# US 5,699,785 A · Solar energy collector

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- Number: US 5,699,785 A
- Document ID: US5699785A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/721,359
- Filed: 1996-09-26
- Granted: 1997-12-23
- Earliest claimed: 1996-09-26
- Inventors: Scott Sparkman
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5699785A

## CPC

- F24S 50/00: Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors
- F24S 30/425: Horizontal axis
- F24S 40/10: Protective covers or shrouds; Closure members, e.g. lids (transparent coverings F24S80/50)
- F24S 60/30: storing heat in liquids
- F24S 2030/16: {Hinged elements; Pin connections}
- Y02B 10/20: Solar thermal
- Y02E 10/47: Mountings or tracking
- F24S: SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS (for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G6/00)
- Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

A solar energy collector (14) which comprises a heat absorbing structure (16) which takes in radiant energy and transfers the radiant energy to water carried therein. A main body (18) encompasses the heat absorbing structure (16). The radiant energy will enter a transparent top portion (19) of the main body (18) to reach the heat absorbing structure (16). Elements (20) are for carrying the water into and out of the heat absorbing structure (16). Components (22) are for supporting opposite ends of the heat absorbing structure (16) within the main body (18) on a roof (24) of a building 26). A facility (28) is for covering the transparent top portion (19) of the main body (18). Equipment (30) is for automatically opening the covering facility (28) during daylight hours to expose the transparent top portion (19), to allow the radiant energy to reach the heat absorbing structure (16) and for automatically closing the covering facility (28) during nighttime hours, to seal the transparent top portion (19) to keep the radiant energy within the heat absorbing structure (16) in the main body (18).

## Claims

### Claim 1

A solar energy collector which comprises:
a) a heat absorbing structure which takes in radiant energy and transfers the radiant energy to water carried therein;
b) a main body to encompass said heat absorbing structure, whereby the radiant energy will enter a transparent top portion of said main body to reach said heat absorbing structure;
c) means for carrying the water into and out of said heat absorbing structure;
d) means for supporting opposite ends of said heat absorbing structure within said main body on a roof of a building;
e) means for covering said transparent top portion of said main body, said covering means being a bi-fold lid pivotally connected to said supporting means and sized to fit over said transparent top portion of said main body, when said bi-fold lid is in a closed position, said bi-fold lid including:
i) an elongated rear cover:
ii) an elongated front cover;
iii) a hinge between abutting edges of said rear cover and said front cover;
iv) a pair of pivot pins extending from opposite side edges of said rear cover away from said hinge, so that said pivot pins can extend into said support means to pivot thereabout; and
v) a pair of slide pins extending from opposite side edges of said front cover away from said hinge, so that said slide pins can extend within guide tracks in said support means to ride therein when said bi-fold lid goes into an open position; and
f) means for automatically opening said covering means during daylight hours to expose said transparent top portion, to allow the radiant energy to reach said heat absorbing structure and for automatically closing said covering means during nighttime hours, to seal said transparent top portion to keep the radiant energy within said heat absorbing structure in said main body.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A solar energy collector as recited in claim 1, wherein said heat absorbing structure is an elongated black colored cylindrical storage tank to hold the water therein.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A solar energy collector as recited in claim 2, wherein said main body includes:
a) an elongated generally U-shaped housing made of an insulated material coated on the exterior with a thin plastic wall and lined on the interior with a mirrored film that reflects the radiant energy back onto said heat absorbing structure therein;
b) a glazed sheet to cover said U-shaped housing above said heat absorbing structure; and
c) an elongated rib longitudinally mounted in the bottom of said U-shaped housing, so as to support said U-shaped housing.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

A solar energy collector as recited in claim 3, wherein said water carrying means includes a pair of pipes, in which each said pipe extends from one end of said heat absorbing structure, so that the water can enter and exit therefrom.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

A solar energy collector as recited in claim 4, wherein said supporting means includes a pair of end cap plates, in which each said end cap plate has an aperture therethrough and a flat base, so that a pipe extending from an end of said heat absorbing structure can extend through one said aperture, while said flat base can be placed in a stationary position onto the roof of the building without slipping and sliding on the roof.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

A solar energy collector as recited in claim 4, wherein said automatically opening and closing means is an insulated gravity driver system which includes:
a) a horizontal counterbalance member extending rearwardly from said covering means;
b) a horizontal uninsulated canister mounted on said covering means;
c) a horizontal insulated canister for holding a refrigerant liquid therein mounted on said counterbalance member; and
d) a capillary tube extending between said uninsulated canister and said insulated canister, so that when sunlight shines on said uninsulated canister, the refrigerant liquid will expand to go through said capillary tube into said insulated canister causing said covering means to go into the open position, and when darkness comes the refrigerant liquid will condense to go back through said capillary tube to said uninsulated canister causing said covering means to go into the closed position.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

A solar energy collector as recited in claim 4, wherein said automatically opening and closing means is an expanding inner tube system which includes:
a) a cylindrical container made out of a flexible material that resists hydrocarbon chemical degrading and permeability, placed in a rear hinged part of said covering means at said transparent top portion of said main body;
b) a small copper solar plate filled with refrigerant liquid; and
c) a capillary tube extending between said cylindrical container and said small copper solar plate, so that when said solar plate is exposed to heat and light, the refrigerant liquid will expand to go through said capillary tube to said cylindrical container, causing said cylindrical container to expand and said covering means to go into the open position and when said solar plate is exposed to darkness, the refrigerant liquid will condense to go back through said capillary tube to said solar plate, causing said cylindrical container to contract and said covering means to go into the closed position.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

A solar energy collector as recited in claim 4, wherein said automatically opening and closing means is an end cap plate driver system which includes:
a) a ball bearing wheel mounted on one end cap plate of said supporting means;
b) a pivot arm connected to said ball bearing wheel;
c) an uninsulated canister/solar panel mounted to a top end of said pivot arm;
d) an insulated canister for holding a refrigerant liquid therein mounted to a bottom end of said pivot arm;
e) a lid arm affixed transversely to a rear portion of said covering means;
f) a counterbalance member attached to a lower end of said lid arm;
g) a pair of transfer rods spaced apart and affixed at one end to said pivot arm, so that said transfer rods will engage with said lid arm; and
h) a capillary tube extending between said uninsulated canister/solar panel and said insulated canister, so that when sunlight shines on said uninsulated canister/solar panel the refrigerant liquid will expand to go through said capillary tube to said insulated canister, causing said pivot arm to swing up with said transfer rods moving away from said lid arm and said counterbalance member pulling said lid arm up with said covering means going into the open position, and when darkness comes the refrigerant liquid will condense to go back through said capillary tube to said uninsulated canister/solar panel, causing said pivot arm to swing down with said transfer rods pushing said lid arm down with said covering means going into the closed position.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

A solar energy collector as recited in claim 1, wherein said main body includes:
a) an elongated generally U-shaped housing made of an insulated material coated on the exterior with a thin plastic wall and lined on the interior with a mirrored film that reflects the radiant energy back onto said heat absorbing structure therein;
b) a glazed sheet to cover said U-shaped housing above said heat absorbing structure; and
c) an elongated rib longitudinally mounted in the bottom of said U-shaped housing, so as to support said U-shaped housing.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

A solar energy collector as recited in claim 1, wherein said water carrying means includes a pair of pipes, in which each said pipe extends from one end of said heat absorbing structure, so that the water can enter and exit therefrom.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

A solar energy collector as recited in claim 1, wherein said supporting means includes a pair of end cap plates, in which each said end cap plate has an aperture therethrough and a flat base, so that a pipe extending from an end of said heat absorbing structure can extend through one said aperture, while said flat base can be placed in a stationary position onto the roof of the building without slipping and sliding on the roof.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

A solar energy collector as recited in claim 1, wherein said automatically opening and closing means is an insulated gravity driver system which includes:
a) a horizontal counterbalance member extending rearwardly from said covering means;
b) a horizontal uninsulated canister mounted on said covering means;
c) a horizontal insulated canister for holding a refrigerant liquid therein mounted on said counterbalance member; and
d) a capillary tube extending between said uninsulated canister and said insulated canister, so that when sunlight shines on said uninsulated canister, the refrigerant liquid will expand to go through said capillary tube into said insulated canister causing said covering means to go into the open position, and when darkness comes the refrigerant liquid will condense to go back through said capillary tube to said uninsulated canister causing said covering means to go into the closed position.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

A solar energy collector as recited in claim 1, wherein said automatically opening and closing means is an expanding inner tube system which includes:
a) a cylindrical container made out of a flexible material that resists hydrocarbon chemical degrading and permeability, placed in a rear hinged part of said covering means at said transparent top portion of said main body;
b) a small copper solar plate filled with refrigerant liquid; and
c) a capillary tube extending between said cylindrical container and said small copper solar plate, so that when said solar plate is exposed to heat and light, the refrigerant liquid will expand to go through said capillary tube to said cylindrical container, causing said cylindrical container to expand and said covering means to go into the open position and when said solar plate is exposed to darkness, the refrigerant liquid will condense to go back through said capillary tube to said solar plate, causing said cylindrical container to contract and said covering means to go into the closed position.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

A solar energy collector as recited in claim 1, wherein said automatically opening and closing means is an end cap plate driver system which includes:
a) a ball bearing wheel mounted on one end cap plate of said supporting means;
b) a pivot arm connected to said ball bearing wheel;
c) an uninsulated canister/solar panel mounted to a top end of said pivot arm;
d) an insulated canister for holding a refrigerant liquid therein mounted to a bottom end of said pivot arm;
e) a lid arm affixed transversely to a rear portion of said covering means;
f) a counterbalance member attached to a lower end of said lid arm;
g) a pair of transfer rods spaced apart and affixed at one end to said pivot arm, so that said transfer rods will engage with said lid arm; and
h) a capillary tube extending between said uninsulated canister/solar panel and said insulated canister, so that when sunlight shines on said uninsulated canister/solar panel the refrigerant liquid will expand to go through said capillary tube to said insulated canister, causing said pivot arm to swing up with said transfer rods moving away from said lid arm and said counterbalance member pulling said lid arm up with said covering means going into the open position, and when darkness comes the refrigerant liquid will condense to go back through said capillary tube to said uninsulated canister/solar panel, causing said pivot arm to swing down with said transfer rods pushing said lid arm down with said covering means going into the closed position.

### Claim 15

A solar energy collector comprising:
a) a heat absorbing structure which takes in radiant energy and transfers the radiant energy to water carried therein;
b) a main body to encompass said heat absorbing structure, whereby the radiant energy will enter a transparent top portion of said main body to reach said heat absorbing structure;
c) means for carrying the water into and out of said heat absorbing structure;
d) means for supporting opposite ends of said heat absorbing structure within said main body on a roof of a building;
e) means for covering said transparent top portion of said main body; and
f) an insulated gravity driver system for automatically opening and closing said covering, said gravity driver system including:
i) a horizontal counterbalance member extending rearwardly from said covering means;
ii) a horizontal uninsulated canister mounted on said covering means;
iii) a horizontal insulated canister for holding a refrigerant liquid therein mounted on said counterbalance member; and
iv) a capillary tube extending between said uninsulated canister and said insulated canister, so that when sunlight shines on said uninsulated canister, the refrigerant liquid will expand to go through said capillary tube into said insulated canister causing said covering means to go into the open position, and when darkness comes the refrigerant liquid will condense to go back through said capillary tube to said uninsulated canister causing said covering means to go into the closed position.

### Claim 16

A solar energy collector comprising:
a) a heat absorbing structure which takes in radiant energy and transfers the radiant energy to water carried therein;
b) a main body to encompass said heat absorbing structure, whereby the radiant energy will enter a transparent top portion of said main body to reach said heat absorbing structure;
c) means for carrying the water into and out of said heat absorbing structure;
d) means for supporting opposite ends of said heat absorbing structure within said main body on a roof of a building;
e) means for covering said transparent top portion of said main body; and
f) an expanding inner tube system for automatically opening and closing said covering, said inner tube system including:
i) a cylindrical container made out of a flexible material that resists hydrocarbon chemical degrading and permeability, placed in a rear hinged part of said covering means at said transparent top portion of said main body;
ii) a small copper solar plate filled with refrigerant liquid; and
iii) a capillary tube extending between said cylindrical container and said small copper solar plate, so that when said solar plate is exposed to heat and light, the refrigerant liquid will expand to go through said capillary tube to said cylindrical container, causing said cylindrical container to expand and said covering means to open, and when said solar plate is exposed to darkness, the refrigerant liquid will condense to go back through said capillary tube to said solar plate, causing said cylindrical container to contract and said covering means to go into the closed position.

### Claim 17

A solar energy collector comprising:
a) a heat absorbing structure which takes in radiant energy and transfers the radiant energy to water carried therein;
b) a main body to encompass said heat absorbing structure, whereby the radiant energy will enter a transparent top portion of said main body to reach said heat absorbing structure;
c) means for carrying the water into and out of said heat absorbing structure;
d) means for supporting opposite ends of said heat absorbing structure within said main body on a roof of a building, said supporting means including a pair of end cap plates, in which each said end cap plate has an aperture therethrough and a flat base, so that a pipe extending from an end of said heat absorbing structure can extend through one said aperture, while said flat base can be placed in a stationary position onto the roof of the building;
e) means for covering said transparent top portion of said main body; and
f) an end cap plate driver system for automatically opening and closing said covering, said end cap plate driver system including:
i) a ball bearing wheel mounted on one end cap plate of said supporting means;
ii) a pivot arm connected to said ball bearing wheel;
iii) an uninsulated canister/solar panel mounted to a top end of said pivot arm;
iv) an insulated canister for holding a refrigerant liquid therein mounted to a bottom end of said pivot arm;
v) a lid arm affixed transversely to a rear portion of said covering means;
vi) a counterbalance member attached to a lower end of said lid arm;
vii) a pair of transfer rods spaced apart and affixed at one end to said pivot arm, so that said transfer rods will engage with said lid arm; and
viii) a capillary tube extending between said uninsulated canister/solar panel and said insulated canister, so that when sunlight shines on said uninsulated canister/solar panel, the refrigerant liquid will expand to go through said capillary tube to said insulated canister, causing said pivot arm to swing up with said transfer rods moving away from said lid arm and said counterbalance member pulling said lid arm up with said covering means going into the open position, and when darkness comes the refrigerant liquid will condense to go back through said capillary tube to said uninsulated canister/solar panel, causing said pivot arm to swing down with said transfer rods pushing said lid arm down with said covering means gong into the closed position.