Solar collector

Abstract

A solar collector of the direct flow type comprises a solar absorbing tube 3 containing elongate tube 11, and a working fluid. The elongate tube 11 contains a concentrically positioned inner pipe 12 thereby forming two concentric internal flow passage ways 13, 14 for the flow of a fluid to be heated. The elongate tube 11 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. A central dividing wall 19 divides the fitting 18 into the cold fluid inlet conduit 16 and the hot fluid outlet conduit 17. The dividing wall 19 is a separate insert component which is mounted in the passageway. Fluid can flow between the tubular passages 18 of adjacent solar tubes 3. The open ends of the passages 18 comprise recesses to provide a circumferential seat 20 for an o-ring 21 or similar sealing means to provide a fluid-tight seal when adjacent end fittings 15 are mounted together.

Description

INTRODUCTION[0001]The invention relates to a solar collector for converting solar radiation into heat and to transfer the latter with the maximum possible efficiency to a fluid heat transferring means (e.g. water or air) whereby the heat can be utilised in a domestic or industrial application, for example to heat a domestic hot water or central heating system.[0002]A solar collector typically comprises a number of elongate tubes containing a radiation absorbing plate for absorbing solar radiation in contact with a pipe through which the fluid to be heated can be passed or within which is contained a working fluid for transferring heat to the fluid to be heated. The radiation absorbing plate and at least a portion of the pipe are enclosed within an evacuated radiation transparent enclosure to prevent heat loss.[0003]In one type of solar collector, known as the direct flow type, the fluid to be heated flows through the pipe in contact with the plate for direct conduction of heat betwe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0046]In a preferred embodiment, the fluid connection means comprises a tubular opening adapted to sealingly engage a similar tubular opening on an adjacent elongate tube. Preferably said tubular opening includes a central dividing wall to divide said opening into an inlet and an outlet port. An o-ring seal may be provided between the tubular openings of adjacent elongate tubes to prevent fluid leakage.

Problems solved by technology

The restrictive design of such traditional solar thermal collectors has limited the flexibility of the solar collector for various applications.

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