Apparatus for manifolding multiple passage solar panel

Patent · Tue Jun 08 00:00:00 EDT 1982

OSTI ID:6321359

Mcalister, R E

A method of sealingly connecting a thermoplastic solar panel structure comprising a multiplicity of elongated thin wall sections defining a multiplicity of parallel passages extending longitudinally between the ends of said panel structure to a thermoplastic manifold tube comprising the steps of mounting an elongated mandrel having a multiplicity of transversely projecting elements corresponding in number and spacing to the panel passages to be communicated with the interior of the manifold tube, positioning a side wall portion of the manifold tube in predetermined spaced relation with the open end of the panel structure so that the projecting elements of the mandrel are generally longitudinally aligned with the open ends of a corresponding member of the passages in the panel structure, heating the spaced panel structure end and the manifold tube side wall portion to soften the thermoplastic material thereof, moving the mandrel within the manifold tube so as to position the projecting elements through the side wall portion thereof and into the open ends of said corresponding panel structure passages and the manifold tube toward the panel structure end so as to cause the manifold tube side wall portion to apply a pressure to the panel structure end sufficient to deform the thermoplastic material thereof and effect a fusing of the same into a unitary mass, and withdrawing the mandrel in the direction of extent of the projecting elements to a position within the interior of the manifold tube and then longitudinally out of the manifold tube and apparatus for carrying out the method.

• Assignee: EDB-83-084037
• Patent Number(s): US 4333789
• OSTI ID: 6321359
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 4 Dec 1980; Other Information: PAT-APPL-213198
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
THERMIC DIODE SOLAR PANELS
DESIGN
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
MULTIPLICITY
TUBES
WALLS
APPLIANCES
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
HEATERS
HEATING SYSTEMS
PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
PASSIVE SOLAR WATER HEATERS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
SOLAR WATER HEATERS
WATER HEATERS
141000* - Solar Collectors & Concentrators