Solar thermal absorber element
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar thermal collectors face issues such as sand, salt, and insect invasion, reduced efficiency due to ventilated structures, significant heat losses, and moisture condensation, which limit their usability and operational time.
Innovation Solution
A solar thermal absorber element featuring a hermetically sealed space with a cover glass, a coated roll-bond absorber, and thermoplastic sealing, filled with a low thermal conductive gas, which minimizes thermal losses and prevents contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ventilated structure is used to allow air flow through the collector, then drying of inner parts is enabled, but sand, salt, and insects can invade inside the structure causing damages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful airflow path from the system by sealing the collector structure. The hermetic sealing removes the ventilation function that allowed drying but also permitted contamination, separating the drying function from the sealed operation mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert sealed environment inside the collector by hermetically sealing the structure and filling the vacuum space with inert gas (nitrogen or argon). This inert atmosphere prevents condensation and corrosion while eliminating the need for ventilation, thus preventing contamination by sand, salt, and insects.
2Reliability
If a ventilated structure is used to allow air flow through the collector, then drying of inner parts is enabled, but significant heat losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an inert sealed environment inside the collector by hermetically sealing the structure and filling the vacuum space with inert gas (nitrogen or argon). This inert atmosphere prevents condensation and corrosion while eliminating the need for ventilation, thus preventing contamination by sand, salt, and insects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the vacuum space from atmospheric pressure (requiring ventilation for drying) to sealed inert gas atmosphere. This parameter change eliminates heat losses associated with air flow while preventing contamination, as the sealed structure no longer requires ventilation for drying purposes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional sealed structure is used, then contamination is prevented, but moisture condensation and condensation of evaporated components from insulation occur on the inner surface of the cover
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an inert sealed environment inside the collector by hermetically sealing the structure and filling the vacuum space with inert gas (nitrogen or argon). This inert atmosphere prevents condensation and corrosion while eliminating the need for ventilation, thus preventing contamination by sand, salt, and insects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction with the hermetic seal combining the cover glass, sealing elements, and frame structure. This composite sealed structure integrates multiple materials (glass, rubber seals, metal frame) to create a unified barrier against contamination while maintaining thermal performance and preventing condensation.
4Loss of energy
If insulation materials are used in conventional collectors, then thermal insulation is provided, but evaporated components from the insulation condense on the inner surface of the cover
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an inert sealed environment inside the collector by hermetically sealing the structure and filling the vacuum space with inert gas (nitrogen or argon). This inert atmosphere prevents condensation and corrosion while eliminating the need for ventilation, thus preventing contamination by sand, salt, and insects.
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 solution enhances efficiency and extends the operational life of solar thermal collectors by reducing heat losses and preventing contamination, while allowing for earlier morning energy production and cost-effective insulation materials.
Implementation Method 1
filled up with a low thermal conductive gas
Implementation Method 2
suffer moisture condensation and condensation of other evaporated components from the insulation on an inner surface of the cover
Implementation Method 3
a thermoplastic sealing attaches the cover glass and the roll-bond absorber to each other
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The application relates to a solar thermal absorber element (100) comprising a cover glass (110) and a highly selective vacuum coated roll-bond absorber (120) comprising heat transport tubes (126). The element further comprising a thermoplastic sealing (130) configured to attach the cover glass and the roll-bond absorber to each other so that there is a distance (h) between the cover glass and the roll-bond absorber, and a sealed space (134), which is formed by the cover glass, the roll-bond absorber, and the thermoplastic sealing and which is filled up with a low thermal conductive gas (136).