Abstract

A system for solar assisted water heating provides hot water to a user at a lower cost, higher energy efficiency, and with a quicker response time than conventional systems, reducing energy losses, and improving user comfort. The basic architecture includes four main components: a solar collector, a heat exchanger, an in-line heater, and a control system. A transient heat profile of a first temperature in a primary loop is measured while a first flow generator G1 is active for the primary loop. Solar assisted heating of water in a secondary loop is provided based on: a flow of water in the secondary loop; a current first temperature; and the transient heat profile of the first temperature by activating: the first flow generator in the primary loop and an in-line water heater in the secondary loop.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24D 17/00 - Domestic hot-water supply systems
• F24S 10/30 - Solar heat collectors using working fluids with means for exchanging heat between two or more working fluids
• F24D 19/10 - Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• G05D 23/19 - Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means

Abstract

Insulated solar panels that provide a solar thermal collector with means for limiting stagnation temperatures and preventing damage include: temperature limiting is provided by the insulated solar panel, isolating internal components from the environment, using passive closed systems within the sealed solar thermal collector, while also allowing alternative implementations as active systems and/or portions of the temperature limiting system outside the sealed solar thermal collector. A heat pipe can be used as a passive thermal switch, where the temperature induced action at a predetermined temperature causes an abrupt transition from a state of thermal isolation to a state of strong thermal coupling. Additionally, a set of siphon circulation pipes provides a passive closed system for temperature limiting.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24J 2/32 - having evaporator and condenser section, e.g. heat pipe
• F24J 2/46 - Component parts, details or accessories of solar heat collectors
• F24J 2/44 - having thermosiphonic circulation
• F24J 2/51 - Thermal insulation (F24J 2/50 takes precedence)

Abstract

A system for solar assisted water heating provides hot water to a user at a lower cost, higher energy efficiency, and with a quicker response time than conventional systems, reducing energy losses, and improving user comfort. The basic architecture includes four main components: a solar collector, a heat exchanger, an in-line heater, and a control system. A transient heat profile of a first temperature in a primary loop is measured while a first flow generator G1 is active for the primary loop. Solar assisted heating of water in a secondary loop is provided based on: a flow of water in the secondary loop; a current first temperature; and the transient heat profile of the first temperature by activating: the first flow generator in the primary loop and an in-line water heater in the secondary loop.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24D 19/10 - Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• G05D 23/19 - Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means
• F24D 17/00 - Domestic hot-water supply systems

Abstract

An overheat protection device (OPD) is implemented independently of the circulating system of a solar thermal collector and isolated from the environment. The system facilitates operation of a solar thermal collector at elevated internal temperatures (versus reducing or ceasing operation above a critical temperature). OPD includes a heat pipe filled with at least two fluids. In a non-heat conducting state, a temperature at an evaporator portion of the heat pipe is below a transition temperature and the dual-fluid includes at least one fluid in a liquid state and at least one fluid in a gaseous state. When the temperature at the evaporator is above the pre-defined transition temperature the OPD undergoes an abrupt transition to a heat conducting state, whereby the dual-fluid transfers heat from the evaporator area to the condenser area, thus transitioning from a state of thermal isolation from an environment to one of strong thermal coupling.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24J 1/00 - Apparatus or devices using heat produced by exothermal chemical reactions other than by combustion (for cooking-vessels A47J 36/28;self-heating compresses A61F 7/03;materials for the production of heat or cold undergoing non-reversible chemical reactions, other than by combustion, when used C09K 5/18)
• F24J 2/04 - Solar heat collectors having working fluid conveyed through collector
• F24J 2/26 - having extended surfaces, e.g. protrusions (F24J 2/28 takes precedence)
• F24J 2/32 - having evaporator and condenser section, e.g. heat pipe
• F24J 2/46 - Component parts, details or accessories of solar heat collectors

Abstract

A system for limiting the internal temperature of a solar thermal collector uses a spectrally selective absorber coating with a higher emissivity [greater than 0.25 in the infra-red (IR) spectrum above 2μm (micrometers)] and/or a longer (higher) critical wavelength of at least 3μm, as compared to conventional spectrally selective absorber coatings with typical emissivity in the range of 0.05 to 0.1 or a typical critical wavelength at around 2μm.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24J 2/48 - characterised by the absorber material
• F24J 2/51 - Thermal insulation (F24J 2/50 takes precedence)

Abstract

Insulated solar panels provide that provide a solar thermal collector with means for limiting stagnation temperatures and preventing damage include: temperature limiting is provided by the insulated solar panel, isolating internal components from the environment, using passive closed systems within the sealed solar thermal collector, while also allowing alternative implementations as active systems and/or portions of the temperature limiting system outside the sealed solar thermal collector. A heat pipe can be used as a passive thermal switch, where the temperature induced action at a predetermined temperature causes an abrupt transition from a state of thermal isolation to a state of strong thermal coupling. Additionally, a set of siphon circulation pipes provides a passive closed system for temperature limiting.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24J 2/30 - with means to exchange heat between plural fluids
• F24J 2/46 - Component parts, details or accessories of solar heat collectors

Abstract

An overheat protection device (OPD) is implemented independently of the circulating system of a solar thermal collector and isolated from the environment. The system facilitates operation of a solar thermal collector at elevated internal temperatures (versus reducing or ceasing operation above a critical temperature). OPD includes a heat pipe filled with at least two fluids. In a non-heat conducting state, a temperature at an evaporator portion of the heat pipe is below a transition temperature and the dual-fluid includes at least one fluid in a liquid state and at least one fluid in a gaseous state. When the temperature at the evaporator is above the pre-defined transition temperature the OPD undergoes an abrupt transition to a heat conducting state, whereby the dual-fluid transfers heat from the evaporator area to the condenser area, thus transitioning from a state of thermal isolation from an environment to one of strong thermal coupling.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24J 2/04 - Solar heat collectors having working fluid conveyed through collector
• F24J 2/26 - having extended surfaces, e.g. protrusions (F24J 2/28 takes precedence)
• F24J 2/32 - having evaporator and condenser section, e.g. heat pipe
• F24J 2/46 - Component parts, details or accessories of solar heat collectors

Abstract

An apparatus and method for retrofitting existing solar collection panels with transparent thermal insulation facilitates upgrading existing conventional solar thermal panels with thermal insulation for the surface of the collection panel, with minimal effect on light transmission to the absorber. Use of a transparent thermal insulation panel improves the performance of an existing solar thermal panel, including, but not limited to increasing the output water temperature, operation at a lower level of solar radiation exposure, and reducing the minimum ambient operating temperature.

IPC Classes  ?

• H01L 31/042 - PV modules or arrays of single PV cells

Abstract

A system and method for prevention and removal of snowpack from solar panels increases the collection efficiency of solar panels by using one or more techniques, alone or in combination including: vibrating a vibrationally isolated surface of the solar panel; flexing a flexible sheet attached to the solar panel; inducing vibrations via extenial circulation piping for detaching the snowpack from at least one solar thermal collector of a solar array; activating a heat-pipe to transfer heat from an absorber plate to the surface of the collection panel; and using a PZT to generate vibrations for detaching the snowpack from the solar panel.

IPC Classes  ?

• B08B 3/00 - Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam

Abstract

It is provided a solar energy module for converting solar radiation to thermal energy. The module includes a thermally insulating element transmissive to solar radiation and having low transmissivity to thermal infra-red radiation, an absorbing element, a sealed enclosure, and a variable portion in the envelope of the sealed enclosure. This portion is adapted for varying the volume available to gas enclosed in the enclosure in accordance with changing temperature of the enclosed gas. Also, it is provided a solar energy module which includes a thermally insulating element, an absorbing surface and liquid pipes for absorbing the solar radiation, and an air duct thermally coupled thereof. The heated liquid and the heated air are usable for a variety of thermal applications. A heat storage may be thermally coupled to the absorbing surface and to the liquid pipes. The air duct has several air valves, and is associated with a controller for regulating air flow through the air duct. The controller may regulate heat flow in accordance with an optimization program, receiving inputs from several sources, like a sensor monitoring a building, a sensor monitoring the solar energy module, and an environment sensor.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24J 2/34 - having heat storage mass
• F24J 2/50 - Transparent coverings
• F24J 2/51 - Thermal insulation (F24J 2/50 takes precedence)
• F24J 2/46 - Component parts, details or accessories of solar heat collectors

Abstract

Insulated solar panels provide that provide a solar thermal collector with means for limiting stagnation temperatures and preventing damage include: temperature limiting is provided by the insulated solar panel, isolating internal components from the environment, using passive closed systems within the sealed solar thermal collector, while also allowing alternative implementations as active systems and/or portions of the temperature limiting system outside the sealed solar thermal collector. A heat pipe can be used as a passive thermal switch, where the temperature induced action at a predetermined temperature causes an abrupt transition from a state of thermal isolation to a state of strong thermal coupling. Additionally, a set of siphon circulation pipes provides a passive closed system for temperature limiting.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24J 2/40 - Control arrangements

Abstract

It is provided a solar energy module for converting solar radiation to thermal energy. The module includes a thermally insulating element transmissive to solar radiation and having low transmissivity to thermal infra-red radiation, an absorbing element, a sealed enclosure, and a variable portion in the envelope of the sealed enclosure. This portion is adapted for varying the volume available to gas enclosed in the enclosure in accordance with changing temperature of the enclosed gas. Also, it is provided a solar energy module which includes a thermally insulating element, an absorbing surface and liquid pipes for absorbing the solar radiation, and an air duct thermally coupled thereof. The heated liquid and the heated air are usable for a variety of thermal applications. A heat storage may be thermally coupled to the absorbing surface and to the liquid pipes. The air duct has several air valves, and is associated with a controller for regulating air flow through the air duct. The controller may regulate heat flow in accordance with an optimization program, receiving inputs from several sources, like a sensor monitoring a building, a sensor monitoring the solar energy module, and an environment sensor.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24J 2/40 - Control arrangements