Device for collecting rain water and calories from solar radiation

Abstract

A device for collecting rainwater and calories originating from solar radiation in order at the same time to drain the rainwater and generate domestic hot water or heating, capable of being mounted at the base of a roof or on the edge of a balcony, includes an open channel ( 2 ) having longitudinal walls and lateral walls ( 7, 8 ). The open channel ( 2 ) has in cross section a stepped profile including first and second steps. A translucent or transparent cover plate ( 3 ) is mounted inside the open channel ( 2 ) at the second step while being held by the lateral walls ( 7, 8 ) and partly delimits a sealed chamber ( 2 b ). A heat exchanger device ( 12 ) inside which a coolant can flow is mounted inside the sealed chamber ( 2 b ), and the first step defines at least partly a section for the flow of the rainwater.

1 . A device for collecting rainwater and calories originating from solar radiation in order at the same time to drain the rainwater and generate domestic hot water or heating, capable of being mounted at the base of a roof or on the edge of a balcony, comprising an open channel ( 2 ) having longitudinal walls and lateral walls ( 7 ,  8 ), characterized in that the open channel ( 2 ) has in cross section a stepped profile comprising first and second steps, a translucent or transparent cover plate ( 3 ) is mounted inside the open channel ( 2 ) at the second step while being held by the lateral walls ( 7 ,  8 ) and partly delimits a sealed chamber ( 2   b ), a heat exchanger device ( 12 ) inside which a coolant can flow is mounted inside said sealed chamber ( 2   b ), and in that the first step defines at least partly a section for the flow of the rainwater. 
     
     
         2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the translucent or transparent cover plate ( 3 ) defines the sealed chamber ( 2   b ) with at least one longitudinal wall ( 14 ) of the second step. 
     
     
         3 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lower portion of the second step of the open channel ( 2 ) partly defines the sealed chamber ( 2   b ). 
     
     
         4 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sealed chamber ( 2   b ) defines jointly with the first step of the open channel ( 2 ) the section for the flow of the rainwater. 
     
     
         5 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , also comprising a lower longitudinal wall ( 15 ) extending a bottom wall ( 13 ) of the second step of the open channel, said lower wall partly forming the bottom of the sealed chamber ( 2   b ) and partly delimiting the section for the flow of the rainwater. 
     
     
         6 . The device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the lower longitudinal wall ( 15 ) extends up to the vicinity of an outer longitudinal wall ( 12 ) of the first step of the open channel ( 2 ). 
     
     
         7 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lower portion of the second step of the open channel ( 2 ) entirely defines the bottom of the sealed chamber ( 2   b ). 
     
     
         8 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sealed chamber ( 2   b ) is fitted against a bottom wall ( 13 ) and a longitudinal wall ( 14 ) of the second step of the open channel. 
     
     
         9 . The device as claimed in claims  claim 1 , fractioned over its length and having several modules ( 1   a ,  1   b  and  1   c ) assembled together. 
     
     
         10 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an insulating strip ( 11 ) is placed over at least a portion of the inner face of the longitudinal walls of the lower portion of the second step of the open channel ( 2 ) inside the sealed chamber ( 2   b ). 
     
     
         11 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a reflective coating is affixed to the inner face of the portion open to the air ( 2   a ) of an outer longitudinal wall ( 12 ) of the first step of the open channel ( 2 ). 
     
     
         12 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger device ( 12 ) comprises a corrugated metal plate ( 12   a ) on the lower face of which is welded at least one metal tube ( 5 ), inside which the coolant flows. 
     
     
         13 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the material forming the open channel ( 2 ) is different from that of the heat exchanger device ( 12 ). 
     
     
         14 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , associated with a rainwater downpipe via a down-connector into which pipes for the supply and extraction of the coolant may be incorporated. 
     
     
         15 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sealed chamber ( 2   b ) forms a controlled-atmosphere enclosure. 
     
     
         16 . The device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the metal plate ( 12   a ) is coated with at least one mineral in order to convert radiation into electricity. 
     
     
         17 . The device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the lower portion of the second step of the open channel ( 2 ) partly defines the sealed chamber ( 2   b ). 
     
     
         18 . The device as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the metal plate ( 12   a ) is coated with at least one mineral in order to convert radiation into electricity. 
     
     
         19 . The device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the metal plate ( 12   a ) is coated with at least one mineral in order to convert radiation into electricity. 
     
     
         20 . The device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the metal plate ( 12   a ) is coated with at least one mineral in order to convert radiation into electricity.