US4362025A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar powered refrigeration apparatus
Assignee: BRAELOCH DISTRIBUTING
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Filing: 1981-02-26
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Granted: 1982-12-07
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Expires: 2001-02-26
Abstract
Abstract Solar powered refrigeration apparatus is disclosed in which an absorption refrigeration system is operated directly by solar energy. One end of a heat pipe is thermally connected to the boiler of the absorption refrigeration system, and a solar collector is thermally coupled to the other remote end of the heat pipe. The heat pipe is a sealed, evacuated metal tube partially filled with water. The solar collector is a double walled glass vacuum tube with a central axial opening for accommodating the remote end of the heat pipe. Heat energy collected by the solar collector boils the water in the heat pipe to subsequently condense in the area of the boiler thus transferring heat energy along the heat pipe to the boiler. The heat pipe is installed sloping downwardly away from the boiler to permit the return of condensate down the pipe to the solar collector area thus permitting continuous operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Franklyn H. Theakston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:53
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D15/00; F28D15/02; F28D15/0275; F24; F24S; F24S10/00; F24S10/30; F24S10/40; F24S10/45; F24S10/90; F24S10/95; F25; F25B; F25B27/00; F25B27/002; F25B27/007; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A30/00; Y02A30/27; Y02B; Y02B30/00; Y02B30/62; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
Solar powered refrigeration apparatus comprising: an absorption refrigeration system having a boiler for input of heat energy thereto; a heat pipe thermally connected to the boiler for transferring heat energy from a remote location to the boiler, the heat pipe being downwardly inclined away from the boiler and having an upstanding end portion in thermal contact with the boiler, said end portion being disposed parallel to the boiler; a solar collector thermally coupled to the heat pipe at said remote location, the solar collector being a double walled glass vacuum tube having inner and outer walls and a central axial opening for accommodating the heat pipe, the solar collector being dimensioned to heat the heat pipe above 270° F. at said upstanding end portion when the solar collector is exposed to sunlight.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
Solar powered refrigeration apparatus comprising: an absorption refrigeration system having a boiler for input of heat energy thereto; a heat pipe thermally connected to the boiler for transferring heat energy from a remote location to the boiler, the heat pipe being downwardly inclined away from the boiler and having an upstanding end portion in thermal contact with the boiler, said end portion being disposed parallel to the boiler; a solar collector thermally coupled to the heat pipe at said remote location, the solar collector being a double walled glass vacuum tube having inner and outer walls and a central axial opening for accommodating the heat pipe, the solar collector being dimensioned to heat the heat pipe above 270° F. at said upstanding end portion when the solar collector is exposed to sunlight.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
Solar powered refrigeration apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upstanding end portion of the heat pipe is bifurcated having two parallel branches in thermal contact with the boiler.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
Solar powered refrigeration apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the bifurcated upstanding end portion of the heat pipe further includes a curved plate extending between the branches of the end portion, the curvature of the plate conforming to the curvature of the boiler.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
Solar powered refrigeration apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the heat pipe comprises a sealed metal tube partially filled with water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
Solar powered refrigeration apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the volume of water in the metal tube is more than one-third of the volume of the tube and less than the full volume of the tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
Solar powered refrigeration apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said partially filled tube is evacuated to a pressure of -32 pounds per square inch absolute at room temperature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
Solar powered refrigeration apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the water is distilled water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
Solar powered refrigeration apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the solar collector inner wall is coated with an energy absorbing coating.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
Solar powered refrigeration apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said heat pipe and solar collector are a first heat pipe and solar collector, and further comprising a second identical heat pipe and solar collector thermally connected to the boiler in addition to and in the same manner as the first heat pipe and solar collector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
Solar powered refrigeration apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising auxiliary heating means coupled to the boiler.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
Solar powered refrigeration apparatus as claimed in claim 10 and further comprising thermostatic means operably coupled between the auxiliary heating means and the boiler to activate the auxiliary heating means when the temperature of the heat pipe at the boiler is below 270° F.
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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) | 1985-12-06 | 1986-06-07 | 1986-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-06 | 1990-06-07 | 1990-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-06 | 1994-06-07 | 1994-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |