Easy access energy conversion panels for solar heating systems

Claim 1

A solar energy conversion panel for use in a solar heating system incorporated into a building roof structure having a plurality of spaced rafters therein comprising at least one elongated light transmitting plate supported at its edges and disposed across and between adjacent rafters near the tops thereof, an elongated flanged strip disposed upon the rafters and overlying the edges of the light transmitting plate, an elastomeric gasket held by the flanged strip in fluid-tight contact with the edges of the said plate a bottom plate carried by the said adjacent rafters to enclose with the light transmitting plate and the rafters a chamber, an opening in each of the rafters adjacent at least one end thereof in communication with the chamber, an enclosed duct within the chamber, to receive a fluid, comprising an elongated rigid, bottom member, spaced upstanding supports on said bottom member and a solar energy absorber disposed across and carried by the upstanding supports, openings in the supports in register with the adjacent rafter openings and means to circulate the fluid in the chamber through the solar heating system.