초록 ▼

A thermal collector and storage system is described as comprising a plurality of energy storage elements or rods mounted in a parallel array within an enclosure, which is adapted to be readily built into a housing wall. Each such storage rod contains a heat phase transformable medium having a meltin

A thermal collector and storage system is described as comprising a plurality of energy storage elements or rods mounted in a parallel array within an enclosure, which is adapted to be readily built into a housing wall. Each such storage rod contains a heat phase transformable medium having a melting temperature sufficiently above that temperature desired to be maintained within the housing to promote efficient transfer thereto. Each rod of the array includes an insulating element that is disposable between a first position wherein solar energy loss to the exterior of the house is retarded, and a second position wherein solar energy may be directed onto the rods.

대표청구항 ▼

Thermal collector and storage apparatus adapted to be disposed within a wall defining at least in part a conditioned space to be heated by solar energy, said apparatus comprising: (a) enclosure means having an opening to permit solar rays to pass therethrough and a heat exchange chamber; (b) a plura

Thermal collector and storage apparatus adapted to be disposed within a wall defining at least in part a conditioned space to be heated by solar energy, said apparatus comprising: (a) enclosure means having an opening to permit solar rays to pass therethrough and a heat exchange chamber; (b) a plurality of energy storage elements supported by said enclosure means within said heat exchange chamber for receiving said solar rays, each energy storage element containing a phase change material selected to have a solid to liquid transition at a temperature sufficiently above the desired interior housing temperature to permit efficient heat transfer to the conditioned space and a high heat of fusion associated with said transition, said plurality of energy storage elements is disposed in an array with each of said energy storage elements parallel to its adjacent energy storage element, and (c) a plurality of heat insulating members, each heat insulating member being associated with a corresponding energy storage element and mounted for movement between a first position, wherein said heat insulating members are disposed between said opening and said plurality of energy storage elements to retard heat loss from said energy storage elements, and a second position wherein the solar rays are permitted to be directed through said opening and onto said plurality of heat energy storage elements, each of said plurality of heat insulating members is configured so that when they are disposed in their second positions there is provided a space between adjacent heat insulating members to permit the solar rays to be directed through said spaces and, thus, directly radiate heat throughout said heat exchange chamber, adjacent of said insulating members of said plurality are adapted to mate with each other when disposed in their first position to form a substantially continuous insulating barrier between said plurality of energy storage elements and said opening, each of said heat insulating members having at least one leading edge adapted to mate in a heat sealing relationship with an adjacent one of said heat insulating members, when said heat insulating members are disposed to their first positions.