US3869199A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar energy absorber
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
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Filing: 1973-12-13
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Granted: 1975-03-04
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Expires: 1993-12-13
Abstract
Abstract A solar energy absorber comprises a conduit having at least one optical amplifier positioned to concentrate the rays of the sun and direct such rays at the conduit. A first terminal portion of the optical amplifier is preferably about 3/4 of an inch in width. The light reflective walls of the amplifier converge so that the second terminal portion of the amplifier has a width of about 3/8 of an inch and is positioned adjacent the conduit which has a width of about 3/8 of an inch. The amplifier and conduit are surrounded by a solid thermal insulating material and the result is a solar energy absorber having a high solar transmission, very low thermal losses, and which is capable of efficiently maintaining temperatures within the conduit of as high as 1,000*F.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard D Cummings
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:31
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S23/00; F24S23/30; F24S23/12; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44; Y10; Y10S; Y10S126/00; Y10S126/907
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A solar energy absorber comprising: a. a conduit for containing a fluid to be heated by tHe sun''s rays; b. at least one elongated optical amplifier for concentrating solar energy directed therethrough having a first terminal portion for receiving solar energy and having a second terminal portion for directing solar energy at said conduit, said optical amplifier comprising a pair of reflective wall elements which converge in a direction from said first terminal portion toward said second terminal portion, the width of said first terminal portion being no greater than about 1 1/2 inches and the width of said second terminal portion being no greater than about 1/2 of an inch; and c. insulating means of solid insulating material covering at least a portion of said conduit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A solar energy absorber comprising: a. a conduit for containing a fluid to be heated by tHe sun''s rays; b. at least one elongated optical amplifier for concentrating solar energy directed therethrough having a first terminal portion for receiving solar energy and having a second terminal portion for directing solar energy at said conduit, said optical amplifier comprising a pair of reflective wall elements which converge in a direction from said first terminal portion toward said second terminal portion, the width of said first terminal portion being no greater than about 1 1/2 inches and the width of said second terminal portion being no greater than about 1/2 of an inch; and c. insulating means of solid insulating material covering at least a portion of said conduit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the width of said first terminal portion is no greater than about 7/8 of an inch and the width of said second terminal portion is about 3/8 of an inch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein the width of said first terminal portion is about 3/4 of an inch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination as set forth in claim 3 further including a window covering said first terminal portion having an anti-reflective coating thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the width of said conduit is about equal to the width of said second terminal portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein the width of said conduit is about 3/8 of an inch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
106 words
A solar energy absorber comprising: a. a conduit; and b. a plurality of elongated optical amplifiers positioned adjacent one another for concentrating solar energy directed therethrough, each of said amplifiers having a first terminal portion for receiving solar energy and having a second terminal portion for directing solar energy at said conduit, each amplifier comprising wall elements which converge in a direction from the first terminal portion thereof toward said second terminal portion thereof, the width of each first terminal portion being no greater than about 1 1/2 inches and the width of each second terminal portion being no greater than about 1/2 of an inch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
106 words
A solar energy absorber comprising: a. a conduit; and b. a plurality of elongated optical amplifiers positioned adjacent one another for concentrating solar energy directed therethrough, each of said amplifiers having a first terminal portion for receiving solar energy and having a second terminal portion for directing solar energy at said conduit, each amplifier comprising wall elements which converge in a direction from the first terminal portion thereof toward said second terminal portion thereof, the width of each first terminal portion being no greater than about 1 1/2 inches and the width of each second terminal portion being no greater than about 1/2 of an inch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein the sum of the widths of the second terminal portions of said plurality of optical amplifiers are substantially equal to the widths of said conduit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein at least certain of said wall elements reflect solar energy.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein the width of the first terminal portion of each amplifier is about 3/4 of an inch and the width of the second terminal portion of each amplifier is about 3/8 of an inch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein the width of the first terminal portion of each amplifier is about 3/4 of an inch and the width of the second terminal portion of each amplifier is about 3/8 of an inch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein the width of the first terminal portion of each amplifier is about 3/4 of an inch and the width of the second terminal portion of each amplifier is about 3/8 of an inch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US980505A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-03 | 1978-09-02 | 1979-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-03 | 1982-09-02 | 1983-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-03 | 1986-09-02 | 1987-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |