Patent US4149525A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4149525A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar collector
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-10-14
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Granted: 1979-04-17
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Expires: 1997-10-14
Abstract
Abstract A solar collector having the shape of a step pyramid which is enclosed within a transparent dome and a bottom insulating layer. A continuous coil of tubing conforming to the same shape as the step pyramid is in contact with each successive step. Because of this shape, the collector receives solar radiation during all daylight hours without the use of mirrors or tracking devices.
Inventors
- 👤 David A. Prado
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:20
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S10/00; F24S10/40; F24S10/70; F24S10/75; F24S70/00; F24S70/60; F24S20/00; F24S2020/10; F24S2020/18; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44; Y10; Y10S; Y10S126/00; Y10S126/907
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A solar collector for converting solar radiation to thermal energy which comprises: an upper cover of material which is transparent to solar radiation, a lower cover at least in part of heat insulating material, said upper and lower covers forming an enclosure, a sheet of solar energy absorbing material within the enclosure, the sheet being formed from a heat conductive metal into the shape of a right step pyramid having a plurality of steps with vertical and horizontal faces, said faces forming right angles, wherein the upper cover, lower cover, and the sheet form a sealed inner cavity, and heat transfer fluid conducting means generally conforming to the shape of the step pyramid and contacting each successive step thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
A solar collector for converting solar radiation to thermal energy which comprises: an upper cover of material which is transparent to solar radiation, a lower cover at least in part of heat insulating material, said upper and lower covers forming an enclosure, a sheet of solar energy absorbing material within the enclosure, the sheet being formed from a heat conductive metal into the shape of a right step pyramid having a plurality of steps with vertical and horizontal faces, said faces forming right angles, wherein the upper cover, lower cover, and the sheet form a sealed inner cavity, and heat transfer fluid conducting means generally conforming to the shape of the step pyramid and contacting each successive step thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A solar collector as set forth in claim 1, wherein the solar energy absorbing material is copper metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A solar collector as set forth in claim 1, wherein the heat transfer fluid conducting means is a double reverse flow coil of heat conductive metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A solar collector as set forth in claim 1, wherein the heat transfer fluid conducting means is a double reverse flow copper coil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A solar collector as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sheet of energy absorbing material is coated with black paint.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A solar collector as set forth in claim 1, wherein the heat transfer fluid conducting means is coated with black paint.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A solar collector as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sheet of energy absorbing material is aluminum metal coated with black paint.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A solar collector as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sheet of energy absorbing material has the shape of a 4 sided step pyramid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A solar collector as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sheet of energy absorbing material has the shape of a square step pyramid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A solar collector as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sheet of energy absorbing material has the shape of a truncated right square step pyramid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A solar collector as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cavity between the upper cover and sheet of energy absorbing material is filled with an inert gas.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A solar collector as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cavity between the upper cover and sheet of energy absorbing material is filled with nitrogen.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A solar collector as set forth in claim 1, wherein the number of steps in the pyramid is 12.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A solar collector as set forth in claim 1, wherein the non-collecting side of the sheet of energy absorbing material is coated with a heat insulating material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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Cited
US4055163A
Cited
US4076015A
Cited
US4086911A
Cited
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Cited
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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) | 1982-04-16 | 1982-10-16 | 1983-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-04-16 | 1986-10-16 | 1987-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-04-16 | 1990-10-16 | 1991-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |