Composite translucent thermal solar collector

Abstract

In a composite translucent thermal solar collector, an upper transparent alveolar slab ( 4 ), an inner alveolar slab ( 3 ) and a third slab ( 2 ) of foam or fibrous material adjusted behind said alveolar slab ( 3 ), are kept packed together by elastic means ( 5 ) in a way that it allows the expansion of each slab according to its temperature and its coefficient of expansion. The lower face ( 11 ) of the inner alveolar slab ( 3 ) is black opaque while the other face is clear transparent, in order to obtain the conversion of the visible fraction of the solar radiation in IR radiation in a inner region of the collector, under “greenhouse” conditions.

1 . A thermal solar collector for conversion of visible fraction of the solar radiation in infrared radiation, useful for heating, comprising: 
 a first forward heat insulating slab ( 4 ), an inner heat insulating slab ( 2 ) and an inner, lower and double colored alveolar slab ( 3 ); said first forward alveolar heat insulating slab ( 4 ) provides a forward thermal insulation to said inner lower and double colored alveolar slab ( 3 ); said inner heat insulating slab ( 2 ) adjusted behind said inner, lower and double colored alveolar slab ( 3 );    said inner, lower and double colored alveolar slab ( 3 ) comprising:    a second clear and transparent forward face;    a black opaque internal face ( 11 ) said black opaque internal face is between said second clear and transparent forward and said inner heat insulating slab; and    slab headers ( 15 ), located at the end of alveoli, and adapted to let water to be heated to circulate inside along said inner, lower and double colored alveolar slab and enter said alveoli ( 12 );    wherein conversion of visible fraction of the solar radiation in infrared radiation takes place on said black opaque internal face ( 11 ), said conversion being under greenhouse conditions such that the heat generated by said conversion of visible fraction of the solar radiation into infrared radiation by said black opaque internal face ( 11 ) is internal to one of said alveoli; said water to be heated in contact with said black internal face ( 11 ).    
   
   
       2 . The thermal solar collector of  claim 1 , wherein said first forward alveolar heat insulating slab ( 4 ) is made of material clear and transparent to the visible fraction of the solar radiation with said alveoli closed in order to avoid leakage of the inner air.  
   
   
       3 . The thermal solar collector of  claim 1 , wherein said inner heat insulating slab ( 2 ) made of foam or fibrous material and provides back thermal insulation to said inner, lower and double colored alveolar slab ( 3 ).  
   
   
       4 . The thermal solar collector of  claim 1 , further comprising an elastic windowed case ( 5 ) which keeps tied together said first forward alveolar heat insulating slab ( 4 ), said inner heat insulating slab ( 2 ), said inner, lower and double colored alveolar slab, and a back frame ( 1 ) while allowing the expansion of each slab according to a temperature and a coefficient of expansion, without creating curling and bending in the whole panel.  
   
   
       5 . The thermal solar collector of  claim 1 , further comprising a vertically rotating axle ( 19 ) operated either manually or by motor on said axle being fastened said frame ( 1 ) which in this way can be conveniently oriented.  
   
   
       6 . The thermal solar collector of  claim 1 , further comprising separating ribs in at least one of said first forward heat insulating slab ( 4 ), said inner heat insulating slab ( 2 ), and said inner, lower and double colored alveolar slab.  
   
   
       7 . The thermal solar collector according to  claim 1 , wherein said first forward alveolar heat insulating slab is made of polypropylene, polycarbonate, or polymethylmethacrylate.  
   
   
       8 . The thermal solar collector according to  claim 1 , wherein said first forward alveolar heat insulating slab is made of polymethylmethacrylate or of UV protected polycarbonate.  
   
   
       9 . The thermal solar collector according to  claim 1 , wherein said slab headers ( 15 ) are water tight and pipes are applied at the end ( 17 ) of the alveoli and are closed on the sides with sealing elements ( 16 ).  
   
   
       10 . The thermal solar collector according to  claim 6 , wherein every one of said slab headers ( 15 ) is a channel ( 36 ) obtained by milling the ribs and one wall, along a limited portion of said inner, lower and double colored alveolar slab, thus bringing the alveoli of said inner, lower and double colored alveolar slab in reciprocal communication, said channel thus opened being made water tight, applying by gluing or welding a thin fat element ( 35 ) of compatible material.  
   
   
       11 . The thermal solar collector according to  claim 10 , wherein the circulation of the liquid inside said inner, lower and double colored alveolar slab is obtained by gluing or welding, a pipe fitting structure ( 33 ) to the flat element ( 35 ).  
   
   
       12 . The thermal solar collector according to  claim 1 , further comprising a pool-reservoir to store warm water; and a plastic film laid on the surface of said pool reservoir.  
   
   
       13  The thermal solar collector according to  claim 5  further comprising an electronic controller for said motor.  
   
   
       14 . The thermal solar collector according to  claim 2 , further comprising a pool-reservoir to store warm water; and a plastic film laid on the surface of said pool reservoir.  
   
   
       15 . The thermal solar collector according to  claim 3 , further comprising a pool-reservoir to store warm water; and a plastic film laid on the surface of said pool reservoir.  
   
   
       16 . The thermal solar collector according to  claim 4 , further comprising a pool-reservoir to store warm water; and a plastic film laid on the surface of said pool reservoir.  
   
   
       17 . The thermal solar collector according to  claim 5 , further comprising a pool-reservoir to store warm water; and a plastic film laid on the surface of said pool reservoir.  
   
   
       18 . The thermal solar collector according to  claim 6 , further comprising a pool-reservoir to store warm water; and a plastic film laid on the surface of said pool reservoir.