US4076013A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar heating system
Assignee: Universal Construction Industries Inc
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Filing: 1976-03-11
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Granted: 1978-02-28
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Expires: 1996-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A solar heating system for a building consists of a stressed-skin roof structure which includes at least one layer formed of longitudinally extended channel-shaped beam members, wherein each beam member is generally U-shaped in cross-section and positioned with its open channel directed outwardly of the building. These beam members are placed side by side with their central bight portions lying in substantially the same plane. The open outwardly facing channels of the beams are closed to form a closed channel or air space which is heated from the sun. A heat storage bed is associated with the building and means are provided for selectively circulating air from the closed channels in the layer of beams to heat the storage bed and to return the air from the storage bed to the closed channel. The heat stored in the storage bed is selectively distributed to the interior of the building through a separate air circulating circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph A. Bette
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 00:22
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24D; F24D11/00; F24D11/006; F24D11/007; F24S; F24S10/00; F24S10/50; F24S10/502; F24S60/00; F24S80/00; F24S80/30; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B10/00; Y02B10/20; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44; Y10; Y10S; Y10S126/00; Y10S126/906; Y10S126/907
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
346 words
A solar heating system for use in a building comprising a self supporting stressed skin roof structure including three layers of longitudinally extended channel shaped beam members wherein each beam member is generally U-shaped in cross-section having a bight portion, outstanding leg portions, and an open channel between said leg portions directed outwardly of the interior of the building; said beam members in each layer being positioned side by side with each other and with their bight portions lying in substantially the same plane; the beam members in the two outermost layers being positioned on the free edges of the leg portions of the beam members in the underlying layer with their bight portions secured to said leg portions therebelow thereby to close the channels of the beam members in the intermediate and lowermost layers; means secured to the free ends of the leg portions of the beam members in the outermost layer for closing the open channels therein in an air tight relation; said means including at least one sheet of a generally transparent material; said channels in said outermost layer having a heat absorbing surface whereby said outermost layer of channels forms a solar heat collector collecting heat from the sun through said transparent material; insulating means in the channels of said lowermost layer for insulating the channels of the intermediate layer against heat loss to the interior of the building; a heat storage bed associated with said building; and means for selectively circulating air through the closed channels of said intermediate layer, through the heat storage bed and back to the channels of the intermediate layer, whereby air flowing in the channels of said intermediate layer below said outermost layer of channels absorbs heat collected from the sun in said outermost layer to in turn heat the heat storage bed to store heat therein; and separate means for selectively circulating air from the interior of said building to said heat storage bed and back to the building to draw heat from the storage bed and supply it to the interior of the building.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
346 words
A solar heating system for use in a building comprising a self supporting stressed skin roof structure including three layers of longitudinally extended channel shaped beam members wherein each beam member is generally U-shaped in cross-section having a bight portion, outstanding leg portions, and an open channel between said leg portions directed outwardly of the interior of the building; said beam members in each layer being positioned side by side with each other and with their bight portions lying in substantially the same plane; the beam members in the two outermost layers being positioned on the free edges of the leg portions of the beam members in the underlying layer with their bight portions secured to said leg portions therebelow thereby to close the channels of the beam members in the intermediate and lowermost layers; means secured to the free ends of the leg portions of the beam members in the outermost layer for closing the open channels therein in an air tight relation; said means including at least one sheet of a generally transparent material; said channels in said outermost layer having a heat absorbing surface whereby said outermost layer of channels forms a solar heat collector collecting heat from the sun through said transparent material; insulating means in the channels of said lowermost layer for insulating the channels of the intermediate layer against heat loss to the interior of the building; a heat storage bed associated with said building; and means for selectively circulating air through the closed channels of said intermediate layer, through the heat storage bed and back to the channels of the intermediate layer, whereby air flowing in the channels of said intermediate layer below said outermost layer of channels absorbs heat collected from the sun in said outermost layer to in turn heat the heat storage bed to store heat therein; and separate means for selectively circulating air from the interior of said building to said heat storage bed and back to the building to draw heat from the storage bed and supply it to the interior of the building.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as defined in claim 1 including means for selectively opening the channels of said outermost layer to the atmosphere to reduce heat build up therein in the summer months.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the exterior surfaces of the beam members in said outermost layer are colored black to efficiently absorb heat from the sun and transmit that heat to the air in the channels of the intermediate layer immediately therebelow.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
The system as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for closing the open channels of said outermost layer comprises a pair of superimposed sheets of transparent material and means for securing said transparent sheets to said outermost layer of beams in a substantially air tight relation with the transparent sheets spaced slightly from each other to define a closed insulating air space therebetween which limits heat loss from air trapped in the channels of said outermost layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
113 words
A system as defined in claim 4 including a blower and an associated duct work system for ducting air flow to and from the channels of said intermediate layer and said rock bed; said ductwork system including means for opening the channels of the intermediate layer to the atmosphere, means for selectively allowing the associated blower to draw air from the atmosphere into the storage bed, and means for selectively preventing air flow from the channels to the blower whereby atmospheric air can be selectively drawn into the storage bed to cool the bed and the closed channels of said intermediate layer and then be discharged from those closed channels to the atmosphere.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system as defined in claim 5 wherein said beam members are curved.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system as defined in claim 5 wherein said beam members are flat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as defined in claim 5 wherein the beam members of the ends of each of said layers are filled with an insulating material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as defined in claim 8 wherein the ends of said beams in each of said layers are filled with an insulating material.
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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) | 1981-02-27 | 1981-08-29 | 1982-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-27 | 1985-08-29 | 1986-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-27 | 1989-08-29 | 1990-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |