Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A thermal energy storage unit comprising a sealed container having front and rear walls and a thermal, energy storage substance retained therein, characterized in tbat the front wall (12) and the rear wall (13) are together partially absorptive and partially transmissive of visible light with a transmittance of between 4% and 85% and an absorptanoe of at least 9%, the thermal energy storage substance (15) being at least partially transmissive of visible light and experiencing a liquid-solid phase change between 45° F and 190° F.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A thermal energy storage unit comprising a sealed container having front and rear walls and a thermal, energy storage substance retained therein, characterized in tbat the front wall (12) and the rear wall (13) are together partially absorptive and partially transmissive of visible light with a transmittance of between 4% and 85% and an absorptanoe of at least 9%, the thermal energy storage substance (15) being at least partially transmissive of visible light and experiencing a liquid-solid phase change between 45° F and 190° F.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A unit in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that the storage substance (15) has a melting point between 45° F and 190° F and is adapted to experience the phase change at the melting point.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
A unit in accordance with Claim 2, characterized in that the front and rear walls (12, 13) are formed of a rigid plastics material and have sealed together peripheral marginal portions (14) to provide the sealed interior, the storage substance (15) deflecting the front and rear walls (12, 13) outwardly in a diaphragm action so that they are spaced apart by a maximum distance (d) in a central region and gradually taper inwardly to the sealed marginal portions (14).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
A unit in accordance with Claim 3, characterized in that the square root area defined by the sealed together marginal portions (14) is between 14 and 20 times the maximumdistance (d) which latter is between 6 and 30 times greater than the combined thickness (t 1 +t 2 ) of the front and rear walls (12, 13) each of which has a thickness in the range of .02 to .07 inches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A unit in accordance with Claim 3, characterized in that the slopes of the inwardly tapered front and rear walls (12, 13) do not exceed 30°.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A unit in accordance with Claim 3, characterized in that the plastics material has a modulus of elasticity in flexure of between
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
75 x 10 6 psi and 1.25 x 10 6 psi and is a fibre-reinforced thermosetting polymer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
75 x 10 6 psi and 1.25 x 10 6 psi and is a fibre-reinforced thermosetting polymer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A unit in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that the thermal storage capacity of the substance (15) is between 100 and 2000 BTU per square foot of the area enclosed by the sealed marginal portions (14).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A unit in accordance with Claim 3, characterized in that the marginal portions (14) possess openings (16) adapted to receive hook supports (27).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A unit in accordance with Claim 1, characterized by the fact that a plurality of such units (11) are individually detachably mounted in a structure (21) provided with a glazing portion (25) transmissive of solar energy.