Patent · US Expired

Highly efficient solar collector including means for preventing cover plate fluid condensation

US4046135A · kind A · utility

14Cited by
2References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 30, 1976
Grant dateSep 6, 1977
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 30, 1996

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/44
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A solar energy collector of low cost and high thermal efficiency is disclosed having a heat trap produced by zigzagging a thin strip of polyethylene terephthalate between opposite sides of the trap while wrapping the strip about rows of dowels positioned at opposite sides of the frame of the solar collector. A window of soda lime glass filters UV radiation to inhibit discoloration of the plastic heat trap walls. An absorber plate having fluid pipes therein is positioned underneath the heat trap and a first layer of fiberglass, and a second layer of polyurethane foam are positioned below the absorber plate. The fiberglass layer prevents overheating of the polyurethane foam layer to in turn inhibit the formation of toxic fluids, which may condense upon the underside of the window to reduce the efficiency of the collector.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.