Building-Integrated Micro-Channel Absorber for Solar Thermal Facades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contemporary solar thermal systems face limitations in aesthetics, high costs, and limited functionality, preventing their widespread adoption due to unsightly designs, expensive materials, and restricted installation options, as well as their inability to integrate seamlessly with building structures or function as structural elements.
Innovation Solution
The development of a novel solar thermal micro-channel absorber with a continuous fluid jacket and innovative manifolds, allowing for integration into building envelopes as both solar collectors and structural elements, utilizing inexpensive and scalable manufacturing methods to reduce costs and enhance thermal efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional plate and tube solar collectors are used, then solar thermal energy collection is achieved, but the collectors are unsightly and cannot be seamlessly integrated into building architecture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the solar thermal collector function with building envelope elements such as cladding panels, roof tiles, or facade modules. The collector plates are integrated directly into these architectural components, merging two previously separate functions (energy collection and building envelope) into a unified structure that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing as part of the building design
Solution Approach 2:
The solar collector system is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a thermal energy collection device and a building envelope component (cladding, roofing, or facade element). This multi-functionality allows the system to be seamlessly integrated into the building architecture while maintaining its solar collection capability
2Use of energy by moving object
If traditional solar thermal collectors are installed on building roofs, then solar exposure is optimized, but the installation area is limited and costs increase due to additional materials and labor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the solar collector system with the building envelope structure itself, such that the cladding panels, roof tiles, or facade modules serve dual purposes as both structural/architectural elements and solar thermal collection devices. This eliminates the need for separate collector installations and reduces overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The building envelope components are designed to perform multiple functions: providing structural coverage, aesthetic appearance, and simultaneous solar thermal energy collection. This multi-functionality expands the effective collection area beyond traditional roof-only installations and reduces the need for additional installation materials and labor
3Reliability
If expensive metal absorbers (copper, aluminum, stainless steel) are used, then thermal conductivity and durability are improved, but system costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material structures for the collector plates, combining materials with different properties to achieve both thermal performance and cost-effectiveness. Examples include metal-plastic composites, ceramic-coated metals, or multi-layer structures that provide durability and thermal conductivity while reducing reliance on expensive pure metal absorbers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes thermal performance through parameter changes such as surface treatments (selective coatings, anodization, powder coating), geometric configurations (micro-channels, fins, ribbons), and material thickness variations that enhance heat absorption and transfer efficiency without requiring expensive bulk metal materials
4Ease of manufacture
If inexpensive plastic absorbers are used, then material costs are reduced, but the softening temperature is too low for glazed flat-plate collectors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite material structures where plastic components are combined with heat-resistant materials such as metal reinforcement layers, ceramic coatings, or glass integrations. This composite approach allows the use of cost-effective plastic base materials while the reinforcing layers provide the necessary high-temperature resistance for glazed flat-plate collector applications
5Use of energy by moving object
If solar collectors are installed as separate add-on systems, then solar energy collection is achieved, but installation costs increase due to additional materials and labor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the solar collector system with the building envelope construction process itself. The collectors are incorporated as integral parts of cladding panels, roof tiles, or facade modules that are installed during normal building construction, eliminating the need for separate collector installation and reducing overall installation costs
Solution Approach 2:
The building envelope components serve dual purposes as both structural/architectural elements and solar thermal collection devices. This multi-functionality allows the system to be integrated into the building construction process without requiring additional installation materials or specialized labor, thereby reducing overall installation costs
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
This solution provides significant cost and energy savings, improved thermal performance, and aesthetic appeal by integrating solar thermal systems into building structures, enabling them to function as both solar energy collectors and structural elements, thus overcoming the limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
The micro-channel absorber offers significant improvements in thermal efficiency by using a continuous fluid jacket adjacent to the surface of the active plate, thus providing a large active area of heat exchange
Implementation Method 2
a continuous fluid jacket adjacent to the active plate, thus providing a large active area of heat exchange
Implementation Method 3
micro-channels with a very small channel height and a small cross-sectional area, combined with a proper adjustment of the flow of the heat-transfer fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method of its production for a micro-channel thermal absorber to be used as a solar thermal collector, heat collector, or heat dissipater, extruded or continuously cast in one piece or in modular segments from a metal, plastic, or glass and assembled into panels of different structures seamlessly integrated into the envelope of a building as covering layers or structural elements. The micro-channel thermal absorber comprises an active plate, a back plate adjacent to the active plate, and a plurality of micro-channel walls arranged substantially perpendicular to the active plate and the back plate to define a plurality of fluid transport micro-channels configured to allow fluid flow there-along, wherein the micro-channel walls constitute supporting elements between the active plate and the back plate to provide structure.