Method and apparatus for preheating ventilation air for a building

Abstract

A solar air heating system for a building having a vertical, south-facing wall. The system has a perforated panel covering the wall. Vertical frame members fasten the panel to the wall to space the panel a short distance away from the wall and to form an air channel between the wall and panel. There is an air collecting space at the bottom of the channel, adjacent the wall. An air inlet in the wall connects the air collecting space to the interior of the building. A fan in the inlet draws outside air into the channel through the perforations in the panel, from the channel into the air collecting space, and from the air collecting space into the building through the air inlet.

1 . A solar air heating system for a building having a vertical, south-facing wall, the system having a heat-absorbent panel for covering the wall; perforations in the panel allowing air to flow through the panel; vertical frame members for fastening the panel to the wall to space the panel a short distance away from the wall and to form an air channel between the wall and panel; an air collecting space at the bottom of the channel, adjacent the wall; an air inlet in the wall to connect the air collecting space to the interior of the building; and a fan in the inlet to draw outside air into the channel through the perforations in the panel, from the channel into the air collecting space, and from the air collecting space into the building through the air inlet. 
   
   
       2 . A solar air heating system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the air collecting space is a collecting duct extending across the width of the panel, the duct slightly deeper than the channel. 
   
   
       3 . A solar air heating system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the panel has a vertical top portion parallel to the wall to form, with the wall, the air channel and a bottom portion that is angled outwardly from the bottom of the top portion to form, with the wall, the air collector space. 
   
   
       4 . A solar air heating system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the panel is angled slightly outwardly away from its top edge; a top, major, portion of the panel forming, with the wall, the channel; the channel being tapered from its bottom end to its top end; the bottom, minor portion of the panel forming, with the wall, the air collector space; the bottom end of the channel connected to the top of the air collector space; the air collector space tapered toward the channel. 
   
   
       5 . A solar air heating system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the panel is made from horizontal siding members, the siding members fastened to the vertical frame members. 
   
   
       6 . A solar air heating system as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the panel is made from horizontal siding members, the siding members fastened to the vertical frame members. 
   
   
       7 . A solar air heating system as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the top portion of the panel is made from horizontal siding members, the siding members fastened to the vertical frame members. 
   
   
       8 . A solar air heating system as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the top portion of the panel is made from horizontal siding members, the siding members fastened to the vertical frame members. 
   
   
       9 . A solar air heating system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the panel is made from vertical siding members, horizontal frame members attached to the outside of the vertical frame members, the vertical siding members attached to the horizontal frame members. 
   
   
       10 . A solar air heating system as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the panel is made from vertical siding members, horizontal frame members attached to the outside of the vertical frame members; the vertical siding members attached to the horizontal frame members. 
   
   
       11 . A solar air heating system as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the panel is made from vertical siding members, horizontal frame members attached to the outside of the vertical frame members, the vertical siding members attached to the horizontal frame members. 
   
   
       12 . A solar air heating system as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the panel is made from vertical siding members, horizontal frame members attached to the outside of the vertical frame members, the vertical siding members attached to the horizontal frame members. 
   
   
       13 . A solar air heating system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the perforations are circular. 
   
   
       14 . A solar air heating system as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the perforations are circular. 
   
   
       15 . A solar air heating system as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the perforations are circular. 
   
   
       16 . A solar air heating system as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the perforations are circular. 
   
   
       17 . A solar air heating system for a building having a vertical, south wall, the system having a heat-absorbing panel covering the wall, the bottom of the panel at the bottom of the wall; perforations in the panel allowing air to flow through the panel; vertical frame members for fastening the panel to the wall to space the panel a short distance away from the wall and to form an air channel between the wall and panel; perforations in the frame members; an air inlet in the lower portion of the wall to connect the channel to the interior of the building and a fan in the inlet to draw outside air into the channel through the perforations in the panel and then into the building, from the channel through the air inlet, the air passing through the perforations in the frame members in the channel. 
   
   
       18 . A solar air heating system as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the perforations in the panel are circular. 
   
   
       19 . A solar air heating system as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the panel is made from horizontal siding members, the siding members fastened to the vertical frame members. 
   
   
       20 . A solar air heating system as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the panel is made from vertical siding members, horizontal frame members attached to the outside of the vertical frame members, the vertical siding members attached to the horizontal frame members. 
   
   
       21 . A solar air heating system as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the panel is made from horizontal siding members, the siding members fastened to the vertical frame members. 
   
   
       22 . A solar air heating system as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the panel is made from vertical siding members, horizontal frame members attached to the outside of the vertical frame members; the vertical siding members attached to the horizontal frame members. 
   
   
       23 . A solar air heating system as claimed in  claim 17  including an air collector duct at the bottom of the channel between the panel and the building wall, the duct extending across the width of the panel, and being slightly deeper than the channel, the channel opening into the duct; and the air inlet located in the duct. 
   
   
       24 . A solar air heating system as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the panel has a vertical top portion parallel to the wall to form, with the wall, the air channel; the panel having a bottom portion that is angled outwardly from the bottom of the top portion to form, with the wall, the air collector space. 
   
   
       25 . A solar air heating system as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the panel is angled slightly outwardly away from its top edge; a top, major, portion of the panel forming, with the wall, the channel; the channel being tapered from its bottom end to its top end; the bottom, minor portion of the panel forming, with the wall, the air collector space; the bottom end of the channel connected to the top of the air collector space; the air collector space tapered toward the channel.