초록 ▼

A solar energy collector/storage system which includes an insulated container having working fluid inlets and outlets and an opening, a light-transmitting member positioned over the opening, and a heat-absorbing member which is centrally situated, is supported in the container, and is made of a mixt

A solar energy collector/storage system which includes an insulated container having working fluid inlets and outlets and an opening, a light-transmitting member positioned over the opening, and a heat-absorbing member which is centrally situated, is supported in the container, and is made of a mixture of gypsum, lampblack, and water. A light-reflecting liner made of corrugated metal foil preferably is attached to the internal surface of the container. The opening of the container is positioned in optical alignment with a source of solar energy. A light-reflecting cover optionally can be hingedly attached to the container, and can be positioned such as to reflect solar energy rays into the container. The system is adaptable for use with a working gas (e.g., air) and/or a working liquid (e.g., water) in separated flows which absorb heat from the heat-absorbing member, and which are useable per se or in an associated storage and/or circulatory system that is not part of this invention. The heat-absorbing mixture can also contain glass fibers. The heat-absorbing member is of such great load-bearing strength that it can also be used simultaneously as a structural member, e.g., a wall or ceiling of a room; and, thereby, the system can be used to heat a room, if a window of the room is the light-transmitting member and is facing the sun, and if the heat-absorbing member is a wall and/or the ceiling of the room and receives solar energy through the window.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A solar energy/storage system, comprising: a. an insulated container having an opening in optical alignment with a source of solar energy, an internal surface, and an inlet and an outlet for use with a working gas, with said inlet having a fan disposed therein to promote the flow of said worki

1. A solar energy/storage system, comprising: a. an insulated container having an opening in optical alignment with a source of solar energy, an internal surface, and an inlet and an outlet for use with a working gas, with said inlet having a fan disposed therein to promote the flow of said working gas; b. air, as said working gas, flowing into said insulated container through said working gas inlet, throughout said insulated container, and out of said insulated container through said working gas outlet; c. a light-reflecting metal liner disposed adjacent said internal surface of said insulated container; d. a light-transmitting member made of light-transparent material disposed over said opening of said insulated container, thereby closing said opening; and e. a plurality of members made of heat-absorbing material and disposed within said insulated container, wherein said heat-absorbing material comprises a mixture of gypsum in powdered form, lampblack, glass fibers and water, and wherein said members are in the structural cross sectional shape of corrugated sheets having corrugations comprising alternating ridges and grooves, with said ridges of said members being in contact with said grooves of adjacent members and thereby forming voids, and also wherein said members are further disposed such that flow paths for said working air are defined by said inlet with said fan, said light-reflecting liner, the voids between adjacent members, said light-transmitting member, and said outlet. 2. A solar energy collector/storage system comprising: a. an insulated container having an opening in optical alignment with a source of solar energy, an inlet and an outlet in the structural form of openable and closeable adjustable louvers for use with a working gas, another inlet and another outlet for use with a working liquid, and an internal surface; b. air, as said working gas, flowing into said insulated container through said working gas inlet, throughout said insulated container, and out of said insulated container through said working gas outlet; c. water, as said working liquid, selectively flowing into said insulated container through said working liquid inlet and out of said insulated container through said working liquid outlet; d. a light-reflecting metal liner disposed adjacent said internal surface of said insulated container; e. a light-transmitting member made of light-transparent material disposed over said opening of said insulated container, thereby closing said opening; f. a member made of heat-absorbing material and centrally located within said insulated container, wherein said heat-absorbing material comprises a mixture of gypsum in powdered form, lampblack, and water, and wherein said heat-absorbing member has a serpentine shaped conduit therein connected to said working liquid inlet and outlet, with said working water flowing through said conduit, and also wherein said positioning of said centrally located heat-absorbing member is such that a flow path for said working air is defined by said working gas inlet, said light-reflecting liner, said light-transmitting member, and said working gas outlet; and g. an insulated cover which is dimensioned and configured to fit on and overspread said light-transmitting member and said opening in said insulated container, with said insulating cover having a light-reflecting metal liner attached to a surface of said cover that opposes said light-transmitting member, wherein said cover is attached to said insulated container, and is selectively movable while so attached, such that said cover is useable to cover and to uncover said light-transmitting member, and wherein said cover is selectively positionable such that said light-reflecting metal liner attached to said cover is in optical alignment with said source of solar energy.