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US 4,169,460 AGranted
Solar converter system with thermal overload protection
OwnerJohn M. Popovich, Thomas R. Thornburyinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A solar energy conversion system comprises: (a) a solar converter in which liquid absorbs solar radiation, the liquid being solar energy absorptive, (b) first means to circulate said liquid for flow through the converter, and (c) means to effect removal of liquid from the converter in response to an undesirable operation condition in said system.
Claims12
In a solar energy conversion system the combination comprising
- (a) a solar convertor in which absorptive liquid absorbs solar radiation, the liquid being solar energy absorptive, the convertor including a container having upper and lower manifolds and liquid passage means inclined linearly upwardly between the manifolds substantially throughout the entire extent of said passage means,
- (b) first means to circulate said liquid for flow through the convertor, to maintain said liquid passage means in the convertor at sub-atmospheric pressure,
- (c) means to admit atmospheric pressure air to said liquid passage means to effect drainage of liquid from the convertor in response to an undesirable operating condition in said system, and thereby to prevent convertor overheating, said first means located to permit such drainage, and
- (d) the convertor including a light reflective surface substantially totally covered by the absorptive liquid in operation of said system, and uncovered when the liquid is removed from the convertor to prevent overheating thereof, said surface being extended and adjacent said liquid passage means.
1 more element
In a solar energy conversion system the combination comprising
- (a) a solar convertor in which absorptive liquid absorbs solar radiation, the liquid being solar energy absorptive, the converter including a container having upper and lower manifolds and liquid passage means inclined linearly upwardly between the manifolds substantially throughout the entire extent of said passage means,
- (b) first means to circulate said liquid for flow through the convertor, to maintain said liquid passage means in the convertor at sub-atmospheric pressure,
- (c) means to admit atmospheric pressure air to said liquid passage means to effect drainage of liquid from the convertor in response to an undesirable operating condition in said system, and thereby to prevent convertor overheating, said first means located to permit such drainage, and
- (d) the convertor including a light transmitting surface substantially totally covered by the absorptive liquid in operation of said system, and uncovered when the liquid is removed from the convertor to prevent overheating thereof.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.