US 4,027,821 A · Solar heating/cooling system

Abstract

A heliothermal heating and cooling system of the type using a heat transport fluid such as water is disclosed. The energy collector comprises an assembly of individual solar collector panel modules in a series/parallel configuration and function to heat water flowing therethrough. Each solar collector panel includes a pair of stepped headers respectively disposed at its input and output portions and which function to reduce water flow resistance therethrough. The input and output headers communicate with an insulated water storage tank by way of return and supply lines, respectively. A pump is provided in the return line to circulate the water through the system upon receipt of a command signal. The storage tank communicates with a thermal energy utilization device and includes an integral, internal expansion chamber to accomodate expansion of the water. The storage tank is stratified by means of baffles, and the strata are interconnected by a selector valve under the control of a differential temperature detector thereby to assure that the hottest available water is presented to the utilization device.The danger of freezing is avoided and the need for anti-freeze additives or solutions is eliminated by means of a vent line which connects the expansion chamber at the top of the storage tank to the top of the energy collector assembly and functions to drain the energy collector assembly of its water charge when the pump is de-energized.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A solar energy conversion system of the type wherein a heat transport fluid is forced to circulate between a solar energy collection area and a thermal energy utilization device comprising, in combination:

at least one solar collector panel receptive of solar radiation, said panel including an inlet header and an outlet header with a plurality of conduits extending across the surface of said panel and providing passageways interconnecting said headers, whereby a fluid circulating through said panel is heated by said solar radiation;
an insulated storage vessel for receiving said fluid, said vessel having first and second portions and said vessel being adapted for coupling to said device at said first portion of said vessel;
a supply line connected at one end thereof to said outlet header of said collector panel and said supply line being adapted for coupling to said storage vessel at its other end thereof;
a return line connected at one end thereof to said inlet header of said collector panel and said return line being connected to said second portion of said storage vessel at a point remote from said first portion of said storage vessel;
means cooperating with said return line for pumping said fluid from said storage vessel and through said collector panel;
and,
means for alternately connecting said supply line to one of said first and second portions of said storage vessel.

4 more elements

at least one solar collector panel receptive of a solar radiation, said panel including an inlet header and an outlet header with a plurality of conduits extending across the surface of said panel and providing passageways interconnecting said headers, whereby a fluid circulating through said panel is heated by said solar radiation;
an insulated storage vessel for receiving said fluid, said vessel being adapted for coupling to said device at an upper portion of said vessel;
a supply line connected at one end thereof to said outlet header of said collector panel and said supply line being adapted for coupling to said storage vessel at its other end thereof;
a return line connected at one end thereof to said inlet header of said collector panel and said return line being connected to said storage vessel at a point remote from said upper portion or said storage vessel;
means cooperating with said return line for pumping said fluid from said storage vessel and through said collector panel;
means for stratifying said fluid within said storage vessel into layers of varying temperature between said upper portion and said remote point;
and,
means for connecting said supply line to said storage vessel so that the hottest layer of fluid in said storage vessel is coupled to said device.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Solar heating/cooling system

Life of this patent

Solar heating/cooling system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14