Protection against the freezing of solar collectors
US4308856A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 23, 1979 |
| Grant date | Jan 5, 1982 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 23, 1999 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/44
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A solar heat collector has a transparent cover and metal fins beneath the cover. Secured to each fin is a tube through which flows water to be heated, the tube having the general cross-sectional configuration of a figure eight and the tube being welded to the fin at one end of the major axis of the figure eight. Round steel bars are disposed on opposite sides of and extend lengthwise to the tube, in the depressions on the sides of tube caused by the figure eight configuration; and a spring clip presses those bars against the tube. As a result, when water in the tube freezes and the tube expands, the bars and spring clip are pressed apart; but when the ice melts, then the spring clip forces the tube back to its original configuration. The structure also provides protection against surges of water pressure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.