US4535756A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar collectors
Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology Inc
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Filing: 1983-12-27
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Granted: 1985-08-20
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Expires: 2003-12-27
Abstract
Abstract A solar collector assembly is provided comprising an absorber means adapted to transfer heat to a fluid; a cover member; a housing adapted to contain said absorber means, said housing having a collar section around the periphery of said housing; and clamping means extending along the collar section to substantially uniformly bias the cover member toward the collar section.
Inventors
- 👤 James W. Rinehart
- 👤 Frank W. Gilleland
- 👤 Byron W. Engen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:29
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S80/00; F24S80/40; F24S80/45; F24S80/457; F24S80/70; F24S10/00; F24S10/70; F24S10/75; F24S25/00; F24S25/60; F24S2025/6004; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y10; Y10S; Y10S126/00; Y10S126/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A solar collector assembly comprising: an absorber means adapted to transfer heat to a fluid moving therealong; a glass cover member adapted to transmit solar energy therethrough; a housing adapted to contain said absorber means, said housing having a collar section extending around the periphery thereof having a ledge extending laterally outward from the housing; sealing means located intermediate the ledge and the cover; and a plurality of plastic, tubular spring clips positioned along the collar section to substantially uniformly bias the cover member toward the ledge at the sealing means to provide a seal between the cover and the housing, said spring clips having a means for securing the clip to the collar section, said spring clip having a plastic interior surface in direct, pressured contact with said glass cover and an upper surface angled from said interior surface to define a third section of said spring clip, said third section presenting a low edge profile effected to promote self-cleaning of snow that accumulates on the cover member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
A solar collector assembly comprising: an absorber means adapted to transfer heat to a fluid moving therealong; a glass cover member adapted to transmit solar energy therethrough; a housing adapted to contain said absorber means, said housing having a collar section extending around the periphery thereof having a ledge extending laterally outward from the housing; sealing means located intermediate the ledge and the cover; and a plurality of plastic, tubular spring clips positioned along the collar section to substantially uniformly bias the cover member toward the ledge at the sealing means to provide a seal between the cover and the housing, said spring clips having a means for securing the clip to the collar section, said spring clip having a plastic interior surface in direct, pressured contact with said glass cover and an upper surface angled from said interior surface to define a third section of said spring clip, said third section presenting a low edge profile effected to promote self-cleaning of snow that accumulates on the cover member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the means for securing the spring clip to collar section is comprised of a bead extending along the length of the clip adapted to engage a groove extending along the ledge of the collar section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said tubular spring clip is comprised of glass fiber reinforced plastic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly of claim 3 wherein said spring clip is formed by a pultrusion process.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said housing is molded from sheet molding compound and wherein said sealing means is a continuous, precured elastomeric gasket.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein the grooves extending along the ledge terminate at guide posts to prevent lengthwise movement of the clips.
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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) | 1988-08-19 | 1989-02-18 | 1989-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-08-19 | 1993-02-18 | 1993-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-08-19 | 1997-02-18 | 1997-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |