US4011855A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar collector
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-05-31
•
Granted: 1977-03-15
•
Expires: 1994-05-31
Abstract
Abstract The solar collector of the present invention comprises a light collecting member mounted within a light reflecting member. The light reflecting member includes a surface having a curvature which causes all the light entering therein to be directed toward the light collecting member. In one modification of the device the reflecting member includes two circular surfaces, and in another modification the reflecting member includes a singular circular surface. The light collecting member may be a horizontal flat plate, an elongated member having a center and flanges radiating outwardly therefrom, an elongated circular member, or an elongated vertical plate.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank R. Eshelman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:33
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S10/00; F24S10/70; F24S10/75; F24S23/00; F24S23/70; F24S23/80; F24S80/00; F24S80/60; F24S80/65; F24S2023/84; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A solar collector comprising: a light collecting member having an outer surface of light absorptive material adapted to retain a maximum amount of light which strikes said collecting member; said light collecting member having at least one fluid passageway therein; a light reflecting member having upper margins defining a light receiving opening, and having at least one concave surface extending between and below said upper margins, said concave surface comprising in cross section two curves following circular paths and intersecting at a point beneath and between said upper margins said light collector being substantially smaller than the width of said opening; said light reflector being positioned with respect to said light collector so that every light ray entering said opening is directed into engagement with said light collector said light collecting member extending over portions of both of said curves and being below said upper margins of said opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A solar collector comprising: a light collecting member having an outer surface of light absorptive material adapted to retain a maximum amount of light which strikes said collecting member; said light collecting member having at least one fluid passageway therein; a light reflecting member having upper margins defining a light receiving opening, and having at least one concave surface extending between and below said upper margins, said concave surface comprising in cross section two curves following circular paths and intersecting at a point beneath and between said upper margins said light collector being substantially smaller than the width of said opening; said light reflector being positioned with respect to said light collector so that every light ray entering said opening is directed into engagement with said light collector said light collecting member extending over portions of both of said curves and being below said upper margins of said opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A solar collector according to claim 1 wherein said curves intersect at an upstanding apex, said collecting member resting on and being supported by said apex.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A solar collector according to claim 2 wherein said light collecting member is a flat plate member, said opening lying in a plane approximately parallel to said plate member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A solar collector according to claim 1 wherein a transparent window member extends over said opening in covering relationship.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A solar collector according to claim 1 wherein said light reflective member is supported by a base frame which encloses a foamed plastic material, said plastic material being in supporting engagement with the undersurface of said reflective member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
175 words
A solar collector comprising: a light collecting member which is a flat plate member having an outer surface of light absorptive material adapted to retain a maximum amount of light which strikes said collecting member; said light collecting member having at least one fluid passageway therein; a light reflecting member having upper margins defining a light receiving opening, which lies in a plane approximately parallel to said plate member and having at least two concave surfaces extending between and below said upper margins, all normals to said concave surfaces intersecting with said light collecting member; said light reflecting member being supported by a base frame which encloses a foamed plastic material, said plastic material being in supportive engagement with the under surface of said reflective member; said light collector being substantially smaller than the width of said opening; said light collecting member extending over portions of each of said surfaces and being below said upper margins of said opening so that every light ray entering said opening is directed into engagement with said light collector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
175 words
A solar collector comprising: a light collecting member which is a flat plate member having an outer surface of light absorptive material adapted to retain a maximum amount of light which strikes said collecting member; said light collecting member having at least one fluid passageway therein; a light reflecting member having upper margins defining a light receiving opening, which lies in a plane approximately parallel to said plate member and having at least two concave surfaces extending between and below said upper margins, all normals to said concave surfaces intersecting with said light collecting member; said light reflecting member being supported by a base frame which encloses a foamed plastic material, said plastic material being in supportive engagement with the under surface of said reflective member; said light collector being substantially smaller than the width of said opening; said light collecting member extending over portions of each of said surfaces and being below said upper margins of said opening so that every light ray entering said opening is directed into engagement with said light collector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The solar collector of claim 6 wherein said concave surfaces are adjacent concave surfaces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The solar collector of claim 7 wherein said concave surfaces follow circular paths intersecting at a point beneath and between said upper margins; said collecting member extending over portions of both of said curves and being positioned below said upper margins of said opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
168 words
A solar collector comprising: a light collecting member which is a flat plate member having an outer surface of light absorptive material adapted to retain a maximum amount of light which strikes said collecting member; said collecting member having at least one fluid passageway therein; a light reflecting member having upper margins defining a light receiving opening, which lies in a plane approximately parallel to said plate member and having at least two concave surfaces extending between and below said upper margins, said concave surfaces following a partial circular path in cross section; said light collector being substantially smaller than the width of said opening; said light reflecting member being supported by a base frame which encloses a foamed plastic material in supportive engagement with the underside of said reflective member; said light collecting member extending over portions of each of said surfaces and being below said upper margins of said opening so that every light ray entering said opening is directed into engagement with said light collector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
168 words
A solar collector comprising: a light collecting member which is a flat plate member having an outer surface of light absorptive material adapted to retain a maximum amount of light which strikes said collecting member; said collecting member having at least one fluid passageway therein; a light reflecting member having upper margins defining a light receiving opening, which lies in a plane approximately parallel to said plate member and having at least two concave surfaces extending between and below said upper margins, said concave surfaces following a partial circular path in cross section; said light collector being substantially smaller than the width of said opening; said light reflecting member being supported by a base frame which encloses a foamed plastic material in supportive engagement with the underside of said reflective member; said light collecting member extending over portions of each of said surfaces and being below said upper margins of said opening so that every light ray entering said opening is directed into engagement with said light collector.
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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) | 1980-03-14 | 1980-09-13 | 1981-03-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-14 | 1984-09-13 | 1985-03-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-14 | 1988-09-13 | 1989-03-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |