GB2032094A - Solar collector panel - Google Patents

Abstract

A solar collector panel comprises a rectangular glass-fibre tray 10 containing a block 15 of expanded polyurethane. The block 15 has a plurality of parallel semi-circular cross-section grooves 16 in which semi-circular cross-section heat exchange pipes 17 are received. The pipes 17 are soldered or bonded to the underside of a copper collecting sheet which lies on the block 15. The pipes 17 are connected to header pipes connectable to a water supply system. The tray is covered by a translucent or transparent cover 19 of plastics material which provides protection against weather and damage and heat loss by re-radiation. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Solar collector panel This invention relates to solar collector panels, and provides a solar collector panel comprising a generally rectangular flat bed-tray, an insulating block within said tray, preformed with semicircular cross-section channels, for heat exchange pipes, and a rectangular collecting sheet for absorbing solar radiation having heat exchange pipes secured thereto overlying the insulating block.

A translucent or transparent cover may be provided over the tray. The heat exchange pipes are preferably arranged as a plurality of closely spaced parallel tubes, extending parallel to the ionger sides of the collecting sheet, and connected at each end to a header pipe or manifold.

The collecting sheet is preferably a copper plate, and the heat exchange pipes semi-circular cross-section tubes soldered or otherwise secured to the sheet.

The bed-tray may be constructed of moulded glass fibre and the insulating block is preferably a body of expanded plastics material such as polyurethane foam.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein.

Fig. 1 is a perspective partially cut away view of a solar collector panel, and Fig. 2 is a cross-section on line Il-Il of Figure 1.

As shown in the drawings, a solar collector panel comprises a rectangular tray of moulded glass fibre 10 with sides 11,12, 13 and 14 each with a respective flange 11 a, 1 2a, 1 3a, 1 4a. The tray 10 contains a flat body 1 5 of expanded polyurethane, with raised side edges 1 5a (see Fig.

2) Body 1 5 has in its upper surface a plurality of parallel semi-circular cross-sectional grooves 1 6 which receive heat exchange pipes 1 7 of the same cross-sectional grooves shape which are soldered onto the underside of a copper sheet 18, which lies on top of the body 1 5.

The tray is covered by a translucent i.e.

transparent acrylic cover 1 9 which is secured to the flanges 1 a to 1 4a by nut and bolt assemblies 20.

The soldering of the heat exchange pipes 1 7 to the sheet 1 8 ensures the maximum possible area of contact for exchange between the panel and water in the pipes as the pipes are in heat conductive contact with the sheet 1 8. The provision of the body of insulating material 1 5 minimises heat losses from plate 1 8 to the surrounding panel structure. The cover 1 9 helps to protect the panel against damage, and the effects of weather and reduces heat loss from the face of the panel without impeding solar radiation.

1. A solar collector panel comprising a generally rectangular flat bed-tray, an insulating block within said tray, preformed with semicircular cross-section channels for heat exchange pipes and a collecting sheet for absorbing solar radiation having heat exchange pipes secured thereto overlying the insulating block.

2. A panel according to Claim 1 wherein a translucent or transparent cover is provided over the tray.

3. A panel according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the heat exchange pipes are arranged as a plurality of closely spaced parallel tubes extending parallel to the longer sides of the collecting sheet and connected at each end to a header pipe or manifold.

4. A panel according to any preceding claim wherein the collecting sheet is a copper plate.

5. A panel according to any preceding claim wherein the heat exchange pipes are semi-circular cross-section tubes soldered or otherwise secured to the sheet with their flat faces abutting the collecting sheet.

6. A solar collector panel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Solar collector panel This invention relates to solar collector panels, and provides a solar collector panel comprising a generally rectangular flat bed-tray, an insulating block within said tray, preformed with semicircular cross-section channels, for heat exchange pipes, and a rectangular collecting sheet for absorbing solar radiation having heat exchange pipes secured thereto overlying the insulating block. A translucent or transparent cover may be provided over the tray. The heat exchange pipes are preferably arranged as a plurality of closely spaced parallel tubes, extending parallel to the ionger sides of the collecting sheet, and connected at each end to a header pipe or manifold. The collecting sheet is preferably a copper plate, and the heat exchange pipes semi-circular cross-section tubes soldered or otherwise secured to the sheet. The bed-tray may be constructed of moulded glass fibre and the insulating block is preferably a body of expanded plastics material such as polyurethane foam. A preferred embodiment of the invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein. Fig. 1 is a perspective partially cut away view of a solar collector panel, and Fig. 2 is a cross-section on line Il-Il of Figure 1. As shown in the drawings, a solar collector panel comprises a rectangular tray of moulded glass fibre 10 with sides 11,12, 13 and 14 each with a respective flange 11 a, 1 2a, 1 3a, 1 4a. The tray 10 contains a flat body 1 5 of expanded polyurethane, with raised side edges 1 5a (see Fig. 2) Body 1 5 has in its upper surface a plurality of parallel semi-circular cross-sectional grooves 1 6 which receive heat exchange pipes 1 7 of the same cross-sectional grooves shape which are soldered onto the underside of a copper sheet 18, which lies on top of the body 1 5. The tray is covered by a translucent i.e. transparent acrylic cover 1 9 which is secured to the flanges 1 a to 1 4a by nut and bolt assemblies 20. The soldering of the heat exchange pipes 1 7 to the sheet 1 8 ensures the maximum possible area of contact for exchange between the panel and water in the pipes as the pipes are in heat conductive contact with the sheet 1 8. The provision of the body of insulating material 1 5 minimises heat losses from plate 1 8 to the surrounding panel structure. The cover 1 9 helps to protect the panel against damage, and the effects of weather and reduces heat loss from the face of the panel without impeding solar radiation. CLAIMS

1. A solar collector panel comprising a generally rectangular flat bed-tray, an insulating block within said tray, preformed with semicircular cross-section channels for heat exchange pipes and a collecting sheet for absorbing solar radiation having heat exchange pipes secured thereto overlying the insulating block.

2. A panel according to Claim 1 wherein a translucent or transparent cover is provided over the tray.

3. A panel according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the heat exchange pipes are arranged as a plurality of closely spaced parallel tubes extending parallel to the longer sides of the collecting sheet and connected at each end to a header pipe or manifold.

4. A panel according to any preceding claim wherein the collecting sheet is a copper plate.

5. A panel according to any preceding claim wherein the heat exchange pipes are semi-circular cross-section tubes soldered or otherwise secured to the sheet with their flat faces abutting the collecting sheet.

6. A solar collector panel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.