AU2007200656A1 - Solar Panel - Google Patents
Solar Panel Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU2007200656A1 AU2007200656A1 AU2007200656A AU2007200656A AU2007200656A1 AU 2007200656 A1 AU2007200656 A1 AU 2007200656A1 AU 2007200656 A AU2007200656 A AU 2007200656A AU 2007200656 A AU2007200656 A AU 2007200656A AU 2007200656 A1 AU2007200656 A1 AU 2007200656A1
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- solar panel
- tubing
- housing
- solar
- tray
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 15
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000003134 recirculating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000011810 insulating material Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000009182 swimming Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920002943 EPDM rubber Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylic acid group Chemical group C(C=C)(=O)O NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004800 polyvinyl chloride Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000005341 toughened glass Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004926 polymethyl methacrylate Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920000915 polyvinyl chloride Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000012080 ambient air Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 241000271566 Aves Species 0.000 description 1
- 241001494315 Cacatuidae Species 0.000 description 1
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003116 impacting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
- Y02E10/44—Heat exchange systems
Landscapes
- Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)
- Roof Covering Using Slabs Or Stiff Sheets (AREA)
Description
Regulation 3.2 Revised 2/98
AUSTRALIA
Patents Act, 1990
ORIGINAL
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION TO BE COMPLETED BY THE APPLICANT NAME OF APPLICANT: Autumn Solar Installations Pty Limited (ACN 050 061 151) ACTUAL INVENTOR: Steven Lawrence Merrett ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: Peter Maxwell and Associates Level 6 Pitt Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 INVENTION TITLE: SOLAR PANEL DETAILS OF ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO: 2006 902 028 19 April 2006 Australia The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:m:\docs\20071 005\1 14772.doc 2 SOLAR PANEL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to solar panels and, in particular, to an insulated solar panel for supplying heated, recirculated water to a swimming pool.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Swimming pools may be heated by recirculating pool water through one or more solar panels made of black rubber tubing or the like laid on a roof and exposed to the sun and other elements. Rubber and, to a lesser extent, plastic are the materials of choice for the tubing as they are resistant to corrosion by salt carried in the pool water and, unlike copper tubing, do not leave a stain in the pool. However, in order to effectively heat an average pool, the surface area of solar panelling required should, according to Australian Standards, be 70% of the total surface area of the pool. For instance, if an average pool has a surface area of 40 m 2 then the surface area of solar panelling required to be installed on a roof will be 28 m 2 This is a relatively large proportion of the roof devoted to supporting solar panelling for a pool, and may be unsightly and problematic to maintain. Furthermore, such a large surface area of solar panelling, being exposed to the elements, may deteriorate over time and, particularly where the solar panelling is made of rubber, is a target for cockatoos and some other birds who enjoy pecking at, or even eating, the rubber material. Still further, the exposed solar panelling may be subject to the cooling effects of wind or frost, thereby prolonging the time required for the water recirculating through the tubing to attain the desired temperature.
14/02/07 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least substantially ameliorate, the shortcomings and disadvantages of the prior art.
According to the invention, there is provided a solar panel comprising tubing through which water from a swimming pool is recirculated, the tubing being adapted to be exposed to the sun for heating the water to a temperature whereby the pool is heated, and a housing for the tubing, the housing having a transparent screen covering the tubing, the arrangement being such that the housing retains heat therewithin for increasing the temperature of the tubing above that outside the housing.
Preferably, the solar panel further includes insulating material located within the housing and upon which the tubing is supported.
It is preferred that the housing further includes a tray upon which the insulating material is supported.
In a preferred form, the housing further includes a rubber seal between the transparent screen and the tray, and clamp means for clamping together the transparent screen and the tray along the rubber seal.
The transparent screen is preferably made of clear acrylic or toughened glass.
The tray may be made of aluminium or polypropylene.
The tubing may be made of EPDM rubber or PVC plastic.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a solar panel assembly for a roof comprising a plurality of the solar panels described above, each one of the solar panels having a modular connection pipe fitted 14/02/07 thereto for allowing recirculating water to pass from the tubing in one solar panel to the tubing in an adjacent solar panel.
Preferably, the modular connection pipe has identical opposite ends, each end being adapted to engage an opening at a side wall of a respective housing.
SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly of solar panels according to a preferred embodiment of the invention mounted to a roof.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an isolated solar panel from the assembly shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a sectional side view through II1-111I of the solar panel shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a sectional end view through IV-IV of the solar panel shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the solar panel shown in Fig. 2 and external tubing therefor.
Fig. 6 is a top view of the solar panel assembly shown in Fig. 1 illustrating the direction of flow of recirculating water.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF
INVENTION
The solar panel 10 shown isolated or as part of an assembly of solar panels in Figs. 1 to 6 includes ethylene propylene diene (EPDM) rubber tubing 12 (although polyvinylchloride (PVC) plastic tubing may alternatively be used) formed as a mat and providing a passageway for recirculating water from a swimming pool that is desired to be heated by heat radiating from the sun and impacting on the solar panel when mounted on a roof.
14/02/07 The tubing 12 is surrounded by a housing 14. The housing 14 includes, in this embodiment, a transparent screen 16 covering the tubing 12, and which is made of clear acrylic (although toughened glass may alternatively be used).
The solar panel includes insulating material 18 located within the housing 14 (see especially Fig. 5) and upon which the tubing 12 is supported.
The housing 14 further includes an aluminium tray 20 (although a polypropylene tray may alternatively be used) upon which the insulating material 18 is supported, and a rubber seal 22 between the transparent screen 16 and the tray A set of aluminium clamps 24 are used to clamp together the transparent screen 16 and the tray 20 along the rubber seal 22.
A plurality of the solar panels 10 are interconnected to form an assembly of solar panels which are mounted to a roof as shown in Figs. 1 and 6. The solar panels 10 are laid side by side on the roof and are interconnected by a modular connection pipe 30 fitted between openings 32 at respective side walls of adjacent panels. In this embodiment, each opening 32 is defined by a tubular member that extends outwardly from its respective side wall, the tubular member 32 being in liquid flow communication with a longer tubular portion 34 located within the housing 14. Connected to each tubular portion 34, via suitable fittings, is the tubing 12, so that heated, recirculating water passing through the tubing may exit the solar panel through the tubular member 32, and unheated, recirculating water passing through the tubular member 32 may enter the solar panel for heating.
Each modular connection pipe 30, also referred to as a barrel union, has an end suited to engaging a respective tubular member 32 of a solar panel Engagement is facilitated by rubber sealing means and a tight interference fit between inter-engaging male and female contact surfaces.
14/02/07 Without being limited thereto, the approximate dimensions of the solar panel 10 are 600 mm in width (or end dimension), 2 metres in length (or side dimension), and 70 mm in height. The insulated, protected environment for the tubing 12 created by the housing 14 allows the ambient air temperature therewithin to be between about 100 C and 150 C higher than the ambient air temperature immediately surrounding the tubing that is exposed to the elements when water is circulating through the tubing 12. This provides the advantage that, whereas the surface area of exposed solar panels necessary on a roof to achieve effective heating according to the Australian Standard of an average pool is 28 m 2 the surface area of insulated, protected solar panels according to this invention for the same purpose is 14 m 2 which is 50% of the recommended coverage according to the Australian Standard, being a saving of an area of 14 m 2 of roof space, and thus requiring fewer solar panels to be used.
It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in details of design and construction of the solar panel and of the assembly of solar panels described above without departing from the scope and ambit of the invention.
14/02/07
Claims (9)
1. A solar panel comprising tubing through which water from a swimming pool is recirculated, the tubing being adapted to be exposed to the sun for heating the water to a temperature whereby the pool is heated, and a housing for the tubing, the housing having a transparent screen covering the tubing, the arrangement being such that the housing retains heat therewithin for increasing the temperature of the tubing above that outside the housing.
2. The solar panel according to claim 1 and further including insulating material located within the housing and upon which the tubing is supported.
3. The solar panel according to claim 2 and further including a tray upon which the insulating material is supported.
4. The solar panel according to claim 3 and further including a rubber seal between the transparent screen and the tray, and clamp means for clamping together the transparent screen and the tray along the rubber seal.
The solar panel according to claim 1 wherein the transparent screen is made of clear acrylic or toughened glass.
6. The solar panel according to claim 3 wherein the tray is made of aluminium or polypropylene.
7. The solar panel according to claim 1 wherein the tubing is made of ethylene propylene diene rubber or polyvinylchloride plastic. 14/02/07
8. A solar panel assembly for a roof comprising a plurality of the solar panels according to any one of claims 1 to 7, each one of the solar panels having a modular connection pipe fitted thereto for allowing recirculating water to pass from the tubing in one solar panel to the tubing in an adjacent solar panel.
9. The solar panel assembly according to claim 8 wherein the modular connection pipe has identical opposite ends, each end being adapted to engage an opening at a side wall of a respective housing. Dated this 14 day of February 2007 Autumn Solar Installations Pty Limited Patent Attorneys for the Applicant PETER MAXWELL AND ASSOCIATES 14/02/07
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2007200656A AU2007200656B2 (en) | 2006-04-19 | 2007-02-16 | Solar Panel |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2006902028A AU2006902028A0 (en) | 2006-04-19 | Solar panel | |
| AU2006902028 | 2006-04-19 | ||
| AU2007200656A AU2007200656B2 (en) | 2006-04-19 | 2007-02-16 | Solar Panel |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2007200656A1 true AU2007200656A1 (en) | 2007-11-08 |
| AU2007200656B2 AU2007200656B2 (en) | 2012-09-06 |
Family
ID=38667218
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2007200656A Ceased AU2007200656B2 (en) | 2006-04-19 | 2007-02-16 | Solar Panel |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2007200656B2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN113340004A (en) * | 2021-06-14 | 2021-09-03 | 武汉赛尔太阳能科技有限公司 | Wind-heat type solar heat collector array |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN105987519A (en) * | 2015-02-21 | 2016-10-05 | 王华安 | Swimming pool water heating and circulating system |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE2528267A1 (en) * | 1975-06-25 | 1977-01-20 | Buderus Eisenwerk | DEVICE FOR TRANSFERRING SOLAR ENERGY TO A LIQUID MEDIUM |
| US4498265A (en) * | 1982-06-11 | 1985-02-12 | International Solarpanel, Inc. | Solar collector construction and sealing arrangement |
| US4449513A (en) * | 1983-08-02 | 1984-05-22 | George Lover | Solar heater |
| WO2003033971A2 (en) * | 2001-10-15 | 2003-04-24 | Nicholas Ivanovic | Solar heat collector |
-
2007
- 2007-02-16 AU AU2007200656A patent/AU2007200656B2/en not_active Ceased
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN113340004A (en) * | 2021-06-14 | 2021-09-03 | 武汉赛尔太阳能科技有限公司 | Wind-heat type solar heat collector array |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2007200656B2 (en) | 2012-09-06 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FGA | Letters patent sealed or granted (standard patent) | ||
| MK14 | Patent ceased section 143(a) (annual fees not paid) or expired |