US4162671A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar energy panel and medium for use therein
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-08-15
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Granted: 1979-07-31
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Expires: 1997-08-15
Abstract
Abstract A solar energy panel and an energy storing medium for use therewith is the subject of the present invention. The solar energy panel comprises a container having a transparent pane and designed to hold an energy storing medium. By utilizing a transparent material the solar radiation is passed directly to the energy absorbing medium thereby increasing the operating efficiency. A novel energy storing medium is also used in the energy panel. This medium comprises a paraffinic or aromatic hydrocarbon having a specific gravity of less than one, a melting point higher than 50° F. and a relatively high heat of fusion. By using an organic compound a medium is provided which has the desired energy storage capability and which is noncaustic and relatively light weight.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald Christy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:23
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S10/00; F24S10/50; F24S10/504; F24S20/00; F24S20/60; F24S20/66; F24S60/00; F24S60/30; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B10/00; Y02B10/20; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44; Y10; Y10S; Y10S165/00; Y10S165/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of storing solar energy comprising the steps of: providing a liquid container; placing in said container an organic material having a relatively high heat of fusion and a melting point of between 50° F. and 168° F. and selected from the group consisting of C 15 to C 36 paraffinic hydrocarbons and C 8 to C 14 aromatic hydrocarbons; and exposing said material in said container to the sunlight thereby changing said material from a solid to a liquid state whereby to store the solar energy in the liquid until such time as the liquid solidifies releasing the heat of fusion.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of storing solar energy comprising the steps of: providing a liquid container; placing in said container an organic material having a relatively high heat of fusion and a melting point of between 50° F. and 168° F. and selected from the group consisting of C 15 to C 36 paraffinic hydrocarbons and C 8 to C 14 aromatic hydrocarbons; and exposing said material in said container to the sunlight thereby changing said material from a solid to a liquid state whereby to store the solar energy in the liquid until such time as the liquid solidifies releasing the heat of fusion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of placing an organic material in said container comprises placing a material having a heat of fusion of at least 35 BTU/lb.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said placing step comprises placing in said container a material having a heat of fusion of from 50 to 170 BTU/lb.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said placing step comprises placing in said container a material having a specific gravity of less than one (1).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein the step of providing a container comprises providing a container having a pane of translucent material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein the step of providing a container comprises providing a container having a pane of substantially transparent material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
A solar energy panel comprising: a container having a translucent pane and adapted to be mounted to receive solar radiation; and a heat transfer medium disposed in said container, said medium being characterized by a relatively high heat of fusion and a melting point of between 50° F. and 168° F. and selected from the group consisting of C 15 to C 36 paraffinic hydrocarbons and and C 8 to C 14 aromatic hydrocarbons.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
A solar energy panel comprising: a container having a translucent pane and adapted to be mounted to receive solar radiation; and a heat transfer medium disposed in said container, said medium being characterized by a relatively high heat of fusion and a melting point of between 50° F. and 168° F. and selected from the group consisting of C 15 to C 36 paraffinic hydrocarbons and and C 8 to C 14 aromatic hydrocarbons.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said pane comprises a substantially translucent object.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said organic material has a heat of fusion of at least 35 BTU/lb.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said organic material has a heat of fusion of from 50 to 170BTU/lb.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said organic material has a specific gravity of less than one (1).
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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) | 1982-07-30 | 1983-01-29 | 1983-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-07-30 | 1987-01-29 | 1987-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-07-30 | 1991-01-29 | 1991-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |