Highly efficient solar collector including means for preventing cover plate fluid condensation

Patent · Tue Sep 06 04:00:00 EDT 1977

OSTI ID:6813785

Root, E F; Kunica, S; Simmons, H M

A solar energy collector of low cost and high thermal efficiency is disclosed having a heat trap produced by zigzagging a thin strip of polyethylene terephthalate between opposite sides of the trap while wrapping the strip about rows of dowels positioned at opposite sides of the frame of the solar collector. A window of soda lime glass filters uv radiation to inhibit discoloration of the plastic heat trap walls. An absorber plate having fluid pipes therein is positioned underneath the heat trap and a first layer of fiberglass, and a second layer of polyurethane foam are positioned below the absorber plate. The fiberglass layer prevents overheating of the polyurethane foam layer to in turn inhibit the formation of toxic fluids, which may condense upon the underside of the window to reduce the efficiency of the collector.

• Assignee: Itek Corp.
• Patent Number(s): US 4046135
• OSTI ID: 6813785
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
COLLOIDS
COST
COVERINGS
DESIGN
DISPERSIONS
EFFICIENCY
FIBERGLASS
FOAMS
GLASS
MATERIALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTIC FOAMS
PLASTICS
POLYAMIDES
POLYETHYLENES
POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
POLYURETHANES
SOLAR COLLECTORS
THERMAL EFFICIENCY
THERMAL INSULATION
VAPOR CONDENSATION