Solar collector-reflector system

Abstract

The solar collector-reflector system includes at least one modular solar panel having a solar collector-reflector assembly, a driver for selective collection or reflection of solar energy, attachment assembly, mounting assembly, ducting and a controller for controlling the solar energy collection and reflection configuration based on the sensed temperature. The solar collector-reflector assembly has surfaces that either collect or reflect solar energy, and the solar collector-reflector system utilizes air-to-air heat transfer to provide additional heating or cooling to an existing system in a dwelling and thereby reduce energy consumption and costs.

1 . A solar collector reflector system, comprising:
 at least one modular, enclosed solar panel, the solar panel being rectangular and having a selectively operable solar collector-reflector assembly and a transparent cover, the solar collector-reflector assembly having surfaces collecting or reflecting solar energy to transfer heat through media;   a driver assembly to drive the solar collector-reflector assembly;   ducting; and   a controller selectively actuating the driver assembly, the controller having means for sensing differential temperatures.   
   
   
       2 . The solar collector reflector system according to  claim 1 , wherein the media is air. 
   
   
       3 . The solar collector reflector system according to  claim 1 , wherein the solar collector-reflector assembly comprises a plurality of tubes, each of the tubes having a solar energy collection surface on one side and a solar energy reflection surface on an opposing side. 
   
   
       4 . The solar collector reflector system according to  claim 3 , wherein the solar energy collection surface is black anodized and the solar energy reflection surface is polished. 
   
   
       5 . The solar collector reflector system according to  claim 3 , wherein solar energy collection surface includes a plurality of raised, black surface strips to increase the solar energy collection surface area and induce turbulence in media flow. 
   
   
       6 . The solar collector reflector system according to  claim 1 , wherein the solar collector-reflector assembly comprises a drive roller, an idler roller, an endless belt rotatable about the drive roller and the idler roller, the endless belt having corrugations with solar energy collection surfaces disposed on one-half the length of the belt, the remaining half of the belt having a solar reflection surface. 
   
   
       7 . The solar collector reflector system according to  claim 6 , wherein the solar energy collection surface is black and the solar energy reflection surface is mirrored. 
   
   
       8 . The solar collector reflector system according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 the media is air;   the solar collector-reflector assembly comprises a plurality of tubes, each of the tubes having a solar energy collection surface on one side and a solar energy reflection surface on an opposing side; and   the solar energy collection surface includes a plurality of raised, black surface strips to increase the solar energy collection surface area and induce turbulence in media flow.   
   
   
       9 . The solar collector reflector system according to  claim 2 , wherein the media is air and wherein the driver assembly comprises:
 a drive torque rod extending along the length of the solar panel;   bearing support angles for supporting the torque rod along the length thereof;   gears between the drive torque rod and the solar collector-reflector assembly; and   a motor for driving the drive torque rod.   
   
   
       10 . The solar collector reflector system according to  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of solar panels arranged in an array, the array being operatively connected to a dwelling air circulation system. 
   
   
       11 . The solar collector reflector system according to  claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of couplings interconnecting adjacent drive assemblies, wherein the motor drives the entire array. 
   
   
       12 . The solar collector reflector system according to  claim 10 , wherein the ducting comprises:
 an air inlet duct supplying airflow to the entire array,   a partition separating the inlet duct into two compartments for equalizing air pressure drop along the array to ensure uniform heating; and   an air outlet duct having a plurality of openings for receiving the airflow through all the panels.   
   
   
       13 . The solar collector reflector system according to  claim 12 , wherein the ducting is thermally insulated. 
   
   
       14 . The solar collector reflector system according to  claim 12 , wherein during a heating mode, air is circulated in a closed loop through said array and the dwelling. 
   
   
       15 . The solar collector reflector system according to  claim 12 , wherein air is circulated in a closed loop through said array and thermally insulated air ducting to at least one water heat exchanger. 
   
   
       16 . The solar collector reflector system according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller is adapted for selectively actuating blowers and valves in a dwelling air system based upon the sensed differential temperatures.