US3841738A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Curved paper panel reflective structure
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-10-19
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Granted: 1974-10-15
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Expires: 1993-10-19
Abstract
Abstract An inexpensive, lightweight reflective panel for solar-thermal collector modules of the type including a parabolic reflector for reflecting incident solar radiation onto a fluid carrying conduit positioned along the focal axis of the reflector. A rigid, waterproof, honeycomb panel formed from paper and having a uniform thickness of parabolic shape supports a reflective material. Glass fiber cloth adhered to the outer panel surfaces adds to the panel''s strength and rigidity. An adjustable support system suspends the reflective panel from the fluid carrying conduit and provides a means of adjusting panel curvature to precisely obtain the required parabolic shape. Methods of forming the panels are described which permit the panels to be formed at or near the site of their installation to obviate shipping problems and expense. The methods include the steps of forming an expanded honeycomb core, conforming the core to the required parabolic shape, adhering sheets of skin material to top and bottom surfaces of the core, and adhering a reflective material to the top panel surface.
Inventors
- 👤 H Caplan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 06:24
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B37/00; B32B37/14; B32B37/146; F; F24; F24S; F24S23/00; F24S23/70; F24S23/74; F24S23/82; G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/08; G02B5/10; F24S25/00; F24S25/60; F24S2025/601; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24149
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A lightweight parabolic reflector for solar-thermal collector modules. comprising: a. an adhesively bonded panel assembly formed from paper and defining a parabolic mounting surface extending longitudinally of the panel; b. a reflective material adhered to said mounting surface for support and being operable to reflect incident solar radiation toward a common focal axis extending longitudinally of said panel assembly; c. said panel assembly including first and second sheets of paper positioned in uniformly spaced relationship to define the thickness of said panel assembly, and a cellular paper core of uniform thickness interposed between and adhered to said first and second sheets, said core being formed from strips of paper positioned in side-by-side relationship and adhered together at spaced intervals to define an array of open ended cells closed at opposite ends by said sheets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A lightweight parabolic reflector for solar-thermal collector modules. comprising: a. an adhesively bonded panel assembly formed from paper and defining a parabolic mounting surface extending longitudinally of the panel; b. a reflective material adhered to said mounting surface for support and being operable to reflect incident solar radiation toward a common focal axis extending longitudinally of said panel assembly; c. said panel assembly including first and second sheets of paper positioned in uniformly spaced relationship to define the thickness of said panel assembly, and a cellular paper core of uniform thickness interposed between and adhered to said first and second sheets, said core being formed from strips of paper positioned in side-by-side relationship and adhered together at spaced intervals to define an array of open ended cells closed at opposite ends by said sheets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The reflector of claim 1 wherein said paper sheets are thicker than said paper strips by a multiplication factor within the range of about 2 to 5.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The reflector of claim 2 wherein said cells are substantially uniform in cross-sectional area, and the length of said cells is within the range of about 2 to 10 times the square root of said cross-sectional area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The reflector of claim 3 wherein: a. said paper sheets are of about 0.025 inch in thickness; b. said paper strips are of about 0.008 inch in thickness; c. said cell length is about 4 inches; And d. said cell cross-sectional area is about one square inch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
186 words
A lightweight parabolic reflector for solar-thermal collector modules, comprising: a. a waterproof adhesively bonded panel assembly formed from paper and defining a parabolic mounting surface extending longitudinally of the panel; b. a waterproof reflective material secured to said mounting surface by a waterproof adhesive and being operable to reflect incident solar radiation toward a common focal axis extending longitudinally of said panel assembly; c. said panel assembly including first and second sheets of paper extending in uniformly spaced relationship to define the top and bottom of said panel, and a cellular paper core of uniform thickness interposed between and adhered to said first and second sheets, said core being formed from strips of paper positioned in side-by-side relationship and adhered together at spaced intervals to define an array of open-ended cells closed at opposite ends by said sheets; d. at least one of said sheets having portions extending around the sides of said panel and into sealed overlapping engagement with portions of the other sheet; and, e. the outer surfaces of said sheets being coated with a waterproofing material, whereby a sealed waterproof panel is provided.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
186 words
A lightweight parabolic reflector for solar-thermal collector modules, comprising: a. a waterproof adhesively bonded panel assembly formed from paper and defining a parabolic mounting surface extending longitudinally of the panel; b. a waterproof reflective material secured to said mounting surface by a waterproof adhesive and being operable to reflect incident solar radiation toward a common focal axis extending longitudinally of said panel assembly; c. said panel assembly including first and second sheets of paper extending in uniformly spaced relationship to define the top and bottom of said panel, and a cellular paper core of uniform thickness interposed between and adhered to said first and second sheets, said core being formed from strips of paper positioned in side-by-side relationship and adhered together at spaced intervals to define an array of open-ended cells closed at opposite ends by said sheets; d. at least one of said sheets having portions extending around the sides of said panel and into sealed overlapping engagement with portions of the other sheet; and, e. the outer surfaces of said sheets being coated with a waterproofing material, whereby a sealed waterproof panel is provided.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The reflector of claim 5 wherein said reflective panel is reinforced by a glass fiber cloth extending across and adhered to portions of said outer surfaces.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The reflector of claim 6 wherein said glass fiber cloth extends fully around said outer surfaces.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |