U.S. patent application number 11/889915 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-13 for method and apparatus for preheating ventilation air for a building.
Invention is credited to Brian Wilkinson.
Application Number | 20080060635 11/889915 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39168324 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080060635 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wilkinson; Brian |
March 13, 2008 |
Method and apparatus for preheating ventilation air for a
building
Abstract
A solar air heating system for a building having a vertical,
south-facing wall. The system has a perforated panel covering the
wall. Vertical frame members fasten the panel to the wall to space
the panel a short distance away from the wall and to form an air
channel between the wall and panel. There is an air collecting
space at the bottom of the channel, adjacent the wall. An air inlet
in the wall connects the air collecting space to the interior of
the building. A fan in the inlet draws outside air into the channel
through the perforations in the panel, from the channel into the
air collecting space, and from the air collecting space into the
building through the air inlet.
Inventors: |
Wilkinson; Brian; (Kirkland,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHLESINGER, ARKWRIGHT & GARVEY LLP
Suite 600, 1420 King Street
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
39168324 |
Appl. No.: |
11/889915 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/633 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02B 10/20 20130101;
F24S 10/80 20180501; F24F 2005/0082 20130101; Y02E 10/44 20130101;
Y02B 10/24 20130101; F24F 5/0075 20130101; Y02A 30/00 20180101;
F24S 20/66 20180501; Y02B 30/90 20130101; Y02A 30/26 20180101; Y02B
30/92 20130101; F24F 2005/0064 20130101; Y02A 30/272 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/633 |
International
Class: |
F24J 2/04 20060101
F24J002/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 13, 2006 |
CA |
2,559,641 |
Claims
1. A solar air heating system for a building having a vertical,
south-facing wall, the system having a heat-absorbent panel for
covering the wall; perforations in the panel allowing air to flow
through the panel; vertical frame members for fastening the panel
to the wall to space the panel a short distance away from the wall
and to form an air channel between the wall and panel; an air
collecting space at the bottom of the channel, adjacent the wall;
an air inlet in the wall to connect the air collecting space to the
interior of the building; and a fan in the inlet to draw outside
air into the channel through the perforations in the panel, from
the channel into the air collecting space, and from the air
collecting space into the building through the air inlet.
2. A solar air heating system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the air
collecting space is a collecting duct extending across the width of
the panel, the duct slightly deeper than the channel.
3. A solar air heating system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
panel has a vertical top portion parallel to the wall to form, with
the wall, the air channel and a bottom portion that is angled
outwardly from the bottom of the top portion to form, with the
wall, the air collector space.
4. A solar air heating system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
panel is angled slightly outwardly away from its top edge; a top,
major, portion of the panel forming, with the wall, the channel;
the channel being tapered from its bottom end to its top end; the
bottom, minor portion of the panel forming, with the wall, the air
collector space; the bottom end of the channel connected to the top
of the air collector space; the air collector space tapered toward
the channel.
5. A solar air heating system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
panel is made from horizontal siding members, the siding members
fastened to the vertical frame members.
6. A solar air heating system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the
panel is made from horizontal siding members, the siding members
fastened to the vertical frame members.
7. A solar air heating system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the top
portion of the panel is made from horizontal siding members, the
siding members fastened to the vertical frame members.
8. A solar air heating system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the top
portion of the panel is made from horizontal siding members, the
siding members fastened to the vertical frame members.
9. A solar air heating system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
panel is made from vertical siding members, horizontal frame
members attached to the outside of the vertical frame members, the
vertical siding members attached to the horizontal frame
members.
10. A solar air heating system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the
panel is made from vertical siding members, horizontal frame
members attached to the outside of the vertical frame members; the
vertical siding members attached to the horizontal frame
members.
11. A solar air heating system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the
panel is made from vertical siding members, horizontal frame
members attached to the outside of the vertical frame members, the
vertical siding members attached to the horizontal frame
members.
12. A solar air heating system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the
panel is made from vertical siding members, horizontal frame
members attached to the outside of the vertical frame members, the
vertical siding members attached to the horizontal frame
members.
13. A solar air heating system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
perforations are circular.
14. A solar air heating system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the
perforations are circular.
15. A solar air heating system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the
perforations are circular.
16. A solar air heating system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the
perforations are circular.
17. A solar air heating system for a building having a vertical,
south wall, the system having a heat-absorbing panel covering the
wall, the bottom of the panel at the bottom of the wall;
perforations in the panel allowing air to flow through the panel;
vertical frame members for fastening the panel to the wall to space
the panel a short distance away from the wall and to form an air
channel between the wall and panel; perforations in the frame
members; an air inlet in the lower portion of the wall to connect
the channel to the interior of the building and a fan in the inlet
to draw outside air into the channel through the perforations in
the panel and then into the building, from the channel through the
air inlet, the air passing through the perforations in the frame
members in the channel.
18. A solar air heating system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the
perforations in the panel are circular.
19. A solar air heating system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the
panel is made from horizontal siding members, the siding members
fastened to the vertical frame members.
20. A solar air heating system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the
panel is made from vertical siding members, horizontal frame
members attached to the outside of the vertical frame members, the
vertical siding members attached to the horizontal frame
members.
21. A solar air heating system as claimed in claim 18 wherein the
panel is made from horizontal siding members, the siding members
fastened to the vertical frame members.
22. A solar air heating system as claimed in claim 18 wherein the
panel is made from vertical siding members, horizontal frame
members attached to the outside of the vertical frame members; the
vertical siding members attached to the horizontal frame
members.
23. A solar air heating system as claimed in claim 17 including an
air collector duct at the bottom of the channel between the panel
and the building wall, the duct extending across the width of the
panel, and being slightly deeper than the channel, the channel
opening into the duct; and the air inlet located in the duct.
24. A solar air heating system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the
panel has a vertical top portion parallel to the wall to form, with
the wall, the air channel; the panel having a bottom portion that
is angled outwardly from the bottom of the top portion to form,
with the wall, the air collector space.
25. A solar air heating system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the
panel is angled slightly outwardly away from its top edge; a top,
major, portion of the panel forming, with the wall, the channel;
the channel being tapered from its bottom end to its top end; the
bottom, minor portion of the panel forming, with the wall, the air
collector space; the bottom end of the channel connected to the top
of the air collector space; the air collector space tapered toward
the channel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority of Canadian application
no. 2,559,641, filed 13 Sep. 2006, and which is incorporated herein
by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention is directed toward a solar air heating system
for buildings.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Solar air heating systems for buildings are known. The
systems are used to heat ventilating air added to buildings. These
known systems comprise a perforated, heat-absorbing panel mounted
over at least a portion of the outside of a south-facing wall of a
building, the panel spaced a short distance from the wall to form a
vertical air channel between the panel and the wall. The sun heats
the panel and air adjacent the outer surface of the panel. As the
panel heats, it further heats the air adjacent the outer surface of
the panel. The heated air rises along the panel outer surface and
passes into the air channel through perforations in the panel. The
panel also heats the air in the channel causing the air in the
channel to rise to the top of the building from where the air is
collected in a collector duct and directed therefrom through an
inlet into the building. A fan is employed in the collector duct or
inlet to help draw the heated air on the outer surface of the panel
into the channel through the perforations, and to draw the air in
the channel upwardly and into the building.
[0006] These known systems have disadvantages however. The top of
the system gets very hot and as a result there is considerable heat
loss to the outside air making the system inefficient. Attachment
of the system to the top of the building is difficult since the
collecting duct at the top of the system is in the way.
[0007] This makes it difficult to attach the panel and its support
members to the top framing part of the building. Servicing and
maintenance of the fan in the collector duct or inlet is difficult
because of its high location. The perforations in the panel are
designed to facilitate upward flow of air into the channel. The
configuration of the openings limits the design variations
available in the make-up of the panel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a
solar air heating system that is simpler in construction, simpler
and easier to install, more efficient in use, easier to service,
and lends itself to a greater variety in design of the panel.
[0009] In accordance with the present invention a solar air heating
system is provided having a perforated, heat-absorbing panel
mounted over at least a portion of the outside of a south wall of a
building, the panel spaced a short distance from the wall to form a
vertical air channel. An air inlet is provided in the bottom half
of the building wall, preferably near the bottom of the wall. A fan
is located in the inlet to draw air from outside the panel into the
channel through perforations in the panel and from the channel
through the air inlet into the building. The sun heats the panel
and outside air adjacent the panel. The operation of the fan moves
air in the channel toward the inlet and into the building and draws
the heated air on the outer surface of the panel into the channel
through the perforations in the panel. The air in the channel is
heated by the sun-warmed panel, by the sun-warmed air entering the
channel through the perforations, and by any heat coming through
the wall from inside the building.
[0010] The panel can be mounted to the building wall with vertical,
horizontal or a combination of vertical and horizontal frame
members depending on the construction of the panel. The frame
members are fastened on one side to the building wall and the panel
is fastened to the other side of the frame members. To facilitate
air flow within the channel toward the air inlet in the building
wall, the frame members are preferably perforated. The perforations
in the frame members not only facilitate air flow in the channel
both vertically and horizontally but also reduce the weight of the
frame members making installation easier.
[0011] The system could be provided with a horizontal air collector
duct at the bottom of the panel to collect the air from the air
channel, the duct leading to the air inlet in the bottom of the
building wall. While satisfactory, the use of a bottom horizontal
collector duct can lead to a pressure drop in the air flow due to
the abrupt change of direction of the air flow. In place of an air
collecting duct, a bottom portion of the panel can be angled
outwardly away from the building wall at the bottom to form an air
collecting space at the bottom of the channel thus simplifying the
construction. The air inlet in the building wall is centered within
the air collecting space between its sides. The air collecting
space, continually enlarging toward the bottom of the system,
allows the air to expand on emerging into the collecting space from
the channel increasing air flow in the channel. In addition, the
angled panel portion faces the sun at a better heating angle
improving air heating efficiency in the area of the collecting
space.
[0012] In an alternative construction, the entire panel can be
angled slightly outwardly to make the channel wider at the bottom
than at the top. The air inlet to the building is at the bottom of
the tapered channel. The air flow through the channel is improved
since the channel continually enlarges moving toward the bottom.
The angled panel also faces the sun at a slightly better heating
angle than a vertical panel improving heating efficiency of the
air.
[0013] Having the inlet located in the lower half of the wall of
the building, and preferably near the bottom of the building wall,
provides several advantages. With the air flowing generally
downwardly in the vertical channel, the temperature profile in the
channel is more uniform over its height, the heat loss from the
channel is reduced since there are no hot areas in the channel, and
the system is more efficient. In addition, having the air inlet
into the building low down makes installation and servicing of the
fan in the inlet much simpler and easier. If an air collector duct
is employed, it also is located low down adjacent the inlet and
this location makes it easier to attach the panel and the panel
frame members, particularly their top portions, directly to the
framing of the building.
[0014] Also in accordance with the present invention, the
perforations in the panel are made circular. The panel can be made
from siding members, which can be mounted in various positions on
the building wall to provide design variations improving the
appearance of the building. The circular perforations allow
mounting of the siding members in various positions without
adversely affecting the flow of air through the perforations into
the channel.
[0015] The invention is particularly directed toward a solar air
heating system for a building having a vertical, south facing wall,
the system having a perforated, heat-absorbing, panel for covering
the wall, the bottom of the panel at the bottom of the wall. Frame
members fasten the panel to the wall to space the panel a short
distance away from the wall to form an air channel between the wall
and the panel. There is an air inlet from the channel to the
interior of the building, the inlet in the building wall below the
mid-height of the panel. There is a fan in the inlet, drawing
outside air into the channel through the perforations and from the
channel through the inlet into the building. Preferably the frame
members are also perforated allowing air flow through the channel
in all directions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of the solar air heating
system;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a detailed cross-section view taken along line 2-2
in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a detailed elevation view of heating system;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of another embodiment of the
heating system;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of a further embodiment of
the heating system;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of another embodiment of the
heating system;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a another cross-section view of another embodiment
of the heating system; and
[0023] FIG. 8 is a cross-section view taken along line 8-8 in FIG.
7.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] The solar air heating system, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, has a
perforated, heat-absorbing panel 1 mounted on a south facing wall 3
of a building 5. The panel could be coated on its outside surface
with a black paint to make it heat absorbing. The panel 1 is spaced
a short distance from the wall 5 to form an air channel 7. The
panel 1 can be made up of a plurality interlocked siding members 9,
the siding members mounted horizontally on the building 5. The
siding members 9 have circular perforations 11 therein, the
perforations 11 normally equally spaced apart. The perforations 11
are about 0.0625 inches in diameter and there are about 3 to 8
perforations per square inch of panel but the size and density of
perforations can vary depending on the amount of air required to be
added to the building for heating or ventilation purposes.
[0025] To mount the siding members 9 horizontally to form the panel
1, a plurality of vertical frame members 15, horizontally spaced
apart, are used to connect the members 9 to the wall 5. The frame
members 15 can be in the form of zee channels. One inner arm 17 of
each frame member 15 is fastened to the wall 5 by suitable
fastening means and the siding members 9 are then fastened to the
other outer arms 19 of the frame members by suitable fastening
means. The vertical frame members 9 are about as long as the panel
1 and help direct the air vertically through the air channel 7. The
sides of the panel 1 can be fastened to the wall 5 by frame members
(not shown) having a u-shaped cross-section to close the sides of
the air channel 7. The frame members can have profile shapes other
than a zee shape.
[0026] A horizontal air collector duct 23 is provided at the bottom
of the panel 1. The duct 23 is slightly wider than the channel 7
and the channel 7 leads into the duct 23. An air inlet 25,
generally centrally located in the duct 23, leads from the duct 23
through the building wall 3 into the building 5. A fan 27 is
located in the inlet 25. The top of the channel 7 is closed by a
top wall 29. The frame members 9 are shown only in the air channel
7 but they could extend into the collector duct 23.
[0027] In operation, the sun heats the panel 1 and the sun and the
panel 1 heat the air adjacent the outside surface 30 of the panel.
The heated air begins to flow up along the panel until it
encounters a circular perforation 11 and is then pulled into the
channel 7 by the fan 27 and down to the collector duct 23. As the
air flows down the channel 7 to the duct 23 it is further heated by
the sun-warmed panel 1 and by any heat escaping from the building
through the wall 3. The air expands slightly moving into the
collector duct 23, facilitating flow through the channel 7, and is
then drawn into the building from the duct through the inlet
25.
[0028] It will be seen that the temperature profile of the air in
the channel is more uniform with no hot spot, particularly at the
top of the channel as in the prior art, where heat can be lost from
the channel to the outside, as air leaves the channel. The air
coming into the channel near the bottom is relatively cool in
comparison to the air in the channel moving down the channel and
thus the air in the channel is not overheated. Also any heat from
the building comes into the channel hotter near the top than at the
bottom thus not overheating the air where it leaves the
channel.
[0029] The upper part of the panel 1 and the panel frame members 15
are easily attached to the top of the framing of the building since
the collector duct is located at the bottom of the system out of
the way. The weight of the panel and the frame members is readily
supported from the top of the building framing and need only be
attached to the bottom of the building in a non-weight bearing
manner making installation easier. The fan installation and
servicing is easier at ground level.
[0030] The system described can be modified by eliminating the
collector duct 23 and instead having a short, bottom portion 31 of
the panel 1' angled outwardly as shown in FIG. 4. The bottom
portion 31 is angled outwardly from the long, top portion 33 of the
panel 1' about a horizontal bend line 35. The angling of the bottom
portion 31 of the panel 1' forms, with wall 3', an enlarged,
elongated air collector space 37 at the bottom of the air channel
7' for the heated air being drawn downwardly. The collector space
37 is closed by a bottom wall 38. The space 37 enlarges toward the
bottom thus improving the flow of air within and from the channel.
In addition, the angled bottom portion 31 of the panel 1' is better
oriented with respect to the sun and thus more efficient in heating
the air. The inlet opening 25' is centrally located within the
collector space 37 between its sides. The bottom portion 31 of the
panel 1' is perforated in the same manner as the top portion 33 of
the panel. The vertical framing members 15' are shown only in the
air channel 7' but they can extend to the bottom of the collector
space 37. Special end frame members (not shown) are used to close
the sides of the air channel 7' and the sides of the collector
space 37.
[0031] In another embodiment, the entire panel 1'' may be angled
outwardly from its top edge 43 as shown in FIG. 5. In this
embodiment, the vertical framing members 15'' would increase in
width from the top toward the bottom to properly support the panel
1'' and would terminate a short distance up from the bottom above
an air collecting space 37'. A major, top portion 45 of the panel
1'' forms, with the wall, the air channel 7''. A minor, bottom
portion 46 of the panel forms, with the wall 3'', the collecting
space 37'. The air collecting space 37' tapers toward the channel
7'' which continues the taper toward the top. The bottom of the air
collector space 37' is closed by a bottom wall 38'. Tapered end
frame members (not shown) would close the sides of the air channel
7'' and the collector space 37'. The inlet 25'' is centrally
located in the collecting space 37'. The angling of the entire
panel 1'' places it in a more efficient heating position relative
to the sun and also improves the flow of the air downwardly through
the channel 7'' toward the inlet 25''.
[0032] In a further embodiment, the webs 21, 21', or 21'' of the
vertical framing members 15, 15' or 15'' could be perforated with
perforations 47 to allow the air flowing in the channels 7, 7', or
7'' to move laterally as well as vertically. The fan would pull the
air coming down the channel laterally toward the vertical center of
the system where the building inlet 25, 25', or 25'' is located.
The perforations 47 would also lighten the framing members making
them easier to handle.
[0033] Perforated framing members permit a very simplified heating
system to be used. As shown in FIG. 6, the simplified system can
comprise a perforated panel 101 supported by perforated framing
members 115 to form a channel 107. The inlet 125 can be located
anywhere in the bottom half of the channel 107 since the fan 123
can pull the air both vertically and transversely through the
channel 107 and the perforations 147 in the frame members 115.
[0034] No air collecting duct or air collecting space is needed in
this embodiment, the channel itself acting as an air collecting
space. The top, bottom and sides of the channel 107 are closed by
top, bottom and side walls.
[0035] If desired a louver 149 can be provided in the panel 101
adjacent or near the inlet opening 125 to allow cooler outside air
to flow into the channel 107 and to mix with the heated air to cool
it in the summer if needed. A similar louver could be used in any
of the panels 1, 1', or 1'' in the other embodiments previously
described.
[0036] The siding members 209 forming the panel 201 could be
mounted vertically. In this variant, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8,
narrower vertical frame members 215 could be used along with
horizontal frame members 210 in all the embodiments previously
shown with horizontal siding members. The horizontal frame members
210 are attached to the outer arms 219 of the vertical frame
members 215 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The horizontal frame members
210 are vertically spaced-apart. The vertical siding members 209
are attached to the horizontal frame members 210, which can have a
u-shaped cross-section, with suitable fastening members (not
shown). Perforations 247 can be provided in the webs 221 of the
vertical frame members 215 and perforations 248 can be provided in
the webs 222 of the horizontal frame members 210. Top panel 231 can
close the top of channel 207 and the duct 223 can close the bottom
of the channel. Side panels close the sides of the channel 207. The
vertical siding members 209 are straight in this embodiment and in
the embodiment shown in FIG. 6; bent as shown in the embodiment in
FIG. 4 or angled as shown in the embodiment in FIG. 5. If bent or
angled, the vertical frame members could be shaped to fit the bent
or angled configurations with the horizontal frame members being
uniform. Alternatively, the vertical frame members could be uniform
with the horizontal frame members progressively deepening toward
the bottom, where needed, in the bent or angled configurations. The
siding members could also be mounted diagonally.
[0037] While this invention has been described as having a
preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further
modifications, and uses and/or adaptations of the invention and
following in general the principle of the invention and including
such departures from the present disclosure as come within the
known or customary practice in the art to which the invention
pertains, and as may be applied to the central features
hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention
or limits of the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *