Solar thermal panel array field arrangement and related vacuum solar thermal panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar array field configurations suffer from significant heat losses and high costs due to extensive external piping, particularly in medium temperature applications, where fiberglass insulation is necessary but prone to moisture penetration and mechanical damage.
Innovation Solution
A solar array field design featuring a hydraulic circuit with a forward portion and a return portion that traverse vacuum solar thermal panels in a longitudinal direction, reducing the need for external piping by integrating the return path through the panels themselves, and a thermally divided heat-absorbing plate with slits to minimize transverse thermal conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If external piping is used to connect vacuum solar thermal panels in series-parallel or series configuration, then the panels can be connected to form a solar array field, but the external piping extends for considerable length requiring thick thermal insulation which increases cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the return piping function into the vacuum panel structure itself by incorporating a return manifold and return pipes within the panel envelope. This integrates two separate piping functions (forward and return) into a single panel unit, eliminating the need for separate external return piping and reducing overall external piping length significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The return piping system is nested within the vacuum panel envelope structure. The return manifold and return pipes are positioned inside the vacuum-sealed space, utilizing the existing panel structure to house the return flow path, thereby eliminating external return piping.
2Loss of energy
If thick thermal insulation is provided around external piping to reduce heat losses, then heat losses are reduced, but the insulation assembly becomes much more expensive than the piping itself
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the return piping function into the panel structure, the patent eliminates the need for separate external return piping that would require insulation. The only external piping remaining is the forward supply pipe, significantly reducing the total insulated piping length and associated costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum panel structure itself serves the dual function of both forward and return piping containment. The vacuum envelope acts as the insulation barrier, and the internal manifold system provides the return flow path without requiring external insulated piping.
3Loss of energy
If fiberglass insulation is used to insulate external piping in medium temperature applications, then heat losses are controlled, but moisture penetration affects thermal conductivity and mechanical protection is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates external fiberglass insulation by integrating the return piping within the vacuum panel structure. The vacuum envelope itself provides the thermal barrier, removing the vulnerable fiberglass insulation layer that requires protective cladding.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum environment inside the panel serves as an inert, moisture-free atmosphere that protects the return piping from moisture penetration. The vacuum seal prevents moisture ingress that would otherwise degrade fiberglass insulation performance.
4Temperature
If a thermally divided heat-absorbing plate is used with slits to minimize transverse thermal conductivity, then temperature differences between forward and return pipes are maintained, but the plate structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The heat-absorbing plate is segmented into multiple zones separated by longitudinal slits. These slits divide the plate into distinct thermal zones that correspond to the forward and return pipe locations, preventing excessive transverse heat conduction and maintaining temperature differences between the two pipe systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat-absorbing plate has different thermal conductivity characteristics in different regions. The slits create low-conductivity zones between the forward and return pipe areas, locally reducing thermal conductivity where needed while maintaining high absorption efficiency in the solar-exposed regions.
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 significantly reduces heat losses and insulation costs by minimizing external piping length and maintaining temperature differences between forward and return pipes, achieving savings in both materials and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The solar radiation thus enters the vacuum envelope through the front plate, is collected by the heat-absorbing plate and converted into heat
Implementation Method 2
vacuum solar thermal panels comprise a flat vacuum tight envelope
Implementation Method 3
The converted heat is then transferred to the heat transfer fluid flowing into the pipe
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a solar array field (100) having an improved configuration, comprising a plurality of vacuum solar thermal panel (1) and a hydraulic circuit (10) for circulating a heat transfer fluid, said hydraulic circuit (10) comprising at least one circulation path (13, 14, 15, 16) connecting a low-temperature inlet (11) to a high-temperature outlet (12), said circulation path (13, 14, 15, 16) comprising a forward portion (15) successively traversing a plurality of vacuum solar thermal panels (1); said circulation path (13, 14, 15, 16) further comprising a return portion (16) connected downstream to said forward portion (15), said return portion (16) traversing the same vacuum solar thermal panels (1) in reverse order.