Modular facade or covering element with use of solar energy for water heating, air conditioning and ventilation

Abstract

A system for heating a work fluid and for air circulation comprises a plurality of collectors fitted top-to-top in one or more columns, such that air ducts of the modules constitute a single duct along a column, wherein the solar collector comprises: one solar radiation planar absorber with one anterior face exposed to solar radiation and another posterior face affixed to the work fluid piping; one duct for exchanging heat with the planar absorber via the air duct which has its air inlet and outlet on opposite tops of the solar collector. The system can additionally comprise a descendent air duct to collect air from the upper part of the building and to supply air to the lower side of one or more columns of the facade.

Claims

1. A system for fluid heating and air circulation, comprising: a plurality of collectors fitted top-to-top in one or more columns, wherein air ducts of the collectors form an air column along each column of collectors, wherein at least one of the collectors comprises: a solar radiation planar absorber for heat exchange, comprising a piping of the fluid to be heated, and comprising an anterior face aimed at solar exposure and a posterior face opposed to the first face, wherein the piping of the fluid to be heated is arranged in the posterior face of the planar absorber; and an air duct for heat exchange with the planar absorber, wherein the air duct comprises a posterior face of the planar absorber and is arranged along said face, and wherein the air duct has an inlet and outlet on two opposite tops of the solar collector; and a descendent air duct with an opening in an upper part thereof for collecting air from the upper part of a dwelling and having an opening in a bottom part thereof for bottom insufflation in the air duct of the one or more collector columns.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the collectors comprises a thermal insulation layer arranged along the air duct and arranged posteriorly in relation to the descendent air duct with an opening in an upper part thereof for collecting air from the upper part of a dwelling.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the collectors comprises a thermal insulation layer arranged along the side surfaces of the air duct of the collector.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the air duct of the collector is defined by the posterior face of the planar absorber, by the thermal insulation layer arranged posteriorly to the air duct and by the thermal insulation layer arranged laterally to the air duct.

5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an expansion vessel and a fluid circuit for draining the piping of the fluid to be heated and for collecting the fluid in said expansion vessel.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the collectors are top-to-top column fitted by male-female fittings.

7. The system according to any claim 1, wherein the planar absorber is selected from the group of: copper, aluminum, and copper with a titanium based coating, and aluminum with a titanium based coating.

8. A facade, comprising: a plurality of collectors fitted top-to-top in one or more columns, wherein air ducts of the collectors form an air column along each column of collectors, wherein at least one of the collectors comprises: a solar radiation planar absorber for heat exchange, comprising a piping of the fluid to be heated, and comprising an anterior face aimed at solar exposure and a posterior face opposed to the first face, wherein the piping of the fluid to be heated is arranged in the posterior face of the planar absorber; and an air duct for heat exchange with the planar absorber, wherein the air duct comprises a posterior face of the planar absorber and is arranged along said face, and wherein the air duct has an inlet and an outlet on two opposite tops of the solar collector; a horizontal profile for bottom fixing of the collectors, arranged between the tops of consecutive collectors fitted top-to-top in a column, wherein said profile supports the bottom face of the collectors and comprises a protrusion that extends until the same depth of the insulation layer arranged posteriorly in relation to the air duct; and a descendent air duct with an opening in an upper part thereof for collecting air from the upper part of a dwelling and having an opening in a bottom part thereof for bottom insufflation in the air duct of the one or more collector columns.

9. A facade, comprising: a plurality of collectors fitted top-to-top in one or more columns, wherein air ducts of the collectors form an air column along each column of collectors, wherein at least one of the collectors comprises: a solar radiation planar absorber for heat exchange, comprising a piping of the fluid to be heated, and comprising an anterior face aimed at solar exposure and a posterior face opposed to the first face, wherein the piping of the fluid to be heated is arranged in the posterior face of the planar absorber; and an air duct for heat exchange with the planar absorber, wherein the air duct comprises a posterior face of the planar absorber and is arranged along said face, and wherein the air duct has an inlet and an outlet on two opposite tops of the solar collector; a horizontal profile for upper fixing of the collectors, arranged between the consecutive collector tops fitted top-to-top in a column, wherein said profile supports the upper face of the collectors and comprises one or more connection pins to the horizontal profile for bottom fixing of the collectors, in order to allow air circulation along the vertical direction of the facade; and a descendent air duct with an opening in an upper part thereof for collecting air from the upper part of a dwelling and having an opening in a bottom part thereof for bottom insufflation in the air duct of the one or more collector columns.

10. The facade according to claim 8, comprising a profile in a direction parallel to the collector flanks for bottom fixing of the collectors, the profile being arranged between the collector flanks fitted laterally, wherein said profile supports the bottom face of the collectors, and wherein the profile comprises a central and longitudinal protrusion.

11. The facade according to claim 8, wherein the central and longitudinal protrusion extends in order to prevent air circulation in the horizontal direction of the facade.

12. The facade according to claim 8, wherein the horizontal profile for bottom fixing, the horizontal profile for upper fixing, and/or the profile in a parallel direction to the flanks of the collectors for bottom and upper fixing of the collectors, is an omega section profile with a bending angle of 90-100.

13. The facade according to claim 8, wherein the facade is arranged vertically.

14. The facade according to claim 8, wherein the facade is arranged in an angle between 10 and 90 in relation to a horizontal plane.

15. The facade according to claim 8, wherein the facade is self-supporting.

16. The facade accordingly to claim 8, comprising: a bottom inlet for an outside air inlet and an upper outlet for insufflation in the upper part of a dwelling having the facade, and an ascending flow air duct with an opening in the bottom part for collecting air from the bottom part of the dwelling and with an opening in the upper of the duct for its exhaustion to the exterior.

17. The facade according to claim 16, wherein the inlet of outside air is associated with a geothermal source.

18. The facade according to claim 8, further comprising a damper for controlling air circulation.

19. The facade according to claim 16, further comprising an air heat exchanger, for placing in the bottom part of the dwelling.

20. The facade according to claim 16, further comprising an air heat exchanger, for placing in the upper part of the dwelling.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a better understanding of the present divulgation drawings are annexed, of which, they represent preferential embodiments that, however, do not intent to limit the object of the current description.

(2) FIG. 1Scheme for the facade composition or cover elements on which: 101 represents the captation module; 102 represents the feeding and collecting modules; NC represents the number of columns; NL represents the number of rows; represents the angle of the facade or cover element in relation to the base.

(3) FIG. 2Water heating circuit on which: 201 represents a single or several circulation pumps with flow control; 202 represents a controlled valve; 203 represents the control system; 204 represents a controlled valve; 205 represents an expansion vessel with storage option; 206 represents the water height line; 207 represents the building boundaries; Heat represents the heat flux that supplies the building and is stored in the water circuit; T1 represents the temperature sensor placed at the inlet of the facade; T2 represents the temperature sensor placed at the outlet of the facade; T3 represents the temperature sensor placement applied to the expansion vessel with storage option; T4 represents the temperature sensor positioning in the absorber plate; The thin and continuous line represents the water circulation circuit; The dotted line represents the control connections.

(4) FIG. 3Diagram of the circuit components for ventilation, air conditioning and air renovation on which: 301 represents an air damper for fresh outside air intake geothermal source; 302 and 303 represent air dampers for air outlets; 304 and 305 represent air dampers that provide access to the air of the building; 306 to 313 represent air dampers that direct the air flow; 314 represent the supply fan; 315 and 316 represent the heat exchangers.

(5) FIG. 4Cooling circuit with air renovation without mechanical ventilation backup.

(6) FIG. 5Cooling circuit with air renovation without the supply fan backup and with an external mechanical ventilation backup.

(7) FIG. 6Cooling circuit with air renovation, supply fan actuated and with an external mechanical ventilation backup.

(8) FIG. 7Cooling circuit without air renovation, supply fan actuated and with an external mechanical ventilation backup.

(9) FIG. 8Heating circuit with air renovation, without supply fan actuated and with no external mechanical ventilation backup.

(10) FIG. 9Heating circuit with air renovation, without supply fan actuated and with external ventilation backup.

(11) FIG. 10Heating circuit with air renovation, with supply fan actuated and with an external ventilation backup.

(12) FIG. 11Security circuit of the absorber plate.

(13) FIG. 12Security circuit of the absorber plate for the activation of the water circuit.

(14) FIG. 13Passive circuit on which: 317 and 318 represent air dampers that give access to the air of the building;

(15) FIG. 14Closed circuit.

(16) FIG. 15Simplified cooling scheme on which the arrows represent the direction of the air flow.

(17) FIG. 16Simplified heating scheme on which the arrows represent the direction of the air flow.

(18) FIG. 17Construction scheme of the absorber module wherein: 171 represents the translucent, transparent or opaque exterior panel; 172 represents the thermal insulation of the module; 173 represents the body of the module; 174 represents the inlet and outlet of water; 175 represents the planar solar radiation absorber plate.

(19) FIG. 18Construction scheme of the facade wherein: 181 represents the support column of the facade; 182 represents the beam of support of the facade; 183 represents the connection module; 184 represents the external fixture profile; 185 represents the exterior closure profile; 186 represents the captation module.

(20) FIG. 19Composition of the solar absorber module wherein: 191 represents the framing or structure of the module; 192 represents the thermal insulation of the captation module; 193 represents the connecting element for the hydraulic circuit.

(21) FIG. 20Composition of the feeding/collecting module wherein: 2001 represents the structure of the connection module; 2002 represents the feeding/collecting duct of the connection module; 2003 represents the closing panel of the connection module; 2004 represents the inlet/outlet of the water circuit.

(22) FIG. 21Detailed section view of the connection system in the union column incorporating the structure of support of the facade.

(23) FIG. 22Cutting plane C-C of a facade with two columns of two collector modules and corresponding connection modules for visualization of the constructive detail of the assembly system in the column union incorporating the structure of support of the facade.

(24) FIG. 23Detailed cut view of an assembly system in the joining of modules identifying the section for airflow and structural elements.

(25) FIG. 24Cutting plane E-E of a facade with two columns of two absorption modules and corresponding connection modules for visualization of the constructive details of the assembly method in the union of modules with identification of the airflow section and structural elements.

(26) FIG. 25Detailed cut view of the assembled system in the union of modules identifying the connection system for the water circuit.

(27) FIG. 26Cutting plane G-G of a facade with two columns of two absorption modules and corresponding connection modules for visualization of the constructive details of the assembly method on the union of modules with identification of the connection system for the water circuit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(28) Referring the document figures, some embodiments are now described in greater detail, of which are not aimed at restricting the scope of the present disclosure.

(29) The presented disclosure refers to a device that is aimed at heating a fluids and to provide an air flow.

(30) The device depicted in FIG. 1 represents a modular facade or a cover element that allows the heating of fluids and of an airflow. This device comprises a set of absorber modules (101) to exchange heat with a fluid circuit to be heated or cooled, for the fluid heating scenario the air duct is placed along the planar absorber face (175) and opposed to sun exposure. The set of planar absorber modules to assemble in a facade can be set accordingly with the building energetic demands and its construction restrictions. The set can vary in the number of columns (NC) and in the number of rows (NL). A set should be composed by a minimum of two sequential modules allowing the conduction of a water flow and airflow through the consecutive modules forming an independent column. At the column base and top it is placed a feeding and retrieval module (102) that establishes connection to the ventilation ducts accordingly to the ventilation mode imposed by the control system (203). The feeding and retrieval modules also secure the connection of every columns water circuit to the main water circuit.

(31) The control system (203) actuates the controlled valves (202 and 204), the variable flow circulation pump (201), the supply fan (314) and the air dampers (301-313) considering the buildings energetic demand profile, the instantaneous demands of air renewal, air conditioning and buildings hot water, quantity of stored energy and the recorded temperature provided by the control points (T1-T4, FIG. 2).

(32) The device depicted in FIG. 2 demonstrates an embodiment of the solution, namely the functional system for the water heating. The depicted system comprises a control system (203) that actuates over a variable flow circulation pump (201) and over the two controlled valves (202 and 204), normally closed. This device creates two different circuits, allowing the filling/load (circuit 1, table 1) and the draining/unload (circuit 2, table 1) of the system in automatic mode. To perform the system filling/load (circuit 1, table 1), the controlled valves (202 and 204) are kept closed and the circulation pump is turned on (201). To perform the system draining/unload (circuit 2, table 1), the circulation pump (201) is turned off and the controlled valves (202 and 204) are opened. This mode allows the draining of the work fluid to the expansion vessel with storage option (205). The control system (203) actuates the variable flow circulation pump (201) to set its flow.

(33) The management of the circulation pump (201) is done by the controller (203) based on an analysis of recorded temperature values provided by the temperature sensors placed at the outlet (T2) of the facade, in the buffer tank (T1), in the storage of the expansion vessel (T3) and in the solar radiation absorber plate (T4). From these values it is calculated the temperature differential T (T2T1).

(34) Table 1 summarizes the functioning of the circuit for water heating.

(35) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Functioning of the circuit for water heating Cir- motorized valves status Variable flow circulation cuit Description (202 and 204) pump status (201) 1 Filling/Load Both closed On 2 Draining/ Both closed Off Unload

(36) The filling/load circuit (circuit 1, table 1) allows the heating of the work flow, producing its flow by activating the circulation pump (201) and closing the system valves (202 and 204).

(37) The draining/unload (circuit 2, table 1) enables the draining of the water from the facade, by actuating the motorized valves (202 and 204) and turning off the circulation pump (201).

(38) In FIGS. (3 to 14) descriptions it is used the following symbols: filled black shapes represent closed air dampers. When the supply fan (314) and the heat exchangers (315 and 316) are off they are represented by a filled form and when they are active are represented in white.

(39) The active air flow circuit is represented by the FIGS. 3 to 16. FIG. 3 corresponds to the components diagram of the ventilation circuit, air conditioning and air renewal. The operating air circuit comprises an outdoor air inlet coming through a geothermal duct (301). The circuit has also two exhaust dampers, one right after the outlet of the facade duct (302) and another after the supply fan (303). It is also depicted two sets of air dampers that give access directly to the interior of the building (304, 305, e 316), one after the supply fan (304) and one before (305). To allow a diversified configuration of supply/return air ducts, it is used air dampers to redirect the air stream (306-313).

(40) FIGS. 4 to 6 depict air cooling circuits of the building with air renewal. FIG. 7 depicts an air cooling circuit of the building but without air renewal, in other words, no intake of fresh air from the outside occurs either passive or actively.

(41) FIGS. 8 to 10 depict circuits set to promote the heating of air of a building with air renewal.

(42) FIG. 11 depicts the safety circuit of the solar radiation absorber plate (circuit 10, table 2) and it allows the cooling of the facade in case of the absorber plate temperature (101) reach excessively high values, for example if the temperature setpoint of 60 C. is reached the facade water circuit is flooded. This value can however be adjusted.

(43) FIG. 12 depicts the safety circuit of the solar radiation absorber plate for activation of the water circuit (circuit 11, table 2) that allows the cooling of the facade in case of the absorber plate temperature (101) reach higher values than those defined by the installer. For example, if the temperature setpoint of 60 C. is reached in the absorber plate the safety circuit prevents that the system is flooded, forcing a rapid temperature reduction on the absorber plate. This setpoint value can be adjusted.

(44) The passive circuit, depicted in FIG. 13, allows an airflow inside the building without fan support, particularizing it is opened an inlet for outside air (301) which may or may not be from a geothermal source and it is also opened an outlet after the supply fan (303). Venting is made passively, without resorting to the supply fan (314), and without passing through the facade (circuit 12, table 2).

(45) The closed circuit (circuit 13, table 2), depicted in FIG. 14, allows the buildings air circuit to be isolated from the exterior and also the facade. When the facade/s is/are used for the water circuit, and in case the heating/cooling demands of the building are fulfilled, then all valves are closed and the supply fan remains off.

(46) Table 2 summarizes the operating method of the air circuit.

(47) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Operating method of the air circuit Supply backup Air fan venti- Cir- damper Air (314) lation cuit Description status renewal on? system FIG. 3 Cooling Opened - Yes No No 4 mode - no 301, supply fan, 302, 304, no external 305, 307, backup 308, All ventilation others system closed system 4 Cooling Opened - Yes No Yes 5 mode, no 301, 302, supply fan - 305, 307, with external 308, All backup others ventilation closed system system 5 Cooling Opened - Yes Yes Yes 6 mode - with 301, 303, supply fan, 305, 307, with external 308, 311, backup 312, All ventilation others system closed system 6 Cooling Opened - No Yes Yes 7 mode - with 305, 309, supply fan, 310, 311, with external 312, All backup others ventilation closed system system 7 Heating Opened - Yes No No 8 mode - no 301, 303, supply fan, 304, 305, no external 306, 309, backup 310, All ventilation others system closed system 8 Heating Opened - Yes No Yes 9 mode - no 301, 303, supply fan, 304, 306, with external 309, 310, backup All others ventilation closed system system 9 Heating Opened - Yes Yes Yes 10 mode - with 301, 303, supply fan, 304, 306, with external 310, 312, backup 313, All ventilation others system closed system 10 Safety circuit Opened - No No No 11 for absorber 301, 302, plate 306, All others closed 11 Safety circuit Opened - No Yes Yes 12 for absorber 301, 303, plate with 306, 311, activation of 312, All the water others circuit closed 12 Passive Opened - Yes No No 13 circuit 301, 303, 306, 308, 309, 313, 317, 318, All others closed 13 Closed circuit All opened No No No 14

(48) FIG. 15 depicts a preferred embodiment of this disclosed disclosure for the cooling of a building/dwelling. In this embodiment, the outside air enters the building/dwelling through an air damper, which can be associated to a geothermal source, and is directed to the bottom of the building/dwelling. The inlet of air in the dwelling occurs because the air in the higher part of the building is removed by an air outlet positioned there. The exhausted air runs through a descendent air duct, feeding the lower end of the facade, the air flows along the planar absorber and is thus exhausted from the building/dwelling through an air damper directed outside. The planar absorber facade works as a siphon that sucks the air from the building/dwelling.

(49) FIG. 16 depicts a preferred embodiment of this disclosed solution for heating a building/dwelling. In this embodiment, we have an outside air damper that goes directly to the solar collector facade. This air route enables an exchange of heat with the planar solar absorber, the consequence is the heating of air and its natural convection to the top of the facade and is directed to the buildings/dwellings upper rooms. The building/dwelling cold air is, on its turn, removed by a return air duct or a vertical air duct that removes the air from the bottom of the building/dwelling.

(50) FIG. 17 depicts a preferred embodiment of the current solution, in particular it displays a construction scheme of the absorber module where it is established that the air duct is set along the planar face of the solar absorber opposite to sun exposure, airflow occurs between the absorber plate (175) and the thermal insulation (172). The distance between them (solar absorber and thermal insulation) can vary between 30-250 mm depending on the set up type, namely due to the facade tilt and the magnitude of the air stream. The air duct sizing and the flow of air through the opposition of corrugation of the duct wall are important to obtain a turbulent air regime thus maximizing the heat transfer ratio.

(51) In an embodiment, a module is fixed horizontally to the next module using two omega profiles of 90 or from 90 to 100 and opposing each other in a way not to prevent the air from flowing.

(52) The current description is not, naturally, in any way restricted to the previously described embodiments presented in this document and a person with reasonable knowledge in this area will foresee many change possibilities of the invention without stepping apart from the general idea, just as defined in the claims. The embodiments described above can be complementary or interchangeable between them. The following claims define additionally preferential embodiments.