초록 ▼

In solar energy collecting apparatus the problems of leakage due to differential thermal expansion and contraction between different parts of the collector, duplication of parts, fixed factory costs, and the unnecessary use of expensive materials are solved by using collector members made using on-s

In solar energy collecting apparatus the problems of leakage due to differential thermal expansion and contraction between different parts of the collector, duplication of parts, fixed factory costs, and the unnecessary use of expensive materials are solved by using collector members made using on-site roll-forming machines, the assembly of parts at the job site, and collector members that connect side by side, each having a sheet metal collector plate (11) as the principal part of a weather membrane above underlying support structure. A unique cover (13) and method of forming the cover enable use of relatively inexpensive film that is supported on side supports held to a pair of opposed sidewall portions (18 and 19) of a collector panel (31) so as to accommodate ready replacement of covers for individual collector members and ready attachment by joiner strips in an assembly of the collector members connected side by side. A pair of opposed sidewall portions (23 and 24) of a bottom panel are longitudinally slidable in opposed attachment members (78) rigidly secured to the underlying support structure (71 and 72 ) and have a bottom wall (15) connected to the ends of the lower passage to form an air passage to transfer heat from the collector plate. The collector plate (11) is suspended from the support structure to allow for relative expansion and contraction of the collector plate and associated collector member structure due to temperature changes.

대표청구항 ▼

In solar energy collecting apparatus on a support structure, the combination comprising: a plurality of solar collector members connected side by side, each solar collector member having: a collector panel including an intermediate portion providing a solar collector plate with an absorber surface a

In solar energy collecting apparatus on a support structure, the combination comprising: a plurality of solar collector members connected side by side, each solar collector member having: a collector panel including an intermediate portion providing a solar collector plate with an absorber surface and a pair of opposed sidewall portions projecting up from the opposite side edges of said intermediate portion; a solar energy transmission cover coupled to support said sidewall portions above said intermediate portion to provide an air space between said cover and said solar collector plate; a bottom panel including an intermediate portion extending under said collector plate and a pair of opposed sidewall portions projecting up from the opposite side edges of said bottom panel intermediate portion, said bottom panel sidewall portions being fastened to said collector panel to form an airflow passage below said collector plate, said collector panel, cover, and bottom panel of each collector member being a complete solar energy collecting entity independent of the collector panels, covers, and bottom panels of adjacent collector members, the upper side edge portions of one collector panel being joined to the upper side edge portions of adjacent collector panels of adjacent collector members to form an imperforate weather membrane to protect the support structure from the weather in the absence of a complete cover for said one collector panel; and mounting means between each collector member and support structure for holding said solar collector members against vertical and lateral movement relative to said support structure while leaving said collector members free for longitudinal movement relative to said support structure to permit said collector members to thermally expand and contract along their length due to temperature changes.