U.S. patent application number 13/174015 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-05 for tankless solar water heater.
Invention is credited to Bin Chen, Decheng Li, Jin Li, Yizhi Song, Guoqiang Xu, Demin Zhang, Duanqiao Zhang.
Application Number | 20120000458 13/174015 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45402712 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120000458 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zhang; Duanqiao ; et
al. |
January 5, 2012 |
Tankless Solar Water Heater
Abstract
A fluid storage unit suitable for a tankless solar heater
system. The storage unit has an elongated cylindrical hollow vessel
having a sealing ring fit within an open end of the vessel abuting
a ridge formed on the vessel and a cover attached to the open end
of the vessel and abutting the ring to compress it against the
ridge to form a fluid tight seal between the cover and the
vessel.
Inventors: |
Zhang; Duanqiao; (Jinan,
CN) ; Zhang; Demin; (Jinan, CN) ; Chen;
Bin; (Jinan, CN) ; Song; Yizhi; (Jinan,
CN) ; Xu; Guoqiang; (Jinan, CN) ; Li;
Decheng; (Jinan, CN) ; Li; Jin; (Jinan,
CN) |
Family ID: |
45402712 |
Appl. No.: |
13/174015 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/640 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24S 80/30 20180501;
F24S 60/30 20180501; F24D 2200/14 20130101; F24S 10/45 20180501;
Y02B 10/22 20130101; Y02E 10/44 20130101; F24S 80/70 20180501; Y02B
10/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/640 |
International
Class: |
F24J 2/04 20060101
F24J002/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 30, 2010 |
CN |
20101020033.7 |
Claims
1. A fluid storage unit comprising: an elongated cylindrical hollow
vessel having at least one opened end; an inwardly oriented annular
sealant ridge located adjacent the open end of the vessel; a
sealing ring proportioned to fit within the open end of the vessel
and abut the ridge; and a cover having a bowl shaped portion
proportioned to selectively fit within the open end of the vessel
and abut the sealing ring and the inwardly oriented sealant recess;
such that, upon compression of the bowl into the open end of the
vessel, the bowl shaped portion of the cover compresses the sealing
ring against the ridge forming a fluid tight seal between the cover
and the vessel.
2. The storage unit of claim 1 wherein the bowl further comprises a
peripheral flange selectively formable to grip the open end of the
vessel to thereby compress the bowl shaped portion of the cover
into engagement with the sealing ring.
3. The storage unit of claim 1 wherein the cover is comprised of
stainless steel material.
4. The storage unit of claim 1 wherein the vessel is comprised of
stainless steel material.
5. The storage unit of claim 1 wherein the sealing ring comprises
an O-ring formed of a resilient material.
6. The storage unit of claim 1 wherein the vessel in disposed
within a generally transparent outer chamber to form a thermal
energy collection system.
7. The storage unit of claim 1 wherein the vessel has a second open
end opposite the first open end, the second open end being
selectively closed by a second cover.
8. The storage unit of claim 7 further comprising an annular
sealant emboss adjacent the second open end of the vessel and a
second sealing ring, said second cover selectively cooperating with
the second sealing ring and the emboss to selectively seal the
second end of the vessel.
9. The storage unit of claim 8 further comprising a spanner nut
engageable with the second cover to selectively drive the second
cover against the second sealing ring to form a seal between the
second cover and the vessel.
10. A modular solar thermal storage unit comprising: a generally
vertically disposed elongated cylindrical hollow vessel having an
open upper end comprised of a heat conductive material; an inwardly
oriented annular sealant ridge located adjacent the open upper end
of the vessel; a sealing ring proportioned to fit within the open
upper end of the vessel and abut the ridge; and a cover comprised
of a heat conductive material and having a bowl shaped portion
proportioned to selectively fit within the open upper end of the
vessel and abut the sealing ring and the inwardly oriented sealant
recess such that, upon compression of the bowl into the open end of
the vessel, the bowl shaped portion of the cover compresses the
sealing ring against the ridge forming a fluid tight seal between
the cover and the vessel.
11. The storage unit of claim 10 wherein the bowl further comprises
a peripheral flange selectively formable to grip the open end of
the vessel to thereby compress the bowl shaped portion of the cover
into engagement with the sealing ring.
12. The storage unit of claim 10 wherein the sealing ring comprises
an O-ring.
13. The storage unit of claim 10 further comprising a generally
transparent solar energy collection chamber formed of a heat
absorbing material, said vessel being proportioned for selective
insertion into the chamber.
14. The storage unit of claim 10 further comprising: an open lower
end of the vessel; an annular sealant emboss located adjacent the
lower upper end of the vessel; a second sealing ring proportioned
to selectively abut the emboss; and a base proportioned to close
the lower end of the vessel and abut the second sealing ring and
compress the second sealing ring against the emboss to selectively
form a fluid seal between the base and the vessel.
15. The storage unit of claim 14 further comprising a spanner nut
engageable with the base to selectively drive the base against the
second sealing ring to form said seal between the base and the
vessel.
16. The storage unit of claim 14 wherein the base further comprises
an inlet and an outlet for fluid flow into and out of the
vessel.
17. The storage unit of claim 14 further comprising: a generally
transparent solar energy collection chamber formed of a heat
absorbing material having an open lower end and a closed upper end,
said chamber being proportioned for selective acceptance of the
vessel through the lower end of the chamber; and a thermal washer
disposed adjacent an upper surface of the base engageable with the
lower end of the chamber selectively forming a thermal seal between
the solar energy collection chamber and the base.
18. The storage unit of claim 14 wherein the second sealing ring
comprises an O-ring.
19. The storage unit of claim 14 wherein the emboss extends
outwardly from the vessel and the second sealing ring fits on the
outside of the vessel.
20. A modular solar thermal storage unit comprising: a generally
transparent solar energy collection chamber formed of a heat
absorbing material having an open lower end and a closed upper end,
a generally vertically disposed elongated cylindrical hollow vessel
having an open upper end and an open lower end, said vessel being
disposed with said chamber; said vessel further having an inwardly
oriented annular sealant ridge located adjacent the open upper end
of the vessel and an outwardly oriented annular sealant emboss
located adjacent the lower end of the vessel; a first sealing ring
fitted within the open upper end of the vessel and abutting the
ridge; a bowl shaped cover fitted within the open upper end of the
vessel, said bowl having a peripheral flange formed to grip the
open end of the vessel to thereby compress the cover into against
the first sealing ring, thereby compressing the sealing ring
against the ridge to forming a fluid tight seal between the cover
and the vessel; a second sealing ring fitted outside of the open
upper end of the vessel and abutting the emboss; a base having an
inlet and an outlet for fluid flow into and out of the vessel, said
base being disposed adjacent the lower ends of the chamber and the
vessel and abutting the second sealing ring; a spanner nut engaging
the base to drive the base against the second sealing ring to form
said seal between the base and the vessel; and a thermal washer
disposed adjacent an upper surface of the base engageable with the
lower end of the chamber forming a thermal seal between the solar
energy collection chamber and the base.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent
Application serial number 20101020033.7 filed on Jun. 30, 2010
bearing the title "Modular Solar Thermal Storage Units and Tankless
Solar Water Heater" and all disclosures are incorporated by
reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present invention is directed to fluid storage units for
use in solar fluid heating systems and in particular in tankless
water heaters.
[0003] As global petrochemical energy shortage and global warming
seriously threaten the economic development and health of people's
lives, energy conservation and carbon-footprint reduction have
become a significant national policy around the world. Solar
energy, known for being clean, readily available and safe, has
obvious advantages and has caught the attention of most countries
in the world. In the solar energy industry, the development of
solar thermal water heaters has become a mature technology. Solar
thermal systems have been widely used.
[0004] In general, various solar fluid heating systems have been
created to collect a portion of the energy of the sun for various
purposes by heating a fluid. In many cases, the fluid heated is
water. The heated water may then be used directly from the solar
collector for consumption, for cleaning persons or objects, or for
filling a swimming pool. In other cases, the heated water may be
supplied to a residential or commercial potable water distribution
system. Hot water from the water distribution system is stored for
subsequent distribution to hot water lines throughout a building to
outlet devices, such as faucets, or to appliances, such as clothes
washers, dishwashers or water or steam based radiators. These are
typically of two types--direct heating systems and indirect heating
systems.
[0005] In still other cases, the fluid is used as a secondary fluid
for collecting heat and thereafter transferring the heat to water
through a heat transfer device. In some of these installations, a
solar collector is part of a closed loop system using a secondary
fluid, such as glycol, and the heat is transferred to the potable
water using a heat exchanger. These systems are complex and
inefficient, for example, in the transfer of heat between the
secondary fluid and the potable water. It may therefore be
desirable to provide a solar heating system where the solar
collector heats the potable water directly so as to reduce the
number of components and complexity and increase the overall
efficiency of the system.
[0006] In a few other cases, the heat content of the fluid is
converted to another form of energy or directly used to perform
some task.
[0007] These systems may consist of one or more solar panels
holding one or more transparent fluid holding chambers each
connected to a fluid inlet for supplying unheated fluid to the
fluid holding chambers and to a fluid outlet for removing heated
fluid from the fluid holding chambers. When the solar panels are
exposed to the incoming sunlight, the fluid converts photons in the
incoming solar rays into thermal energy. These solar fluid heating
systems vary in efficiency but typically must be carefully oriented
towards the angle of the incoming solar rays in order to achieve an
acceptable efficiency.
[0008] For systems heating water for use in a building, these
systems are typically mounted to the roof of the building. This
requires long fluid lines running from the roof to the building
water systems, which are typically located in the basement or first
floor of the building. They may require structural modifications to
the roof to assure that the roof can accommodate the weight of the
solar panels and associated hardware. Such systems therefore
typically require professional installation and may take several
days to complete. The initial labor and material costs associated
with installing such systems on roofs and of providing the long
plumbing lines to transport fluid to and from the panels has a
considerable impact on the payback associated with switching from
more conventional gas or electric water heating systems to using
such solar water heating systems.
[0009] For solar water heating systems used to heat a swimming
pool, the solar panels may be mounted to a roof of a nearby pool
house, thereby having the same disadvantages as those systems
mounted to roofs of other buildings. Alternatively, the solar
panels may placed on the ground, near the pool, detracting from the
appearance of the pool and sometimes consuming a portion of the
land adjacent the pool that may be used by people for entertainment
purposes.
[0010] The fluid holding chambers of these solar panels may have an
outer container formed of a transparent material, such as glass,
and an inner chamber formed of a heat absorbing material, such as
stainless steel, in which fluid is heated and stored. It is
critical for efficiency that the inner chamber be effectively
sealed from the outer chamber. It would be beneficial to provide a
solar water heating system that is easy to manufacture and in
particular provides a low cost and effective sealing of the inner
chambers.
[0011] Today the direct-embedded type of solar water heaters is
widely used because of their high transferring efficiency, rapid
heat up and low cost. However, there are also many disadvantages,
such as the less visually pleasing nature of the roof installation
as well as safety issues. This type of solar water heater is
generally restricted in high residential buildings.
[0012] The split wall-mounted solar water heaters that are commonly
used in multi-story and high-rise apartments are structured into
two parts, the solar collector and hot water storage tank. The
former is mounted on the exterior wall in the balcony or wall, the
latter is usually placed somewhere in the balcony or indoors.
Usually metal pipes, such as copper pipes, are used for
installation. A heat exchanger using pipelines from collectors and
water storage tank, are used to heat up the water stored inside the
tank. The split wall-mounted solar water heater provides a good
solution to pressure, installation, antifreeze and other issues,
but it has some critical issues such as low collection efficiency,
slow heat up, and a comparatively low hot water temperature. In
addition, it consumes extra indoor space for the tank
installation.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0013] The present disclosure provides a fluid storage unit that
may be assembled into solar heating system having panels.
[0014] In particular, in one exemplary implementation, the fluid
storage unit may include an elongated cylindrical hollow vessel
having at least one opened end; an inwardly oriented annular
sealant ridge located adjacent the open end of the vessel; a
sealing ring proportioned to fit within the open end of the vessel
and abut the ridge; and a cover having a bowl shaped portion
proportioned to selectively fit within the open end of the vessel
and abut the sealing ring and the inwardly oriented sealant recess;
such that, upon compression of the bowl into the open end of the
vessel, the bowl shaped portion of the cover compresses the sealing
ring against the ridge forming a fluid tight seal between the cover
and the vessel.
[0015] In other variations, the bowl may have a peripheral flange
selectively formable to grip the open end of the vessel to thereby
compress the bowl shaped portion of the cover into engagement with
the sealing ring. The bowl and the vessel may be formed of
stainless steel material and the sealing ring may be an O-ring
formed of a resilient material. The vessel may be disposed within a
generally transparent outer chamber to form a thermal energy
collection system.
[0016] In another exemplary implementation, the vessel may have a
second open end opposite the first open end, the second open end
being selectively closed by a second cover. In this implementation,
an annular sealant emboss located adjacent the second open end of
the vessel may selectively cooperating with a base, a second
sealing ring and the emboss to selectively seal the second end of
the vessel.
[0017] In further variations, a spanner nut may be provided to
selectively drive the base against the second sealing ring to form
a seal between the second cover and the vessel. The base may be
provided with an inlet and an outlet for fluid flow into and out of
the vessel.
[0018] In yet another exemplary implementation, a modular solar
thermal storage unit may have a generally transparent solar energy
collection chamber, a hollow vessel fitted in the chamber, and a
base closing open lower ends of the chamber and the vessel. A cover
may be attached to an open upper end of the vessel compresses first
sealing ring against a ridge adjacent the upper end of the vessel
to form a fluid tight seal between the cover and the vessel. A base
may be attached to an open lower end of the vessel and an open
lower end of the chamber by a spanner nut compresses a second
sealing ring against an emboss adjacent the lower end of the vessel
to form a fluid tight seal between the base and the vessel. The
base may also compress a thermal ring against the lower end of the
chamber to form a thermal seal between the base and the chamber.
The base may be provided with an inlet and an outlet for fluid flow
into and out of the vessel.
[0019] In still another exemplary implementation, the present
disclosure further provides a modular solar thermal storage unit
and tankless solar water heater, having a stainless steel vessel
formed of a tube with two opened ends; a sealant ridge located near
its upper end; a stainless steel a bowl-shape cover adapted to
close the upper end by trapping an o-ring between the cover and the
ridge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Some configurations of the Tankless Water Heater will now be
described, by way of example only and without disclaimer of other
configurations, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic front elevational view of an exemplary
solar panel including a plurality of solar water heating components
mounted to a frame.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic front elevational view of two fluid
storage units of the solar panel of FIG. 1 with the frame removed,
the fluid storage units being shown connected in series.
[0023] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of front sectional view of an
exemplary fluid storage unit of FIG. 2 showing a heat-absorbing
chamber, a fluid vessel, a cover, a base, two seal rings and a
thermal seal.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a schematic front sectional view of a portion of
an exemplary fluid storage unit of FIG. 2.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged sectional view of portion of
FIG. 4 indicated by circle 5.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged sectional view of portion of
FIG. 4 indicated by circle 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The drawings generally relate to a new type of tankless
solar water heater that is assembled from plurality solar thermal
energy storage units. Key structures include a hollow stainless
steel vessel, an annular abutment located adjacent the top of the
vessel, a stainless steel bowl-shape cover, which cooperates with a
sealant ring to close the top of the vessel. The bottom of the
vessel can be inserted into base having an inlet and an outlet for
water flow. The stainless steel vessel has an annular emboss
located adjacent bottom of the vessel, which cooperates with a
sealant ring and the base to close the bottom of the vessel. A
spanner nut fastens the vessel to the base. The evacuated solar
collectors are slid over the stainless steel vessels. A thermal
washer is installed on the surface structure of the modular base.
The lower edge of the collector engages the thermal washer to
provide insulation for the collector. The base has water inlet and
outlet port that are connected with external pipelines for input
and output of water flow. The water outlet is close to the modular
base; while, the water inlet is remote from the modular base.
[0028] The solar thermal energy storage units have 30% higher
absorbing efficiency in comparison with other split wall-mounted
solar water heaters at identical sizes. This new solar water heater
can be as a construction part, integrating with architecture, no
extra indoor or balcony space is needed.
[0029] Referring now to the drawings, exemplary solar panels and
fluid storage units and components are shown in detail. Although
the drawings represent exemplary configurations, the drawings are
not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated to
provide a better illustration and explanation of a configuration.
The configurations set forth herein are not intended to be
exhaustive or to otherwise limit the device to the precise forms
disclosed in the following detailed description.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary solar panel 10 is
illustrated consisting of a frame 12 supporting a plurality of
tankless solar collector units or fluid storage units 20. The frame
may consist of a top frame member 14, a bottom frame member 16 and
two side frame member 18. While five fluid storage units 20 are
illustrated, the number of fluid storage units 20 used in any solar
panel 10 will depend on the dimensions of available or optimal
solar heat collecting components and the desired proportions of
solar panel 10. The solar panel 10 includes a fluid inlet 22 and a
fluid outlet 24 communicating fluid to and from the fluid storage
units 20.
