Solar energy trap panels surrounded by insulating support - involving a black fluid and polymeric glazing or seals

摘要

Solar energy traps comprising a flat black fluid passage between a double glazed cover and a layer of thermal insulation are made so that the fluid and glazed cavities are surrounded by peripheral seals of elastic material which in turn are enclosed by extending the insulating material around the borders of the panel. The design avoids use of a metallic frame with associated joint and heat loss problems, also allows the capacity of the fluid cavity to be varied by use of interchangeable sealant spacers. The components opt. include glazing of acrylic or, pref. polycarbonate sheet, oint seals of natural or synthetic rubber, e.g. 'Perbanan' (butadiene-acrylonitrile) or neoprene rubber, and insulation of expanded polyurethane opt. enclosed in a firm integral skin of polyurethane, polyester, chlorinated rubber or chlorosulphonated polyethylene. The choice of component material depends on the heat exchange fluid used, which specifically may be air, water, an alcohol or a freon (fluorinated halocarbon) and which opt. is black to act directly as the heat sink.