Interchangeable Modular Solar Thermal Collector Builing Block System

Abstract

Solar hot water collector array comprised of rows and or columns of modular solar thermal collectors with a single array inlet and outlet. The identical interchangeable modules, of one square meter (10 Sq. Ft.) each weighing about ten kg (22 Lb.) can be transported conveniently and carried to the roof by one person with one ladder. The identical modules are plumbed together by four standard plumbing connections located near the module corners. One side of the interchangeable module is the inlet / outlet while the other side is either closed / unused or connected to the inlet / outlet side of the collector in the row next to it. Collectors in the end column form the series backbone of the fluid flow. Collectors in rows off the backbone column form parallel fluid paths. Many interchangeable modules can be placed together like bricks to form the desired column by row array.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0001] Most solar thermal collectors used to heat domestic hot water are made utilizing large surface areas facing the sun to collect more solar energy per unit of material used. They use large areas of tempered glass with black, water-cooled absorber plates made of copper, either painted black or selectively coated to absorb solar energy and minimize re-radiation, and catch the sun's heat inside a framed, insulated box. The large, 2.4 square meter area, solar thermal collector box is usually about 12.5 cm (5 inches) deep and 2 m (78 inches) high and 1.2 m (48 inches) wide. The 2.4 square meter solar thermal collector usually weighs from 22 kg to 165 kg (50 to 75 pounds). These large solar thermal collection panels are also fragile and heavy. The solar collector size and weight usually makes them un-shippable by United States Postal Service and most competing package delivery services. More costly trucking services are usually required to move these large sol...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] In summary, the present invention is an interchangeable modular solar thermal collector building block, which is small, light weight, easily shippable and can be handled by one person. The interchangeable modular solar thermal collector building blocks are plumbed together in rows and or columns to form larger solar collector arrays needed for domestic hot water heating, space heating and cooling.

[0006] The primary objective of the present invention is to allow a large solar array to be installed on a roof by a single person using rows and or columns of interchangeable modular solar thermal collector building blocks which are all the same and are mounted and plumbed together like paving bricks in rows and columns. The interchangeable modular solar thermal collector building blocks are all the same and are connected together to form the flow path through the solar collectors for the heat transfer fluid, with a single inlet and outlet. The fluid heated by the solar collector array can be pumped to the hot water tank, or to the space heating / cooling system. Another objective is to have interchangeable modular solar thermal collector building blocks which are small and light weight enough to be easily shipped to the end user via normal package delivery services. Another objective includes the means to establish a plumbing interconnection of the interchangeable modular solar thermal collector building blocks, which can be accomplished with standard plumbing fittings including: pipe thread; sweat solder; compression; or flare. Valves and unions can be used to connect building blocks to allow easy disassembly and repair without loss of heat exchange fluid. Another objective is to reduce the time and labor needed to place solar collector arrays on the roofs of homes and businesses.

Problems solved by technology

Current solar collectors are not designed for row and or column interchangeability for solar domestic hot water systems.

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