US4364375A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal solar energy collector
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
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Filing: 1980-08-04
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Granted: 1982-12-21
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Expires: 2000-08-04
Abstract
Abstract This invention contemplates a solar to thermal energy converter comprising spaced apart light polarizing materials defining a conduit therebetween for the passage of a fluid to be heated, the polarizing materials being positioned with respect to each other, whereby the amount of solar energy transmitted through the collector and hence absorbed by the fluid is controlled. Optionally and preferably, at least one of the light polarizing materials is moveable so that the axis of absorption of the polarizing materials can be adjusted with respect to each other and in reference to collector temperature so that a predetermined amount of light will be transmitted through the device, thereby controlling the temperature within the collector.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence B. Younghouse
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 01:10
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S10/00; F24S10/50; F24S10/502; F24S50/00; F24S50/80; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A solar energy to thermal energy converter comprising spaced apart light polarizing materials defining a conduit therebetween for the passage of a fluid to be heated by absorption of solar radiation, at least one of said light polarizing materials being moveable with respect to the other whereby the axis of absorption of the spaced apart polarizing materials can be placed in varying positions with respect to each other to effect the amount of solar radiation transmitted through the structure whereby the amount of solar energy absorbed by fluid between the polarizing materials is controlled.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A solar energy to thermal energy converter comprising spaced apart light polarizing materials defining a conduit therebetween for the passage of a fluid to be heated by absorption of solar radiation, at least one of said light polarizing materials being moveable with respect to the other whereby the axis of absorption of the spaced apart polarizing materials can be placed in varying positions with respect to each other to effect the amount of solar radiation transmitted through the structure whereby the amount of solar energy absorbed by fluid between the polarizing materials is controlled.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The solar energy to thermal energy converter of claim 1 wherein at least one of the light polarizing materials is capable of being rotated whereby the axis of absorption of the spaced apart polarizing materials can be placed in varying positions with respect to each other to affect the amount of light transmitted through the structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The solar energy to thermal energy converter of claim 2 wherein the light polarizing materials are circular in shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The solar energy to thermal energy converter of claim 1 wherein each of said polarizing materials is quadrangular in shape and comprises a plurality of adjacent strips of materials which are light polarizing, the axis of absorption of each adjacent strip being oriented at a different angle than the next preceeding strip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The solar energy thermal converter of claim 4 wherein the axis of adsorption of each adjacent strip is oriented at substantially right angles to the next preceeding strip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The solar energy thermal converter of claim 5 wherein at least one of the spaced apart polarizing materials is capable of being laterally moved whereby the axis of absorption of the spaced apart polarizing materials can be placed in varying positions with respect to each other to affect the amount of light transmitted through the structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
123 words
A solar energy to thermal energy converter comprising at least two spaced apart polarizing materials defining a conduit therebetween for the passage of a fluid to be heated, said polarized materials capable of being positioned with respect to each other whereby the plane of polarization of each of the polarizing materials in one position are crossed so that a minimum of light is transmitted through the spaced apart polarizing materials and whereby the plane of polarization of each of the polarizing materials is substantially aligned in a second position so that a maximum amount of light is transmitted through the spaced apart polarizing materials, whereby the amount of solar energy absorbed by a fluid passing between the polarizing sheet materials can be controlled.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
123 words
A solar energy to thermal energy converter comprising at least two spaced apart polarizing materials defining a conduit therebetween for the passage of a fluid to be heated, said polarized materials capable of being positioned with respect to each other whereby the plane of polarization of each of the polarizing materials in one position are crossed so that a minimum of light is transmitted through the spaced apart polarizing materials and whereby the plane of polarization of each of the polarizing materials is substantially aligned in a second position so that a maximum amount of light is transmitted through the spaced apart polarizing materials, whereby the amount of solar energy absorbed by a fluid passing between the polarizing sheet materials can be controlled.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
129 words
A solar energy absorber comprising two spaced apart members defining a conduit therebetween for passage of a fluid to be heated, said absorber being adopted to alter the amount of solar energy that is capable of being transmitted through the absorber, said spaced apart members being formed from a light polarizing material whereby the plane of polarization of each member is capable of being positioned with respect to the other whereby the amount of solar energy that is capable of being transmitted through the members is a maximum amount when the plane of polarization of the members are substantially aligned and the amount of solar energy that is capable of being transmitted through the members is a minimum when the plane of polarization of said members are substantially crossed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
129 words
A solar energy absorber comprising two spaced apart members defining a conduit therebetween for passage of a fluid to be heated, said absorber being adopted to alter the amount of solar energy that is capable of being transmitted through the absorber, said spaced apart members being formed from a light polarizing material whereby the plane of polarization of each member is capable of being positioned with respect to the other whereby the amount of solar energy that is capable of being transmitted through the members is a maximum amount when the plane of polarization of the members are substantially aligned and the amount of solar energy that is capable of being transmitted through the members is a minimum when the plane of polarization of said members are substantially crossed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
112 words
A flat plate solar to thermal energy converter comprising a generally rectangular frame having upwardly extending side walls and end walls and a bottom surface; a light transparent cover plate; two spaced apart light polarizing materials included within said rectangular frame defining a conduit therebetween for the passage of a fluid to be heated by absorption of solar radiation, the axis of absorption of the light polarizing materials being in a fixed predetermined position with respect to each other whereby a minimum amount of solar radiation is transmitted through the polarizing materials thereby maximizing the amount of solar radiation that is available for absorption by a fluid passing between the polarizing materials.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
112 words
A flat plate solar to thermal energy converter comprising a generally rectangular frame having upwardly extending side walls and end walls and a bottom surface; a light transparent cover plate; two spaced apart light polarizing materials included within said rectangular frame defining a conduit therebetween for the passage of a fluid to be heated by absorption of solar radiation, the axis of absorption of the light polarizing materials being in a fixed predetermined position with respect to each other whereby a minimum amount of solar radiation is transmitted through the polarizing materials thereby maximizing the amount of solar radiation that is available for absorption by a fluid passing between the polarizing materials.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
83 words
In a tubular collector of the type including two concentric tubes for defining a conduit therebetween for the passage of a fluid to be heated by absorption of solar radiation, the improvement comprising: said concentric tubes being formed of light polarizing materials and having their axis of absorption substantially crossed whereby a minimum amount of solar radiation is transmitted through the polarizing materials thereby maximizing the amount of solar radiation that is available for absorption by a fluid passing between the polarizing materials.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
83 words
In a tubular collector of the type including two concentric tubes for defining a conduit therebetween for the passage of a fluid to be heated by absorption of solar radiation, the improvement comprising: said concentric tubes being formed of light polarizing materials and having their axis of absorption substantially crossed whereby a minimum amount of solar radiation is transmitted through the polarizing materials thereby maximizing the amount of solar radiation that is available for absorption by a fluid passing between the polarizing materials.
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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) | 1985-12-20 | 1986-06-21 | 1986-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-20 | 1990-06-21 | 1990-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-20 | 1994-06-21 | 1994-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |