US3915147A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar energy steam generator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-12-03
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Granted: 1975-10-28
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Expires: 1993-12-03
Abstract
Abstract Heat-absorption units are mounted at the focus of reflectors, with this relationship being altered in response to conditions in the units and in an insulated tank communicating with the units. In one form of the invention, the units purge themselves of liquid into the tank on development of temperature in the units in excess of the boiling point of liquid in the tank. Further elevation of the temperature defocuses the reflectors, and thus cools the units below the condensation point. In another form of the invention, the units communicate with the tank at vertically spaced points, and include a check valve or shut-off valve operable in response to a temperature in the units below a selected amount.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur E Rineer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:41
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S50/00; F24S10/00; F24S10/40; F24S10/45; F24S23/00; F24S23/30; F24S23/70; F24S23/74; F24S40/00; F24S40/50; F24S40/52; F24S60/00; F24S60/30; F24S90/00; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A solar energy steam generator including tank means, heatabsorption conduit means communicating with said tank means, and reflector means operable to focus rays from the sun or said heatabsorption conduit means, wherein the improvement comprises: de-energizing means responsive to the absence of liquid in said heat-absorption conduit means, said de-energizing means being operative to reduce impingement of sun rays on said conduit means to a degree sufficient to reduce said temperature to below the boiling point of said liquid, said de-energizing means further being operative to tend to restore said impingement in response to said reduced temperature; and a dead-endeD tubular member constituting said heat-absorbing conduit means, said tubular member and de-energizing means cooperating to generate reciprocating flow of liquid in said tubular member in response to said impingement of sun rays as said liquid is blown out of said tubular member on attainment of a temperature in excess of the prevailing boiling point, and said liquid returns under vacuum as said de-energizing means operates to cyclically reduce said temperature below the condensation point.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
A solar energy steam generator including tank means, heatabsorption conduit means communicating with said tank means, and reflector means operable to focus rays from the sun or said heatabsorption conduit means, wherein the improvement comprises: de-energizing means responsive to the absence of liquid in said heat-absorption conduit means, said de-energizing means being operative to reduce impingement of sun rays on said conduit means to a degree sufficient to reduce said temperature to below the boiling point of said liquid, said de-energizing means further being operative to tend to restore said impingement in response to said reduced temperature; and a dead-endeD tubular member constituting said heat-absorbing conduit means, said tubular member and de-energizing means cooperating to generate reciprocating flow of liquid in said tubular member in response to said impingement of sun rays as said liquid is blown out of said tubular member on attainment of a temperature in excess of the prevailing boiling point, and said liquid returns under vacuum as said de-energizing means operates to cyclically reduce said temperature below the condensation point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A generator as defined in claim 1, wherein said conduit means communicates with said tank via an upper and a lower passage, said upper passage including a check valve permitting flow exclusively into said tank means, and said lower passage including a check valve permitting flow exclusively out of said tank means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
A generator as defined in claim 1, wherein said de-energizing means includes mechanism adapted to shift the relative position of said reflector means with respect to said heat-absorption conduit means primarily at a position on said reflector means adjacent the focus thereof, the outer portions of said reflector being mounted to accommodate said shift.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A generator as defined in claim 3, wherein said reflector is elongated along a focal axis, and includes separable substantially symmetrical components normally meeting along a line parallel to and adjacent said focal axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
A generator as defined in claim 1, wherein said tube contains a lens portion disposed on the opposite side of said conduit means from said reflector means and adapted to focus sun rays on said conduit means, and wherein said conduit means has a plurality of transverse fins adapted to absorb heat resulting from impingement of sun rays, and to locate said conduit means within said tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A generator as defined in claim 5, wherein said de-energizing means includes a shade device movable to and from a position shielding said lens portion from sun rays.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A generator as defined in claim 1, wherein said de-energizing means includes valve means responsive to a temperature in said heat-absorption conduit means in excess of the boiling point of said liquid to reduce said temperature.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1978-10-27 | 1979-04-28 | 1979-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-27 | 1983-04-28 | 1983-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-27 | 1987-04-28 | 1987-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |