Method and apparatus for using solar energy to augment a refrigerant heating and cooling system
US4351161A · kind A · utility
13Cited by
5References
5Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 24, 1980 |
| Grant date | Sep 28, 1982 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 24, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/44
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An uninsulated tank-type solar collector for a reverse-refrigeration-cycle heating system is mounted in ambient air and contains a mass of water and/or ice having a refrigerant expansion coil immersed therein. At least one of the walls of the tank contacts ambient air on one surface, and the mass of water and/or ice on the other surface. Thus, the mass of water and/or ice exchanges or transfers heat from the ambient air by conduction to the expansion coil. During transition from water to ice, the freezing water liberates large amounts of energy as "heat of fusion" which is absorbed by the expansion coil.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.