[0031] As shown generally in FIGS. 2-4, but best shown in FIG. 2, a
plurality of fluid storage units 20 may be connected in series.
Each fluid storage unit 20 may consist of a glass housing 28
containing a metal tube 30, communicating with fluid inlet lines 32
and fluid outlet lines 34 incorporated into a base 36, each
described later herein. The fluid inlet line 32 of a first fluid
storage unit 20 communicates fluid with the fluid inlet 22 (see
FIG. 1) of solar panel 10. The fluid outlet line 34 of the first
fluid storage unit 20, and of each subsequent unit 20, communicates
with the fluid inlet line 32 of the next adjacent fluid storage
unit 20 to provide a series connection between the fluid storage
units 20, as shown in FIG. 1. The fluid outlet line 34 of a final
fluid storage unit 20 communicates with the fluid outlet 24 (see
FIG. 1) of solar panel 10.
[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, details of an assembly of
the fluid storage unit 20, a base 36 and associated components are
shown. The system in FIG. 3 is shown in a preassembled exploded
form and may comprise, in sequence, a first beveled flexible ring
40, a glass housing 28, a second beveled flexible ring 42, a rubber
ring 44, a cap 46 having an internal thread, not shown, a metal
washer 48, a metal dish 50, a first flexible o-ring 52, a metal
tube 30 having an internal annular ridge 56 proportioned to abut
the first flexible o-ring 52 and an external annular ridge 58
proportioned to abut a second flexible o-ring 60, a fluid outlet
pipe 62, a deflector plate 64 and a base 36 having an external
thread at 66 for mating with the internal thread of the cap 46.
These various components, there assembly and function will be now
be described.
[0033] The glass housing 28 may be formed of a suitably durable
heat conducting glass and has suitable external and internal
coatings to facilitate efficient absorption of solar energy and
transfer of the solar energy in the form of heat to the interior of
the housing. The glass housing 28 may be formed of two layers of
clear glass with a vacuum therebetween, as shown in FIG. 4. A
nipple 68 is formed at the top as a part of the vacuum process. An
energy absorbing coating may be applied to the outer wall of the
inner tube portion and a reflective coating may be applied to the
inner wall of the glass housing 28. The metal dish 50 and the metal
tube 30 may be formed of a stainless steel having suitable
strength, heat transmissivity and other properties.
[0034] To assemble the system of components shown in FIG. 3 into
the assembly shown in FIG. 4, the metal dish 50 must be sealed to
one end of the metal tube 30, as best shown in FIG. 5 to close the
top of the metal tube. This is done by inserting the metal dish 50
and the first flexible O-ring 52 into one end of the metal tube 30
until the metal dish 50 compresses the o-ring 52 against the
internal annular ridge 58 to form a water tight seal between the
metal dish and the tub, and then attaching the metal dish to the
tube, such as by a weld 70. The metal dish may be bowl shaped,
having a generally flat circular portion 72 and an annular flange
portion 74 proportioned to facilitate suitable engagement with the
o-ring 52. As shown, the metal dish 50 is affixed to the tube 30 by
electro-welding while the remainder of the tube 50 is led by water.
Alternatively, the metal dish 50 may be affixed to the tube 30 by
brazing, coining, crimping, threaded engagement, crimping roll
forming, drawing or other mechanisms, depending on the pressures
and temperatures expected to be experienced by the assembly.
[0035] To further assemble the system of FIG. 3 into the assembly
of FIG. 4, one end of fluid outlet pipe 62 is inserted into a bore
63 in the base 36 so as to communicate with fluid outlet line 34.
The deflector plate 64 is mounted to the base 36, for example by a
screw, not shown, and extends over a bore 65 in the base leading to
the fluid inlet line 32 so as to deflect the incoming fluid to
minimize the mixing of the colder inlet fluid with the heated fluid
above. Second o-ring 60 is slid onto the lower end of the metal
tube 30 until it abuts the external annular ridge 58 thereof and
the metal tube 30 is rested on the top of the base 36. The metal
washer 48 and the cap 46 are fitted over the metal tube 30 and
lowered into threaded engagement with the base 36. As seen in FIG.
6, when the cap 46 is threaded onto the base 36, the o-ring 60 is
compressed between the base 36 and the external annular ridge 58
while the metal washer 48 is trapped between the cap 46 and the
external annular ridge 58, forming a watertight seal between the
base, the cap and the tube.
