Solar fluid heater

Abstract

A solar heater for heating a fluid passing through a plurality of side by side positioned solar panels. The solar panels are formed of heat conducting material with an upper solar energy exposed surface covered with a radiant heat absorbing material having high heat absorbing characteristics. A conduit formed of heat conducting material is held in place by an open circular channel of a diameter less than the conduit and positioned below the longitudinal center line of the solar panel. The solar panel portions on each side of the center line slopes downward away from the center. The respective ends of the conduits are connected to a separate common header. One header delivers ambient fluid to the conduits and the other removes heated fluid. An insulated housing for containing the solar panel comprises a bottom, side panels, panel supports supported by the bottom panel, insulating material positioned between the bottom panel and the lower surface of the solar panels and at least one transparent panel spaced above the solar panels and sealed to the atmosphere. The solar panels are secured in a fixed side by side physical contacting relationship. The circular channel firmly secures the conduit therein at ambient temperature. When the heater is exposed to solar energy, the heat expands the solar panels and conduit thereby providing an increased pressure between the adjacent panels as well as between the channel and the conduit. Aperatures are provided at selected positions along the solar panels near the longitudinal center. Fasteners partially passing through the panel aperatures and secured to the panel supports may be provided to increase the plysical pressures between the solar panels and the channel and conduit at ambient temperature.