Solar collector method and apparatus
OwnerCharlton Sadlerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A coupling arrangement between a manifold having nipples and a solar panel having nipple receiving orifices. Each nipple is formed with a plurality of primary circumferential projections adjacent to the free forward end and a supplemental circumferential projection adjacent to the manifold. The primary projections have radial surfaces as well as surfaces inclined in a first direction while the supplemental projection has a radial surface as well as a surface inclined in the opposite direction. The coupling arrangement further includes a circumferential recess in each interior orifice of the solar collector, shaped and located for receiving its associated additional projection. Also disclosed is an improved arrangement for coupling together manifolds or grooves and recesses.
Claims15
A solar collector system, comprising in combination:
- an extruded solar collector composed of a ceramic material produced by an extrusion process and composed of a vitrified ceramic material with a plurality of orifices longitudinally extending therethrough;
- an input manifold having a central conduit member with male and female ends and a plurality of radially extending nipples corresponding to the plurality of orifices;
- an output manifold having a central conduit member with male and female ends and a plurality of radially extending nipples corresponding to the plurality of orifices, each nipple having a plurality of primary projections each with a radial surface and a surface inclined with respect to the nipple axis, each nipple also having a supplemental projection with a radial surface and a surface inclined oppositely from the incline of the primary projections;
- means for positioning said nipples of said input manifold into one end of the plurality of orifices and for positioning said nipples of said output manifold into the other end of the plurality of orifices such that a fluid flowing into said input manifold flows through said nipples of said input manifold into the plurality of orifices and then through said nipples of said output manifold into said output manifold;
- a sheet of transparent material affixed in a spaced-apart position above said solar collector by means of a stand-off material;
- said stand-off material comprises strips of insulated material adhered to said solar collector and said sheet of transparent material;
- said strips of material comprises closed cell glass foam;
- an insulated material positioned about said manifolds;
- and
- an arcuate member adhered between said sheet of transparent material and said strip of material and positioned over one of said manifolds to prevent debris from being deposited between said manifold and said solar collector.
A nipple formed in a cylindrical configuration with an exterior surface and a free end, said exterior surface having a plurality of primary projections formed therein, each said primary projection having a radial surface facing toward said free end and a surface inclined relative to the nipple axis in a first direction, said exterior surface also including a supplemental projection located between said primary projections and said free end, said supplemental projection having a radial surface facing away from said free end and a surface inclined in a direction opposite from the first direction.
Coupling apparatus between a manifold having a cylindrical nipple and a solar collector having a cylindrical orifice, said coupling apparatus including a plurality of primary projections formed in the nipple, each said primary projection having a radial surface facing away from the manifold and a surface inclined relative to the nipple axis in a first direction, said coupling apparatus also including a supplemental projection located between said primary projections and the manifold, said supplemental projection having a radial surface facing toward the manifold and a surface inclined in a direction opposite from the first direction, said coupling apparatus also including a recess formed in the orifice for the receipt of said supplemental projection.
A manifold for connection to a solar collector having a plurality of orifices extending longitudinally therethrough, comprising in combination:
- a conduit member;
- a male connector affixed to one end of said conduit member;
- a female connector affixed to the opposite end of said conduit member for receiving an associated male connector, said male and female connectors being formed with mating circumferential projections and recesses for thereby allowing a plurality of manifolds to be serially connected to fluid communication with one another;
- a plurality of nipples having a longitudinal hole therethrough extending from said conduit member corresponding to the plurality of orifices of the solar collector, each said nipple being configured to fit into the respective orifices, each said nipple comprising a base portion and a grooved portion, said grooved portion being positionable into the respective orifices, each said nipple also comprising means for exerting a radially outwardly directed force on said grooved portion when positioned in the respective orifices;
- and
- means for sealingly engaging said nipples in the respective orifices.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.