초록 ▼

A solar collector for heating water consisting of an insulated housing having a darkened interior and a light transmitting top which preferably filters out solar rays in the UV range. The housing has ventilation apertures in opposing walls. A soft, flexible, non-opaque plastic bladder is contained w

A solar collector for heating water consisting of an insulated housing having a darkened interior and a light transmitting top which preferably filters out solar rays in the UV range. The housing has ventilation apertures in opposing walls. A soft, flexible, non-opaque plastic bladder is contained within the housing. At least the upper portion of the bladder is translucent so as to partially scatter solar rays. The bladder contains water inlet and outlet means and preferably has a valve in the upper portion which allows the venting of trapped air within the bladder and prevents outside air from entering the bladder and water from overflowing the bladder. When the bladder is filled, it blocks the ventilation aperture. Solar radiation is transmitted through the housing top and scattered or diffused by the translucent bladder. Some solar rays are absorbed by the water in the bladder and converted to heat. Rays not absorbed by the water are absorbed by the darkened interior of the housing and also converted to heat. When the bladder is empty, the ventilation apertures are uncovered and outside air circulates through the housing, preventing buildup of excessive heat in the housing.

대표청구항 ▼

A solar collector for heating water comprising: (a) a housing having a floor, connected to contiguous upwardly extending opposing sidewalls and endwalls and a removable transparent lid adapted to fit about said sidewalls and endwalls, said lid containing an aperture through which a valve stem can be

A solar collector for heating water comprising: (a) a housing having a floor, connected to contiguous upwardly extending opposing sidewalls and endwalls and a removable transparent lid adapted to fit about said sidewalls and endwalls, said lid containing an aperture through which a valve stem can be inserted, said floor being covered with a dark radiation absorbing material, said floor further containing an aperture through which a water line can be inserted, (b) a non-opaque soft flexible plastic bladder contained in said housing said bladder having an inlet line for filling the bladder with water and an outlet line in the lower portion thereof for removing water therefrom, said outlet line in said bladder extending through said aperture in the floor of said housing, said bladder also containing an upwardly extending valve stem in the upper portion thereof extending through said aperture in said transparent lid, said valve stem containing a valve which allows air in said bladder to escape, prevents air from entering the bladder and prevents water from overflowing the bladder when filled with water; and (c) wherein at least one of said transparent lid or the upper portion of said bladder contains ultraviolet light absorbing properties to inhibit the transmission of ultraviolet solar rays therethrough.