Solar Water Heating Systems and Methods of Making and Using the Same

Abstract

Described herein are embodiments of solar heating systems, including solar collection panels used in the solar heating systems, and methods for manufacturing solar collection panels suitable for use in the solar collection panels. The solar heating system is a closed direct connected solar heating system that need not include heat exchangers or drain back systems. The solar collection panels include a series of interconnected pockets between two sheets of material and inlet and outlet fittings for providing fluid into and out of the solar collection panel. The system described herein is capable of operating under pressures of 160 psi or higher and can also tolerate extreme temperature conditions, such as freezing temperature conditions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A solar collection panel comprising:
 a first sheet;   a second sheet upon which the first sheet is positioned, wherein:   the peripheral edges of the first sheet are secured to the second sheet;   the first sheet is secured to the second sheet at a variety of points throughout the interior area of the first sheet;   the first sheet and the second sheet are forced apart between the points to form a series of interconnecting fluid flow pockets;   an inlet fitting positioned on the first sheet proximate the periphery of the first sheet and in fluid communication with the series of interconnecting fluid flow pockets; and   an outlet fitting positioned on the first sheet proximate the periphery of the first sheet and in fluid communication with the series of interconnecting pockets;   
       wherein
 the uniform distance between points is from 0.1 inches to 3.0 inches and the uniform maximum height of the interconnecting pockets is from 0.01 inches to 0.50 inches. 
 
     
     
         2 . The solar collection panel recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first sheet and the second sheet have a thickness in the range of from 0.013 to 0.025 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The solar collection panel recited in  claim 1 , wherein the inlet fitting is located at a first edge of the first sheet and the outlet fitting is located at a second edge of the first sheet opposite the first edge. 
     
     
         4 . The solar collection panel recited in  claim 1 , wherein the inlet fitting and the outlet fitting are secured to the first sheet using a countersink attachment. 
     
     
         5 . A closed direct connected solar heating system comprising:
 a solar collection panel comprising:   a first sheet positioned on a second sheet, wherein the peripheral edges of the first sheet are secured to the second sheet and a series of interconnecting fluid flow pockets are formed throughout the interior area between the first sheet and the second sheet;   an inlet fitting positioned on the first sheet proximate the periphery of the first sheet and in fluid communication with the series of interconnecting fluid flow pockets; and   an outlet fitting positioned on the first sheet proximate the periphery of the first sheet and in fluid communication with the series of interconnecting fluid flow pockets; and   a fluid-containment vessel comprising   an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet fitting of the solar collection panel; and   an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet fitting of the solar collection panel.   
     
     
         6 . The closed direct connection solar heating system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the first sheet has approximately the same shape and size as the first sheet and the peripheral edges of the first sheet are secured to the peripheral edges of the second sheet. 
     
     
         7 . The closed direct connected solar heating system recited in  claim 6 , wherein the peripheral edges of the first sheet are attached to the peripheral edges of the second sheet via seam welding. 
     
     
         8 . The closed direct connected solar heating system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the first sheet and the second sheet have a thickness in the range of from 0.013 to 0.025 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The closed direct connected solar heating system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the series of interconnected fluid flow pockets are formed by securing the first sheet to the second sheet at a variety of points throughout the interior area of the first sheet and applying a pressure between the first sheet and the second sheet to form pockets between the spot welds. 
     
     
         10 . The closed direct connected solar heating system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the first sheet is secured to the second sheet at a variety of points via spot welding. 
     
     
         11 . The closed direct connected solar heating system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the spot welds are a uniform distance from each other and the uniform distance ranges from 0.1 inches to 3.0 inches. 
     
     
         12 . The closed direct connected solar heating system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the pockets have a uniform maximum height and the uniform maximum height is from 0.01 inches to 0.50 inches.