Solar heating panel fabricated from multi-wall plastic sheets

Abstract

A solar panel, through which a fluid is circulated, includes a transparent central panel, with a number of channels extending through the panel from one end to another. A manifold is attached to each end of the transparent central panel so that distributing chambers within the manifolds direct the fluid to move between adjacent channels within the central panel. The solar panel additionally includes a transparent support structure above the central panel and a lower support structure below the panel. Dark, opaque material below the central panel absorbs heat and warms the fluid.

1 . A solar panel comprising:
 a transparent central panel including a pair of ends opposite one another, a pair of sides opposite one another and perpendicular to the pair of ends, and plurality of channels extending between the pair of ends;   a pair of manifolds, including a manifold fastened to extend along each end of the transparent central panel, wherein each manifold includes a plurality of distributing chambers, each connecting a plurality of adjacent channels within the plurality of channels in the transparent central panel, wherein the pair of manifolds includes a pair of ports, wherein the distributing channels within the pair of manifolds are located so that two distributing chambers in the plurality of distributing chambers are connected by adjacent channels within the transparent central panel to one of the ports and one of the distributing chambers located adjacent an opposite side of the transparent central panel, and so that the remaining distributing chambers in the plurality of distributing chambers are connected by adjacent channels within the transparent central panel to a pair of adjacent distributing channels adjacent an opposite end of the transparent central panel,   a transparent upper support panel extending above the transparent central panel to enclose a plurality of dead air spaces above the transparent central panel;   a lower support panel extending below the transparent central panel to enclose a plurality of dead air spaces below the transparent central panel;   a dark, opaque structure extending under the transparent central panel; and   a side cover extending upward and downward from each side of the transparent central panel to engage outer edges of the upper and lower support structures.   
   
   
       2 . The solar panel of  claim 1 , wherein
 all of the distributing chambers in either of the manifolds comprise an even number of distributing chambers,   each of the manifolds includes one of the ports; and   the manifolds are formed as identical and oppositely oriented on the ends of the transparent central structure.   
   
   
       3 . The solar panel of  claim 1 , wherein
 all of the distributing chambers in either of the manifolds comprise an odd number of distributing chambers,   one of the manifolds includes both of the ports.   
   
   
       4 . The solar panel of  claim 1 , wherein the side covers and the transparent central panel are formed as a single, integral part. 
   
   
       5 . The solar panel of  claim 1 , wherein each of the manifolds encloses at least one dead air space. 
   
   
       6 . The solar panel of  claim 1 , wherein the manifolds are attached to the upper and lower support structures by screws extending through clearance holes within edges of the upper and lower support structures to engage threaded holes within brackets extending within channels in the support structures. 
   
   
       7 . The solar panel of  claim 1 , wherein the lower support structure is dark and opaque. 
   
   
       8 . The solar panel of  claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower support panels each comprise a panel including a plurality of channels extending perpendicular to the channels within the transparent central panel. 
   
   
       9 . The solar panel of  claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower support panels each comprise a panel including a plurality of legs adhesively attached to an adjacent surface of the central transparent panel and a web connected to each of the legs to extend along a side of the support panel opposite the transparent central panel. 
   
   
       10 . The solar panel of  claim 1 , wherein upper support panel and the transparent central panel together include a web having a number of sections shaped to concentrate light within a fluid in the channels within the central transparent panel. 
   
   
       11 . The solar panel of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the support panels is held by side covers spaced away from the transparent central panel.