Inflatable metal foil and PTFE film solar thermal panel with a tensioning system

摘要

A low profile flexible solar thermal panel comprises low-cost, thin sheet foil and film materials fabricated as an integrated airtight solar thermal panel. An airtight seal provided by seam welding optically clear film between two or more metal foils, combined with the ability to inflate the panel via positive air pressure and deflate the panel with an automatic tensioning, permits the panel to change its height between two profiles.

主权项

1. A flexible solar thermal panel comprising:
a flexible layer of optically transparent film forming a transparent top surface; a flexible insulator; and a flexible solar absorbing layer between the flexible layer of optically transparent film and the flexible insulator layer; the flexible solar thermal panel being sealed around its periphery with an airtight seal, the airtight seal forming a first inflatable region above the flexible solar absorbing layer and a second inflatable region below the flexible solar absorbing layer, the second inflatable region enabling an airflow therethrough from an inlet to an outlet to extract thermal heat from the flexible solar absorbing layer across a face of the flexible solar absorbing layer and inflate the first inflatable region.