US3894528A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar energy collection method and apparatus
Assignee: Broyles & Broyles Inc
•
Filing: 1974-06-25
•
Granted: 1975-07-15
•
Expires: 1994-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A dilute solution of lithium chloride having a vapor pressure greater than that of relatively dry air is exposed to sunlight to vaporize water from the solution into a body of air, this concentrates the solution and lowers its vapor pressure while increasing the vapor pressure of the air-water vapor mixture. The moist air and concentrated solution are separately conveyed to a chamber where they are mixed and the water vapor is absorbed by the concentrated solution, giving up its latent heat of vaporization, and the solution is thus diluted and heated. Heat is then removed from the solution as converted solar energy and the air and cooled dilute solution are recycled in a continuous process.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard R Stubblefield
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:05
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D20/00; F28D20/003; F24; F24S; F24S90/00; F25; F25B; F25B30/00; F25B30/04; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/14; Y02E70/00; Y02E70/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
The method of collecting solar energy comprising the steps of: placing a body of a relatively dilute solution of a salt in a first confined space and exposing the same to solar energy to vaporize solvent therefrom whereupon said solution becomes relatively concentrated; passing a stream of relatively dry gas through said space and over said solution to entrain and carry off the vaporized solvent; separately directing said vapor carrying gas and said concentrated solution to a second confined space and causing said concentrated solution to condense solvent from said gas and reabsorb the same whereupon the released latent heat of vaporization of said solvent raises the temperature of said solution; and thereafter extracting heat, as collected solar energy, from said heated solution.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
The method of collecting solar energy comprising the steps of: placing a body of a relatively dilute solution of a salt in a first confined space and exposing the same to solar energy to vaporize solvent therefrom whereupon said solution becomes relatively concentrated; passing a stream of relatively dry gas through said space and over said solution to entrain and carry off the vaporized solvent; separately directing said vapor carrying gas and said concentrated solution to a second confined space and causing said concentrated solution to condense solvent from said gas and reabsorb the same whereupon the released latent heat of vaporization of said solvent raises the temperature of said solution; and thereafter extracting heat, as collected solar energy, from said heated solution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solvent is water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said salt is lithium chloride.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said gas is air.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said concentrated solution is sprayed into said second space in countercurrent relation to flow of said gas therethrough and including the further steps of: returning said dried gas to said first space to be recycled therethrough; and returning said solution, after extraction of heat therefrom, to said first space to be recycled therethrough whereby said method is continuous.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
109 words
Apparatus for collecting solar energy comprising: first container means for exposing a dilute salt solution to solar energy in the presence of a carrier gas to evaporate solvent from said solution into said gas; means for directing said carrier gas and vaporized solvent, and for directing said concentrated solution, separately, from said first container to a second container; means in said second container for causing said concentrated solution therein to condense and absorb said solvent vapors from said carrier gas and thereby heat and dilute said solution; and means for extracting heat from said heated dilute solution and conducting said heat away from said apparatus as collected solar energy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
109 words
Apparatus for collecting solar energy comprising: first container means for exposing a dilute salt solution to solar energy in the presence of a carrier gas to evaporate solvent from said solution into said gas; means for directing said carrier gas and vaporized solvent, and for directing said concentrated solution, separately, from said first container to a second container; means in said second container for causing said concentrated solution therein to condense and absorb said solvent vapors from said carrier gas and thereby heat and dilute said solution; and means for extracting heat from said heated dilute solution and conducting said heat away from said apparatus as collected solar energy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said lastnamed means is a heat exchanger having means for recycling said dilute solution therefrom to said first container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7 including means for recycling said carrier gas from said second container to said first container.
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) | 1978-07-14 | 1979-01-13 | 1979-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-14 | 1983-01-13 | 1983-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-14 | 1987-01-13 | 1987-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |