Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
l BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
¦ The present invention relates a solar heating sy~tem
¦ for buildings, and more particularly to such a system, wherein
I a simple duct arrangement is utilized to collect solar heat and
I transfer it to the heated zone.
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In general solar heating sys~ems are well known, but
¦ most prior systems have presented a problem, in that they are
~ relatively complex and hence expénsive, so as to preclude ge~eral ¦
il use. Such prior systems have in many instances included relâtively~
¦l expensive heat storing magazines, relatively complex heat absor-
bing panels, and have required costly power means for producing
ff air flow th u ~ the system.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In general, the present invention comprises a simple
duct means, wherein a plurality of duct sections are located with !
respect to a colder outside wall and a warmer interior zone of tht
building, so as to induce a flow of heated air responsive to a
differential in the density of air in different sections of the
duct means.
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As another aspect of the invention, the novel duct
¦ means is uniquely arranged to function as a(single ~ngine for
producing a flow of air through the duct means as well as the
heated zone without the need of electricity or fuel.
As another aspect o~ the invention, the novel duct
¦ means comprises heat absorbing duct portion that utilizes an uppe$
¦¦ duct wall section as a heat absorbing panel for the inpingement
of light rays from the environment.
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As another aspect of the present invention, the novel
duct means comprises a horizontally disposed heat transfer duct
l portion that includes a lower wall section, provided with heat
transfer fins for supplementing the heating effect by direct
radiation to the warmer zone being treated.
As another aspect of the present invention, the novel
duct means comprises an airflow expansion plenum located down
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¦stre~m rom the heat absorbing duct wall section for cooling the
flow at the above mentioned heat transfer fins and for augmentingl
¦ the flow through the duct means.
¦ As another aspect of the present invention, the novel
¦ system includes a light reflector, mounted between the heat trans
¦ fer duct portion and the roof of the building with such light
¦ reflector being oriented to reflect ambient light rays into
impinging r~ationship with the heat absorbing duct wah section.
Or a series of reflectors may be used.
As still another aspect of the present invention, the
novel duct means is provided with a draft stack for augmenting
the airflow through the system.
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As still another aspect of the present invention,
the novel duct means comprises a make-up air inlet conduit connec-
ting the duct system with the environment so as to provide a
¦ controlled amount of fresh air for the zone being heated, as well
as to augment operation of the above mentioned draft stack.
¦I s still another asp-ct of the present invention,
llS1038
the novel duct means is provided with an inwardly convergent
duct entrance for increasing the efficiency of the air pick-
up from the heated zone.
The invention is particularly directed toward a
solar heating system for a building of the type that includes
a colder outside wall, a warmer interior zone, a ceiling for
the zone, and a light admitting window, in spaced overlying
relationship with the ceiling. The heating system comprises,
in combination, an airflow duct means extended along the
ceiling and including a horizontally extending heat transfer
duct portion provided with a top heat absorbing duct wall
exposed to the light admitting window, an expansion plenum
downstream of the heat absorbing duct wall, a duct inlet
communicating with the warmer interior zone, for receiving
an airflow therefrom, a downwardly extending duct portion
positioned adjacent the colder outside wall and forming a
continutation of the heat transfer duct portion, and a duct
outlet located at a substantial distance below the duct
inlet for delivering the airflow to the zone.
Further objects and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent from the following description,
reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein
preferred form of embodiment of the invention is clearly
shown.
The single figure of the drawings is a sectional
view of a typical building, showing the solar heating system
- of the present invention installed therein, the section being
taken along a vertical plane through the building and system.
Referring in detail to the drawing, the typical
building illustrated in cross section includes a colder
outside wall 20, exposed to the environment, a warmer interior
wall 22, a ceiling 24, and a floor 28. These walls define a
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warmer zone to be heated which zone is relatively warm as
compared to the colder outside wall 20.
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A single duct means is indicated generally at 34 and
comprises a horizontally extending heat transfer duct portion
36 with a vertically extending duct portion 39 forming a con- ¦
tinu àtion of duct portion 36. It should be noted that vertical-
ly extending duct portion 39 is located in heat transfer relation~
ship with colder outside wall 20, whereby ~he ertical duct por-
tion is maintained relatively cold with ,r,espect to air entering
the duct at 40.
Referring particularly to horizontally extending duct
portion 36; the upper wall of such duct is provided with heat
absorbing duct wall section 38 which receives incident light
rays ~ia a light admitting window 32, mounted in a roof 30, such
that incident solar rays impinge upon heat absorbing duct wall
section 38.
It should be mentioned that duct wall section 38 can
be formed as a continuous portion of the upper duct wall which
is finished flat black, or if desired can be formed as a seperate,
panel, fitted into a cut-out section of the upper duct wall.
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As a preferred embodiment the system is provided with
a solar ray reflector 52 mounted in the space between roof 30
and ceiling 24, with the reflecting surface 53 of the reflector
being parabolic in configuration, so as to converge solar rays
¦ into focused impingement with heat absorbing duct wall section 38
¦ It should be mentioned that ceiling 24 is provided with
insulation 26 with the exception of the cut-out at the heat ab-
sorbing duct wall section 38.
Referring again to the horizontal heat transfer duct
portion 36, the entrance 40 thereof is shaped so as to be con- ¦
¦ vergent inwardly to increase the efficiency of air entry, and a
draft stack 42 is mounted with its inlet positioned in duct
. ¦ entrance 40, and with its outlet positioned above the roof. A
! draft control damper 44 is provided adjacent the inlet and a back- i
¦ flow check valve 48 is shown mounted at the outlet.
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¦ With continued reference to the horizontal duct portionl
36, an e ~ rovided down stream of heat absor-¦
bing wall section 38, so as to provide an expansion and cooling
of the heated airflow, as well as a reduction of the velocity
head of the air flow as it enters vertical ~uct portlon 39. A1so ¦
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j a plurality of spaced fins 54 are provided at expansion plenum
50 for the purpose of radiating heat from the plenum to the
heated zone 18.
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l Referring particularly to vertical duct portion 62,
S a make-up air conduit is extended through colder outside wall 20 !
and includes a conduit outlet 62 positioned within duct outlet 63
Such make-up air supply from the environment functions to provide
fresh air to zone 18, as well as to augment th~ flow inducing
action of draft stack 42. A flow control valve 59 is mounted in
make-up air conduit 58 for controlling the admission of outside
air and can be regulated, as required by the fresh air require-
ment and draft setting of draft control damper 44.
It should also be mentioned that a volumetric flow con-
roller 46 is provided in horizontal duct portion 36, so a- to
selectively control the entrance flow to the duct means, and a
second controller 56 is provided in the vertical duct portion
near the outlet thereof. Such later controller 56 provides means
for controlling local convection or back draft, and can be in the
form of a counterbalanced flow actuated check valve.
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It should be mentioned that the position of inlet 60
of make-up air conduit 50 should be raised vertiaally, as com~
pared to the location illustrated, in climates where snow-falls
are encountered. This can be done by using a relatively long
conduit section along the outer surface of cclder wall 20, so as
to preclude any possibility of clogging of conduit 58 by snow.
. It should be further mentioned that ths light admitting
window 32 is preferably covered at night during the heating sea-
son by means of a draw curtain or louvered blind, so as to
prevent the loss of heat radiation to the environment. Alternativet
ly or in addition, reflector 52 could be pivot mounted and lowersd¦
over the heat absorbing duct wall 38 at night to lessen heat loss.
