Solar Thermal Collector With Longitudinal Tank Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating and/or cooling devices for buildings face inefficiencies in energy usage and air ventilation, particularly when a thermal energy storage tank is integrated with a solar thermal collector, leading to poor air circulation and inefficient energy recovery, especially at night during winter when thermal energy is being depleted.
Innovation Solution
The device configures a solar thermal collector and thermal energy storage tank to allow air flow in orthogonal directions, with the solar thermal collector having a flat air gap oriented vertically and the storage tank having plates with phase change material, promoting homogeneous air flow distribution and bypassing the solar thermal collector at night to directly circulate air through the storage tank.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the thermal energy storage tank is attached to the solar thermal collector to save space, then the device complexity is reduced, but the air circulation and ventilation efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a longitudinal dimension for air flow through the storage tank, in addition to the transverse flow. Air enters through lateral inlets, flows longitudinally through the tank interior, and exits through lateral outlets, creating a three-dimensional circulation pattern that enhances ventilation while maintaining the compact attached configuration
2Loss of energy
If air flows through the solar thermal collector then the storage tank in series, then the energy recovery is improved, but the air flow distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The storage tank is divided into multiple longitudinal sections with separate air inlets and outlets. Each section has its own air flow path through the phase change material, ensuring uniform heat exchange and preventing stagnant zones. This segmentation maintains energy recovery efficiency while achieving homogeneous air flow distribution throughout the entire tank volume
3Loss of energy
If the air flow circulates through the storage tank at night to recover thermal energy, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the tank ventilation quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts air flow paths based on operational mode. During daytime charging, air flows through both the collector and tank. During nighttime discharge, air bypasses the collector and flows directly through the tank, optimizing both energy recovery and ventilation. The multiple inlet/outlet configurations enable flexible flow pattern adjustment
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 configuration enhances energy efficiency by ensuring consistent air flow through the storage tank, improving ventilation homogeneity and enabling efficient recovery of stored thermal energy, thereby overcoming the limitations of previous systems.
Implementation Method 1
a solar thermal collector delimiting a first volume of fluid circulation configured so as to allow circulation of an air flow through the solar thermal collector
Implementation Method 2
allow circulation of an air flow through the solar thermal collector according to a first general direction of flow
Implementation Method 3
The thermal energy storage tank delimits a second volume of fluid circulation configured so as to allow circulation through the thermal energy storage tank of the flow of air coming from the solar thermal collector
Implementation Method 4
The thermal energy storage tank is arranged above the solar thermal collector and configured so as to allow circulation through the thermal energy storage tank of the flow of air coming from the solar thermal collector
Implementation Method 5
allow circulation of an air flow through the solar thermal collector according to a first general direction of flow
Implementation Method 6
configured so as to allow circulation through the thermal energy storage tank of the flow of air coming from the solar thermal collector in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The building heating and/or cooling device (16) includes a solar thermal collector (10) delimiting a first fluidic circulation volume, configured so as to allow circulation of an airflow through the solar thermal collector (10) according to a first general flow direction (D1) included in a first plane.A thermal energy storage tank (11) delimits a second fluidic circulation volume, configured so as to permit circulation through the thermal energy storage tank (11) of the airflow from the solar thermal collector (10) in a second general flow direction (D2) collinear with a longitudinal axis of the thermal energy storage tank (11), said second direction (D2) being substantially perpendicular to said first direction (D1) and contained in a second plane (P2) parallel to, or coincident with, the first plane, at the level of an outlet (18) of the solar thermal collector (10).