Patent US4360004A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4360004A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Floating solar collector
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1980-03-18
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Granted: 1982-11-23
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Expires: 2000-03-18
Abstract
Abstract Utilization of solar energy by the production of steam within a cavity created between the surface of a sheet of water and a floating pontoon, the heat collected by a solar energy collector, placed on top of the pontoon, being transferred to the water itself by means of a heat exchanger, the solar energy collector being formed of a number of fixed transparent solid pieces each one comprising a black absorbing surface into which the sun's rays, refracted by the upper external surface and reflected inwards by the lateral surfaces, are concentrated.
Inventors
- 👤 Giovanni Testolini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 08:22
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03G; F03G6/00; F03G6/06; F03G6/065; F24; F24S; F24S10/00; F24S10/10; F24S10/17; F24S23/00; F24S23/70; F24S2023/86; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44; Y02E10/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
An apparatus for receiving, concentrating, accumulating and utilizing solar energy, to be located on a surface of water of a natural or of an artificial water source subject to sun rays, comprising a pontoon placed on the surface of water, said pontoon having an upper surface, a lower surface and vertical sides extending downwards into water; a solar energy collector positioned on said upper surface of the pontoon, said lower surface being spaced from the surface of water so that a cavity is formed between the surface of water and said lower surface and said vertical sides; and a heat exchanger located below the water surface and adapted to produce steam in said cavity, said steam being obtained from the action of thermal energy received by said solar energy collector from sun rays and passed to said heat exchanger which transfers the thermal energy to the layer of water above the heat exchanger.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
153 words
An apparatus for receiving, concentrating, accumulating and utilizing solar energy, to be located on a surface of water of a natural or of an artificial water source subject to sun rays, comprising a pontoon placed on the surface of water, said pontoon having an upper surface, a lower surface and vertical sides extending downwards into water; a solar energy collector positioned on said upper surface of the pontoon, said lower surface being spaced from the surface of water so that a cavity is formed between the surface of water and said lower surface and said vertical sides; and a heat exchanger located below the water surface and adapted to produce steam in said cavity, said steam being obtained from the action of thermal energy received by said solar energy collector from sun rays and passed to said heat exchanger which transfers the thermal energy to the layer of water above the heat exchanger.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pontoon is held on the surface of water by water itself and assisted by floats.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one additional heat exchanger is provided which is fitted to said solar energy collector and connected to said first mentioned heat exchanger in a closed circuit containing a conveying fluid having a high boiling point, heat received from said solar energy collector passing into said first mentioned heat exchanger through said additional heat exchanger.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said conveying fluid includes mineral oil mixed with graphite powder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said closed circuit includes pipe means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said closed circuit further includes a pump.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 3, including a container filled with water and placed higher in relation to the surface of water of said source, said container being connected to said cavity with a pipe, and a condenser in communication with said container, the steam from said cavity passing through said pipe into said container and being then turned back into water by said condenser.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said solar energy collector includes a set of fixed solid pieces each being transparent and having an upper transparent surface on which the sun rays strike, lateral reflecting surfaces and a ray collecting surface, the ray collecting surface being smaller than said upper transparent surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said ray collecting surface is black and absorbent and capable of emitting heat radiations.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the sun rays reflected by the upper surfaces of said solid pieces and reflected by said lateral surfaces become concentrated in said ray collecting surfaces, the degree of ray concentration being approximately equivalent to a ratio between a size of said upper transparent surface and said ray collecting surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said solid pieces are placed side by side to each other so as to provide an overall ray-striking surface which is the sum of the individual adjacent ray-collecting surfaces.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said additional heat excharger brings said conveying fluid into contact with said overall ray-collecting surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said overall ray-striking surface is slightly convex.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said overall ray-striking surface is flat.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the lower surface of said pontoon and an active surface of said first mentioned heat excharger are substantially flat and parallel one to another and to the surface of water.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
83 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said upper transparent surfaces and said lateral reflecting surfaces of the adjacent solid pieces are positioned in overlying and underlying relationship and each presents a parabolic outline while the surfaces of adjacent solid pieces placed side by side are flat and fit together laterally to thereby provide a complex capable of receiving most of the sun rays arriving from any direction, in a compact form so that an orientation of said solar energy collector is not required.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-11-22 | 1986-05-24 | 1986-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-22 | 1990-05-24 | 1990-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-22 | 1994-05-24 | 1994-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |