US3908631A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for converting solar radiation to heat energy
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-03-12
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Granted: 1975-09-30
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Expires: 1994-03-12
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for converting solar radiation to thermal energy for heating a gaseous stream such as air to be used for heating or drying purposes. The air or other gaseous mixture is flowed through an elongated heating passage defined by plastic film formed of solar radiation absorbing or opaque (black) material and the film is inflated by the fluid pressure of the gaseous stream passing therethrough. The heating passage is surrounded on top by an insulating space defined by the outer surface of the top portion of the opaque film and by an outer sheet of clear (solar radiation transparent) plastic film that is inflated into an expanded position by the gaseous insulating medium therein. Air or another gaseous mixture is flowed through the heating passage wherein solar radiation absorbed by the film is converted to thermal energy that is transferred to the gaseous stream.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank E Rom
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:33
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S10/00; F24S10/20; F24S10/50; F24S10/501; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
Apparatus for converting solar radiation into thermal energy for heating a gaseous stream comprising: at least one elongated, inflatable heating conduit formed of solAr-radiation-absorbing film and adapted to be placed on the ground and inflated by the pressure of a gaseous stream being conveyed therethrough, an elongated sheet of solar-radiation-transparent film positioned over said conduit and adapted to form therewith an inflatable closure between said conduit and the surrounding atmosphere, means for conveying a gaseous medium through said conduit to be heated therein, under pressure sufficient to inflate said conduit, means providing an outlet for heated gaseous medium from said conduit, means for introducing a gas under pressure into said enclosure to inflate said enclosure around said conduit, and means providing an outlet path from said enclosure to said conduit outlet for introducing heated gas at a low rate from said enclosure into said conduit outlet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
Apparatus for converting solar radiation into thermal energy for heating a gaseous stream comprising: at least one elongated, inflatable heating conduit formed of solAr-radiation-absorbing film and adapted to be placed on the ground and inflated by the pressure of a gaseous stream being conveyed therethrough, an elongated sheet of solar-radiation-transparent film positioned over said conduit and adapted to form therewith an inflatable closure between said conduit and the surrounding atmosphere, means for conveying a gaseous medium through said conduit to be heated therein, under pressure sufficient to inflate said conduit, means providing an outlet for heated gaseous medium from said conduit, means for introducing a gas under pressure into said enclosure to inflate said enclosure around said conduit, and means providing an outlet path from said enclosure to said conduit outlet for introducing heated gas at a low rate from said enclosure into said conduit outlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said heating conduit comprises a tubular length of plastic film.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said film of said tubular length is substantially opaque.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said elongated sheet comprises substantially clear plastic film.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said tubular heating conduit and said elongated sheet are heat sealed together along longitudinal marginal edge portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including longitudinal side flaps attached to said conduit and said sheet and placed on the ground along the length of said apparatus and anchoring means for retaining said flaps in position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said anchoring means comprises weights.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said anchoring means comprises stakes driven through said flaps.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for converting solar radiation into thermal energy for heating a gaseous stream comprising the steps of: providing a tubular length of inflatable solar-radiation-absorbing film placed along a strip of ground exposed to solar radiation, insulating said tubular film from the surrounding atmosphere by forming a sealed enclosure thereover with a sheet of solar radiation transparent film and inflating said enclosure by introducing gas thereinto, conveying a gaseous stream through said tubular film at a pressure sufficient to inflate it and thereby form a conduit thereof, whereby solar radiation impinging on said solar-radiation-absorbing film is converted to thermal energy that is transferred from said film to said gaseous stream, and introducing heated gas at a low rate from said enclosure into said conduit.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for converting solar radiation into thermal energy for heating a gaseous stream comprising the steps of: providing a tubular length of inflatable solar-radiation-absorbing film placed along a strip of ground exposed to solar radiation, insulating said tubular film from the surrounding atmosphere by forming a sealed enclosure thereover with a sheet of solar radiation transparent film and inflating said enclosure by introducing gas thereinto, conveying a gaseous stream through said tubular film at a pressure sufficient to inflate it and thereby form a conduit thereof, whereby solar radiation impinging on said solar-radiation-absorbing film is converted to thermal energy that is transferred from said film to said gaseous stream, and introducing heated gas at a low rate from said enclosure into said conduit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |