings, hose bibs, supports, brackets, fasteners, sealants and / or the like. In fact, the kit may further include all or some of the necessary tools required to assemble the solar water heating system.

The solar energy converter for generating electric energy and heated fluid comprises a multi-layer assembly, a photovoltaic panel and a manifold assembly. The multi-layer assembly is a casing and comprises N layers separated by at least one separator floor, each layer has at least one channel adapted to contain a fluid stream, and each layer has a first opening and a second opening. The photovoltaic panel has a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the photovoltaic panel contacts the multi-layer assembly. The manifold assembly comprises N passages for containing the fluid streams, the Kth passage is adapted to distribute the fluid stream to be heated into the channel of the Kth layer through the corresponding first opening and collect the heated fluid stream from the channel of the Kth layer through the corresponding second opening, wherein N is a positive integer, K is a positive integer less than or equal to N.

A solar energy collecting system and method suitable for hot water generation using solar energy. The system includes multiport tubes between inlet and outlet manifolds. The tubes are formed of a metallic material, each tube has oppositely-disposed first and second flat surfaces between lateral edges thereof, longitudinally-opposed first and second ends, and multiple fluid channels between the first and second ends that are in fluidic parallel to each other. The inlet and outlet manifolds are coupled to the first and second ends of the tubes so that chambers within the inlet and outlet manifolds are fluidically connected to the fluid channels of the multiport tubes. During operation of the system, a fluid flowing through the fluid channels of the tubes is heated by direct solar radiation impinging the first flat surfaces of the tubes and optionally by reflected solar radiation impinging the second flat surfaces of the tubes.

An array of panels absorptive to solar radiation 21 is made up of individual panels 24, 25 etc. A duct runs along a panel 25 and terminates near the edge of the panel as a terminals 27. This terminal is positioned so that it shares a common axis with a second terminal on a second panel 24, whereby the terminals may be brought into close proximity and connected with a connector 26. This connection may be made by sliding one panel along the axis of its terminal towards a second panel.

An improved solar collector pipe that directly conveys fluid to be heated and collects and transfers solar energy efficiently and directly to the internal fluid, thereby maximizing both the amount of energy transmitted to the internal fluid and the peak temperature attainable by that fluid. The solar collector pipe includes a transparent portion for admitting solar energy into the solar collector pipe. Internal to the solar collector pipe is an absorbing portion for absorbing solar energy. A conduit portion is also included and comprises a reflecting surface thereon for reflecting solar energy received through the transparent portion onto the absorbing portion. In embodiments of the invention, the transparent portion, the conduit portion, and the absorbing portion together define at least one fluid passageway for conveying the fluid. In other embodiments of the invention, an internal conduit defines a fluid passageway for conveying the fluid. The internal conduit may be supported within the solar collector pipe and supported by heat-absorbing portions, or may be placed between two solar collector pipe sections to form a single solar collector pipe with an internal conduit extending therethrough.

This invention relates to a device that comprises at least one collection unit (11), equipped with a collection tube (21) placed on supports (23), which is formed by an inner absorber tube (31) shaped as a continuous tube and an outer envelope tube (33). The collection unit (11) also comprises reflectors (15) that direct the radiation toward the collection tube (21). Moreover, the device comprises means (41, 43) designed to maintain the collection tube (21) space between the absorber tube (31) and the envelope tube (33) at a pressure of between 5·10−1-5·10−2 mbar. The main advantages of the invention include the reduction in the breaking of glass due to the lower stresses to fatigue, an increase in the effective collection surface (97%-98%) and active management of the vacuum, which makes it possible to monitor the evolution thereof at all times.

A supplemental solar energy collection system including a photovoltaic panel which converts incident radiation into electricity. A housing includes a top thermally conductive surface mated with the photovoltaic panel and serving as a thermal collector. Open channels behind the thermally conductive surface carry fluid in contact with the top thermally conductive surface for removing heat from the photovoltaic panel.

A method for making large-size hollow ceramic plate (1, 2, 4) adopts raw materials of ordinary ceramics, mixing with industrial wastes or crude minerals abundant in period IV transition metal elements, squeezing a molded body by vacuum squeezing machine then producing at low cost a large-size hollow ceramic plate (1, 2, 4) with black or fuscous surface or whole body, with an area more than 0.5m2 of a single plate. A large-size hollow ceramic plate array (23) is composed of porous ceramic plates (1), through-hole ceramic plates (2) and accessories by gluing or thread-connecting or is composed of seal ceramic plates (4) by series connecting, which can be used in a solar water heater, a solar roof and wall, a generator with large-scale solar wind duct, a large-area solar collector, a far infrared radiation plate and a radiator for construction.

A modular linear solar energy collection system comprises one or more reflector units each having a light-weight generally planar aluminum frame that mounts a number of solar panels in a fixed position at angles which progressively increase from the frame centerline outwardly to its perimeter so as to collectively form a surface having a shape approximating that of a parabola. Sunlight incident on the solar panels is reflected by a combination of secondary and tertiary reflectors onto a receiver tube mounted in a fixed position concentric to the centerline of the frame. The frame is connected to a drive mechanism operative to pivot the frame and solar panels in order to track the position of the sun during the course of a day.

A solar collector with a rectangular frame (1), preferably made of extruded or rollformed metal, containing an absorber plate (3), an insulating layer (2) beneath the absorber plate (3), and a cover pane (4) spaced above the absorber (3). Absorber tubing (3b.3c) is attached to the rear side of the absorber plate. The absorber (3) is secured to the frame (1) by mounting brackets (11a,11b) that engage the absorber tubing (3b,3c) and allow for substantially unhindered thermal expansion and contraction of the absorber. The collector can be integrated or roof mounted on a pitched roof, or may be installed on a flat roof by means of a mounting frame.

The present invention discloses a solar array cell (15) able to be used both thermally and photovoltaically, together with an array (3) formed from a plurality of the cells (15). A solar energy system for a building which incorporates the array (3) is also disclosed. Each cell (15) is formed from an air duct (16) of parallelogram cross-sectional shape which makes for easy sealing between ducts and a reliable water shedding arrangement for the cells of the array. An air / liquid heat exchanger (35) for a solar hot water supply is also disclosed.

A solar panel (10) has tubing (12) through which water from a swimming pool is recirculated. The tubing (12) is adapted to be exposed to the sun for heating the water to a temperature whereby the pool is heated. The solar panel (10) has a housing (14) for the tubing (12), and the housing (14) has a transparent screen (16) covering the tubing (12). In use, the housing (14) retains heat therewithin for increasing the temperature of the tubing (12) above that outside of the housing.

A method (92) of supporting a solar energy collection unit (22, 54, 76) of a solar energy system (20, 52, 78) calls for redistributing (96) earth at a worksite (26) to form an elevated earthen structure (24) having a sun facing surface (28), compacting (102) the earthen structure (24), and arranging (106) the solar energy collection unit (22, 54, 76) upon the sun facing surface (28) of the earthen structure (24). The earthen structure (24) may include internal strengthening material (32) detached from the energy collection unit (22, 54, 76) and the earthen structure (24) may be encased in a binder material (34) for additional stability. Channels (48, 50) may be provided proximate the earthen structure (24) for fluid supply and release functions.

A solar collector assembly includes a photovoltaic panel having first and second sides, a frame, and a first gas-filled chamber on the first side of the photovoltaic panel. The first gas-filled chamber is at least partially defined by a portion of the frame and by a portion of the first side of the photovoltaic panel. A gas functions as a heat exchange fluid and collects heat from solar energy and / or heat generated by the photovoltaic panel. The photovoltaic panel accumulates and converts solar energy to electrical energy. The solar collector assembly may include a second gas-filled chamber provided on the second side of the photovoltaic panel. The second gas-filled chamber is at least partially defined by a portion of the frame and by a portion of the second side of the photovoltaic panel. Solar collector systems and methods of generating electrical energy and / or thermal energy are also described.

A solar air heating module provides heated air to a ventilation system. The solar air heating module includes a collector for heating and drawing in outside air and a housing. The collector includes an absorber plate for absorbing incident sunlight and includes a plurality of perforations therethrough. The perforations are distributed across the absorber plate for allowing passage of air into the collector. The collector also includes a collector tray mounted behind the absorber plate. The collector tray includes an output for allowing the passage of air out of the collector. The collector tray is spaced from the absorber plate to define a cavity therebetween in which air can to flow towards the output. The housing is mounted to the collector tray and forms a plenum therewith for receiving air from the output. The plenum is at a lower pressure than that of the outside air. The plenum is connected to the ventilation system. A plurality of modules may be combined to form a system.

The invention provides a solar heat absorber which comprises an inlet, a channel part and a collecting part. Heat-collecting media enter the solar heat absorber from the inlet. The channel part is arranged to be connected with inlet fluid so that the heat-collecting media can enter the channel part through the inlet. The collecting part is arranged to be connected with fluid of the channel part so that the heat-collecting media can enter the collecting part from the channel part. According to the solar heat absorber, ceramic particles are adopted to serve as the heat-collecting media. The solar heat absorber operates stably and is high in heat-collecting efficiency. In addition, the invention further provides a solar heat collecting system comprising the solar heat absorber, and a solar power generation system comprising the solar heat collecting system.

A heat exchanger includes: an inlet header tube including opposite first and second ends and an inner space formed between the first and second ends; an outlet header tube parallel to the inlet header tube; a plurality of heat exchange tubes transversely extending between and fluidly connected to the inlet and outlet header tubes, each of the heat exchange tubes having a connecting end connected to the inlet header tube; and a baffle tube inserted into the inner space of the inlet header tube. The baffle tube has an open end proximate to the first end, a closed end proximate to the second end, and a plurality of orifices disposed between the open and closed ends to fluidly intercommunicate the inner space of the inlet header tube and the baffle tube. Each of the orifices is disposed in alignment with the connecting end of one of the heat exchange tubes.

A modular thermal solar panel water heating system with a plurality of solar heating modules, each including a inlet manifolds and outlet manifolds and a thin tube array disposed between and in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet manifolds. Mounting and clamping apparatus attach the solar heating modules to a surface and providing secure clamping pressures on clamped elements even as clamped elements expand and contract. Fittings provide a watertight coupling between adjoining modules and bring each module into fluid communication with at least one adjoining module. In a panel array, one module includes a water inlet for connection to a source of water under pressure and another module includes a water outlet. A set of plugs are disposed on the manifolds in a configuration that ensures that water introduced into the water inlet flows across at least one thin tube array before exiting the water outlet.

A solar collector comprises a solar absorbing tube 3 containing elongate tube 11 that extends out of one end of the solar absorbing tube 3 and into an end fitting 15 wherein an annular outer passageway 13 of the elongate tube 11 communicates with a cold fluid inlet conduit 16 within the end fitting 15 and the inner passageway 14 of the elongate tube 11 communicates with a hot water outlet conduit 17 within the end fitting 15. Each end fitting 15 is provided-with a receiving portion 22 extending orthogonally to the tubular passage 18 for receiving an end of the concentric elongated tube 11. The end fittings 15 are interconnected to provide fluid flow paths without the need for a manifold. Any number of solar collector tubes can be interconnected in this way. The invention also applies solar collectors of the heat pipe type.

The teachings generally relate to a system for converting solar energy into electrical energy and thermal energy using a self-contained system having a plurality of channels for the heat transfer using a respective plurality of fluids.

A high concentration central receiver system and method provides improved reflectors and a unique heat removal system. The central receiver has a plurality of interconnected reflectors coupled to a tower structure at a predetermined height above ground for reflecting solar radiation. A plurality of concentrators are disposed between the reflectors and the ground such that the concentrators receive reflective solar radiation from the reflectors. The central receiver system further includes a heat removal system for removing heat from the reflectors and an area immediately adjacent the concentrators. Each reflector includes a mirror, a facet, and an adhesive compound. The adhesive compound is disposed between the mirror and the facet such that the mirror is fixed to the facet under a compressive stress.

A solar trough field system according to the invention comprises multiple parabolic reflectors; a thermal receiver tube, center of which coincides with the focus of the parabolic reflectors and which consists of a metal heat receiving pipe (1) and a glass tube (2) which are nested (the glass tube surrounds the metal heat receiving pipe from outside); a ‘vacuum seal and glass tube connector system’ (E) which connects the glass tubes (2) and the thermal heat receiving pipe (1) to each other; a rotating support unit (21), which connects the parabolic panel to the glass tube connector system (E) and provides the thermal receiver tube (1) to stay stationary while the parabolic panel is rotating around it; ‘flexible expansion unit’ (29) located at the end of each parabolic trough unit which provides vacuum seal while the Heat Receiving Pipe (1) is moving due to heat expansion; and a vertical loop (52) located at the discharge side of the parabolic unit, which can be used instead of water separator and which also provides the heat expansion of the Heat Receiving Pipe (103).

Disclosed are methods and functional elements for enhanced thermal management of predominantly enclosed spaces. In particular, the invention enables the construction of buildings with reduced power requirements for heating and / or air-conditioning systems since under certain conditions less energy for heating or cooling is required to maintain, within certain boundaries, desirable temperatures inside such buildings, habitats, or other enclosed spaces.In some instances the invention is in part based on dynamically changing functional elements with variable properties, or effective properties, in terms of their electromagnetic radiative behavior and / or their thermal energy storage properties, or the spatial distribution of the stored thermal energy, which permits the application of methods and algorithms to control the overall thermal behavior of the entire structure in such a way that desired levels of inside temperature can be reached with reduced consumption of external energy (typically electricity, gas, oil, or coal).In some instances no conventional heating of cooling is required at all, whereas in other instances the expenditure of external energy for conventional heating or cooling is reduced. In some instances the invention enables the reduction of the time to reach desired temperatures inside such buildings, habitats, or other predominantly enclosed spaces.