Patent US4233957A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4233957A
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Solar energy collector
Assignee: Corning Glass Works
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Filing: 1978-02-16
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Granted: 1980-11-18
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Expires: 1998-02-16
Abstract
Abstract An evacuated solar collector receives impinging solar radiation of varying intensity and converts the same into useful thermal energy in a selected working range of the ambience. The collector has absorber and window surfaces selectively coated for rendering the conversion of solar radiation to useful thermal energy more efficient by increasing absorption, reducing reradiation, and in certain cases may include at least one electrically conductive coating on the solar window which is capable of carrying an electric current, for suppressing snow accumulation thereon.
Inventors
- 👤 Neal S. Kenny
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:49
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S40/00; F24S40/20; F24S10/00; F24S10/40; F24S10/45; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44; Y10; Y10S; Y10S126/00; Y10S126/903; Y10S126/907; Y10S126/908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
255 words
A solar energy collector operative to produce thermal energy under impinging solar radiation wherein, an absorber substrate in the form of a tubular member is disposed in spaced relation within a solar window in the form of an outer tubular member, a space between said inner and outer tubular members being evacuated to a selected partial pressure, means for introducing working fluid within the inner tubular member in heat exchange relation with the absorber substrate via an open end of said inner tubular member wherein the improvement comprises: composite coatings disposed on selected surfaces of said absorber substrate and solar window including: an absorber coating of selected absorber material having a relatively high absorptivity characteristic α of at least 0.8, to solar radiation within the wavelength range of about 0.2 micrometers to about 2.0 micrometers, and an emittance reducing coating having a relatively low emissivity characteristic ε for infrared radiation within the wavelength range of about 2.0 micrometers to about 20 micrometers deposited on at least one surface of said inner tubular member to surround said absorber coating, said yielding an emissivity characteristic ε for the absorber of at most 0.3 in said infrared range; and an electrically conductive window coating disposed on at least one surface of said outer tubular member, said solar window coating having a relatively low emissivity characteristic ε therefor of at most 0.3 within said aforementioned infrared range, and means operatively coupled to said window coating for conducting an electrical current through said coating for heating said outer tubular member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
255 words
A solar energy collector operative to produce thermal energy under impinging solar radiation wherein, an absorber substrate in the form of a tubular member is disposed in spaced relation within a solar window in the form of an outer tubular member, a space between said inner and outer tubular members being evacuated to a selected partial pressure, means for introducing working fluid within the inner tubular member in heat exchange relation with the absorber substrate via an open end of said inner tubular member wherein the improvement comprises: composite coatings disposed on selected surfaces of said absorber substrate and solar window including: an absorber coating of selected absorber material having a relatively high absorptivity characteristic α of at least 0.8, to solar radiation within the wavelength range of about 0.2 micrometers to about 2.0 micrometers, and an emittance reducing coating having a relatively low emissivity characteristic ε for infrared radiation within the wavelength range of about 2.0 micrometers to about 20 micrometers deposited on at least one surface of said inner tubular member to surround said absorber coating, said yielding an emissivity characteristic ε for the absorber of at most 0.3 in said infrared range; and an electrically conductive window coating disposed on at least one surface of said outer tubular member, said solar window coating having a relatively low emissivity characteristic ε therefor of at most 0.3 within said aforementioned infrared range, and means operatively coupled to said window coating for conducting an electrical current through said coating for heating said outer tubular member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The collector of claim 1 wherein the coatings consist essentially of antimony doped tin oxides.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The collector of claim 1 wherein said absorber coating comprises a first layer of energy absorbing material in said solar wavelength range having an absorptivity of about 0.9 and a second layer disposed over said first layer interposed between the solar radiation and the first layer having an emissivity in the infrared range of about 0.1.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The collector of claim 1 wherein the outer tubular member forming the solar window comprises a glass tube being substantially transparent to solar radiation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The collector of claim 1 wherein said second coating surrounds said first coating and said first coating is in direct contact with the working fluid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a solar energy collector wherein an absorber substrate in the form of an elongated member is disposed in spaced relation behind a solar window, means for introducing working fluid in heat exchange relation with the absorber substrate via an entrance and exit in said housing wherein the improvement comprises: a coating disposed on at least one surface of said window having a relatively low emissivity characteristic ε to infrared radiation within the wavelength range of about 2.0 to about 20 micrometers, wherein said coating is electrically conductive and heatable by electrical energy passing therethrough and means electrically coupled to said coating adapted to deliver electrical energy to said coating for heating said window.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a solar energy collector wherein an absorber substrate in the form of an elongated member is disposed in spaced relation behind a solar window, means for introducing working fluid in heat exchange relation with the absorber substrate via an entrance and exit in said housing wherein the improvement comprises: a coating disposed on at least one surface of said window having a relatively low emissivity characteristic ε to infrared radiation within the wavelength range of about 2.0 to about 20 micrometers, wherein said coating is electrically conductive and heatable by electrical energy passing therethrough and means electrically coupled to said coating adapted to deliver electrical energy to said coating for heating said window.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The collector of claim 6 wherein said emissivity characteristic of said window coating is at most 0.3 in said infrared range.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-11-18 | 1984-05-19 | 1984-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-18 | 1988-05-19 | 1988-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-18 | 1992-05-19 | 1992-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |