Vacuum Solar Panel Radiative Screen for Getter and Pipe Losses
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current double-sided vacuum solar panels face issues such as reduced visible light absorption and increased infrared emissivity due to getter films on absorber surfaces, high production costs from using copper for low infrared emissivity, and challenging weld positioning for small contact areas.
Innovation Solution
A double-sided vacuum solar panel design featuring a getter pump within a box-like element that does not interfere with the absorber coatings, using aluminum for the thermo-vector fluid pipe to reduce costs and radiation losses, and employing flat contact surfaces for improved heat transfer and welding, with box-like elements acting as radiative screens to minimize infrared radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thin getter film is arranged on the absorber surface under the selective absorption coating, then the vacuum level is maintained, but the visible light absorption is reduced and infrared emissivity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The getter pump is extracted from direct contact with the absorber surface and placed inside a sealed box-like element. This separation removes the harmful effect of the getter film on the selective absorption coating while preserving the vacuum maintenance function. The box-like element acts as an isolation barrier that prevents the getter material from interfering with the optical properties of the absorber.
Solution Approach 2:
The box-like element serves as an intermediary structure between the getter pump and the absorber. It allows the getter to maintain vacuum without directly contacting the absorber surface, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of vacuum maintenance and optical performance.
2Loss of energy
If copper is used for the pipe to achieve low infrared emissivity, then thermal energy losses by pipe irradiation are limited, but production costs are considerably increased
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive copper pipes with cheaper aluminum pipes. While aluminum has higher infrared emissivity, the negative effect is compensated by the radiative screen that reflects infrared radiation back to the absorber, effectively reducing thermal energy losses without requiring expensive copper material.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiative screen acts as an intermediary that compensates for the higher emissivity of aluminum pipes by reflecting infrared radiation, thereby maintaining low thermal energy losses without requiring the use of expensive copper.
3Temperature
If laser welding is used to join the pipe to the absorber, then thermal deformation is minimized, but the small contact surface area makes positioning very difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe is merged with the absorber by increasing the contact surface area through a flattened section. This larger contact area facilitates easier positioning and welding while the controlled heat input from laser welding still minimizes thermal deformation of the selective absorption coating.
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 maintains effective solar radiation absorption, reduces thermal energy losses, allows for cost-effective and robust material usage, and simplifies the welding process while maintaining high thermal efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
covered with a selective absorption coating highly absorbent for visible radiation but transparent to infrared radiation
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum-tight envelope formed of two glass plates transparent to solar radiation
Implementation Method 3
Getter pumps are also positioned in vacuum panels, to absorb by a chemical effect any gas residues still present in the envelope
Implementation Method 4
The thermal energy collected by the heat absorber is transmitted via said weld to the pipe by conduction, hence heating the fluid flowing through it
Implementation Method 5
box-like elements acting as radiative screens to minimize infrared radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A double-sided vacuum thermal solar panel comprising a vacuum-tight envelope capable of withstanding atmospheric pressure when evacuated, the envelope comprising a first and a second glass plate transparent to solar radiation and facing each other, a perimeter frame defining the lateral surface of the envelope, the solar panel comprising at least one first heat absorber, a second heat absorber, a pipe which enters and exits the envelope by passing in between the first and second heat absorber, and a box-like element which surrounds the outer surface of the pipe.