US4013062A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar heat absorber
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-08-20
•
Granted: 1977-03-22
•
Expires: 1995-08-20
Abstract
Abstract The solar heat absorber includes a frame and a plurality of clear panels respectively overlying a plurality of arcuate shaped heat collecting plates supported by the frame and compartmented each from the next by separators forming dead air spaces or cells. At least one continuous fluid passage tube is soldered to each plate and provides a cool tube inlet and a feedback hot tube outlet section for each plate whereby some of the heat in the hot tube section is transferred through the cell to its cool tube section within each cell prior to discharge of the fluid out the hot tube section. Each of the cells is at a temperature different than the temperature of an adjacent cell and a heat sink is provided in contact with each panel to substantially equalize the temperature of the panels.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary W. Laird
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:44
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S10/00; F24S10/70; F24S10/75; F24S10/755; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
A solar heat absorber comprising a closed box frame having an open top and a transparent cover therefor, a plurality of heat collecting plates supported by said frame beneath said cover, fluid passage means attached to said plates for removing the heat collected by said plates, compartmental means within said box frame for forming a plurality of dead air spaces and for separating respective said plates between said frame and said cover, said fluid passage means including A. an inlet tube section communicating with a fluid inlet downwardly of one of said dead air spaces and passing through said one dead air spaces into another of said dead air spaces juxtaposed to said one dead air space, B. an outlet tube section passing from said juxtaposed dead air space into said one dead air space and communicating outwardly of said one dead air space, and C. a bent tube section coupling said inlet tube section and said outlet tube section in said juxtaposed dead air space whereby hotter fluid within said outlet tube section is reintroduced into said one dead air space for transference of some of the heat thereof into said one dead air space and thence into said cooler fluid within said inlet tube section therewithin before passing outwardly of said outlet tube section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
A solar heat absorber comprising a closed box frame having an open top and a transparent cover therefor, a plurality of heat collecting plates supported by said frame beneath said cover, fluid passage means attached to said plates for removing the heat collected by said plates, compartmental means within said box frame for forming a plurality of dead air spaces and for separating respective said plates between said frame and said cover, said fluid passage means including A. an inlet tube section communicating with a fluid inlet downwardly of one of said dead air spaces and passing through said one dead air spaces into another of said dead air spaces juxtaposed to said one dead air space, B. an outlet tube section passing from said juxtaposed dead air space into said one dead air space and communicating outwardly of said one dead air space, and C. a bent tube section coupling said inlet tube section and said outlet tube section in said juxtaposed dead air space whereby hotter fluid within said outlet tube section is reintroduced into said one dead air space for transference of some of the heat thereof into said one dead air space and thence into said cooler fluid within said inlet tube section therewithin before passing outwardly of said outlet tube section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The solar heat absorber in accord with claim 1 wherein said cover comprises a plurality of transparent panels overlying respective said plates.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The solar heat absorber in accord with claim 2 further comprising means contacting each of said panels to provide a heat sink for said panels to substantially equalize the temperature thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The solar heat absorber in accord with claim 2 further comprising a transparent cover panel spaced from and overlying all of said panels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The solar heat absorber as defined in claim 1 wherein said dead air spaces are located in a generally horizontal row with the inlet to said absorber being located at an end space of said dead air spaces of the absorber with said juxtaposed dead air space containing said bent tube section constituting the opposite end dead air space of the absorber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
88 words
The solar heat absorber as defined in claim 1 wherein said dead air spaces are located in a pair of generally parallel and horizontal rows, said absorber having an inlet and an outlet extending through said frame and communicating inwardly thereof with said fluid passage means, said inlet being located at an end space of said dead air spaces in one said row of the absorber and said outlet being located at an end space of said dead air spaces in the other said row of the absorber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The solar heat absorber as defined in claim 6 wherein each said end space of said dead air spaces in said one and another said rows are adjacent each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The solar absorber as defined in claim 1 wherein said dead air spaces are located in a pair of generally parallel and horizontal rows, said cover comprising a plurality of transparent panels overlying respective said plates.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The solar heat absorber as defined in claim 8 further comprising means extending between said rows and generally parallel to said rows and contacting each of said panels to provide a heat sink for said panels to substantially equalize the temperature thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The solar heat absorber as defined in claim 9 wherein said latter means is located between said rows.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
145 words
A solar heat collector comprising a closed box frame having an open top and a transparent cover therefor, a plurality of heat collecting metal plates supported by said frame beneath said cover, conduit means attached to each of said plates for the passage of fluid therethrough thereby removing the heat collected by said plates, separating means for separating respective said plates and forming a plurality of dead air spaces between said frame and said cover, said cover including a plurality of clear panels respectively forming the top of each dead air space, each said dead air space being at a temperature different than the temperature of an adjacent dead air space, means contacting each said panel to provide a heat sink for said panels to substantially equalize the temperature of said panels whereby hot spots, cold spots and differences in expansion and contraction are minimized.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
145 words
A solar heat collector comprising a closed box frame having an open top and a transparent cover therefor, a plurality of heat collecting metal plates supported by said frame beneath said cover, conduit means attached to each of said plates for the passage of fluid therethrough thereby removing the heat collected by said plates, separating means for separating respective said plates and forming a plurality of dead air spaces between said frame and said cover, said cover including a plurality of clear panels respectively forming the top of each dead air space, each said dead air space being at a temperature different than the temperature of an adjacent dead air space, means contacting each said panel to provide a heat sink for said panels to substantially equalize the temperature of said panels whereby hot spots, cold spots and differences in expansion and contraction are minimized.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The solar heat collector in accord with claim 11 wherein said conduit means includes a continuous conduit passing through said separating means and through each said dead air space.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The solar heat collector in accord with claim 12 wherein said collector is elongated and adapted to be positioned in a horizontal position, said plates being formed in an arcuate shape in the vertical direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
150 words
The solar heat collector in accord with claim 11 wherein said fluid passage means includes A. an inlet tube section communicating with a fluid inlet outwardly of one of said dead air spaces and passing through said one dead air space into another of said dead air spaces adjacent to said one dead air space, B. an outlet tube section passing from said adjacent dead air space into said one dead air space and communicating outwardly of said dead air space, and C. a bent tube section coupling said inlet tube section and said outlet tube section in said adjacent dead air space to recirculate hotter fluid within said outlet tube section back into said one dead air space for transference of some of the heat thereof into said one dead air space and thence into said cooler fluid within said inlet tube section in said one dead air space.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The solar heat collector in accord with claim 11 wherein said dead air spaces are located in a pair of generally parallel and horizontal rows.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The solar heat collector in accord with claim 15 wherein said means contacting each said panel extends generally parallel to said rows.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The solar heat collector in accord with claim 16 wherein said means contacting each said panel is located between said rows and carried by said frame.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The solar heat collector in accord with claim 16 wherein said means contacting each said panel is located between said rows and is supported by said separating means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The solar heat collector in accord with claim 16 wherein said means contacting each said panel is in the form of an I-beam with oppositely disposed channels receiving edge portions of said panels from respective rows of panels.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
171 words
A solar heat collector comprising an enclosure and a transparent cover therefor, separating means for dividing said enclosure into a plurality of cells, a plurality of heat collecting plates respectively within said cells, fluid passage means passing through said separating means and attached to said plates for removing the heat collected by said plates, said fluid passage means including A. an outlet tube section communicating with a fluid inlet outwardly of one of said cells and passing through said one cell into another of said cells juxtaposed to said one cell, B. an outlet tube section passing from said juxtaposed cell into said cell and communicating outwardly of said cell, and C. a bent tube section coupling said inlet tube section and said outlet tube section in said juxtaposed cell to recirculate hotter fluid within said outlet tube section back into said one cell for transference of some of the heat thereof into said one cell and thence into said cooler fluid within said inlet tube section in said one cell.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
171 words
A solar heat collector comprising an enclosure and a transparent cover therefor, separating means for dividing said enclosure into a plurality of cells, a plurality of heat collecting plates respectively within said cells, fluid passage means passing through said separating means and attached to said plates for removing the heat collected by said plates, said fluid passage means including A. an outlet tube section communicating with a fluid inlet outwardly of one of said cells and passing through said one cell into another of said cells juxtaposed to said one cell, B. an outlet tube section passing from said juxtaposed cell into said cell and communicating outwardly of said cell, and C. a bent tube section coupling said inlet tube section and said outlet tube section in said juxtaposed cell to recirculate hotter fluid within said outlet tube section back into said one cell for transference of some of the heat thereof into said one cell and thence into said cooler fluid within said inlet tube section in said one cell.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The solar heat collector in accord with claim 20 wherein said cover comprises a plurality of transparent panels overlying respective said plates.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The solar heat collector in accord with claim 21 further comprising means contacting each of said panels to provide a heat sink for said panels to substantially equalize the temperature thereof.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
59 words
The solar heat collector in accord with claim 21 wherein each said cell is at a temperature different than the temperature of an adjacent cell, means contacting each said panel to provide a heat sink for said panels to substantially equalize the temperature of said panels whereby hot spots, cold spots and differences in expansion and contraction are minimized.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The solar heat collector in accord with claim 20 further comprising a transparent cover panel spaced from and overlying all of said panels.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The solar heat collector in accord with claim 20 wherein said fluid passage means includes a continuous conduit passing through said separating means and through each said cell.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
The solar heat collector in accord with claim 24 wherein said collector is elongated and adapted to be positioned in a horizontal position, said plates being formed in an arcuate shape in the vertical direction.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
54 words
The solar heat collector as defined in claim 20 wherein said cells are located in a generally horizontal row with the inlet to said collector being located at an end cell of said cells of the collector with said juxtaposed cell containing said bent tube section constituting the opposite end cell of the collector.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
82 words
The solar heat collector as defined in claim 20 wherein said cells are located in a pair of generally parallel and horizontal rows, said collector having an inlet and an outlet extending through said frame and communicating inwardly thereof with said fluid passage means, said inlet being located at an end cell of said cells in one said row of the collector and said outlet being located at an end cell of said cells in the other said row of the collector.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The solar heat collector as defined in claim 28 wherein each said end cell of said cells in said one and another said rows are adjacently disposed.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
67 words
The solar heat collector as defined in claim 20 wherein said cells are located in a pair of generally parallel and horizontal rows, said cover comprising a plurality of transparent panels overlying respective said plates, and means extending between said rows and generally parallel to said rows and contacting each of said panels to provide a heat sink for said panels to substantially equalize the temperature thereof.
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) | 1980-03-21 | 1980-09-20 | 1981-03-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-21 | 1984-09-20 | 1985-03-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-21 | 1988-09-20 | 1989-03-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |