US4002541A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar energy absorbing article and method of making same
Assignee: Design Systems Inc
•
Filing: 1975-01-31
•
Granted: 1977-01-11
•
Expires: 1995-01-31
Abstract
Abstract An anodized article and method of absorbing solar energy comprises an alloy layer of aluminum containing up to 18% by weight silicon having a surface matrix layer of aluminum oxide and crystals of silicon dioxide grown from the alloy extending through, bound in and supported by the aluminum oxide matrix. The anodized article may be made by etching the alloy layer to expose virgin alloy and particularly silicon and electrochemically anodizing the etched alloy to grow silicon dioxide crystals and to form an aluminum oxide supporting matrix around the crystals.
Inventors
- 👤 George W. Streander
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:26
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25D; C25D11/00; C25D11/02; C25D11/04; B; B64; B64C; B64C1/00; B64C1/38; C09; C09K; C09K3/00; C09K3/14; C09K3/1409; F; F24; F24S; F24S70/00; F24S70/20; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y10; Y10S; Y10S205/00; Y10S205/923; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/25; Y10T428/259
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A solar energy absorbing article comprising: an aluminum-silicon alloy base having predominantly aluminum and from small amounts up to 18% by weight of silicon; an aluminum oxide matrix layer grown from, a part of and extending internally of an original surface of said base and forming a physical and chemical bond with said base; and a plurality of silicon dioxide crystals firmly embedded in and having a portion projecting from a surface of the aluminum-oxide matrix layer, the longitudinal axis of a plurality of said crytals being substantially perpendicular to the surface of said matrix layer to conduct solar energy to the alloy base.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A solar energy absorbing article comprising: an aluminum-silicon alloy base having predominantly aluminum and from small amounts up to 18% by weight of silicon; an aluminum oxide matrix layer grown from, a part of and extending internally of an original surface of said base and forming a physical and chemical bond with said base; and a plurality of silicon dioxide crystals firmly embedded in and having a portion projecting from a surface of the aluminum-oxide matrix layer, the longitudinal axis of a plurality of said crytals being substantially perpendicular to the surface of said matrix layer to conduct solar energy to the alloy base.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A solar energy absorbing article as set forth in claim 1 wherein said crystals have a hexagonal form and terminate beyond the matrix layer in a point.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A solar energy absorbing article as set forth in claim 1 wherein the surface of aluminum oxide matrix layer and silicon dioxide crystals has less than about 1% reflectivity from about 0.35 to about 15 microns wavelength.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A solar energy absorbing article as set forth in claim 1 wherein said aluminum oxide matrix layer and plurality of silicon dioxide crystals have a specific gravity of about 2.5 to 3.0.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A solar energy absorbing article as set forth in claim 1 wherein said aluminum oxide matrix layer and plurality of silicon dioxide crystals have a dielectric constant of about 8.4 to 9.6.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A solar energy absorbing article as set forth in claim 1 wherein said aluminum oxide matrix layer and plurality of silicon dioxide crystals have a dielectric strength of about 400 to 600 volts per mil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A solar energy absorbing article as set forth in claim 1 wherein said aluminum oxide matrix layer and plurality of silicon dioxide crystals have a melting point of about 2678° to 3722 F°.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A solar energy absorbing article as set forth in claim 1 wherein said aluminum oxide matrix layer and plurality of silicon dioxide crystals have a specific heat of about 0.16 to 0.20.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A solar energy absorbing article as set forth in claim 1 wherein said aluminum oxide matrix layer and plurality of silicon dioxide crystals have a coefficient thermal expansion of about 4.0-6.7×10 - 6 in/in/F°.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A solar energy absorbing article as set forth in claim 1 wherein said aluminum oxide matrix layer and plurality of silicon dioxide crystals have thermal conductivity of about 13.0-15.0 BTU/hr.sup.. ft 2 . F°/ft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A solar energy absorbing article as set forth in claim 1 wherein said aluminum oxide matrix layer and plurality of silicon dioxide crystals have a surface hardness of about 8 to 9 Mohs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A solar energy absorbing article as set forth in claim 1 wherein said aluminum oxide matrix layer and plurality of silicon dioxide crystals have modulus elasticity of about 50-55 × 10 6 lb/in 2 .
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
A solar energy absorbing article as set forth in claim 1 wherein said aluminum oxide matrix layer and plurality of silicon dioxide crystals have tensile strength of about 109-144 × 10 3 lb/in 2 .
