Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Solar energy collector

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6497190

A solar energy collector is disclosed for use primarily in a closed-loop system has a fluid conduit of serpentine configuration which comprises a plurality of relatively thin extruded aluminum tubes. Each tube has a flat top and bottom wall and lateral flat lips or flanges extending longitudinally along opposite sides thereof and coplanar with the bottom wall forming therewith a flat base for the tubes. The flanges provide means for joining the tubes by welding in an array in side by side abutment relation. Sections are formed from the flat tubing as connecting headers which are welded at both ends to pairs of adjacent tubes in staggered relation to form the continuous serpentine path for the heat transferring fluid. The flat, tubular array has a black anodized surface and is enclosed in a weather-proof glass covered, polyurethane insulated frame, which is assembled from a flanged tubular extrusion providing the frame with a stepped interior facing structure mounting the glass cover, tubular array and insulation in a rugged, compact and efficient unit.

Assignee:
All Sunpower, Inc.
Patent Number(s):
US 4112922
OSTI ID:
6497190
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English