Unitary structure and method for utilizing solar energy

Patent · Tue Feb 17 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:6168087

Milburn, W W

A structure and method for utilizing solar energy for heating including a unitary, preferably modular, unit adapted to form an outer surface of a building, and having therein a reservoir suitable for storing fluid heat storage medium. The structure includes an outer glazing, an energy absorbing surface spaced inwardly from the glazing, and a divider forming an absorber channel adjacent the back side of the absorber. Preferably, the storage reservoir is separated from the back side of the absorber by an insulating divider defining the absorber channel. The structure is preferably self-supporting with a stressed storage reservoir and may be incorporated in a structure as a unitary module supporting at least its own weight and often forming a structural, stressed portion of the building. In operation, air may be selectively conducted through the absorber channel to accumulate heat energy from the back side of the absorber and, optionally, conduct the heat energy directly to the building volume to be heated, or over the storage reservoir to accumulate and store the collected energy. When radiant energy is not available, air may be flowed over the storage reservoir to withdraw heat energy to be utilized for heating purposes.

• Assignee: IFI; EDB-81-097993
• Patent Number(s): US 4250871
• OSTI ID: 6168087
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140901 -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Space Heating & Cooling
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
142000 -- Solar Energy-- Heat Storage-- (1980-)
AIR FLOW
AIR HEATERS
BLOWERS
BUILDINGS
DESIGN
ENERGY STORAGE
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
FLUID FLOW
GAS FLOW
HEAT STORAGE
HEATERS
HEATING SYSTEMS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SENSIBLE HEAT STORAGE
SOLAR AIR HEATERS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
STORAGE
THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT
WATER