Patent US4092979A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4092979A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Combined solar energy conversion and structural and mechanical beam and structures built therefrom
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-11-04
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Granted: 1978-06-06
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Expires: 1996-11-04
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a combined solar energy conversion and structural and mechanical beam. The beam comprises a pre-engineered structural and mechanical component which includes a solar energy collector or distributor and can be used to erect a complete structure or as retrofite hardware for existing buildings or structures. In one embodiment, the solar collector portion of the beam consists of a highly polished parabolic concentrator within a channel-shaped portion of the beam, an absorber tube disposed within the concentrator for retaining the fluid to be heated, and an optical or fresnel lens positioned over the open side of the beam to further concentrate the sun and sky radiation. Other portions of the beam, or separate beams, can be used to house a manifold system to transport the fluid heated by the solar collector portion, or a distributor or diffuser can be disposed therein to facilitate the flow of warm or cool air into the desired area.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph C. Kotlarz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:58
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S23/00; F24S23/30; F24S23/31; F24S50/00; F24S50/20; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B10/00; Y02B10/20; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44; Y10; Y10S; Y10S126/00; Y10S126/909
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A combined solar collector and structural and mechanical beam, said beam comprising; spaced, longitudinally extending, adjacent channel-shaped portions, at least one of said channel-shaped portions having an open side, said beam also including a longitudinally extending recessed portion between the channel-shaped portions; a solar collector assembly disposed within the channel-shaped portion having the open side, said solar collector assembly comprising a highly polished reflector arranged within the channel-shaped portion; an absorber tube disposed within the reflector and spaced therefrom to absorb the sun's energy; and a transparent cover positioned over the open end of said channel portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A combined solar collector and structural and mechanical beam, said beam comprising; spaced, longitudinally extending, adjacent channel-shaped portions, at least one of said channel-shaped portions having an open side, said beam also including a longitudinally extending recessed portion between the channel-shaped portions; a solar collector assembly disposed within the channel-shaped portion having the open side, said solar collector assembly comprising a highly polished reflector arranged within the channel-shaped portion; an absorber tube disposed within the reflector and spaced therefrom to absorb the sun's energy; and a transparent cover positioned over the open end of said channel portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combined solar collector and structural and mechanical beam of claim 1 wherein said transparent cover comprises an optical lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combined solar collector and structural and mechanical beam of claim 1 wherein said transparent cover comprises a fresnel lens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combined solar collector and structural and mechanical beam of claim 3 wherein said reflector comprises a parabolic concentrator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combined solar collector and structural and mechanical beam of claim 4 including a transparent high temperature tube positioned over the absorber tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
103 words
A framework structure having solar energy conversion capabilities incorporated therein and comprising: spaced, generally horizontally and vertically disposed members arranged in transverse relation to each other, said generally horizontal members being engaged with said generally vertical members at preselected points thereon to form a framework structure, and panel means closing the space between said horizontally and vertically disposed members; at least some of said members comprising a combined solar collector and structural and mechanical beam, said beam including a channel-shaped portion having an open side and a solar collector assembly including a parabolic reflector and an absorber tube disposed within said channel-shaped portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
103 words
A framework structure having solar energy conversion capabilities incorporated therein and comprising: spaced, generally horizontally and vertically disposed members arranged in transverse relation to each other, said generally horizontal members being engaged with said generally vertical members at preselected points thereon to form a framework structure, and panel means closing the space between said horizontally and vertically disposed members; at least some of said members comprising a combined solar collector and structural and mechanical beam, said beam including a channel-shaped portion having an open side and a solar collector assembly including a parabolic reflector and an absorber tube disposed within said channel-shaped portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The framework structure of claim 6 wherein said reflector is highly polished, said absorber tube disposed within the reflector and spaced therefrom to absorb the sun's energy; and a transparent cover positioned over the open end of said channel-shaped portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
77 words
The framework structure of claim 7 wherein at least some of said members comprise a combined diffuser structural and mechanical beam, said beam including a channel-shaped portion having an open end, a diffuser assembly positioned within the channel-shaped portion, the diffuser assembly comprising a parabolic reflector having two grooves formed therein; tubes disposed within said grooves, the tubes having openings along the length thereof; and a tube disposed within the reflector and spaced therefrom for receiving fluid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The framework structure of claim 7 including flat plate solar collectors fitted within at least some of the generally horizontally and vertically disposed members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
85 words
A combined diffuser and structural and mechanical beam, said beam comprising: spaced, longitudinally extending, adjacent channel-shaped portions, at least one of said channel-shaped portions having an open side; a diffuser assembly disposed within the channel-shaped portion having the open side, said diffuser assembly comprising a parabolic reflector arranged within said channel-shaped portion, said reflector having two grooves formed therein; tubes disposed within the grooves, the tubes having openings along the length thereof; and a tube disposed within the reflector and spaced therefrom for receiving fluid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
85 words
A combined diffuser and structural and mechanical beam, said beam comprising: spaced, longitudinally extending, adjacent channel-shaped portions, at least one of said channel-shaped portions having an open side; a diffuser assembly disposed within the channel-shaped portion having the open side, said diffuser assembly comprising a parabolic reflector arranged within said channel-shaped portion, said reflector having two grooves formed therein; tubes disposed within the grooves, the tubes having openings along the length thereof; and a tube disposed within the reflector and spaced therefrom for receiving fluid.
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) | 1981-06-05 | 1981-12-05 | 1982-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-05 | 1985-12-05 | 1986-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-05 | 1989-12-05 | 1990-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |