US4033324A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar heat collector
Assignee: ROBERT ECKELS FAMILY TRUST
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Filing: 1975-03-10
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Granted: 1977-07-05
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Expires: 1995-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A plurality of focusing elements mounted above a solar radiation absorbing substrate, focuses solar energy rays into a series of hot spots on the substrate, providing a high temperature for a heat transfer medium.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E. Eckels
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:32
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S23/00; F24S10/00; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44; Y10; Y10S; Y10S126/00; Y10S126/907
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
In a solar radiation collector utilizing a heat absorbing substrate to absorb heat energy from solar radiation which may then be picked up by a fluid heat transfer medium, the improvement of: a black heat absorbing, planar substrate; a focusing member including a plurality of essentially touching, transparent spheres as focusing elements disposed and maintained as a monolayer in a single plane on and contacting said black absorbing substrate to induce a variable focusing effect of solar radiation on said black heat absorbing planar substrate to provide a variable increase of the temperature of impinging solar radiation; and means for securing said spheres in said position on said planar substrate, so as to provide a solar radiation pick up with a variable focus area from each of said spheres transmitted to different portions of the substrate at different times of a day, and thereby produce a net increase of temperature of the substrate at a wide range of angles of incidence of solar radiation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
In a solar radiation collector utilizing a heat absorbing substrate to absorb heat energy from solar radiation which may then be picked up by a fluid heat transfer medium, the improvement of: a black heat absorbing, planar substrate; a focusing member including a plurality of essentially touching, transparent spheres as focusing elements disposed and maintained as a monolayer in a single plane on and contacting said black absorbing substrate to induce a variable focusing effect of solar radiation on said black heat absorbing planar substrate to provide a variable increase of the temperature of impinging solar radiation; and means for securing said spheres in said position on said planar substrate, so as to provide a solar radiation pick up with a variable focus area from each of said spheres transmitted to different portions of the substrate at different times of a day, and thereby produce a net increase of temperature of the substrate at a wide range of angles of incidence of solar radiation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein the substrate is a large area and said focusing member includes said spheres formed into a sheet-like assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement of claim 2 wherein said spheres are held together in said sheet-like assembly by a web of similar material at about a great circle position on each of said spheres.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said spheres are adhered to said planar substrate by a minimum of surface area in parallel position thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said spheres are in a size range of microspheres up to about 2 inches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement of claim 4 wherein said spheres are microspheres in a size range of 2 to 1000 microns.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1980-07-04 | 1981-01-03 | 1981-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-04 | 1985-01-03 | 1985-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-04 | 1989-01-03 | 1989-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |