US3974823A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar collector having minimum edge heat loss
Assignee: PPG Industries Inc
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Filing: 1975-02-18
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Granted: 1976-08-17
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Expires: 1995-02-18
Abstract
Abstract A solar collector includes (1) an outer glass plate and an intermediate glass plate maintained in spaced relation by a first spacer assembly and (2) a solar energy absorber maintained in spaced relation to the intermediate cover plate by a second spacer assembly and a layer of thermal-insulating material, e.g., cork. The layer of cork is provided between the second spacer assembly and the marginal edge portions of the absorber to minimize conduction heat losses from the absorber to the spacer assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Pandit G. Patil
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 02:00
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S80/00; F24S80/60; F24S80/65; F24S10/00; F24S10/50; F24S10/504; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
In a solar heat collector of the type having at least one cover plate for passing solar radiation; a solar energy absorber plate; a metal spacer frame between the marginal edge portions of the cover plate and the absorber plate to maintain the cover plate and absorber plate in spaced relation to provide an airspace therebetween; and means for maintaining the cover plate and the absorber plate about the spacer frame, the improvement comprising: a thermal-insulating material between the marginal edge portions of the absorber plate and the spacer frame to reduce conduction heat losses of the collector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
In a solar heat collector of the type having at least one cover plate for passing solar radiation; a solar energy absorber plate; a metal spacer frame between the marginal edge portions of the cover plate and the absorber plate to maintain the cover plate and absorber plate in spaced relation to provide an airspace therebetween; and means for maintaining the cover plate and the absorber plate about the spacer frame, the improvement comprising: a thermal-insulating material between the marginal edge portions of the absorber plate and the spacer frame to reduce conduction heat losses of the collector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improved solar heat collector as set forth in claim 1 wherein the thermal-insulating material is selected from the group consisting of cork, synthetic resin polymer, asbestos or plastic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The improved solar heat collector as set forth in claim 1 wherein the thermal-insulating material has a heat transfer coefficient of less than about 0.5 BTU per square foot per hour per degree F. (6.8 × 10.sup. -4 calories per square centimeter per second per degree C.).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
The improved solar heat collector as set forth in claim 1 further including: a second cover plate for passing solar radiation; a second spacer frame for maintaining the first and second cover plates in spaced relation to provide a second airspace therebetween; and means for maintaining the first and second cover plates in spaced relation about the second spacer frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The improved solar heat collector as set forth in claim 4 further including: moisture impervious adhesive for sealing each of the airspaces against moisture penetration; means for absorbing moisture from each of the airspaces; and means for equalizing the air pressure in each of the airspaces to the ambient air pressure while preventing the ingress of moisture into the airspaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
105 words
The improved solar heat collector as set forth in claim 5 wherein said moisture impervious adhesive is a layer of moisture impervious adhesive between the marginal edge portions of the absorber plate and thermal insulating material, between the thermal insulating material and first spacer frame; between the first spacer frame and first cover plate; between the first cover plate and second spacer frame; and between the second spacer frame and second cover plate and further includes: a composite strip comprising a bendable-formable tape having a moisture-impervious adhesive on one surface positioned on at least the peripheral edges of the second cover plate and absorber plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
The improved solar heat collector as set forth in claim 6 wherein a strip of thermal insulating material is provided on the outer marginal edge portions of the absorber plate and the maintaining means includes: a U-shaped channel around the periphery of the collector having its outer legs about the outer marginal edge portions of the second cover plate and said strip of thermal insulating material on the outer marginal edge of the absorber plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improved solar heat collector as set forth in claim 7 wherein the thermal insulating material is selected from the group consisting of cork, synthetic resin polymer, asbestos or plastic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
84 words
The improved solar heat collector as set forth in claim 8 wherein the thermal insulating material is a strip of thermal insulating material having a heat transfer coefficient of less than about 0.5 BTU per square foot per hour per degree F. (6.8 × 10.sup. -4 calories per square centimeter per second per degree C.) and the width of said strip between the absorber plate and first spacer frame is approximately equal to the width of the adjacent surface of the first spacer frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The improved solar heat collector as set forth in claim 9 wherein the cover plates are made of tempered glass and the absorber plate is provided with conduit means for moving a heat absorbing medium therethrough.
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) | 1979-08-17 | 1980-02-16 | 1980-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-17 | 1984-02-16 | 1984-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-17 | 1988-02-16 | 1988-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |