Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
Apparatus for utilizing solar energy to heat a fluid, said apparatus comprising in combination: a. a rotatable tank for housing the fluid to be heated, said tank including first and second compartments defined by a tank divider element for alternately cyclically absorbing heat energy from the sun and transferring the absorbed energy to the fluid; b. means for cyclically rotating said tank to sequentially repetitively subject said first and second compartments to radiant energy from the sun and sequentially repetitively heat said first and second compartments; c. means for periodically introducing and withdrawing fluid from a heated one of said first and second compartments to effect a heat transfer from the heated one of said first and second compartments to the fluid; d. means for directing radiant energy from the sun to said tank; and e. means for reducing heat loss from said tank through convection; whereby, a heated one of said first and second compartments transfers heat to a fluid temporarily introduced thereinto while the remaining one of said first and second compartments absorbs radiant heat from the sun preparatory to temporary introduction thereinto of fluid to be heated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
Apparatus for utilizing solar energy to heat a fluid, said apparatus comprising in combination: a. a rotatable tank for housing the fluid to be heated, said tank including first and second compartments defined by a tank divider element for alternately cyclically absorbing heat energy from the sun and transferring the absorbed energy to the fluid; b. means for cyclically rotating said tank to sequentially repetitively subject said first and second compartments to radiant energy from the sun and sequentially repetitively heat said first and second compartments; c. means for periodically introducing and withdrawing fluid from a heated one of said first and second compartments to effect a heat transfer from the heated one of said first and second compartments to the fluid; d. means for directing radiant energy from the sun to said tank; and e. means for reducing heat loss from said tank through convection; whereby, a heated one of said first and second compartments transfers heat to a fluid temporarily introduced thereinto while the remaining one of said first and second compartments absorbs radiant heat from the sun preparatory to temporary introduction thereinto of fluid to be heated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tank is bisected into said first and second compartments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said directing means comprises radiant energy reflecting surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said reducing means comprises a transparent element extending over said tank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said tank is constructed of radiant energy absorbent material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein the fluid comprises water for domestic uses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 6 including a source of water, a depository for water and pipe means for periodically interconnecting said tank between said source and said depository to provide heated water in said depository.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said tank comprises a closed end cylinder rotatable about its longitudinal axis and wherein said first and second compartments bisect said cylinder along the longitudinal axis of said cylinder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 8 including support means for supporting said cylinder and rotating said cylinder about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said reflecting surfaces extend longitudinally along opposed sides of said cylinder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said transparent element extends over said cylinder intermediate said opposed reflecting surfaces.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said opposed reflecting surfaces are non-planar.