Solar energy system
AssigneeTYLL Solar, LLC
InventorJay D. Fischer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular, solar energy system comprising one or more modular solar panels. The solar panels include a pair of general planar, plates that are secured together to form a narrow channel therebetween for the circulation of a liquid. The solar panels have inlet and outlet fluid lines in fluid communication via manifolds with a cold fluid supply line and a warm fluid return line, respectively. The plates are preferably constructed of aluminum and one plate has a photovoltaic cell matrix affixed thereto to face the sun. The plates have dividers or partitions that enhance the heat transfer characteristics with respect to the liquid flowing though the channel between the plates.
Claims16
A modular solar panel to heat a fluid using sunlight comprising:
- a first, generally planar plate comprised of a heat conductive metallic material;
- a second, generally planar plate comprised of a heat conductive metallic material, the second planar plate affixed to the first generally planar plate and oriented in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the first generally planar plate;
- the first and second generally planar plates being affixed together in a fluid tight relationship to form the panel and forming a channel therebetween, the channel having an inlet for fluid to be introduced into the channel and an outlet for discharging fluid from the channel;
- the second generally planar plate having a plurality of channels defined by alternating partitions therein to define a serpentine path of the panel;
- and
- a photovoltaic cell matrix affixed in heat conducting relationship to the second generally planar plate;
- wherein the serpentine path comprises curved corners having a radius of curvature from about 20 mm to about 60 mm and the partitions comprise elongate ribs having curved rib ends having a radius of curvature from about 3 mm to about 12 mm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.