GB1598751A - Solar collector - Google Patents

Description

(54) A SOLAR COLLECTOR (71) We, RHEINISCHES Z;INKWALB WERK GmbH & Co. K.G., a body corporate organized under the laws of the German Federal Republic, of Bahnhofstrasse 90, 4354 Datteln, German Federal Republic, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to a solar collector which can be mounted on a horizontal to slightly sloping roof surface.

Recently, in a series of tests to examine the utilization of solar energy by means of solar collectors, the latter have been set up in an inclined position on flat roofs. In this connection it has been the practice to connect the solar collectors rigidly with a framework fixed in the roof cladding. This has the disadvantage, however, that owing to the letting in of the framework into the roof cladding, the latter is damaged at these points and in spite of measures taken for leakproofing there is the risk that the roof will let in water.

It has also been proposed to provide projecting pairs of screw studs on the longitudinal sides of a collector whereby it may be attached in an inclined position on pairs of supports each comprising a bent bracket and a straight arm the end of which is adjustably attached to a horizontal portion of the bracket.

According to the present invention there is provided a solar collector, wherein the collector has a frame which is hingedly mounted at one end to one end of a metal base member having a substantially flat planar base which can be laid on the surface of a horizontal to slightly sloping roof, the base member being adapted to hold a loose roofcovering material, and wherein adjustable supports are mounted at the other end of the base member for engaging the frame and holding the frame of the collector at a desired angle to the base member and thus to a roof surface.

The frame of the solar collector is mounted so as to swivel, and is conveniently articulated at one end thereof and, at or near the opposite end of the frame, supports are fixed adjustably to the metal base member.

In order to increase the strength of the metal base member, at least one strut can be fitted across its longitudinal direction, to which strut the frame of the solar collector can be swivel-mounted.

Where a plurality of solar collectors are disposed side by side or one behind the other it is advisable for at least the longitudinal edges of the base members to be partially bent over outwards in such a way that one longitudinal edge of a base member can overlap the longitudinal edge of the neighbouring base member, in which arrangement a rail can be inserted in the resultant channel on the side of the roof cladding in order to increase the bending strength of the longitudinal edges.

In order to enable the invention to be more readily understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing, which illustrates diagrammatically and by way of example an embodiment thereof and which is a perspective view of a solar collector on part of a sloping roof.

Referring now to the drawing, four metal base members or container 2, 3, 4, and 5 are disposed side by side on the surface of a roof 1. The containers are formed with substantially flat planar bases and without transverse edges but have their longitudinal edges 6, 7, 8 and 9 partly bent over outwardly, so that neighbouring longitudinal edges 6/7, 7/8 and 8/9 can be overlapped as shown. In each of the resulting channels which are open to the roof formed by two interlocking longitudinal edges of the metal containers there is inserted a stiffening rail 10, 11 and 12 respectively.

A solar collector 14 has a frame 115 which is articulated to a strut 13 fitted in the region of the front edge of the metal as shown for the container 3. At the rear portion of the solar collector 14 are supports 16 which are adjustable in length and fixed to the metal container which is filled with a loose material 17 of the kind usual for roof covering.

An advantage of the present arrangement is that it is no longer necessary to set up the solar collectors on the roof surface itself.

Furthermore the solar collectors can easily be exchanged and adapted to the angle of solar radiation. Furthermore, damage to the roof cladding may be avoided when the metal container is installed.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A solar collector, wherein the collector has a frame which is hingedly mounted at one end to one of a metal base member having a substantially flat planar base which can be laid on the surface of a horizontal to slightly sloping roof, the base member being adapted to hold a loose roofcovering material, and wherein adjustable supports are mounted at the other end of the base member for engaging the frame and holding the frame of the collector at a desired angle to the base member and thus to a roof surface.

2. A solar collector as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the metal base member has at least one strut, transverse to the longitudinal direction, on which the frame of the solar collector is hingeably mounted.

3. A solar collector as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein at least the longitudinal edges of the metal base member are partly bent over outwardly in such a way that each can be overlapped by the correspondingly bent-over longitudinal edge of a neighbouring metal base member.

4. A solar collector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. metal container which is filled with a loose material 17 of the kind usual for roof covering. An advantage of the present arrangement is that it is no longer necessary to set up the solar collectors on the roof surface itself. Furthermore the solar collectors can easily be exchanged and adapted to the angle of solar radiation. Furthermore, damage to the roof cladding may be avoided when the metal container is installed. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A solar collector, wherein the collector has a frame which is hingedly mounted at one end to one of a metal base member having a substantially flat planar base which can be laid on the surface of a horizontal to slightly sloping roof, the base member being adapted to hold a loose roofcovering material, and wherein adjustable supports are mounted at the other end of the base member for engaging the frame and holding the frame of the collector at a desired angle to the base member and thus to a roof surface.

2. A solar collector as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the metal base member has at least one strut, transverse to the longitudinal direction, on which the frame of the solar collector is hingeably mounted.

3. A solar collector as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein at least the longitudinal edges of the metal base member are partly bent over outwardly in such a way that each can be overlapped by the correspondingly bent-over longitudinal edge of a neighbouring metal base member.

4. A solar collector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.