Polymeric Solar Collector Heat Exchanger with Metal Conductors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar water heater systems face challenges with high production costs, weight considerations, and heat transfer inefficiencies, as well as environmental and health risks due to the use of copper pipes and heat exchange liquids.
Innovation Solution
A solar collector system utilizing transparent polymeric sheeting materials like polycarbonate for the heat exchanger, combined with metal heat conductors, which reduces weight, enhances impact resistance, and improves heat transfer efficiency, eliminating the need for additional supporting structures and reducing mechanical failure risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional solar panels use copper pipes for heat absorption, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but weight increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from copper to aluminum, which has different thermal and mechanical properties. Aluminum provides sufficient heat transfer efficiency while reducing weight by approximately 70% compared to copper piping of equivalent dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by combining aluminum piping with polymeric insulation materials and transparent coverings. This composite approach optimizes thermal performance while minimizing weight, achieving heat transfer efficiency without the density penalty of pure copper systems.
2Loss of energy
If conventional solar panels use copper pipes, then heat absorption is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes expensive copper piping with more economical aluminum piping and polymeric components. This material substitution significantly reduces production costs while maintaining adequate heat absorption efficiency for residential applications.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the material parameters from copper to aluminum and polymeric alternatives, the patent achieves cost reduction in manufacturing while preserving the essential heat transfer function through optimized design parameters.
3Stability of the object's composition
If solar panels require heavy supporting construction due to weight, then structural stability is improved, but assembly speed decreases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes thin-walled aluminum piping and polymeric structural components that provide sufficient structural stability through intelligent design rather than mass. These thin-film and thin-walled structures maintain stability while enabling rapid assembly without heavy supporting construction.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the structural parameters from heavy copper-based construction to lightweight aluminum and polymeric materials, the patent achieves adequate structural stability through optimized geometry and material properties, thereby improving assembly speed and reducing supporting structure requirements.
4Reliability
If conventional systems use heat exchange liquid with heat exchanger, then separation between household water and heat exchange liquid is achieved, but environmental risks and health risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the heat exchange liquid and heat exchanger components from the system. By using direct-contact heating where the household water itself is heated in the solar panels, the patent removes the intermediary fluid that posed environmental and health risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the household water serve multiple functions: it is both the utility fluid to be heated and the heat transfer medium within the solar panels. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate heat exchange liquid while achieving the heating objective.
5Loss of energy
If multiple solar panels are connected to achieve sufficient energy extraction, then energy efficiency is improved, but mechanical weak points increase and heat loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple heating functions into single integrated panel designs that achieve sufficient energy extraction without requiring extensive series connections. By optimizing the aluminum piping configuration within each panel, the system achieves adequate performance with fewer connection points, reducing mechanical weak points and heat loss.
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 improved heat extraction efficiency with reduced weight and cost, minimizing heat loss and environmental impact, while providing a safer and more durable alternative to conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least the first transparent polymeric sheeting material is exposed to solar radiation, such that infra-red radiation of such solar radiation passes through at least the first transparent polymeric sheeting material to the heat conductor(s) located within the cavity
Implementation Method 2
the heat conductor releases the radiation as heat directly to the water or air within the cavity
Implementation Method 3
infra-red radiation of such solar radiation passes through at least the first transparent polymeric sheeting material to the heat conductor(s) located within the cavity
Implementation Method 4
a heat exchanger comprising: a first and a second transparent polymeric sheeting material defining a cavity therebetween suitable for receiving water
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A heat exchanger (1) for a solar collector comprising a first and a second transparent polymeric sheeting material (2) defining a cavity therebetween for receiving water or air. The heat exchanger (1) further comprising least one non-transparent heat conductor (3) located within the cavity.