Patent US4220136A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4220136A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar energy collector
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1978-09-13
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Granted: 1980-09-02
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Expires: 1998-09-13
Abstract
Abstract A sun tracking solar energy collector assembly having both a longitudinally extending flat plate absorber and a tube absorber spaced from and extending longitudinally generally parallel to the flat plate absorber. In one form a parabolic reflector focuses direct rays of solar radiation on the tube absorber and directs diffused rays of solar radiation onto the plate absorber. In another form a Fresnel lens plate focuses direct rays of solar radiation on the tube absorber and flat reflector surfaces direct diffused solar radiation passing through the lens plate onto the plate absorber. In both forms a fluid is first heated as it circulates through passages in the flat plate absorber and then is further heated to a higher temperature as it passes through the tube absorber.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard J. Penney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:24
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S23/00; F24S23/30; F24S23/31; F24S10/00; F24S10/25; F24S20/00; F24S20/20; F24S20/25; F24S23/70; F24S23/74; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
A sun tracking solar energy collector assembly comprising, a first generally flat and longitudinally extending absorber having absorbing faces on both sides thereof and a fluid passage in heat conducting relationship therewith and constructed and arranged to extend longitudinally generally transversely of and parallel to direct rays of solar radiation when the collector assembly is tracking the sun, a single separate second tube absorber spaced from and extending generally longitudinally of and parallel to said first absorber and having a fluid passage in heat conducting relationship therewith, said second tube absorber not being in direct heat conducting relationship with said first generally flat absorber throughout the longitude thereof and not having any absorber plates in direct heat conducting relationship therewith, means both focusing a plurality of direct rays of solar radiation generally radially directly onto both sides of only said second absorber generally coincident with the axis thereof and directing a plurality of diffused rays of solar radiation onto the absorbing faces on both sides of said first absorber when the collector assembly is tracking the sun, and conduit means interconnecting said fluid passages such that a fluid circulated through said passages is first heated by solar energy as it passes through said fluid passage of said first absorber and then is further heated by solar energy as it passes through said fluid passage of said second absorber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
A sun tracking solar energy collector assembly comprising, a first generally flat and longitudinally extending absorber having absorbing faces on both sides thereof and a fluid passage in heat conducting relationship therewith and constructed and arranged to extend longitudinally generally transversely of and parallel to direct rays of solar radiation when the collector assembly is tracking the sun, a single separate second tube absorber spaced from and extending generally longitudinally of and parallel to said first absorber and having a fluid passage in heat conducting relationship therewith, said second tube absorber not being in direct heat conducting relationship with said first generally flat absorber throughout the longitude thereof and not having any absorber plates in direct heat conducting relationship therewith, means both focusing a plurality of direct rays of solar radiation generally radially directly onto both sides of only said second absorber generally coincident with the axis thereof and directing a plurality of diffused rays of solar radiation onto the absorbing faces on both sides of said first absorber when the collector assembly is tracking the sun, and conduit means interconnecting said fluid passages such that a fluid circulated through said passages is first heated by solar energy as it passes through said fluid passage of said first absorber and then is further heated by solar energy as it passes through said fluid passage of said second absorber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
The collector assembly of claim 1 wherein said second absorber also comprises a member received in and extending generally longitudinally through said tube, said member being spaced generally radially inwardly of said tube so as to form at least part of said fluid passage within said tube as a generally annular space between said member and the inner wall of said tube, and said member having a generally radial dimension of at least two-thirds of the diameter of the inner surface of said tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The collector assembly of claim 1 which also comprises an electric current generating cell carried by and in heat transfer relationship with one of said absorbers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The collector assembly of claim 1 wherein said means for focusing and directing solar radiation comprises a reflecting surface having an essentially parabolic cross-section and extending longitudinally of said tube absorber with said reflecting surface being constructed and arranged such that its line of focus is generally coincident with the axis of said tube absorber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
84 words
The collector assembly of claim 4 wherein said second absorber also comprises a member received in and extending generally longitudinally through said tube, said member being spaced generally radially inwardly of said tube so as to form at least part of said fluid passage within said tube as a generally annular space between said member and the inner wall of said tube, and said member having a generally radial dimension of at least two-thirds of the diameter of the inner surface of said tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
The collector assembly of claim 4 which also comprises a glazing of a transparent material extending generally longitudinally of and generally perpendicular to said first generally flat absorber and interposed between the direct rays from the sun and said absorbers and reflecting surface, and a housing enclosing and sealing said first and second absorbers and said reflecting surface between said glazing and said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The collector assembly of claim 6 wherein said housing has in cross-section a generally parabolic inner surface generally complimentary to and supporting said reflective surface and comprises a rigid and thermally insulating body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
128 words
The collector assembly of claim 1 wherein said means for focusing and directing solar radiation comprises a Fresnel lens interposed between the direct rays of solar radiation and said absorbers, extending generally transversely to said first generally flat absorber, and having a plurality of lens segments extending generally longitudinally of said absorbers and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said second tube absorber, and first and second reflecting surfaces disposed on generally opposed sides of and extending generally longitudinally of said first generally flat absorber and inclined with respect to both said first generally flat absorber and said Fresnel lens so as to reflect onto said first generally flat absorber at least a portion of the diffused rays of solar radiation which pass through said Fresnel lens.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The collector assembly of claim 8 wherein each of said reflective surfaces is a generally flat and planar surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The collector assembly of claim 8 which also comprises a housing enclosing and sealing said first and second absorbers and said reflecting surfaces between said housing and said Fresnel lens.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The collector assembly of claim 10 wherein said housing comprises a rigid and thermally insulating body of a plastic material having surfaces generally complimentary to and supporting said reflective surfaces.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The collector assembly of claim 11 wherein said first absorber is closer than said second absorber to said Fresnel lens.
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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) | 1983-09-02 | 1984-03-03 | 1984-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-09-02 | 1988-03-03 | 1988-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-09-02 | 1992-03-03 | 1992-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |