Solar collector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar collectors face challenges in achieving high-temperature heat efficiency for industrial and commercial use due to heat loss issues, particularly convective flow, and structural limitations such as bursting risks and moisture accumulation in double-glazed designs.
Innovation Solution
A solar collector design with a non-hermetically sealed double-glazed structure allowing controlled air flow between glass panes, featuring ventilation openings and channels to manage convection and moisture, ensuring efficient heat transfer while preventing condensation and structural stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a hermetically sealed double-glazed structure is used, then thermal insulation is improved, but structural stress and moisture accumulation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a porous absorber sheet that allows controlled air permeability while maintaining thermal insulation. The porous structure enables moisture vapor to pass through and be vented, preventing condensation buildup, while still providing effective thermal insulation to reduce heat loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary ventilation system with channels and openings that mediates between the sealed glazing structure and the external environment. This intermediary system allows controlled air flow to equalize pressure and vent moisture, preventing structural stress and bursting while maintaining the insulating benefit of the sealed double-glazed structure.
2Loss of energy
If a transparent foil is used to interrupt convective flow, then heat loss is reduced, but the foil may tear and contact the absorber
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the fragile transparent foil with a more robust porous absorber sheet structure that inherently interrupts convective flow without being prone to tearing. The porous structure provides a durable, maintenance-free solution that eliminates the reliability issues associated with thin foils.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous absorber sheet provides a structural alternative to thin foils for interrupting convective flow. The porous structure naturally creates flow resistance and thermal insulation barriers while being mechanically robust and resistant to tearing, eliminating the need for fragile foil materials.
3Loss of energy
If air is used between glass panes for insulation, then thermal performance is improved, but thermal expansion differences cause bursting
Solution Approach 1:
The porous absorber sheet allows controlled air permeability between the glass panes, enabling pressure equalization during thermal expansion and contraction cycles. This prevents the buildup of differential pressure that would otherwise cause glass panes to burst, while still maintaining effective thermal insulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation channels and openings act as intermediaries that allow controlled air flow between the glass panes and the external environment. This intermediary system equalizes pressure differences caused by thermal expansion, preventing glass pane bursting while maintaining the insulating air layer.
4Device complexity
If a single glazed cover is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but convective heat loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The porous absorber sheet serves dual functions: it maintains the simplicity of a single-glazed structure from the external view while internally creating multiple flow resistance barriers that interrupt convective heat loss. The porous structure provides effective insulation without requiring an additional external glass pane.
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 design enhances heat collection efficiency, reduces heat loss, and prevents structural issues like bursting and moisture accumulation, making it suitable for high-temperature industrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
the panes are arranged in such a fashion, that air may flow in a controlled manner through said interstice/space between the panes. This forced convection is wanted.
Implementation Method 2
Such a solar collector (solar panel) serves to transform solar energy into heat
Implementation Method 3
The use of an insulating pane is critical as the temperatures within the collector housing (collector space) may become very high
Data Source
AI summary
A solar collector includes a box shaped collection space bounded by a rectangular bottom (10), a frame (12), and an outer rectangular glass pane (14). The box shaped collection space includes therein an inner rectangular glass pane (16) that is disposed in a first direction from the bottom and is separated from the outer rectangular glass pane by spacers (18). An absorber sheet (20) and at least one fluid conducting riser (22) are positioned intermediate of the bottom and the inner rectangular glass pane. At least two ventilation caps (30) extend in overlying relation of respective corners of the solar collector. Inner sides (32I) of the ventilation caps include a pattern (34P, 34Z) of air ventilation passages that provide at least one ventilation channel that extends from outside the collector space to between the inner and outer rectangular glass panes.