A solar panel has a series of channels through which water or other fluids may flow for exposure to and heating by solar radiation. Common to all the channels are inlet and outlet manifolds through which, respectively, the water is directed into and discharged from the channels. Construction of the panel is simplified and is rendered economical by fashioning of the same from a pair of superposed, inexpensive metal sheets, as for example roofing tin. The sheets are readily preformed with the manifolds and channels, in such fashion that when the sheets are connected along their peripheries by means of mechanical expedients well known in the sheet metal art, the several channels are automatically defined between the sheets, and are further automatically brought into communication with the inlet and outlet manifolds. By means of spot welding or the like, the sheets are firmly, permanently connected together, and the spot welding arrangement permits a cross flow between channels, to assure maximum exposure of the liquid to the effects of solar radiation. A panel assembly is also disclosed, making use of the solar panel described above. The panel assembly is similarly inexpensively formed, through the provision of a supporting frame readily fashioned from an extrusion of aluminum or the like, said frame being designed with inwardly facing slots, adapted respectively to receive an outer glass panel, an inner glass panel, the solar panel disclosed above, a plywood base, and insulation interposed between the panel and base.
A heat transfer panel provides redundant cooling for fusion reactors or the like environment requiring low-mass construction. Redundant cooling is provided by two independent cooling circuits, each circuit consisting of a series of channels joined to inlet and outlet headers. The panel comprises a welded joinder of two full-size and two much smaller partial-size sheets. The first full-size sheet is embossed to form first portions of channels for the first and second circuits, as well as a header for the first circuit. The second full-sized sheet is then laid over and welded to the first full-size sheet. The first and second partial-size sheets are then overlaid on separate portions of the second full-sized sheet, and are welded thereto. The first and second partial-sized sheets are embossed to form inlet and outlet headers, which communicate with channels of the second circuit through apertures formed in the second full-sized sheet.
A solar heat exchanger comprising a frame having an inner surface area defined by upstanding walls, ends and bottom wherein an insulation layer of relatively uniform thickness is spread throughout the inner surface. A plurality of channels are spaced throughout the frame. The channels may be arranged in a serpentine or manifold design and may comprise an outer curved wall and an inner curved wall wherein water flows through the inner and outer curved wall and spaced between the inner and outer curved wall in a restricted manner. Additionally, the frame may include a top insulation layer comprising generally parallel panels spanning the frame and creating a greenhouse effect upon the channels. Inlet and outlet means are provided within the frame to allow cooler water to enter the exchanger and warmer water to exit.
A plastic heat exchanger comprises a single heat exchanger construction made up of a plate having two spaced apart walls and with a plurality of substantially parallel cross webs interconnecting the two walls which define a multiplicity of longitudinal heat transfer medium flow channels. The plate is assembled with a distribution and collection element which has spaced apart walls which are adapted to be arranged in abutting relationship with the walls of the plate and welded together with them to form a unit. The distribution and collecting element includes at least one heat transfer fluid plastic nipple inlet connection and at least one heat transfer fluid plastic nipple outlet connection. Advantageously, each unit may be interconnected by means of a plate which connects one nipple element of one distribution connecting element with a different nipple element of the next adjacent distribution and collection element. Advantageously the units are provided with inlets and outlets on each end and they may be easily interconnected with each transfer fluid connecting lines.
There is disclosed herein a heat exchanger tube having an elongated, generally rectangular member including a planar base, a top, and pair of arcuate opposed side portions interposed between the base and the top. A partition extends from the top to the base to define a pair of fluid passageways, the partition including a pair of opposing, contacting bend portions and a leg portion depending from each of the bend portions which contact the base. Each of the leg portions is disposed at an acute angle relative to a vertical plane and spaced apart a predetermined distance so as define a braze receiving fillet therebetween. A method of manufacturing such a tube is also disclosed.
A solar heating panel having a curvilinear flow passageway through which a fluid flows to be heated by solar energy, comprising a top sheet having a plurality of upwardly protruding convex upper-portions shaped to reflect a portion of incident energy from the sun to adjacent upper-portions, and a bottom sheet sealingly engaging the top sheet and having a like plurality of upwardly protruding convex lower-portions which underlie a corresponding one of the upper-portions, and protrude upwardly into such upper-portions of the top sheet thereby defining a hollow space therebetween which has a crescent-shaped cross-section, wherein the hollow spaces thereby formed are interconnected to form the flow channel. As a further refinement, undulations, protuberances or depressions may be further provided along the length of the flow channel to introduce turbulence in the fluid flow to thereby increase the rate of heat exchange between the solar heating panel and the fluid.
