Solar panel and panel assembly

Patent · Tue Jan 06 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:6406045

Mier, T P

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.

• Assignee: IFI; EDB-81-091007
• Patent Number(s): US 4243020
• OSTI ID: 6406045
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
DESIGN
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
FLAT PLATE COLLECTORS
GLASS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
THERMAL INSULATION
WATER