Abstract A solar energy collector panel, having an absorber plate and a frame within which the absorber plate is mounted. The absorber plate is comprised of a plurality of absorber plate sections each having interlocking structure formed along both of their lateral edges. This interlocking structure forms a tubular passage when the interlocking structure of the adjacent absorber plate sections are matingly locked together. An elongated tubing member whose external diameter is slightly larger than the internal diameter of the tubular passage is frictionally captured within each of the tubular passages. The absorber plate sections are formed of extruded metal and they have a plurality of corrugated surface portions that provide the absorber plate sections with greater surface exposure and improved absorption angles to the sun throughout the day. The thickness of the absorber plate sections is the greatest where the interlocking structure of the adjacent absorber plate sections are matingly locked together, thereby providing a greater mass for heat conduction transfer from the absorber plate sections to the elongated tubing member. The interlocking structure formed on the lateral edges of the absorber plate sections comprise a fin portion whose configuration is basically that of a cylindrical tube that has been cut in half longitudinally. A recess is formed adjacent one edge of the fin portion and a protrusion is formed adjacent the opposite edge of the fin portion. The frame has a back plate, side frame members, end frame members, and a glass top panel.
A solar energy collector panel comprising: (a) an absorber plate formed of a plurality of interfittable absorber plate sections, (b) each of said absorber plate sections having a fin portion at opposite ends thereof, the fin portion at each end having the shape of a half cylinder cut along the axis of the cylinder, the open end of the half cylinder at one end facing a first direction and the open end of the cylinder at the other end facing in a direction opposite to said first direction whereby the half cylinder of adjacent sections form a cylinder with each other, each of said fins including interfittable means for interfitting with an adjacent plate section when adjacent cylinder halves form a cylinder with each other, and (c) a tube having an outside diameter slightly larger than the inside diameter of said cylinder, positioned in said cylinder to force said interfittable means together and to lock said absorber plate sections together around said tube. (d) said interfittable means includes a recess at the interior side of said fin and a lip at the outer edge of said fin fittable into a said recess.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
A solar energy collector panel comprising: (a) an absorber plate formed of a plurality of interfittable absorber plate sections, (b) each of said absorber plate sections having a fin portion at opposite ends thereof, the fin portion at each end having the shape of a half cylinder cut along the axis of the cylinder, the open end of the half cylinder at one end facing a first direction and the open end of the cylinder at the other end facing in a direction opposite to said first direction whereby the half cylinder of adjacent sections form a cylinder with each other, each of said fins including interfittable means for interfitting with an adjacent plate section when adjacent cylinder halves form a cylinder with each other, and (c) a tube having an outside diameter slightly larger than the inside diameter of said cylinder, positioned in said cylinder to force said interfittable means together and to lock said absorber plate sections together around said tube. (d) said interfittable means includes a recess at the interior side of said fin and a lip at the outer edge of said fin fittable into a said recess.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A solar energy collector panel as recited in claim 1 wherein said absorber plate sections have a plurality of corrugated surface portions that provide the absorber plate sections with greater surface exposure and improved absorption angles to the sun throughout the day.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
A solar energy collector panel as recited in claim 1 wherein the thickness of the absorber plate sections is the greatest where the interfittable means of the adjacent absorber plate sections are matingly locked together thereby providing a greater mass for heat conduction transfer from the absorber plate sections to the elongated tubing member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A solar energy collector panel is recited in claim 1 further comprising a frame within which said absorber plate is mounted, said frame having a back plate, side frame members, end frame members, and a glass top panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A solar energy collector panel as set forth in claim 1 wherein the axis of said cylinder is in the plane of the absorber plate.