Solar thermal tube plate heat exchanger

Abstract

A combination solar absorber and atmospheric radiator in multiple embodiments, a method for constructing these embodiments, and a method for using the combination solar absorber and atmospheric radiator, the absorber/radiator has a thermally conductive sheet which serves as a back plate, tubular fluid conduit or conduits, generally rectangular thermally conductive caps, and a means for fastening the caps to the sheet, covering one or more conduits and pressing them against the sheet. The side of the sheet with the caps and conduits is exposed to the sun and atmosphere, providing two thermal pathways to and from the conduit.

1 . An apparatus for absorbing heat from the sun and dissipating heat to the atmosphere at night; said apparatus comprising: 
 a generally flat thermally conductive sheet which serves as a back plate;    one or more tubular fluid conduit or conduits;    a generally rectangular thermally conductive cap for covering and pressing said conduit or conduits against said sheet; said cap having a length and a width generally covering the one or more of said conduit or conduits; said cap not covering the entire sheet if used in plurality; said cap not contiguous to each other in the parallel if used in plurality; and    a means for fastening the thermally conductive cap to said thermally conductive sheet; thereby covering said one or more conduit or conduits and pressing them against said sheet; said cap fastened to that side of said sheet which is exposed to the sun and atmosphere.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said thermally conductive sheet or thermally conductive cap are made of steel.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said thermally conductive sheet or thermally conductive cap are made of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said tubular fluid conduit or conduits are made of a plastic material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said tubular fluid conduit or conduits are made of a rubber material selected from the group consisting of silicone, santoprene, ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (epdm), and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said tubular fluid conduit or conduits are made of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said cap has an outwardly or inwardly curved flange on the cross-section transversely of the elongated direction.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said thermally conductive sheet or thermally conductive cap are made of steel.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said thermally conductive sheet or thermally conductive cap are made of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said tubular fluid conduit or conduits are made of a plastic selected from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said tubular fluid conduit or conduits are made of a rubber selected from the group consisting of silicone, santoprene, ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (epdm), and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said tubular fluid conduit or conduits are made of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum and copper.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said means for fastening comprises a generally rectangular thermally conductive cap having a C-shaped cross-section transversely of the elongated direction; and ridge or ridges raised from or attached to said thermally conductive sheet; said ridge or ridges undercut transversely of the elongated direction.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said raised and undercut ridge or ridges are convex.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said thermally conductive sheet or thermally conductive cap are made of steel.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said thermally conductive sheet or thermally conductive cap are made of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said tubular fluid conduit or conduits are made of a plastic selected from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said tubular fluid conduit or conduits are made of a rubber selected from the group consisting of silicone, santoprene or ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (epdm).  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said tubular fluid conduit or conduits are made of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         20 . A method for using a thermally conductive sheet to gain heat from the sun in the day or to dispose of heat at night; said method comprising: 
 utilizing a cap or caps to press a tubular fluid conduit or conduits containing fluid against said thermally conductive sheet;    exposing to the sun or atmosphere that side of the sheet onto which the tubular fluid conduit or conduits are fastened by said cap or caps; and    allowing said fluid to flow through said tubular fluid conduit or conduits by convection; or pumping said fluid to pick up solar heat or to give out heat during the night.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein said thermally conductive sheet or thermally conductive cap or caps are made of steel.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein said thermally conductive sheet or thermally conductive cap or caps are made of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20  wherein said tubular fluid conduit or conduits are made of a plastic selected from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20  wherein said tubular fluid conduit or conduits are made of a rubber selected from the group consisting of silicone, santoprene or ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (epdm).  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20  wherein said tubular fluid conduit or conduits are made of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, and combinations thereof.