US4057048A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar heat collector
Assignee: Maineline Sales Co Inc
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Filing: 1975-11-12
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Granted: 1977-11-08
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Expires: 1995-11-12
Abstract
Abstract A solar heat-collecting structure comprises a series of interconnected transparent lenses forming a dome-shaped roof for receiving direct solar radiation and for transmitting such radiation through the lenses into the enclosure formed thereby and focusing it on a shallow tray of water forming a floor of the enclosure. The inner surfaces of the lenses are coated with a solar radiation-reflective film so that radiation reflected from within the enclosure toward the roof is re-reflected toward the heat-collecting water surface. Means are provided for removing heated water from the tray and replacing it with water to be heated. Each lens in the roof lens system has a focal length dependent on its position on the roof with respect to the water surface so as to concentrate solar radiation at the water surface and thereby maximize the heating effect of such solar radiation in various sun positions.
Inventors
- 👤 DeWitt C. Maine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:10
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S23/00; F24S23/30; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B10/00; Y02B10/20; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A solar heat-collecting structure comprising: a roof structure generally curved to define an enclosure for receiving direct solar light radiation from variable sun positions, a planar heat-collecting surface forming a floor of said enclosure, a plurality of light lenses disposed within and comprising an integral portion of said roof structure, such lenses having various and different focal lengths and being fixedly disposed in various and different attitudes determined by such lenses' locations in said roof structure for collectively transmitting, directing and focusing solar light radiation received from variable sun positions onto different portions of said planar heat-collecting surface to cause simultaneous heating of said different portions, said roof structure having a light-reflective interior surface, such surface including the inwardly facing surfaces of said light lenses for reflecting light radiation incident to such light-reflective interior surface back toward said heat-collecting surface while concurrently transmitting solar light radiation into said enclosure and onto said heat-collecting surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A solar heat-collecting structure comprising: a roof structure generally curved to define an enclosure for receiving direct solar light radiation from variable sun positions, a planar heat-collecting surface forming a floor of said enclosure, a plurality of light lenses disposed within and comprising an integral portion of said roof structure, such lenses having various and different focal lengths and being fixedly disposed in various and different attitudes determined by such lenses' locations in said roof structure for collectively transmitting, directing and focusing solar light radiation received from variable sun positions onto different portions of said planar heat-collecting surface to cause simultaneous heating of said different portions, said roof structure having a light-reflective interior surface, such surface including the inwardly facing surfaces of said light lenses for reflecting light radiation incident to such light-reflective interior surface back toward said heat-collecting surface while concurrently transmitting solar light radiation into said enclosure and onto said heat-collecting surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A structure according to claim 1 wherein said light-reflective interior surface comprises a metallic film to provide said light-reflective properties.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A structure according to claim 1 wherein said planar heat-collecting surface includes the surface of a liquid to be heated by solar light radiation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A structure according to claim 3 wherein said liquid is confined within a shallow tray disposed within said enclosure and means are provided for introducing liquid to be heated into said tray and for discharging heated liquid from said tray.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A structure according to claim 4 wherein the inner surfaces of said tray have heat-absorbing properties.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A structure according to claim 1 wherein the curvature of said roof is shaped to maximize the heat-collecting properties of said enclosure with the sun at varying positions with respect to said structure including both high and low sun positions with respect to the horizon.
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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) | 1980-11-07 | 1981-05-09 | 1981-11-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-11-07 | 1985-05-09 | 1985-11-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-11-07 | 1989-05-09 | 1989-11-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |