Photovoltaic thermal module

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for converting solar energy into electrical energy and thermal energy, the device (10) comprising: a main body (12) having an upper side (14) which can be oriented towards the sun, an lower side (18) which can be oriented towards a building (16), and at least one lateral side (20) which is arranged between the upper side (14) and the lower side (18); a photovoltaic module (24) forming the upper side (14) for converting the solar energy into electrical energy; and a heat exchanger (28) having a fluid chamber (44) through which a thermal fluid (46) can flow, the fluid chamber (44) adjoining the photovoltaic module (24).

Description

[0001] DREISS PATENT ATTORNEYS 14.10.2025

[0002] Riterte ■ Brands ■ Design 27660002 WO

[0003] Walter Maier Karlstrasse 20 / 1 71332 Waiblingen

[0004] Photovoltaic thermal module

[0005] The invention relates to a photovoltaic thermal module (PVT module).

[0006] From GB 2 446 219 A, a PVT module is known in which a photovoltaic module is arranged on a metal plate. Pipes are provided below the metal plate through which a heat transfer fluid flows. The solar energy heats the metal plate, and the heat energy is transferred to the pipes and the heat transfer fluid flowing in the pipes. Similar principles to those in GB 2 446 219 A are shown in DE 10 2011 105 309 Al and DE 200 14 536 Ul.

[0007] DE 10 2011 105 309 Al describes a hybrid solar collector for roof covering. A PV laminate is applied to a heat exchanger, such that the PV laminate has a sheet metal plate as its back side, which also forms the front side of the heat exchanger.

[0008] DE 200 14 536 Ul describes a roof covering or wall cladding made of self-supporting metal sheet panels with photovoltaic solar modules applied to the outside and a system on the underside for controlled heat extraction and / or supply.

[0009] US 2010 / 0218809 A1 provides a power panel in which a solar panel is positioned between a transparent panel and a housing. The housing includes fluid channels formed by partitions made of adhesive or sealant applied to the housing. Another application of PV modules is described in WO 2009 / 065407 A2, which shows a solar-powered distillation system.

[0010] The Wikipedia article "Expansion vessel" (as of April 23, 2022, https: / / de.wikipedia.org / wiki / Ausdehnungsgef %C3%A4%C3%9F) describes expansion vessels that can also be used in solar circuits.

[0011] The invention is based on the objective of providing a device with higher efficiency.

[0012] The problem underlying the invention is solved by a device, in particular a PVT module, with the features of claim 1. The invention relates to a device for converting solar energy into electrical energy and thermal energy, the device comprising: a base body with a top surface oriented towards the sun, a bottom surface oriented towards a building, and at least one cladding side arranged between the top surface and the bottom surface; a photovoltaic module forming the top surface for converting the solar energy into electrical energy; and a heat exchanger with a fluid space through which a heat fluid can flow, wherein the fluid space adjoins the photovoltaic module.

[0013] Since the photovoltaic module forms the top surface of the base body and is thus directly exposed to solar radiation, high efficiency in the conversion to electrical energy can be expected. Furthermore, high efficiency in heat transfer to the heat transfer fluid is ensured because the fluid chamber containing the heat transfer fluid is directly adjacent to the photovoltaic module. This also eliminates the need for a metal plate between the photovoltaic module and the fluid chamber.

[0014] An advantageous aspect of the invention is that the heat exchanger is designed as a plate heat exchanger. This provides a larger surface area for heat transfer.

[0015] According to the invention, the heat exchanger is deep-drawn. Therefore, the heat exchanger can be manufactured easily. The heat exchanger is preferably made from a sheet of metal. According to the invention, the heat exchanger has supports extending perpendicular to the top surface for supporting the photovoltaic module. This ensures high stability and rigidity for the photovoltaic module.

[0016] The supports preferably have a cylindrical, pot-shaped, funnel-shaped, conical, or parallelogram-shaped longitudinal section. The supports preferably taper towards the top. The supports preferably have an elliptical, round, or circular cross-section. The supports preferably have a height perpendicular to the top surface in a range between 20 mm and 200 mm, particularly between 30 mm and 150 mm, and more preferably between 40 mm and 100 mm.

[0017] An advantageous aspect of the invention is that the supports are distributed in a matrix-like pattern on the top surface. This allows the photovoltaic module to be subjected to a surface load, with the force being absorbed and transferred by the supports. The supports are preferably arranged along rows and / or columns running parallel to the top surface.

[0018] The inventive heat exchanger has a heat exchanger base in which the supports and the heat exchanger base are formed as a single piece. This makes the heat exchanger particularly easy to manufacture. For example, the heat exchanger can be made from a single sheet of metal, with the heat exchanger base arranged in one plane and the supports deep-drawn from this plane.

[0019] An advantageous aspect of the invention provides that the supports each have a support head and a support base. The photovoltaic module and the support heads are preferably bonded together to seal the fluid space. The adhesive also forms a stable connection between the photovoltaic module and the heat exchanger. The adhesive can be arranged in a ring around the support head and / or across the front face. An alternative connection between the heat exchanger and the photovoltaic module, particularly at the support head, is also conceivable. The support base preferably abuts directly against the heat exchanger base. The supports projecting from the heat exchanger base form a fluid space, which is bounded on the underside by the heat exchanger base and / or on the top side by the photovoltaic module.

[0020] The photovoltaic module is preferably arranged in a first plane, and the heat exchanger base is arranged in a second plane. The supports are preferably arranged between the first and second planes.

[0021] An advantageous aspect of the invention is that the device has an insulating layer arranged on its underside. Accordingly, the device can also be used for insulating a building wall. Furthermore, it is ensured that a significant portion of the thermal energy is used to heat the heat transfer fluid.

[0022] An advantageous aspect of the invention provides that the insulating layer has an insulating space for receiving an insulating fluid, in particular air. The insulation can preferably be achieved by a layer of still air. This allows for a particularly simple, cost-effective, and efficient insulation solution.

[0023] The insulating layer preferably has an insulating top and an insulating bottom, wherein the insulating space is preferably limited by the insulating top and the insulating bottom.

[0024] An advantageous aspect of the invention provides that the heat exchanger is arranged perpendicular to the top surface between the photovoltaic module and the insulation layer. Accordingly, the heat exchanger is positioned at a distance from a building wall. The insulation layer is preferably arranged between the building wall and the heat exchanger and / or the photovoltaic module.

[0025] An advantageous aspect of the invention is that the device includes a thermal expansion vessel to compensate for the thermal expansion of the heat transfer fluid. This allows the thermal expansion of the heat transfer fluid at different temperatures within the device to be compensated for, thus protecting the systems of the connected building. For example, water and an antifreeze agent such as propylene glycol or ethylene glycol can be used as the heat transfer fluid.

[0026] An advantageous aspect of the invention provides that the thermal expansion vessel is arranged on one side of the base body. Accordingly, the thermal expansion vessel is arranged laterally to the heat exchanger.

[0027] An advantageous aspect of the invention provides that a fluid, in particular a gas, preferably air, is provided in the thermal expansion vessel. A gas, such as air, is particularly well suited to compensating for thermal expansion, since it has a higher compressibility than a thermal fluid, such as water.

[0028] The thermal expansion vessel is preferably positioned higher than the fluid chamber. This can be achieved, on the one hand, by arranging the thermal expansion vessel at a height difference relative to the fluid chamber within the device. On the other hand, it can be achieved by mounting the device at an angle or vertically such that the thermal expansion vessel is positioned above the fluid chamber. This ensures reliable compensation of thermal expansion within the thermal expansion vessel.

[0029] An advantageous aspect of the invention provides that fluid connections are provided on at least one side of the base body, fluidically connected to the fluid chamber, to realize an enthalpy flow. Accordingly, the heat exchanger, and in particular the fluid chamber, can be connected to a building.

[0030] It is advantageous if the photovoltaic module has electrical connections for connection to an electrical system. These electrical connections serve for energy transmission and / or for the control and regulation of the photovoltaic module.

[0031] An advantageous aspect of the invention provides that the photovoltaic module has a length of at least 1.8 m, in particular at least 2.0 m, preferably at least 2.1 m, running parallel to the top surface. Accordingly, a building wall or roof can be completely covered by the device. Due to the special design of the heat exchanger, which also serves as a stiffening element for the photovoltaic module, even long photovoltaic modules can be safely mounted and loaded.

[0032] The problem underlying the invention is also solved by an assembly with several previously described devices connected in series.

[0033] The problem underlying the invention is also solved by a building wall or a building roof or a building wall element or a building roof element with a device described above.

[0034] The problem underlying the invention is also solved by a building comprising a building wall, a building wall element, a building roof and / or a building roof element, as well as a previously described device.

[0035] Further advantages, features, and details will become apparent from the following description, in which various embodiments of the invention are illustrated with reference to the drawing. The features mentioned in the claims and the description can each be essential to the invention individually or in any combination.

[0036] They show:

[0037] Fig. 1 is a top view of a device according to the invention;

[0038] Fig. 2 shows a detailed sectional view along the section.

[0039] II-II in Fig. 1;

[0040] Fig. 3 shows a detailed sectional view along the section.

[0041] III-III in Fig. 1;

[0042] Fig. 4 shows a detailed sectional view of two adjacent in

[0043] Series-connected PVT modules; and

[0044] Fig. 5 shows a detailed sectional view along the section.

[0045] VV in Fig. 1. The device 10 is designed as a PVT module for converting solar energy into electrical energy and heat energy according to Figs. 1 to 5.

[0046] The device 10 comprises a base body 12 with a top surface 14 oriented towards the sun, a bottom surface 18 oriented towards a building 16, and at least one outer surface 20 arranged between the top surface 14 and the bottom surface 18. In Fig. 5, the device 10 is arranged on a building wall 22 of the housing such that the bottom surface 18 is directed towards the housing wall 22 or the bottom surface 18 abuts the housing wall 22. Furthermore, in Fig. 5, the top surface 14 is oriented towards the sun.

[0047] The upper surface 14 is formed by a photovoltaic module 24, the surface of which extends in a first plane 26. The absorbed solar energy is converted into electrical energy in the photovoltaic module 24.

[0048] A heat exchanger 28 in the form of a plate heat exchanger is provided directly below the photovoltaic module 24. For the sake of simplicity, the heat exchanger 28 is also shown in Fig. 1, even though it would be covered by the photovoltaic module 24 in that view. The heat exchanger 28 is made from a deep-drawn sheet. The heat exchanger 28 has a heat exchanger base 30 and a plurality of supports 32. The heat exchanger base 30 and the supports 32 are monolithic and / or formed in one piece. The surface of the heat exchanger base 30 extends into a second plane 34. Accordingly, the supports 32 are arranged between the first plane 26 and the second plane 34.

[0049] The supports 32 extend perpendicularly to the top 14 and / or the bottom 18 along a support axis 36, as shown in Fig. 5. In longitudinal section, the supports 32 are trapezoidal along the support axis 36, as shown in Fig. 5, and taper towards the photovoltaic module 24. As shown in Fig. 1, the supports 32 have a circular cross-section along the support axis 36. The supports 32 have a support head 38 located on the photovoltaic module 24 and a support base 40 located on the heat exchanger base 30. The heat exchanger 28, and in particular the support heads 38, are each bonded to the photovoltaic module 24. For this purpose, an adhesive 42 is applied to one end face of the support head 38. Due to the deep drawing process, the supports 32 are each hollow.

[0050] A fluid chamber 44 is bounded on the top by the photovoltaic module 24 and on the bottom by the heat exchanger base 30. A heat fluid 46 flows through the fluid chamber 44. The heat fluid 46 provides an enthalpy flow for transporting the heat energy stored in the heat fluid 46 away from the device 10. Particularly efficient heat input into the heat fluid 46 is ensured by the fact that the fluid chamber 44 is directly adjacent to the photovoltaic module 24.

[0051] Directly below the heat exchanger base 30, one or more, in particular two or three, insulating layers 48 are arranged. The insulating layer 48 has an upper insulating section 50 and a lower insulating section 52, with an insulating space 54 for receiving an insulating fluid 56 provided between the upper insulating section 50 and the lower insulating section 52. It is advantageous if the insulating fluid 56 is air. Furthermore, the upper insulating section 50 and the lower insulating section 52 are arranged relative to each other, in particular spaced apart, such that air is present between them. This results in a particularly high insulating effect. The upper insulating section 50 or the lower insulating section 52 extends along a third level 58. The second level 34 is preferably arranged between the first level 26 and the third level 58.

[0052] If an insulating layer 48 is provided, it forms the underside 18 of the device 10. If no insulating layer 48 is provided, the underside 18 is formed by the heat exchanger base 30.

[0053] The base body 12 has an upper transverse side 60 and a lower transverse side 62 on the outer shell side 20. The device 10 is preferably mounted such that the upper transverse side 60 is arranged above the lower transverse side 62. For example, in the case of a sloping roof, the upper transverse side 60 would therefore be arranged at the top and the lower transverse side 62 at the bottom. A thermal expansion vessel 64 is preferably provided on the upper transverse side 60, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, to compensate for the thermal expansion of the heat transfer fluid 46 at different temperatures. For this purpose, an expansion chamber 68 is provided in a side chamber 66, in which an expansion fluid 70, in particular a gas such as air, is preferably provided. Air has a higher compressibility than a liquid heat transfer fluid 46. The expansion chamber 68 can expand or compress, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 3.The expansion chamber 68 can be configured such that it is formed by the phase difference between the thermal fluid 46 and the expansion fluid 70. Alternatively, the expansion chamber 68 can also be separated from the thermal fluid 46 and the remaining side chamber 66 by a flexible wall, such as a bladder. In this case, the bladder is located in the side chamber 66.

[0054] Preferably, a side chamber 66 is provided on both the lower transverse side 62 and the upper transverse side 60. The size of the side chamber 66 is larger if the expansion space is provided in it.

