Solar absorber panel

• US 4,086,910 A
• Filed: 04/14/1976
• Issued: 05/02/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tranter, Inc. (ALFA Laval AB)
• Original Assignee: Tranter, Inc. (ALFA Laval AB)
• Inventors: Rowland, Robert S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dority, Jr., Carroll B.
• Application Number:
  US05/677,055
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 165/170, 126/270, 126/271, 237/1 A
• US Class Current: 126/670
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 10/504 having conduits formed by paired non-plane plates
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2080/05 Flow guiding means; Inserts inside conduits
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 80/30 Arrangements for connecting the fluid circuits of solar collectors with each other or with other components, e.g. pipe connections; Fluid distributing means, e.g. headers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/44 Heat exchange systems

Abstract

The panel, as constructed of two plates or sheets marginally seam-welded together and subdivided internally into parallel longitudinal flow passages between vertically spaced inlet and outlet fittings, provides for a well distributed, low-volume flow of an appropriate heat transfer liquid therethrough, preferably from bottom to top thereof.

In one illustrated embodiment, such equalized flow distribution is insured by restricted central throat or diverter formations lying between the respective fittings, hence the opposed inlet and outlet ends of said longitudinal flow passages. Moreover, the center-most of said flow passages is longer than those at either side thereof, which progressively decrease in length to the side-most thereof, so that said header spaces incline mildly downwardly in reference to the vertical. This contributes to improved drainage of the panel when desired; it also tends to make for an even distribution as to the vertical flow.

In another embodiment, the inlet and outlet fittings are located adjacent diagonally opposite corners of the panel, with the opposite end header spaces sloping unidirectionally across the entire interior width of the plate unit. Diverter formations adjoin the fittings, as in the first form.

Claims

1. A solar heat absorber panel having a pair of superimposed sheets marginally sealed together, said sheets being secured together inwardly of said sealed margin thereof by longitudinally interrupted weld connections to provide a plurality of laterally spaced longitudinally extending internal flow passages extending substantially from end to end of said panel, laterally extending header spaces adjacent the ends of said panel in direct communication with said internal flow passages, inlet and outlet fluid flow fittings at opposite ends of said panel, each fitting having a chamber projecting above said panel across one of said header spaces centrally between opposite sides of said panel at the outer side of said chamber and tapered at the inner side thereof to form a restricted portion extending into one of said flow passages to laterally distribute fluid flow to the internal passages at both sides of said fittings, the header space at each end of said panel sloping from the central portion thereof laterally outwardly in a direction toward the opposite end of said panel so that said passages decrease uniformly in length from the central portion to the sides of said panel, thereby to improve drainage and to provide for a more even distribution of fluid flow through said passages.

2. A solar heat absorber panel as defined in claim 1, wherein said fittings are aligned with the central internal passage.