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.
Claims18
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 channel having a plurality of partitions therein to define a serpentine flow path there through;
- and
- a photovoltaic cell matrix affixed in heat conducting relationship to the second generally planar plate;
- wherein each partition consists of:
- a first, substantially straight elongate rib having opposed curved rib ends;
- and
- a second, substantially elongate rib having a curved rib end and an opposed end with curved corners wherein the opposed curved rib ends of the first elongate rib and the curved rib end of the second elongate rib comprise sloped portions being sloped at an acute angle from about 15 degrees to about 30 degrees from a base panel surface of the first plate or of the second plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.