Integrated tube solar water heater that uses heat collection as the power source for circulation

Abstract

This is an integrated tube solar water heater powered by solar collectors. It consists of several large-diameter solar collectors connected in series to form a heat source absorber. Its key feature is that it absorbs solar energy and also functions as a water storage tank. Above the solar collector is a water tank, and to the right is a solar collector motor. The motor uses the absorbed heat energy to drive the heated water into the solar collector for continuous heating. The heated water flows through a supply pipe to a water level controller, then sequentially into the water tank and the solar collector, finally entering the solar collector motor. The solar collector motor itself serves as the power source for water circulation and also collects heat from the water. This design eliminates the need for a row of holes at the bottom of conventional water tanks, which reduces tank strength. It also eliminates the need for a specialized drilling lathe, making manufacturing very easy and potentially significantly reducing product costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of solar water heater technology that uses its own heat to drive water circulation, and in particular, an integrated tube solar water heater that uses heat collection as the circulation power. Background Technology

[0002] A typical vacuum tube solar water heater consists of multiple vacuum tubes inserted into a storage tank. The hot and cold water in the vacuum tubes exchange heat with each other, with hot water flowing upwards into the storage tank and cold water flowing from the storage tank into the vacuum tubes. However, this design has several problems. The bottom of the storage tank has a row of holes for inserting the vacuum tubes, which significantly reduces the tank's strength. Furthermore, drilling these holes requires specialized drilling machines, which are expensive and increase the product's cost. Additionally, the diameter of the vacuum tubes cannot be too small, otherwise, they will have difficulty exchanging heat. Also, because the storage tank is cylindrical, the diameter of the inserted vacuum tubes cannot be too large, otherwise, the sealing of the cylindrical storage tank will be compromised, further affecting the tank's strength. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a new technical solution that overcomes the problems of existing vacuum tube solar water heaters, such as the impact on the strength of the water tank due to the row of holes at the bottom, the need for expensive drilling lathes during manufacturing, and the impact on the sealing and strength of the cylindrical water tank if the diameter of the vacuum tube is too large.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem includes the following: an integrated tube solar water heater using heat collection as the circulating power, consisting of multiple integrated heat collection and water storage units connected in parallel and series to form a heat source absorber. Its characteristic is that it can both absorb solar energy and store hot water. Above the integrated heat collection and water storage unit is a water storage tank, and on the right side is a heat collection power unit. The heat collection power unit can use the absorbed heat energy to do work, driving the heated water into the integrated heat collection and water storage unit to achieve continuous heating. The heated water enters through a water supply pipe... The water enters the water level controller, then sequentially into the water storage tank and the integrated heat collector and water storage unit, and finally into the heat collector power unit. A check valve is installed on the power unit's inlet pipe. The water is pushed back to the water storage tank by the heat collector power unit, completing one cycle. The integrated heat collector and water storage unit is a double-layer vacuum body composed of inner and outer layers, with a diameter of 200mm-300mm and a height of 1200-1800mm. The top of the integrated heat collector and water storage unit is a sealing plug. The two integrated heat collectors and water storage units are connected by an inverted U-shaped water supply pipe, and each inverted U-shaped water supply pipe is equipped with an automatic air vent valve at the top.

[0005] The reason why the diameter of the integrated solar collector and water storage unit is larger than that of a conventional solar vacuum tube is to facilitate the placement of an inverted U-shaped water pipe and to reduce costs. For the same volume of vacuum tube, the cost is lowest when its height (or length) is close to its diameter; the larger the ratio of height to diameter, the higher the cost.

[0006] The structural feature of the solar collector is that it is a double-layered vacuum body composed of inner and outer layers, with a diameter of 200mm-320mm and a height of 1200-1800mm. The highest liquid level of the solar collector is 500mm-700mm lower than the liquid level of the liquid level controller to facilitate water flow. It is both the power source for driving water circulation and the heat collection function of the water. Internally, it consists of a small float, a fixed plate, a lower retaining ring, an upper retaining ring, a large float, a movable rod, and a movable plug. The small float, movable rod, and movable plug are fixed together as a whole and sandwiched between the fixed plate and the sealing plug. It has vertical and horizontal movement. The large float is positioned between the lower and upper retaining rings and is not fixed to the movable rod. Instead, it can slide up and down along the movable rod for a certain distance, while simultaneously driving the movable rod to move up and down. The sliding range is between the lower and upper retaining rings. The upward movement of the movable plug and the movable rod can block the plug hole of the top sealing plug, while the downward movement can open the plug hole to allow it to communicate with the atmosphere. The up and down movement of the movable rod lags behind that of the large float, thus creating a range of high and low liquid levels. The function of the integrated heat collection and water storage device is to drive the hot water to circulate, and it also has the function of absorbing heat and heating water.

[0007] Beneficial effects: The heat source absorber is composed of several integrated heat collection and water storage units connected in parallel. The heated water enters the level controller through the water supply pipe, then enters the water storage tank and the integrated heat collection and water storage units in sequence, and finally enters the heat collection power unit. The heat collection power unit itself serves as the power source to drive the water circulation and also collects heat from the water. This eliminates the problem of the conventional water storage tank having a row of holes at the bottom, which reduces the strength of the water storage tank. It does not require a special drilling lathe or an electric water pump, thus eliminating power supply limitations and the risk of electric shock. Since there are very few holes on the water storage tank and no large drilling lathe is needed, only a hand drill is required. Therefore, the production investment is low, the manufacturing is easy, the production workshop occupies a small area, and the product cost is expected to be significantly reduced. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an integrated tube solar water heater of the present invention, which uses heat collection as the circulating power.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of a thermal power generator.

[0010] Figure 1The components are: 1. Water supply pipe, 2. Liquid level controller, 3. Water storage tank, 4. Atmospheric connection pipe, 5. Water delivery pipe of the tank body, 6. Integrated heat collection and water storage unit, 7. Inverted U-shaped water delivery pipe, 8. Automatic air vent valve, 9. Sealing plug, 10. Check valve, 11. Heat collection power unit, 12. Circulation pipe, 13. Power unit inlet pipe, 14. Hot water outlet pipe.

[0011] Figure 2 In the middle: 1101. Small float, 1102. Fixed plate, 1103. Lower retaining ring, 1104. Large float, 1105. Lowest liquid level, 1106. Upper retaining ring, 1107. Highest liquid level, 1108. Movable plug, 1109. Plug hole, 1110. Movable rod, 13. Power unit inlet pipe, 9. Sealing plug.

[0012] The overall operating procedure is as follows: Cold water enters the water storage tank 3 through the water supply pipe 1 via the level controller 2 located at the top of the tank. From the bottom of the tank 3, it flows into the integrated water collector and collector 6 for heating. Then, it passes through the inverted U-shaped water pipe 7 into the next integrated water collector and collector 6 connected in series. Finally, it enters the thermal collector 11, where it is propelled back to the water storage tank 3, completing one cycle. The purpose of the level controller 2 is to prevent overpressure in the entire system; only under low pressure can water circulation be smooth. The purpose of the atmospheric vent pipe is to facilitate water circulation. Since there is usually a certain amount of air in the pipes, this air can hinder the operation of the thermal collector and increase water flow resistance. The automatic air vent valve effectively solves these problems.

[0013] The working characteristic of the solar collector 11 is that when heated water enters the solar collector 11, the liquid level rises, causing the small float 1101 and the large float 1104 to move upwards. Simultaneously, the movable rod 1110 and the movable plug 1108 move upwards together. When the liquid level reaches the highest level, the movable rod 1110 presses against the plug hole 1109 on the top sealing plug 9, sealing the space. The pressure inside the collector increases due to heating, at which point the water in the inlet pipe 13 stops entering the solar collector 11. The solar collector 11 continues to absorb sunlight, simultaneously heating the internal air and water. Because the specific heat of air is less than that of water, the temperature of the air... The temperature can rise rapidly, causing the volume and pressure to increase simultaneously. The pressure forces the heated water into the circulation pipe 12 and back into the storage tank 3. A check valve is installed on the circulation pipe 12 to ensure the forward circulation of water. The check valve is installed to prevent water from flowing back into the integrated collector and storage unit 6. When the liquid level drops to the minimum liquid level 1105, the large float 1104 drives the movable rod 1110 and the movable plug 1108 to descend simultaneously. At this time, the plug hole 1109 opens, and some air escapes from the plug hole 1109. The pressure drops, and the water enters the collector power unit 11 from the storage tank 3 through the power unit inlet pipe 13, starting a new cycle. Detailed Implementation Specific Implementation Example 1

[0015] Ten large-diameter integrated heat collectors and water storage units 6 are connected in parallel to form a heat source absorber. The heated water enters the liquid level controller 2 through the water supply pipe, then enters the water storage tank and the integrated heat collector and water storage unit 6 in sequence, and finally enters the heat collector power unit 11. The structure of the heat collector power unit 11 is a double-layer vacuum body composed of inner and outer layers, with a diameter of 280mm and a height of 1200mm. The highest liquid level of the heat collector power unit 11 is 1105mm lower than the liquid level of the liquid level controller 2 by 600mm-700mm. It serves as the power source for driving the water circulation and also plays the role of collecting heat from the water. The integrated heat collector and water storage unit 6 is a double-layer vacuum body composed of inner and outer layers, with a diameter of 200mm and a height of 1200mm. It can absorb the energy of sunlight and also serves as a water storage tank. The top of the integrated heat collector and water storage unit 6 is a sealing plug 9. Two integrated heat collectors and water storage units 6 are connected by an inverted U-shaped water supply pipe 7. Each inverted U-shaped water supply pipe 7 is equipped with an automatic air vent valve 8 at the top.

Claims

1. An integrated tube solar water heater that uses heat collection as the circulating power source consists of multiple integrated heat collection and water storage units (6) connected in parallel to form a heat source absorber. Its characteristic is that... The integrated solar collector and water storage unit (6) can absorb solar energy and store hot water. There is a water storage tank on the top of the integrated solar collector and water storage unit (6), and a solar collector power unit (11) on the right. The solar collector power unit (11) can use the absorbed heat energy to do work to drive the heated water into the integrated solar collector and water storage unit (6) to achieve continuous heating. The heated water enters the level controller (2) through the water supply pipe (1), and then enters the water storage tank (3) and the integrated solar collector and water storage unit (6) in sequence, and finally enters the solar collector power unit (11). A check valve (10) is provided on the power unit's inlet pipe (13). The water is pushed back to the water storage tank (3) by the solar collector power unit (11). The process completes one cycle. The integrated heat collection and water storage unit (6) is a double-layered vacuum body composed of inner and outer layers, with an inner diameter of 200mm-300mm and a height of 1200-1800mm. The top of the integrated heat collection and water storage unit (6) is a sealing plug (9). The two integrated heat collection and water storage units (6) are connected by an inverted U-shaped water supply pipe (7). Each inverted U-shaped water supply pipe (7) is equipped with an automatic air vent valve (8) at its top. The heat collection power unit (11) is a double-layered vacuum body composed of inner and outer layers, with a diameter of 210mm-320mm and a height of 1200-1800mm. The highest liquid level (1107) of the heat collection power unit (11) is 500mm-70mm lower than the liquid level of the liquid level controller. The 0mm diameter is both a power source for driving water circulation and a heat collector for the water. Internally, it consists of a small float (1101), a fixed plate (1102), a lower retaining ring (1103), an upper retaining ring (1106), a large float (1104), a movable rod (1110), and a movable plug (1108). The small float (1101) is fixed together with the movable rod (1110) and the movable plug (1108), sandwiched between the fixed plate (1102) and the sealing plug (9), allowing for vertical movement. The large float (1104) is positioned between the lower retaining ring (1103) and the upper retaining ring (1106), and is not fixed to the movable rod (1110), but can move independently. The movable rod (1110) can slide up and down a certain distance along the movable rod (1110), and at the same time, it can drive the movable rod (1110) to move up and down. The sliding range is between the lower retaining ring (1103) and the upper retaining ring (1106). The movable plug (1108) and the movable rod (1110) can block the plug hole (1109) of the top sealing plug (9) when they move upward, and can open the plug hole (1109) to make it connected to the atmosphere when they move downward. The movable rod (1110) moves up and down lagging behind the large float (1104), thereby creating a range of liquid levels with high and low levels. The function of the integrated heat collection and water storage device (6) is to drive the hot water to circulate, and it also has the function of absorbing heat and heating water.

2. The integrated tube solar water heater with heat collection as the circulating power source according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the heated water enters the solar collector (11), the rising liquid level causes the small float (1101) and the large float (1104) to move upwards, simultaneously causing the movable rod (1110) and the movable plug (1108) to move upwards as well. When the liquid level reaches the highest level (1107), the movable rod (1110) presses against the plug hole (1109) on the sealing plug (9), sealing the space. The pressure inside the power unit increases due to the heat, and the water in the inlet pipe (13) stops entering the solar collector (11). The solar collector (11) continues to absorb sunlight, causing the air and water inside to be heated simultaneously, and the temperature of the air can reach the solar collector (11). The water level rises rapidly, causing both volume and pressure to increase simultaneously. The pressure forces the heated water into the circulation pipe (12) and back into the storage tank (3). A check valve (10) is installed on the circulation pipe (12) to ensure the positive circulation of water. When the liquid level drops to the lowest level (1105), the large float (1104) drives the movable rod (1110) and the movable plug (1108) to descend simultaneously. At this time, the plug hole (1109) opens, and some air escapes from the plug hole (1109). The pressure drops, and the water enters the heat collector (11) from the storage tank (3) through the power unit inlet pipe (13) to start a new cycle.

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