US4029258A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar energy collector
Assignee: SUN UNLIMITED RES CORP
•
Filing: 1975-11-14
•
Granted: 1977-06-14
•
Expires: 1995-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A metal collector plate with black paint on its face is mounted in a heat insulated space with a dual pane transparent member transmitting solar rays to the face of the plate. The front face of the plate is spaced from the transparent member providing a passage for free flow of air upwardly along the painted surface. The back side of the plate is divided transversely for exposure to two air chambers, the lower air chamber receiving incoming cool air which becomes pre-heated by contact with the back side and then flows through suitable passages through the lower edge of the plate into the free flow passage, and the upper air chamber receiving heated air from the free flow passage through slots at the upper edge of the plate and additionally providing for contact between the heated air and the back side of the plate. A differential thermostat control for flow of air through the collector unit is operated by heat sensor probes in the cold air intake and hot air chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Glenn F. Groth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:25
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24D; F24D11/00; F24D11/006; F24D11/007; F24S; F24S10/00; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B10/00; Y02B10/20; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44; Y10; Y10S; Y10S148/00; Y10S148/033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A solar energy collector system comprising a flat-plate collector unit having an air inlet and an air outlet, means for removing heat from air, and means to circulate air from said heat removal means to said collector inlet and from said collector outlet to said heat removal means; said collector unit comprising a heat insulated housing having a transparent face exposed to the rays of the sun, a flat-plate collector spaced from said transparent face in said housing and extending to the sidewalls of said housing, a partition in said housing supporting the back of said flat-plate collector and dividing the portion of said housing behind the flat-plate collector into separate inlet and outlet chambers connected respectively to said air inlet and air outlet, and passage means for the flow of air from said inlet chamber into and upwardly through the space between said transparent face and said flat-plate collector to said outlet chamber, a substantial part of the back side of said collector plate being exposed directly to the air in said chambers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
A solar energy collector system comprising a flat-plate collector unit having an air inlet and an air outlet, means for removing heat from air, and means to circulate air from said heat removal means to said collector inlet and from said collector outlet to said heat removal means; said collector unit comprising a heat insulated housing having a transparent face exposed to the rays of the sun, a flat-plate collector spaced from said transparent face in said housing and extending to the sidewalls of said housing, a partition in said housing supporting the back of said flat-plate collector and dividing the portion of said housing behind the flat-plate collector into separate inlet and outlet chambers connected respectively to said air inlet and air outlet, and passage means for the flow of air from said inlet chamber into and upwardly through the space between said transparent face and said flat-plate collector to said outlet chamber, a substantial part of the back side of said collector plate being exposed directly to the air in said chambers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The construction according to claim 1 in which said flat-plate collector is sealed against the walls of said housing, and said passage means comprises openings near the bottom and top edges of said flat-plate collector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The construction according to claim 1 and a differential thermostat control sensing the supply of heat energy received by said flat-plate collector for controlling said air circulating means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The construction according to claim 3 in which said differential thermostat is controlled by a heat sensing probe in the air inlet for said collector unit, and a heat sensing probe responsive to heat from said flat-plate collector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The construction according to claim 4 in which said air circulating means comprises a motor driven fan responsive to said differential thermostat whereby a predetermined temperature differential between said heat sensing probes actuates the thermostat to energize said motor and drive said fan.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The construction according to claim 3 in which said collector unit is disposed above said heat removal means, said air circulating means comprises separate ducts between said heat removal means and said inlet and outlet for said collector unit, and damper means in said ducts operatively controlled by said differential thermostat.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The construction according to claim 6 in which said differential thermostat is controlled by a heat sensing probe in said air inlet for said collector unit and a heat sensing probe responsive to heat from said flat-plate collector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The construction according to claim 7 in which said air circulating means comprises a motor driven fan responsive to said differential thermostat.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
The construction according to claim 8 in which said differential thermostat is controlled by a heat sensing probe in the air inlet and a heat sensing probe responsive to heat from said flat-plate collector, whereby a predetermined temperature differential between said heat sensing probes actuates the thermostat to energize said motor for driving said fan and also to open said damper means in said air ducts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
The construction of claim 2 in which said partition extends generally transversely of the back side of the collector plate so that the air in the inlet chamber is in direct contact with the lower portion of the back side of said plate and the air in the outlet chamber is in direct contact with the upper portion of the back side of said plate.
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) | 1980-06-13 | 1980-12-13 | 1981-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-13 | 1984-12-13 | 1985-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-13 | 1988-12-13 | 1989-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |