Modular thermal water solar panel system

Abstract

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.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 246,054, filed Sep. 25, 2009 (Sep. 25, 2009).STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.THE NAMES OR PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT[0003]Not applicable.INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC[0004]Not applicable.SEQUENCE LISTING[0005]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0006]1. Field of the Invention[0007]The present invention relates generally to solar power collection panels for use in heating water. More specifically, the present invention is a system that collects solar power and structure-generated heat in a solar panel assembly and transfers a portion of the collected heat energy to water flowing through a manifold of tubes. The solar panel assembly is configured for scalability, arranged to simply and easily allow multiple instances (modules) of the assembly ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]The present invention is an inexpensive modular solar panel system arranged so as to facilitate the connection of multiple instances of the same solar panel assembly in a single connected array to increase the overall surface area used for collecting heat energy, and thus the overall system capacity for heating water. The connection and coupling features allow the end user to expand the solar panel array (and its capacity) only as needed, in small, affordable increments. The end user needs to purchase and add only one, or a few new panels to the array as necessary or desirable. This reduces the cost and complexity for each system expansion.

[0020]The solar panel assembly of the present invention utilizes radiated energy from the Sun, as well as the heat energy radiating (and convectively transferred) from the structures to which the assembly is mounted, to raise the temperature of water. The inventive solar panel may be used to reduce the amount of commercial energy required to heat a swimming pool, spa, or domestic water supply.

[0022]The effectiveness of the thermal water solar panel of the present invention is increased when it is installed on the roof of a house, or a similar structure, where heat energy radiating and rising convectively from the structure is transferred to the bottom surface of the panel. This heat source adds to any heat energy acquired by solar insolation, thus increasing the overall amount of heat energy available for transfer to the water flowing through the manifold of tubes that are integrated into the solar panel assembly.

Problems solved by technology

A key limitation in currently available thermal water solar systems, however, is that the commercially available solutions are very costly and require professional expertise for installation (further increasing the initial installation and future expansion costs of such systems).

However, while Shatzky discloses an inexpensive and adaptable mounting mechanism, it does not enable the installer to easily connect multiple instances of the same solar panel assembly into a single array in a modular fashion.

Shatzky also fails to appreciate the need for (and thus does not disclose) apparatus to accommodate and tolerate the expansion of structural elements and connectors.

Again, however, Urban fails to disclose a solar panel assembly where the installer can easily connect multiple instances of the same module for the solar panel assembly into a connected solar panel array.

And as with Shatzky, Urban et al fail to appreciate the need for (and thus do not disclose) an expansion clip or comparable element that fits into the mounting mechanism and that allows expansion and contraction of the solar panel assembly during temperature fluctuations without compromising the integrity of the connections in the assembly.

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