Solar heat collection system

Abstract

A solar heat collection system for heating water, the system comprising in one embodiment a plurality of lengths of water conduit pipe inside lengths of water conduit jacket pipe and spaced apart therefrom, with an insulating medium contained between the pipe and jacket pipe. The lengths of water conduit pipe are fluidly connected together to provide a circulation system for the water such that solar heat energy may be provided to a heat load. A variety of connection methods for connecting the lengths of piping are provided and the lengths of piping may be flexible for a variety of solar heat system installations.

1 - 50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . A water conduit piping element for a solar water heating system comprising:
 a length of water conduit pipe inside a substantially coaxial and coterminous length of water conduit jacket pipe, wherein:   the conduit pipe is joined to the jacket pipe at both ends by annular elements;   the conduit pipe, jacket pipe and the annular elements together at least partially enclose an insulating space; and   the annular elements are capable of joining to like annular elements to form a fluidly connected water conduit pathway,   and wherein the water conduit piping element further comprises at least one port along its length that facilitates the thermal connection of a solar collector tube to the central water conduit pipe.   
     
     
         52 . A water conduit piping element as claimed in  claim 51 , wherein at least one port wall spans the radial extent between the water conduit pipe and the jacket pipe so that the conduit pipe, the jacket pipe, the annular elements and the port walls together enclose the insulating space. 
     
     
         53 . A water conduit piping element as claimed in  claim 51  further comprising at least one seal positioned around a surface of each port, the at least one seal being adapted to form a fluid seal between the port and a portion of the solar collector tube. 
     
     
         54 . A water conduit piping element as claimed in  claim 53 , wherein at least one seal forms a fluid seal between the port and a heat transfer medium pipe of the solar collector tube. 
     
     
         55 . A water conduit piping element as claimed in  claim 51 , wherein the conduit pipe and annular elements are integrally formed. 
     
     
         56 . A water conduit piping element as claimed in  claim 51 , wherein the conduit pipe, jacket pipe and annular elements are integrally formed. 
     
     
         57 . A water conduit piping element as claimed in  claim 51  that is substantially bent and/or substantially bendable. 
     
     
         58 . A water conduit piping element as claimed in  claim 51 , wherein the water conduit piping element is adapted to receive at least one solar collector tube support. 
     
     
         59 . A water conduit piping element as claimed in  claim 51 , wherein the water conduit piping element is adapted to reduce stress caused by movement of the conduit pipe relative to the jacket pipe as a result of temperature differences. 
     
     
         60 . A water conduit piping element as claimed in  claim 51  further comprising a flow guide adapted to guide water flow from the conduit pipe into the solar collector tube. 
     
     
         61 . A water conduit piping element as claimed in  claim 51 , wherein the water conduit piping element is capable of being removeably connected in the solar water heating system. 
     
     
         62 . A water conduit piping element as claimed in  claim 51 , wherein the water conduit piping element is capable of being connected in the solar water heating system such that there is formed a substantially continuous jacket around the water conduit pathway. 
     
     
         63 . A solar water heating system comprising:
 one or more water conduit piping elements as claimed in  claim 51 ; and
 a plurality of solar collector tubes containing a heat transfer medium, the solar collector tubes being thermally connected to at least one of the lengths of water conduit pipe of the one or more water conduit piping elements, wherein 
 the one or more water conduit piping elements are fluidly connected to form a circulation system. 
   
     
     
         64 . A solar water heating system as claimed in  claim 63 , wherein the plurality of solar collector tubes are arranged to form a fence. 
     
     
         65 . A kitset for a solar water heating system comprising:
 one or more water conduit piping elements as claimed in  claim 51 ; and   one or more jacketed and insulated water conduit elements, the jacketed and insulated water conduit elements comprising:
 a water conduit element inside a substantially coaxial and coterminous jacket element, wherein: 
 the water conduit element is joined to the jacket element at each end by annular elements; and 
 the water conduit element, jacket element and the annular elements together enclose an insulating space, 
   and wherein at least one of the annular elements of at least one of the jacketed and insulated water conduit elements is capable of joining to an annular element of at least one of the water conduit piping elements such that:   there is formed a fluidly connected water conduit pathway; and   there is formed a substantially continuous jacket around the water conduit pathway.