US4076026A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar heater
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-10-12
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Granted: 1978-02-28
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Expires: 1996-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A solar heater for a liquid has a panel-like unit including a plurality of tubes lying in and defining a plane which panel unit includes an inlet header, an outlet header, and a connector header. A set of a plurality of relatively small diameter tubes connecting the inlet header to a length of the connector header, while a second set of relatively small diameter tubes connect another length of the connector header to the outlet header tube, and support means support the panel unit by slidably engaging the tubes of the two different sets of tubes to compensate for expansion and contraction of components of the panel unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce G. Copping
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:37
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S10/00; F24S10/70; F24S10/74; F24S10/742; F24S20/00; F24S20/60; F24S20/67; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B10/00; Y02B10/20; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
A solar heater for a liquid and comprising a panel unit including a plurality of tubes lying in and defining a plane, said panel unit comprising an inlet header tube, an outlet header tube, a coupling securing said inlet and outlet header tubes together and in alignment, seal means associated with said coupling to prevent direct flow from said inlet header to said outlet header, a connector header, one set of a plurality of relatively small diameter tubes connecting said inlet header to spaced areas of one end portion of said connector header, a second set of a plurality of relatively small diameter tubes connecting spaced areas of the other end portion of said connector header to said outlet header tube; and support means for said panel unit comprising members slidably engaging said sets of tubes, said members comprising flexible anchor strips extending the width of said panel and apertured to engage all of said tubes of said sets of tubes, a portion of said strip extending down from said tubes to be anchored to a support structure by anchor means, inlet and outlet tubes connected to said inlet and outlet headers to retain such tubes and headers in substantially fixed positions and permit longitudinal movement of said tubes of said sets of tubes and of said connector header in relation to said anchor strips to said inlet and outlet tubes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
231 words
A solar heater for a liquid and comprising a panel unit including a plurality of tubes lying in and defining a plane, said panel unit comprising an inlet header tube, an outlet header tube, a coupling securing said inlet and outlet header tubes together and in alignment, seal means associated with said coupling to prevent direct flow from said inlet header to said outlet header, a connector header, one set of a plurality of relatively small diameter tubes connecting said inlet header to spaced areas of one end portion of said connector header, a second set of a plurality of relatively small diameter tubes connecting spaced areas of the other end portion of said connector header to said outlet header tube; and support means for said panel unit comprising members slidably engaging said sets of tubes, said members comprising flexible anchor strips extending the width of said panel and apertured to engage all of said tubes of said sets of tubes, a portion of said strip extending down from said tubes to be anchored to a support structure by anchor means, inlet and outlet tubes connected to said inlet and outlet headers to retain such tubes and headers in substantially fixed positions and permit longitudinal movement of said tubes of said sets of tubes and of said connector header in relation to said anchor strips to said inlet and outlet tubes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
154 words
A solar heater for a liquid and comprising a panel unit including a plurality of tubes lying in and defining a plane, said panel unit comprising an inlet header, an outlet header, a connector header, one set of a plurality of relatively small diameter tubes connecting said inlet header to one end portion of said connector header, a second set of a plurality of relatively small diameter tubes connecting the other end portion of said connector header to said outlet header for flow of liquid from said inlet header through said one set of tubes to said connector header, and from it to said outlet header through said second set of tubes, and support means for said panel unit comprising a pair of flexible anchor members extending transversely of said sets of tubes at longitudinally spaced portions of said tubes slidably engaging said sets of tubes for support and positioning of the solar heater.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
154 words
A solar heater for a liquid and comprising a panel unit including a plurality of tubes lying in and defining a plane, said panel unit comprising an inlet header, an outlet header, a connector header, one set of a plurality of relatively small diameter tubes connecting said inlet header to one end portion of said connector header, a second set of a plurality of relatively small diameter tubes connecting the other end portion of said connector header to said outlet header for flow of liquid from said inlet header through said one set of tubes to said connector header, and from it to said outlet header through said second set of tubes, and support means for said panel unit comprising a pair of flexible anchor members extending transversely of said sets of tubes at longitudinally spaced portions of said tubes slidably engaging said sets of tubes for support and positioning of the solar heater.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
A solar heater as in claim 1 and including inlet and outlet tubes connected respectively to said inlet and outlet headers to retain such tubes and headers in substantially fixed positions and permit longitudinal movement of said tubes of said sets of tubes and of said connector header in relation to said support means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
A solar heater as in claim 2 where said inlet and outlet headers are aligned and have adjacent ends, a seal disc member is positioned by and between the adjacent ends of said inlet and outlet headers, and a coupling secures the adjacent ends of said inlet and outlet headers together and aids in positioning said seal member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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 |