Patent US4286576A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4286576A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Solar energy thermalization and storage device
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1979-07-26
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Granted: 1981-09-01
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Expires: 1999-07-26
Abstract
Abstract A passive solar thermalization and thermal energy storage assembly which is visually transparent. The assembly consists of two substantial parallel, transparent wall members mounted in a rectangular support frame to form a liquid-tight chamber. A semitransparent thermalization plate is located in the chamber, substantially paralled to and about equidistant from the transparent wall members to thermalize solar radiation which is stored in a transparent thermal energy storage liquid which fills the chamber. A number of the devices, as modules, can be stacked together to construct a visually transparent, thermal storage wall for passive solar-heated buildings.
Inventors
- 👤 John F. McClelland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 08:00
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S20/00; F24S20/60; F24S20/61; F24S60/00; F24S60/30; F24S80/00; F24S80/50; F24S80/56; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B10/00; Y02B10/20; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A visually transparent, passive solar thermalization and thermal energy storage assembly comprising: a first transparent substantially planar wall member, a second transparent substantially planar wall member, the second member being substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the first member, a semi-transparent substantially planar thermalization plate located between the wall members and substantially parallel to both, sealing means between the first and second wall members for forming a liquid-tight chamber containing the thermalization plate, a transparent, thermal energy storage liquid in the chamber and means for preventing convective heat transfer within said liquid, said means for preventing convective heat transfer consisting of a plurality of visually transparent, horizontal accordian pleated baffles positioned between the thermalization plate and each wall member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A visually transparent, passive solar thermalization and thermal energy storage assembly comprising: a first transparent substantially planar wall member, a second transparent substantially planar wall member, the second member being substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the first member, a semi-transparent substantially planar thermalization plate located between the wall members and substantially parallel to both, sealing means between the first and second wall members for forming a liquid-tight chamber containing the thermalization plate, a transparent, thermal energy storage liquid in the chamber and means for preventing convective heat transfer within said liquid, said means for preventing convective heat transfer consisting of a plurality of visually transparent, horizontal accordian pleated baffles positioned between the thermalization plate and each wall member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the wall members are mounted in a frame for structural support.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the thermal energy storage liquid is water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The assembly of claim 3 wherein the water contains a viscosity increasing agent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
128 words
A modular, visually transparent, passive solar thermalization and thermal energy storage assembly comprising: an open, rectangular-shaped support frame having substantially parallel first and second open sides, a first transparent wall member in the first open side, a second transparent wall member in the second open side, the two wall members together with the frame forming a liquid-tight chamber within the frame, a semitransparent thermalization plate in the chamber, the plate being parallel with and spaced about equidistant between the two walls, a transparent, thermal energy storage fluid within the chamber, and means for preventing convective heat transfer within said storage fluid, said means for preventing convective heat transfer consisting of a plurality of visually transparent, horizontal accordian pleated baffles positioned between the thermalization plate and each wall member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
128 words
A modular, visually transparent, passive solar thermalization and thermal energy storage assembly comprising: an open, rectangular-shaped support frame having substantially parallel first and second open sides, a first transparent wall member in the first open side, a second transparent wall member in the second open side, the two wall members together with the frame forming a liquid-tight chamber within the frame, a semitransparent thermalization plate in the chamber, the plate being parallel with and spaced about equidistant between the two walls, a transparent, thermal energy storage fluid within the chamber, and means for preventing convective heat transfer within said storage fluid, said means for preventing convective heat transfer consisting of a plurality of visually transparent, horizontal accordian pleated baffles positioned between the thermalization plate and each wall member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The assembly of claim 5 wherein the thermal storage fluid is water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The assembly of claim 6 wherein the water also contains a viscosity-increasing agent.
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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) | 1984-08-31 | 1985-03-02 | 1985-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-31 | 1989-03-02 | 1989-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-31 | 1993-03-02 | 1993-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |