Solar thermal heating utilizing dynamic particle flow balancing

Abstract

A solar heating apparatus, which includes a panel having one or more layers or a group of such layers, wherein one or more layers among such a group of layers constitutes a transparent medium. The panel includes at least two other layers among the group of layers, which constitute a reflective medium. The panel additionally includes one or more spaces formed between the layers and at least one other space formed between the other layers. A heat transfer fluid can be located within the space between the layers. The heat transfer fluid contains heat-absorbing particles, which are suspended in the heat transfer fluid and subject to a flow-force through the panel in a direction against a force of gravity. The heat-absorbing particles are held in light in the panel via a balance of a flow-force and the force of gravity. The heat-absorbing particles drift to the bottom of the panel when the flow-force stops.

1 . A solar heating apparatus, comprising:
 a panel having a plurality of layers, wherein at least two layers among said plurality of layers comprise a transparent medium and at least two other layers among said plurality of layers comprise a reflective medium;   at least one space formed between said at least two layers;   at least one other space formed between said at least two other layers; and   a heat transfer fluid located within said space between said at least two layers, said liquid heat transfer fluid having heat-absorbing particles therein, said heat-absorbing particles suspended in said heat transfer fluid and subject to a flow-force through said panel in a direction against a force of gravity, said heat-absorbing particles held in light in said panel via a balance of a flow-force and said force of gravity, said heat-absorbing particles subject to drifting to a bottom of said panel when said flow-force stops.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said panel comprises plastic and wherein said heat-absorbing particles comprise silicon carbonate particles. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a heat mass, said heat transfer fluid subject to a circulation through said heat mass. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said fluid comprises a low freezing point. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a vacuum located within said space formed between said at least two layers. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a gas located within said space formed between said at least two layers. 
     
     
         7 . A solar heating apparatus, comprising:
 a solar panel, wherein a plurality of particles are maintained in light via a balance of a flow-force and gravity, such that said plurality of particles fall to a bottom of said shaded area wherein said flow-force terminates.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said solar panel comprises plastic. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said solar panel comprises glass. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said solar panel comprises a plurality of layers, wherein at least two layers among said plurality of layers comprise a transparent medium and at least two other layers among said plurality of layers comprise a reflective medium. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said solar panel further comprises at least one space formed between said at least two layers and at least one other space formed between said at least two other layers. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising:
 a heat transfer fluid located within said space between said at least two layers, said liquid heat transfer fluid having heat-absorbing particles therein, said heat-absorbing particles suspended in said heat transfer fluid and subject to a flow-force through said panel in a direction against a force of gravity, said heat-absorbing particles held in light in said panel via a balance of a flow-force and said force of gravity, said heat-absorbing particles subject to drifting to a bottom of said panel when said flow-force stops. 
 
     
     
         13 . A solar thermal heating system, comprising:
 a building to be heated;   a solar panel, wherein a plurality of particles are maintained in light via a balance of a flow-force and gravity, such that said plurality of particles fall to a bottom of said shaded area wherein said flow-force terminates in order to generate thermal heat for heating said building.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein said solar comprises a plurality of layers, wherein at least two layers among said plurality of layers comprise a transparent medium and at least two other layers among said plurality of layers comprise a reflective medium. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  further comprising:
 at least one space formed between said at least two layers; 
 at least one other space formed between said at least two other layers; and 
 a heat transfer fluid located within said space between said at least two layers, said liquid heat transfer fluid having heat-absorbing particles therein, said heat-absorbing particles suspended in said heat transfer fluid and subject to a flow-force through said panel in a direction against a force of gravity, said heat-absorbing particles held in light in said panel via a balance of a flow-force and said force of gravity, said heat-absorbing particles subject to drifting to a bottom of said panel when said flow-force stops. 
 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein said panel comprises plastic. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising a heat mass, said heat transfer fluid subject to a circulation through said heat mass. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15  wherein said fluid comprises a low freezing point. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising a vacuum located within said space formed between said at least two layers. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising a gas located within said space formed between said at least two layers.