Solar Water Heater

Abstract

A low-cost absorber panel for a solar hot water heating system is provided. An aluminum absorber plate, under exposure to solar radiation, makes an efficient transfer of heat to water circulating within the collector panel by direct contact with the medium in an optimized area-to-volume configuration. An innovative use of fasteners makes it possible to accommodate expansion for freezing and to allow for disassembly and maintenance.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to solar energy collectors, and more specifically to low pressure solar hot water heater absorbers.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]With the potential of future capacity shortages in the aging infrastructure of the electricity grid in the United States, not to mention the adverse-weather-prone supply of natural gas in the nation, solar energy represents an alternative to looming energy crisis's, as well as rising energy costs in the present. Next to space heating, water heating is the most significant factor in residential energy consumption and accounts for 13% of the household energy bill. What is needed is a solar hot water heating installation that can be accomplished on a budget by the average homeowner.[0003]Flat-plate solar collectors for water heating are present in the art. They are comprised of a heat-absorption panel in contact with circulating water and are typically housed under a transparent covering and over an insulat...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]In view of the above-mentioned unfulfilled needs, the present invention embodies, but is not limited by, the following objects and advantages:

[0011]A first objective of the present invention is to achieve a reduction of cost per BTU per square foot of 30%-45%.

[0015]A fifth objective of the present invention is to provide a means for creating spacing and sealing between collector plates which is simple to construct with readily available materials.

[0016]A sixth objective of the present invention is to provide a means for creating channeling and flow paths which is simple to construct with readily available materials.

[0017]A seventh objective of the present invention is to provide a means for disassembling and cleaning the solar collector for easy maintenance.

Problems solved by technology

The convective losses are affected by the insulating bed and air envelopes, and the reflective losses depend on the reflectivity of facing surfaces, including the transparent covering.

Since the water is not in direct contact with the collector plate, some loss of conductive heat efficiency occurs.

Typically, there is a serpentine path of water flow created by internal baffles which lengthen the contact time and create a certain amount of turbulence for the even distribution of heat.

Insufficient dwell time in contact with a radiantly heated surface might be a problem with this construction, which problem is overcome by the preferred serpentine path.

Such a construction, additionally, involving welded joints, cannot be taken apart for cleaning and maintenance.

Furthermore, the welding of metal parts, and particularly aluminum parts, is not a fabrication process in common usage in the home.

While Shonerd uses a thermally conductive metal absorber plate over the base, and while the system is conceptually capable of disassembly, Shonerd's construction, on the other hand, does not use simplified materials readily available to the average homeowner.

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