[0036] To complete assembly, the glass housing 28 is fitted over
the tube 30 and rests on the rubber ring 44 which in turn rest on
the cap 46. Rubber ring 44 as a seal closing the annular gap
between the glass housing 28 and the tube 30 to form a thermal seal
that reduces the loss of heat from the glass housing 28. The first
and second beveled flexible rings 40 and 42 are coupled
respectively to the upper and lower frame members 14 and 16 of
solar panel 10 to gently but securely hold the glass housing 28 in
the proper position within frame assembly 12 (see FIG. 1). Flexible
rings 40 and 42 may be formed of a low heat transmissible material
to provide a thermal break between the frame assembly 12 and the
glass housing 28.
[0037] Thus, the disclosure provides a modular solar thermal
storage unit and tankless solar water heater, having a stainless
steel vessel formed of the tube 30 closed at the top by a bowl
shaped cover 50 and closed at the bottom by the cap 46 and base 36.
The vessel has an inlet and an outlet, formed in the base 36, to
permit cold water to flow into the vessel, be heated by the
impinging solar rays, and then to flow out of the vessel for use.
The outlet includes an outlet pipe 62 retrieving water from the
upper portion of the vessel to deliver through the base 36 to the
next adjacent vessel or to the outlet line 24.
[0038] It will be appreciated that, in comparison with existing
products, the disclosed system of a modular solar thermal storage
unit and a tankless solar water heater provide significant
benefits. For example, this system uses tankless design and
therefore no extra indoor space is needed. This system uses thermal
containment design, so integrating the solar collection with the
thermal storage, resulting in high efficiency. This system uses
vertical installation, which is suitable to work well in all four
seasons, in particular, to reach higher efficiency in winter.
Therefore, this technology satisfies well the hot water demand for
customers. This system is visually pleasing in architecture. This
system can be used for radiant floor heat in a solar heat system.
This system has more 30% higher absorbing efficiency in comparison
with other split wall-mounted solar water heaters. This system is
able to operate under pressure with stable temperature, and is
suitable to more applications.
[0039] It will further be appreciated that, to solve the technical
issues of existing solar water heater products, the illustrated
solar panel 10 provides new solar heat storage units that can be
assembled to what is called as a tankless solar water heater. In
the structure, this new solar water heater not only integrates
solar thermal collection with the heat storage together, but also
delivers high efficiency in collection, quick heating-up, and other
beneficial features. In addition, the stainless steel vessel is
sealed with non-welded connection, operates under pressure, is safe
and easy to be replaced in service, etc. This tankless solar water
heater can be installed independently, and also can be used as a
construction part. No extra space is needed in the balcony and
indoor area.
[0040] It is to be understood that the above description is
intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many
configurations and applications other than the examples provided
would be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the
above description.
[0041] For example, it should be noted that exemplary solar panel
10 described herein may heat water or another working fluid. Water
or other fluid circulated through solar panel 10 for heating may be
ultimately used directly by a consumer, such as in a residential
central water system or in a swimming pool, or may be used as the
working fluid or a secondary fluid for collecting and storing heat
which may then be transferred to the water or other fluid used
directly by the consumer using an appropriate heat transfer system,
(not shown). If water is used, for example, heated water may be
directly delivered from solar panel 10 to the point of use, such as
to a swimming pool.
[0042] It will be appreciated that heated water may be delivered
from solar panel 10, if desired, be to an additional water storage
tank, (not shown), for later use. If the water is delivered to a
water storage tank, the tank may be a passive storage tank or may
be a water heater tank having its own heating system to supplement
the heating of the solar water heating system, for example, at a
time when the demand for heated water exceeds the output of the
solar water heating system. Alternatively, solar panel 10 may be
used as a water storage tank itself, delivering heated water
directly to the point of use when and if required and storing the
water at other times. However, a significant advantage of the
present system is that the solar panel may be used without any
additional storage tank.
[0043] Features shown or described in association with one
configuration may be added to or used alternatively in another
configuration. The scope of the device should be determined, not
with reference to the above description, but should instead be
determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the
full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is
anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the
arts discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods
will be incorporated into such future configurations. In sum, it
should be understood that the device is capable of modification and
variation and is limited only by the following claims.
[0044] All terms are intended to be given their broadest reasonable
constructions and their ordinary meanings as understood by those
skilled in the art unless an explicit indication to the contrary is
made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as
"a" and "the," should be read to recite one or more of the
indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to
the contrary.
* * * * *