Abstract
A frame for a liquid-throughflowable 3D fabric includes two first frame parts lying opposite each other, where each first frame part is configured to lie against at least a first part of a peripheral edge of the 3D fabric and to close the fabric at least substantially liquid-tightly along the first part of the peripheral edge. An assembly with such a frame and liquid-throughflowable 3D fabric, where the first parts of the peripheral edge of the 3D fabric are closed at least substantially liquid-tightly by the frame. A 3D fabric includes two main surfaces which are connected to each other along at least a part of the peripheral edge of the 3D fabric.
Claims
1. A frame for a liquid-throughflowable 3D fabric, comprising: two first frame parts lying opposite each other, wherein each first frame part is configured to lie against at least a first part of a peripheral edge of the 3D fabric and to close the fabric at least substantially liquid-tightly along the first part of the peripheral edge.
2. The frame according to claim 1, further comprising: two second frame parts which lie opposite each other and are configured to lie against at least a second part of the peripheral edge of the 3D fabric and to close the fabric substantially liquid-tightly along the second part of the peripheral edge, wherein the second frame parts extend substantially at right angles to the first frame parts on either side of the first frame parts, such that the first and second frame parts together define a substantially closed frame for receiving the 3D fabric such that at least a peripheral edge of the 3D fabric is closed at least substantially liquid-tightly by the frame.
3. The frame according to claim 1, wherein the first frame parts define a hollow space through which liquid can flow and are provided on a side which is configured to be directed toward the 3D fabric with a partition wall with at least one opening for the purpose of supplying liquid to or discharging liquid from the 3D fabric via the at least one opening.
4. The frame according to claim 3, wherein the partition wall comprises more than one above stated at least one opening, which are arranged distributed over the length of the partition wall.
5. The frame according to claim 3, wherein the at least one opening is substantially elongate, wherein a longitudinal direction of the at least one elongate opening is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the first frame parts.
6. The frame according to claim 2, further comprising four corner pieces, wherein a corner piece is in each case disposed between a first frame part and an adjacent second frame part, and is connected thereto.
7. The frame according to claim 3, further comprising four corner pieces, wherein a corner piece is in each case disposed between a first frame part and an adjacent second frame part, and is connected thereto, wherein at least one of the four corner pieces comprises a liquid inlet and at least one other of the four corner pieces comprises a liquid outlet, and wherein the one corner piece is connected for liquid throughflow to the hollow space of one of the two first frame parts and the other corner piece is connected for liquid throughflow to the hollow space of the other first frame part.
8. The frame according to claim 6, wherein each corner piece comprises two connection insertion ends which can be introduced into a or the hollow space of respectively the first and second frame parts.
9. The frame according to claim 7, wherein each corner piece comprises two connection insertion ends which can be introduced into a or the hollow space of respectively the first and second frame parts, and wherein one of the two connection insertion ends takes a hollow form, has an open outer end and is connected for liquid throughflow to the liquid inlet or outlet.
10. The frame according to claim 1, wherein the first and optionally the second frame parts and, if provided, the corner pieces each have one flange, each extending therefrom transversely of the longitudinal direction of the respective frame part or corner piece, and each extending over a part of and parallel to one main surface of the 3D fabric when the 3D fabric is arranged in the frame.
11. The frame according to claim 6, wherein each corner piece comprises two connection insertion ends which can be introduced into a or the hollow space of respectively the first and second frame parts, wherein one of the two connection insertion ends takes a hollow form, has an open outer end and is connected for liquid throughflow to the liquid inlet or outlet, and wherein the flange is arranged on one longitudinal end of the first and/or second frame parts, wherein the one longitudinal end is the longitudinal end situated closest to the liquid inlet or outlet of at least one of the corner pieces.
12. An assembly of a frame according to claim 1 and a liquid-throughflowable 3D fabric, wherein the first parts of the peripheral edge of the 3D fabric are closed at least substantially liquid-tightly by the frame.
13. The assembly according to claim 12, as dependent on one of the claim 1 or 3-11, wherein a second, remaining part of the peripheral edge of the 3D fabric is closed liquid-tightly.
14. The assembly according to claim 13, wherein the 3D fabric has two main surfaces which are connected to each other along the second, remaining part of the peripheral edge.
15. The assembly according to claim 12, as dependent on at least claim 3, wherein a midpoint of the at least one opening lies substantially halfway between the main surfaces of the 3D fabric in a height direction perpendicularly of the longitudinal direction of the respective frame part.
16. The assembly according to claim 12, as dependent on at least claim 3, wherein a height dimension of the at least one opening, defined in a or the height direction perpendicularly of the longitudinal direction of the respective frame part, is smaller than a height dimension of an area of the 3D fabric through which liquid can flow, for instance more than 20% smaller, more preferably more than 40% smaller, most preferably about 50% smaller.
17. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the 3D fabric comprises two main surfaces, wherein at least one main surface is liquid-tight.
18. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein a frame according to claim 10 or 11 is provided, wherein each flange extends over a part of one main surface of the 3D fabric, preferably over the liquid-tight main surface.
19. The assembly according to claim 18, wherein the frame and the 3D fabric are adhered to each other in the area of the flange, for instance by means of a silicone adhesive.
20. A 3D fabric for use in an assembly according to claim 12, comprising two main surfaces which are connected to each other along at least a part of the peripheral edge of the 3D fabric.
Description
[0054] The invention will be further elucidated hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0055] FIG. 1A shows the rear side of a solar panel to which an embodiment of an assembly according to the invention is attached;
[0056] FIG. 1B shows a cross-section of the 3D fabric of FIG. 1A;
[0057] FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a frame part according to an embodiment of the frame according to the invention;
[0058] FIG. 2B shows a cross-section of the frame part of FIG. 2A;
[0059] FIG. 2C shows a perspective view of a corner piece according to the embodiment of the frame of FIG. 2A;
[0060] FIG. 3A shows a cross-sectional view of a frame part according to another embodiment of the invention;
[0061] FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of a corner piece according to the embodiment of the frame of FIG. 3A;
[0062] FIG. 4A shows the rear side of a solar panel to which another embodiment of an assembly according to the invention is attached; and
[0063] FIG. 4B shows a cross-section of an embodiment of a 3D fabric according to the invention.
[0064] The same elements are designated in the figures with the same reference numerals. Corresponding elements of different embodiments are designated with a reference numeral increased by 100 (one hundred).
[0065] FIG. 1A shows a rear side of a solar panel 1. Attached to the rear side is a 3D fabric 2. FIG. 1B shows a cross-section of the 3D fabric 2, wherein it is visible that the 3D fabric has two main surfaces 3, 4 which extend parallel to each other, are separated from each other and are connected to each other by a number of pile threads 5. Each main surface 3, 4 has a fabric layer 6, 7. Fabric layers 6, 7 can be woven or knitted simultaneously, wherein pile threads 5 can also be woven or knitted simultaneously. The main surface 3 shown at the top in FIG. 1B is provided with a silicone sealing layer 8. It would have also been possible to apply a liquid-tight sealing layer of another material, or a liquid-tight coating. The silicone of sealing layer 8 in this case penetrates into the fabric layer 6 of the respective main surface 3, which achieves that the main surface is liquid-tight. The other main surface 4 with fabric layer 7 is not liquid-tight here per se, but may be so in a different embodiment. Leaking of the 3D fabric is however prevented when the 3D fabric is placed with this fabric layer 7 against a solar panel 1. The solar panel then provides for a liquid-tight main surface 4 of 3D fabric 2. Referring once again to FIG. 1A, it can be seen that the 3D fabric 2 is connected by means of a frame 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 to solar panel 1. Frame 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 consists of two first frame parts 9 which are disposed opposite each other on either side of the 3D fabric 2. Frame 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 further has two second frame parts 10 which are also disposed opposite each other on either side of the first frame parts 9 and extend substantially perpendicularly relative to first frame parts 9. Each of the frame parts 9, 10 lies against a part of a peripheral edge of 3D fabric 2 and closes it liquid-tightly. The frame parts 9, 10 are always connected to adjoining corner pieces 11, 12, 13, 14 so that a substantially closed frame 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 is defined.
[0066] FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a first frame part 9. First frame part 9 comprises a tubular profile 15, in this case with a rectangular cross-section. Tubular profile 15 defines a throughflowable hollow space 16. A wall 17 of the profile which is configured to be directed toward 3D fabric 2 is provided with a number of openings 18. Liquid can flow from hollow space 16 to 3D fabric 2, or vice versa, through the openings 18. Openings 18 are elongate, and their longitudinal direction runs parallel to the longitudinal direction of profile 15.
[0067] First frame part 9 is described further with reference to FIG. 2B. In the cross-section of FIG. 2B an upper side of a solar panel 1 is shown with the frame part 9 and a 3D fabric 2 thereon. The liquid-tight main surface 3 of the 3D fabric is here shown as a single layer 6, 8 for the sake of simplicity. The 3D fabric 2 of FIG. 2B can however be composed as that of FIG. 1B. Applied to solar panel 1 is an adhesive layer 19 whereby both frame 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 3D fabric 2 are attached. In this figure it is visible that the openings 18 are disposed at a height position in first frame part 9 which corresponds with a central main plane 20 of the 3D fabric. The height dimension t of the openings 18 is also smaller than a height dimension d of the throughflowable portion of the 3D fabric, in this case about 50% smaller. First frame part 9 is further provided with a flange 22 which extends transversely of the longitudinal direction of the first frame part 9, away from this frame part 9. Flange 22 is configured to extend along at least a part of a main surface 3 of 3D fabric 2, in this case the liquid-tight main surface 3. It is visible in FIG. 2B that the 3D fabric 2 is disposed between flange 22 and solar panel 1. A connection between flange 22 and the 3D fabric is further sealed by means of a mastic layer 23. The main surface 4 of the 3D fabric, which is not liquid-tight, lies against solar panel 1 and is sealed thereby. The 3D fabric, with the exception of the connections to the first frame parts 9, is thereby also closed.
[0068] FIG. 2C shows a corner piece 13 whereby a first frame part 9 and a second frame part 10 can be connected to each other. Corner piece 13 has a passage 24 which can function as liquid inlet or as liquid outlet. Corner piece 13 further has two connection insertion ends 25, 26. In order to bring about a connection to a first frame part 9 and second frame part 10 the connection insertion ends 25, 26 are inserted into the hollow spaces 16 of respectively first frame part 9 and second frame part 10. The connection insertion end 26 which is connected to first frame part 9 takes a hollow form, has an open outer end and is connected for throughflow to passage 24. This creates a throughflow path from passage 24, through corner piece 13 to the hollow space 16 of first frame part 9. Corner piece 13 further has a flange 27 which has a function corresponding to that of the flange 22 of first frame part 9. Passage 24 is directed away from an underside 28 of the corner piece. The underside 28 is configured to lie against a solar panel 1. Optional conduits which are connected to passage 24 thus run away from corner piece 13 of the solar panel. Flange 27 is arranged at a distance from the underside 28 of corner piece 13. This distance creates a space in which the 3D fabric 2 can be received, between flange 27 and solar panel 1. In a mutually connected state of corner piece 13 and frame parts 9, 10 the flanges 22 of frame parts 9, 10 are situated at a longitudinal end of the frame parts which is situated closest to passage 24, and thereby at a distance from a solar panel 1 when frame 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 is arranged thereon.
[0069] FIG. 1A shows how two corner pieces 12, 13 which are situated diagonally opposite each other are provided with a passage 24. This results in use in a uniform distribution of flow through 3D fabric 2. It is also possible to provide each corner piece 11, 12, 13, 14 with a passage. It is then possible during installation on for instance a roof of the frame 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 to choose which corner pieces 11, 12, 13, 14 will be connected to supply and discharge conduits and which corner pieces 11, 12, 13, 14 will be capped. It is however not necessary to provide every corner piece 11, 12, 13, 14 with a passage 24. Instead, it suffices to provide each first frame part 9 with one corner piece 12, 13 having a passage 24. The other corner piece 11, 14 of that frame part can then largely correspond with the above described corner pieces 12, 13, and differ therefrom only in that the other corner pieces 11, 14 have no passage 24 or a sealed passage 24. It is particularly possible to opt to provide two corner pieces 12, 13 which lie diagonally opposite each other with a passage 24 and not to provide the other two corner pieces 11, 14, which then also lie diagonally opposite each other, with a passage 24.
[0070] Unless stated otherwise, the second frame parts 10 are the same as the above described first frame part 9. It is however possible to omit the openings 18 here.
[0071] FIGS. 3A and 3B show, in views corresponding with respectively FIGS. 2B and 2C, another variant of the first frame part 109 and corner piece 113 according to the invention. The variant of FIGS. 3A and 3B is the same as the one mentioned above, unless stated otherwise. In both corner piece 113 and first frame part 109 the flange 122, 127 has been placed toward the underside 128 relative to the position of the flange 22, 27 in the variant of FIGS. 2A-2C. Flange 122, 127 can hereby be arranged between 3D fabric 102 and solar panel 101 as shown in FIG. 3A. 3D fabric 102 is here connected to frame part 2 with an additional mastic layer 123′. Instead of a mastic layer 123′, it is also possible to use an adhesive layer. Similar mastic layers can optionally be provided at corner pieces 113.
[0072] It is further also noted here that, although only one corner piece 13, 113 has been described, the other corner pieces can take a similar form. It is also possible to provide two corner pieces 12, 13, 113 which are connected to the different first frame parts with a passage 24, 124, and two other corner pieces 10, 11 not, as shown in FIG. 1A. It will be apparent that for corner piece 12 the connection insertion ends 26, 25 must then be switched with each other so that the passage 24 of corner piece 12 is connected for throughflow to first frame part 9.
[0073] Just as FIG. 1A, FIG. 4A shows a solar panel 201 with an assembly according to the invention. Mounted on the solar panel is a 3D fabric, a cross-section of which is shown in FIG. 4B. The 3D fabric 202 differs from the above described 3D fabric 2, 102 only in that the two main surfaces 203, 204 of the 3D fabric are mutually connected along an edge 229 of the 3D fabric. In this case the main surfaces 203, 204 are connected to each other liquid-tightly. In the example shown in the figure use is made of ultrasonic welding, although it is also possible to opt for another suitable connecting method such as adhesion, clamping or an integral connection. The frame of FIG. 4A has no second frame parts along the edges 229 where the main surfaces 203, 204 of the 3D fabric are connected to each other. The frame comprises only first frame parts 209 on two mutually opposite edges of 3D fabric 202 which are not connected to each other. The first frame parts 209 form together with the mutually connected main surfaces 203, 204 a closed, throughflowable space inside the 3D fabric 202. The first frame parts 209 are each provided at one end with a passage 224 through which liquid can be supplied to or discharged from first frame part 209. It is of course also possible to arrange the passage 224 at both ends of a frame part 209, or at another longitudinal position of the first frame part 209.
[0074] Although the invention is elucidated above on the basis of a number of specific examples and embodiments, the invention is not limited thereto. The invention instead also covers the subject-matter defined by the following claims.
