US4059095A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for utilizing the heat energy of solar radiation
Assignee: Volkswagen AG
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Filing: 1976-04-09
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Granted: 1977-11-22
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Expires: 1996-04-09
Abstract
Abstract Device for producing usable heat from solar radiation comprising a carrier which is in heat conductive contact with a flowable heat carrier medium in a flexible conduit structure which has an inlet and an outlet and is on a surface of the carrier. The carrier is formed of a flexible material whereby the device including the conduit and the carrier is coilable into a roll.
Inventors
- 👤 Edgard Grundmann
- 👤 Herbert Heitland
- 👤 Rudolf Kroll
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:27
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S10/00; F24S10/70; F24S10/73; F24S10/75; F24S20/00; F24S20/50; F24S20/55; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
264 words
A device for producing usable heat from solar radiation and which is coilable into a roll comprising in combination: a first elongated flexible foil having at least one black surface; a first fluid flow conduit formed by a second flexible foil of a material which is pervious to solar energy positioned adjacent said one surface of said first foil with said first foil and said second foil being connected together in a fluid tight manner, along the outer edges to define a first closed space therebetween, first inlet means and a first outlet means, each communicating with said first closed space, for permitting the flow of a fluid heat carrier medium through said first space, and further sealing connections of said first foil to said second foil positioned to define an extended fluid flow path, within said first closed space, between said first inlet means and said first outlet means; and a second fluid flow conduit formed by a third flexible foil positioned adjacent the surface of said first foil opposite said one surface with said first foil and said third foil being connected together, in a fluid tight manner, along their outer edges to define a second closed space therebetween, second inlet means and second outlet means, each communicating with said second closed space, for permitting the flow of a separate fluid heat carrier medium through said second space, and further sealing connections of said first foil to said third foil positioned to define an extended fluid flow path, within said second space, between said second inlet means and said second outlet means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
264 words
A device for producing usable heat from solar radiation and which is coilable into a roll comprising in combination: a first elongated flexible foil having at least one black surface; a first fluid flow conduit formed by a second flexible foil of a material which is pervious to solar energy positioned adjacent said one surface of said first foil with said first foil and said second foil being connected together in a fluid tight manner, along the outer edges to define a first closed space therebetween, first inlet means and a first outlet means, each communicating with said first closed space, for permitting the flow of a fluid heat carrier medium through said first space, and further sealing connections of said first foil to said second foil positioned to define an extended fluid flow path, within said first closed space, between said first inlet means and said first outlet means; and a second fluid flow conduit formed by a third flexible foil positioned adjacent the surface of said first foil opposite said one surface with said first foil and said third foil being connected together, in a fluid tight manner, along their outer edges to define a second closed space therebetween, second inlet means and second outlet means, each communicating with said second closed space, for permitting the flow of a separate fluid heat carrier medium through said second space, and further sealing connections of said first foil to said third foil positioned to define an extended fluid flow path, within said second space, between said second inlet means and said second outlet means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
112 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein: said first foil is rectangular and at least said first inlet means and said first outlet means are situated at opposite edges of said first foil; and at least said further sealing connections of said first foil to said second foil extend, in substantially parallel lines, from one of the outer edges of said first foil toward the respective opposite outer edge in an alternating sequence and terminate a short distance from said respective opposite outer edge, to thereby form a meander-type conduit for the passage of a fluid heat carrier medium between at least said first inlet means and said first outlet means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said third foil is pervious to solar radiation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
A device as defined in claim 1 further comprising a further outer foil which is pervious to solar radiation positioned adjacent the outer surface of at least the foil of the device which faces the radiation source and connected with the adjacent outer surface of the adjacent foil so as to form air chambers between said outer foil and the adjacent foil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said foils are plastic foils and said connections are weld connections.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
146 words
A device for producing usable heat from solar radiation comprising in combination: a conduit for a flowable heat carrier medium, said conduit being a flexible hose having at least a pair of layers of material which are successive in the radial direction and lie on top of one another, the inner layer of said pair of layers being relatively thin and being black and the outer layer of said pair of layers being thicker and being made of a material which is pervious to solar radiation, said hose being arranged in a desired planar configuration with adjacent portions of the length of said hose being spaced and generally parallel to one another; inlet and outlet means connected to the respective ends of said hose; and holding means for maintaining said hose in said desired planar configuration while permitting said device to be coilable into a roll.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
146 words
A device for producing usable heat from solar radiation comprising in combination: a conduit for a flowable heat carrier medium, said conduit being a flexible hose having at least a pair of layers of material which are successive in the radial direction and lie on top of one another, the inner layer of said pair of layers being relatively thin and being black and the outer layer of said pair of layers being thicker and being made of a material which is pervious to solar radiation, said hose being arranged in a desired planar configuration with adjacent portions of the length of said hose being spaced and generally parallel to one another; inlet and outlet means connected to the respective ends of said hose; and holding means for maintaining said hose in said desired planar configuration while permitting said device to be coilable into a roll.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as defined in claim 6 wherein said holding means include a carrier of flexible sheet material having said conduit mounted on one surface thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as defined in claim 6 wherein said holding means include rigid, rod-like members which are arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the direction of coiling of said device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as defined in claim 6 wherein said holding means include flexible bands which extend in the direction of coiling of said device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as defined in claim 9 wherein the connections between the bands of a pair of bands are welds or adhesive connections.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as defined in claim 6 wherein said hose is held by said holding means in a meander-like configuration.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as defined in claim 6 wherein said hose is held by said holding means in a spiral-like configuration.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as defined in claim 12 wherein said hose is in a bifilar spiral-like configuration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as defined in claim 6 wherein the device further includes a cover foil on at least one side thereof, which is pervious to solar radiation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as defined in claim 14 wherein said cover foil forms a sack-like receptacle for said hose wherein said parallel portions of said hose are in said given relative positions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device as defined in claim 6 wherein said holding means maintains said parallel portions of said hose at a mutual spacing which is such as to avoid mutual shading of adjacent said parallel portions of said hose during a given period of time during the day.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as defined in claim 16 wherein said holding means includes a flexible carrier having a planar surface on which said hose is mounted and said surface is black.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as defined in claim 16 wherein said holding means includes a flexible carrier having a planar surface on which said hose is mounted and said surface is a reflecting surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as defined in claim 6 wherein said outer layer of said hose is transparent.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as defined in claim 19 wherein said black inner layer is a dyed region of the same material as said outer layer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device as defined in claim 6 wherein said holding means comprise pairs of bands with the bands of said pair being disposed on opposite surfaces of said planar configuration and being connected together in the spaces between adjacent parallel portions of the length of said hose.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as defined in claim 21 wherein said bands are rigid, rod-like members which are arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the direction of coiling of said device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as defined in claim 21 wherein said bands are flexible bands which extend in the direction of coiling of said device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device as defined in claim 6 wherein said spacing between adjacent parallel portions of the length of said hose is such as to avoid mutual shading of said adjacent parallel portions of said hose during a given period of time of day.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as defined in claim 24 further comprising a substantially planar base, with said planar conduit configuration being disposed on one surface of said base.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as defined in claim 25 wherein said one surface of said base is black.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as defined in claim 25 wherein said one surface of said base is a reflective surface.
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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) | 1980-11-21 | 1981-05-23 | 1981-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-11-21 | 1985-05-23 | 1985-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-11-21 | 1989-05-23 | 1989-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |