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US 4,172,442 AGranted
Solar energy collector system and method
AssigneeBio Gas Systems, Inc.
InventorOliver W. Boblitz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A solar energy collector system having high energy collection efficiency simultaneously heats separate gas and liquid streams flowing through the collector. The gas flows in a tiered passage sunward of the liquid passage. Exposure times of gas and liquid are regulated by separate thermostatic controls. The heated gas and liquid may be used as energy imput for space heating, hot water, air conditioning, etc., separately or in combination.
Claims12
A solar energy collection method which comprises:
- exposing a screen to rays of the sun passing through a transparent sheet spaced apart from said screen forming a first longitudinal passageway therebetween,
- exposing an opaque panel of heat conductive material spaced apart from and substantially parallel to said screen forming a second longitudinal passageway therebetween to rays of the sun passing through said screen,
- passing a stream of gas through said first passageway, then through said second passageway, next passing the resulting heated gas through a heat exchanger external of said passageways and recycling at least a portion of said air to said first passageway,
- thermostatically controlling the rate of circulation of said gas stream,
- passing a stream of liquid in heat exchange relationship with said panel, then passing said liquid stream to a storage chamber external of said panel and recycling at least a portion of said liquid back into heat exchange with said panel, and
- thermostatically controlling the rate of circulation of said liquid.
3 more elements
A solar energy collector system comprising:
- a quadrangular housing,
- a first transparent cover forming a substantially gas-tight chamber over said housing,
- a second transparent cover within said chamber spaced apart and substantially parallel to said first cover,
- flat screen means positioned within said chamber substantially parallel to said second cover on the side thereof opposite to said first cover, said screen means being spaced apart from said second cover forming a first longitudinal passageway therebetween,
- an opaque panel of heat conductive material positioned within said chamber substantially parallel to said screen means spaced apart therefrom on the side opposite to said second cover forming a second longitudinal passageway between said screen and said panel,
- an inlet through said housing for flow of gas into said first passageway,
- an outlet through said housing for flow of gas out of said second passageway,
- said first and second passageways being joined at one end thereof for flow of gas from one of said passageways to the other,
- means to circulate liquid into said housing, then into heat exchange relationship with said panel and out of said housing,
- thermostatic means to control rate of flow of gas into said inlet, and
- thermostatic means to control rate of said liquid circulation.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.