[0055] For connecting the fluid chamber 44 to a building installation or to other devices 10, fluid connections 72 are provided on the lower transverse side 62 and / or on the upper transverse side 60, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The fluid connections 72 are preferably tubular and extend from the outer shell 20 into the side chambers 66. Preferably, the fluid connections 72 protrude from the outer shell 20, thus facilitating the connection of additional lines.

[0056] If a thermal expansion vessel 64 is present in a side chamber 66, the fluid connections 72, as shown in Fig. 3, extend into the side chamber 66 such that they extend beyond the thermal expansion vessel 64. This ensures that only the heat transfer fluid 46 is supplied at the fluid connections 72. The side chambers 66 are each fluidically connected to the fluid chamber 44 by means of a fluid path 74. The fluid path 74 has a lower height perpendicular to the top surface 14 than the fluid chamber 44 and / or the side chambers 66. Consequently, the sheet metal of the heat exchanger 28 is deformed in the direction of the fluid path 74 in the area of ​​the fluid path 74. Additional insulation, in particular another or a thicker insulating layer 48, can be provided in the cavity. On the outer side 20, the sheet metal of the heat exchanger 28 can be designed in such a way that an insulation space 76 is provided for receiving further insulation in the area of ​​the fluid connections 72.The sheet metal of the heat exchanger 28 also has openings for receiving the fluid connections 72.

[0057] Figure 4 shows the facing outer shells 20 of two devices 10 connected in series. Two photovoltaic modules 24 are visible, almost touching at a joint to maximize surface area utilization. For assembly, the heat exchanger plates 28 are preferably joined together. The fluid connections 72 are also fluidically connected, in particular by being plugged into one another. Thus, the fluid chamber 44 of one device 10 is fluidically connected to the fluid chamber 44 of the other device 10.

[0058] Furthermore, the device has 10 electrical connections 78 for connecting electrical systems to the photovoltaic module 24.

[0059] Reference symbol list

[0060] Device 46 Thermal fluid

[0061] Base body 48 Insulation layer

[0062] Top side 50 upper insulating section

[0063] Building 52 lower isolation section

[0064] Underside 25 54 Insulation space

[0065] Sheath side 56 Insulating fluid

[0066] Building wall 58 third level

[0067] Photovoltaic module 60 upper transverse side first level 62 lower transverse side

[0068] Heat exchanger 30 64 Expansion vessel

[0069] Heat exchanger base 66 side chamber

[0070] Supports 68 Expansion space second level 70 Expansion fluid

[0071] Support axis 72 fluid connections

[0072] Support head 35 74 Fluid path

[0073] Support base 76 Insulation space

[0074] Adhesive 78 electrical connections

[0075] Fluid space

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (10) for converting solar energy into electrical energy and thermal energy, the device (10) comprising: a base body (12) with a top surface (14) oriented towards the sun, a bottom surface (18) oriented towards a building (16) and at least one cladding side (20) arranged between the top surface (14) and the bottom surface (18); a photovoltaic module (24) forming the top surface (14) for converting the solar energy into electrical energy; and a heat exchanger (28) with a fluid space (44) through which a heat fluid (46) can flow, wherein the fluid space (44) is directly adjacent to the photovoltaic module (24), wherein the heat exchanger (28) has supports (32) extending perpendicular to the top (14) for supporting the photovoltaic module (24) and a heat exchanger base (30), wherein the supports (32) and the heat exchanger base (30) are formed in one piece and are deep-drawn.

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger (28) is designed as a plate heat exchanger.

3. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supports (32) are distributed matrix-like on the top (14).

4. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the supports (32) each have a support head (38), wherein the photovoltaic module (24) and the support heads (38) are each bonded together to seal the fluid space (44).

5. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (10) has at least one insulating layer (48) arranged on the underside (18).

6. Device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the insulating layer (48) has an insulating space (54) for receiving an insulating fluid (56), in particular air.

7. Device (10) according to one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the heat exchanger (28) is arranged perpendicular to the top (14) between is arranged between the photovoltaic module (24) and the insulating layer (48).

8. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (10) has a thermal expansion vessel (64) for compensating for thermal expansion of the thermal fluid (46).

9. Device (10) according to claim 8, wherein the thermal expansion vessel (64) is arranged on a shell side (20) of the base body (12).

10. Device (10) according to one of claims 8 or 9, wherein an expansion fluid (70) , in particular a gas, preferably air, is provided in the thermal expansion vessel (64).

11. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein fluid connections (72) are provided on at least one side (20) of the base body (12) which are fluidically connected to the fluid space (44) for realizing an enthalpy flow.

12. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the photovoltaic module (24) has a length parallel to the top surface (14) of at least 1.8 m, in particular at least 2.0 m, preferably at least 2.1 m.

13. Building wall (22) with a device (10) according to one of the preceding claims .

14. Building (16) with a building wall (22) according to the previous claim .

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