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US 4,263,893 AGranted
Solar energy collector construction
AssigneeConsuntrator, Inc.
InventorsAlex Pavlak, Paul M. L'Esperance, Joseph F. Catelli
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AssigneeConsuntrator, Inc.
InventorsAlex Pavlak, Paul M. L'Esperance, Joseph F. Catelli
Estimating the term…
Solar energy collector construction wherein the collector is composed of a skeleton framework, preferably of I-beam configuration interconnected so that it may be folded into a compact configuration for storage and shipment and which may be erected and locked into expanded configuration at the erection site so as to provide a sturdy structure which is highly resistant to wind loading and yet is fully effective in operation and use. Another feature is the design and mounting of the reflective elements which permits the reflective elements to be replaced periodically as they become less efficient reflectors through exposure to the elements. An improved collector construction is disclosed wherein the absorber element is in the form of a plate having passages therein for the flow of heat exchange fluid therethrough, the absorber plate being mounted within an enclosed light- and radiant-energy-transparent envelope which minimizes loss of heat from the absorber element by convection and conduction.
A solar energy collector comprising a skeleton framework, an elongated semi-tubular reflector means mounted on said framework, said means comprising reflective sheet elements forming two longitudinal sidewalls confronting each other with free upper edge portions defining between them an aperture for receiving the solar energy, said walls converging toward one another with a curvature increasing with the distance from said free edge portions, the marginal lower edge portions of said reflective elements forming a bottom wall along the base of said semi-tubular reflector, and a longitudinal absorber element disposed within said reflector adjacent said bottom wall to receive solar energy entering said aperture, said framework having parallel curved ribs corresponding to the curvature of said reflective elements, and junction means providing a slidable fit between said reflective elements and said ribs, said reflective elements being capable of flexing to permit slidable movement of said sheet elements along said ribs from said aperture toward said base.
A solar energy collector comprising a skeleton framework, an elongated semi-tubular reflector means mounted on said framework, said means comprising reflective sheet elements forming two longitudinal sidewalls confronting each other with free edge portions defining between them an aperture for receiving the solar energy, said walls converging toward one another with curvature increasing with the distance from said free edge portions, the remote marginal edge portions of said reflective elements meeting to form a bottom wall along the base of said semi-tubular reflector, and a longitudinal collector element disposed within said reflector adjacent said bottom wall to receive solar energy entering said aperture, said framework having parallel curved ribs corresponding to the curvature of said reflective sheet elements, a keel element for each sidewall extending along the remote marginal edge interconnecting said ribs, a stringer element for each sidewall extending along the free edge portion interconnecting said ribs, said keel and stringer forming a non-skewing frame supporting said reflective sheet elements, locking means releasably interconnecting the frames along said bases, rigid cross-braces of a length corresponding to the width of said aperture and extending across said aperture between said stringers, and means pivotally connecting said cross braces at the opposite ends thereof to said stringers, whereby upon release of said locking means, said collector may be folded into a compact package by pivotal displacement of said side frames on said cross braces, and thereafter extended to the original configuration.
A solar energy collector comprising a skeleton framework, an elongated semi-tubular reflector means mounted on said framework, said means comprising reflective sheet elements forming two longitudinal sidewalls confronting each other with free edge portions defining between them an aperture for receiving the solar energy, said walls converging toward one another with curvature increasing with the distance from said free edge portions, the remote marginal edge portions of said reflective elements meeting to form a bottom wall along the base of said semi-tubular reflector, and a longitudinal collector element disposed within said reflector adjacent said bottom wall to receive solar energy entering said aperture, said framework having parallel curved ribs corresponding to the curvature of said reflective sheet elements, a keel element for each sidewall extending along the remote marginal edge interconnecting said ribs, a stringer element for each sidewall extending along the free edge portion interconnecting said ribs, said keel and stringer forming a non-skewing frame supporting said reflective sheet elements, said ribs and said stringers being elongated structural members having an I-beam cross section with a central web portion and a pair of spaced, parallel flange portions, the flange portions of said ribs having a curvature corresponding to the reflective sheets elements and interlocking with and providing cantilevered support for said sheet elements, the flange portion of each stringer underlying and disposed flush against a surface of the associated sheet element which is opposite the aforementioned reflective surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.