초록 ▼

A solar heating system includes an array of solar collectors and a manifold through which the collectors are supplied with water, this water being derived from a storage tank located below the collectors. The water is circulated through the collectors by a pump, and within the collectors the water i

A solar heating system includes an array of solar collectors and a manifold through which the collectors are supplied with water, this water being derived from a storage tank located below the collectors. The water is circulated through the collectors by a pump, and within the collectors the water is heated, but when the pump is not operating, the water drains from the collectors into the tank so it will not freeze and damage the collectors. Each solar collector includes a housing, a collector panel in the housing and containing a cavity through which water is circulated, supply and drain pipes which extend the full height of the housing behind the panel and are connected through ports with opposite ends of the panel cavity, and a light transmitting material over the housing. The supply and drain pipes of some of the collectors are plugged into corresponding supply and drain fittings on the manifold at bushings which fit into aligned ends of the pipes and fittings. The supply and drain pipes of other collectors are plugged into the supply and drain pipes of those collectors which are along the manifold, again the connections being at bushing.

대표청구항 ▼

For use in a solar heating system, the combination comprising: at least one solar collector having its one end mounted higher than its other end and including a surface that is capable of absorbing a substantial amount of heat from the rays of the sun, means for enclosing a cavity behind the heat ab

For use in a solar heating system, the combination comprising: at least one solar collector having its one end mounted higher than its other end and including a surface that is capable of absorbing a substantial amount of heat from the rays of the sun, means for enclosing a cavity behind the heat absorbing surface with the cavity being capable of holding a heat transfer fluid, a supply pipe extending along the cavity-enclosing means and having its ends easily accessible at the upper and lower ends of the collector, the supply pipe having its interior in communication with the lower region of the cavity, and a drain pipe extending along the cavity enclosing means and having its ends easily accessible at the upper and lower ends of the collector, the drain pipe having its interior in communication with the cavity at the upper region of the cavity; a manifold located below and adjacent to the lower end of the collector and including a pressure pipe having a supply fitting, and a return pipe located alongside the pressure pipe and having a drain fitting; and first coupling means for connecting the supply pipe of the collector and the supply fitting of the manifold and second coupling means for connecting the drain pipe of the collector and the drain fitting of the manifold, all to enable the heat transfer fluid to flow from the pressure pipe of the manifold, through the cavity of the collector where it is heated, and thence into the return pipe of the manifold, the first and second coupling means being detachable from the collector and further being configured to enable the respective pipes and fittings that they connect to be joined together and taken apart by moving the collector with respect to the manifold, whereby the collector may in effect be plugged into the manifold and also another collector of similar construction may be plugged into the said one collector at the upper end thereof to communicate with the pressure and return pipes of the manifold through the supply and drain pipes of said one collector.