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Title: Solar operated shutter

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6595305

A solar shutter system includes a pair of insulating panels pivotally mounted adjacent a glazed opening. Insulated and uninsulated counterbalance pressure tanks are mounted at opposite ends of one of the panels. The counterbalance tanks are interconnected by tubing and contain a partially vaporized fluid, such as freon. The uninsulated tank, exposed to the sunlight, heats up during the day forcing liquid freon from the uninsulated tank into the insulated tank to pivot the panels away from the opening. A solar collection tank beneath the glazed opening absorbs the radiant energy passing through the opening. During normal daylight hours the temperature within the uninsulated tank is greater than the temperatures in the insulated tank so that the panels remain open. When the sun sets, the temperature within the uninsulated tank drops more quickly than the temperature within the insulated tank so that liquid freon within the insulated tank flows back into the uninsulated tank shifting the balance of the panel to pivot the panel back down over the opening. Loss of heat from the solar collection tank is reduced.

Assignee:
EDB-83-049160
Patent Number(s):
US 4349011
OSTI ID:
6595305
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: Filed date 22 May 1981; Other Information: PAT-APPL-266250
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English