Solar energy collector - comprises metal plate in contact with hairpin coil constituting solar cell connected to water supply and to accumulator

摘要

An appts. for producing hot water by solar energy incorporates a solar cell and an accumulator. The solar cell is constituted by a thin-walled plate pref. of copper having an absorbent face exposed to the solar radiation and an IR emitting face in contact with the windings of a continuous tubular hairpin circuit, slightly inclined to the horizontal so as to present a continuous slope from the inlet of the circuit situated at the lowest pt. of the cell to the outlet situated at the highest pt. of the cell. The accumulator is immediately above the highest hairpin of the circuit and is fed with hot water from the outlet of the circuit, connected near one end of the accumulator. The other end of the accumulator is connected to a bi-functional pipe connecting the accumulator to the inlet of the circuit, establishing a continuous circulation by thermosyphon between the tubular circuit and the accumulator when hot water is not demanded, or allowing cold water to be short-circuited to the accumulator to push out hot water when it is demanded.