Thermal control system for solar collector

Patent · Tue Jul 16 04:00:00 EDT 1985

OSTI ID:6053871

Bayer, S C

A fluid cycling system for a solar collector is disclosed. The collector has a pump to force fluid through the collector to a fluid exit. The present invention provides a vertically extending expansion tank with an inlet coupled to the fluid exit from the collector located intermediate the top and bottom of the expansion tank. A primary outlet is provided below the tank, and a secondary outlet above the primary outlet. A return conduit couples the primary outlet to the pump. A radiator couples the secondary outlet to an intermediate portion of the return conduit. A fluid occupies the solar collector and the return conduit, and has a liquid volume so that in the absence of solar input to the collector the level of liquid in the tank is below the inlet. At approximately the maximum safe operating temperature, the liquid volume reaches the secondary outlet in the tank so that a portion of the liquid passes through the radiator to dissipate heat and prevent the temperature of the fluid from exceeding the maximum safe operating temperature.

• Assignee: Zomeworks Corp.
• Patent Number(s): US 4528976
• OSTI ID: 6053871
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
CIRCULATING SYSTEMS
CONTAINERS
CONTROL
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DESIGN
ENERGY TRANSFER
EQUIPMENT
FLUID FLOW
FLUID MECHANICS
FLUIDS
HEAT TRANSFER
HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS
HYDRAULICS
LIQUID FLOW
MECHANICS
PUMPS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
TANKS
TEMPERATURE CONTROL