Temperature control in solar-to-thermal energy converters
US4102325A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 4, 1977 |
| Grant date | Jul 25, 1978 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 4, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/44
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Solar-to-thermal energy converter comprising an insulated frame, a solar energy absorber mounted in the frame, a fluid flow heat exchange means thermally coupled to the absorber to carry away as thermal energy the absorbed solar energy, and a window transmissive to solar energy mounted in the frame above the absorber, featuring a temperature actuated heat loss enhancer comprising a fluid flow heat pickup means thermally coupled to the absorber, an exterior heat rejector element, a fluid flow heat rejector means thermally coupled to the heat rejector element, and a thermally actuated valve connected between said fluid flow pickup and rejector means to form a fluid flow circuit separate from the fluid flow heat exchange means and powered by the heat-produced differential buoyancy forces of the fluid therein when the valve is open.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.