Forked Pipe Housing for Vacuum Solar Panels With Low Conduction Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vacuum solar thermal panels face efficiency losses due to conduction heat transfer from the solar absorber pipe to the support frame, particularly in the vertical direction, as existing solutions do not adequately retain the pipe during thermal expansion, leading to increased conduction losses.

Innovation Solution

A low conduction loss pipe housing with a retention mechanism featuring a fork-shaped retention element that allows thermal expansion in the longitudinal direction while preventing vertical movement, utilizing a stainless steel fork with elastic properties and specific opening widths to securely house the pipe.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the pipe is allowed to expand freely in the longitudinal direction, then thermal expansion compensation is achieved, but vertical movement is not restrained leading to increased conduction losses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal expansion compensationVSAvoidconduction losses

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The retention element is divided into a base portion and multiple retention portions, with each retention portion having first and second sides that define a retention space. This segmentation allows the pipe to expand longitudinally within each retention space while the base portion anchors the structure to prevent vertical movement, thus resolving the contradiction between thermal expansion compensation and conduction loss prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of energy

If the pipe housing structure is made more complex to retain the pipe vertically, then conduction losses are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconduction lossesVSAvoidpipe housing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retention element combines multiple functions into a single integrated structure: the base portion provides anchoring to prevent vertical movement, while the retention portions with defined retention spaces allow longitudinal thermal expansion. This merging of functions reduces device complexity compared to using separate components for vertical retention and longitudinal expansion compensation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The retention portions are designed with flexible characteristics that allow the pipe to expand longitudinally within the retention spaces. The first and second sides of each retention portion define a retention space that accommodates thermal expansion while the overall structure remains rigid enough to prevent vertical movement, thus reducing conduction losses without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If the opening width of the retention element is reduced to prevent vertical movement, then pipe retention is improved, but assembly difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipe retentionVSAvoidassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The retention element features dynamic opening widths where the retention spaces have sufficient width to allow easy insertion of the pipe during assembly, while the base portion and retention portions are configured to prevent vertical movement once assembled. This dynamic design accommodates both assembly ease and reliable pipe retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively reduces conduction losses by maintaining pipe self-retention in the vertical direction, allowing for easy assembly and maximizing the active surface area of the solar absorber while minimizing shading from spacers, thus enhancing the overall efficiency of the solar thermal panel.

Implementation Method 1

said retention element is in the form of a fork and has an elastic behaviour when forced by said pipe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Vacuum is kept inside the envelope enclosing the heat absorbers and part of the pipe connected to them, in order to prevent heat from escaping to the external environment by means of convection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

The converted heat is transferred to the pipe and to a heat transfer fluid flowing in the pipe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS9404676B2Vacuum solar thermal panel with pipe housing

Publication Date: 2016.08.02 TVP SOLAR

AI summary

The present application relates to a vacuum solar thermal panel with pipe housing (1) for a solar absorber pipe (10) of the type comprising at least a base portion (2) and a retention element (3) for the pipe (10). Advantageously according to the invention, the retention element (3) is in the form of a fork and has an elastic behavior when forced by the pipe (10). The vacuum solar thermal panel with pipe housing (1) according to the invention avoids the risk of a vertical movement of the pipe and then of the solar absorber being associated to the pipe while allowing an easy insertion or mounting of the pipe itself during the assembly or manufacturing of the vacuum solar thermal panel.