Modular solar energy-collecting enclosure element, and modular system for forming solar energy-collecting enclosures on buildings

Abstract

A solar energy-collecting modular element for enclosure, and modular system for forming solar energy-collecting enclosures in buildings is described. The modular solar energy-collecting enclosure element comprises an outer plate and inner plate, facing each other and joined together by at least one leak-tight joint line along a closed perimeter. One or both plates include one or more hollow conformations within the perimeter that form a circuit for a heat-carrying fluid with an inlet and an outlet. The joint line is at a distance from the downstream transversal edges from the outer and inner plates thereby providing an accessible gap between respective free outer and inner portions of the outer and inner plates downstream from the joint line. This accessible gap is adapted to be plug-connected to an upstream free portion of the outer plate of a similar adjacent modular element located downstream.

1 . Modular solar energy-collecting enclosure element for buildings, applicable to façade and roof, of the type comprising an outer plate and an inner plate facing each other and joined together by at least one leak-tight joint line along a closed perimeter, with at least one of said outer and inner plates including one or more conformations within said perimeter, spaced apart from the other of the plates to form a circuit for a heat-carrying fluid with an inlet and an outlet, wherein said leak-tight joint line is at a distance from downstream transversal edges of the outer and inner plates in relation to the direction of a possible flow of water over the outer plate, thereby providing an accessible gap between respective free outer and inner portions of the outer and inner plates downstream from the joint line, said accessible gap being adapted to receive plug-connected a free portion located next to an upstream transversal edge of an outer plate of a similar modular solar energy-collecting enclosure element, or of an adjacent complementary enclosure element located downstream.  
   
   
       2 . Modular element, in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the leak-tight joint line is also at a distance from an upstream transversal edge of the outer plate, thereby providing a free outer portion of the outer plate upstream from the joint line, said free upstream outer portion of the outer plate being adapted to be plug-connected within said accessible gap of an adjacent similar modular solar energy-collecting enclosure element located upstream, or in a free space existing between two outer and inner plates of an adjacent complementary enclosure element located upstream.  
   
   
       3 . Modular element, in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the leak-tight joint line also provides a free inner portion of the inner plate upstream from the joint line, with the downstream and upstream free outer portions of the outer plate being longer than the corresponding downstream and upstream free inner portions of the inner plate, thereby, in the plug-in connection of two similar modular elements, the corresponding downstream and upstream free inner portions of the respective inner plates do not overlap.  
   
   
       4 . Modular element, in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the outer plate has longitudinal edges, in relation to the direction of a possible flow of water over it, from which respective fins extend outwards, said fins being configured and arranged so that they respectively match up with the fins of an adjacent similar modular solar energy-collecting enclosure element located on the corresponding side, or with similar fins of an adjacent complementary enclosure element located on the corresponding side, the matched fins being able to be mutually seamed or clamped at the top by means of a fitted additional cover element.  
   
   
       5 . Modular element, in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein from opposite edges of the inner plate, whether said edges are said transversal edges or longitudinal edges, respective flaps extend towards the inner side, and terminate in folds that extend towards each other, with said flaps and folds acting as stiffening and support elements.  
   
   
       6 . Modular element, in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein it comprises reinforcing members that extend from one to the other of said flaps with their ends fitting into the folds, with said reinforcing members, together with the flaps and folds acting as stiffening elements.  
   
   
       7 . Modular element, in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein some panels are installed between said reinforcing members, with their ends fitting into the folds of the flaps of the inner plate, said panels being made of an thermal insulation material that performs the functions of building thermal insulation, whether it is a closed or ventilated enclosure.  
   
   
       8 . Modular element, in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein it comprises a plate externally secured to the folds of the flaps of the inner plate, covering the reinforcing members and the panels, where the plate is made of a single or composite material that is suitable to carry out one or more of the following functions: forming a vapour barrier; breaking a thermal bridge; and providing fire protection.  
   
   
       9 . Modular element, in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein it has an elongated quadrilateral shape and said opposite edges of the inner plate from which the flaps extend, are the longest lateral edges.  
   
   
       10 . Modular element, in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said transverse edge of the downstream free portion of the outer plate has a fold, which provides rigidity to said transverse edge and, in virtue of a certain elasticity of the plate, mechanically acts as a leak-tight barrier against the outer plate of a similar modular solar energy-collecting enclosure element, or a complementary enclosure element located downstream.  
   
   
       11 . Modular element, in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the outer plate has adhered at a distance from its transverse upstream edge at least one tab adapted to receive fitted the transverse edge of the downstream free portion of the outer plate of a similar adjacent modular solar energy-collecting enclosure element located upstream, or the downstream transverse edge of the outer plate of an adjacent complementary enclosure element located upstream.  
   
   
       12 . Modular element, in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein it comprises a leak-tight strip made of an elastomeric material located so as to be compressed between the downstream free portion of the outer plate and the upstream free portion of the outer plate of a similar adjacent modular solar energy-collecting enclosure element located downstream, or the outer plate of an adjacent complementary enclosure element located downstream.  
   
   
       13 . Modular element, in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said inlet has a flow section area that is smaller than that of said outlet, in order to ensure that there is no increase of heat-carrying fluid pressure inside the modular solar energy-collecting enclosure element.  
   
   
       14 . Modular system for forming solar energy-collecting enclosures on buildings, applicable to façade and roof, wherein it comprises a plurality of enclosure elements, including at least one modular solar energy-collecting enclosure element in accordance with  claim 1 , and at least one complementary enclosure element having, whether on at least one of the longitudinal or transverse edges, in relation to a possible flow of water over it, at least one joint configuration for a leak-tight joint with an adjacent edge of said modular solar energy-collecting enclosure element.  
   
   
       15 . A modular system, in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein said joint configuration of said complementary enclosure element includes at least an accessible gap between downstream free portions of outer and inner plates of the complementary enclosure element, with said accessible gap being able to receive plug-connected an upstream free portion of an outer plate of a modular solar energy-collecting enclosure element or other adjacent complementary enclosure element located downstream.  
   
   
       16 . A modular system, in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein the complementary enclosure element defines a ridge part for a roof.  
   
   
       17 . A modular system, in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein said joint configuration of the complementary enclosure element includes at least one upstream free portion of an outer plate of the complementary enclosure element adapted to be plug-connected in an accessible gap next to the downstream transverse edge of a modular solar energy-collecting enclosure element or other adjacent complementary enclosure element located upstream.  
   
   
       18 . A modular system, in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the complementary enclosure element defines a gutter part or lower finishing element cooperating with a roof gutter.  
   
   
       19 . A modular system, in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein said joint union of said complementary enclosure element includes at least one fin adapted to be matched and attached with one of the fins of the at least one modular solar energy-collecting enclosure element or a similar fin on a complementary enclosure element located on the corresponding side.  
   
   
       20 . A modular system, in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein the complementary enclosure element defines a lateral enclosure part for either a roof or a façade.  
   
   
       21 . A modular system, in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein the complementary enclosure element defines a complementary modular plate that includes at least one opening for a ventilation duct or other building construction element.  
   
   
       22 . A modular system, in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein the complementary enclosure element defines a complementary modular plate that is suitable for covering the piping that forms part of a heat-carrying fluid primary circuit that communicates with the heat-carrying fluid circuit of the at least one modular solar energy-collecting enclosure element.  
   
   
       23 . A modular system, in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein it comprises an open profile for housing piping that forms part of a heat-carrying fluid primary circuit that communicates with the heat-carrying fluid circuit of the at least one modular solar energy-collecting enclosure element, with said open profile being adapted to fit between two matched fins of two adjacent enclosure elements with their longitudinal edges mutually adjacent, with at least one of said enclosure elements being a solar energy collector enclosure element, a cover element being included and adapted to clamp over the fins in a leak-tight fashion covering a mouth on said open profile, with said cover element being detachable to allow access to said open profile from the outside.  
   
   
       24 . A modular system, in accordance with  claim 23 , wherein said open profile is structural and adapted to be secured to a building structure, the enclosure elements adjacent to the open profile being adapted to be fixed thereto.  
   
   
       25 . A modular system, in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein it comprises support profiles adapted to be secured to a building structure and provided with support surfaces on which the modular solar energy-collecting enclosure elements and other complementary enclosure elements are supported.  
   
   
       26 . A modular system, in accordance with  claim 25 , wherein said support surfaces of said support profiles include elongated holes for the installation of fastening elements from the inside able to be secured to the modular solar energy-collecting enclosure elements for joining the same to the support profiles, said elongated holes providing sufficient free play to allow for any movements caused by enclosure expansion.  
   
   
       27 . A modular system, in accordance with  claim 25 , wherein it includes clamps adapted to secure the modular solar energy-collecting enclosure elements to the support elements allowing for any movements caused by enclosure expansion.  
   
   
       28 . A modular system, in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein it includes a heat-carrying fluid primary circuit that communicates with the heat-carrying fluid circuit of the at least one modular solar energy-collecting enclosure element, said primary circuit working at a null or negative relative pressure of approximately 0 to −10 millibars.