Solar collector
OwnerFrank R. Eshelmaninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The solar collector of the present invention comprises a light collecting member mounted within a light reflecting member. The light reflecting member includes a surface having a curvature which causes all the light entering therein to be directed toward the light collecting member. In one modification of the device the reflecting member includes two circular surfaces, and in another modification the reflecting member includes a singular circular surface. The light collecting member may be a horizontal flat plate, an elongated member having a center and flanges radiating outwardly therefrom, an elongated circular member, or an elongated vertical plate.
Claims9
A solar collector comprising:
- a light collecting member having an outer surface of light absorptive material adapted to retain a maximum amount of light which strikes said collecting member;
- said light collecting member having at least one fluid passageway therein;
- a light reflecting member having upper margins defining a light receiving opening, and having at least one concave surface extending between and below said upper margins, said concave surface comprising in cross section two curves following circular paths and intersecting at a point beneath and between said upper margins
- said light collector being substantially smaller than the width of said opening;
- said light reflector being positioned with respect to said light collector so that every light ray entering said opening is directed into engagement with said light collector
- said light collecting member extending over portions of both of said curves and being below said upper margins of said opening.
A solar collector comprising:
- a light collecting member which is a flat plate member having an outer surface of light absorptive material adapted to retain a maximum amount of light which strikes said collecting member;
- said light collecting member having at least one fluid passageway therein;
- a light reflecting member having upper margins defining a light receiving opening, which lies in a plane approximately parallel to said plate member and having at least two concave surfaces extending between and below said upper margins, all normals to said concave surfaces intersecting with said light collecting member;
- said light reflecting member being supported by a base frame which encloses a foamed plastic material, said plastic material
- being in supportive engagement with the under surface of said reflective member;
- said light collector being substantially smaller than the width of said opening;
- said light collecting member extending over portions of each of said surfaces and being below said upper margins of said opening so that every light ray entering said opening is directed into engagement with said light collector.
A solar collector comprising:
- a light collecting member which is a flat plate member having an outer surface of light absorptive material adapted to retain a maximum amount of light which strikes said collecting member;
- said collecting member having at least one fluid passageway therein;
- a light reflecting member having upper margins defining a light receiving opening, which lies in a plane approximately parallel to said plate member and having at least two concave surfaces extending between and below said upper margins, said concave surfaces following a partial circular path in cross section;
- said light collector being substantially smaller than the width of said opening;
- said light reflecting member being supported by a base frame which encloses a foamed plastic material in supportive engagement with the underside of said reflective member;
- said light collecting member extending over portions of each of said surfaces and being below said upper margins of said opening so that every light ray entering said opening is directed into engagement with said light collector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.