Stoves and furnaces – Solar heat collector – With means to convey fluent medium through collector
Patent
1999-01-27
2000-09-19
Yeung, James C.
Stoves and furnaces
Solar heat collector
With means to convey fluent medium through collector
126639, 126611, 126612, F24J 244
Patent
active
061196827
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a solar energy powered water heater and storage device. More particularly, the invention provides a low-profile, flat-plate solar energy collector holding a fluid which is heated and circulated to an integrated, insulated hot fluid storage tank, the hot fluid in turn heats line pressure water passing through an extended length, heat-exchange piping circuit incorporated within said tank, in conjunction with a supplementary, electric water-heating means.
A commonly-used device for electrically heating a continuous, moderate flow of water for domestic purposes, typically limited to 1.5 liter/minute, is fitted with a 3-5 kw heating element. Sucn devices are marketed in Israel under the name "ATMOR". A heating element of such capacity places a heavy strain on the electrical wiring of a typical residence, since a typical shower requires a flow of about 5 liter/minute, such devices are not satisfactory for supplying hot water for such needs.
Solar water heaters are also fitted with electric heater elements but, in contrast to the "ATMOR" type device, the water rarely requires electrically powered heating from ambient temperature, as even in the winter months some degree of water heating is obtained from solar radiation. Consequently, solar water heaters are fitted with a 2-2.5 kw heater element which, if operated for a sufficient length of time before hot water is required, is enough for all but extreme conditions. The electric heater is however situated far below the outlet providing hot water for consumption. Switching on the heater element when water is demanded, or a short time beforehand, will not provide hot water when needed and so will waste electricity.
The most widely used solar collectors and storage tanks operate by thermosyphon circulation and have a cylindrical storage tank positioned higher than the collector. The system operates wholly at line pressure and the stored liquid is water provided for consumption. An electric heater element positioned at the bottom of the tank boosts water temperature if so required.
The disadvantages of this system are known. Such devices are obtrusive architecturally, take up considerable roof space, need thick thermal insulation to reduce heat losses, and the storage tank and absorber are constructed of thick steel to resist line pressure which may be as high as 10 atmospheres in some localities. Several hours of electrical heating are required to provide hot water when insufficient solar radiation is available. The heater element continues to operate until the lower part of the storage tank holding a thermostat reaches the set-point temperature. The upper part of the tank is thus heated to well above to the temperature required by the user, and much electricity is wasted.
The architectural disadvantages and thermal insulation problems are overcome by solar water heaters having an integrated water storage tank. Integrated devices are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,003,367 to Wikholm, U.S. Pat. No. 4,421,100 to Yu, U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,375 to Larkin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,047 to Kleinwachter, and in Israel Patents nos. 48 555 to Koor Metals and 53 396 to Shell Oil.
The Larkin device and the Shell Oil device allow line pressure to enter the storage tank, which must therefore be built sufficiently strong and of a shape able to resist such pressure. The Yu device is complicated by having 3 separate fluid circuits. The Koor Metals device has a complex collector and relies on radiation sensors to govern liquid circulation routes. The Wikholm device requires that substantially the whole storage volume be heated before hot water is obtained in the line pressure tubing. The Kleinwachter device provides only very low pressure supply to the consumer.
Systems having an integrated water tank and separate fluid circuits, the first such circuit including the absorber panel and the second circuit providing hot water for consumption, obtain certain advantages. One of these is the ability to use a fluid other than municipal wate
REFERENCES:
patent: 1242511 (1917-10-01), Bailey
patent: 4003367 (1977-01-01), Wikholm
patent: 4261333 (1981-04-01), Guarnaschelli
patent: 4282421 (1981-08-01), Hadar
patent: 4421100 (1983-12-01), Yu
patent: 4567878 (1986-02-01), Larkin
patent: 4637375 (1987-01-01), Larkin
patent: 5462047 (1995-10-01), Kleinwachter
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