Rigid low cost solar thermal panels
AssigneeZonbak LLC
InventorJohn E. Sylvan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A rigid solar thermal panel created from thin flexible materials, including a solar absorber layer of a metal sheet coated with a solar absorbent material having dimples, a tensioned optical film above an upper surface of the solar absorber layer, and an insulation layer. The insulation layer is spaced apart from a lower surface of the solar absorber layer to form a cavity. The dimples project into the cavity and at least one of the dimples is in contact with the insulation layer, thereby providing rigid support for the rigid solar thermal panel.
Claims24
A rigid solar thermal panel comprising:
- a solar absorber layer comprising a metal sheet coated with a solar absorbent material;
- a tensioned optical film above an upper surface of the solar absorber layer;
- and
- an insulation layer below and spaced apart from a lower surface of the solar absorber layer to form a cavity, the metal sheet having dimples projecting into the cavity and at least one of the dimples being in contact with the insulation layer, the contact of the at least one dimple with the insulation layer providing rigid support for the rigid solar thermal panel.
A method of manufacturing a rigid solar thermal panel, comprising:
- forming dimples in a metal absorber sheet and side walls along at least two edges of the metal absorber sheet to form a solar absorber layer;
- placing an optical film on a surface of the solar absorber layer;
- applying a force substantially perpendicular to the surface of the solar absorber layer to cause the metal absorber layer to bow;
- securing the optical film on either side of the solar absorber layer proximate to the side walls;
- and
- releasing the force to permit the solar absorber layer to return to its pre-bowed state and to tension the optical film across the surface of the metal absorber layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.