SUNSHADE WITH INTEGRATED SOLAR THERMAL COLLECTOR

Abstract

Embodiments disclosed provide a sunshade apparatus that integrates a solar collector into an attractive architectural sunshade, and a system for deriving energy, and in particular heat, from such an apparatus. The sunshade is comprised of between one and several solar collector panels. Each panel has an infrared clear pass face and contains tubing. The panel may also contain a layer of insulation underneath the tubing. The tubing contains a fluid and is connected to a solar water system. The clear face extends for most but not all of the upper surface of the panel, such that the ends are solid to provide structural support for the panel. The panels are designed in advance for use in connection with an architectural feature, such as a window on a building, with angles for each of the panels and in some cases the shade as well. Aesthetic architectural options including interior beam colors and clear face coatings are contemplated.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to the field of shades.

Shades are intended to provide protection from the sun. In addition to providing shade, shade structures enhance the visual appeal of buildings, platforms, patios, and other outdoor areas. Shade structures are available in a wide variety of designs, including, for example: awnings, brise soleil, canopies, fences, guardrails and decorative screens. Shade structures may be attached to a structure, or may be free-standing. Existing shade structures are manufactured from materials such as wood, metal, plastic, and fabric.

SUMMARY

The systems, methods, and devices disclosed herein have innovative aspects, no single one of which is indispensable or solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the claims, some of the advantageous features will now be summarized.

The present disclosure relates to a sunshade with an integrated solar thermal collector. In some embodiments, a sunshade is comprised of at least one panel that doubles as a solar thermal collector. The panels may be fixed in place, or may be rotatable. The panels may all be arranged in the same orientation to form an attractive sunshade. The panels may be tilted in order to maximize sun exposure on the top face of the panels. The optimal tilt of the panels is determined by the location's latitude, the orientation of the shade structure (for example south-west facing), and by the location of the shade relative to surrounding structures that determine the sun exposure on the shade throughout the day.

Each panel of the shade is a solar thermal collector. In some embodiments, a panel is comprised of an elongated U-shaped (in cross section) beam (also referred to as a “C” beam) on which a clear face is mounted on top of the U-shape to enclose a cavity. Further, insulation may be mounted inside the cavity to rest in the bottom of the U-shaped beam. Further, a tube may be disposed behind the clear face and on top of the insulation. Further, a fin may be disposed in the cavity between the clear face and the tube. Preferably, the fin is situated in contact with the tube for a length substantially equal to the length of the cavity that is contacted by sunlight.

Each panel may advantageously be capped at its ends with sleeves. The sleeve at each end may be attached to an outrigger beam. Two outriggers may hold a series of panels in place in the same orientation to form an attractive sunshade. Sleeves are advantageous because they increase the strength of the panel and also the strength of the overall sunshade structure. The sleeves are also advantageous because they secure the clear face, which extends under the sleeve, to prevent it from falling off the panel. This is especially important where the sunshade acts to shade a window that is several stories high. Generally, longer panels require longer sleeves to ensure the sunshade's integrity.

The clear face of a panel allows sunlight to pass into the interior of the panel. After the sunlight passes into the panel, it strikes the absorbing material, for example, metal or insulation, comprising the panel's interior. The material of the clear face (which may be tempered glass, for example) must be “clear” to the infrared rays of the Sun and allow these rays to freely pass through. Because the sunshade is visible from the outside of the architectural structure (such as a multi-story building, for example), coatings can be used as an architectural feature, adding a mirror look or even color where appropriate. The material within each panel absorbing the sunlight converts the sunlight into heat. The clear face and the U-shaped beam prevent the heat from escaping.

The present disclosure also includes a solar thermal collector system that derives energy from the sunshade. The sunshade may comprise at least one solar thermal collector panel. Further, tubing disposed in the panels is connected such that the sunshade has one inlet and one outlet tube.

In some embodiments, the tubing is tied into a water supply. In these embodiments, the water supply passes through the solar thermal collector panels before being fed back into a hot water supply or a water heater. In other embodiments, a solar thermal collector system enables energy absorbed by fluid in the solar thermal collector panels to be transferred to and heat a hot water supply for a building, household, or pool by means of a heat exchanger, In these embodiments, the tubing is closed circuit. The sunshade is connected to a heat exchanger and a pump with tubing. The heat exchanger transfers heat from a system fluid to a water supply.

In some embodiments, the tubing is connected to a space heating system. The tubing may be connected to a thermal radiator. Alternatively, the tubing may be connected to a radiant floor.

The sunshade structure detailed below is operable in a wide climate range, and over a broad geographic area. The sunshade structure detailed below may qualify for government or utility-sponsored renewable energy incentives, and, dependent on its location, may provide energy cost savings that may equal or exceed the cost of the shade within as soon as 4-5 years. Thus, sunshade structures with integrated solar thermal collectors and solar thermal collector systems using such structures, as described herein, are desirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments are depicted in the accompanying drawings for illustrative purposes, and should in no way be interpreted as limiting the scope of the inventions. In addition, various features of different disclosed embodiments can be combined to form additional embodiments, which are part of this disclosure. Throughout the drawings, reference numbers may be reused to indicate correspondence between reference elements.

FIG. 1 is a depiction of an illustrative solar collector panel holding two clear faces.

FIG. 2 is a depiction of an illustrative solar collector panel containing one run of tubing.

FIG. 3 is a depiction of an illustrative solar collector panel containing two runs of tubing.

FIG. 4 is a depiction of an illustrative sunshade in a partially exploded view.

FIG. 5 is a depiction of members used to connect solar collector panels to an outrigger beam.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram for an illustrative one-pass sunshade.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram for an illustrative two-pass sunshade.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram for an alternative two-pass sunshade.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the fluid flow circuit in the heat exchanger embodiment.

FIG. 10a is a depiction of an illustrative sunshade attached to a building and extending over a window.

FIG. 10b is a depiction of an alternative sunshade attached to a building and extending over a window.

The various features illustrated in the drawings may not be drawn to scale. Accordingly, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. In addition, some of the drawings may not depict all of the components of a given device.

DESCRIPTION

The embodiments of the disclosure and the various features and details thereof are explained more fully with the reference to the non-limiting embodiments and examples that are described herein and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the features of one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known construction techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the teaching principals of the disclosed embodiments. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the disclosure may be practiced and to further enable those skilled in the art to practice disclosed embodiments. The examples and embodiments herein should not be construed as limiting.

Referring now to the drawings, in some embodiments as depicted by FIG. 1, the panel 10 is rectangular in shape when viewed from the top. The panel 10 may also be square, circular, oval, zigzag, arched, or any other shape needed to achieve a desired appearance of the sunshade.

A panel 10 may have a length of about 3 ft. to about 7 ft. Further, a panel 10 may have a length of about 1 ft. to about 3 ft. Further, a panel 10 may have a length of about 7 ft. to about 12 ft. Heating capacity improves with panels of greater length because a longer stretch of tube 11 is heated. However, the length of a panel 10 is limited by increasing fragility of longer clear faces 13 that form the top face of the panel 10. Longer clear faces are also disadvantageous because they are more expensive. To address this problem, where longer panels are necessary to accommodate a design need, the long panel may be comprised of segments of shorter panels, as depicted in FIG. 1. The shorter panels may be connected by a sleeve that fits around and is affixed to the ends of the two panels to be connected. Alternatively, where longer panels are necessary to accommodate a design need, a single longer elongated U-shaped beam 16 may hold more than one clear face. In these embodiments, the longer elongated U-shaped beam 16 may need to be thicker to provide more structural strength. Additionally, sleeves 40 may be necessary where the clear faces meet, to provide a more aesthetic shade, and/or to keep the clear faces separated to prevent breakage.

A panel 10 may have a width of about 3″ to about 4″. Further, a panel 10 may have a width of about 1″ to about 3″. Further, a panel 10 may have a width of about 4″ to about 8″. Further, a panel 10 may have a width of about 8″ to about 1 ft. Further, a panel 10 may have a width of about 1 ft. to about 3 ft. Further, a panel 10 may have a width of about 1.5 ft. to about 3 ft. A greater width increases the amount of solar energy capture; however, greater widths are often less desirable from an architectural appearance and functional standpoint because greater widths result in fewer panels 10 comprising the overall sunshade structure 20, as depicted in FIG. 4, and fewer panels 10 lead to a single larger panel (which may require a revised structural design to support the larger expected weight per panel, for example, by attaching U-shaped beams side-by-side) and a less attractive overall sunshade structure 20.

A panel 10 may have a depth of about 1.5″ to about 2″. Further, a panel 10 may have a depth of about 1″ to about 1.5″, Further, a panel 10 may have a depth of about 2″ to about 3″. Further, a panel 10 may have a depth of about 3″ to about 5″ Further, a panel 10 may have a depth of about 5″ to about 1 ft. Generally, shallower panels are more beneficial because of their lower weight which requires less structural support. The versatility of the design is important in order to accommodate and permit the creation of different desired architectural aesthetic impressions.

A panel 10 may be comprised of an elongated U-shaped beam 16, as shown in FIG. 2. The elongated U-shaped beam 16 may be formed of extruded aluminum. Alternatively, the elongated U-shaped beam 16 may be comprised of other materials, such as steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel, plastic, Trex decking material, or any other hard, and weatherproof or weather resistant material.

The elongated U-shaped beam 16 includes a bottom panel 21, side panels 22, and support lips 25, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Each of side panels 22 has a support lip 25 extending parallel to the bottom panel 21 and inwardly towards another support lip 25 on the opposing side panel. The support lip 25 extends about ⅜″ from the interior side of the side panels 22. Alternatively, the support lip 25 may extend from the interior side of the side panels 22 a length of about 2% to about 5% of the total width of the elongated U-shaped beam 16. Alternatively, the support lip 25 may extend from the interior side of the side panels 22 a length of about 5% to about 10% of the total width of the elongated U-shaped beam 16. Alternatively, the support lip 25 may extend from the interior side of the side panels 22 a length of about 10% to about 20% of the total width of the elongated U-shaped beam 16.

The top of the support lip 25 may be located about 3/16″ from the top edge of the side panel 22. Alternatively, the top of the support lip 25 may be located about 5/16″ from the top edge of the side panel 22. Alternatively, the top of the support lip 25 may be located about 9/16″ from the top edge of the side panel 22. Alternatively, the top of the support lip 25 may be located about 13/16″ from the top edge of the side panel 22. Generally, the position of the support lip 25 is determined by the thickness of the clear face 13, and is such that top of the clear face is either flush with or not more than ½″ lower that the top of side panels 22.

A clear face 13 is secured to rest inside the U-shaped beam 16 and on top of the support lips 25, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The clear face 13 may have a length substantially equivalent to the length of the elongated U-shaped beam 16, as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the clear face 13 may have a length extending between about 90% and about 95% of the length of the elongated U-shaped beam 16. Alternatively, the clear face 13 may have a length extending between about 85% and about 90% of the length of the elongated U-shaped beam 16. Alternatively, the clear face 13 may have a length extending between about 80% and about 85% of the length of the elongated U-shaped beam 16. Alternatively, the clear face 13 may have a length extending between about 75% and about 85% of the length of the elongated U-shaped beam 16. Alternatively, the clear face 13 may have a length extending between about 65% and about 75% of the length of the elongated U-shaped beam 16.

The clear face 13 may be secured to the support lips 25 with double-sided tape. Alternatively, the clear face 13 may be secured to the support lips 25 with glue or adhesive. Alternatively, the clear face 13 may be secured to the support lips 25 by tabs extending from the elongated U-shaped beam 16 to extend over the clear face. Alternatively, the clear face 13 may be situated on the support lips 25 without securing it in any fashion. Preferably, there is some form of cushioning between the clear face 13 and the support lips 25. Double-sided tape can provide adequate cushioning. Persons having skill in the art know of common means for providing an adequate cushion between the clear face 13 and the support lips 25. The interface of the clear face 13 and the elongated U-shaped beam 16 may be sealed with sealants commonly known in the art.

The clear face 13 may be about 0.125″ thick. Alternatively, the clear face 13 may be about 0.1″ thick to about 0.2″ thick. Alternatively, the clear face 13 may be about 0.2″ thick to about 0.4″ thick. Alternatively, the clear face 13 may be about 0.4″ thick to about 0.6″ thick. The clear face 13 may be comprised of one or more glass panels. Alternatively, the clear face 13 may be comprised of one or more plastic panels. Acceptable plastic, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and vinyl, is commonly available and known to persons having skill in the art.

In some embodiments, the panel 10 could have two clear faces 13 (for example, one of the side panels 22 could also be a clear face), an arrangement which lets in more sunlight. In other embodiments, the panel 10 has three clear faces 13. In other embodiments, the panel 10 is formed entirely of clear faces 13. In embodiments with more than one clear face 13, the clear faces may be formed of an extruded plastic.

In some embodiments, at least one clear face 13 of the panel 10 is tempered glass. Tempered glass, which is processed by controlled thermal or chemical treatments to increase its strength, is beneficial because its durability leads to a lower likelihood that the clear face will break during transport and installation or when exposed to outdoor elements including, for example, rain, hail, birds, squirrels, and flying debris. The tempered glass may include a thin plastic film inside forming a sandwich structure to prevent the glass from shattering and breaking into sharp separated pieces. There are many types of “safety” glass and many ways to accomplish this safety result that are well known in the art. It is understood that the material selected for the clear face may include any of these well-known glass types and others that may become known in the future. The tempered glass face 13 may be about 0.125″ thick. Alternatively, the tempered glass face 13 may be about 0.1″ thick to about 0.2″ thick. Alternatively, the tempered glass face 13 may be about 0.2″ thick to about 0.4″ thick. Alternatively, the tempered glass face 13 may be about 0.4″ to about 0.6″ thick. Tempered glass is widely available and appropriate varieties of tempered glass are well known to those skilled in the art.

In some embodiments, at least one face of the panel 10 is low-iron tempered glass. Low-iron tempered glass is preferable because of its widespread availability, its durability, and its ability to transmit a high percentage of solar radiation. A standard sheet of 0.1″ thick to 0.2″ thick low-iron tempered glass typically has a transmittance of greater than about 90% of total solar radiation. The low-iron tempered glass face 13 may be about 0.125″ thick. Alternatively, the low-iron tempered glass face 13 may be about 0.1″ thick to about 0.2″ thick. Alternatively, the low-iron tempered glass face 13 may be about 0.2″ thick to about 0.4″ thick. Alternatively, the tempered glass face 13 may be about 0.2″ to about 0.4″ thick. Alternatively, the low-iron tempered glass face 13 may be about 0.4″ to about 0.6″ thick.

In some embodiments, at least one face of the panel 10 is glass or plastic with an anti-reflective coating. Anti-reflective coating is preferable because less light is lost to reflection, thereby increasing the heat transfer efficiency. Those skilled in the art know of appropriate anti-reflective coatings. In some embodiments, at least one face of the panel 10 is glass or plastic with a self-cleaning coating. Self-cleaning coating is preferable because less dirt and dust accumulates, allowing more light to pass through, thereby increasing the heat transfer efficiency. Those skilled in the art know of appropriate self-cleaning coatings. In some embodiments, at least one face of the panel 10 is glass or plastic with a coating or glazing that advantageously allows the passage of infrared light but reflects all or part of the visible light. In other embodiments, at least one face of the panel 10 is glass or plastic with a coating that affects the color of the glass or plastic. Such coatings are widely available and commonly known.

Sleeves 40 may be fitted around the ends of the elongated U-shaped beam 16, as shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively, a U-shaped support bracket 47, as shown in FIG. 5a, may secure only the bottom two corners of the elongated U-shaped beam 16, leaving the top half of the elongated U-shaped beam ends uncovered by the U-shaped support bracket. Alternatively, a support bracket 48, as shown in FIG. 5b, providing support to only the bottom two corners of the elongated U-shaped beam 16, leaving an open space between the two corners, may be used. Alternatively, a support bracket 49, as shown in FIG. 5c, providing support to only the four corners of the elongated U-shaped beam 16, leaving open spaces between the four corners, may be used. The sleeves 40 or brackets may be spot welded to the outside or inside of the elongated U-shaped beam 16. Alternatively, the sleeves 40 or brackets may be seam welded to the outside of the elongated U-shaped beam 16. Other welding processes may also be used. Alternatively, sleeves 40 or brackets may be affixed to the ends of the elongated U-shaped beam 16 by other means such as glue, crimping, or friction fit, which are commonly known to those skilled in the art.

Sleeves 40 may entirely surround the elongated U-shaped beams 16 to cap off their ends. Sleeves 40 may be made substantially of aluminum, or any other appropriate metal or alloy, Trex decking or building material, or any other appropriately hard, weatherproof or weather resistant material. The sleeves 40 or the brackets may be welded or otherwise attached to an outrigger 42 on the outward-facing side of the outrigger. Alternatively, the elongated U-shaped beams 16 may be affixed directly to the outrigger 42 without the use of sleeves or brackets. The outrigger 42 has openings to accommodate for a plurality of panels 10 to be situated in a common orientation to form a sunshade 20. An outrigger cover 45 may be secured to the outrigger 42 to hide the tubing 11 and the welded connection between the outrigger 42 and the sleeves 40 or brackets. An fascia panel 43 may be secured to an either end of the outriggers 42.

In some embodiments, the elongated U-shaped beam 16 is formed with the top portions at the ends of the beam being enclosed (for example, the top portions of the beam may be part of the extruded metal structure). This eliminates the need for sleeves 40, where the beam can be directly affixed to the outriggers 42.

A layer of insulation 18 may be mounted inside the elongated U-shaped beam behind the clear face 13, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The insulation layer improves efficiency by helping to trap heat inside the panel 10 and by preventing external elements such as wind and cold air from cooling the panel 10. The insulation layer 18 is advantageously non-reflective, thereby allowing more energy to be absorbed inside the panel 10. The insulation layer 18 may be positioned to be flush with the bottom panel 21. The insulation layer 18 may extend to cover a substantial portion or the entire bottom panel. The insulation layer 18 may be about ½″ thick, and therefore may extend upward to be flush with bottom ½″ of the side panels 22. The insulation layer 18 may be comprised of foam. Alternatively, the insulation layer 18 may be comprised of a polystyrene foam block material, for example or a fiberglass matting-type insulation material of the type often used in attics. Other embodiments may include insulation layers 18 comprised of any other appropriate insulation product, known by those skilled in the art.

Other embodiments may not include an insulation layer, as shown in FIG. 3. The inside of the elongated U-shaped beam 16 may be painted a dark color to enhance its absorbing capability.

Tubing 11 is disposed in the panel 10 behind the clear face 13. At least one tube 11 extends the length of the panel 10. In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 6, the tube 12a enters a first panel 10, passes through the panel 10, exits the panel 10, then is provided with a U-turn by bending or fittings so that it extends through the adjacent panel in the opposite direction of the flow passing through the first panel. The tube weaves through all panels 10 that comprise a sunshade 20 in this fashion. Alternatively, as depicted in FIG. 7, the tube 11 can pass through the panels twice, as shown in FIG. 3. The tube 11 would first weave though all panels, and after passing through the final panel, would reenter the next-to-last panel, flowing in the opposite direction as the first tube disposed in that panel. Tubing 12a and 12b outside the panel 10 carries cool fluid into the sunshade 20, and also carries heated fluid out of the sunshade 20. An alternative two-pass tubing arrangement is depicted in FIG. 8. In other embodiments, such as those with a single panel 10, the tubing 11 may weave to pass through the single panel several times to allow for optimal heat collection.

Preferably, the tube 11 weaving through the panels 10 is comprised substantially or entirely of copper and is spaced from the walls of the U-shaped beam. Copper is a good conductor and thus allows for faster heat absorption in the tubing 11. In other embodiments, the tube 11 may be made from other conductive materials well known in the art such as, for example, aluminum and even glass where the glass is coated such that it absorbs heat. In other embodiments, the tube may be comprised of a glass outer tube and a concentric inner tube wherein the cylindrical space between the inner and outer tube acts as an insulator so that the heat does not escape. This space can be a vacuum or air or another gas. The appropriate coatings to be used are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The tubing 11 may be about ½″ in diameter. Alternatively, the tubing 11 may be about ¼″ in diameter. Alternatively, the tubing 11 may be about ⅜″ in diameter. Alternatively, the tubing 11 may be about ¾″ in diameter. Alternatively, the tubing 11 may be about 1″ in diameter. Further it is contemplated that, in addition to round tubes, the portions of the tubes 11 that are exposed to sunlight within the elongated U-shaped beam 16 may be shaped in cross-sectional shapes that may be flatter in order to allow for easier heat collection. These contemplated shapes may include oval or rectangular shapes with the wider portion of the tubing 11 facing the clear face 13. The tubing 11 within the elongated U-shaped beam 16 may also be structured to spread the fluid out as fat and as thin as reasonably possible while it passes through the elongated U-shaped beam 16 and is exposed to sunlight so as to more quickly collect the available heat. This may advantageously be accomplished by, for example, dividing the water flow into a series of thin tubes laid flat across the width of the elongated U-shaped beam 16 or by using a flat thin tube with baffles inside and extending substantially across the width of to the beam to keep the water flow relatively slower as it passes through the panel 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, a fin 14 may disposed behind the clear face 13 and on top of the tube 11, the fin 14 having a length substantially equal to the length of the elongated U-shaped beam 16. The fin 14 is advantageously comprised of copper. Alternatively, the fin may be made from any conductive material known by those having skill in the art. Preferably, the fin 14 is rectangular in shape and sized to cover the entire area that sunlight contacts when passing through the clear face 13. The fin 14 may be arched, such that the area of the fin contacting the tube 11 is maximized. As the system fluid passes through the tubing 11, it absorbs heat and cools the tubing and the area of the fin that it in contact with the tubing. Thus, a thermal gradient forms across the fin, wherein the portions of the fin further from the tubing are hotter. The gradient creates a transfer of thermal energy to the tubing and to the system fluid, thereby increasing heat transfer.

The side of the fin 14 facing the clear panel 13 may be colored to affect the outward appearance of the panel 10. For example, the fin 14 may be painted red which gives the top of the sunshade 20 a reddish appearance. As another example, the fin 14 may be painted green which gives the top of the sunshade 20 a greenish appearance.

In some embodiments, the tubing 12a and 12b located outside the sunshade 20 is PEX tubing. PEX tubing is manufactured from cross-linked polyethylene. PEX tubing is a flexible tube commonly used in heating systems. PEX tubing is preferable because it is widely available and because it meets all major plumbing/heating codes and bends easily, making it more versatile than copper tubing. Manufacturers of PEX generally provide a 20-25 year warranty, but PEX is known to have a much longer lifespan. PEX comes in ⅜″, ½″ ⅝″, and ¾″ are also available.

The tubing 12a and 12b located outside the sunshade 20 may be made of other materials known to persons of ordinary skill in the art to be appropriate for this application given the relatively high expected temperature levels.

The system may be designed to use water in the tubing 11, 12. When the system is a closed circuit system as shown in FIG. 9, where a system fluid is needed, water is preferable because it is inexpensive and non-toxic. Drawbacks of water include its high freezing point, its low boiling point, and its acidity which can cause corrosion. Also, over time minerals in the water can deposit inside the system creating blockages. Alternatively, non-toxic types of antifreeze may be used. For example, polypropylene glycol, usually mixed with purified or distilled water at a ratio no greater than 1:1, is a beneficial system fluid because it has a low freezing point and inhibits corrosion.

Some embodiments include a plurality of panels 10 arranged in the same orientation to form an attractive sunshade 20, as shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b, suitable for providing shade. The shade may extend over the window of a building. Alternatively, the shade may be free standing and extend over a patio. The panels may be fixed in place. Fixed panels are advantageous because rotatable panels can lead to mechanical issues, becoming stuck in position. The panels may be designed in advance to be tilted in order to maximize sun exposure on the top face of the panels given the expected location where the shade will be placed. The optimal tilt of the panels is determined by the location's latitude, the orientation of the shade with respect to the expected path of the Sun across the sky, and by the location of the shade relative to surrounding structures that determine the sun exposure on the shade throughout the day. Alternatively, the panels may be rotatable. Rotatable panels are advantageous because they can be adjusted to capture more sun throughout the day.

FIG. 9 depicts a solar thermal collector system that enables solar energy absorbed by fluid in the solar thermal collector panels 10 to be transferred by a pump 52 to heat a household's or building's water supply 53 by means of a heat exchanger 51. The tubing is closed circuit and contains a fluid (which may advantageously be the polypropylene glycol and water mixture referred to above). The sunshade 20 is connected to a heat exchanger 51 and a pump 52 with tubing. The heat exchanger transfers heat from a system fluid to a water supply.

Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list.

While the detailed description herein has shown, described, and pointed out novel features as applied to various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated can be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. As will be recognized, certain embodiments of the inventions described herein can be embodied within a form that does not provide all of the features and benefits set forth herein, as some features can be used or practiced separately from others.

Claims

1. An attractive sunshade, capable of collecting solar energy and providing shade over a window, comprising:

a panel, the panel comprising: an elongated U-shaped beam; a clear face mounted on the U-shaped beam to allow at least some sunlight to enter the space created inside the beam; and tubing disposed in the U-shaped beam behind the clear face.

2. An attractive sunshade according to claim 1, wherein the sunshade further comprises a plurality of panels situated in a common orientation.

3. An attractive sunshade according to claim 2, further comprising a fin that contacts the tubing for a substantial length of the tubing disposed within the panel, wherein a side of the fin is colored to affect the outward appearance of the sunshade.

4. An attractive structure according to claim 1, wherein the clear face is coated to affect the outward appearance of the shade structure.

5. An attractive sunshade according to claim 1, wherein the sunshade is comprised of four panels.

6. An attractive sunshade structure comprising:

a plurality of panels situated in a common orientation, each panel comprising: an elongated U-shaped beam; a clear face mounted on the U-shaped beam; tubing disposed in the U-shaped beam behind the clear face; and a sleeve on each end of the panel.

7. An attractive structure according to claim 6, further comprising a fin that contacts the tubing for a substantial length of the tubing disposed within the panel, wherein a side of the fin is colored to affect the outward appearance of the sunshade.

8. An attractive structure according to claim 6, wherein the clear face is coated to affect the outward appearance of the shade structure.

9. An attractive sunshade according to claim 6, wherein the sunshade is comprised of at least four panels.

10. An attractive sunshade according to claim 6, wherein the elongated U-shaped beam has a length of about 3 ft. to about 7 ft. and a depth of about 1½ in. to about 2 in.

11. A method of providing shade and collecting heat from the sun, comprising:

providing a plurality of panels, each panel comprising: an elongated U-shaped beam; a clear face mounted on the U-shaped beam; and tubing disposed in the U-shaped beam behind the clear face;

securing the plurality of panels in a common orientation to form a shade structure;

attaching the shade structure to a building; and

providing a system fluid that passes through the tubing in the panels.

12. A method of providing shade and collecting heat from the sun according to claim 11, further comprising insulation mounted in the U-shaped beam and behind the clear face.

13. A method of providing shade and collecting heat from the sun according to claim 11, wherein the angle at which the panels are positioned is determined to optimize heat collection and is based on the orientation and position of the shade structure.

14. A method of providing shade and collecting heat from the sun according to claim 11, wherein the sunshade structure is attached to a building to extend over a window.

15. A method of providing shade and collecting heat from the sun according to claim 11, wherein the clear face is coated to affect the outward appearance of the shade structure.

16. A method of providing shade and collecting heat from the sun according to claim 11, wherein the sunshade is comprised of four panels.

17. A method of providing shade and collecting heat from the sun according to claim 11, wherein the elongated U-shaped beam has a length of about 3 ft. to about 7 ft. and a depth of about 1½ in. to about 2 in.

18. A method of providing shade and collecting heat from the sun according to claim 11, wherein the panels are adjustable to capture more sunlight throughout the day.