US4065592A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Solar energy absorber
Assignee: Hercules LLC
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Filing: 1976-04-14
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Granted: 1977-12-27
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Expires: 1996-04-14
Abstract
Abstract An improved solar energy absorber is provided in which the absorber surface is prepared from a multiplicity of fibers having free ends which are tapered and coated with a low emissivity material. The fibers are straight, aligned in a parallel relationship and have diameters of from about 4 to 100 micrometers. The fibers are spaced together very tightly so that the distance between adjacent fibers is from about 1 to 10 micrometers. The fiber surface presents an improved solar trap for absorbing solar energy.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrick Von McAllister
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:36
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S10/00; F24S10/50; F24S10/502; F24S10/70; F24S10/74; F24S70/00; F24S70/20; F24S70/225; F24S70/25; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44; Y10; Y10S; Y10S126/00; Y10S126/907; Y10S126/908; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/23907; Y10T428/23957; Y10T428/23979; Y10T428/23993; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2913; Y10T428/2918; Y10T428/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A solar energy absorber comprising a multiplicity of nonmetallic fibers, stable in air at temperatures of up to about 500° F., said fibers being substantially straight and aligned in a parallel and side-by-side relationship, substantially all of said fibers having at least one free end, said fibers having diameters of from about 4 micrometers to about 100 micrometers, said fibers being spaced apart such that the distance between adjacent fibers is from about 1 micrometer to about 10 micrometers, the free ends of the fibers being tapered and the free ends of said tapered fibers being coated with a material having an emissivity of less than about 0.05, said coated free ends of the fibers comprising the solar energy absorbing surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A solar energy absorber comprising a multiplicity of nonmetallic fibers, stable in air at temperatures of up to about 500° F., said fibers being substantially straight and aligned in a parallel and side-by-side relationship, substantially all of said fibers having at least one free end, said fibers having diameters of from about 4 micrometers to about 100 micrometers, said fibers being spaced apart such that the distance between adjacent fibers is from about 1 micrometer to about 10 micrometers, the free ends of the fibers being tapered and the free ends of said tapered fibers being coated with a material having an emissivity of less than about 0.05, said coated free ends of the fibers comprising the solar energy absorbing surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The solar energy absorber of claim 1 in which the nonmetallic fibers are carbon fibers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The solar energy absorber of claim 2 in which the coating material is gold.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The solar energy absorber of claim 1 in which the nonmetallic fibers are glass fibers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The solar energy absorber of claim 4 in which the coating material is chromium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
150 words
A solar energy absorber device comprising a. a solar energy absorber comprising a multiplicity of nonmetallic fibers, said fibers being stable in air at temperatures of up to about 500° F., said fibers being substantially straight and aligned in a parallel and side-by-side relationship, substantially all of said fibers having at least one free end, said fibers having diameters of from about 4 micrometers to about 100 micrometers, said fibers being spaced apart such that the distance between adjacent fibers is from about 1 micrometer to about 10 micrometers, the free ends of the fibers being tapered and the free ends of said tapered fibers being coated with a material having an emissivity of less than about 0.05, said coated free ends of the fibers comprising the solar energy absorbing surface, and b. heat conducting means in communication with said solar energy absorber for conducting heat therefrom to perform work.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
150 words
A solar energy absorber device comprising a. a solar energy absorber comprising a multiplicity of nonmetallic fibers, said fibers being stable in air at temperatures of up to about 500° F., said fibers being substantially straight and aligned in a parallel and side-by-side relationship, substantially all of said fibers having at least one free end, said fibers having diameters of from about 4 micrometers to about 100 micrometers, said fibers being spaced apart such that the distance between adjacent fibers is from about 1 micrometer to about 10 micrometers, the free ends of the fibers being tapered and the free ends of said tapered fibers being coated with a material having an emissivity of less than about 0.05, said coated free ends of the fibers comprising the solar energy absorbing surface, and b. heat conducting means in communication with said solar energy absorber for conducting heat therefrom to perform work.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The solar energy absorber device of claim 6 in which the nonmetallic fibers are carbon fibers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The solar energy absorber device of claim 6 in which the nonmetallic fibers are glass fibers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The solar energy absorber device of claim 6 in which the fibers have a diameter of from about 4 micrometers to about 20 micrometers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-12-26 | 1981-06-27 | 1981-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-12-26 | 1985-06-27 | 1985-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-12-26 | 1989-06-27 | 1989-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |