US4151830A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflated flexible solar collectors
Assignee: CHICAGO SOLAR CORP
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Filing: 1977-10-21
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Granted: 1979-05-01
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Expires: 1997-10-21
Abstract
Abstract An inflatable collector for solar energy is provided in which superposed layers of plastic sheet material are heat sealed to one another to provide a pair of layers providing an absorber unit in which the upper layer is pigmented to absorb solar radiation and the pair of layers are sealed to one another in a pattern providing a continuous elongated path. Fluid is supplied to one end of this elongated path and at least one transparent layer is provided overlying the pair of layers, to provide a return space above the pair of layers, and valve means are provided to interconnect the end of the elongated path remote from the fluid supply end with the return space so that fluid heated in the elongated path is further heated in the return space before being withdrawn from the collector.
Inventors
- 👤 Terence G. Crombie
- 👤 Lance B. Crombie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 17:27
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S10/00; F24S10/70; F24S10/73; F24S10/50; F24S10/504; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B10/00; Y02B10/20; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44; Y10; Y10S; Y10S203/00; Y10S203/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
An inflatable collector for solar energy comprising superposed layers of plastic sheet material which are heated sealed to one another to provide at least one lower layer for insulating the underside of the collector, a pair of layers above said lower layer providing an absorber unit, the upper of said pair of layers being pigmented to absorb solar radiation and said pair of layers being sealed to one another in a pattern providing a continuous elongated path through said absorber unit, means for supplying a fluid into one end of said elongated path, at least one layer overlying said absorber unit, said overlying layer being transparent and providing a return space above said pair of layers, and valve means interconnecting the end of said elongated path remote from the supply end with said return space whereby fluid heated in said elongated path is further heated in said return space, and means for withdrawing heated fluid from said return space.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
An inflatable collector for solar energy comprising superposed layers of plastic sheet material which are heated sealed to one another to provide at least one lower layer for insulating the underside of the collector, a pair of layers above said lower layer providing an absorber unit, the upper of said pair of layers being pigmented to absorb solar radiation and said pair of layers being sealed to one another in a pattern providing a continuous elongated path through said absorber unit, means for supplying a fluid into one end of said elongated path, at least one layer overlying said absorber unit, said overlying layer being transparent and providing a return space above said pair of layers, and valve means interconnecting the end of said elongated path remote from the supply end with said return space whereby fluid heated in said elongated path is further heated in said return space, and means for withdrawing heated fluid from said return space.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An inflatable solar collector as recited in claim 1 in which said fluid is air.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
An inflatable solar collector as recited in claim 2 in which said pigmented layer is slit to provide vents along the length of said elongated path to agitate the air in said return space.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
An inflatable solar collector as recited in claim 2 in which a pair of lower layers is used to insulate the underside of the collector and a pair of transparent layers overlie said absorber unit, each of said lower layers and said transparent layers being sealed to one another and inflated with air.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
An inflatable solar collector as recited in claim 4 in which the means for supplying air to said elongated path includes means comprising a check valve for maintaining the inflation of said lower layers and said transparent layers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
An inflatable solar collector as recited in claim 1 in which a pair of lower layers is used to insulate the underside of the collector, said lower layers being sealed to one another and inflated with air.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
An inflatable solar collector as recited in claim 1 in which a pair of transparent layers overlie said absorber unit, said transparent layers being sealed to one another and inflated with air.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
An inflatable solar collector as recited in claim 7 in which said transparent layers are sealed to one another in parallel spaced apart lines to form a series of inflated ribs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
An inflatable solar collector as recited in claim 1 in which said elongated path is provided by parallel seal lines which form a serpentine path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
An inflatable solar collector as recited in claim 9 in which said pigmented layer is also sealed to said overlying transparent layer to provide a return space.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
An inflatable solar collector as recited in claim 1 in which said heat sealed layers provide tie down areas at the margins thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
An inflatable solar collector as recited in claim 1 in which the heated fluid is withdrawn from said return space at a point close to the fluid supply means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
181 words
An inflatable collector for solar energy comprising superposed layers of plastic sheet material which are secured to one another to provide at least one lower layer for insulating the underside of the collector, a first pair of layers above said lower layer providing an absorber unit, the upper of said first pair of layers being pigmented to absorb solar radiation and said first pair of layers being sealed to one another in a pattern providing a continuous elongated path through said absorber unit, means for supplying air into one end of said elongated path, a second pair of layers overlying said absorber unit said overlying layers being transparent and being sealed to each other along spaced apart lines to provide parallel ribs, a return space above said first pair of layers and below said second pair of layers, valve means interconnecting the end of said elongated path remote from the air supply end with said return space whereby air heated in said elongated path is further heated in said return space, and means for withdrawing heated air from said return space.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
181 words
An inflatable collector for solar energy comprising superposed layers of plastic sheet material which are secured to one another to provide at least one lower layer for insulating the underside of the collector, a first pair of layers above said lower layer providing an absorber unit, the upper of said first pair of layers being pigmented to absorb solar radiation and said first pair of layers being sealed to one another in a pattern providing a continuous elongated path through said absorber unit, means for supplying air into one end of said elongated path, a second pair of layers overlying said absorber unit said overlying layers being transparent and being sealed to each other along spaced apart lines to provide parallel ribs, a return space above said first pair of layers and below said second pair of layers, valve means interconnecting the end of said elongated path remote from the air supply end with said return space whereby air heated in said elongated path is further heated in said return space, and means for withdrawing heated air from said return space.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
An inflatable solar collector as recited in claim 13 in which a pair of lower layers is used to insulate the underside of the collector and a pair of transparent layers overlie said absorber unit, each of said lower layers and said transparent layers being sealed to one another and inflated with air.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
An inflatable solar collector as recited in claim 14 in which said pigmented layer is slit to provide vents along the length of said elongated path to agitate the air in said return space.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
An inflatable solar collector as recited in claim 14 in which the means for supplying air to said elongated path includes means comprising a check valve for maintaining the inflation of said lower layers and said transparent layers.
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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) | 1982-04-30 | 1982-10-30 | 1983-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-04-30 | 1986-10-30 | 1987-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-04-30 | 1990-10-30 | 1991-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |