Photovoltaic-photothermal assembly header

Abstract

The utility model discloses a photovoltaic photo-thermal component manifold, including pipeline body, the end of pipeline body is provided with the access and exit of main passageway communication with pipeline body inside, and the side portion of pipeline body extends the tangential plane of special-shaped manifold surface and the branch pipe mounting surface perpendicular to tangential plane along tangent direction and constructs, the height of every branch pipe corresponding branch pipe mounting surface, axial width is all not less than the branch pipe outer diameter, the branch pipe connection passageway of being provided with with main passageway communication on branch pipe mounting surface, the utility model discloses through make branch pipe connection passageway and the tangent plane of inner wall of main passageway, realized the direct, smooth connection of branch pipe and manifold, avoided the bending transition pipe required of traditional structure, shortened the heat transfer path, increased the heat transfer area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of photovoltaic and solar thermal equipment technology, specifically to a photovoltaic and solar thermal module manifold. Background Technology

[0002] Photovoltaic-Thermal (PVT) technology is a comprehensive solar energy utilization technology that combines photovoltaic power generation with solar thermal utilization. This technology simultaneously achieves photoelectric conversion and solar thermal collection in the same device, overcoming the impact of the solar thermal effect on photoelectric conversion efficiency while also generating heat energy, thereby improving the overall utilization efficiency of solar energy.

[0003] In the construction of a typical PVT module, the collector (also known as the heat collection component or heat collection evaporator) is a key thermal management component. It is usually composed of multiple parallel branch pipes connected to the manifolds at both ends with large cross-sectional dimensions to form a heat collection channel. The branch pipes are bonded to the special metal heat-conducting plate on the back of the photovoltaic module with thermally conductive adhesive to achieve effective collection of waste heat from the photovoltaic cells.

[0004] However, this traditional structure has several inherent defects in practical applications: First, because the branch pipes and manifolds have different diameters, there is a certain distance between their ends and the heat-conducting plate. Due to gravity, although they may be joined in the middle, the drooping of the branch pipes affects the flow resistance of the internal heat-conducting medium. Furthermore, only a small portion is joined by line contact, with almost no direct contact area, requiring heat conduction through thermal adhesive. Therefore, the heat collection efficiency is low, and there are significant differences in thermal expansion and contraction effects, affecting both heat collection efficiency and the structural strength of the module. This makes it difficult to achieve efficient temperature control of the photovoltaic module, impacting photoelectric conversion efficiency and module lifespan. Second, it is difficult to weld the manifolds and branch pipes to the same plane. Ensuring uniform and stable flow in each branch pipe channel is complex and challenging. Third, relying on thermal adhesive to ensure interfacial heat conduction results in a large demand for the adhesive, increasing manufacturing costs and process instability. Additionally, at the connection point between the branch pipes and manifolds, the diameter and wall thickness of the manifold are significantly larger than those of the branch pipes, resulting in a structural stiffness difference, as shown in the attached figure. Figure 1 Even if a bent transition tube with a certain amount of deformation is used to overcome this problem, the process is more complicated and the cost is higher. The bonding of the thermally conductive adhesive is more difficult and may cause stress concentration at the connection, increasing the risk of leakage. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this utility model is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a photovoltaic thermal module manifold.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution provided by this utility model is as follows.

[0007] A photovoltaic thermal module manifold includes a pipe body, with an inlet and outlet at the end of the pipe body communicating with the main channel inside the pipe body. The side of the pipe body extends along the tangential direction to form a tangential plane on the surface of the irregular manifold and a branch pipe mounting surface perpendicular to the tangential plane. The height and axial width of the branch pipe mounting surface corresponding to each branch pipe are not less than the outer diameter of the branch pipe. The branch pipe mounting surface is provided with a branch pipe connection channel communicating with the main channel, and the inner diameter of the branch pipe connection channel is adapted to the inner diameter of the branch pipe; the manifold is provided with a combination configuration of several branch pipe mounting surfaces and branch pipe connection channels along the axial direction of the pipe body.

[0008] Preferably, the inner diameter of the branch pipe connection channel is greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the branch pipe.

[0009] As a preferred technical solution, the branch pipe mounting surface forms an angle with the tangential plane, and the pipe body is supported between the branch pipe mounting surface and the tangential plane.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution, the main channel and the branch pipe mounting surface and tangential plane are all constructed into a closed structure, and the closed structure located between two adjacent branch pipe connecting channels is continuous along the axial direction of the pipe body.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution, the branch pipe mounting surface between two adjacent branch pipe connection channels and the pipe body is set as a discontinuous structure.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution, the cross-section of the main channel of the pipe body is circular.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution, multiple branch pipe connection channels are equidistantly arranged along the axial direction of the pipe body.

[0014] As a preferred technical solution, the branch pipe mounting surface and the tangential plane are configured to form one-quarter of the external square of the pipe body.

[0015] As a preferred technical solution, the branch pipe mounting surface and the tangential plane are constructed to form half of the external square of the pipe body.

[0016] As a preferred technical solution, the pipe body is a copper pipe or an aluminum pipe.

[0017] As a preferred technical solution, the wall thickness of the pipe body is between 0.8mm and 1.2mm.

[0018] The advantages and beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: By changing the traditional manifold design, a branch pipe connection channel is directly opened on the mounting surface of the branch pipe extending tangentially from the side of the manifold, forming a non-circular manifold. The non-circular manifold can be extruded from aluminum profiles, simplifying the process. A flat connection surface is set on one side of the manifold, and a connection channel with the same diameter as the branch pipe is opened on the connection surface. In this way, the branch pipe only needs to be welded on the plane, significantly reducing the difficulty and complexity. The lower end of the channel has the same wall thickness as the branch pipe (or only differs from the wall thickness of the manifold and the branch pipe), so the branch pipe will not suffer from sagging or bending issues. This avoids stress concentration and potential leakage risks caused by sudden changes in structural stiffness and fluid disturbance. Moreover, the branch pipe can almost directly contact the heat-conducting plate, simplifying the application of thermal conductive adhesive. More importantly, the heat collection effect is significantly improved, and the structural stability is better. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of existing manifolds and branch pipes; Figure 2 This is one of the schematic diagrams of the manifold structure shown in this utility model; Figure 3 This is one of the cross-sectional structural schematic diagrams of the manifold structure shown in this utility model; Figure 4 This is the second schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the manifold structure shown in this utility model; Figure 5 This is the second schematic diagram of the manifold structure shown in this utility model.

[0020] Figure label: 1-Pipe body, 2-Inlet / outlet, 3-Branch pipe mounting surface, 4-Branch pipe connection channel, 5-Virtual plane, 6-Tangential plane, 7-Closed structure, 8-Discontinuous structure, 9-Circumscribed square. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts relevant to this application are shown in the accompanying drawings, not the entire structure. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0022] The terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, used in this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the steps or units listed, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to such process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0023] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly or implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0024] Please see Figures 1-5 This embodiment provides a photovoltaic thermal module manifold, including a pipe body 1. The end of the pipe body 1 has an inlet 2 that communicates with the main channel inside the pipe body 1. The side of the pipe body 1 extends tangentially to form a tangential plane 6 on the surface of the irregularly shaped manifold and a branch pipe mounting surface 3 perpendicular to the tangential plane 6. The height and axial width of the branch pipe mounting surface 3 corresponding to each branch pipe are not less than the outer diameter of the branch pipe. A branch pipe connecting channel 4 communicating with the main channel is formed on the branch pipe mounting surface 3. The inner diameter of the branch pipe connecting channel 4 is greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the branch pipe. The manifold has a combination configuration of several branch pipe mounting surfaces 3 and branch pipe connecting channels 4 along the axial direction of the pipe body 1.

[0025] A busbar on the inner wall of branch pipe connection channel 4 is connected to a busbar on the inner wall of the main channel (with... Figure 3 The gray areas (circles representing the manifold busbar cross-section and solid horizontal lines representing the branch pipe busbar direction) are located on the same virtual plane 5, which is perpendicular to the branch pipe mounting surface 3. The branch pipe connection channel 4 is directly opened on the branch pipe mounting surface 3, allowing the branch pipe to be inserted radially and directly connected to the main channel, avoiding the use of traditional curved transition pipes. Through the geometric relationship of the virtual plane 5, the tangents of the inner walls of the branch pipe and the manifold are coplanar, achieving smooth flow of fluid or heat transfer medium, reducing flow resistance and local stress concentration, while shortening the heat transfer path and increasing the effective heat transfer area.

[0026] To optimize the structural stability and installation convenience of the pipe body 1, the technical solution provided in this embodiment is that the branch pipe mounting surface 3 and the tangential plane 6 are symmetrically distributed and formed at an angle, and the pipe body 1 is supported between the branch pipe mounting surface 3 and the tangential plane 6. The branch pipe mounting surface 3 and the tangential plane 6 are usually constructed together to form a right-angle support structure. Considering the assembly effect, it can also be an acute or obtuse angle, preferably between 85° and 95°, which provides a certain amount of space for thermally conductive adhesive filling while providing a flat installation reference surface for the pipe body 1.

[0027] Specifically, the branch pipe mounting surface 3 and the tangential plane 6 can be constructed as one-quarter or one-half of the square 9 circumscribed outside the pipe body 1 to adapt to different installation space and strength requirements, so as to enhance the rigidity of the manifold, facilitate positioning and fixing in the photovoltaic and solar thermal modules, reduce the amount of adjustment work during assembly, and improve the structural reliability of the modules.

[0028] To enhance the pressure-bearing capacity and sealing performance of the manifold, the technical solution provided in this embodiment is that a closed structure 7 is constructed between the main channel and the branch pipe mounting surface 3 and the tangential plane 6. The closed structure 7 located between two adjacent branch pipe connecting channels 4 is continuous along the axial direction of the pipe body 1. The closed structure 7 ensures that the wall thickness of the manifold at the branch pipe connection is uniform and intact.

[0029] For details, please refer to Figure 1 When the manifold has a continuous structure, it can be achieved using a push-forming process. After obtaining aluminum profiles with completely uniform cross-sections, holes are drilled to manufacture the branch pipe connection channels 4, and finally, the inlet and outlet 2 are welded. This process ensures the overall strength and consistency of the manifold, enabling it to withstand working pressures of 0.6-1.2 MPa or higher as specified in relevant standards for photovoltaic and solar thermal systems. It should be noted that the cooling medium and other fluids exhibit water hammer effects, therefore, a long-term pressure of at least 0.6 MPa must be met, while the maximum withstand pressure is no less than 1.2 MPa.

[0030] To reduce the weight of the manifold and accommodate thermal expansion and contraction, the technical solution provided in this embodiment is that the branch pipe mounting surface 3 between two adjacent branch pipe connecting channels 4 and the pipe body 1 is configured as a discontinuous structure 8. The discontinuous structure 8 removes excess material, reduces the overall weight of the manifold, and can reduce material costs to a certain extent by sacrificing production convenience.

[0031] For details, please refer to Figure 5When the manifold has a discontinuous structure 8, it can be achieved using a casting process. A precise hollow shape is obtained through mold forming, followed by processing of the branch pipe connection channel 4. This design allows the manifold to have better deformation adaptability under temperature changes, reduces thermal stress accumulation, and maintains sufficient structural strength, making it suitable for weight-sensitive applications. It should also be noted that the branch pipe connection channel 4 can be constructed as a cylindrical structure. On the projection plane of the tangential plane, the manifold and the branch pipe connection channel are perpendicular to each other, and in this case, the tangential plane 6 actually constitutes a virtual plane 5. Of course, the outer wall of the branch pipe connection channel can be a cylindrical or square structure; this embodiment does not impose specific limitations. A cylindrical structure saves material, while a square structure can increase the heat transfer area. Alternatively, the tangential plane can be constructed as a square structure, while the area away from the tangential plane can be constructed as a cylindrical structure.

[0032] To optimize fluid flow and manufacturing processability, the technical solution provided in this embodiment is that the main channel of the pipe body 1 has a circular cross-section. The circular cross-section provides a uniform wall thickness distribution and good fluid dynamic characteristics.

[0033] Specifically, the cross-section of the main channel can be a flat tube or other shapes, including but not limited to triangles, ellipses, squares, etc. However, considering that the photovoltaic thermal module should be able to withstand pressure of more than 1.6MPa, in order to save material costs and reduce production difficulty, a circular cross-section is preferred because the stress distribution of the circular structure is the most uniform under internal pressure, and it is easy to mass-produce through extrusion and other processes, taking into account both economy and reliability.

[0034] To achieve uniform heat distribution and simplify assembly, the technical solution provided in this embodiment is that multiple branch pipe connection channels 4 are evenly spaced along the axial direction of the pipe body 1. This evenly spaced arrangement ensures uniform distribution of branch pipes on the manifold, resulting in more consistent heat exchange. Branch pipes can be directly inserted into the branch pipe connection channels 4 and fixed by welding or threaded connections, reducing assembly steps and the number of required parts, thus improving production efficiency and component maintainability.

[0035] To adapt to different installation requirements and space constraints, the technical solution provided in this embodiment is that the branch pipe mounting surface 3 and the tangential plane 6 are constructed to form one-quarter of the outer square 9 of the pipe body 1. This design gives the manifold a compact cross-sectional shape, facilitating installation in limited spaces. At the same time, the structure of the outer square 9 provides additional rigidity, enhancing the manifold's bending resistance, making it suitable for high-density integrated photovoltaic and solar thermal systems.

[0036] To provide a larger mounting surface and higher structural strength, the technical solution provided in this embodiment is that the branch pipe mounting surface 3 and the tangential plane 6 are configured to form half of the circumscribed square 9 of the pipe body 1. This configuration increases the area of ​​the branch pipe mounting surface 3 and the tangential plane 6, providing a more stable base for branch pipe connections or other accessories, while making it easier to align and fix the manifold with other components.

[0037] To ensure good thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance, the technical solution provided in this embodiment is that the pipe body 1 is a copper pipe or an aluminum pipe. Copper and aluminum have high thermal conductivity, which is beneficial for rapid heat transfer.

[0038] Specifically, copper tubes are suitable for scenarios with high thermal conductivity requirements and high costs, while aluminum tubes have advantages in terms of lightweighting and cost control. At the same time, aluminum tubes can be anodized to enhance corrosion resistance and extend the service life of the components in outdoor environments.

[0039] To balance the strength, weight, and cost of the manifold, the technical solution provided in this embodiment is that the wall thickness of the pipe body 1 is between 0.5mm and 1.5mm. This wall thickness range provides sufficient mechanical strength to withstand internal pressure and external loads, while avoiding material waste. Specifically, the wall thickness can be controlled through an extrusion process to ensure that the manifold meets the durability requirements of photovoltaic and solar thermal modules while being lightweight.

[0040] The working principle of this utility model is as follows: When the photovoltaic thermal module is running, the heat exchange medium (such as coolant) enters the main channel of the manifold from the inlet / outlet 2 and flows through the branch pipe connection channel 4 to distribute to each branch pipe; since the branch pipe connection channel 4 and the main channel are coplanar in terms of inner wall tangent through the virtual plane 5, the medium flows smoothly; the branch pipe is directly connected to the branch pipe mounting surface 3, and the alignment accuracy is ensured by radial insertion, the heat transfer path is shortened, and the heat of the photovoltaic module is efficiently transferred to the external heat exchanger or heat storage device through the branch pipe and its heat exchange medium, thereby reducing the operating temperature of the photovoltaic module and improving the photoelectric conversion efficiency; at the same time, the closed structure 7 or the discontinuous structure 8 of the manifold, depending on the design, can provide reliable pressure resistance and thermal adaptability, and the overall structure simplifies the assembly process and reduces manufacturing costs and maintenance requirements.

[0041] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of this utility model, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A photovoltaic thermal module manifold, comprising a pipe body (1), wherein the end of the pipe body (1) is provided with an inlet (2) communicating with a main channel inside the pipe body (1), characterized in that: The side of the pipe body (1) extends along the tangential direction to form a tangential plane (6) on the surface of the irregular manifold and a branch pipe mounting surface (3) perpendicular to the tangential plane (6); the height and axial width of the branch pipe mounting surface (3) corresponding to each branch pipe are not less than the outer diameter of the branch pipe. The branch pipe mounting surface (3) is provided with a branch pipe connection channel (4) that communicates with the main channel. The inner diameter of the branch pipe connection channel (4) is adapted to the inner diameter of the branch pipe. The manifold is provided with a combination of branch pipe mounting surfaces (3) and branch pipe connection channels (4) along the axial direction of the pipe body (1).

2. The photovoltaic thermal module manifold according to claim 1, characterized in that: The branch pipe mounting surface (3) forms an angle with the tangential plane (6), and the pipe body (1) is mounted between the support formed by the branch pipe mounting surface (3) and the tangential plane (6).

3. The photovoltaic thermal module manifold according to claim 2, characterized in that: The main channel is constructed as a closed structure (7) between the branch pipe mounting surface (3) and the tangential plane (6), and the closed structure (7) between two adjacent branch pipe connecting channels (4) is continuous along the axial direction of the pipe body (1).

4. The photovoltaic thermal module manifold according to claim 1, characterized in that: The branch pipe mounting surface (3) between two adjacent branch pipe connection channels (4) and the pipe body (1) is set as a discontinuous structure (8).

5. The photovoltaic thermal module manifold according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main channel of the pipe body (1) has a circular cross-section.

6. The photovoltaic thermal module manifold according to claim 1, characterized in that: The branch pipe connection channel (4) is provided at equal intervals along the axial direction of the pipe body (1).

7. The photovoltaic thermal module manifold according to claim 2, characterized in that: The branch pipe mounting surface (3) and the tangential plane (6) are configured to form one-quarter of the square (9) circumscribed by the pipe body (1).

8. The photovoltaic thermal module manifold according to claim 2, characterized in that: The branch pipe mounting surface (3) and the tangential plane (6) are constructed to form half of the circumscribed square (9) of the pipe body (1).

9. The photovoltaic thermal module manifold according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The pipe body (1) is a copper pipe or an aluminum pipe.

10. The photovoltaic thermal module manifold according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The wall thickness of the pipe body (1) is between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm.

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