Reflecting device, solar collector, pitched roof provided with a solar collector of this type, and greenhouse

• US 8,474,177 B2
• Filed: 02/09/2009
• Issued: 07/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vereniging Vu-Windesheim
• Original Assignee: Vereniging Vu-Windesheim
• Inventors: Griessen, Ronald Pierre, Slaman, Marinus Johannes
• Primary Examiner(s): PALO, FRANCIS T
• Application Number:
  US12/866,724
• Publication Number:
  US 20110047869A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,604 Days
• Field of Search: 47/17, 126/698
• US Class Current: 47/17
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/243 Collecting solar energy in general F24S
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/10 Prisms
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 40/52 by modifying the heat collection, e.g. by defocusing or by changing the position of heat-receiving elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 50/80 for controlling collection or absorption of solar radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/06 made of fluids in transparent cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/25 Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/20 Solar thermal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/40 Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/12 using renewable energies, e.g. solar water pumping

Abstract

Reflecting device (1) for adjustably reflecting light, such as sunlight, comprising a transparent first wall (3), a transparent second wall (40), which is arranged substantially parallel to and at a distance from the first wall (3), and a regulating layer (7), which is provided with a duct (10), which is bounded between the first wall (3) and the second wall (40), and which regulating layer (7) substantially allows light which impinges on the first wall (3) through to the second wall (40) if the duct (10) is filled with a transparent liquid (9) and reflects light which impinges on the first wall (3) if the duct (10) is empty, the regulating layer (7) being provided with a structure (11) which is prismatic in cross section, characterized in that, the reflecting device is provided with a third wall (41), which is arranged substantially parallel to and at a distance from the second wall (40), and a second regulating layer (7′), which is provided with a second duct (10′), which is bounded between the second wall (40) and the third wall (41), the second regulating layer (7′) being provided with a second structure (12) which is prismatic in cross section.

Claims

1. A reflecting device for adjustably reflecting light, such as sunlight, comprising a transparent first wall, a transparent second wall, which is arranged substantially parallel to and at a distance from the first wall, and a regulating layer, which is provided with a duct, which is bounded between the first wall and the second wall, and which regulating layer substantially allows light which impinges on the first wall through to the second wall if the duct is filled with a transparent liquid and reflects light which impinges on the first wall if the duct is empty, the regulating layer being provided with a structure which is prismatic in cross section, characterized in that, the reflecting device is provided with a third wall, which is arranged substantially parallel to and at a distance from the second wall, and a second regulating layer, which is provided with a second duct, which is bounded between the second wall and the third wall, the second regulating layer being provided with a second structure which is prismatic in cross section.

2. The reflecting device according to claim 1, in which the structure delimits the duct on a side of the duct which extends parallel to the first wall and second wall.

3. The reflecting device according to claim 1, in which the second structure delimits the second duct on a side of the second duct which extends parallel to the second wall and third wall.

4. The reflecting device according to claim 1, in which the first wall and the second wall and the third wall are fixed with respect to one another.

5. The reflecting device according to claim 1 in which the duct is provided with a transparent liquid which is in contact with the structure being prismatic in cross-section for substantially allowing light through the regulating layer, and in which the transparent liquid can evaporate from the duct by heating for substantially reflecting light by the structure being prismatic in cross-section of the regulating layer.

6. The reflecting device according to claim 1, in which the second duct is provided with a transparent liquid which is in contact with the second structure being prismatic in cross-section for substantially allowing light through the second regulating layer, and in which the transparent liquid can evaporate from the second duct by heating for substantially reflecting light by the second structure being prismatic in cross-section of the second regulating layer.

7. The reflecting device according to claim 1, in which the structure being prismatic in cross-section is provided on the first wall, on that side thereof which is turned towards the second wall.

8. The reflecting device according to claim 1, in which the structure being prismatic in cross-section is provided on the second wall, on that side thereof which is turned towards the third wall.

9. The reflecting device according to claim 1, in which the second structure being prismatic in cross-section is provided on the third wall, on that side thereof which is turned towards the second wall.

10. The reflecting device according to claim 1, in which the third wall is provided with an absorbing layer.

11. The reflecting device according to claim 1, in which the third wall is transparent.

12. The reflecting device according to claim 1, in which the first structure and the second structure are each provided with elongate ridges which are prismatic in cross section.

13. The reflecting device according to claim 12, in which the ridges each comprise a tip, and in which the tips of the ridges of the first structure are offset with respect to the tips of the ridges of the second structure.

14. The reflecting device according to claim 11, in which the ridges of the first structure and the ridges of the second structure extend at an angle to one another.

15. The reflecting device according to claim 1, in which the transparent first wall and/or the transparent second wall and/or the third wall and/or the regulating layer and/or the second regulating layer comprise plastic, for example polycarbonate.

16. A solar collector for converting solar energy into heat, comprising a reflecting device according to claim 1, in which the third wall is provided with a layer which absorbs solar energy.

17. A pitched roof comprising a solar collector according to claim 16.

18. A greenhouse comprising columns, beams supported by the columns, as well as a roof structure supported by the beams, which roof structure is provided with the reflecting device according to claim 1, in which the third wall is transparent.

19. The greenhouse according to claim 18, in which the first wall forms an outer wall of the roof structure, which outer wall is provided with an outer side for receiving sunlight which impinges on the roof structure and an opposite inner side, in which the first structure of the first regulating layer is provided on the inner side of the outer wall, and in which the second wall is situated on the inner side of the outer wall.

20. The greenhouse according to claim 18, in which the first wall forms an inner wall of the roof structure, which inner wall is provided with an inner side which is situated adjacent to an interior of the greenhouse, and an opposite outer side, in which the first structure of the first regulating layer is provided on the outer side of the inner wall, and in which the second wall is situated on the outer side of the inner wall.

21. A greenhouse according to claim 18, in which the second structure of the second regulating layer is provided on the second wall, on that side thereof which is turned towards the third wall.

22. A greenhouse according to claim 18, in which the second structure of the second regulating layer is provided on the third wall, on that side thereof which is turned towards the second wall.

23. A reflecting device for reflecting light, such as sunlight, comprising a transparent first wall, a transparent second wall, which is arranged substantially parallel to and at a distance from the first wall, and a duct, which is bounded between the first wall and the second wall, in which the first wall is provided with a first structure which is prismatic in cross section, and which first structure delimits the duct on a side of the duct which extends parallel to the first wall and second wall, and in which a second structure is provided which is prismatic in cross section, characterized in that said second structure is provided on that side of the second wall which is turned away from the duct.

24. The reflecting device according to claim 23, in which the first wall and the second wall are fixed with respect to one another.

25. A greenhouse comprising a reflecting device according to claim 23.