Unglazed solar collector with a collector equipped with a hydraulic connection and an expansion sleeve

Abstract

The invention relates to an unglazed solar collector (10) comprising at least one hydraulic collector (30) and an absorber comprising a plurality of hydraulic units that are juxtaposed and hydraulically connected to the hydraulic collector, wherein said hydraulic collector comprises at least a first tube (40) and a second tube (42) hydraulically connected to each other by a hydraulic fitting (50), the hydraulic units being connected to the first and second tubes, the solar collector further comprising a frame supporting the absorber and the hydraulic collector, said hydraulic fitting being fixed to the frame and comprising at least one expansion sleeve in which the first and second tubes are sealed. Figure 2 for the abstract

Description

Title of the invention: Unglazed solar collector having a collector provided with a hydraulic connection having an expansion sleeve Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of non-glazed solar collectors. These are thermal solar collectors which are not covered with glass or another transparent or translucent material. Prior art

[0002] In a manner known per se, an unglazed solar collector comprises at least one hydraulic collector and an absorber having a longitudinal direction and comprising a plurality of hydraulic units which are juxtaposed and hydraulically connected to the hydraulic collector, said hydraulic collector comprising at least a first tube and a second tube hydraulically connected to each other, the hydraulic units being connected to the first and second tubes.

[0003] Hydraulic units are traditionally made up of elastomer or plastic hydraulic hoses, parallel to each other, in which a heat transfer fluid circulates.

[0004] The hydraulic manifold may be an inlet or outlet manifold.

[0005] The cold heat transfer fluid flows from the inlet manifold to the absorber while the hot heat transfer fluid flows from the absorber to the outlet manifold.

[0006] In a known manner, the inlet and outlet collectors are connected to a heating or heat recovery installation.

[0007] An unglazed solar collector is traditionally installed permanently on the roof of a building. This can be a flat roof or a sloped roof. The hydraulic units absorb solar and / or atmospheric energy, which heats the heat transfer fluid that flows through the collector(s).

[0008] Each collector is therefore subject to significant temperature variations during the day and during the year. In addition, the collector is generally made of plastic materials, which have significant expansion coefficients.

[0009] This has the effect that the collector - especially if it is very long - expands longitudinally when it is subjected to high temperatures, for example in summer, and conversely contracts when it is subjected to low temperatures, for example in winter.

[0010] Also, the length of the collector is likely to vary significantly between night and day and between winter and summer.

[0011] Furthermore, the collector is generally mounted on a frame, which also carries the absorber.

[0012] To fix the collector to the frame while leaving a degree of freedom for the collector to compensate for the expansion / retraction effect, it is known to use straps which surround the collector and engage in the frame.

[0013] The straps must remain moderately tight to allow the collector to move or expand under the effect of expansion, otherwise the collector, secured to the frame, risks breaking under the effect of expansion.

[0014] The inventors have found that installers, wishing to ensure that the collector is correctly fixed, sometimes tend to overtighten the straps, which has the effect of securing the collector to the frame. Unable to move under the effect of thermal expansion, the collector risks breaking.

[0015] Conversely, the collector risks falling from the frame or lifting under the effect of the wind if the straps are not sufficiently tightened.

[0016] The ability of the strap fixing solution to allow the collector a sufficient degree of freedom to compensate for its expansion or contraction without risk of breakage is therefore very dependent on the implementation by the installer. Statement of the invention

[0017] An aim of the invention is to propose a non-glazed solar collector which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0018] The invention achieves its aim by the fact that the solar collector further comprises a frame carrying the absorber and the hydraulic collector, and the first and second tubes being hydraulically connected to each other by a hydraulic connection which is fixed to the frame and which comprises at least one expansion sleeve in which the first and second tubes are engaged in a sealed manner.

[0019] The invention makes it possible to dispense with the use of the prior art retaining straps, since the hydraulic connection simply needs to be fixed to the frame. This avoids the drawbacks associated with the difficulty of correctly adjusting the prior straps.

[0020] Furthermore, the expansion sleeve makes it possible to absorb the variations in length of the first and second tubes resulting from the phenomenon of linear expansion / contraction of the tubes.

[0021] Finally, fixing the collector to the frame via the hydraulic connection is more robust and reliable than fixing with straps.

[0022] Without departing from the scope of the present invention, the non-glazed sensor may comprise several collectors, in particular an inlet collector and an outlet collector. The inlet and outlet collectors may be arranged at the two longitudinal ends of the absorber, or alternatively be arranged side by side at one of the two ends. of the absorber with an intermediate junction collector at the other end of the absorber.

[0023] The collector of the sensor according to the invention may also comprise several hydraulic connections and a number of tubes greater than two. The number of tubes and connections will be determined according to the dimensions of the absorber.

[0024] The solar collector preferably has a longitudinal direction, parallel to the hydraulic units, and a transverse direction, perpendicular to the hydraulic units. The collector preferably extends in the transverse direction. The axes of the first and second tubes are preferably coaxial and parallel to the transverse direction.

[0025] The expansion sleeve preferably has a cylindrical shape, so the axis is coaxial with the axes of the first and second tubes.

[0026] In the present description, the term "axial" is understood to refer to the axes of the expansion sleeve and the first and second tubes.

[0027] Advantageously, the first tube is slidably mounted in the expansion sleeve. The first tube can therefore slide along the axis of the expansion sleeve.

[0028] Thanks to this assembly, the first tube can expand or contract axially without exerting axial force on the hydraulic connection.

[0029] In other words, the expansion sleeve has the advantageous effect of compensating, that is to say of absorbing, the variation in axial length of the first tube.

[0030] Advantageously, the second tube is also slidably mounted in the expansion sleeve.

[0031] It is therefore understood that the expansion sleeve compensates for or absorbs the variations in axial lengths of the first and second tubes.

[0032] According to an advantageous embodiment, the internal wall of the expansion sleeve further comprises an axial stop arranged between the first and second tubes.

[0033] The axial stop constitutes an expansion limit which makes it possible to stop the axial displacement of the first tube.

[0034] Preferably, in operation, the ends of the first and second tubes engaged in the expansion sleeve are distant from the axial stop.

[0035] One advantage is to leave enough axial play to compensate for the expansion of the first and second tubes without the latter coming into contact with the axial stop.

[0036] Preferably, the axial stop is a rib projecting from the cylindrical inner wall of the expansion sleeve. The rib projects radially. In addition, it preferably has the shape of an annular portion. The wall may comprise several ribs. It could also be lugs.

[0037] Advantageously, the expansion sleeve comprises at least one seal surrounding the first tube. This is, for example, but not exclusively, an O-ring.

[0038] This O-ring has the effect of ensuring the sealing of the hydraulic connection while allowing free axial elongation or contraction of the first tube.

[0039] According to an advantageous embodiment, the hydraulic connection further comprises a fixing member for fixing the hydraulic connection to the frame.

[0040] The fixing member can for example be fixed to the frame by screwing or bolting.

[0041] Preferably, but not exclusively, the fixing member comprises a fixing plate, and the hydraulic connection further comprises a bearing face, the fixing plate projecting from the bearing face.

[0042] More preferably, the fixing plate projects laterally relative to the bearing face. The fixing plate and the bearing face preferably form a bracket intended to be mounted on the frame.

[0043] Advantageously, the frame comprises a support on which the hydraulic connection is mounted.

[0044] It is understood that the support serves in particular to support the collector. When the collector has several hydraulic connections, the latter are fixed to the same support.

[0045] Preferably, the support comprises a rail. By "rail" is meant here an elongated element which can also be for example a beam, a profile or even an angle iron. This rail extends in a direction perpendicular to the hydraulic units.

[0046] According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the rail with the collector are movable in translation in the longitudinal direction of the absorber.

[0047] One advantage is that it is possible to compensate for the expansion or contraction of the hydraulic units that are attached to the manifold. This prevents the hydraulic units from becoming detached from the manifold due to contraction of the hydraulic units in cold weather.

[0048] To do this, the frame preferably includes a guide element making it possible to guide the rail in translation in the longitudinal direction relative to the rest of the frame.

[0049] Advantageously, the hydraulic manifold comprises at least one end provided with a termination sleeve which is equipped with a plug or a tubular element provided with an accessory, such as a bleeder, a pressure gauge or even a connection element to a fluid inlet or outlet pipe.

[0050] The cap allows the end of the collector to be closed.

[0051] The termination sleeve also includes a fixing plate, similar to that of the aforementioned hydraulic manifold, for fixing it to the support.

[0052] Preferably, the tubular element is rotatable relative to the termination sleeve.

[0053] One advantage is that the angular position of the tubular element relative to the termination sleeve can be adjusted, for example when the solar collector is installed on a sloping roof. This also makes it easier to install the piping.

[0054] Advantageously, the hydraulic units are hydraulic hoses made of elastomer or plastic. Description of the drawings

[0055] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0056] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of an example of a non-solar collector glazed according to the invention during installation;

[0057] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a detail view of the collector of the solar collector of [Fig.l];

[0058] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a hydraulic connection of the manifold of [Fig.2];

[0059] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a longitudinal sectional view of the collector of [Fig.2], the axially expanded tubes;

[0060] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a longitudinal sectional view of the collector of [Fig.2], the tubes being axially contracted; and

[0061] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] illustrates a termination sleeve equipped with an accessory. Detailed description

[0062] In [Fig.l], an exemplary embodiment of an unglazed solar collector 10 according to the invention is illustrated, during installation. The unglazed solar collector 10 comprises an absorber 12 comprising a plurality of hydraulic units 14 which are juxtaposed and which extend in a longitudinal direction L of the absorber. The hydraulic units 14 illustrated are hydraulic hoses 15 made of elastomer or plastic in which a heat transfer fluid flows. The solar collector 10 also comprises a transverse direction T which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L.

[0063] In this example, the absorber is being installed. A first hydraulic sheet 16 is shown which is unrolled in the longitudinal direction L, and a second hydraulic sheet 18 which is wound and which is intended to be unrolled in the longitudinal direction L like the sheet 16. The hydraulic units of the second hydraulic sheet are referenced 14'.

[0064] It can be seen that each of the first and second hydraulic layers 16 and 18 comprise, in this example, around ten hydraulic units 14, 14'.

[0065] The installer then positions other hydraulic layers in order to form the absorber. The absorber 12 thus extends, in the longitudinal direction L, between a first end 12a and a second end 12b.

[0066] The solar collector 10 further comprises a frame 20 which supports the absorber 12. The frame is made up, in this example, of longitudinal support elements 22, which extend in the longitudinal direction L, and of a plurality of transverse support elements 24 which extend in the transverse direction T, perpendicular to the longitudinal support elements 22.

[0067] The unglazed solar collector 10 also comprises bases 26 which are connected to the longitudinal support elements 22.

[0068] In this example, the unglazed solar collector 10 comprises a first hydraulic collector 30 located at the first end 12a of the absorber 12, and a second hydraulic collector 32 arranged at the second end 12b of the absorber 12.

[0069] As understood with the aid of [Fig. 1], each of the first and second collectors 30, 32 extends axially in the transverse direction T of the unglazed solar collector 10.

[0070] As explained above, the unglazed solar collector 10 illustrated in [Fig.l] is being installed, only the first hydraulic sheet having been unrolled. It is understood that when the installation is completed, the surface of the frame is covered with hydraulic units.

[0071] It can also be seen that the hydraulic units 14, 14' are hydraulically connected to the first and second hydraulic manifolds 30, 32.

[0072] In [Fig.2], a detailed view of the first hydraulic collector 30 is illustrated. which, in this example, comprises a first tube 40 and a second tube 42. The second hydraulic manifold 32 is similar to the first hydraulic manifold 30.

[0073] The hydraulic units 14 of the first layer 16 are hydraulically connected to the first tube 40, while the hydraulic units 14' of the second hydraulic layer 18 are hydraulically connected to the second tube 42, so as to allow the flow of the heat transfer fluid.

[0074] The first and second tubes 40, 42 are hydraulically connected to each other by a hydraulic connector 50. It can also be seen that the frame 20 comprises a support 21 on which the hydraulic connector 50 is mounted. In this example, the support 21 comprises a rail 23 which extends in the transverse direction T of the sensor. The hydraulic connector 50 and, in this example, is screwed to the rail 23, so that the hydraulic connector is fixed integrally to the frame 20. It is understood that the frame 20 also carries, by means of hydraulic connectors, the first and second hydraulic manifolds 30, 32.

[0075] In order to be able to compensate for the expansion or contraction of the hydraulic units in the longitudinal direction L of the absorber, the rail 23 with the first collector 30 are movable in translation in the longitudinal direction L. To do this, in this For example, the rail may for example be equipped with “U” shaped fasteners cooperating with the longitudinal support elements 22 to guide the movement of the rail 23 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0076] The hydraulic connector 50, better visible in [Fig. 3], comprises an expansion sleeve 52 which has a generally cylindrical shape having an axis A. The hydraulic connection 50 further comprises a fixing member 56 for fixing to the frame 20. In this example, the fixing member 56 comprises a fixing plate 58 provided with orifices 60 intended to receive fixing elements 62, visible in [Fig. 2].

[0077] The expansion sleeve 52 is open at both ends. It comprises a first opening 52a disposed at a first axial end, and a second opening 52b disposed at the opposite axial end.

[0078] The expansion sleeve 52 comprises at least a first seal 68, toric in this example, which is arranged at the first opening 52a. It also comprises a second seal 70, also toric in this example, which is arranged at the second opening 52b of the expansion sleeve.

[0079] It is understood that the first and second tubes 40, 42 are axially engaged in a sealed manner in the expansion sleeve 52.

[0080] In this example, the seal is ensured by the first and second O-rings 68, 70 which respectively surround the first and second tubes 40, 42.

[0081] The hydraulic connection 50 further comprises a bearing face 64, which is located below the expansion sleeve 52, the fixing plate 58 projecting from a lateral edge of the bearing face 64.

[0082] It is understood from Figures 2 and 3 that the bearing face 64 is intended to bear against an upper face 23a of the rail 23, while the fixing plate 58 bears against a lateral face 23b of the rail 23. When the hydraulic connection 50 is mounted on the frame 20, the axis A of the expansion sleeve is substantially parallel to the transverse direction T of the solar collector.

[0083] With reference to [Fig. 3], it can also be seen that the expansion sleeve 52 has an internal wall 52a, of cylindrical shape, which comprises an axial stop 66 which is located axially substantially in the middle of the expansion sleeve. The axial stop 66 projects radially towards the axis A of the sleeve.

[0084] The longitudinal sectional views of Figures 4 and 5 allow a better understanding of the cooperation of the first and second tubes 40, 42 with the hydraulic connection 50. It can be seen with the aid of these Figures 4 and 5 that the first and second tubes 40, 42 are slidably mounted in the expansion sleeve 52, in the axial direction A.

[0085] In [Fig. 4], a state of the collector is shown when the first and second tubes 40, 42 are in an expanded state, under the effect of heat, for example in hot weather.

[0086] In [Fig. 5], the first and second tubes 40, 42 are illustrated in a contracted state, for example in cold weather.

[0087] In the expanded state, illustrated in [Fig.4], the ends 40a and 42a of the first and second tubes which are located opposite each other inside the expansion sleeve 52 are separated by a distance dl, which is non-zero.

[0088] It is also noted that the ends 40a, 42a of the first and second tubes engaged in the expansion sleeve are distant from the axial stop 66. The distances d2 and d3 which respectively separate the ends 40a and 42a of the first and second tubes from the axial stop are non-zero, in order to leave a safety margin capable of absorbing greater expansion.

[0089] In the contracted state, illustrated in [Fig. 5], the ends 40a and 42a of the first and second tubes 40, 42 are spaced apart from each other by a distance el which is greater than the distance dl. In the contracted state, the distances e2 and e3 which separate the ends 40a, 42a of the first and second tubes 40, 42 from the axial stop 66 are greater than the distances d2 and d3. The distance e2 (respectively e3) remains less than the distance which separates the axial stop 66 from the O-ring 68 (respectively 70), so as to ensure the tubes are held in place and the seal between the first and second tubes 40, 42.

[0090] The axial stop 66 projects radially inside the expansion sleeve.

[0091] Referring now to [Fig.6], we see that the first collector hy The hydraulic 30 has an end 30a which is provided with a termination sleeve 80. The termination sleeve may be equipped with an end plug in order to plug the end of the manifold. In this example, the termination sleeve is equipped with a tubular element 82 provided with an accessory 84, which in this example is a pressure gauge. Still in this example, the tubular element 82 is glued into the sleeve so as not to come out under the effect of pressure.

[0092] Alternatively, the tubular element 82 is rotatable about the axis A relative to the termination sleeve 80 in order, if necessary, to be able to adjust the position of the pressure gauge accessory, for example to facilitate reading the manifold pressure. In this case, it is held by a stop which prevents it from coming out of the sleeve 80 while allowing rotation about the axis A.

Claims

Demands

1. Unglazed solar collector (10) comprising at least one hydraulic collector (30,32) and an absorber (12) having a longitudinal direction (L) and comprising a plurality of hydraulic units (14,14') which are juxtaposed and hydraulically connected to the hydraulic collector, in which said hydraulic collector comprises at least a first tube (40) and a second tube (42) hydraulically connected to each other by a hydraulic fitting, the hydraulic units (14,14') being connected to the first and second tubes, the solar collector (10) further comprising a frame (20) carrying the absorber (12) and the hydraulic collector (50), said hydraulic fitting being fixed to the frame and comprising at least one expansion sleeve (52) in which the first and second tubes (40,42) are engaged in a sealed manner.

2. Unglazed solar collector according to claim 1, wherein the first tube (40) is mounted to slide in the expansion sleeve (52).

3. Unglazed solar collector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second tube (42) is mounted sliding in the expansion sleeve (52).

4. Unglazed solar collector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner wall (52a) of the expansion sleeve further comprises an axial stop disposed between the first and second tubes.

5. Unglazed solar collector according to claim 4, wherein, in operation, the ends (40a,42a) of the first and second tubes engaged in the expansion sleeve are distant from the axial stop.

6. Unglazed solar collector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the expansion sleeve (52) has at least one seal (68) surrounding the first tube (40).

7. Unglazed solar collector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hydraulic fitting (50) further comprises a fixing member (56) for fixing the hydraulic fitting to the frame (20).

8. Unglazed solar collector according to claim 7, wherein the fixing member (56) comprises a fixing plate (58), and wherein the hydraulic fitting further comprises a bearing face, the fixing plate (58) projecting from the bearing face (64).

9. Unglazed solar collector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (20) includes a support (21) on which the hydraulic fitting (50) is mounted.

10. Unglazed solar collector according to claim 9, wherein the support (21) includes a rail (23).

11. Unglazed solar collector according to claim 10, wherein the rail with the collector are movable in translation along the longitudinal direction (L) of the absorber.

12. Unglazed solar collector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hydraulic collector (30) has at least one end (30a) provided with a termination sleeve (80) which is equipped with a plug or a tubular element provided with an accessory.

13. Unglazed solar collector according to claim 12, wherein the tubular element (82) is rotationally movable relative to the termination sleeve.

14. Unglazed solar collector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hydraulic units (14) are hydraulic hoses (15) made of elastomer or plastic.

Images