Unitary structure and method for utilizing solar energy

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United States Patent (19)

Milburn, Jr.

54 unitary structure and method for

Utilizing solar energy

75) Inventor: William W. Milburn, Jr., Boulder,

Colo.

73 Assignee: Thomas W. O'Rourke, Boulder,

Colo,

52 U.S. C. .................................... 126/430; 126/436;

2,484, 127 0/1949 Stelzer .................................. 126/43O 3,997, 108 12/1976 Mason ..... ... 126/430 4,029,258 6/1977 Groth. ...... ... 126/430 4,061,267 12/1977 Lof .............. ... 126/430 4,063,546 12/1977 Schmid et al. .. ... 126/436 4,068,652 1/1978 Worthington .. ... 126/430 4,071,016 1/1978 Henderson ...... ...... 126/436 4,088,266 5/1978 Keyes.......... ...... 126/430 4, l l 1, 185 9/1978 Swann .................................. 126/436 Primary Examiner-James C. Yeung

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Assistant Examiner-Daniel O'Connor

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-O'Rourke & Harris

A structure and method for utilizing solar energy for heating including a unitary, preferably modular, unit adapted to form an outer surface of a building, and having therein a reservoir suitable for storing fluid heat storage medium. The structure includes an outer glaz ing, an energy absorbing surface spaced inwardly from the glazing, and a divider forming an absorber channel adjacent the back side of the absorber. Preferably, the storage reservoir is separated from the back side of the absorber by an insulating divider defining the absorber channel. The structure is preferably self-supporting with a stressed storage reservoir and may be incorpo rated in a structure as a unitary module supporting at least its own weight and often forming a structural, stressed portion of the building. In operation, air may be selectively conducted through the absorber channel to accumulate heat energy from the back side of the ab sorber and, optionally, conduct the heat energy directly to the building volume to be heated, or over the storage reservoir to accumulate and store the collected energy. When radiant energy is not available, air may be flowed over the storage reservoir to withdraw heat energy to be utilized for heating purposes.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a partially cut away, accessible through access door 30 defined in back cover preferred collector-storage module in accord with the 13.

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UNITARY STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION UTILIZING SOLAR ENERGY The present invention, which provides a heretofore unavailable improvement over previous solar energy

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION devices and methods, comprises a method and structure 1. Field of the Invention which forms a portion of a building, in which the ad The present invention relates generally to solar heat vantages of the active and passive systems, i.e., effi ing systems forming an integral portion of a building, ciency and low cost, respectively, are maintained while and more particularly to an unusually advantageous O the disadvantages of each system are largely avoided. solar heating system in which heat is collected and The structure preferably forms an easily handled struc supplied to an integral storage reservoir including a tural, module unit which directly interfaces with con fluid storage medium, the heat being collected by ab ventional heating systems. The method and structure sorption of solar energy utilizing a greenhouse effect, provide for an absorber having an integral heat storage and selectively withdrawn from the storage reservoir 5 reservoir adjacent thereto. Heat storage medium may and/or from the absorber, by means of internal channels be provided in the heat storage reservoir after the unit is through which air may be selectively conducted. in place. Accordingly, the great mass generally required 2. Description of the Prior Art for heat storage need not be coped with during the The ever expanding awareness of the need for greater construction phase. However, after construction is utilization of solar energy has given rise to a great many complete, it is a simple matter to fill the reservoir with systems towards this end. The difficulties and draw a fluid heat storage medium, either a flowable solid, backs of the systems employed to utilize solar energy such as a salt, or preferably a liquid, such as water. are not always apparent. For instance, in the so-called More specifically, the structure involves an outer active systems, cost is currently an almost overwhelm glazing, either single or double, transparent to radiant ing deterrent. Typical of such multicomponent systems 25 energy but substantially opaque to energy in the infra are those utilizing flat plate collectors, usually roof red portion of the spectrum. An absorber is positioned mounted, with fluid (either water or air) circulating adjacent to, but spaced from the glazing with a divider, systems to mechanically transfer heat from the flat plate preferably insulating, defining a channel on the back collectors to a remote heat storage system, typically a side of the absorber. Finally, the heat storage reservoir large pile of rocks in the basement. Alternatively, a 30 is positioned on the back side of the divider in yet an large tank of water or utectic salts may be employed. other flow channel. Ducting and dampers are provided Such active systems employ heat storage means which to permit selective fluid flow behind the absorber and are operated contrary to certain natural tendencies in from there either to the volume to be heated or to the that heat is collected on the roof and the heated fluid heat storage channel. Alternatively, dampers may be must be moved downward to storage. This necessitates 35 positioned to direct fluid flow over the heat storage substantial additional equipment and energy to mechan reservoir and then through the conventional heating ically transmit the heat against this natural thermo si system to the building volume to be heated. Preferably phon flow. Also, the flat plate collectors generally must a series of collector-storage units may be formed as be supported by the roof or other structural members in modules and connected to a single power unit, though the building. Extensive plumbing between the remote 40 of course each unit may incorporate the ducting and heat storage and the collector is required. Once heat is blower of the power unit.

in the storage area, of course, further ducting is required Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to to transmit the heat to the volumes where it is em provide a new and improved method and structure for ployed. utilizing solar heat which lends to ease of construction Other solar energy systems are of the so-called pas 45 by providing for light weight, structural units which sive designs which are most typically represented by incorporate the more massive heat storage medium only the Trombe Wall. The Trombe system utilizes a wall of after the units are in place.

thick masonary construction which is faced with glass Another object of the present invention is to provide or other radiant energy transmitting material spaced a new and improved method and structure for utilizing from the wall to accomplish a greenhouse effect. Dur 50 solar energy which combines the heat utilization effi ing the day, solar energy is absorbed and transmitted ciency and control of an active system while providing into the wall by conduction into the masonary. Heat is many of the cost advantages of an inactive system. withdrawn from the wall primarily by convection with Yet another object of the present invention is to pro air flowing from within the building to the space be vide a new and improved method and structure for tween the outer surface of the wall and the transparent 55 utilizing solar energy in which the solar energy is uti facing and then again into the structure from the top of lized with a conventional heat distribution system di the wall. A secondary heating mechanism involves rectly from such compact collector-storage structures. radiant energy from the inner surface of the heated Still another object of the present invention is to wall. While the Trombe system is most economical in provide a new and improved method and structure for that the masonary wall is usually a structural member of 60 utilizing solar energy in which the units are unitary the building it serves, the drawbacks involve rather collector-storage units having structural, self-support rapid loss of heat from the outer surface of the wall ing characteristics.

through cooling of the transparent panels by radiation These and other objects and features of the present at night. Heated air flows in contact with the cooled invention will become apparent from the following inner surface of the transparent panel. Also, when the 65 description.

interior of the building is warm, the Trombe Wall tends BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS to overheat the building by radiating heat from the inner surface of the wall. In the drawings:

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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a partially cut away, accessible through access door 30 defined in back cover preferred collector-storage module in accord with the 13.

instant invention; Collector-storage module 10 includes a return air FIG. 2 is a sectioned, side view of the collector stor duct 32 which is in communication with absorber chan age module of FIG. 1; nel 21 through opening 34 and also in communication FIG. 3 is a top view of a series of the collector storage with heat reservoir channel 23 to opening 35. Return air modules of FIG. 1 in conjunction with a power module; duct 32 extends substantially through module 10 except and in the instance of an end module 10' as shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4 is a sectional view along section line 4-4 of in which instance duct 32 extends only through one side the power module shown in FIG. 3. 10 of module 10'. In this manner, return air duct 32 runs

Detaled description of the

through the length of joined modules 10. Openings 34 and 35 may be of increasing dimensions along joined

INVENTION modules 10 in order to promote relatively equal flow Turning now to the drawings, wherein like compo 15 through the modules within large openings 34 and 35 nents are designated by like reference numerals compensating for the more remote location of certain of throughout the various figures, a typical collector-stor modules 10. Such sizing is well known and conventional age module for utilizing solar energy for building heat in the art of duct sizing.

ing is illustrated in FIG. 1 and generally described by Modules 10 and 10' also include heat reservoir duct reference numeral 10. As shown, module 10 which may 38 and absorber duct 40 defined by partition 41 in the form the surface of a wall or roof of a building, includes 20 end portions thereof in a manner similar to that in which side enclosures 12, which may be, for instance, sheet return air duct 32 is formed as described above. Accord metal, rafters or other structural members of a building ingly, when a plurality of modules 10 are joined to (not shown). Preferably side enclosures 12 are free gether with ducts 32, 38 and 40 interfacing, as shown in standing structural units which fit into and support not 25 FIG. 3, and further joined with an end module 10', ducts 32, 38, and 40 form a continuous duct system only module 10 but also lend structural support to the throughout interfacing sections of the building in which module 10 modules 10 and 10'. While ducts 32, 38 and is utilized. Back cover 13 encloses module 12 with side 49 are illustrated as being formed in the side walls of enclosures 12 on five sides. module 10, external ducting may, of course, be em At the open side of module 10, glazing 15, which may 30 ployed.

External ducts are useful when modules 10 and positioned between rafters, thus blocking direct be glass, polymeric or other such material, is supported. connections between modules 10 and 10'. Glazing 15 preferably is transparent or translucent to Power unit module 45, as shown in detail in FIG. 4, relatively short wavelength radiation, i.e., ultraviolet abuts the end of the ganged collector storage modules radiation as is common in solar energy but opaque to longer wavelength radiation such as infrared radiation 35 4,10 itandis 10' as shown in FIG. 3. With reference to FIG. which would be admitted by heated surfaces. This well continuation ofnoted to be that power module 45 includes a known phenomenon is commonly referred to as the and absorber duct 40.air return duct 32, heat reservoir duct 38 Also defined therein are heated "greenhouse effect'. Spaced inwardly from but adja air outlet 47 and return air inlet 49. Heated air outlet 47 cent to glazing 15 is absorber 17, as is particularly well communicates directly with a conventional heat supply illustrated in FIG. 2. Glazing 15 and absorber 17 form an insulating void 19 therebetween to minimize heat duct system in a building, and return air inlets 49 simi losses to the environment by conduction through glaz latter interface larly with conventional cold air return. This aspect is conventional and not specifically illus ing 15. The insulating effect may be enhanced by utiliz trated.

ing double panes of glazing 15 as is well known. Ab Blower 50 is positioned in power unit module 45 and sorber 17 is preferably black at the side facing glazing 45 communicates at the inlet side with heat reservoir duct 15, and may include corrugations to serve as wavetraps damper 53, operable by servo 54 and absorber duct and induce turbulence to aid in heat transfer to fluid damper 56, operable by servo 57. Dampers 53 and 56 flowing over the absorber. may be selectively opened or closed to enable blower 50 Divider 20 defines absorber channel 21 between ab to selectively draw heat from heat reservoir 38 and/or sorber 17 and divider 20, Divider 20 is preferably of an 50 absorber duct 40. The outlet of blower 50 communi insulating material, such as a foamed polymer or wood. cates with heated air outlet damper 59, operable by Heat reservoir channel 23 is defined by, for instance, the servo 60 and heat storage mode damper 62, operable by other side of divider 20 and back cover 13. Channels 21 servo 63. Accordingly, the outlet from blower 50 may and 23 are adapted to flow a heat transport fluid, prefer be selectively routed to heated air outlet 47, and thus to ably air. Hollow heat reservoir 25 is disposed within 55 a conventional heat supply system. heat reservoir channel 23 and is adapted to contain a The inlet of blower 50 may be selectively connected fluid heat storage medium 26. Heat reservoir 25 may be, to heat reservoir duct 38 and/or absorber duct 40 by as illustrated, a multi-legged reservoir, or alternatively appropriate positioning of heat reservoir duct damper of a corrugated design to provide a relatively high sur 53 and absorber duct damper 56. In this manner, heat face area to enclose volume ratio. While heat reservoir may be supplied to the conventional heating system 25 may be of plastic, or other such material, it is prefera from absorber 17, and/or from heat storage reservoir bly formed of metal such as galvanized steel. Strength 25.

may be provided by attaching heat reservoir 25 to the In the event heat is available at absorber 17 but not side enclosure surfaces 12 of module 10 thus stressing required to heat the subject building, heat storage heat reservoir 25. Heat storage medium 26 need only be 65 damper 62 may be opened and absorber duct 56 also flowable, i.e., a liquid or granulated material in order opened. This, with the other dampers closed, will in that it may be introduced into heat reservoir 25 through duce a closed route circulation from the back side of inlet 28. Inlets 28 are preferably oriented so as to be absorber 17, through absorber duct 40, through blower

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50, then through duct 38 to heat storage reservoir 25 tion of remote storage of the heat relative to the collec and, through opening 34, again past the back side of tor.

aosorber 17. in this manner, heat is supplied to heat Although only limited embodiments of the present storage medium 26 to be maintained until required to invention have been illustrated and described, it is antic heat the building. 5 ipated that various changes and modifications will be The following table illustrates the more preferred apparent to those skilled in the art, and that such modes of operation: changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is

DAMPERS O 1. A structure for collecting and storing solar energy. Heat

Reservicii Absorbes Heat Air Heat the structure comprising:

Duct Dict Outlet Storage an enclosure adapted to be positioned at an exterior 53 56 59 62 surface of a building and having glazing transpar Huai from ab sorber toy ent to radiant energy forming at least a portion of 5 one side thereof healing system Closed Open Open Closed

Heat from ab a collector having a radiant energy absorbing surface Scrbcr and positioned within the enclosure adjacent to but sic rage to heating system Open Open Open Closed spaced from the glazing with the radiant energy iiea frum absorbing surface disposed towards the glazing; stylage to an absorber channel defined within the enclosure heating system Open Closed Open Closed adjacent the side of the collector opposite that side Heat frcin thereof disposed towards the glazing; absorber to strage Closed Open Closed Open a heat reservoir channel defined within the enclosure, 25 between the side of the enclosure opposite that

Power unit module 45 may be positioned in other having the glazing and the portion of the absorber than the end position by appropriate ducting. Addi channel opposite the portion thereof adjacent the tional blowers may be provided in larger installations. collector;

a heat reservoir in the form of a hollow sealed enclo

From the above description, it would be apparent sure positioned within the heat reservoir channel, that modules 10, 10' and 45 may be conveniently prefab the heat reservoir having a sealable opening de ricated, readily assembled at a building site in place to fined therein;

lend structural support to the building. Rather than at least one inlet and at least one outlet opening de providing extensive plumbing and pumps through the fined in the enclosure; building to remote storage, the method and structure ducting means connecting the heat reservoir channel described provides for a direct interfacing of the heat 35 absorber channel with the inlet opening at one end collection and storage module with conventional heat of the channel, and with the outlet opening at the distribution means. If desired, hot water may also be other end of the channel; and provided by interfacing, either directly or through heat selectively positionable damper meals disposed be exchangers, with the heat storage means. While it is tween the absorber channel, heat reservoir chaniel preferred that heated air be employed as the primary 40 heat transfer fluid, hot water may be withdrawn for and inlet and outlet openings; heating purposes from the reservoir, or merely as a whereby sensible heat may be generated at the radi preheat for domestic hot water. Since it is generally ant energy absorbing surface of the collector and contemplated that solar heating systems be sized to carried therefrom by fluid flow from the inlet provide less than the entire heat load during extremely 45 opening through the absorber channel to, selec cold periods or cloudy periods, a backup heating system tively, the heat reservoir channel to provide heat to will generally be provided and may, if desired, be incor the heat reservoir, or alternatively, to the outlet porated in the solar collector-storage system described. opening from either the absorber channel or the However, such features are essentially conventional heat reservoir channel to provide the sensible heat and well within the skill of the art to provide either 50 2. as A required.

structure for collecting and storing solar energy within the solar collector-storage system as described, or within the conventional heat distribution system. as set forth in claim 1 in which the heat reservoir is filled Other conventional features, such as means to vent the with a flowable heat storage media.

absorber in the instance of overheating during, for in 3. A structure for collecting and storing Solar energy stance, summer months are contemplated but not specif 55 as set forth in claim 2 in which the heat storage media ically disclosed. A temperature responsive damper at comprises water.

the volume between the absorber and glazing serves this 4. A composite structure for collecting and storing end. solar energy in which a plurality of structures as set In summary, the instant invention provides a method forth in claim 1 are positioned adjacent one another and and structure whereby intergal collector-storage mod in which duct means connecting together the absorber ules may be readily handled during construction, pref. channels and the heat reservoir channels of the individ erably lending actual structural support to and forming ual structures are included.

a surface of the building in which they are employed. 5. A composite structure for collecting and storing The more massive heat storage medium, such as water solar energy as set forth in claim 4 which further in or a flowable solid, may be added to the otherwise 65 cludes blower means communicating with the absorber easily handled modules after the modules are in place, channel, the heat reservoir channel, the inlet opening, and the modules may be directly connected to conven and the outlet opening, and in which the damper means tional heat distribution systems without the complica are positioned between the blower and the illet open 7 ing, the outlet opening, the absorber channel and the the glazing of such enclosure with the radiant en heat reservoir channel and selectively positionable to ergy absorbing surface disposed towards the glaz induce flow between the inlet opening, through the ling;

absorber channel, and to the outlet opening; through a plurality of absorber channels defined at least one the inlet opening, to the heat reservoir channel and to each within each module adjacent the side of the the outlet opening, and through the absorber channel, collector of such module opposite that side thereof to the heat reservoir channel, and back to the absorber disposed towards the glazing; channel; whereby by proper positioning of the damper a plurality of heat reservoir channels disposed one means heat may be provided to the outlet opening alter each within each module at a position spaced from natively from the absorber channel during times of 10 the collectors and absorber channels; absorption of radiant energy, from the heat reservoir a plurality of heat reservoirs in the form of hollow channel when sensible heat is not available at the ab enclosures positioned at least one each within each sorber, and from the absorber channel to the heat reser reservoir channel and having a sealable opening voir when heat is not required but available at the ab defined therein;

6. A composite structure for collecting and storing flowable heat storage media disposed within each solar energy as set forth in claim 5 in which the blower heat reservoir;

means and the damper means are provided within a at least one outlet vent from the structure; power unit module connectable to the module structure ducting means connecting the absorber channels, by the ducting means. 20 heat reservoir channels, inlet and outlet openings of 7. A structure for collecting and storing solar energy each module, and the outlet vent; and as set forth in claim 1 in which the enclosure and heat damper means adapted to control flow from the ab reservoir are connected and stressed to provide struc sorber channels to the heat reservoir channels, or tural strength to the module. alternatively from the heat reservoir channels to 8. A composite structure for collecting and storing 25 the outlet vent in response to selective positioning solar energy, the structure comprising: of the damper means.

a plurality of enclosed modules adapted to be sup 9. A composite structure as set forth in claim 8 which ported at an exterior surface of a building with further includes a power module having impeller means each having glazing transparent to radiant energy positioned therein and connected to the ducting means forming at least a portion of one side thereof; 30 and thereby to the heat reservoir channels, the absorber at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet open channels, and the inlet and outlet openings; ing defined in each module and positioned to inter the composite structure further including in the face with a corresponding opening defined in an damper means a position thereof to operably con adjacent module; nect the blower in a selective manner with the a plurality of collectors having radiant energy ab 35 absorber channel, the heat reservoir channel, the sorbing surfaces and being positioned at least one inlet and outlet openings, and with the outlet vent. each within a module adjacent to but spaced from e s