SOLAR ENERGY COLLECTOR

Abstract: A solar energy collector with a collector core (10) located within a longitudinal parabolic reflector (12) and comprising a series of tubes (30) which are exposed to the sun's direct and reflected rays and through which water circulates. In a preferred form these tubes (30) are arranged in a cylindrical array extending longitudinally between two end manifolds (20 and 21) which are connected to opposite ends (15) of a storage tank (14) located within the array. The efficiency of the collector is improved by embedding the tubes (30) in the inner surface of a thermally conducting cylinder (18).

Description: SOLAR ENERGY COLLECTOR THIS INVENTION relates to improvements in solar energy collectors. Existing collectors used for example as water heaters are large and cumbersome but the collector of this 5 invention has a unique core configuration and construction which make it extremely efficient and compact. In one form the collector of this invention comprises a longitudinal reflector, a collector core within said reflector, a storage tank connected in series to said 10 core, a cold water inlet and a hot water outlet, said core containing a series of tubes which are exposed to the sun's direct and reflected rays and through which water circulates The following is a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention in the form of a water heater, 15 with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled heater. Fig. 2 is a mid sectional view of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an end view of the heater with the core and end cap removed. 20 Fig. 4 is an end view of the outlet manifold. Fig. 5 is a side view corresponding to Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an end view of the inlet manifold. Fig. 7 is a section through AA of Fig. 2. Fig. 8 is a view of the detail C of Fig. 7. 25 The collector core 10 is housed within a clear cover 11 made of a polycarbonate plastic so as to protect the core and prevent heat loss by re-emittance. The cover 11 also protects the unit from projectiles and forms a shield against the weather so as to prevent premature deterioration of the core. Parabolic reflectors 12 are supported on either side of the core 10 so as to direct the sun's rays onto the core 10. The reflectors 12 are made from highly polished stainless steel and are designed to reflect the sun's rays from almost any angle. Each reflector 12 is provided with spaced angle support brackets 13 along the outer portion so as to form a suitable base for mounting the unit on an exposed surface such as a roof at an incline of not less than 15° to the horizontal and aligned ona north-south azimuth. The cylindrical core assembly 10 houses a storage tank 14 which is supported in rigid urethane foam insulation to prevent heat loss from the storage tank 14 to the outer core. The tank 14 has end caps 15 one of which has a cold water inlet 16 and the other of which has a hot water outlet 25. As shown in Figs. 4 to 8 the core assembly 10 is formed from a cylindrical copper sheet 18 indented longitu¬ dinally along the inner face of the cylinder. These tubes 30 connect at opposite ends to respective annular mani olds 20 and 21 as shown. The lower manifold 21 adjacent the cold water inlet 16 is provided with an upstanding pipe 22 at its lowermost portion which intersects the cold water inlet 16, while the uppermost manifold 20 is provided with an outlet 17 leading back into the tank. A pressure and temperature relief valve 32 provides for the dumping of water when the temperature or the pressure rises above a predetermined level. In use, throughout the day, heat is absorbed by the core assembly 10 both by direct radiation from the sun and by reflection from one or both of the reflectors 12. This heat is transferred into the water in the tubes 30 and the thermosyphon effect causes the fluid in the storage tank and in the core assembly to circulate so that water is heated as it passes from the inlet manifold 21 to the outlet manifold 20 and into the storage tank 14. A non-return valve 29 is located in the pipe 22 to prevent reverse circulation due to the temperature of the core assembly dropping below that of the water contained in the storage tank 14. A fla vent valve 26 provides an escape for air trapped in those areas which would normally prevent the thermosyphon action. In use, the storage tank is always filled to capacity,, being permanently connected to an outside water supply having a static head pressure of at least two metres. As hot water is drawn from the storage tank, cold water from the pressurised outside water supply enters both the tank and the inlet manifold and the thermosyphon effect circulates water through the core to be reheated. It is possible to modify the above apparatus in a number of ways. The storage tank need not be housed in the core assembly. It could be located in any of the places utilised by conventional heating systems. It is also possible to boost the temperature of the system during periods of inadequate sunlight by conventional means such as the electrical immersion element (shown at 31). Further a pump may be connected between the and the collector core to circulate water from the tank through the collector tubes at a rate of circulation 5 greater than that due to the thermosyphon. This has the effect of minimising any re-emittance of heat from the h temperature collector tubes. The most effective way of achieving this is by means of an electric pump powered b photo-voltaic cells, the energy output of which is in di 10 proportion to the intensity of sunlight. Accordingly th pump is most active when the temperature of the tubes is highest, and there is no need for temperature sensors an switches adapted to activate the pump in accordance with preselected temperature changes. 15 These and other modifications are possible without departing from the basic inventive concept.

Claims: CLAIMS The claims defining the invention are as follows: 1. A solar energy collector comprising a lonitudinal reflector, a collector core within said reflector, a storage tank connected in series to said core, a cold water inlet and a hot water outlet, said core containing a series of tubes which are exposed to the sun's direct and reflected rays and through which water circulates, 2. A collector as in claim 1 in which the tubes are arranged in a cylindrical array extending between two end manifolds which are connected to opposite ends of the storage tank. 3. A collector as in claim 2 in which the tubes are embedded in the inner surface of a thermally conducting cylinder. 4. A collector as in claim 2 wherein the storage tank is contained within the cylindrical array of tubes and is insulated therefrom. 5. A collector as in claim 2 wherein the cylindrical array of tubes is enclosed within a transparent housing. 6. A collector as in claim 1 which is provided with a supplementary heating source. 7. A collector as in claim 1 which is provided with a pump to increase the rate of circulation of water through the core. 8. A collector as in claim 7 which has a photo sensitive device to regulate the operation of the pump. 9. A collector as in claim 7 wherein the pump is powered by photo¬ voltaic cells. 10. A solar hot water system as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. _OMPI_ - , Vi ' IPO .

Inventors: BALE N
Applicants: BALE N, MAGULE PTY LTD
Application year: 1980
Main classification: F24J3
IPC codes: F24J2