Patent US4182308A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4182308A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar energy collector
Assignee: Hazen Research Inc
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Filing: 1977-11-07
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Granted: 1980-01-08
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Expires: 1997-11-07
Abstract
Abstract A solar energy collector which is inexpensive to manufacture and install comprising a heat absorber unit of rubber-like material having channels for the passage therethrough of heat exchange fluid and spaced-apart retainer means on its top for retaining a flexible solar collector cover in a flexed configuration accomplished by wedging it between the retainer means so that the area of the insulating space between absorber and collector can be controlled for different climates by spacing the retainer means and a simple means for assembling absorber and collector is provided. The collector is adapted to be mounted on a base to form a modular unit.
Inventors
- 👤 James E. Reynolds
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:23
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S10/00; F24S10/50; F24S10/503; F24S70/00; F24S70/10; F24S70/14; F24S80/00; F24S80/50; F24S80/52; F24S80/60; F24S80/65; F24S80/58; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B10/00; Y02B10/20; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A solar energy collector for collecting and utilizing solar energy comprising: (a) at least one heat absorber including upper and lower plies sealed together along spaced apart narrow longitudinal lines to provide channels between said lines for passage of heat transfer fluids therethrough, said channels being connected at their alternate ends by spaces formed by alternate ends of adjacent lines being left unsealed; (b) at least one curved solar energy collector cover mounted over the top of said heat absorber with its upper convex surface facing outwardly and (c) retainer means secured to the top of said heat absorber for receiving longitudinal edges of said solar collector cover to retain said solar collector cover in operative position over said heat absorber, said retainer means includes a flap-like strip of resilient material secured along one of said narrow longitudinal lines.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A solar energy collector for collecting and utilizing solar energy comprising: (a) at least one heat absorber including upper and lower plies sealed together along spaced apart narrow longitudinal lines to provide channels between said lines for passage of heat transfer fluids therethrough, said channels being connected at their alternate ends by spaces formed by alternate ends of adjacent lines being left unsealed; (b) at least one curved solar energy collector cover mounted over the top of said heat absorber with its upper convex surface facing outwardly and (c) retainer means secured to the top of said heat absorber for receiving longitudinal edges of said solar collector cover to retain said solar collector cover in operative position over said heat absorber, said retainer means includes a flap-like strip of resilient material secured along one of said narrow longitudinal lines.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The solar collector of claim 1 in combination with a heating system including means for circulating a heat exchange fluid from said system through said channels for absorbing heat from the heat absorber and back to said system where said heat is utilized.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The solar collector of claim 1 in combination with a base having a heat insulator top surface and the bottom of said heat absorber being attached to said top surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The solar collector of claim 3 in which said heat insulator top surface is made of foamed plastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The solar collector of claim 4 in which said foamed plastic is Styrofoam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The solar collector of claim 5 in which said top surface is mounted on a rigid support element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The solar collector of claim 6 in which said rigid support element is comprised of a slab of Styrofoam laminated to a slab of drywall and a slab of plywood laminated to said drywall slab.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The solar collector of claim 3 in which the ends of said heat absorber are extended over the ends of said base and secured to provide a moisture barrier for the ends of said base.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The solar collector of claim 1 in which said retainer means consists of two flap-like strips of resilient material secured along one of said narrow longitudinal lines extending laterally in opposite directions for receiving edges of adjacent solar collector covers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The solar collector of claim 9 in which one of said retainer means is secured along alternate ones of said narrow transverse lines.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The solar collector of claim 1 in which said collector cover is made of fiberglass reinforced polyester.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The solar collector of claim 11 in which the polyester is acrylic modified.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
85 words
The solar collector of claim 1 in which said solar collector cover is flexible and wherein said retainer means is spaced apart, the distance between said spaced apart retainer means being less than the width of said solar collector cover, whereby the latter must be bowed for insertion into position between said spaced apart retainer means so that the upper surface of said solar collector cover exposed to sunlight is curved and the solar collector cover is secured tightly between said spaced apart retainer means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The solar collector of claim 13 in which the distance between said spaced-apart retainer means is adjusted to provide an optimum space between the inner surface of said solar collector cover and the top surface of said heat absorber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The solar collector of claim 14 in which said distance is between about one-half to two inches.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The solar collector of claim 1 in which a solar collector cover is mounted over each pair of said channels.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The solar collector of claim 1 in which a solar collector cover is mounted over each group of four of said channels.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The solar collector of claim 1 in which a flat plate made of the same material as said solar collector cover is mounted over the top of said solar collector cover.
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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) | 1983-01-07 | 1983-07-09 | 1984-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-01-07 | 1987-07-09 | 1988-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-01-07 | 1991-07-09 | 1992-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |