Laser-Textured Steel Solar Panel for Efficient Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar heating systems for domestic water are inefficient, complex to install, and require maintenance due to their metallic structure, especially in geographical areas where freezing occurs, and often involve thick and heavy components that complicate installation on building roofs.
Innovation Solution
A solar heating system utilizing a heat-absorbing panel formed by symmetrically profiled stamped steel plates connected via laser welding, with a serpentine flow channel and surface texture enhancement by laser treatment for improved heat exchange efficiency, allowing for easy installation and reduced maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional metallic solar heating systems are used, then heat exchange efficiency is achieved, but the system becomes heavy and complex to install
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters from traditional thick metallic structures to thin-walled stamped steel plates (1-5mm thickness), maintaining thermal efficiency while dramatically reducing weight. The laser welding technology enables reliable joining of these thin plates, achieving the desired parameter transformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical assembly methods (bolts, welds, complex fittings) with laser welding technology that joins thin steel plates directly. This substitution enables the use of thinner materials while maintaining structural integrity and heat exchange efficiency.
2Reliability
If traditional metallic solar heating systems are used, then durability is achieved, but assembly and welding problems increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the solar collector into modular stamped steel plate assemblies that can be pre-fabricated and then easily assembled on-site. Each module is self-contained with integrated flow channels, reducing the complexity of field assembly while maintaining overall system durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex multi-step mechanical assembly and traditional welding processes with laser welding technology. This substitution simplifies the assembly process by enabling direct, precise joining of components with minimal preparation and post-processing, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If synthetic material plates are used, then installation ease is improved, but heat exchange efficiency decreases due to insulation storing heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction combining thin steel plates with selective laser surface treatment. The steel provides structural integrity and thermal conductivity, while the laser-treated surface enhances solar absorption. This composite approach achieves both ease of installation and superior heat exchange efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface parameters of the steel plates through laser treatment, creating a textured surface that enhances solar energy absorption. This parameter change allows thin steel plates to achieve the heat absorption characteristics previously only attainable with thicker or synthetic materials.
4Reliability
If traditional solar heating systems are used in freezing areas, then heat transfer is achieved, but maintenance requirements increase due to antifreeze mixtures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a direct-heating design where the heat transfer fluid circulates directly through the stamped steel plates. This eliminates the need for antifreeze mixtures and intermediate heat exchangers, simplifying maintenance to basic fluid replacement if needed, while maintaining reliable heat transfer capability.
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 system achieves high energy performance, ease of installation, and reduced maintenance by efficiently absorbing solar energy and heating domestic water or heat transfer fluid, even in winter conditions, with a lightweight and thin design that can be easily mounted on various building structures.
Implementation Method 1
the panel being formed of a first plate and a second plate connected to the first plate, the first plate and the second plate being profiled symmetrically so as to form between the first plate and the second plate outside contact zones between the first plate and the second plate a flow channel with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for the passage of the domestic water or the heating heat transfer fluid to be heated circulating in the panel
Implementation Method 2
intended to receive solar energy to heat the domestic water or the heating heat transfer fluid by heat exchange
Implementation Method 3
a surface texture obtained by laser treatment is present on at least one of the first plate or the second plate
Implementation Method 4
the surface texture obtained by laser treatment is present on an external surface of the first plate or the second plate of the panel, the external surface being capable of receiving solar energy
Implementation Method 5
the first plate and the second plate are stamped steel plates and are connected to each other by welding over the entire surface of the contact areas between the first plate and the second plate, in that the welding between the plates is a laser weld
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~6
AI summary
A solar heating system for heating domestic water or a heat transfer heating fluid comprises at least one external heating element which receives solar energy. The heating element is in the form of a panel (1) which is formed by a first plate (A) and a second plate (B) which is connected to the first plate, the first and second plates being symmetrically profiled so as to form, outside contact zones between the first plate and second plate, a flow channel for the passage of the domestic water or the heat transfer heating fluid which is to be heated and which flows in the panel. The first plate and second plate are plates which are deep-drawn from steel and are connected to each other by laser welding over the entire surface of the contact zones between the first plate and second plate. At least one of the first plate and second plate has been subjected to surface texturing by laser processing.