Solar panel

Abstract

A solar panel that utilizes the sun's rays to heat a liquid to be used for providing heat or hot water includes front and rear parallel clear plastic panels. The front panel is intended to face the sun and is substantially transparent so that the sun's rays can pass there through The rear panel has a reflective coating thereon wherein rays from the sun are reflected back toward the space between the panels. Located within the space are a plurality of conduits formed by a plurality of internal walls that extend between the panels and the left and right side edges. Within the conduits is a darkened oily liquid that is heated by the incoming rays of the sun and the rays reflected by the rear panel. In a preferred embodiment, the front and rear panels and the internal walls are extruded as a single unit.

1 . A device through which a liquid can be transported and which is intended to face the sun so that the sun's rays can heat the liquid, said device comprising:
 a substantially transparent container having a space therein for containing the liquid as it is transported through said device , said container having an inlet and an outlet;   a reflective surface wherein rays from the sun that pass through said transparent container can be reflected back into said liquid;   said liquid being darkened to absorb a substantial portion of the sun's rays impinging thereon while allowing some of said rays to pass therethrough to be reflected back into said liquid where it is substantially completely absorbed;   said container and said liquid being so arranged and designed such that between approximately 2% and 40% of the sun's rays pass through said liquid to said reflective surface to be reflected back to said liquid for substantially complete absorption, and   means for moving said liquid into and out of said space.   
   
   
       2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said container has a front panel having a front surface, a back surface, a left side edge and a right side edge, said front panel being substantially transparent and being intended to face the sun so that the sun's rays can pass therethrough. 
   
   
       3 . The device as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said container has a rear panel spaced from said front panel to create said space therebetween. 
   
   
       4 . The device as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said front and rear panels are arranged parallel to each other. 
   
   
       5 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  further including a plurality of conduits within said space, said darkened liquid being contained within said conduits. 
   
   
       6 . The device as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said conduits are formed by a plurality of internal walls extending between said front and rear panels. 
   
   
       7 . The device as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said plurality of internal walls also extend between said left and right side edges of said front and rear panels. 
   
   
       8 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said liquid is comprised of oil. 
   
   
       9 . The device as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said oil is mineral oil. 
   
   
       10 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said liquid is comprised of water. 
   
   
       11 . The device as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said liquid further includes an anti-freeze. 
   
   
       12 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said liquid contains a soluble black dye. 
   
   
       13 . The device as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said front and rear panels are formed from a clear plastic. 
   
   
       14 . The device as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said plastic is a polycarbonate. 
   
   
       15 . The device as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said internal walls are formed of plastic. 
   
   
       16 . The device as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said front and rear panels and said internal walls are extruded as a single unit. 
   
   
       17 . The device as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said reflective surface is secured to said rear panel. 
   
   
       18 . The device as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said reflective surface spaced from said rear panel. 
   
   
       19 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said liquid absorbs energy outside of the visible spectrum. 
   
   
       20 . The device as claimed in  claim 19  wherein said liquid absorbs energy in the infrared spectrum.