Abstract A solar heating unit is provided including an upwardly opening generally hemispherical double wall boiler including spaced inner and outer hemispherical walls defining a closed chamber therebetween in which to receive a liquid to be heated. An upwardly convex spherical lens structure is supported over the boiler and comprises a closure for the area enclosed within the boundaries of the inner hemispherical wall of the boiler and the lens assembly or structure functions to direct light rays incident thereon onto the inner wall of the boiler. The solar heater additionally includes a hollow downwardly opening transparent hemispherical cover of generally the same radius of curvature as the boiler and which is secured over the lens assembly in outwardly spaced position relative thereto with the center of curvature of the cover substantially coinciding with the center of curvature of the lens assembly. Water or other liquid inlet and outlet structure is provided on a second form of the invention for admitting liquid to be heated into the interior of the boiler between the inner and outer plates thereof and for withdrawing heated liquid from within the boiler.
In combination, an upwardly opening generally hemispherical double wall boiler including closely radially spaced inner and outer hemispherical walls defining a closed chamber therebetween in which to receive a liquid to be heated, a hollow transparent spherical lens body of smaller outside diameter than the inside diameter of said boiler, supported concentrically from the upper peripheral portion of said boiler and closing the latter from above and filled with a transparent liquid, a downwardly opening hemispherical and transparent hollow cover secured over said transparent spherical lens in spaced relation thereto and with the centers of curvature of said spherical lens, inner and outer hemispherical walls and said cover substantially coinciding.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
In combination, an upwardly opening generally hemispherical double wall boiler including closely radially spaced inner and outer hemispherical walls defining a closed chamber therebetween in which to receive a liquid to be heated, a hollow transparent spherical lens body of smaller outside diameter than the inside diameter of said boiler, supported concentrically from the upper peripheral portion of said boiler and closing the latter from above and filled with a transparent liquid, a downwardly opening hemispherical and transparent hollow cover secured over said transparent spherical lens in spaced relation thereto and with the centers of curvature of said spherical lens, inner and outer hemispherical walls and said cover substantially coinciding.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
The combination of claim 1 including an upwardly opening housing across whose open top said boiler is secured with the exterior of said boiler spaced from the inner surfaces of said housing and thereby defining a heat storage area in which a heat absorbing and storing material may be housed, and heat exchange means including first and second portions thereof disposed within said area and chamber and operative to convey heat from the former to the latter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 1 including means for admitting fluids to be heated into a lower portion of said closed chamber and withdrawing heated fluids from an upper portion of said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 3 including a thermostatically actuated valve controlling the flow of fluids through said means for withdrawing heated fluids from said chamber.