Solar energy collector and heat exchanger
A solar energy collector and heat exchanger for use in a solar energy system that provides space heating and preheating of water for a building or residence is disclosed. The solar collector and heat exchanger comprises a rectangularly shaped, box-like housing. A thermal pane glass panel covers the top of the housing and permits radiant energy to pass therethrough to the interior of the housing. An arrangement of transversely extending baffles are placed in the lower portion of the housing to define an uncovered serpentine channel running longitudinally through the housing. An air inlet port and an air outlet port are provided in the bottom of the housing to direct air into and out of the channel defined by the baffles. A metallic sheet covers the channel and has airflow connections therethrough leading from the air inlet and air outlet ports to the upper portion of the housing. A fluid system including a planar array of tubing having a number of longitudinal runs that extend parallel to the sides of the housing is provided, with adjacent tubes being interconnected to form a single conduit having an inlet and an outlet extending out of the housing. Additional baffles are provided in the upper portion of the housing to define a serpentine channel therein that overlays the lower channel and communicates with the air inlet and air outlet ports through the airflow connections. The thermal pane glass panel covering the top of the housing defines the ceiling for the upper channel. Curved upper and lower airflow guides are positioned between adjacent baffles in both the lower and upper channels to facilitate a smooth flow of air through each.
- Assignee:
- Near Star Solar, Inc.
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4159708
- OSTI ID:
- 5804937
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 17 Jun 1977
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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