Flat-plate solar collector with air flowing through the grooves in a foam absorber surface
US4154220A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 21, 1977 |
| Grant date | May 15, 1979 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 21, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S126/908
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
This invention relates to a more cost effective construction of an air type flat-plate solar collector. More particularly the invention has reference to replacing the usual combination of insulation backing and a good thermally conducting metal black absorber surface by a single, specially grooved and blackened, foam insulation type absorber surface. The airstream flows mainly inside the grooves to minimize its contact with the transparent cover. This new configuration saves weight, materials and cost, and shows little or no loss in performance during steady state efficiency tests. Due to the low thermal capacity of the foam absorber surface the collector warms up very quickly and often the internal thermal switch will actuate the fan motor within five minutes after exposure to solar radiation. This low time lag allows it to collect more heat during a day with intermittent sunshine than a collector with identical efficiency but with a metal absorber of greater thermal capacity which takes longer to warm up.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.