Patent US2758874A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4258701A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar collector panel
Assignee: Chevron USA Inc
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Filing: 1977-04-01
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Granted: 1981-03-31
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Expires: 1997-04-01
Abstract
Abstract A heat transmission module wherein a natural-circulation, solar collector, storage tank, insulation and other interrelated parts are fabricated as a unitary structure capable of bearing a load.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce S. Buckley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:14
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S10/00; F24S10/20; F24S60/00; F24S60/30; F24S80/00; F24S80/60; F24S90/00; F24S90/10; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A heat transmission module that comprises, in combination: solar collector means containing liquid for absorbing solar radiation; storage means for storing liquid, the storage means connected to the solar collector means through liquid flow passages to exchange liquid therebetween, the liquid flow between the solar collector means and the storage means forming a natural convection circulation loop; and insulation means for insulating and separating the collector means from the storage means and for carrying structural loads; the storage means and the insulation means being structurally bonded to each other in load-bearing relationship, at the periphery of the module and at a multiplicity of zones distributed throughout the area of the module within the periphery, so as to provide a unitary load-bearing structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A heat transmission module that comprises, in combination: solar collector means containing liquid for absorbing solar radiation; storage means for storing liquid, the storage means connected to the solar collector means through liquid flow passages to exchange liquid therebetween, the liquid flow between the solar collector means and the storage means forming a natural convection circulation loop; and insulation means for insulating and separating the collector means from the storage means and for carrying structural loads; the storage means and the insulation means being structurally bonded to each other in load-bearing relationship, at the periphery of the module and at a multiplicity of zones distributed throughout the area of the module within the periphery, so as to provide a unitary load-bearing structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A heat transmission module as claimed in claim 1 which includes a heat exchanger combined as part of the storage means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A heat transmission module as claimed in claim 2 that includes valve means to modulate liquid flow between the solar collector and the storage means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A heat transmission module as claimed in claim 1 that further includes duct means to permit air flow past the storage means to effect efficient heat transfer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A heat transmission module as claimed in claim 4 that includes valve means to modulate liquid flow between the solar collector and the storage means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A heat transmission module as claimed in claim 1 wherein the collector means also serves a dissipator function.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A heat transmission module as claimed in claim 1 that includes valve means to modulate liquid flow between the solar collector and the storage means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system comprising a plurality of modules, like the module of claim 1, connected in ganged configuration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A heat transmission module as claimed in claim 1 whose storage means also performs a heat exchanger function.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A heat transmission module as claimed in claim 1 whose storage means also performs a duct function permitting effective air flow past the storage means to effect efficient heat transfer therebetween.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
141 words
A heat transmission module that comprises, in combination: solar collector means containing a liquid for absorbing solar radiation; storage means for storing liquid, the storage means connected to the solar collector means through fluid flow passages to exchange liquid therebetween, the liquid flow between the solar collector means and the storage means forming a natural convection circulation loop; and insulation means for insulating and separating the collector means from the storage means and for carrying structural loads; the storage means and the insulation means being structurally bonded to each other in load-bearing relationship, at the periphery of the module and at a multiplicity of zones distributed throughout the area of the module within the periphery, so as to provide a unitary load-bearing structure; and externally powered valve means operable to modulate liquid flow between the collector means and the storage means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
141 words
A heat transmission module that comprises, in combination: solar collector means containing a liquid for absorbing solar radiation; storage means for storing liquid, the storage means connected to the solar collector means through fluid flow passages to exchange liquid therebetween, the liquid flow between the solar collector means and the storage means forming a natural convection circulation loop; and insulation means for insulating and separating the collector means from the storage means and for carrying structural loads; the storage means and the insulation means being structurally bonded to each other in load-bearing relationship, at the periphery of the module and at a multiplicity of zones distributed throughout the area of the module within the periphery, so as to provide a unitary load-bearing structure; and externally powered valve means operable to modulate liquid flow between the collector means and the storage means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A heat transmission module as claimed in claim 11 wherein the externally operated valve means is an electrically actuated valve or a pneumatically operated valve or a hydraulically operated valve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A heat transmission module as claimed in claim 11 wherein the storage means also performs a heat exchanger function.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
A heat transmission module as claimed in claim 13 whose storage means also performs a duct function permitting effective air flow past the storage means to effect efficient heat transfer therebetween.
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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) | 1984-03-30 | 1984-09-29 | 1985-03-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-30 | 1988-09-29 | 1989-03-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-30 | 1992-09-29 | 1993-03-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |