Field of the invention

[001 ] This invention relates to a panel attachment arrangement for an enclosure.

[002] The invention is particularly adapted for use with enclosures exposed to atmosphere, such as solar collector panel enclosures.

Background of the invention

[003] Solar collector panels generally include a heat transfer fluid circuit having risers and headers enclosed in a box with a transparent lid, usually of glass or other transparent material, to permit the solar energy to impinge on the risers. There is a need for a robust housing for solar collectors which can be readily assembled.

Summary of the invention

[004] The present invention provides an enclosure panel member attachment arrangement, the enclosure having side walls, each of the side walls including an inward facing slot adapted to receive a corresponding edge of a panel member.

[005] The slot can include a step partially occluding the opening of the slot.

[006] A wall of the slot can include an engagement slope adapted to contact the corresponding edge of the panel member.

[007] The lower end of the engagement slope can be spaced transversely from the upper end of the step by a distance less than the thickness of the panel member.

[008] The panel member can be resiliently deflected by the step and the engagement slope.

[009] The side walls can be profiled extrusions.

[010] The enclosure can include comer mouldings having an "L" shaped inward facing slot which aligns with the corresponding side wall slots.

[011 ] The corner mouldings and the extrusions can include complementary engagement features. Brief description of the drawings

[012] An embodiment or embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[013] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a solar collector.

[01 ] Figure 2 is a partial section view of a solar collector having pipe risers.

[015] Figure 3 is a partial section view of a solar collector according to another embodiment of the invention.

[016] Figure 4 illustrates a novel extrusion adapted for forming the walls of a solar collector enclosure according to an embodiment of the invention.

[017] Figure 5 illustrates a comer assembly according to an embodiment of the invention adapted for use with the extrusion of Figure 4.

[018] Figure 6 is a partial section view of the top end of a solar collector housing according to an embodiment of the invention. .

[019] Figure 7 is a detail illustration of the base attachment arrangement of a solar collector enclosure according to an embodiment of the invention.

[020] Figure 8 shows a cut-away illustration of a comer of a solar collector housing according to an embodiment of the invention.

[021] Figure 9 shows detail of an edge of the base panel sealed in position.

[022] The numbering convention used in the drawings is that the digits to the left of the full stop indicate the drawing number, and the digits to the right of the full stop are the element reference numbers. Where possible, the same element reference number is used in different drawings to indicate corresponding elements.

[023] It is understood that, unless indicated otherwise, the drawings are intended to be illustrative rather than exact representations, and are not necessarily drawn to scale. The orientation of the drawings is chosen to illustrate the features of the objects shown, and does not necessarily represent the orientation of the objects in use.

Detailed description of the embodiment or embodiments

[024] Illustrated in Figure 1 is a simplified illustration of a solar collector .002 having an enclosure box 1.004. The box includes side walls 1.006 with a peripheral seat 1.010 for a glass cover (not shown). The glass is sealed to the box around the peripheral seat.

[025] The heat transfer path includes an upper and lower header 1.018,

1.016 and a plurality of riser pipes 1.014 providing a fluid path between the hollow headers. An inlet for the heat transfer fluid is provided at 1.022, and an outlet for the heated heat transfer fluid is provided at 1.020. Similar arrangements can be used for both direct and indirect heat transfer fluid systems.

[026] Solar collectors are exposed to ambient weather conditions, so the exposed edges and joins of the glass, the wall extrusions, and the comer mouldings should be sealed to prevent water penetration within the enclosure.

[027] Figure 2 illustrates a section of a first embodiment of a solar collector.

The wall extrusion 2.024 (described in detail in Figure 4) includes an external overhang 2.040 which can serve for use in lifting the collector by installers when installing the collector on a roo or other location, and an external channel 2.025 which can be used for fixing the collector assembly to its mount or mounting structure.

[028] The overhang 2.040 also provides impact protection for the edge of the toughened glass cover and can shield grommet rubber fittings to reduce weathering.

[029] The glass cover 2.034 is seated on a peripheral seat provided by the wall extrusion 2.024 and channel and cooperating corner assemblies such as those illustrated in Figure 5, and is sealed thereto.

[030] The risers 2.014 in this embodiment are located under and in thermal contact with an absorber plate 2.032. Thus the solar energy can pass through the glass 2.034 and impinge on the absorber plate 2.032 from whence the heat is thermally conducted to the risers 2.014 for delivery to the outlet header.

[031 ] A base plate or panel 2.026 closes off the lower side of the enclosure.

The extrusion 2.024 includes a channel 4.056 for receiving the edges of the base plate or panel 2.026, and the corner assemblies (illustrated in Figure 5) also include seats 5.087 for the comers of the base plate or panel 2.026.

[032] Insulation 2.028 is provided between the collector risers 2.018 and the base panel or plate 2.026. [033] In Figure 3 is an alternative assembly where multiple risers are formed in a unitary manner in a plate 3.038, which is assembled in much the same way as in the preceding description except that the absorber plate 2.032 is not required as the riser plate 2.038 has an upper surface which serves the same function.

[034] Figure 4 illustrates the wall extrusion profile. The wall 4.048 has upper formations including:

external overhang 4.040 forming a corner cap attachment (channel A);

internal glass seat seal formations 4.042;

internal corner cap alignment 4.044 (B);

the top of channel 4.044 forms a glass seat rim 4.045;

internal corner wall attachment channel 4.046 (channel C);

internal corner wall attachment channel 4.052 (channel D);

base panel receiving channel 4.056;

base panel entrance step 4.060;

extemal fixing channel 4.050.

[035] Figure 5 illustrates a comer assembly according to an embodiment of the invention. The corner assembly includes a cap 5.070 and a wall segment 5.082. The cap and wall segment are adapted to conform to the shape of the wall extrusions and its recesses.

[036] The cap 5.070 includes an overhang 5.072 which forms a continuation of the extrusion overhang 4.040. In addition the cap overhang 5.072 includes a projection 5.074 which is adapted to be a close fit within the underside of the extrusion overhang 4.040. The cap 5.070 includes a second projection 5.076 which is likewise adapted to fit below channel 4.044 of the extrusion.

[037] The cap also includes a glass seat 5.080 and seal formations 5.078.

The cap wall 5.079 extends downward below the glass seat and transversely thereto.

[038] The corner wall segment includes a pair of intersecting walls 5.084,

5.086 with projecting spigots 5.088, 5.090, 5.092, 5.094, adapted for insertions in the channels C & D of the wall extrusion. The lower spigots 5.090, 5.094 can include drain channel slots.

[039] A sealant injection point 5.096 communicates with a sealant channel

5.098 so that sealant can be injected into the sealant channel when the comer assembly is joined to the wall extrusions. A purge point 5.100 is provided at the top of the sealant channel and the end of the purge point is located so that the end of the purge point is visible beyond the edge of the extrusion, allowing the person injection the sealant to view the purge point to determine when the sealant channel is full. A similar sealing injection point, sealant channel and purge point are provided on corner wall 5.086.

[040] The base panel channel 5.087 accommodates the corner of the base panel inserted in the base panel channel 4.056 of the wall extrusion.

[041] The cap 5.070 and comer wall segment 5.082 can include a snap fit arrangement to attach the to the corner wall segment.

[042] Figure 6 is a partial section view of the upper header end of a solar collector housing. The collector is installed at an incline so the heated heat transfer fluid in the risers 6.014 will rise up to the header tube 6.018. The extrusion 6.024 supports the glass cover 6.034 on an upper ledge, and also supports the header 6.018 via a suspension support 6.330 attached to the extrusion in the channel 6.046, the projecting rib 6.047 engaging a flange of the suspension support 6.330.

[043] The base panel 6.026 is inserted into the channel 6.056 of the extrusion.

[044] Figure 7 is a detail view of the base attachment arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention. The attachment channel 7.056 has a step 7.060 projecting from its lower wall. The upper wall of the channel 7.056 has a first inclined entrance portion 7.304 adapted to facilitate the initial insertion of an edge of the base panel 7.026 into the channel. This entrance slope can be greater than 10°. A second inclined portion 7.306 of the upper wall is less steeply sloping than the entrance slope and serves to engage the leading edge of the base 7.026 and produce a downward force on the leading edge as the base panel is being inserted. The engagement slope can be less than 8°. The space between the top of the lower wall step 7.060 and the base of the upper wall engagement slope 7.310 can be of the same order as the thickness of the base panel 7.026. As shown at 7.026.1, the dotted outline base panel indicates the initial contact between the base panel and the engagement slope 7.306. Thus, further insertion of the base panel is accompanied by tactile feedback, so the assembler is aware that the plate has made contact with the inner engagement slope. Further insertion of the base panel into the channel can result in elastic deformation of the edge of the plate so that, when all four sides are engaged in their corresponding channels 7.056, the plate is slightly pre-stressed which assists in retaining the base panel securely. The base panel is thus resiliently clamped in the base panel channels when the solar collector enclosure is assembled.

[045] As shown in Figure 7, if the base panel is slightly thicker than the vertical distance between the slot step 7.060 and the low point of the engagement slope 7.306, the edge region of the base panel 7.026 can be slightly deflected by the slot step 7.060 and the engagement slope 7.306 as all the edges of the base panel are held in their corresponding slots. The base panel can be made of a material, such as, for example, metal or plastics, sufficiently flexible to accommodate such deflection.

[046] Figure 8 is a cut-away view of a corner of a solar collector housing showing the base panel 8.026 seated in the corner moulding slot 8.057, which forms a continuation of the extrusion slot 8.056. Thus, the base panel 8.026 is secured around its periphery by the extrusion base attachment slot and the comer moulding base attachment slot.

[047] Figure 9 shows detail of an edge of the panel sealed into the channel.

The base panel can be assembled into the frame as follows. The frame, including four wall extrusions and four corner pieces, can be loosely aligned with the connection spigots of the corner pieces partially inserted into their respective channels or slots in the wall extrusions, but not yet pushed home. The base panel can then be seated on the base panel channel steps of 9.060 the wall extrusions and the complementary continuations of the step on the comer mouldings. A bead of sealant 9.310 of a predetermined size can be applied in the base channel 9.056 and the extensions in the comer moulding, or the sealant can be applied to the periphery of the base panel so it will enter the base panel channels on assembly. The frame can be then be pushed home by, for example first pushing the opposed long sides inward. This causes the base panel to be pushed into the base panel channels 9.056. Because the edges of the base panel engage the respective base panel channel entrance tapers 9.304 on both wall extrusions, the base panel is

automatically aligned laterally. As the edges of the plate enter the channel, the sealant is pressed into the channel be the base panel, and the sealant also provides some viscous or resilient resistance to the edges of the base panel and this can also assist in the alignment of the base panel, resulting in the sealant bead shown at 9.310 of Figure 9. Pushing the wall extrusions inward also causes these wall extrusions to fully engage with the comer mouldings. The other two opposed sides can then be pushed home so the base panel enters the base panel channels on these wall extrusions in the same way. Thus the base panel assembly process automatically aligns the base panel and seals the base panel in the base panel channels of the wall extrusions and the corner mouldings as shown in Figure 9.

[048] In this specification, reference to a document, disclosure, or other publication or use is not an admission that the document, disclosure, publication or use forms part of the common general knowledge of the skilled worker in the field of this invention at the priority date of this specification, unless otherwise stated.

[049] In this specification, terms indicating orientation or direction, such as

"up", "down", "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" "upright", "transverse" etc. are not intended to be absolute terms unless the context requires or indicates otherwise. These terms will normally refer to orientations shown in the drawings.

[050] Where ever it is used, the word "comprising" is to be understood in its

"open" sense, that is, in the sense of "including", and thus not limited to its "closed" sense, that is the sense of "consisting only of. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words "comprise", "comprised" and "comprises" where they appear.

[051 ] It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

[052] While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all modifications which would be obvious to those skilled in the art are therefore intended to be embraced therein.