Solar Collector Element

Abstract

A solar collector element including a wooden frame having longitudinal frame members and cross members which are fastened to a back panel is provided. The insulating material is inserted in the frame between the cross members. Located on top of the cross members and the insulating material is a pipe coil which has a plurality of lengths of pipe that run substantially horizontally at a small angle to each other, and each is provided with a heat-absorbing aluminium plate which, with one of its longitudinal edge portions, surrounds the respective length of pipe. The outward side of the framework is covered by a panel, preferably a corrugated panel of polycarbonate. When using solar collectors for dwelling houses, several such solar collector elements are placed adjacent to each other and connected in series, optionally so as to cover most of the height of the roof between the gutter and the ridge.

1 . A solar collector element comprising a plurality of lengths of pipe through which a heating medium is to circulate, the lengths of pipe being in contact with a heat-absorbing metal plate which is to absorb solar energy and transfer it to said lengths of pipe and the heating medium which is to circulate therein, the lengths of pipe are arranged substantially horizontal in a mounted state of the element, the lengths of pipe are each provided with a respective heat-collecting metal plate, the lengths of pipe are connected in series to each other, a substantial part of the element is covered by either a panel or sheet of a substantially transparent material, and said panel is at least partly supported by the metal plates. 
   
   
       2 . A solar collector element according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal plate along one of its longitudinal edge portions is bent around the length of pipe with an enveloping angle of at least 180 degrees. 
   
   
       3 . A solar collector element according to  claim 1 , wherein the lengths of pipe run at a small angle relative to one another in order to provide a continuous fall. 
   
   
       4 . (canceled) 
   
   
       5 . A solar collector element according to  claim 1 , wherein the panel is a corrugated polycarbonate panel. 
   
   
       6 . A solar collector element according to  claim 1 , wherein the lengths of pipe form a continuous pipe coil, or wherein pairs of lengths of pipe form basically U-shaped portions which are connected to each other in series, or wherein the lengths of pipe are basically J-shaped pipes which are connected to each other in series. 
   
   
       7 . A solar collector element according to  claim 1 , wherein the element comprises an elongate wooden frame with cross members by which the lengths of pipe are supported, insulating material being deposited between the cross members. 
   
   
       8 . A solar collector element according to  claim 1 , wherein both the lengths of pipe and the metal plates are made of aluminium, the metal plates on their outward facing side being provided with a heat radiation absorbent layer, preferably a black, matt primer. 
   
   
       9 . A solar collector element according to  claim 1 , wherein the element has a horizontal extent and a width of about 240 cm and 60 cm, respectively. 
   
   
       10 . A solar collector for a sloping house roof comprising solar collector elements according to  claim 1 , characterised in that wherein several elements are placed adjacent to each other so as to cover a substantial part of the height of the roof from gutter to ridge, that the lengths of pipe in the elements are connected together in series, and that the elements are covered by a common flat panel preferably of corrugated polycarbonate, which is at least partly supported by the metal plates in the area of their respective length of pipe. 
   
   
       11 . A solar collector element according to  claim 2 , wherein the lengths of pipe run at a small angle relative to one another in order to provide a continuous fall. 
   
   
       12 . A solar collector element according to  claim 2 , wherein the panel is a corrugated polycarbonate panel. 
   
   
       13 . A solar collector element according to  claim 3 , wherein the panel is a corrugated polycarbonate panel. 
   
   
       14 . A solar collector element according to  claim 2 , wherein the lengths of pipe form a continuous pipe coil, or wherein pairs of lengths of pipe form basically U-shaped portions which are connected to each other in series, or wherein the lengths of pipe are basically J-shaped pipes which are connected to each other in series. 
   
   
       15 . A solar collector element according to  claim 3 , wherein the lengths of pipe form a continuous pipe coil, or wherein pairs of lengths of pipe form basically U-shaped portions which are connected to each other in series, or wherein the lengths of pipe are basically J-shaped pipes which are connected to each other in series. 
   
   
       16 . A solar collector element according to  claim 5 , wherein the lengths of pipe form a continuous pipe coil, or wherein pairs of lengths of pipe form basically U-shaped portions which are connected to each other in series, or wherein the lengths of pipe are basically J-shaped pipes which are connected to each other in series. 
   
   
       17 . A solar collector element according to  claim 2 , wherein the element comprises an elongate wooden frame with cross members by which the lengths of pipe are supported, insulating material being deposited between the cross members. 
   
   
       18 . A solar collector element according to  claim 3 , wherein the element comprises an elongate wooden frame with cross members by which the lengths of pipe are supported, insulating material being deposited between the cross members. 
   
   
       19 . A solar collector element according to  claim 5 , wherein the element comprises an elongate wooden frame with cross members by which the lengths of pipe are supported, insulating material being deposited between the cross members. 
   
   
       20 . A solar collector element according to  claim 6 , wherein the element comprises an elongate wooden frame with cross members by which the lengths of pipe are supported, insulating material being deposited between the cross members.