Multi-Wall Plastic Solar Heating Panel With Integrated Fluid Manifolds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar water heating panels are costly, heavy, and require materials and equipment not readily available worldwide, making them inaccessible to many due to high expenses and long return ratios, and they lack the necessary efficiency and ease of handling.
Innovation Solution
A solar panel design featuring a transparent central multi-wall sheet with internal channels, paired with manifolds and support structures that include distributing chambers and ports for fluid circulation, along with side covers and thermal insulation to enhance efficiency and reduce material requirements, allowing for lightweight and easy handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If traditional solar water heating panels are used, then heating function is achieved, but cost is high and weight is heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible multi-wall plastic sheets as the core structural element instead of rigid traditional panel materials. These thin film structures provide the necessary functionality while dramatically reducing weight and enabling easier manufacturing and installation, directly addressing the contradiction between weight and manufacturing ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite multi-wall plastic sheet structures that combine multiple layers with different properties (transparent walls for light transmission, dark channels for heat absorption). This composite approach achieves effective solar heating while maintaining lightweight characteristics and simplifying manufacturing compared to traditional heavy metal or glass panel constructions.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional solar panel materials are used, then durability is achieved, but cost and shipping expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible plastic sheet construction enables panels to be manufactured locally worldwide using readily available materials and techniques, dramatically improving manufacturing accessibility. The material flexibility also allows for easier transportation and installation while maintaining sufficient durability for solar heating applications through proper material selection and design.
3Stability of the object's composition
If heavy frame structures are used, then structural stability is achieved, but weight and handling difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible plastic sheet design eliminates the need for heavy rigid frames while providing adequate structural stability through the inherent properties of the multi-wall construction. This dramatically improves handling ease and allows individuals to easily install and position panels without requiring heavy equipment or multiple people, directly resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.
4Productivity
If complex manifold systems are used, then fluid distribution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the manifold fluid distribution system directly into the multi-wall plastic sheet structure itself, merging the channels and distributing chambers with the panel body. This eliminates separate complex manifold components while maintaining effective fluid distribution throughout the panel, thereby improving heating efficiency without increasing device 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 design results in a low-cost, efficient, and lightweight solar water heating panel that can be manufactured globally, reducing material needs and eliminating the need for external frames, thereby increasing accessibility and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
solar panels including multi-layer translucent plastic sheets, known as multi-wall sheets, having an array of tunnels formed in the direction of extrusion, through which a fluid flows to be heated by solar radiation
Implementation Method 2
fluid flows to be heated by solar radiation
Implementation Method 3
a dark, opaque structure extending under the transparent central panel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A solar panel (10), through which a fluid is circulated, includes a transparent central panel (12), with a number of channels (14) extending through the panel (12) from one end to another. A manifold (18) is attached to each end of the transparent central panel (12) so that distributing chambers (16) within the manifolds (18) direct the fluid (15) to move between adjacent channels within the central panel (12). The solar panel (12) additionally includes a transparent support structure (46) above the central panel and a lower support structure (64) below the panel (12). Dark, opaque material (66) below the central panel absorbs heat and warms the fluid (15).