Glazed Solar Collector Frame With Stress-Relieving Pane Attachment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar collectors face challenges in being robust, easy to manufacture, and install, particularly in-roof mounting systems, where the protective stripping often fails to securely hold the cover pane in place without causing mechanical stress due to thermal expansion differences.
Innovation Solution
The solar collector features a cover pane attachment ledge with an adhesive layer and a shoulder portion, forming an abutment ridge to facilitate the positioning of protective stripping, which includes a U-shaped recess for flashing, allowing it to become an integral part of the collector, and is secured with a continuous flexible adhesive sealant to prevent mechanical stress and enhance stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protective stripping is retained by bolts, screws or similar fasteners, then the cover pane is securely held in place, but mechanical stress occurs due to thermal expansion differences between materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical fastening system (bolts, screws, clips) with a chemical bonding system (adhesive layer). The adhesive layer bonds the protective stripping to the attachment ledge, securing the cover pane without the mechanical stress concentration points that cause thermal expansion issues. This substitution eliminates the harmful mechanical stress while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the attachment method from rigid mechanical connection to flexible adhesive bonding. The adhesive layer's viscoelastic properties allow it to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction movements, changing the mechanical parameters of the connection from rigid to compliant, thereby reducing stress while maintaining security.
2Ease of operation
If protective stripping is retained by mechanical fasteners, then installation is straightforward, but manufacturing complexity increases due to multiple components and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protective stripping and attachment ledge into a more integrated assembly. The attachment ledge is formed as an integral part of the frame structure, and the protective stripping is designed to work specifically with this ledge geometry. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies both manufacturing and installation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive layer serves as an intermediary between the protective stripping and the attachment ledge. This intermediary element simplifies the connection by providing a single-step bonding process rather than requiring multiple mechanical fastening operations, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining ease of installation.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional protective stripping is used without integral flashing connection, then manufacturing is simpler, but installation robustness and weather sealing are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flashing and protective stripping into a single integrated component. The flashing is formed as an integral part of the protective stripping assembly, eliminating the need for separate flashing components. This integration maintains manufacturing simplicity while significantly improving installation robustness and weather sealing performance, as the combined component ensures proper positioning and sealing in one piece.
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 results in a robust, easy-to-manufacture solar collector with improved thermal stability and mechanical integrity, where the cover pane is securely attached to the frame without unacceptable mechanical stress, and the protective stripping effectively secures the cover pane during installation and operation.
Implementation Method 1
a layer of adhesive is attached to an attachment ledge that forms part of the outer frame
Implementation Method 2
without differences in the rate of thermal expansion leading to unacceptable mechanical stress in the frame or the cover pane
Implementation Method 3
secured with a continuous flexible adhesive sealant to prevent mechanical stress
Data Source
AI summary
A glazed solar collector with a frame surrounding an absorber. The frame is provided with an inwardly and/or outwardly directed attachment ledge (1a) to which the glazing(4) is attached. A protective Stripping (9) covers the edges of the cover pane(4) and is provided with a ledge (9b) that rests on the attachment ledge (1a). The side- and end panels(l) of the frame include an inwardly projecting bottom ledge (1b) to which a backsheet(5) may be attached by means of welding or TOXing(22) . The bottom ledge (Ib) also includes an outwardly projecting ledge that is provided with spaced through going bores along the length of the side- and end panels for i-eceiving fasteners (20) therein that allow the collector to be fastened to a roof structure (19) or the like.