Device For Collectting Rainwater And Solar Energy Originating From Visible Radiation
Device for collecting rainwater and heat originating from solar radiation to both drain the rainwater and generate sanitary or heating hot water, capable of being fitted at the base of a roof or on the edge of a balcony, comprising an open channel 2 having longitudinal walls and side walls 7, 8, characterized in that a translucent or transparent covering element 3 is fitted inside the open channel 2, being maintained by the side walls 7, 8 and defining inside the open channel a watertight sealed chamber 2b, in that a heat-exchanger device 12 inside which a heat-transfer fluid can circulate is fitted inside said sealed chamber 2b, and in that the translucent covering element 3 defines, with at least a part of a longitudinal wall of the channel 2, a flow section for the rainwater.
The subject of the present invention is a device for recovering rainwater and solar energy originating from light radiation. This collection device is intended for buildings and is able to be mounted at the base of a roof or on the edge of a balcony.
The importance that needs to be given to energy control is known, particularly in buildings, for developing solar devices capable of reducing the energy divide.
Solar energy can be recovered by using solar sensors generally positioned on the roof of the buildings. Inside these sensors a heat-transfer fluid is set in motion which can then be used to transmit the heat inside the rooms, for example by means of individual solar water heaters (ISWH) and/or floors fitted with passages for the heat-transfer fluid (sometimes called “direct solar floors” or COMBI).
Water- or heat-transfer fluid-based solar converters are known, generally made of metal or composite materials, comprising a bottom part consisting of a box, an insulator, an absorber and a collector and a top part consisting of a translucent or transparent panel thus providing a greenhouse effect. Also known are heat-transfer fluid-based solar converters made of metallic materials and of glass that can be used in vacuum operation.
Normally, these converter devices or solar sensors used in the buildings have a flat geometry (assemblies of vacuum modules or tubes for an area of 2 m×1 m for example) and have only a single functionality, to collect the heat deriving from the solar radiation.
The object of the present invention is to increase the efficiency of solar energy collection compared to the devices normally used, thus to increase the heat efficiency of these solar devices, and to propose a solar product that is fully integrated into the building, and having at least a dual function of rainwater recovery and collection of the energy deriving from the solar radiation.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that is lightweight, easy to fit and that can generate heat and/or electricity.
To this end, the present invention provides for the use of physical effects linked to the conversion of the solar radiation such as absorption and the greenhouse effect by using for its structure a collection device mounted on the base of a roof of a building or on the edge of a building balcony.
Heat recovery is achieved through a heat exchanger using the greenhouse effect, and which is installed on a sanitary or heating hot water production device. The collection device thus offers a dual function, being capable of both recovering the rainwater and recovering the solar energy to transmit it to a heat-transfer fluid which can be water or another fluid. Furthermore, depending on the coating of the heat-exchanger's absorber, it is also possible to generate electricity.
In one embodiment, the device for collecting rainwater and energy originating from solar radiation that makes it possible to both drain the rainwater and generate sanitary or heating hot water, or even electricity, can be mounted at the base of a roof or on the edge of a balcony and comprises an open channel having longitudinal walls and side walls.
A translucent or transparent covering element is fitted inside the open channel, being maintained by the side walls and defining, inside the open channel, a watertight sealed chamber.
A heat-exchanger device, inside which a heat-transfer fluid can circulate, is fitted inside said sealed chamber.
The translucent covering element defines, with at least a part of a longitudinal wall of the channel, a flow section for the rainwater.
In one embodiment, the translucent or transparent covering element comprises a plate defining, with a part of the longitudinal walls, the watertight sealed chamber.
Advantageously, the bottom part of the channel defines the watertight sealed chamber.
In another embodiment, the device also comprises at least one longitudinal bottom wall positioned in the open channel at a distance from a bottom wall of the channel, said longitudinal bottom wall forming the bottom of the watertight sealed chamber and partly delimiting the flow section for the rainwater.
The longitudinal bottom wall can be made of synthetic materials (polymer or composite type), glass, metal or alloy.
Advantageously, the longitudinal bottom wall extends from one of the internal longitudinal walls of the open channel to the vicinity of the opposite internal longitudinal wall so as to leave a space between said opposite internal wall and the longitudinal bottom wall.
In another embodiment, the translucent covering element is of generally tubular form.
Advantageously, the device comprises an additional trough positioned inside the open channel and partly surrounding the translucent covering element, said trough being covered by a reflecting element so as to increase the solar concentration effect inside the translucent covering element. The additional trough is preferably connected to one of the longitudinal walls of the open channel.
The absorber, which can have different inclinations according to the latitude of the installation site and the geometry of the device, ensures an optimum solar radiation concentration effect with a high efficiency.
The open channel and the side walls can be made of synthetic materials (polymer or composite type), glass, metal or alloy.
The open channel, over its part concerning the recovery of solar heat, has a translucent or transparent covering providing the greenhouse effect and can, in its bottom part, have an insulating plate.
The open channel, over its part concerning the evacuation of the rainwater, can be coated on the inside, with a reflecting coating so as to increase the solar concentration effect.
In a preferred embodiment, the heat-exchanger device consists of a metal plate, preferably corrugated, which serves as an absorber, and at least one metal pipe for carrying the heat-transfer fluid.
Preferably, the corrugated metal plate is coated on its top side with a selective black paint, a black coating produced by anodization, or a mono- or polycrystalline silicon type mineral coating, absorbing the heat optimally and radiating in the long wavelengths, so maximizing the greenhouse effect.
The metal pipe or pipes can be welded to the bottom side of the corrugated metal plate and fixed to the side walls of the open channel. The corrugated profile provides for a greater heat efficiency by concentration effect. There is advantageously a separation between the corrugated metal plate and the translucent or transparent covering, so favouring temperature rise inside the solar sensor part.
Advantageously, the metal plate is coated with at least one mineral to convert the radiation into electricity. The mineral coating can, for example, be silicon.
In another embodiment, the heat-exchanger device comprises at least one metal or composite synthetic material line welded fixed to the side walls and used to convey the heat-transfer liquid.
Preferably, the metal line(s) is/are covered with a selective black paint, a black coating produced by anodization, or a mono- or polycrystalline silicon type mineral coating, the lines made of composite synthetic material incorporate black monochromatic polymers, so absorbing the heat optimally and radiating in the long wavelengths, so maximizing the greenhouse effect.
There is a separation between the metal or composite synthetic material lines and the translucent or transparent covering, so favouring temperature rise inside the solar sensor part.
In an advantageous embodiment, the side walls can be interlinked by a simple join, fitted together, glued or welded, which can be provided, for expansion effects, with a polymer seal.
The watertight sealed chamber can form a controlled-atmosphere enclosure.
The invention will be better understood from studying particular embodiments described as by no means limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:
A first embodiment of the device for collecting rainwater and energy originating from solar radiation is referenced 1 overall in
Of course, the positioning of the device 1 on the edge of a roof 19 is by no means exclusive, it would also be possible to consider mounting the device on the edge of a balcony.
The open channel 2 comprises on its two smallest sides, a flat side wall 7 of the same section as the section of the open channel 2, as illustrated in
The translucent or transparent covering plate 3 is fixed on its edges 10 to the internal part of the open channel 2 and to the side walls 7, 8. Fixing strips 4 secure the covering plate 3.
The side wall 8 and the plates 9 provide support for the heat exchanger while the translucent or transparent covering plate 3 is supported by the side walls 7 and 8 and the plates 9.
An insulating plate 11 can be fixed inside the channel 2. The plate 11 has the same profile as the open channel 2 and thus covers all the bottom of the chamber 2b. A heat exchanger 12 is fitted in the chamber 2b and comprises a corrugated metal plate 12a on the bottom side of which are fixed, for example by welding, two metal pipes 5. As a variant, it would also be possible to consider providing a single metal pipe.
The two metal pipes 5 enable a heat-transfer fluid to flow according to the arrows 14 from one of the sides of the wall 8 to the wall 7 with a return to the wall 8, for example through a 180° return bend not shown in the figures.
The two pipes 5 of the heat exchanger 12 end in two nozzles 6 which project inside the channel 2 and can be connected respectively to a feed and extraction pipe, or even to a 180° return bend, not shown in the figures. These feed and extraction pipes can be incorporated in a rainwater downpipe. This option makes it possible to fully integrate the device 1 in the structure of the building. As a variant, just a single pipe could be used with nozzles located on both sides of the device.
To increase the heat efficiency, a reflecting coating can be applied to the part open to the air 2a of the internal side of the open channel 2 (
The collection device 1 illustrated in
The part of the open channel 2 intended to convey rainwater according to the arrows 15, is here delimited by the part open to the air 2a of the internal side of the open channel 2 (
A drip device 16 can be glued, welded or moulded on the bottom part of the open channel 2 (
The material forming the channel 2 can be metal like that forming the heat exchanger 12. As a variant, the material forming the channel 2 can be a synthetic polymer or any other material appropriate for collecting rainwater. It would also be possible to consider providing a vacuum in the chamber 2b.
Although the description has been given in relation to an exemplary embodiment where the heat exchanger comprises two flow and return passages for a heat-transfer fluid, it would also be possible to envisage a variant with just one heat-transfer fluid passage. It would also be possible to consider an absorber comprising a flat metal plate. The geometry of the profile of the open channel 2 is in no way essential and forms other than those illustrated could perfectly well be used.
The third embodiment of the water collection device illustrated in
The bottom wall 17 extends from the internal longitudinal wall of the channel 2 located alongside the roof 19 of the building to the vicinity of the opposite internal longitudinal wall. The longitudinal bottom wall 17 is positioned in the open channel 2, distanced from the bottom wall of the channel. For example, the wall 17 can be fitted at mid-height of the channel 2. Said longitudinal bottom wall forms the bottom of the watertight sealed chamber 2b, the wall 21 forming one of the sides of said chamber. Thus, the chamber is delimited by the walls 7, 18, 17 and 21, by the internal longitudinal wall of the channel 2 located alongside the roof 19 of the building, and by the covering plate 3.
The insulating plate 11 here has the same profile as that of the sealed chamber 2b and covers the walls 17 and 21 and a portion of the longitudinal internal wall of the channel located alongside the roof 19 of the building.
The longitudinal bottom wall 17 leaves a space between the bottom wall of the channel and said wall 17. In a similar way, the wall 21 leaves a space between itself and the longitudinal internal wall of the channel located on the side opposite to the roof 19 of the building.
In other words, the watertight chamber 2b is located in a top part of the channel 2, offset from the bottom and from the longitudinal internal wall of the channel located on the side opposite to the roof 19. Thus, the rainwater is conveyed on the translucent covering plate 3, but also between the wall 21 and the part open to the air 2a of the internal wall of the open channel, and between the wall 17 and the bottom wall of the channel.
In this embodiment, the rainwater can thus flow over the translucent covering plate 3, over the side and under the chamber 2b. The flow section for the rainwater is therefore significantly increased.
As illustrated in
So as to obtain long collecting lengths, the device illustrated in
The internal structure of a join of one module to another module is represented in
The multiple-collection device according to the invention presents numerous advantages regarding its integration in the buildings, its bulk, its positioning, its weight since it can be modular and its enhanced performance by concentration effect. As a variant, it would also be possible to consider integrating the device in an existing gutter preferably having an identical profile and/or providing for a vacuum to be created in the chamber 2b.
As a variant, it would also be possible to consider providing a different arrangement illustrated in
In a variant of embodiment illustrated in
The chamber 2b here comprises a wall 23 extending the bottom wall 17 upward, on the side opposite to the wall 21, towards the transparent covering plate 3. Thus, the wall 23 leaves a space between itself and the longitudinal internal wall 22 of the channel located alongside the roof 19 of the building.
In these conditions, the chamber 2b is delimited by the walls 7, 18, 17, 21 and 23, and by the covering plate 3.
In order to reinforce the mechanical resistance of the device and ensure a good rigidity, it is possible to secure at least one of the walls 21 and 23 of the chamber 2b with the corresponding wall of the channel 2, for example using spacers.
In the embodiment illustrated in
The walls 25 are identical to each other and present a section partly delimited by the section of the open channel 2 but leaving a space between the bottom wall 2a of the open channel 2 and their respective bottom edge in order to allow rainwater to flow in said channel.
In this embodiment, the internal side wall of the pipe 24 thus delimits the watertight sealed chamber 2b, in this case cylindrical, inside which the heat exchanger 12 is fitted.
The variant of embodiment illustrated in
The trough 26 is provided with a rectilinear part 26a extending, from a top free end of the longitudinal wall 27 opposite to the roof 19, towards the bottom wall 2a, and a concave part 26b oriented upward which prolongs the free end of the rectilinear part 26. The concave part 26b presents a semi-circular profile. The concave part 26b is configured so as to partly surround the bottom portion of the pipe 24, being located in the vicinity of said pipe 24. Inside the trough 26, the rainwater is thus partially drained.
Advantageously, the trough 26 is coated on its bottom part with a reflective covering (not represented) so as to increase the solar concentration effect inside the sealed chamber 2b which is located above the concave part 26b of the trough 26. In practice, in these conditions, the solar radiation directed towards the trough 26 is reflected to the chamber 2b, which significantly increases the solar energy recovered by the device.
In other words, the design of such an additional trough 26 oriented upward, partly surrounding the pipe 24, and covered with a reflective material, makes it possible to increase the heat efficiency of the device 1.
In this variant of embodiment, the device 1 comprises transverse flat walls 27 which are added to each end of the open channel 2. The walls 27 are identical to each other and have a section delimited by the section of the open channel 2, but leaving a space between the bottom wall 2a of the open channel 2 and their respective bottom edge in order to allow rainwater to flow inside the open channel 2 and inside the trough 26.
In other words, in section, the bottom edges of the plates 27 are offset upward relative to the bottom end of the trough 26.
In a variant of embodiment, the pipe 24 can also be provided with a cylindrical metal plate covering the internal side wall of said pipe and linked to the corrugated metal plate 12a, and an additional external cylindrical side wall delimiting a sealed cylindrical chamber radially surrounding the internal side wall of the pipe 24 and the heat exchanger 12, said duly created additional chamber advantageously containing a vacuum. In other words, this vacuum chamber surrounds the sealed chamber 2b.
The embodiment illustrated in
In the variant of embodiment illustrated in
In a variant of embodiment illustrated in
In the variant of embodiment illustrated in
In order to reinforce the mechanical resistance of the device and ensure a good rigidity, it is possible to secure at least one of the parts 26a and 26b with the corresponding wall facing the channel 2, for example using spacers.
As illustrated in
With the invention, a device for collecting rainwater and heat originating from solar radiation is obtained, in which the watertight sealed chamber for collecting solar energy is fitted inside the open channel. The chamber is either partly delimited by a translucent covering plate or formed by a translucent pipe.
In other words, regardless of the embodiment of the invention, the device forms a combined compact assembly in which the collection of energy is performed in the channel provided for rainwater flow.
Furthermore, regardless of the embodiment, it may be particularly advantageous to provide an additional trough oriented upward, partly surrounding the watertight chamber which is either partly defined by the translucent covering plate, or delimited by the translucent pipe, and which is covered with a reflective material for increasing the heat efficiency of the device.
Moreover, the positioning of a channel oriented upward which is open over all its length makes it possible to obtain a device which provides this dual energy and rainwater collection function in a particularly simple and cost-effective way, while at the same time limiting the risk of water flowing outside of said channel.
The multiple-collection device according to the invention can be associated, like a conventional gutter, with downpipes via down connectors and, like a conventional solar sensor, with a regulation loop and a storage vessel or tank for storing the duly generated hot water, and/or with equipment using electricity for its operation.
Claims
1. Device for collecting rainwater and heat originating from solar radiation to both drain the rainwater and generate sanitary or heating hot water, 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 side walls (7, 8), characterized in that a translucent or transparent covering element (3; 24) is fitted inside the open channel (2), being maintained by the side walls (7, 8) and defining, inside the open channel, a watertight sealed chamber (2b), in that a heat-exchanger device (12), inside which a heat-transfer fluid can circulate, is fitted inside said sealed chamber (2b), and in that the translucent covering element (3) defines, with at least a part of a longitudinal wall of the channel. (2), a flow section for the rainwater.
2. Device according to claim 1, in which the translucent or transparent covering element (3) comprises a plate defining, with a part of the longitudinal walls, the watertight sealed chamber (2b).
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the bottom part of the channel (2) defines the watertight sealed chamber (2b).
4. Device according to claim 1 or 2, also comprising at least one longitudinal bottom wall (17) positioned in the open channel at a distance from a bottom wall of the channel, said longitudinal bottom wall forming the bottom of the watertight sealed chamber (2b) and partly delimiting the flow section for the rainwater.
5. Device according to claim 4, in which the longitudinal bottom wall (17) extends from one of the internal longitudinal walls of the open channel to the vicinity of the opposite internal longitudinal wall so as to leave a space between said opposite internal wall and the longitudinal bottom wall (17).
6. Device according to claim 1, in which the translucent covering element (24) is of generally tubular form.
7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an additional trough (26, 26b) positioned inside the open channel (2) and partly surrounding the translucent covering element, said trough being covered by a reflecting element so as to increase the solar concentration effect inside the translucent covering element.
8. Device according to claim 7, in which the additional trough (26) is preferably connected to one of the longitudinal walls of the open channel (2).
9. Device according to claim 6, in which a plurality of tubular covering elements (24) are placed side by side.
10. Device according to claims 7 and 9 taken together, in which the additional trough has several concave parts (26b) each surrounding a tubular covering element (24).
11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, divided up over its length and having several modules (1a, 1b and 1c) joined to one another.
12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which an insulating plate (11) is positioned on at least a part of the internal side of the longitudinal walls of the bottom part of the open channel (2) inside the watertight sealed chamber (2b).
13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which a reflecting coating is applied to the internal side of a part open to the air (2a) of the longitudinal wall of the open channel (2).
14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which one or several transverse flat plates (9), on which the bottom side of the covering element (3) bears, are fitted in the bottom part of the channel (2) to increase its rigidity.
15. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the material forming the open channel (2) is different from that of the heat-exchanger device (12).
16. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the heat-exchanger device (12) comprises a corrugated metal plate (12a) on the bottom side of which is welded at least one metal pipe (5), in which the heat-transfer fluid circulates.
17. Device according to claim 16, in which the metal plate (12a) is coated with at least one mineral to convert the radiation into electricity.
18. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the watertight sealed chamber (2b) forms a controlled-atmosphere enclosure.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 24, 2006
Publication Date: Aug 14, 2008
Inventor: Christian Cristofari (Ajaccio)
Application Number: 11/909,648
International Classification: E04D 13/18 (20060101); F24J 2/05 (20060101);