Solar energy collector system

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable to this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1.Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates generally to solar collecting devices and more specifically it relates to a solar energy collector system for reducing heating, air conditioning and power consumption of a building structure.

[0005] 2.Description of the Related Art

[0006] Solar collecting devices have been in use for years. Conventional solar collecting devices can be grouped into two categories: heat collectors and electricity generators. Heat collectors typically are comprised of a tank of fluid positioned upon the roof of a building structure that is heated for use within the building structure as heated water. Electricity generators (solar cells) convert sunlight to electricity that may be stored within batteries and utilized within the building structure.

[0007] The main problem with conventional solar collecting devices is that they are typically relatively expensive. Another problem with conventional solar collecting devices is that they do not efficiently convert solar energy to usable energy (heat or electricity) for a building structure. Another problem with conventional solar collecting devices is that they are designed as an additional structure for a building structure and not as part of the building structure to lower cost of construction.

[0008] Examples of patented devices which are related to the present invention include U.S. Pat. No. 4,301,789 to Artweger; U.S. Pat. No. 4,082,082 to Harvey; U.S. Pat. No. 4,334,524 to McCullough et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,364,375 to Younghouse; U.S. Pat. No. 4,425,903 to Greiner; U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,772 to Lenz; U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,704 to Pflunger; U.S. Pat. No. 5,931,157 to Aschauer; U.S. Pat. No. 4,299,205 to Garfield; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,129,177 to Adcock.

[0009] While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for reducing heating, air conditioning and power consumption of a building structure. Conventional solar collecting devices do not efficiently utilize solar energy.

[0010] In these respects, the solar energy collector system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of reducing heating, air conditioning and power consumption of a building structure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of solar collectors now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new solar energy collector system construction wherein the same can be utilized for reducing heating, air conditioning and power consumption of a building structure.

[0012] The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new solar energy collector system that has many of the advantages of the solar collectors mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new solar energy collector system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art solar collectors, either alone or in any combination thereof.

[0013] To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a housing structure, a collector plate, an insulating sheet positioned between the collector plate and a floor of the housing structure, a thermopile unit within the housing structure, and a fluid positioned below the collector plate. The fluid adjacent the collector plate is heated thereby rising to an upper portion of the housing structure and thermally conducting the thermopile unit for generating electricity. The cooled fluid then passes downwardly below the insulating sheet to a lower portion of the housing structure. A heat exchanger is utilized upon the opposite side of the thermopile unit for transferring the heat to a desired location within or outside of the building structure.

[0014] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0015] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0016] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a solar energy collector system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.

[0017] A second object is to provide a solar energy collector system for reducing heating, air conditioning and power consumption of a building structure.

[0018] Another object is to provide a solar energy collector system that provides an inexpensive system for moderating a building environment.

[0019] An additional object is to provide a solar energy collector system that may be utilized upon large portions of a roof and that may be utilized for large portions of a roof.

[0020] A further object is to provide a solar energy collector system that produces electricity from heat rather than sunlight.

[0021] Another object is to provide a solar energy collector system that increases the overall efficiency in utilizing solar energy.

[0022] A further object is to provide a solar energy collector system that is cheaper to manufacture than conventional photovoltaic power cells.

[0023] Another object is to provide a solar energy collector system that reduces the air conditioning requirements of a building structure.

[0024] A further object is to provide a solar energy collector system that may be utilized as a source for hot water, heat and electrical power.

[0025] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.

[0026] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0028]FIG. 1 is a flowchart of the operation of the present invention.

[0029]FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 3 is an exploded upper perspective view of the present invention.

[0031]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line <b>4</b>-<b>4</b> of FIG. 2.

[0032]FIG. 5 is an upper perspective view of the collector plate surrounding the first plate and the insulating sheets between thereof.

[0033]FIG. 6 is an upper perspective view of the insulating sheet positioned upon the first plate with the conducting member attached upon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate a solar energy collector system <b>10</b>, which comprises a housing structure <b>20</b>, a collector plate <b>60</b>, an insulating sheet positioned between the collector plate <b>60</b> and a floor of the housing structure <b>20</b>, a thermopile unit <b>40</b> within the housing structure <b>20</b>, and a fluid positioned below the collector plate <b>60</b>. The fluid adjacent the collector plate <b>60</b> is heated thereby rising to an upper portion of the housing structure <b>20</b> and thermally conducting the thermopile unit <b>40</b> for generating electricity. The cooled fluid then passes downwardly below the insulating sheet to a lower portion of the housing structure <b>20</b>. A heat exchanger <b>90</b> is utilized upon the opposite side of the thermopile unit <b>40</b> for transferring the heat to a desired location within or outside of the building structure.

[0035]FIG. 2 illustrates an upper perspective of the present invention having a generally flat structure. The present invention designed to be utilized upon a pre-existing roof surface or as a roof surface. Various other configurations may be utilized in conjunction with the present invention.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, the housing structure <b>20</b> includes an interior portion <b>22</b> that receives the main components of the present invention. The housing structure <b>20</b> may have various shapes and sizes that may be required for usage upon a roof of the building structure. The housing structure <b>20</b> may also be constructed of various types of building materials.

[0037] A housing opening <b>27</b> extends through an upper portion of the housing structure <b>20</b> for connecting to a heat exchanger <b>90</b> (heat sink). The housing opening <b>27</b> may have various sizes and shapes suitable for connecting to the heat exchanger <b>90</b>. The heat exchanger <b>90</b> utilizes air, gas or fluid to exchange heat transferred from the thermopile unit <b>40</b> wherein the conducted heat may be dispersed to the appropriate locations within the building structure for heating or outside of the building structure to reducing air conditioning requirements of the building structure.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, a plurality of support posts <b>23</b> extend from the interior floor of the housing structure <b>20</b> to support a first plate <b>30</b>. The first plate <b>30</b> is secured within the housing structure <b>20</b> in a sealed manner to prevent the fluid from passing through. A first support <b>26</b> surrounding the housing opening <b>27</b> is attached to the bottom surface of the first plate <b>30</b> about a corresponding first opening <b>32</b> within the first plate <b>30</b>. The first opening <b>32</b> is covered with a conducting member <b>50</b> that is comprised of a material capable of efficient thermal conduction such as a copper plate or similar material. The thermopile unit <b>40</b> is attached to the lower surface of the conducting member <b>50</b> as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. A plurality of spacers <b>52</b> extend upwardly from the conducting member <b>50</b> to engage and support a portion of the collector plate <b>60</b> as best shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, a plurality of first support members <b>80</b> are attached to the upper surface of the first plate <b>30</b>. The inner first support members <b>80</b> are preferably shorter in length to allow for fluid flow near the conducting member <b>50</b> as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings.

[0040] A first insulating sheet <b>70</b> and a second insulating sheet <b>74</b> are attached about a middle support sheet <b>72</b> defining an insulating barrier to separate the heated and cooled fluid in an insulated manner. The first insulating sheet <b>70</b> and the second insulating sheet <b>74</b> may be comprised of any well-known insulating material capable of withstanding relatively high temperatures. The middle support sheet <b>72</b> is comprised of a rigid material such as but not limited to aluminum for providing support to the insulating barrier. The insulating barrier is attached to the first support members <b>80</b> opposite of the first plate <b>30</b> thereby defining a lower fluid channel for allowing cooled fluid from the conducting member <b>50</b> to return to a lower portion of the upper fluid channel to be heated as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The insulating barrier also has a cutout at the end adjacent the conducting member <b>50</b> for facilitating the flow of heated fluid about the conducting member <b>50</b> and between the lower and upper fluid channels.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 of the drawings, a plurality of second support members <b>82</b> are attached to the upper surface of the first insulating sheet <b>70</b>. The inner second support members <b>82</b> are preferably shorter in length to allow for fluid flow near the conducting member <b>50</b> as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and <b>5</b> of the drawings, a collector plate <b>60</b> is attached in a sealed manner to the first plate <b>30</b> and adjacent the second support members <b>82</b>. An upper fluid channel is defined between the first insulating sheet <b>70</b> and the collector plate <b>60</b> for allowing the heated fluid to pass upwardly to the conducting member <b>50</b> as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

[0043] The collector plate <b>60</b> is comprised of a material capable of absorbing solar heat and efficiently transferring the conducted solar heat to the fluid within the upper fluid channel. The collector plate <b>60</b> may be coated with various solar energy absorbing coatings. The cavity defined between the collector plate <b>60</b> and the first plate <b>30</b> is a sealed heating unit for heating the fluid within and transferring this heat to the conducting member <b>50</b>.

[0044] The fluid positioned within the heating unit is comprised of a fluid capable of efficiently receiving and transferring heat from the collector plate <b>60</b> to the conducting member <b>50</b>. The fluid is preferably comprised of an oil substance for reducing the production of gases during heating/cooling, however, various other fluids may be utilized within the heating unit.

[0045] A cover <b>24</b> is preferably attached about the housing structure <b>20</b> for enclosing the entire interior portion <b>22</b> as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and <b>5</b> of the drawings. The cover <b>24</b> is comprised of a transparent material for allowing for the passage of solar energy to the collector plate <b>60</b>. The cover <b>24</b> may be coated for reducing the amount of solar energy reflected by the collector plate <b>60</b> thereby increasing the heating of the collector plate <b>60</b>. A pressure relief valve <b>28</b> may be utilized within the housing structure <b>20</b> between the cover <b>24</b> and the collector plate <b>60</b> for allowing for the release of gas within at a predetermined pressure to avoid damaging pressure from accumulating within but also reducing the exchange of heat from the housing structure <b>20</b>.

[0046] In use, the housing structure <b>20</b> is either attached to an existing roof or built within the building structure as part of the roof in the direction of the sun at an angle of at least <b>5</b> degrees. When the solar energy from the sun passes through the transparent cover <b>24</b>, the solar energy heats the collector plate <b>60</b>. The fluid beneath the collector plate <b>60</b> within the upper fluid channel of the heating unit conducts this heat and then rises upwardly along the upper fluid channel toward the conducting member <b>50</b> as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. The heated fluid passes over the conducting member <b>50</b> which conducts the heat energy from the fluid and transfers the heat energy to the thermopile unit <b>40</b> thereby generating electricity as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. The heat exchanger <b>90</b> conducts the heat from the thermopile unit <b>40</b> thereby increasing the efficiency of the thermopile unit <b>40</b> and providing heat for the interior of the building structure if required. If heating within the building structure is not required nor desired, the heat exchanger <b>90</b> may direct the heat outside of the building structure thereby reducing solar heating of the building structure. The cooled fluid then passes downwardly along the lower fluid channel wherein it eventually returns to the upper fluid channel through a lower passage at the end of the insulating barrier to be heated again as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. This process continues repeated thereby providing a continuous electrical supply from the thermopile unit <b>40</b> and heat supply through the heat exchanger <b>90</b>. The heat exchanger <b>90</b> may also provide heated water for usage within the building structure if desired.

[0047] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

[0048] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0049] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.