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US 8,555,872 B2Granted
Solar heater
OwnerJohn Allan Dolphin, Allan Gary Finneyinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A solar heater for space heating is formed by a frame that provides structural support for a plate that absorbs sunlight. In one aspect, the plate is directly molded into the frame. In another aspect, the plate is incorporated into an assembly which is then sealed to the frame. The solar heater is configured such that multiple similarly configured solar heaters may be coupled together in a series and/or parallel arrangement.
Claims19
A solar heater for space heating, comprising:
- a collector assembly comprising:
- a metallic plate;
- a cover formed of a material transparent to electromagnetic radiation;
- and
- a sealing assembly, wherein the plate and the cover are framed by the sealing assembly and a sealed volume is formed between the plate and the cover;
- and
- a housing coupled to the collector assembly and forming a seal, wherein a conduit is formed between the plate and the housing and is in fluid connection with an external space by at least one aperture formed within the housing, and wherein the housing comprises an exterior section formed of a rigid plastic and an interior section formed of a plasticized insulating foam;
- wherein the solar heater is configured for space heating by transmitting electromagnetic radiation incident on the cover to the plate through the sealed volume, and a working fluid within the conduit is heated by convective heat transfer from the plate and exhausted as a heated outlet fluid through the at least one aperture.
5 more elements
A solar heater assembly, comprising:
- a frame comprising:
- a plate;
- a polycarbonate panel formed of a material transparent to electromagnetic radiation;
- and a sealing assembly formed of at least one gasket supported by a rigid bracket, wherein the plate and the panel are framed by the sealing assembly and a sealed volume is formed between the plate and the panel;
- a housing coupled to the frame and forming a seal, wherein a conduit is formed between the plate and the housing and is in fluid connection with a space external the housing by at least one aperture formed within the housing;
- and
- a rigid molding coupled to the housing and securing the frame to the housing;
- wherein the solar heater assembly is configured for space heating by transmitting electromagnetic radiation incident on the panel to the plate through the sealed volume, and a fluid within the conduit is heated by forced convective heat transfer from the plate and exhausted as a heated fluid into the space external the housing through the at least one aperture.
5 more elements
A method for assembling a solar heater configured for space heating, comprising:
- forming a collector assembly comprising a metallic plate, a polycarbonate panel, and a sealing assembly, wherein the plate and the panel are framed by the sealing assembly and a sealed volume is formed between the plate and the panel;
- forming a housing comprising forming an exterior section of the housing by rotational molding and injecting an insulating foam into an interior section of the housing, wherein a plurality of corrugations and a plurality of posts are formed on the exterior section of the housing;
- coupling the collector assembly to the housing forming a seal, wherein a conduit is formed between the plate and the housing and is in fluid connection with a space external the housing by at least one aperture formed within the housing, and wherein the plurality of corrugations and plurality of posts formed on the exterior casing of the housing promote turbulent fluid flow within the conduit;
- and
- coupling a rigid molding to the housing securing the sealing assembly to the housing;
- wherein the solar heater is configured for space heating by transmitting electromagnetic radiation incident on the panel to the plate through the sealed volume, and a working fluid within the conduit is heated by convective heat transfer from the plate and exhausted as a heated outlet fluid through the at least one aperture.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.