US4240407A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar absorber panel, collector assembly and installation method
Assignee: University of Iowa Research Foundation
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Filing: 1977-12-12
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Granted: 1980-12-23
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Expires: 1997-12-12
Abstract
Abstract A solar absorber panel assembly has a pair of substantially parallel plates sealed together at their perimeter. A raised integral header is formed in one of the plates. An external header is in fluid communication with the integral header and is spaced from and mechanically connected to the plates. A solar collector assembly includes hanger brackets mounted on an inclined support surface to engage and retain bodies of insulation material and solar absorber panels. The absorber panels are in side-by-side relation with relatively slidable slightly overlapping marginal portions. External headers on the absorber panels are connected together by slip-on resilient sleeves of silicone rubber. An enclosure having a transparent cover and a wall extending around a plurality of absorber panels and external headers is attached directly to the support surface independently of the hanger brackets and absorber panels. The cover is supported by cover support brackets mounted on the support surface and extending upwardly between panels, passing through openings formed by lateral recesses in the marginal portions of the absorber panels. A solar collector is installed by attaching hanger brackets to an inclined support surface, placing thermal insulation and absorber panels on the hanger brackets to prevent downward slipping movement, and enclosing the absorber panels with a cover which is transmissive of radiant solar energy.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald L. Spencer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:01
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S10/00; F24S10/50; F24S10/503; F24S25/00; F24S40/00; F24S40/80; F24S80/00; F24S80/30; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44; Y02E10/47; Y10; Y10S; Y10S126/00; Y10S126/906
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A solar collector assembly comprising, a pair of solar absorber panels each having a fluid flow passage for a heat exchange fluid, said solar absorber panels lying in side-by-side relation with their marginal portions in overlapping relation, said marginal portions having spaced-apart lateral recesses providing openings between said panels, cover support brackets extending upwardly through said openings, and a cover transmissive of solar radiant energy, said cover being supported on said cover support brackets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A solar collector assembly comprising, a pair of solar absorber panels each having a fluid flow passage for a heat exchange fluid, said solar absorber panels lying in side-by-side relation with their marginal portions in overlapping relation, said marginal portions having spaced-apart lateral recesses providing openings between said panels, cover support brackets extending upwardly through said openings, and a cover transmissive of solar radiant energy, said cover being supported on said cover support brackets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
143 words
A solar collector assembly comprising, a plurality of substantially planar absorber panels each having a fluid flow passage therein for a heat exchange fluid, said absorber panels having their adjacent marginal portions overlapped and slidable laterally toward and away from each other to permit thermal expansion thereof, an enclosure means having a transparent covering enclosing said panels, said enclosure means having a wall which extends around a plurality of said panels and a cover which is transmissive of radiant solar energy, each of said panels having an inlet header and an outlet header both of which are located within said enclosure means, said headers being in fluid communication with the flow passages of their respective panels, and fluid connector means interconnecting said headers of adjacent said panels, said fluid connector means including a resilient sleeve having its opposite ends telescoped over said headers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
143 words
A solar collector assembly comprising, a plurality of substantially planar absorber panels each having a fluid flow passage therein for a heat exchange fluid, said absorber panels having their adjacent marginal portions overlapped and slidable laterally toward and away from each other to permit thermal expansion thereof, an enclosure means having a transparent covering enclosing said panels, said enclosure means having a wall which extends around a plurality of said panels and a cover which is transmissive of radiant solar energy, each of said panels having an inlet header and an outlet header both of which are located within said enclosure means, said headers being in fluid communication with the flow passages of their respective panels, and fluid connector means interconnecting said headers of adjacent said panels, said fluid connector means including a resilient sleeve having its opposite ends telescoped over said headers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The solar collector assembly of claim 2 having means for circulating liquid through said headers at subatmospheric pressure, whereby subatmospheric pressure biases said sleeve into sealing engagement with the headers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
172 words
A solar collector assembly mountable on an inclined support surface, comprising, stationary hanger brackets projecting upwardly from the support surface, a plurality of side-by-side absorber panel assemblies each having a fluid flow passage therein for a heat exchange fluid, each said absorber panel assembly lying above said support surface and being engaged by a said hanger bracket to prevent downward slipping movement of the absorber panel assembly relative to said support surface, enclosure means having a cover transmissive of radiant solar energy, said enclosure means enclosing said hanger brackets and said absorber panel assemblies, said enclosure means being attached to said support surface independently of said hanger brackets and said absorber panel assemblies, cover support brackets within said enclosure, said cover support brackets extending upwardly from the support surface and above said absorber panel assembly, said absorber panel assemblies having longitudinal marginal portions provided with lateral recesses, said cover support brackets lying in said lateral recesses, said absorber panel assemblies having their longitudinal marginal portions in overlapping relation except at said recesses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
172 words
A solar collector assembly mountable on an inclined support surface, comprising, stationary hanger brackets projecting upwardly from the support surface, a plurality of side-by-side absorber panel assemblies each having a fluid flow passage therein for a heat exchange fluid, each said absorber panel assembly lying above said support surface and being engaged by a said hanger bracket to prevent downward slipping movement of the absorber panel assembly relative to said support surface, enclosure means having a cover transmissive of radiant solar energy, said enclosure means enclosing said hanger brackets and said absorber panel assemblies, said enclosure means being attached to said support surface independently of said hanger brackets and said absorber panel assemblies, cover support brackets within said enclosure, said cover support brackets extending upwardly from the support surface and above said absorber panel assembly, said absorber panel assemblies having longitudinal marginal portions provided with lateral recesses, said cover support brackets lying in said lateral recesses, said absorber panel assemblies having their longitudinal marginal portions in overlapping relation except at said recesses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The solar collector assembly of claim 4 having a body of thermal insulation material within said enclosure means and between said support surface and a said absorber panel assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
90 words
The solar collector assembly of claim 4 in which a said solar panel assembly includes a pair of substantially parallel plates providing therebetween said fluid flow passage, one of said plates being deformed to provide a raised integral header, an external header spaced from said raised integral header, mechanical connector means attaching said external header to said plates to maintain a substantially constant distance between said external header and said raised integral header, and fluid connector means providing a fluid passage between said external header and said raised integral header.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The solar collector assembly of claim 6 wherein one of said connector means is longitudinally extensible to prevent stresses therein resulting from thermal expansion of the other said connector means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The solar collector assembly of claim 6 wherein the external header is shorter than the dimension of the plates measured parallel to the external header, two such absorber panel assemblies lying in side-by-side relation with overlapping marginal portions without interference from said external headers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The solar collector assembly of claim 6 having extensible connector means connecting the external headers of two solar panels assemblies to prevent stresses in the external headers upon thermal expansion thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
The solar collector assembly of claim 9 in combination with means for circulating liquid through said external headers at subatmospheric pressure, said extensible connector means comprising a resilient sleeve having its opposite ends telescopically receiving said external headers whereby said subatmospheric pressure biases said sleeve toward sealing engagement with said headers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
135 words
A solar absorber panel assembly comprising, a pair of substantially parallel plates sealed together to provide therebetween a fluid flow passage for a heat exchange fluid, one of said plates being deformed to provide a raised integral header therein, an external header spaced from said raised integral header and being shorter than the dimension of the plates measured parallel to the header to permit overlapping of marginal portions of adjacent panels, mechanical connector means attaching said external header to said plates to maintain a substantially constant distance between said external header and said raised integral header, fluid connector means providing a fluid passage between said external header and said raised integral header, and one of said connector means being longitudinally extensible to prevent stresses therein resulting from thermal expansion of the other said connector means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
135 words
A solar absorber panel assembly comprising, a pair of substantially parallel plates sealed together to provide therebetween a fluid flow passage for a heat exchange fluid, one of said plates being deformed to provide a raised integral header therein, an external header spaced from said raised integral header and being shorter than the dimension of the plates measured parallel to the header to permit overlapping of marginal portions of adjacent panels, mechanical connector means attaching said external header to said plates to maintain a substantially constant distance between said external header and said raised integral header, fluid connector means providing a fluid passage between said external header and said raised integral header, and one of said connector means being longitudinally extensible to prevent stresses therein resulting from thermal expansion of the other said connector means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
The solar absorber panel of claim 11 wherein the external header is shorter than the dimension of the plates measured parallel to the external header, whereby two such absorber panel assemblies may lie in side-by-side relation with overlapping marginal portions without interference from said external headers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
The solar absorber panel of claim 11 in combination with a second said solar absorber panel in side-by-side relation thereto, and extensible connector means connecting the external headers of the solar absorber panels to prevent stresses in the external headers upon thermal expansion thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
51 words
The solar absorber panel of claim 13 in combination with means for circulating liquid through said external headers at subatmospheric pressure, said extensible connector means comprising a resilient sleeve having its opposite ends telescopically receiving said external headers whereby said subatmospheric pressure biases said sleeve toward sealing engagement with said headers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The solar absorber panel of claim 11 having lateral recesses in marginal portions of said plates whereby cover-support brackets may lie between side-by-side overlapped solar absorber panels.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
The solar absorber panel of claim 15 in combination with a second said solar absorber panel, said solar absorber panels having marginal portions in overlapping relation, and upstanding cover support brackets extending upwardly through said lateral recesses to support a cover thereabove.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
229 words
A method of on-site installation of a solar collector on an inclined support surface comprising the steps of, attaching a plurality of upstanding hanger brackets to the support surface, placing a body of thermal insulation material on said support surface, at least one said upstanding hanger brackets extending into said body of thermal insulation material to prevent said body of thermal insulation material from slipping downwardly on said support surface, placing an absorber panel assembly on said body of thermal insulation material and engaging said absorber panel assembly with at least one of said upstanding hanger brackets to prevent said absorber panel assembly from slipping downwardly on said body of thermal insulation material, said absorber panel assembly having a fluid flow passage therein for a heat exchange fluid, enclosing said absorber panel assembly by placing thereover a cover which is transmissive of radiant solar energy, said absorber panel assembly including an upper header conduit at the upper end of said assembly, a pair of substantially parallel plates providing said fluid flow passage therebetween, and connector means affixing said plates to said header conduit and providing a space between said plates and said header conduit, said step of engaging the absorber panel assembly with a hanger being performed by engaging said upper header against said hanger, with said hanger extending into said space between said plates and said header conduit.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
229 words
A method of on-site installation of a solar collector on an inclined support surface comprising the steps of, attaching a plurality of upstanding hanger brackets to the support surface, placing a body of thermal insulation material on said support surface, at least one said upstanding hanger brackets extending into said body of thermal insulation material to prevent said body of thermal insulation material from slipping downwardly on said support surface, placing an absorber panel assembly on said body of thermal insulation material and engaging said absorber panel assembly with at least one of said upstanding hanger brackets to prevent said absorber panel assembly from slipping downwardly on said body of thermal insulation material, said absorber panel assembly having a fluid flow passage therein for a heat exchange fluid, enclosing said absorber panel assembly by placing thereover a cover which is transmissive of radiant solar energy, said absorber panel assembly including an upper header conduit at the upper end of said assembly, a pair of substantially parallel plates providing said fluid flow passage therebetween, and connector means affixing said plates to said header conduit and providing a space between said plates and said header conduit, said step of engaging the absorber panel assembly with a hanger being performed by engaging said upper header against said hanger, with said hanger extending into said space between said plates and said header conduit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
103 words
The method of claim 17 in which a plurality of said absorber panel assemblies are placed in side-by-side relation, including the further step of attaching a plurality of cover support brackets to the support surface, said step of placing the absorber panel assembly on the body of thermal insulation also including the placement of inclined marginal portions of said absorber panel assembly in a position where they extend laterally beyond said cover support brackets to avoid gaps between adjacent panel assemblies, said step of placing a cover over said absorber panel assemblies being performed by placing said cover over the cover support brackets.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 18 including the step of attaching transverse purlins to said cover support brackets, said cover being placed on said purlins.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 17 in which a plurality of said cover support assemblies are placed in side-by-side relation, and in which each of said collector panel assemblies includes a laterally-oriented header communicating with its fluid flow passage, including the step of placing the opposite ends of an elastomer sleeve over the headers of adjacent collector panel assemblies.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
128 words
A pair of absorber panel assemblies lying in side-by-side relationship with overlapping marginal portions, each of said solar panel assemblies comprising: a pair of substantially parallel plates sealed together to provide therebetween a fluid flow passage for a heat exchange fluid, one of said plates being deformed to provide a raised integral header therein, an external header spaced from said raised integral header and being shorter than the dimension of the plates measured parallel to the internal header to permit said overlapping of the marginal portions, mechanical connector means attaching said external header to said plates to maintain a substantially constant distance between said external header and said raised integral header, and fluid connector means providing a fluid passage between said external header and said raised integral header.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
128 words
A pair of absorber panel assemblies lying in side-by-side relationship with overlapping marginal portions, each of said solar panel assemblies comprising: a pair of substantially parallel plates sealed together to provide therebetween a fluid flow passage for a heat exchange fluid, one of said plates being deformed to provide a raised integral header therein, an external header spaced from said raised integral header and being shorter than the dimension of the plates measured parallel to the internal header to permit said overlapping of the marginal portions, mechanical connector means attaching said external header to said plates to maintain a substantially constant distance between said external header and said raised integral header, and fluid connector means providing a fluid passage between said external header and said raised integral header.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 21 mountable on an inclined support surface and including stationary hanger brackets projecting upwardly from the support surface, said absorber panel assemblies lying above said support surface and being engaged with said hanger brackets to prevent downward slipping movement of the absorber panel assemblies relative to said support surface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 22 including enclosure means having a cover transmissive of radiant solar energy, said enclosure means enclosing said hanger brackets and said absorber panel assemblies, said enclosure means being attached to said support surface independently of said hanger bracket and said absorber panel assembly.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said stationary bracket assemblies are engaged with said external headers.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
216 words
A solar collector assembly mountable on an inclined support surface, comprising, stationary hanger brackets projecting upwardly from the support surface, a plurality of side-by-side absorber panel assemblies each having a fluid flow passage therein for a heat exchange fluid, each said absorber panel assembly lying above said support surface and being engaged by a said hanger bracket to prevent downward slipping movement of the absorber panel assembly relative to said support surface, enclosure means having a cover transmissive of radiant solar energy, said enclosure means enclosing said hanger brackets and said absorber panel assemblies, said enclosure means being attached to said support surface independently of said hanger brackets and said absorber panel assemblies, a said solar panel assembly including a pair of substantially parallel plates providing therebetween said fluid flow passage, one of said plates being deformed to provide a raised integral header, an external header spaced from said raised integral header, mechanical connector means attaching said external header to said plates to maintain a substantially constant distance between said external header and said raised integral header, and fluid connector means providing a fluid passage between said external header and said raised integral header, one of said connector means being longitudinally extensible to prevent stresses therein resulting from thermal expansion of the other said connector means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
216 words
A solar collector assembly mountable on an inclined support surface, comprising, stationary hanger brackets projecting upwardly from the support surface, a plurality of side-by-side absorber panel assemblies each having a fluid flow passage therein for a heat exchange fluid, each said absorber panel assembly lying above said support surface and being engaged by a said hanger bracket to prevent downward slipping movement of the absorber panel assembly relative to said support surface, enclosure means having a cover transmissive of radiant solar energy, said enclosure means enclosing said hanger brackets and said absorber panel assemblies, said enclosure means being attached to said support surface independently of said hanger brackets and said absorber panel assemblies, a said solar panel assembly including a pair of substantially parallel plates providing therebetween said fluid flow passage, one of said plates being deformed to provide a raised integral header, an external header spaced from said raised integral header, mechanical connector means attaching said external header to said plates to maintain a substantially constant distance between said external header and said raised integral header, and fluid connector means providing a fluid passage between said external header and said raised integral header, one of said connector means being longitudinally extensible to prevent stresses therein resulting from thermal expansion of the other said connector means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
229 words
A solar collector assembly mountable on an inclined support surface, comprising, stationary hanger brackets projecting upwardly from the support surface, a plurality of side-by-side absorber panel assemblies each having a fluid flow passage therein for a heat exchange fluid, each said absorber panel assembly lying above said support surface and being engaged by said hanger bracket to prevent downward slipping movement of the absorber panel assembly relative to said support surface, enclosure means having a cover transmissive of radiant solar energy, said enclosure means enclosing said hanger brackets and said absorber panel assemblies, said enclosure means being attached to said support surface independently of said hanger brackets and said absorber panel assemblies, a said solar panel assembly including a pair of substantially parallel plates providing therebetween said fluid flow passage, one of said plates being deformed to provide a raised integral header, an external header spaced from said raised integral header, mechanical connector means attaching said external header to said plates to maintain a substantially constant distance between said external header and said raised integral header, and fluid connector means providing a fluid passage between said external header and said raised integral header, said external header being shorter than the dimension of the plates measured parallel to the external header, two such absorber panel assemblies lying in side-by-side relation with overlapping marginal portions without interference from said external headers.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
229 words
A solar collector assembly mountable on an inclined support surface, comprising, stationary hanger brackets projecting upwardly from the support surface, a plurality of side-by-side absorber panel assemblies each having a fluid flow passage therein for a heat exchange fluid, each said absorber panel assembly lying above said support surface and being engaged by said hanger bracket to prevent downward slipping movement of the absorber panel assembly relative to said support surface, enclosure means having a cover transmissive of radiant solar energy, said enclosure means enclosing said hanger brackets and said absorber panel assemblies, said enclosure means being attached to said support surface independently of said hanger brackets and said absorber panel assemblies, a said solar panel assembly including a pair of substantially parallel plates providing therebetween said fluid flow passage, one of said plates being deformed to provide a raised integral header, an external header spaced from said raised integral header, mechanical connector means attaching said external header to said plates to maintain a substantially constant distance between said external header and said raised integral header, and fluid connector means providing a fluid passage between said external header and said raised integral header, said external header being shorter than the dimension of the plates measured parallel to the external header, two such absorber panel assemblies lying in side-by-side relation with overlapping marginal portions without interference from said external headers.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
143 words
A solar absorber panel assembly comprising, a pair of substantially parallel plates sealed together to provide therebetween a fluid flow passage for a heat exchange fluid, one of said plates being deformed to provide a raised integral header therein, an external header spaced from said raised integral header, mechanical connector means attaching said external header to said plates to maintain a substantially constant distance between said external header and said raised internal header, fluid connector means providing a fluid passage between said external header and said raised integral header, said external header extending substantially in the same direction as said internal header and being shorter than the dimension of the plates measured lengthwise of the external header, two such absorber panel assemblies lying in side-by-side relation with overlapping marginal portions without interference from said external headers; fluid connector means connecting adjacent external headers.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
143 words
A solar absorber panel assembly comprising, a pair of substantially parallel plates sealed together to provide therebetween a fluid flow passage for a heat exchange fluid, one of said plates being deformed to provide a raised integral header therein, an external header spaced from said raised integral header, mechanical connector means attaching said external header to said plates to maintain a substantially constant distance between said external header and said raised internal header, fluid connector means providing a fluid passage between said external header and said raised integral header, said external header extending substantially in the same direction as said internal header and being shorter than the dimension of the plates measured lengthwise of the external header, two such absorber panel assemblies lying in side-by-side relation with overlapping marginal portions without interference from said external headers; fluid connector means connecting adjacent external headers.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
157 words
A solar absorber panel assembly comprising, a pair of solar absorber panels each of which includes a pair of substantially parallel plates sealed together to provide therebetween a fluid flow passage for a heat exchange fluid, one of said plates being deformed to provide a raised integral header therein, said plates having lateral recesses in their marginal portions, said solar absorber panels having marginal portions in overlapping relation, and upstanding cover support brackets extending upwardly through said lateral recesses to support a cover thereabove, an external header spaced from said raised integral header and being shorter than the dimension of the plates measured parallel to the header to permit said overlapping of the marginal portions, mechanical connector means attaching said external header to said plates to maintain a substantially constant distance between said external header and said raised integral header, and fluid connector means providing a fluid passage between said external header and said raised integral header.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
157 words
A solar absorber panel assembly comprising, a pair of solar absorber panels each of which includes a pair of substantially parallel plates sealed together to provide therebetween a fluid flow passage for a heat exchange fluid, one of said plates being deformed to provide a raised integral header therein, said plates having lateral recesses in their marginal portions, said solar absorber panels having marginal portions in overlapping relation, and upstanding cover support brackets extending upwardly through said lateral recesses to support a cover thereabove, an external header spaced from said raised integral header and being shorter than the dimension of the plates measured parallel to the header to permit said overlapping of the marginal portions, mechanical connector means attaching said external header to said plates to maintain a substantially constant distance between said external header and said raised integral header, and fluid connector means providing a fluid passage between said external header and said raised integral header.
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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) | 1983-12-23 | 1984-06-23 | 1984-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-23 | 1988-06-23 | 1988-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-23 | 1992-06-23 | 1992-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |