Solar energy collector assembly and sub-assemblies thereof
AssigneeAmetek, Inc.
InventorJohn C. Bowen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Solar energy collector assembly including a solar energy collector in an enclosed space housing with bottom closure member secured by a snap-fit spring channel and low thermal conductivity mating projection therefor, a collector member securing means comprising a plurality of stiff low thermal conductivity wire retainers and top cover securing and sealing means comprising a seal and clamp engaging the top cover just inward of its periphery, to prevent intrusion of condensate in the enclosed space of the housing.
Claims11
In a solar energy collector assembly including elongated side members having a top and bottom edge, a transparent sheet top cover member disposed at the top of said side members, and a bottom closure member disposed at the bottom of said side members, said side members, transparent sheet and closure member together forming an enclosed space housing within which is disposed a solar energy collector means, the improvement consisting of top cover securing and sealing means comprising a seal engaging the bottom surface of said top cover along and inward of the periphery thereof and clamping means pressing said top cover downwardly into engagement with said seal, the edge of said bottom surface between said seal and said periphery being free of engagement with any mating surface to prevent retention of condensate thereon, wherein said top cover securing and sealing means include a gasket resting on an inwardly turned upper flange of said side members, said clamping means extends upwardly from said side member and overlies the outer edge of the upper surface of said top cover, and the outer edge of said top cover extends outward of said gasket, said side member further including means for permitting the escape of condensate collected at the outer edge of said top cover.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.