Patent ID: 11870392
Assignee: TYLL SOLAR, LLC
Field: Thermal processes and apparatus (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F  H  Y | IPC F  H

Claim 0:
1. A modular solar panel to heat a fluid using sunlight comprising:
a first, generally planar plate comprised of a heat conductive metallic material;
a second, generally planar plate comprised of a heat conductive metallic material, the second planar plate affixed to the first generally planar plate and oriented in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the first generally planar plate;
the first and second generally planar plates being affixed together in a fluid tight relationship to form the panel and forming a channel therebetween, the channel having an inlet for fluid to be introduced into the channel and an outlet for discharging fluid from the channel;
the channel having a plurality of partitions therein to define a serpentine flow path there through; and
a photovoltaic cell matrix affixed in heat conducting relationship to the second generally planar plate;
wherein each partition consists of:
a first, substantially straight elongate rib having opposed curved rib ends; and
a second, substantially elongate rib having a curved rib end and an opposed end with curved corners wherein the opposed curved rib ends of the first elongate rib and the curved rib end of the second elongate rib comprise sloped portions being sloped at an acute angle from about 15 degrees to about 30 degrees from a base panel surface of the first plate or of the second plate.