Method of making a solar water heater

Patent · Tue May 06 04:00:00 EDT 1986

OSTI ID:5641555

Cornell, S D

A method is described of constructing an enclosure for a passive solar heater of the type combining a heat absorber and fluid storage in a tank adapted to be exposed to solar energy. The method consists of: (a) providing a male mold member having a mold surface generally conforming to the interior shape of the enclosure, the mold surface defining a support trough for the fluid storage tank and further defining curved surfaces oppositely adjacent the support trough; (b) providing a female mold having a mold surface generally conforming to the exterior shape of the enclosure; (c) applying a shell material to the female mold surface with the shell having increased thickness in predetermined areas by spraying and allowing the shell material to at least partially harden; (d) forming a pattern of reflective material having a shape conforming at least to the curved surfaces of the male mold surface and the enclosure interior and temporarily securing same to the male mold surface; (e) placing the male and female molds in engagement forming a mold cavity therebetween; (f) filing the mold cavity with an insulative material and allowing the insulative material to set-up; and (g) removing the shell, insulative material and reflective lining from the mold cavity as an integral unitary structure, leaving the mold members behind.

• Assignee: NOV; NOV-85-013135; EDB-86-126706
• Patent Number(s): US 4586227
• OSTI ID: 5641555
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140907* -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Water Heating
APPLIANCES
CASTING MOLDS
CONSTRUCTION
CONTAINERS
DEPOSITION
DIMENSIONS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
HARDENING
HEATERS
HEATING SYSTEMS
LINING PROCESSES
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
MOLDING
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
REFLECTIVITY
SOLAR ABSORBERS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
SOLAR WATER HEATERS
SPRAY COATING
STORAGE FACILITIES
SUPPORTS
SURFACE COATING
SURFACE PROPERTIES
THERMAL INSULATION
THICKNESS
WATER HEATERS