Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
  • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
  • E06B7/00—Special arrangements or measures in connection with doors or windows
  • E06B7/02—Special arrangements or measures in connection with doors or windows for providing ventilation, e.g. through double windows; Arrangement of ventilation roses
  • E06B7/08—Louvre doors, windows or grilles
  • E06B7/084—Louvre doors, windows or grilles with rotatable lamellae
  • E06B7/086—Louvre doors, windows or grilles with rotatable lamellae interconnected for concurrent movement
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
  • F24D11/00—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses
  • F24D11/006—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses air heating system
  • F24D11/007—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses air heating system combined with solar energy
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
  • F24S20/00—Solar heat collectors specially adapted for particular uses or environments
  • F24S20/60—Solar heat collectors integrated in fixed constructions, e.g. in buildings
  • F24S20/61—Passive solar heat collectors, e.g. operated without external energy source
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
  • F24S20/00—Solar heat collectors specially adapted for particular uses or environments
  • F24S20/60—Solar heat collectors integrated in fixed constructions, e.g. in buildings
  • F24S20/63—Solar heat collectors integrated in fixed constructions, e.g. in buildings in the form of windows
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
  • F24S23/00—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors
  • F24S23/70—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors
  • F24S23/77—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors with flat reflective plates
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
  • F24S50/00—Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors
  • F24S50/80—Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors for controlling collection or absorption of solar radiation
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
  • F24S20/00—Solar heat collectors specially adapted for particular uses or environments
  • F24S2020/10—Solar modules layout; Modular arrangements
  • F24S2020/18—Solar modules layout; Modular arrangements having a particular shape, e.g. prismatic, pyramidal
  • F24S2020/183—Solar modules layout; Modular arrangements having a particular shape, e.g. prismatic, pyramidal in the form of louvers
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
  • Y02B10/00—Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
  • Y02B10/20—Solar thermal
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
  • Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a self-regulating solar window device for controlling the transmission of solar radiation 5 to an area, and to active and passive solar collector systems •j employing such a solar window.
• the harnessing of solar energy for the efficient generation of heat and electricity is assuming increased importance in light of growing awareness of the limited nature of our fossil fuel 10 resources.
• Active solar collector systems utilizing circulating fluids as the heat transfer mechanism, and passive solar collec ⁇ tor systems, relying on the absorption and re-radiation of solar energy by a stationary collector surface, are both well known.
• techniques for increasing the efficiency and effec- 15 tiveness of such systems are being sought.
• the window device of the present invention provides an improved technique for more effectively controlling the transmission of incident solar radia ⁇ tion to the collector surfaces of such systems.
• the solar heating device described in U.S. Patent No. 20 3,884,414, issued May 20, 1975 utilizes a plurality of pivotable louver panels.
• One of the louver panels is provided with exte ⁇ rior and interior pressure cannisters which are interconnected to. control both the opening and closing of the panels.
• An expansi ⁇ ble fluid such as freon is provided in the cannisters.
• the internal temperature of the exterior cannister is less than 5 that of the interior cannister.
• This type of solar heating device seeks merely to add energy to the interior of a structure above the ambient energy level contained therein, and does not seek to maximize solar energy —"? —
• This device has a transducer element containing an expansible material, such as a gas at a slight overpressure, which activates a piston-cylinder unit for operating a cam-lever arrangement.
• the cam-lever arrangement cooperates with a mechanism for adjusting the incli- nation of the shutters.
• This device as with the device disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,884,414, is designed for operation at a single ambient tempera ⁇ ture (as for example in climate—controlled buildings) , and is not readily adjustable over a range of temperatures.
• the present invention overcomes the problems and disadvan ⁇ tages of the prior art devices by providing a high-efficiency solar window device having an adjustable, independently powered, automatic regulating system for controlling the amount of solar radiation transmitted through the window.
• the window device of the present invention is suitable for use in conjunction with both active and passive solar collectors. Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide novel and improved solar window apparatus for maximiz ⁇ ing the usable solar energy transmitted through the window and minimizing the heat loss therethrough. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a solar window device having a novel and improved automatic regu ⁇ lating system for controlling the amount of incident solar radia ⁇ tion transmitted through the window, as well as the amount of heat energy lost through the window. It is another object of the present invention to provide a solar window device which is readily adjustable over a range of temperatures.
• the invention comprises a window device for controlling the transmis ⁇ sion of solar radiation therethrough, having a first diffuser means forming the exterior of the device for diffusing incoming solar radiation, a second diffuser means spaced interiorly from the first diffuser means for further diffusing the incoming solar radiation, a plurality of substantially planar vanes situated between the first and second diffuser means, with each of the vanes having reflective surfaces and being pivotable about an axis passing through its center of gravity, the vanes being interconnected to move substantially in unison, means for auto ⁇ matically controlling the inclination of the vanes about their respective axes in response to the amount of solar radiation transmitted past the vanes, a plurality of substantially planar insulating panels spaced interiorly from the second diffuser means, with each of the panels being pivotable about an axis passing through its center of gravity and being interconnected to move substantially in unison, and means for automatically con ⁇ trolling the inclination-
• the means for controlling the inclination of the vanes includes first sensor means situated between the first and second diffuser means for sensing a portion of the solar radia ⁇ tion transmitted past the vanes, and first actuator means opera- tively coupled to the output of the first sensor means and to the vanes, for pivoting the vanes in response to the output of the first sensor means.
• the means for controlling the inclination of the insulating panels preferably includes second sensor means situ ⁇ ated between the first and second diffuser means for sensing a portion of the solar radiation transmitted past the vanes, and second actuator means operatively coupled to the output of the second sensor means and to the panels for pivoting the panels in response to the output of the second sensor means.
• the window device comprises a first diffuser means forming the exterior of the device for diffusing incoming solar radiation, a second dif ⁇ fuser means spaced interiorly from the first diffuser means for further diffusing incoming solar radiation, a plurality of sub ⁇ stantially planar vanes situated between the first and second diffuser means, with each of the vanes having reflective surfaces and being pivotable about an axis passing through its center of gravity, the vanes being interconnected to move substantially in unison, and means for automatically controlling the inclination of the vanes about their respective axes in response to the amount of solar radiation transmitted past the vanes, whereby the transmission of solar radiation through the window is controlled.
• solar collector apparatus comprising a window device as described above, in combination with a passive solar collector surface sit- uated interiorly of the window device for collecting and re-radiating solar energy transmitted through the window device.
• an active solar-collector apparatus comprising a window i device, as described above, in combination with a collector chamber situated interiorly of the window and having a heat transfer medium (e.g. , air or water) circulating therethrough, whereby incident solar radiation may be converted to heat energy 5 of the heat transfer medium.
• a heat transfer medium e.g. , air or water
• the collector chamber is sandwichea between the second diffuser means and the insulating panels, whereby incident solar radiation may be converted to the heat energy of the heat transfer medium, and whereby the collector chamber is insulated 10 from the surrounding environment when the panels are in a closed position.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective, schematic illustration of a window device constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a passive solar col ⁇ lector system for heating a building constructed in accordance with the present invention
• FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1; 5 FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3, showing the vanes in a fully closed position and the insulating panels in a partially open position;
• FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional view of the preferred 0 embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3, showing the vanes in a partially closed position and the insulating panels in a fully * open position;
• FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, exploded view, in section, of a portion of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in 5 FIG. 3, showing the sealed piston and cam means used to control the inclination of the vanes and the insulating panels;
• FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, exploded view, in section, of a
• FIG. 3 showing the positioning of the sealed piston and cam mechanisms during the closing of the vanes and the insulating panels
• FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of an ambient temperature compensator constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 9 is a schematic top view of another preferred embodi ⁇ ment of the present invention in partial cut-away form to reveal details of its construction;
• FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 9, taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9;
• FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 9, taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 9;
• FIG. 12 is a perspective illustration of a surface scrubbing means suitable for use in the present invention.
• FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the interrelationship of the elements of the invention.
• FIGS. 1-7 A preferred embodiment of the window device of the present invention for controlling the transmission of solar radiation is shown in FIGS. 1-7, and is represented generally by the numeral 10.
• this window device includes a first diffuser means 12 forming the exterior of the device, for diffus ⁇ ing incident solar radiation, and a second diffuser means 14 spaced interiorly from first diffuser means 12 for further dif ⁇ fusing the solar radiation.
• these diffuser means comprise translucent panels which are preferably comprised of a fiberglass reinforced polyester material, such as, for exam ⁇ ple, Kalwall Sunlite Premium II.
• the diffuser means may comprise transparent panels have a layer of conven ⁇ tional glazing material thereon.
• Diffuser means 12 and 14 may be mounted in a surrounding support frame 16.
• Frame 16 may comprise an integral portion of the structure to which the window device is to be mounted, such as, for example, the roofing support joists of a building, or may comprise a separate, independently mountable unit as shown in FIG. 1. Diffuser means 12 and 16, in combination with frame 16, preferably form a dead air space.
• diffuser means 12 and 16 The primary purpose of diffuser means 12 and 16 is to evenly distribute the incident solar radiation so that, for example, no shadows are formed in the corners of the device. Further, as will be discussed below, the closing of the reflective vanes 20 serves to concentrate the solar radiation which is incident upon second diffuser means 14 into ever narrowing bands of increasing intensity. In passing through second diffuser means 14, the solar radiation is redistributed more evenly.
• a plurality of substantially planar, reflective vanes 20 are situated between first and second diffuser means 12, 14, 'substan ⁇ tially as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Reflective vanes 20 may be mounted on frame 16 using conventional jalousie-type hardware
• Each of the reflective vanes 20 is pivotable about an axis 22 passing through its center of gravity, and the vanes are interconnected by means of a connecting rod 24 and jalousie- type hardware 26 so as to move substantially in unison.
• Vanes 20 may be constructed from any rigid material. The material itself may be reflective, or it may be coated with a suitable reflective material. The surfaces of vanes 20 are preferably comprised of a. mirror-finished metal or a reflective metal such as aluminum.
• Two vanes, 20' and 20 ' ' are preferably made of particularly rigid construction to serve as master vanes which shade the sen ⁇ sors utilized in controlling the inclination of vanes 20, to be discussed below in detail.
• a plurality of substantially planar insulating panels 30 are also mounted on frame 16 using conventional jalousie-type hardware (not shown).
• panels 30 are arranged substantially parallel to vanes 20.
• Panels 30 are spaced interiorly from second diffuser means 14, and are each pivotable about an axis 32 passing through its center of gravity.
• Panels 30 are interconnected by connecting rod 34 and jalousie- type hardware 36 so as to move substantially in unison.
• Insulating panels 30 may be constructed from any conventional heat-insulating material. -8 -
• this automatic control means includes a sensor means situated between diffuser means 12 and 14 for sens ⁇ ing a portion of the solar radiation transmitted past reflective vanes 20, and an actuator means operatively coupled to the output of sensor means and to reflective vanes 20 for pivoting the vanes in response to the output of the sensor means.
• the sensor means comprises a reservoir 40 which contains an expansible fluid. Reservoir 40 may be of any convenient shape, provided it will fit within the space designated as 42 in FIG. 3, so as not to restrain the movement of reflective vanes 20. Thus, instead of the cylinder shown in FIG. 3, reservoir 40 might be substantially triangular-shaped so as to be coextensive with space 42.
• the expansible fluid contained within reservoir 40 will preferably comprise a volatile fluid such as freon, or another similar fluid.
• the fluid may be a gas at a slight overpressure, a liquid with a comparatively high coefficient of expansion, namely a liquid hydrocarbon, or a liquid hich, when heated, can be transformed into the vapor phase.
• the surface of reservoir 40 and/or optional surface 43 is preferably made highly heat-absor ing. This may be accomplished, for example, by applying a black or other heat-absorbing coating to such surfaces.
• the actuator means includes a conven ⁇ tional pressure regulator 44 which is connected to reservoir 40 so that the pressure generated by the expansible gas in reservoir 40 comprises the input to pressure regulator 44.
• Pressure regu- lator 44 operates in a conventional manner to provide a reduced, controlled pressure output which is proportional to the input pressure.
• the output pressure provided by pressure regulator 44 acts on sealed piston 46, which is, in turn, connected to one-o-f . the master vanes 20' via a slotted cam 48.
• FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the two possible extreme positions of reflective vanes 20, sealed piston 46 and slotted cam 48.
• reflective vanes 20 are shown in a fully open position with essentially no incident solar radiation being blocked by the vanes
• FIG. 7 shows reflective vanes 20 in their fully closed position in which essentially all the incident solar radi ⁇ ation is reflected away from the window.
• the arrows in FIG. 7 illustrate the respective directions of movement of the reflec- tive vanes 20, slotted cam 48 and sealed piston 46 in moving from the fully open to the fully closed position.
• ambient temperature com ⁇ pensation means are preferably provided to compensate for changes in ambient temperature which might otherwise adversely affect the operation of the means for automatically controlling the inclina ⁇ tion of reflective vanes 20.
• the ambient temperature, and thus the pressure outputs, of reservoir 40 will be affected. This ambient temperature effect will occur irrespective of the amount of solar radiation incident on the window device, and thus may result in the transmission of more or less solar radiation than desired through the window.
• the ambient temperature compen ⁇ sation means is designed to compensate for this ambient tempera ⁇ ture effect.
• the ambient temperature compensation means may comprise a unit constructed as shown in FIG. 8.
• the compensator unit is pref ⁇ erably placed in-line between pressure regulator 44 and sealed piston 46, although other arrangements are suitable.
• the output from the pressure regulator is fed to compensator unit 62 via inlet 63, and the compensated pressure output exists the unit via outlet 64, and is fed to the piston 46.
• Compensator unit 62 includes a closed cylinder 65 having pistons 66a, 66b and 66c fixed on rod 66, with -pistons 66b and 66c being situated on opposite sides of fixed partition 67.
• Heat exchanger chambers 68 containing an expansible gas such as, for example, freon are pro ⁇ vided in unit 62.
• Capillary tube sensors 69 sense the ambient
• the means for controlling the inclination of reflective vanes 20, discussed above further includes means for applying a force to reflective vanes 20 biasing them toward their
• the actuator means is preferably designed to over- ⁇ come this biasing force at a pre-selected level of solar radia ⁇ tion transmission, and react over a predetermined differential
• the biasing means comprises a com ⁇ pression spring 49 situated within sealed piston 46 so as to bias the piston toward the position it assumes when reflective vanes 20 are in their fully open position.
• the pre—selected level of transmission is adjustable over a range of values by adjusting
• Means are also provided for automatically controlling the inclination of insulating panels 30 about their respective axes in response to the amount of solar radiation transmitted past
• this automatic control means is substantially identical to the means for controlling the inclination of reflective vanes ' 20, as fully described above.
• the means for controlling the inclination of insulating panels 30 includes a reservoir 50 situated between first and second diffuser means 12 and 14, and containing an expansible fluid (with reservoir 50 preferably having a radiation-absorbing surface 53), a pressure regulator 54 con- nected to reservoir 50 (with regulator 54 preferably including means for remote adjustment) , and a sealed piston 56 connected to the output of pressure regulator 54, and having its output con ⁇ nected to master panel 30" via slotted cam 58.
• Each of the above-recited elements functions in substantially the identical manner to the corresponding elements of the above-described means for controlling the inclination of reflective vanes 20.
• the means for controlling the inclination of insulating panels 30 further includes means for applying a force to insulating panels 30 biasing them toward their closed posi ⁇ tion, in which substantially no solar radiation is transmitted through the window.
• the biasing means com ⁇ prises a compression spring 59 situated within sealed piston 56 so as to bias the piston toward the position it assumes when * insulating panels 30 are in their fully closed position.
• Pressure regulator 54, -sealed piston 56 and slotted cam 58, which together function as an actuator means, are designed to overcome., this biasing force at a pre-selected level of solar radiation transmission.
• the pre-selected level of transmission is adjust- able over a range of values by adjusting the setting of the threshold of pressure regulator 54, as will be discussed below.
• the respective means for automatically controlling the inclination of reflective vanes 20 and insulating panels 30 are preferably mounted in the respective positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, using support braces (not shown) mounted on frame 16.
• Reservoirs 40, 50, pressure regulators 44, 54, sealed pistons 46, 56, and slotted cams 48, 58, are selected, constructed and arranged to function such that, in operation, reflective vanes- 20 and insulating panels 30 are automatically rotated about their respective axes to control the amount of solar radiation trans ⁇ mitted through the window.
• reflective vanes 20 are preferably biased toward their fully open position, as described above, and insulating panels 30 are preferably biased toward their fully closed position, as described above.
• the incident solar radiation will serve to heat the expansible fluid contained in reservoirs 40 and 50, thereby increasing the fluid pressure.
• this increasing pressure will be applied to pressure regulators 44 and 54, respectively, in a conventional manner.
• Pressure regulators 44 and 54 are preferably of the type which can be manually, and preferably remotely, adjusted to pro ⁇ vide a pressure output only when the pressure input from reservoirs 40, 50, respectively, reaches a pre-selected threshold value.
• the threshold value is infinitely adjustable over the designed range via, for example, flexible cables (not shown) con ⁇ nected to a conventional control dial, etc. (not shown).
• the regulators provide a controlled, reduced output pressure to the respective sealed pistons 46 and 56.
• the value at which the threshold is set is where the differential, i.e. , the energy required to fully open or fully close vanes 20 and panels 30, begins. That is, if vanes 20 are designed, for example, to fully close over a range of 25 BTU's/HR.ft. 2 , then the threshold value plus 25 2 BTU's/HR.ft. will be the peak energy maximum transmitted through the window. Again, assuming, for example, a differential of 25
• vanes 20 will close halfway at a level of 12.5 BTU's/HR.ft. . Further, assuming, for example, that the desired peak level of transmission through the window is 150 BTU's/HR.ft. , then when the level of incident radiation reaches twice that value, reflective vanes 20 will be automatically inclined such that roughly fifty percent of the incident radia ⁇ tion is reflected and roughly fifty percient, i.e. , 150 BTU's/HR.ft. 2 (including the 12.5 BTU's/HR.ft. 2 required to close reflective vanes 20 halfway) is transmitted through the window. This is the dynamic equilibrium.
• the threshold pressure for regulator 54 will pre—set at a lower value than the threshold pressure for regulator 44. Thus. regulator 54 will initiate movement of sealed piston 56 before reflective vanes 20 begin to close. When the pressure applied by the regulator 54 to sealed piston 56 reaches a level sufficient to fully overcome the compression force of spring 59, insulating panels 30 will be rotated to their fully open position.
• the pressure generated by the expansible fluid contained in reservoir 40 continues to increase until it reaches the higher threshold value selected for pressure regulator 44, so that regu- lator 44 then initiates movement of sealed piston 46.
• the output pressure applied by regulator 44 acts to overcome the biasing force exerted by compression spring 49, causing reflective vanes 20 to rotate, thereby blocking a portion of the incident solar radiation from passing through the window, as shown in FIG. 5.
• the partial closing of master vanes 20' and 20" ' will serve to shade a portion of reservoir 40, thus tending to cool the reservoir and the expansible fluid contained therein.
• the cooling of the expansible fluid will reduce the pressure applied to pressure regulator 44, which in turn will reduce the pressure applied to sealed piston 46, thereby causing vanes 20 to rotate toward a more open position.
• the means for controlling the inclination of reflective vanes 20, as described above can be set to transmit the desired amount of solar radiation, and to peak at the desired, maximum level of transmission, inclusive of the energy required to open or close the vanes as necessary to maintain the desired equilibrium.
• the operational cycle of the window device of the present invention may be generally described as follows. Beginning at sunrise, the incident solar radiation penetrates first diffuser means 12, becoming more evenly distributed to reflective vanes 20. As the solar energy transmission level increases to a man ⁇ ually pre-selected level, insulating panels 30 open. The system is adjusted so that insulating panels 30 open fully before the level of solar radiation transmission approaches that required to initiate closing of reflective vanes 20. When the level of solar energy transmission past reflective vanes 20 reaches the desired . level, i.e. , the manually pre-selected transmission constant, reflective vanes 20 begin to close, partially reflecting solar radiation away from the window device, while transmitting the desired amount of solar radiation (including the energy required to further close and open the vanes) .
• reflective vanes 20 The closing and opening of reflective vanes 20 is achieved automatically as the level of incident solar radiation changes, through the use of the inclina- tion control means described above. After sunset, reflective vanes 20 return to their fully open position and insulating panels 30 return to their fully closed position, to substantially prevent heat loss through the window device.
• the improved window device of the pres- ent invention is suitable for use in conjunction with conven ⁇ tional passive solar collector systems.
• the window device of the present invention may be utilized to control the transmission of solar radiation to a passive collector surface 60.
• a collector surface may typically comprise a solid wall structure formed from a material which will readily absorb and re-radiate heat energy. Typical examples of such materials are cement block, concrete or brick.
• adjustable position stops (not shown) may be provided to control the position of the insulating panels 30 in their fully open position, thus controlling the angle of incidence of the solar radiation transmitted by the window device on collector surface 60.
• Such position stops may be located, for example, on sealed piston assembly 56 or connecting rods 34.
• insulating panels 30 may be eliminated from the window device.
• the elimination of the insulating panels 30 is desirable only in those uses of the invention where heat loss through the window does not present a significant problem. An example of such a use would be to control the transmission of solar radiation into a greenhouse.
• Insulating panels 30 may also be eliminated when using the window device of the present inven ⁇ tion in combination with an active solar collector system.
• the window device of the present invention comprises an integral part of an active solar collector system employing water, air, or another suitable heat transfer medium. As best shown in FIGS.
• an active solar collector apparatus incorporating the window device of the present invention will preferably be constructed so that the col ⁇ lector chamber is sandwiched between second diffuser means 14 and insulating panels 30. However, in appropriate circumstances, panels 30 may be eliminated.
• the window is mounted on frame 71.
• the heat transfer medium preferably air
• the collector chamber 70 is circulated through the collector chamber 70 using conventional fan means (not shown) .
• solar radiation transmitted past reflective vanes 20 heats the circulating air.
• the heated air is used, for example, to heat the interior of a building.
• the heated air will be circulated from the collector chamber to a conventional thermal storage area such as, for exam ⁇ ple, a rock bed where heat energy may be stored for subsequent use.
• a conventional thermal storage area such as, for exam ⁇ ple, a rock bed where heat energy may be stored for subsequent use.
• the base of collector chamber 70 will be constructed so as to act as a pas ⁇ sive heat radiator to heat the proximate ambient atmosphere.
• FIG. 12 shows a preferred design for the interior of collec- tor chamber 70.
• perpendicularly situ ⁇ ated baffles 80 and 82 are arranged at varying heights to criss ⁇ cross the interior of the collector chamber.
• considerable air turbulance is created, thus producing a "surface scrubbing" effect which serves to improve the heat transfer to the circulating air.
• the active solar collector system described above is prefer ⁇ ably incorporated as an integral part of a building roof struc ⁇ ture.
• the automatic control of the inclination of reflective vanes 20 in response to the amount of solar radiation transmitted past the vanes provides effective protection of the components of solar collector chamber 70 from thermal degradation without relying on venting. During the summer months, when the solar insulation is greatest, the surface of collection chamber 70 could conceivably heat to over 350°F. This would cause severe thermal degradation of the collector system components.
• specular and diffuse solar energy is effi ⁇ ciently guided to the collector chamber 70 by reflecting off reflective vanes 20.
• the collection of heat from the collector apparatus is preferably two-fold, with heat being collected in the collector chamber 70 and transferred to a rock bed store using forced air. Heat is further collected by conduction through the collector base for storage in the surrounding envi- ronment, i.e. , the attic.
• the storage system will preferably be controlled such that the attic source of energy may be tapped to provide an additional source of thermal energy when the collector chamber 70 is no longer transferring heat (e.g. , after sunset) .
• insulating panels 30 may be situated transversely to reflective vanes 20, as shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11.
• the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this inven ⁇ tion, provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Sustainable Development (AREA)
• Sustainable Energy (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Thermal Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Specific Sealing Or Ventilating Devices For Doors And Windows (AREA)

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• 1981
  • 1981-07-20 EP EP81902152A patent/EP0084022A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1981-07-20 AU AU74543/81A patent/AU7454381A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1981-07-20 WO PCT/US1981/000971 patent/WO1983000378A1/en unknown

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