Vacuum Solar Panel Radiative Screen for Getter-Free Absorbers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current double-sided vacuum solar panels face issues such as the getter film altering the absorption and reflection properties of the heat absorbers, high production costs due to the use of copper for low infrared emissivity, and challenges in welding the pipe and absorber components.
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 incorporating flat contact surfaces for improved heat transfer and welding.
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 vacuum maintenance is improved, but the visible light absorption and infrared emission properties of the coating are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The getter pump is extracted from the absorber surface location and placed in a separate box-like element positioned at the periphery of the vacuum envelope. This separation removes the harmful getter film from the absorber surface, preserving the selective coating's optical properties while maintaining vacuum functionality through the side wall placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The box-like element acts as an intermediary structure that houses the getter pump away from the absorber. This intermediate positioning allows the getter to maintain vacuum without its film contaminating the absorber surface, mediating between vacuum maintenance requirements and optical performance needs.
2Loss of energy
If copper is used for the pipe to achieve low infrared emissivity, then thermal energy losses by pipe irradiation are reduced, but production costs and maximum operating pressure limitations increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using expensive copper pipe, the invention uses an aluminum pipe复制 (copy) of the thermal function, combined with a reflective coating to replicate the low-emissivity surface property. The reflective coating on aluminum provides similar infrared radiation control to copper but at lower material cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The material parameter of the pipe is changed from copper to aluminum, and the surface property is modified by adding a reflective coating. This parameter change maintains the low infrared emissivity function while reducing material cost and removing pressure limitations.
3Manufacturing precision
If laser welding is used to join the pipe and absorber, then welding precision is improved, but the contact surface area requirement becomes very small and positioning difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
Flat contact surfaces are prepared in advance on both the pipe and absorber before welding. This preliminary action creates a larger, more tolerant contact area that simplifies positioning and alignment during assembly, while still allowing precise laser welding to be performed on the prepared surfaces.
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 optimal absorption and reflection properties, reduces thermal energy losses, and facilitates cost-effective production while enhancing heat transfer and welding efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
heat absorbers placed inside said envelope to absorb solar radiation and to convert it into thermal energy
Implementation Method 2
the infrared emissivity coefficient of a surface provided with a selective absorption coating depends on the constituent material of said surface
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
Data Source
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AI summary
A double-sided vacuum thermal solar panel comprising a vacuum-tight envelope (30) capable of withstanding atmospheric pressure when evacuated, said envelope (30) comprising a first and a second glass sheet (1, 2) transparent to solar radiation and facing each other, a perimetral frame (3) defining the lateral surface of said envelope (30), said solar panel comprising at least one first heat absorber (11), a second heat absorber (12), a pipe (13) which enters and leaves said envelope (30) by passing between said first and second heat absorber (11, 12), and a box element (10) which surrounds the outer surface of the pipe (13).