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
An article as set forth in claim 1 wherein the thermal conductivity along the longitudinal axis of the crystals is approximately twice that of the conductivity of thermal energy in a direction along the layer normal to the longitudinal axis of the crystals.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
An article as set forth in claim 1 wherein said alloy base has about 7.5% by weight of silicon.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
237 words
A solar energy absorbing article comprising: an aluminum-silicon alloy base having predominantly aluminum and from small amounts up to 18% by weight of silicon; an aluminum oxide matrix layer grown from, a part of and extending internally of an original surface of said base and forming a physical and chemical bond with said base; a plurality of silicon dioxide crystals firmly embedded in and having a portion projecting from a surface of the aluminum-oxide matrix layer, the longitudinal axis of a plurality of said crystals being substantially perpendicular to the surface of said matrix layer to conduct solar energy to the alloy base; the surface of aluminum oxide matrix layer and silicon dioxide crystals having less than about 1% reflectivity from about 0.35 to about 15 microns wavelength; said aluminum oxide matrix layer and plurality of silicon dioxide crystals having a specific gravity of about 2.5 to 3.0, a dielectric constant of about 8.4 to 9.6, a dielectric strength of about 400 to 600 volts per mil, a melting point of about 2678° to 3722 F°, a specific heat of about 0.16 to 0.20, a coefficient thermal expansion of about 4.0-6.7 × 10 - 6 in/in/F°, thermal conductivity of about 13.0-15.0 BTU/hr.sup.. ft 2 . F°/ft, surface hardness of about 8 to 9 Mohs, modulus elasticity of about 50-55 × 10 6 lb/in 2 , and tensile strength of about 109-144 × 10 3 lb/in 2 .
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
237 words
A solar energy absorbing article comprising: an aluminum-silicon alloy base having predominantly aluminum and from small amounts up to 18% by weight of silicon; an aluminum oxide matrix layer grown from, a part of and extending internally of an original surface of said base and forming a physical and chemical bond with said base; a plurality of silicon dioxide crystals firmly embedded in and having a portion projecting from a surface of the aluminum-oxide matrix layer, the longitudinal axis of a plurality of said crystals being substantially perpendicular to the surface of said matrix layer to conduct solar energy to the alloy base; the surface of aluminum oxide matrix layer and silicon dioxide crystals having less than about 1% reflectivity from about 0.35 to about 15 microns wavelength; said aluminum oxide matrix layer and plurality of silicon dioxide crystals having a specific gravity of about 2.5 to 3.0, a dielectric constant of about 8.4 to 9.6, a dielectric strength of about 400 to 600 volts per mil, a melting point of about 2678° to 3722 F°, a specific heat of about 0.16 to 0.20, a coefficient thermal expansion of about 4.0-6.7 × 10 - 6 in/in/F°, thermal conductivity of about 13.0-15.0 BTU/hr.sup.. ft 2 . F°/ft, surface hardness of about 8 to 9 Mohs, modulus elasticity of about 50-55 × 10 6 lb/in 2 , and tensile strength of about 109-144 × 10 3 lb/in 2 .
Claim 19
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of making a solar energy absorbing article consisting essentially of the steps of: providing an aluminum-silicon alloy base having predominantly aluminum and from trace amounts up to 18% by weight silicon; treating a surface of the base with a solution that selectively etches aluminum from the surface to provide etched aluminum surfaces and exposes silicon surfaces between the etched aluminum surfaces that protrude above the etched aluminum surfaces; and anodizing the exposed protruding silicon surfaces and etched aluminum surfaces to grow silicon dioxide crystals and an aluminum oxide supporting matrix layer from the etched aluminum surface so that the silicon dioxide crystals are embedded in, protrude from a surface of said matrix layer and are substantially perpendicular to said matrix layer to conduct solar energy to said alloy base and said aluminum oxide matrix layer forms a physical and chemical bond with the original surface of said alloy base treated by said solution.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of making a solar energy absorbing article consisting essentially of the steps of: providing an aluminum-silicon alloy base having predominantly aluminum and from trace amounts up to 18% by weight silicon; treating a surface of the base with a solution that selectively etches aluminum from the surface to provide etched aluminum surfaces and exposes silicon surfaces between the etched aluminum surfaces that protrude above the etched aluminum surfaces; and anodizing the exposed protruding silicon surfaces and etched aluminum surfaces to grow silicon dioxide crystals and an aluminum oxide supporting matrix layer from the etched aluminum surface so that the silicon dioxide crystals are embedded in, protrude from a surface of said matrix layer and are substantially perpendicular to said matrix layer to conduct solar energy to said alloy base and said aluminum oxide matrix layer forms a physical and chemical bond with the original surface of said alloy base treated by said solution.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of absorbing solar energy comprising the steps of: providing an aluminum-silicon alloy base having predominantly aluminum and small amounts up to 18% by weight of silicon; and forming a plurality of silicon dioxide crystals in an aluminum oxide matrix layer on a surface of the base with the silicon dioxide crystals having the longitudinal axis thereof substantially perpendicular to the surface of the matrix layer and having a portion projecting from a surface of the aluminum oxide layer to conduct solar energy applied to the projecting portions of said crystals to the alloy base via said crystals, said aluminum oxide matrix layer forming a physical and chemical bond with the original surface of said alloy base.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of absorbing solar energy comprising the steps of: providing an aluminum-silicon alloy base having predominantly aluminum and small amounts up to 18% by weight of silicon; and forming a plurality of silicon dioxide crystals in an aluminum oxide matrix layer on a surface of the base with the silicon dioxide crystals having the longitudinal axis thereof substantially perpendicular to the surface of the matrix layer and having a portion projecting from a surface of the aluminum oxide layer to conduct solar energy applied to the projecting portions of said crystals to the alloy base via said crystals, said aluminum oxide matrix layer forming a physical and chemical bond with the original surface of said alloy base.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3400057A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-01-11 | 1980-07-12 | 1981-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-11 | 1984-07-12 | 1985-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-11 | 1988-07-12 | 1989-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |