U.S. patent application number 12/808294 was filed with the patent office on 2011-04-21 for panel for collecting solar energy from a bituminous surface covering on a building heated by solar radiation.
Invention is credited to Per Stobbe.
Application Number | 20110088340 12/808294 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40795168 |
Filed Date | 2011-04-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110088340 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stobbe; Per |
April 21, 2011 |
PANEL FOR COLLECTING SOLAR ENERGY FROM A BITUMINOUS SURFACE
COVERING ON A BUILDING HEATED BY SOLAR RADIATION
Abstract
A solar energy collector panel intended for invisible
incorporation behind and in thermal contact with a climate shield
(94) of bituminous roofing felt or tar board on a building, said
panel being made of a heat-conducting material and having at least
one through- going fluid-impervious duct (91) embedded in said
panel for passing a thermal energy carrying-capable fluid through
it and having or being attached to a flat member (93) of
heat-conducting material and substantial surface area intended to
be mounted in direct physical contact with said climate shield. The
solar panel provides excellent exploitation and transmission
efficiency of sun radiation to an energy carrying-capable fluid in
the fluid-impervious duct.
Inventors: |
Stobbe; Per; (Holte,
DK) |
Family ID: |
40795168 |
Appl. No.: |
12/808294 |
Filed: |
October 20, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
October 20, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/DK2008/000368 |
371 Date: |
December 27, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/173.3 ;
126/621; 126/651; 126/714; 52/173.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04D 11/02 20130101;
F24S 10/75 20180501; F24S 80/60 20180501; Y02A 30/60 20180101; F24S
2025/6007 20180501; Y02B 10/20 20130101; F24S 20/67 20180501; E04D
13/1643 20130101; Y02E 10/44 20130101; Y02A 30/62 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/173.3 ;
126/621; 126/651; 126/714; 52/173.1 |
International
Class: |
E04D 13/18 20060101
E04D013/18; F24J 2/24 20060101 F24J002/24; F24J 2/00 20060101
F24J002/00; E04H 14/00 20060101 E04H014/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 15, 2007 |
DK |
PA 2007 01795 |
Jan 22, 2008 |
DK |
PCT/DK2008/000022 |
Claims
1-18. (canceled)
19. A solar energy collector panel intended for invisible
incorporation behind and in thermal contact with a climate shield
(11, 21, 31, 46, 67, 94) of roofing felt on a building, said panel
being made of a heat-conducting material and having at least one
through-going fluid-impervious duct (17, 25, 35, 45, 52, 62, 63)
embedded in said panel for passing a thermal energy
carrying-capable fluid through it and being attached to a plate
member (12, 22, 32, 44, 55, 65, 71, 81, 91, 92, 93) of
heat-conducting material and substantial surface area intended to
be mounted in direct physical contact with said climate shield,
said solar energy collector panel comprising said at least one
through-going fluid-impervious duct has a body (71) having two
opposite wings (74) as an integral part of said body, each wing
being provided with a slot (74) intended for receiving a flange
(82) of a heat-conducting plate member (81) in a snugly fit,
wherein said panel with its fluid-impervious channel or duct has
been produced by an extrusion process.
20. A solar energy collector panel according to claim 19, wherein
said roofing felt is bituminous a material(s) or tar board.
21. A solar energy collector panel according to claim 19, wherein
said heat-conducting material(s) of the plate member (12, 22, 32,
44, 55, 65, 71, 81, 91, 92, 93) is (are) a metal.
22. A solar energy collector panel according to claim 19, wherein
said heat-conducting material(s) of the plate member (12, 22, 32,
44, 55, 65, 71, 81, 91, 92, 93) is (are) a metal selected from the
group comprising aluminium and aluminium alloys, copper and copper
alloys, iron and iron alloys, in particular the different types of
stainless steels.
23. A solar energy collector panel according to claim 19, wherein
said heat-conducting material(s) of the plate member (12, 22, 32,
44, 55, 65, 71, 81, 91, 92, 93) has (have) a thermal conductivity
of more than 10 Wm.sup.2/K.
24. A solar energy collector panel according to claim 19, wherein
said at least one through-going fluid-impervious duct (17, 25, 35,
45, 52, 62, 63) is placed above the surface of the flat member (12,
22, 32, 44, 55, 65) and optionally the outer surface of said duct
has the form of a triangular list.
25. A solar energy collector panel according to claim 19, wherein
said at least one through-going fluid-impervious duct (17, 25, 35,
45, 52, 62, 63) is placed below the surface of the flat member (71,
81, 91, 92, 93) and preferable is embedded in or surrounded by
insulation material (95).
26. A building having a climate shield (11, 21, 31, 46, 67, 94) of
bituminous roofing felt or tar board and a solar energy collector
panel according to claim 19 invisible incorporated behind and in
thermal and physical contact with said climate shield.
27. A building according to claim 26, wherein said surface area of
the flat member (12, 22, 32, 44, 55, 65, 71, 81, 91, 92, 93) of the
solar energy collector panel covers at least 50%, more preferable
at least 80%, and most preferable 90% of the area of the climate
shield (11, 21, 31, 46, 67, 94).
28. A building according to claim 26, wherein said surface area of
the flat member (12, 22, 32, 44, 55, 65, 71, 81, 91, 92, 93) of the
solar energy collector panel covers nearly 100% of the area of the
area of the climate shield (11, 21, 31, 46, 67, 94).
29. A building according to claim 26, wherein an insulation
material is mounted between said solar energy collector panel and
the remaining construction part of the building.
30. A building according to claim 29, wherein each end of said at
least one through-going fluid-impervious duct (17, 25, 35, 45, 52,
62, 63) is connected by tubing to a combination of a heat pump and
a heat exchange appliance in said building, such as a water heater,
a radiator, a central heating or cooling unit, a floor heating
unit, or a swimming pool.
31. A building according to claim 30, wherein more than one solar
energy collector panel are incorporated behind and in thermal
contact with a climate shield of a building and each end of the
through-going fluid-impervious ducts in the panels is connected by
manifolds and tubing in parallel or series to a combination of a
heat pump and a heat exchange appliance in said building, such as a
water heater, a radiator, a central heating or cooling unit, a
floor heating unit, or a swimming pool.
32. A building according to claim 29, wherein each end of the
through-going fluid-impervious duct (17, 25, 35, 45, 52, 62, 63) of
the solar energy collector panel is connected by tubing to a heat
exchange appliance in said building and is used to convey heat from
the interior of the building to said climate shield from which it
is radiated or conducted to the surrounding environment.
33. A method of incorporating a solar energy collector panel
according claim 19, wherein the collector panel is incorporated
invisibly behind and in thermal and physical contact with a climate
shield on a building, wherein the climate shield is adhered to a
substantial surface area of the collector panel with a bituminous
or tar material or other adhesive material.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the area of solar water
heating collectors, which absorb the radiation from the sun and
convert the radiation into heat and convey this heat energy
suitable for heating purposes in a building, a swimming pool, for
process energy or tap water. Alternatively the panel transmit
energy from the collectors to the atmosphere during a period of
time where the outdoor temperature is lower than the interior
temperature in the building.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The traditional solar water heating systems available on the
market today change all buildings visual character and appearance
significantly. This limits to some extent the use of solar panels,
especially in older and listed buildings. For this reason it has
become increasingly difficult to meet the objective of increased
use of solar energy as most countries and international
organizations have set. There are several factors limiting the
spread of the use of solar collectors. Price is clearly the
primary, but alteration and change of the building and technical
complexity is of significant scale.
[0003] Some terms to be aware of when discussing roofing materials
and their energy efficiency are; solar reflectance, emittance and
the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI): [0004] Solar Reflectance is the
fraction of the solar energy that is reflected by a roof, expressed
as a number between zero and one. The higher the value, the better
the roof reflects solar energy. For example, white reflective
coating or membrane has a reflectance value of 0.85 (85% of the
impinging solar energy is reflected and the remaining 15% is
absorbed), while asphalt has a value of 0.09 (9% is reflected and
91% is absorbed). [0005] Emittance is the amount of absorbed heat
that is radiated from a roof, expressed as a number between zero
and one. The higher the value, the better the roof radiates heat.
[0006] Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) indicates the roof's
capability to reject solar heat, and is the combined value of
reflectivity and emittance. It is defined so that standard black is
zero (reflectance 0.05, emittance 0.90) and standard white is 100
(reflectance 0.80, emittance 0.90). Because of the way SRI is
defined, very hot materials can have slightly negative SRI values,
and very cool materials can have SRI values exceeding 100.
[0007] A flat collector consists of a thin absorber sheet (usually
aluminium or copper to which a black or selective coating is
applied) backed by a grid or metal coil of fluid handling tubing
and placed in an insulated casing with a glass top cover. Fluid is
circulated through the tubing to remove the heat from the absorber
and transport it to an insulated water tank, a heat exchanger, or
some other device for using the heated fluid.
[0008] Instead of metal collectors, some new polymer flat plate
collectors are now being produced in Europe. These may be wholly
polymer or may be metal plates behind which are freeze-tolerant
water channels made of silicone rubber instead of metal. Polymers,
being flexible and therefore freeze-tolerant, are able to use plain
water instead of antifreeze, so in some cases they are able to
plumb directly into existing water tanks instead of needing the
tank to be replaced by one with extra heat exchangers.
[0009] Evacuated tube collectors are made of a series of modular
tubes, mounted in parallel, the number of which can be increased or
reduced as hot water delivery needs change. This type of collector
consists of rows of parallel transparent glass tubes, each of which
contains an absorber tube (in place of the absorber plate to which
metal tubes are attached in a flat-plate collector). The tubes are
covered with a special light-modulating coating. In an evacuated
tube collector, sunlight passing through an outer glass tube heats
the absorber tube contained within it.
[0010] All the above solar collectors will change the appearance
and character of a building on which they are mounted,
considerably. Flat collectors are typically incorporated into a
rectangular box having dimensions of about 1.times.2 meters with a
glass pane at the top and about 100 mm insulation at the bottom.
This design limits the prevalence of solar collectors considerably,
but their costs and complexity and the necessity to rebuild the
constructions involved and change their appearance and character
are a more important limitation for their common distribution.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,244,355 discloses a solar panel system
comprising solar panel modules, each of which has a collector
housing constructed of high temperature fibreglass reinforced
plastic, die stabbed steel or aluminium covered by a fibreglass
reinforced plastic translucent top portion. The collector housing
contains a collector plate preferably constructed of copper with an
absorptive coating. Between the top cover and the collector plate
there is a dead air space and at the underside of the collector
plate there is a plurality of tubes for carrying a liquid to be
heated by the solar collector. This solar collector module is
mounted visible in a roof construction instead of a part of the
normal roof elements used for the climate shield.
[0012] US patent application publication no. 2005/0199234 A1
discloses a heating and cooling system which is to be structurally
incorporated into an exterior building portion having an interior
side. At least one support member having a fastening portion and a
channel is mounted proximate to the interior side of the exterior
building portion and at least one radiant heat tube is disposed in
each channel and mounted proximate to the interior side of the
exterior building portion by each support member. A heat-carrying
medium is transmitted through the separated radiant heat tube and a
radiant heat reflective surface is mounted proximate to the radiant
heat tube. This heating and cooling system is intended to be
incorporated invisible below a climate shield on a building, but
the radiant heat tube is not an integral part of the support member
which furthermore has a rather limited surface area so that only a
small proportion of the underside of the climate shield is covered
or may be in thermal contact with the support member. This creates
bad transmission of heat energy between the underside of a climate
shield and the heat-carrying medium in the radiant heat tube.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 4,111,188 discloses an extruded metal solar
collector roofing shingle for mounting in multiple shingle, edge
overlapping, parallel array fashion across laterally spaced
inclined roof rafters of a building structure, which shingle
comprises an elongated planar sheet portion having upper and lower
surfaces and laterally opposed upper and lower edges, an integrally
extruded fluid conduit within the sheet portion and protruding from
the lower surface of the sheet and integrally extruded locking
means along opposed lateral edges of the sheet portion for forming
a mechanical interlocking connection between overlapping edges of
respective sheet portions of adjacent shingles. Optionally a light
transmissive plate of rectangular configuration and of a size
generally equal to that of the shingle is mounted to the upper
surface of the shingle and spaced there from to reduce loss of heat
from the shingle. Clearly this shingle is not designed to be
incorporated invisible behind a climate shield of a building and
there is no hint in the patent to obtain such object.
[0014] Also U.S. Pat. No. 4,221,208 discloses an extruded metal
solar collector roofing shingle of similar design for mounting in
multiple shingle, edge overlapping, parallel array fashion across
laterally spaced inclined roof rafters of a building structure.
However, nor this shingle is designed to be incorporated invisible
behind a climate shield of a building and there is no hint in the
patent to obtain such object.
[0015] Finally U.S. Pat. No. 4,083,360 discloses a solar energy
collector adapted to be mounted in and to form part of a building
structure. This collector comprises a thin parallelepiped case
having a top wall of metal plate, to which bars are welded on the
outer surface and a pipe conveying a fluid is welded on the inner
surface. This case is designed to be placed below a window of
transparent hollow elements, e.g. tiles of glass, cut out in a part
the roofing on a building. There is no hint in the patent to use it
in other manner, so neither this collector aims to be incorporated
invisible behind a climate shield of a building.
[0016] The present invention has the object not to change the
building's visual appearance. Therefore, the solar panels must be
100% integrated under or inside the external surfaces, which are to
be used as an envelope. In short, the term "invisible collector"
could be used to describing this invention. However, the use of a
building as an envelope for a solar collector reduces the thermal
efficiency, primarily due to a reduction of the absorbed short wavy
energy from the sun caused by colour and surface coatings on the
building. Also the wind influences the surface exposed to the sun
by cooling the surface which absorb the sun's energy. To counteract
these adverse conditions the surface area may be increased by
utilising the entire roof surface and/or facade of a building. This
can be done because the total price for implementing of the
suggested collector in a building is less than the application of
conventional externally mounted solar collectors.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The present invention relates to a solar energy collector
panel intended for invisible incorporation behind and in thermal
contact with a climate shield of roofing felt on a building, said
panel being made of a heat-conducting material and having at least
one through-going fluid-impervious duct embedded in said panel for
passing a thermal energy carrying-capable fluid through it and
having or being attached to a member of heat-conducting material
and substantial surface area intended to be mounted in direct
physical contact with said climate shield.
[0018] Thus, the transfer of energy from the climate shield to the
collector panel of the present invention is essentially performed
by direct heat conductance or convection.
[0019] In an embodiment of the collector panel according to the
invention the roofing felt is bituminous a material(s) or tar
board.
[0020] In another embodiment of the collector panel according to
the invention the heat-conducting material(s) is (are) a metal.
[0021] In another embodiment of the collector panel according to
the invention the heat-conducting material(s) is (are) a metal
selected from the group comprising aluminium and aluminium alloys,
copper and copper alloys, iron and iron alloys, in particular the
different types of stainless steels.
[0022] In a further embodiment of the collector panel according to
the invention the heat-conducting material(s) has (have) a thermal
conductivity of more than 10 Wm.sup.2/K.
[0023] In a further embodiment of the collector panel according to
the invention the panel with its fluid-impervious channel or duct
has been produced by an extrusion process.
[0024] In a further embodiment of the collector panel according to
the invention the surface area of the flat member covers at least
50%, more preferable at least 80%, and most preferable 90% of the
area of the climate shield.
[0025] In a further embodiment of the collector panel according to
the invention the surface area of the flat member covers nearly
100% of the area of the area of the climate shield.
[0026] In a further embodiment of the collector panel according to
the invention the at least one through-going fluid-impervious duct
is placed above the surface of the flat member and optionally the
outer surface of said duct has the form of a triangular list.
[0027] In a further embodiment of the collector panel according to
the invention the at least one through-going fluid-impervious duct
is placed below the surface of the flat member and preferable is
embedded in or surrounded by insulation material.
[0028] In a further embodiment of the collector panel according to
the invention the solar energy collector panel comprising said at
least one through-going fluid-impervious duct has a body having two
opposite wings, each provided with a slot intended for receiving a
flange of a heat-conducting plate member in a snugly fit.
[0029] The invention also comprises a building having a climate
shield of bituminous roofing felt or tar board and a solar energy
collector panel according to the invention invisible incorporated
behind and in thermal contact with said climate shield.
[0030] In an embodiment of the building according to the invention
the climate shield constitutes the roof or a part thereof on the
building.
[0031] In another embodiment of the building according to the
invention the insulation material is mounted between said solar
energy collector panel and the remaining construction part of the
building.
[0032] In a further embodiment of the building according to the
invention the climate shield, solar energy collecting panel and
insulation material are mounted on top of an industrial roof
surface of standing seam metal based sheets optionally being highly
trapezoidal corrugated in cross-section.
[0033] In a further embodiment of the building according to the
invention each end of said at least one through-going
fluid-impervious duct is connected by tubing to a heat exchange
appliance in said building, such as a water heater, a radiator, a
central heating or cooling unit, a floor heating unit, or a
swimming pool.
[0034] In another embodiment of the building according to the
invention more than one solar energy collector panel are
incorporated behind and in thermal contact with a climate shield of
a building and each end of the through-going fluid-impervious ducts
in the panels is connected by manifolds and tubing in parallel or
series to a heat exchange appliance in said building, such as a
water heater, a radiator, a central heating or cooling unit, a
floor heating unit, or a swimming pool.
[0035] The invention further comprises a building having a climate
shield of bituminous roofing felt or tar board and at least one
solar energy collector panel according to claim 1 invisible
incorporated behind and in thermal contact with said climate shield
and wherein each end of the through-going fluid-impervious duct in
the panel is connected by tubing to a heat exchange appliance in
said building and is used to convey heat from the interior of the
building to said climate shield from which it is radiated or
conducted to the surrounding environment.
[0036] The invention further comprises a use of a solar energy
collector panel according to the invention by which the collector
panel is incorporated invisible behind and in thermal and physical
contact with a climate shield on a building, wherein the climate
shield is adhered to a substantial surface area of the collector
panel with a bituminous, tar material or other adhesive
material.
[0037] The invention also concerns a use of a solar energy
collector panel according to the invention by which the collector
panel is incorporated invisible behind and in thermal and physical
contact with a climate shield on a building, wherein the climate
shield is adhered to a substantial surface area of the collector
panel with a bituminous or tar material or other adhesive
material.
[0038] The climate shield is preferable bituminous roofing felt or
tar board.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0039] The slope of a solar heated liquid cooled surface having
integrated a collector panel according to the present invention a
climate shield of a building can be chosen freely between
horizontal and vertical and is only limited by the manufacturer's
instructions for the climate shield. Thus, the collectors of the
present invention are "invisible" as a result of being integrated
behind the climate shield, thereby not affecting the view of the
building, which is visually unmoved.
[0040] Buildings provided with the above-described collector
principle do not appear visually different from similar buildings
without a collector. Hence, the collector principle of the present
invention can be used also in old buildings, listed buildings and
buildings in residential areas which are subject to visual
modification restrictions.
[0041] Bitumen based roofing felt is typically delivered in the
form of rolls which are laminated around a reinforcing fibre
fabric. The top surface layer of bitumen is often covered with a
layer of ultraviolet protective particles, often minerals, shale or
coal, and a further layer of bitumen on the underside is used for
bonding attachment to the base roof surface. For example a layer of
closely located wood boards or plywood sheets are primed with
asphalt to improve adherence of a roofing felt roller which is
welded or glued to the base. Alternating seams of first layer of
cardboard on the wood surface overlap seams of second layer and are
melted together.
[0042] In some countries this type of roofs are formed with small
individual bitumen felt slates placed in close proximity and with
appropriate overlap provides a rainy climate and windproof screen.
Especially in the U.S., this roof, popular known as shingles, is
typically nailed flat on a plywood substrate, but could be glued
solid as an alternative to nailing.
[0043] The present invention is, among other things, carried out on
a 10.degree.-40.degree. sloped roof surface lined with traditional
bitumen roofing felt affixed to an underlying heat conductive
surface, for example metal based, in direct contact with a fluid in
the integrated tube or channel to receive the accrued and through
the heat conductive surface transported energy from the sun and
further carrying the heated fluid to for example a technical
heating facility in a building. This cools the roof surface. An
appropriate thermal insulation layer, e.g. polystyrene, mineral
fibres, reflective foil or combinations thereof, is preferably
placed below the collector panel.
[0044] The volume of the triangle list, which traditionally is used
on the top surface of a roof and which is covered with an asphalt
or tar felt strip, is the basis for the transportation area of the
cooling fluid. In other words, the triangle is replaced with a
system inside the "triangle list", which allows a fluid to pass and
therefore does not change the traditional visual experience of the
roof. The typical distance between the triangle lists is adapted to
the traditional tar felt rollers' widths. Triangle lists comprised
by this invention can usefully be placed closest possible, so that
the narrow tar felt strip rolls, for example. 600 mm width, are
used, replacing the often used tar felt strip width of 1,000 mm for
optimised energy absorption.
[0045] Buildings provided with the above-described integrated solar
panel examples are not different from the visually similar
buildings without a collector. Thus, the collector can be usefully
applied to older buildings or buildings in residential areas, which
are subject to visual restrictions. Or, the benefit of a building,
which has been listed with a collector of the invention implemented
in the building, includes other than the roof surface.
[0046] The solar panel may be manufactured by an extrusion process
used to create long objects of a fixed cross-section. By such
process the material to be used is pushed in a heated condition
through a die having the desired cross sectional shape. Hollow
sections like the through-going channel or duct are usually
produced by placing a pin or piercing mandrel within the die. The
extrusion process may be continuous or semi-continuous and create
endless panel or panels having a length of typically 20-30 meters,
which are straightened, cooled and cut into desired lengths of
typically 6-8 meters ready for shipment. --In the case that the
material is aluminium, extrusion blank it is heated as a ticket to
about 400.degree. C. before it is pushed through the die.
[0047] The architectural principle of installation of triangle
lists under asphalt cardboard is sometimes on bitumen felt roofs,
but at the top of the envelope and in the same direction as the
rainfall is moving on the roof. The triangle lists are used
advantageously as a useful volume for the inclusion of the cooling
pipe. For example, a comprehensive and thermally well conductive
surface of a thickness between 0.1 to 100 mm and thermally
corresponding with the metal structure triangle list is located
under a roofing felt membrane with integrated cavities for the
built-cooling arrangement. In or close to the ridge of the roof
and/or roofing foot refrigeration triangle list connections are
assembled with other technical connections, for example tubes
passed through holes in the underlying insulation, metal and wood
diaphragm membranes. The application of sheeting insulation with a
relatively high pressure resistance directly on the wood membrane
mounted on the roof reduces the number of cold bridges. The cooling
of the roofing felt further keeps its temperature under control for
a prolonged life. The aluminium metal membrane is attached with
screws through corresponding holes in the metal triangle list wings
and through the insulation boards, which maintain the insulating
material. The metal plate membrane provides an excellent anchor for
affixing roofing felt roof envelope.
[0048] The dimensions of the triangle list (alternatively performed
as a semicircle or other smart design) are determined by the
cooling medium chosen to be a liquid or a gas. The system is
simplified in the case air is elected, since a triangle list as a
profile transports gas of .about.1:800 density to capture the heat
in the house. This, however, imposes the channel in the list to be
several times greater than if a liquid was to be transported.
[0049] If the triangle list is coated exteriorly with an
anticorrosive, advantageously having a dark colour, the profile
requires no additional coating with roofing felt, which facilitates
the execution of the roofing tasks.
[0050] Alternatively, the profile forming the means for
transporting the cooling fluid in the form of a triangle list is
externally attached thermally on the heat conductive metal membrane
and finally covered by affixing roofing felt. In each end of the
profile connections for fluid input and output are provided. Some
people would consider it prudent that triangular route is equipped
on the back regularly mounted with threaded pieces, which allows
fastening with springs, washers and nuts in the side of the roof
wood membrane through insulation, springs to compensate for
material extensions. In practice the triangle list or its
alternatives are placed either on the top or on the underside of
the envelope. Located on the top plate conventional insulation can
be used without further processing. Located on the underside a
similar track record in the underlying insulation must be
performed.
[0051] An alternative to a triangle list placed perpendicular to a
building's axis is a similar structure built (as plank coverage) on
the roof along the bottom of each asphalt felt strip fastened and
partly in bitumen cast in a potentially oval cooling tube with
adhesion surfaces with possibly mounting holes . This cooling tube
can usefully be made as an extruded aluminium profile coated with a
dark colour. Alternatively it can be rolled up, for example from
1-4 mm thick metal bands or sheets, with the integrated cooling
tube. The distance between these cooling tube profiles may usefully
be limited to between 50 and 1,000 mm, favourably between 150 and
500 mm. At a greater distance between cooling tube profiles a heat
conductive plate-shaped material is placed, to which the roofing
felt is bonded. Flexible connections may be located under the
cooling tube profiles so that thermal expansion can be absorbed.
All cooling tubes are assembled with for example two manifolds, one
on each side of the building, to other technical and hidden
connections with usually installed wind coverage. This principle
can be extended, if necessary, to take the form as a hybrid between
the principle plate coverage and plank coverage as described in the
technical literature, here through the use of straight wall as
vertical cladding and not vertical roof.
[0052] Industry roofs are typically built up through the
installation of a system of corrugated metal sheet metal for
handling snow load and the like. The installation of insulation at
the top of the trapezoidal plates and a layer of heat-conductive
plates on the top of the insulation provides an opportunity for the
placement of the cooling profiles in close thermal contact with
metal plates with integrated channels and can be used as a means of
transporting a fluid to cool the roof.
[0053] Roofs equipped with triangle lists or lists plank as
architectural principle are national contingent phenomena. Most
countries use flat plane and completely flat roofs. A simple and
compatible concept will be compact extruded profiles with slits in
both sides which mechanical and thermal correspond with one on each
side placed heat conductive metal sheet plate--stored inside the
climate shield. These metal sheet plates can be adapted to various
widths so as to achieve a suitable distance between the fluid
operating profiles with integrated cooling tubes. Thus, roofing
felt membranes combined with a comprehensive and thermally well
conductive surface of a thickness between 0.1 to 100 mm are
thermally corresponding with a metal structure profile with
integrated cavities with the built-in cooling arrangement.
[0054] Fluid transferring flexible tube connections from the next
neighbouring cooling device are connected continuous with flexible
through pipes corresponding with profiles of custom slits in the
underlying insulation without breaking the water tight membrane on
the wood membrane on the timber support. Thus is the complete
solution deployment in depressions alone in isolation. The
application of sheeting insulation with a relatively high pressure
resistance directly on a wood membrane mounted on roof rafters
reduces the number of cold bridges.
[0055] Through the cooling effect the operating temperature of the
roofing felt is kept under control for a prolonged life. The
aluminium metal sheet membrane of the invention is attached with
screws through corresponding holes in the profile sheet's heat
conducting wings and further through insulation plates by which the
insulating material is mechanical fastened. The metal plate
membrane provides an excellent anchor for affixing bitumen roofing
felt and other roofing materials.
[0056] An alternative and also preferred design is a centrally
located small profile with a fully integrated tube with slots for
sheet connections. These sheets of variable width act as a means
for transporting energy from larger bitumen roofing felt surface
areas to a fluid which cool the roof surface heated by the sun.
Slot widths are adjusted so that the heat conductive distance plate
easily may be squeezed into the slots for both a close mechanical
and particularly thermal successful session. Blunt are composed of
parallel wings as an integral part of the body in mechanical
contact with the heat conductive distance plates or sheets
transporting energy in the desired direction. The heat conductive
distance plates as accessories to the profile are either completely
flat or have shaped strips to fit snugly inside the slots. The heat
conductive plate may be rolled in the shape of a flat piece of
metal. The heat conductive distance plates may be extruded or
rolled of metal having good thermal conductivity such as aluminium
or the like. In practise a roof surface lined externally with
roofing felt are in close contact with a system of parallel
underlying heat conductive sheets mounted on a thermal insulation
placed on a supporting membrane of wood or metal on the rafters.
The heat conducting elongated plates fixed into the slots may have
parallel sides or be performed with varying widths such as trapeze
shaped according to the task. The solar panel may preferably be
mounted mechanically on suitable insulation materials with slots to
cover the profile shape in order to improve the solar panel
invisibility. Mechanical fastening is preferably done with a
suitable number of screws or nails passing through holes both in
the heat conductive sheets and the insulation materials into the
wood structure support below the insulation material.
[0057] The central profile with the integrated tube may have
lengths varying from less than one meter to more than 20 meters.
Though for ease of use and transportation they are supplied in
lengths of 2-6 meters and each profile is fitted with threaded
connections in each end. Such pipe threads connections for in
between the many profiles to obtain a fluid transporting system
with series connection. Assembling the more than two profiles with
hoses, preferably flexible metal hoses, in serial connection for
energy exchange between the fluid and the solar panel system. The
combined tubes in the profiles are further connected via flexible
metal hoses to a pump for fluid exchange with a heat storage or a
heat conveying system.
[0058] The connecting heat conducting sheets, one sheet connected
on each side of the profile, have preferable the same length as the
profile. Such sheets range from 100 mm to 1000 mm in width,
preferably from 100 to 500 mm. The total single solar panel widths
will then be twice the sheets width plus the profile width measured
from one slot bottom to bottom and in total range from 220 to 2000
mm. A roof may easily be covered either completely or partially
with the invisible solar panel technology by multiplying the single
solar panel by parallel mounting, side by side. Such solar panels
may be oriented perpendicular to the roof ridge or along the roof
ridge and internally connected for fluid transport in series
connection or parallel connections or combinations hereof.
[0059] The dimensions of the fluid transferring profiles are
determined by the cooling medium chosen to be a liquid or a gas. In
the event air is elected the system is simplified, since the
triangle list as a profile transports gas of .about.1:800 density
to capture the heat in the house. The channel in the list must be
several times greater than if a liquid was transported.
[0060] The relatively lower attainable temperature of the
circulated fluid obtained through the invention herein presented as
compared to conventional solar panels, will be suited to energy
accumulation systems with large thermal mass as for example a cast
concrete floor with built-in energy carrying tubing, walls
constructed of stone or in combination with concrete and built-in
energy carrying hoses, buildings with central heavy building
structures with built-in energy carrying tubing and light outer
walls. Alternatively in combination with a heat pump the effective
temperature may be increased to more than the fluid temperature
leaving the invisible solar panel system.
[0061] In many countries it is normal to use non-organic fibre mats
or porous plates for thermal insulation of building structures. In
some regions polystyrene based air bubble foam sheets for the same
purpose or even reflective foil insulation are widely used. These
insulation components can be performed with varying density and
physical dimensions for obtaining properties suitable for the
isolation of various designs. It will be obvious to design and use
relatively hard insulation panels for this invention so that the
plates are aligned similarly to the underside of the liquid-cooled
climate-screen interfaces. This reduces total height and thickness
etc, plus reduces the number and size of cavities and should be
able to eliminate cold bridges, etc. In some cases, such insulation
panels laminated with the heat conveying surfaces facilitate
installation.
[0062] Optimization of surface ability to absorb the energy from
the sun irradiation depends entirely on the colour and surface
characteristics. Generally, darker surfaces absorb energy much
better than the bright surfaces.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0063] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section of an embodiment of a solar
energy collector panel according to the present invention mounted
on top of an inclined roof of a building.
[0064] FIG. 2 is a cross section of the embodiment of the solar
energy collector panel according to the present invention shown in
FIG. 1.
[0065] FIG. 3 is a cross section of another embodiment of the solar
energy collector panel according to the present invention mounted
on top of an inclined roof of a building.
[0066] FIG. 4 is a cross section of another embodiment of the solar
energy collector panel according to the present invention mounted
on top of an industrial roof surface of standing seam metal based
sheets highly trapezoidal corrugated in cross-section.
[0067] FIG. 5 shows in more details a cross section of the
triangular list shown in FIG. 1.
[0068] FIG. 6 shows in more details a cross section of an
alternative of the triangular list shown in FIG. 5.
[0069] FIG. 7 shows in more details a cross section of an
alternative embodiment of the solar energy collector panel in FIG.
3.
[0070] FIG. 8 is a cross section of a heat-conductive distance
plate intended as accessory for the embodiment of the solar energy
collector panel shown in FIG. 7.
[0071] FIG. 9 is a cross section of the embodiment of the solar
energy collector panel shown in FIG. 7 combined with the
heat-conductive distance plate shown in FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0072] Reference is made to FIG. 1 showing in longitudinal section
the basic structure of a villa or small industrial roof surface
dress externally lined with roofing felt 11 affixed by bitumen to
an underlying heat conductive surface 12 of heat conductive plates
of appropriate format attached via insulation 13 to a roof
structure 14. A triangular profile or panel 15 containing a
through-going duct or channel 16 formed by rolling or extrusion are
mounted on the outside heat conductive surface 12. The duct 16 is
designed along a dense material with multiple pages and surrounding
both mechanically and thermally the duct 16. The triangular hollow
profile 15 is thermally and physically connected to the heat
conductive plates 12 and conducts a fluid imported and exported
through e.g. threaded pipe connections perpendicular to the heat
conductive plate 12, insulation 13 and structural support 14. A
manifold 17 receives the fluid containing the collected heat energy
from typically a multi-channel arrangement 16 and carries the
heated fluid to a heat exchange technical installation elsewhere in
the building, wherein it is cooled.
[0073] Reference is made to FIG. 2 showing a so-called plank
covered roof surface dress externally lined with roofing felt 21
affixed with bitumen to an underlying and mechanically fixed
surface 22 of heat-conductive material placed on top of a layer of
insulation 23 having great pressure resistance. An extrusion formed
profile or panel 24 containing a longitudinally formed duct or
channel 25 is fitted at suitable distance through a series of
mounting holes and connecting area in close contact with the heat
conductive surface 22. The duct or channel 25 in the profile 24
controls the fluid flow which receives the collected sun energy and
carries the heated fluid to cool the roof surface superimposed an
appropriate layer of thermal insulation 23. Each channel 25 is at
each end connected to a manifold system (not shown) mounted in the
building and passes the warmed fluid to a cooler for
recovering.
[0074] Referring to FIG. 3 a villa roof surface dress externally
lined with roofing felt shingles 31 is shown against a system of
underlying heat conductive surfaces of profiles or panels 32
mounted on thermal insulation 33 placed on a membrane 34 of
typically 20-25 millimetres thick plywood. The fluid operating
profiles 32 containing one or more parallel and longitudinally
designed and integrated ducts or channels 35 are formed by
extrusion. The ducts or channels 35 at the underside of the panels,
which receives the collected energy from the sun, direct the fluid
away to cool the roof surface. The profiles 32 incorporating the
channels 35 are equipped with holes for mechanical fastening
through the insulation 33 having great compression strength to an
underlying wood membrane 34. Wood laths 36 placed between the
profiles 32 and secured through insulation 33 to wood membrane 34
provide the basis for mechanical fastening of the shingles 31 with
nails. The insulation material 33 may advantageously be designed so
that the insulation bats are adapted, moulded, and modified to
incorporate a slot or groove in the upper side adapted to receive
the liquid-cooled profiles 32 in close contact with the envelope
faces 31 which also deals with this invention.
[0075] Reference is now made to FIG. 4 showing in cross section an
industrial roof surface typically built by the installation of a
system of highly trapeze shaped metal plates 41, which absorb a
snow load and similar cargo and reduce the demands on the number of
cargo recording underlying beams. Plate insulation 42 of a high
load capacity is attached on top of plywood sheets 43 lying on the
trapeze plates 41. On top of the complete surface insulation heat
conductive metal plates 44 are installed and attached mechanically
to the trapezoidal plates 41. This provides a heat conductive plate
44 bases for roofing felt 46 mounted by adhesion. At suitable
internal distances heat conveying profiles or panels 45 are
mounted. The heat conductive plates 44 have a large surface and a
number of parallel liquid cooled ducts or channels 45 used as means
for transporting a fluid to cool the otherwise sun heated roof
surface.
[0076] FIG. 5 shows in greater details the triangular list 51 shown
in FIG. 1, however, viewed from another angle. The triangular list
is typically 45 mm high and has two legs with 66 degrees between.
The overarching and integrated duct or channel 52 can suitably be
18 or 24 mm in diameter for connection of either 1/2'' or 3/4''
pipe thread. The connection may partly be axially visible or
completely invisible radial down through the bottom 53 of the
profile 51, through the insulation and the wood membrane (not
shown). The total width of the profile 51 is certainly within the
capability of aluminium extrusion and is typically 200 mm. Screws
through countersunk holes 54 at 300 mm distance in the extruded
profile fasten the profiles 51 and the heat conductive plates 55
down through the insulation to a wood membrane (not shown). The
whole system is covered by on-glued roofing felt envelope.
[0077] In FIG. 6 showing details of an alternative triangular list
system 61 a profile of an integrated tube 62 and a mirrored return
profile of a similar integrated tube 63 are included in the same
triangle profile, which ensures that connections can be made at one
end only of the profile. Based on design considerations this may be
at the roof ridge or at the roof foot. An insulating rubber profile
64 is mounted between the two similar profiles to ensure that the
entry of colder liquid does not influence the warmer departure
liquid. In this example 2 mm thick heat conductive metal plates 65
do not cover the overall width 100%, but leave a distance for the
triangle list system indicated by 61. Through holes 66 cut in the
extruded profiles are provided for fastening both profiles and the
heat conductive plates 65 with wood screws down through the
insulation to wood a membrane (not shown). The whole system is
covered by a bitumen-based roofing felt envelope 67 glued onto the
system.
[0078] Reference is made to FIG. 7 showing in more details an
alternative embodiment of the solar energy collector panel shown in
FIG. 3. The alternative design 71 has a central located and fully
integrated duct or pipe 72 which acts as a means for transporting a
fluid to cool the roof surface heated by the sun. Slots 73 are
provided in opposite upper cantilevers so as to fit that heat
conductive distance plates (as shown in FIG. 8) can be squeezed
into the slots 73 for obtaining both a close mechanical and thermal
particularly successful assembling. The cantilevers are composed of
parallel wings 74 as an integral part of the body 71 providing
means for mechanical contact with the heat conductive distance
plate transporting energy in the desired direction.
[0079] FIG. 8 shows in more details a cross section of a heat
conductive distance plate 81 as accessories to the solar energy
collector panel shown in FIG. 7. The panel has edges or flanges 82
fitting snugly inside the slots 73 shown in FIG. 7. The
heat-conductive distance plate can be rolled into shape from a flat
piece of metal. The heat-conductive distance plate can be extruded
of metal like aluminium.
[0080] FIG. 9 is a cross section of the embodiment of the solar
energy collector panel shown in FIG. 7 combined with the
heat-conductive distance plate shown in FIG. 8. Thus FIG. 9
represents an alternative design and embodiment of the profile
shown in FIG. 3. A roof surface is covered externally with on glued
bitumen-based roofing felt 94 on a system of underlying
heat-conductive surfaces 91, 92, 93 mounted on a thermal insulation
material 95 modified to incorporate a slot or groove in the upper
side adapted to receive the liquid-cooled profiles, said thermal
insulation material 95 mounted on a supporting membrane of wood,
metal or concrete (not shown). The heat conductive energy receiving
plates 92, 93 are mounted firmly into the slots 73 on the
liquid-cooled profile as shown in FIG. 7 and can be performed with
varying widths for a full assembled solar panel of suitable total
width. Through holes (not shown) drilled or cut into the energy
receiving plates 92, 93 are provided for fastening both the solar
panel profile, the heat conductive plates and the insulation with
washers and wood screws down through the insulation and into the
membrane (not shown).
[0081] The exemplifying embodiments of the invention shown in FIG.
3, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9 represent excellent solutions for a
metal sheet roof, standing seam metal sheet roof as described in
the applicant's PCT application DK2008/000022.
[0082] It will be obvious to anyone of technical skill that
combinations of the above-mentioned structures in other ways than
described herein can be made and such combinations are within the
scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the appended
claims. Further, the choice of air, water-based or other liquid as
heat transporting media will depend on actual conditions and
considerations and is also within the scope and spirit of the
present invention, but being obvious for a man skilled in the art
it will not be described herein. However, this will not change the
nature and principle of the invention.
* * * * *