US3916871A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flat plate solar collector module
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-06-26
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Granted: 1975-11-04
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Expires: 1993-06-26
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an improved flat plate solar collector module for use in a solar energy utilization system. Each collector has a housing with an evacuated chamber defined therein. A transparent planar wall forms one side of the chamber and a radiant energy absorber with flow passages therein is supported within the chamber thermally insulated from the housing. Heat exchanger flow conduits extend from the absorber and through the housing without contacting the walls of the housing to allow circulation of heat exchange fluid through the absorber with minimal conduction heat losses.
Inventors
- 👤 James M Estes
- 👤 Eliot E Kerlin
- 👤 Harold A Blum
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:30
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S80/00; F24S80/50; F24S80/54; F24S10/00; F24S10/50; F24S10/504; F24S80/30; F24S25/00; F24S2025/01; F24S2025/011; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44; Y10; Y10S; Y10S126/00; Y10S126/906
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A collector assembly comprising: a pair of adjacent solar collectors, each of said collectors having a housing defining a sealed evacuated chamber, at least a portion of said housing being constructed to transmit radiant energy into said chamber; an absorber mounted in each of said chambers to receive said radiant energy entering said chamber; flow conduits extending through each of said chambers in heat conduction contact with said absorbers for transferring heat from said absorbers to a heat exchange fluid flowing through said conduits, said housings having enlarged ports therein; a first interconnecting conduit means interconnecting and extending between the flow conduits of said adjacent collectors, said first means extending through said enlarged ports in said housings; and a second interconnecting conduit means sealed around the exterior of said ports and surrounding said first means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A collector assembly comprising: a pair of adjacent solar collectors, each of said collectors having a housing defining a sealed evacuated chamber, at least a portion of said housing being constructed to transmit radiant energy into said chamber; an absorber mounted in each of said chambers to receive said radiant energy entering said chamber; flow conduits extending through each of said chambers in heat conduction contact with said absorbers for transferring heat from said absorbers to a heat exchange fluid flowing through said conduits, said housings having enlarged ports therein; a first interconnecting conduit means interconnecting and extending between the flow conduits of said adjacent collectors, said first means extending through said enlarged ports in said housings; and a second interconnecting conduit means sealed around the exterior of said ports and surrounding said first means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
89 words
A collector assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said solar collectors additionally comprises a plurality of compression members in said chamber contacting said energy transmitting portion of said housing at points spaced away from the edges of said cover thereby resisting deflection of said cover due to the differential pressure across said cover and wherein said absorber has clearance openings therein of a size and shape to prevent contact with said compression members during operation of said collector to thereby reduce conduction losses from said absorber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A collector assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said solar collectors are flat plate type collectors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A collector assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said transmitting portion of said housing is a planar cover of transparent material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A collector assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said compression members comprise columns which extend across said chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A collector assembly as defined in claim 5 additionally comprising insulation members contacting and supporting said absorber in a position spaced from said housing, said insulation members being constructed to minimize conduction heat transfer therethrough.
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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) | 1978-11-03 | 1979-05-05 | 1979-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-03 | 1983-05-05 | 1983-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-03 | 1987-05-05 | 1987-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |