Modular tubular solar energy collector apparatus

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a modular form of solar energy collector apparatus in which several double-wall glass tube collectors, each with vacuum jacket, depend from opposite sides of an elongated manifold. The manifold includes split halves of foamed polymer insulation and rigid fiberglass reinforced skin thereon, assembled about closed-looped, serpentine liquid carrying tubes preferably of metal or glass in U-tube configurations depending from the manifold halves and extending into the larger double-walled glass tubes, the serpentine tube being connected, respectively, into inlet and outlet header pipes. The interior chamber of the collector tubes is closed by the manifold, thereby enclosing a part of each U-tube branch of the serpentine in a non-turbulent air space. The manifold and tubes are fastened to a support structure of novel construction enabling fabrication as a module and mounting on a solar exposure of a structure such as a roof, wall or frame. Several modules are interconnectable to desired capacity for a particular solar powered heating or cooling system.