US4244352A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control system for solar heater
Assignee: GFD PATENT TRUST ARLINGTON VIRGINIA
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Filing: 1979-05-11
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Granted: 1981-01-13
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Expires: 1999-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A solar water heating system having main solar panels for collecting heat from the sun and transferring the heat to water flowing through it from an inlet line to a storage tank. A control system is located to shut the flow of water and drain the system when the absorbed radiation by the panels is below a predetermined level and to commence the flow of water and shut the drain when the radiation level is above the predetermined level. The control includes a conduit for transferring heat from a main panel or an auxillary panel to a thermostat which acts to move a lever. The lever thereafter controls the opening and closing of a drain valve and an inlet water valve either directly or through other levers and connectors.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard L. Foster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 09:08
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S50/00; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/1189; Y10T137/1353
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
263 words
A solar energy activated mechanical control system for a solar water heater comprising, first solar collector means for holding water to be heated, a water storage tank, input means including a conduit communicating said storage tank and collector means for supplying water at a first temperature level to said collector means, inlet valve means between said input means and said collector means, output means communicating water at a second and higher temperature level from said collector means to said storage tank, drain valve means communicating with the water in said collector means for draining said collector means when open, second solar collector means, a thermostat including a temperature responsive thermostatic element movable between a first position when at a first temperature level and a second position when at a second temperature level, a thermal heat conducting conduit fastened to said second solar collecting means and to said thermostat for transfering heat therebetween, pivotably mounted lever means forcibly acted upon by said thermostatic element for pivoting in a first direction when said element moves from said first position to said second position and for pivoting in a second direction when said element moves from said second position to said first position, and operator means movable by said lever means for acting on said inlet valve means and said drain valve means for closing said drain valve means and opening said inlet valve means when said lever means pivots in said first direction and for closing said inlet valve means and opening said drain valve means when said lever means pivots in said second direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
263 words
A solar energy activated mechanical control system for a solar water heater comprising, first solar collector means for holding water to be heated, a water storage tank, input means including a conduit communicating said storage tank and collector means for supplying water at a first temperature level to said collector means, inlet valve means between said input means and said collector means, output means communicating water at a second and higher temperature level from said collector means to said storage tank, drain valve means communicating with the water in said collector means for draining said collector means when open, second solar collector means, a thermostat including a temperature responsive thermostatic element movable between a first position when at a first temperature level and a second position when at a second temperature level, a thermal heat conducting conduit fastened to said second solar collecting means and to said thermostat for transfering heat therebetween, pivotably mounted lever means forcibly acted upon by said thermostatic element for pivoting in a first direction when said element moves from said first position to said second position and for pivoting in a second direction when said element moves from said second position to said first position, and operator means movable by said lever means for acting on said inlet valve means and said drain valve means for closing said drain valve means and opening said inlet valve means when said lever means pivots in said first direction and for closing said inlet valve means and opening said drain valve means when said lever means pivots in said second direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A temperature activated control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said second collector means comprises a portion of said first collector means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A temperature activated control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said first collector is disposed at a lower elevation than said storage tank, and said output means includes a check valve allowing water to flow from said collector means to said tank only.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A temperature activated control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said thermostatic element is linearly movable between said first and second positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A temperature activated control system as recited in claim 1 or claim 4 wherein said thermal heat conducting conduit comprises a metallic tube joined to said second solar collecting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A temperature activated control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said inlet valve means and said outlet valve means are normally closed, each of said valve means having a depressibly activated stem for opening the valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
A temperature activated control system as recited in claim 6 wherein each of said valve means includes a valve head, one end of said stem being fastened to said head, the other end of said stem extending from said valve means, said operator means comprising said other ends of said stems.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
A temperature activated control system as recited in claim 6 wherein said operator means comprises, second pivotable lever means for engaging the stem of said inlet valve means, third pivotable lever means for engaging the stem of said drain valve means, and means interconnecting said first lever means with said second and third lever means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
A temperature activated control system as recited in claim 7 wherein said operator means includes a second pivotable lever means, for first lever means being disposed for pivoting into engagement with said other end of said inlet valve means, said second lever means being disposed for pivoting into engagement with said other end of said drain valve means, and means interconnecting said first and second lever means.
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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) | 1984-01-13 | 1984-07-14 | 1985-01-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-01-13 | 1988-07-14 | 1989-01-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-01-13 | 1992-07-14 | 1993-01-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |