Solar thermal heating utilizing dynamic particle flow balancing

Abstract

A solar heating apparatus, which includes a panel having one or more layers or a group of such layers, wherein one or more layers among such a group of layers constitutes a transparent medium. The panel includes at least two other layers among the group of layers, which constitute a reflective medium. The panel additionally includes one or more spaces formed between the layers and at least one other space formed between the other layers. A heat transfer fluid can be located within the space between the layers. The heat transfer fluid contains heat-absorbing particles, which are suspended in the heat transfer fluid and subject to a flow-force through the panel in a direction against a force of gravity. The heat-absorbing particles are held in light in the panel via a balance of a flow-force and the force of gravity. The heat-absorbing particles drift to the bottom of the panel when the flow-force stops.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION[0001]This patent application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 224,780 entitled, “Solar Heating Utilizing Dynamic Particle Flow Balancing,” which was filed on Jul. 10, 2009 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This patent application further claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 293,688 entitled, “Solar Heating Utilizing Dynamic Particle Flow Balancing,” which was filed on Jan. 10, 2010 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]Embodiments relate to solar energy and solar heating applications. Embodiments also relate to solar thermal heating panels and associated devices and components.BACKGROUND[0003]Solar energy is an attractive source of energy for heating, for example, a home or office building. Solar thermal devices are currently employed in some homes and other buildings to...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]A solar thermal panel is thus disclosed, which is based on liquid-particle dynamics, and which can reduce the cost of solar thermal panels by 75% or more. When fluid is pumped through the panels they become black and highly absorbent. When fluid is not circulating the panels become highly reflective. The overheating-prevention mechanism allows for the construction of an all-plastic solar thermal panel. A prototype panel has been constructed from commonly available materials to validate the principle.

Problems solved by technology

Such thermal solar devices are not usually utilized to heat the house.

A major problem with using solar thermal water heating to heat a house is that many panels are required during the winter to produce the heat needed.

Another significant problem is that the cost of solar thermal panels for a home heat application is high, since a large number is required.

Such systems present the significant problem of dissipating the waste heat generated by the solar collectors.

This is, however, an expensive solution.

This is not ideal and even dangerous, as it leaves open the possibility that one could forget to cover the collectors or may simply be unable to perform for the task.

This is also an expensive solution and is prone to breakage due to motor failure or wind drag, which causes wear on the gear assembly.

However, there remains the problem of finding a stable black heat transfer fluid that will not damage the pump and the problems and potential huge mess of a leak.

After many uses, it is quite possible that the black liquid will stain the inside of the panel, leading to original problems of overheating during non-use.

In addition, the panels may require a large pump, as a closed-loop circulation is not possible.

This approach, however, results in a number of problems.

The problem results in shutting it off when it is desired to stop heating.

In this case, there is no method to prevent high stagnation temperatures, which could lead to the circulation fluid boiling, the panels melting, wood catching on fire, etc.

Although the material and article of U.S. Patent Application No. 20070210287 could be used in, for example, airplane windows, but is not suitable for use in solar thermal heating applications.

The problem, again, with such a device is how does one actually turn the panel off?

Because the absorber is built into the panel, there is not a practical and safe method or apparatus for turning the panel off when one does not desire to collect heat.

Although solar thermal energy provides an abundant source of energy for heating, unfortunately most households utilize fossil fuels to provide heat.

Unfortunately our society has been shortsighted in this respect and we have the problem of heating millions of incredibly inefficient homes.

A significant problem with plastic, however, is that exposure to high temperatures may degrade or deform the material, rendering the panels useless.

However, the insulation can lead to extremely high temperatures within the collector if the heat is not removed.

If a pump fails, the electricity goes out, or a blockage forms in the circulation path, the circulation will stop and the temperature will rise in the panels.

This is a significant problem currently inhibiting the use of plastic as a source of solar heat generation.

Images