Solar Water Heater Panel With Insulated Absorber Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar energy technologies, particularly photovoltaic systems using silicon panels, are expensive, prone to deterioration under UV radiation, and lack cost-effectiveness, leading to inefficient use of solar energy and high maintenance costs, which hampers the widespread adoption of solar water heating systems.
Innovation Solution
A solar water heating system comprising a solar energy collector with a black anodized aluminum body covered by glass and insulated with effective materials, combined with an automatic control system that includes sensors and valves to adjust operations based on weather conditions, ensuring efficient energy collection and storage, even during changing weather, and a standby gas heater for cloudy or rainy days.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If photovoltaic technology using silicon plate is used to harness solar energy, then solar energy can be converted to electrical energy, but the manufacturing cost is high and the system deteriorates under UV radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive silicon photovoltaic panels with inexpensive transparent glass panels that have no durability issues under UV radiation. The glass panels are disposable-like in their simplicity and low cost, eliminating the deterioration problem while maintaining solar energy harvesting functionality through thermal rather than photovoltaic conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of energy conversion from photovoltaic (electrical) to thermal (heat). By using transparent glass instead of silicon, the system converts solar radiation directly to thermal energy for water heating, avoiding the UV radiation deterioration issue that plagues silicon-based photovoltaic systems.
2Reliability
If traditional fossil fuels are used for heating water, then reliable hot water supply is achieved, but fossil fuel reserves are depleted and pollution is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses free solar energy from nature to heat water, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating dependence on fossil fuels. The transparent glass solar collector harnesses solar radiation directly, providing renewable energy that reduces CO2 emissions and preserves fossil fuel reserves while maintaining reliable hot water supply.
3Device complexity
If manual control is used for solar water heating system, then system operation is simple, but human intervention is required and control errors may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an automatic control system with feedback mechanisms including photo sensors that detect sunlight presence and water temperature sensors that monitor heating status. This feedback enables the system to automatically adjust operations, eliminating manual intervention and potential human errors while maintaining operational simplicity through intelligent automation.
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 effectively harnesses solar energy, providing low-cost, reliable, and long-lasting hot water solutions with minimal human intervention, reducing fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, while maintaining operational efficiency across varying weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A thin window transparent at selected solar energy wavelengths (for example, from ultra violet solar radiation to infrared-red radiation) is disposed at a distance from the collecting surface
Implementation Method 2
The air gap will prevent the large amount of heat loss to atmosphere from the collecting surface up to the bottom face of the window
Implementation Method 3
The flat bottom of aluminum is painted black or by anodized aluminum coating. The water flow is through a hole near bottom of the aluminum body while absorbing heat from the body
Implementation Method 4
The air gap will prevent the large amount of heat loss to atmosphere from the collecting surface up to the bottom face of the window
Data Source
AI summary
A solar energy collector comprises a solid body having a substantially planar solar energy absorbing collecting surface. The solid body has a first thickness at a center portion tapering to a second thickness at each of a pair opposing edge portions defining a width of the body. A bore extends completely through the body along its length and is aligned along an axis at the center portion. A window transparent at most solar radiation in the visible spectrum and near UV to infrared-red solar energy wavelengths is disposed at a distance from the collecting surface, the window sealed around a periphery of the collecting surface to define a sealed air gap or nitrogen gas filled gap between the collecting surface and the bottom surface of the window. The solar energy collector is a major component of a solar water heating system.