Planar Solar Thermal Collector With Direct External Medium Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar collectors for heating air or water are complex and expensive, with inefficient energy transfer and storage, making them costly to install and operate.
Innovation Solution
A device that converts sunlight into thermal energy using a light conversion chamber with a heat transfer gas, which transfers heat directly to an external heat transfer medium through a heat transfer chamber, insulated by a thermal insulation body, allowing efficient energy storage and use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional solar collectors with comprehensive insulation and integrated air circuits are used, then thermal energy collection is achieved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat transfer medium from the enclosed collector housing and allows it to flow freely in the ambient environment. The absorber plate is exposed directly to sunlight without being enclosed in a complex insulated housing, simplifying the device structure while maintaining thermal energy collection efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The device separates the absorption function (exposed absorber plate) from the heat transfer function (flowing heat transfer medium). This segmentation allows the absorber to be simple and exposed while the heat transfer medium carries thermal energy away, reducing overall device complexity.
2Loss of energy
If traditional solar collectors with enclosed housing and insulation are used, then thermal energy is collected, but manufacturing and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the enclosed housing and comprehensive insulation from the design. The absorber plate operates exposed to sunlight, and the heat transfer medium flows freely, eliminating the need for expensive insulated housing manufacturing and installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses simple, inexpensive components that can be easily manufactured or replaced. The absorber plate and support structure are basic elements, and the heat transfer medium can be any suitable fluid, reducing manufacturing costs significantly.
3Temperature
If traditional solar collectors with integrated air circuits and fans are used, then air heating is achieved, but device complexity and operation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses natural convection and the inherent properties of the heat transfer medium to achieve heating without requiring integrated fans or complex control systems. The system serves itself by utilizing natural physical processes rather than mechanical assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes fans, complex air circuits, and control systems from the design. Heating is achieved through direct thermal transfer from the absorber plate to the flowing heat transfer medium, eliminating mechanical components and reducing system complexity.
4Loss of energy
If traditional solar collectors with comprehensive insulation are used, then thermal energy is retained, but device complexity and installation effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the comprehensive insulation and enclosed housing, allowing the heat transfer medium to flow freely in the ambient environment. This extraction of insulating structures dramatically reduces installation effort while the system maintains its ability to collect and transfer thermal energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The device separates the absorption function from the insulation function. The absorber plate is simple and exposed, while the heat transfer medium provides thermal management, eliminating the need for complex insulated structures and reducing installation complexity.
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 device achieves high energy efficiency relative to installation effort and cost, effectively heating an external medium like a building wall or swimming pool water, with thermal insulation preventing energy loss and efficient energy transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a light absorption material arranged in a light conversion chamber formed between a light entry window and an outer side of the flat thermal insulation body, wherein the light absorption material converts sunlight, which enters the light conversion chamber through the light entry window, into thermal energy
Implementation Method 2
a gas guide device for a heat transfer gas, which has a cold gas line leading into the light conversion chamber and a warm gas line leading out of the light conversion chamber, wherein the heat transfer gas in the light conversion chamber absorbs the thermal energy from the light absorption material
Implementation Method 3
The thermal insulation body of the device according to the invention thermally insulates the heat transfer medium from the outside
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A device (1) for extracting heat energy from sunlight (2) and storing the heat energy in an external heat transfer medium (20) comprises a planar thermal insulation body (5), a light conversion chamber (9) formed between a light inlet window (10) and an outer surface (7) of the planar thermal insulation body (5), in which a light absorption material (12) is arranged, and a gas guide for a heat transfer gas (14) comprising a cold gas line (17) opening into the light conversion chamber (9) and a hot gas line (18) opening out of the light conversion chamber (9). The light absorption material (12) converts sunlight (2), which enters the light conversion chamber (9) through the light inlet window (10), into heat energy. The heat transfer gas (14) absorbs the heat energy in the light conversion chamber (9) from the light absorption material (12).The cold gas line (17) and the hot gas line (18) extend transversely through the planar thermal insulation body (5). A heat transfer chamber (16) on the inner side (8) of the planar thermal insulation body (5) is connected between the hot gas line (18) and the cold gas line (17) and can be directly connected to the external heat transfer medium (20). The heat transfer gas (14) in the heat transfer chamber (16) transfers thermal energy directly to the heat transfer medium (20); and the thermal insulation body (5) thermally insulates the heat transfer medium (20) from the outside. Flow control devices (25) are arranged in the light conversion chamber (9), which lengthen the flow path between the cold gas line (17) and the hot gas line (18); and a blower (23) is arranged in the cold gas line (17) and/or the hot gas line (18).