Solar heating system and components thereof

Abstract

A lightweight, low cost, solar heat collecting system is provided for use with homes and other buildings. Solar heat collecting panels are mounted on a roof or other support and connected to the building's heating system. A liquid black body medium is pumped to the elevated upper end of each unit and is allowed to drain down through each panel by gravity feed back into a storage tank where the heated liquid is circulated, on demand, through the building. Each heating panel is comprised of a rigid foam plastic frame having a back wall over which is disposed a reflective stratum. A sheet of plastic material having a black surface is bonded to the reflective stratum along spaced parallel lines to define a plurality of parallel channels extending lengthwise of the panel. Manifolds are provided at opposite ends of the panel to feed the liquid into and drain the liquid from the channels. Spaced layers of flexible, transparent plastic film are mounted to the frame across the front of the panel to pass radiant heat from the front to heat liquid in the channels and trap the heat absorbed by the panel.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.