Abstract: A solar energy collector assembly is provided which finds particular utility when interconnecting a plurality of tubular solar energy collectors with each other, in parallel, to form a bank of collectors, and when interconnecting a plurality of such banks of collectors with each other, in series, to form a tiered arrangement. The assembly, in combination with other apparatus, provides a capability for a batch and/or a continuous circulation system and provides a capability for quickly filling tubular solar energy collectors with a fluid under pump pressure and for quickly and completely draining tubular solar energy collectors of the fluid under gravity, thereby yielding a failsafe operation regarding freezing conditions and/or boil-out conditions.

Abstract: A solar energy collector assembly is provided which finds particular utility when interconnecting a plurality of tubular solar energy collectors with each other, in parallel, to form a bank of collectors, and when interconnecting a plurality of such banks of collectors with each other, in series, to form a tiered arrangement. The assembly, in combination with other apparatus, provides a capability for a batch and/or a continuous circulation system and provides a capability for quickly filling tubular solar energy collectors with a fluid under pump pressure and for quickly and completely draining tubular solar energy collectors of the fluid under gravity, thereby yielding a failsafe operation regarding freezing conditions and/or boil-out conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly or matrix comprising an arrangement of integrally fused tubes forming a series of nonporous, longitudinal parallel passageways therethrough. The matrix is of a low-expansion ceramic material and the passageways therethrough have thin walls; a high proportion of the cross-sectional or frontal area of the matrix is free open area. Also disclosed are methods for making such a matrix from glass tubes that are thermally crystallizable; one method involves longitudinally bundling the tubes with their ends sealed and heating the assembly to soften, expand and fuse the tubes in a heat treatment schedule that also nucleates and thermally crystallizes the matrix to the final ceramic product. Another embodiment involves superimposing a plurality of layers of tubes, one layer above the other in successive parallel planes, with the tubes in each plane being essentially parallel to each other and transverse to the tubes in adjacent layers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly or matrix comprising an arrangement of integrally fused tubes forming a series of nonporous, longitudinal parallel passageways therethrough. The matrix is of a low-expansion ceramic material and the passageways therethrough have thin walls; a high proportion of the cross-sectional or frontal area of the matrix is free open area. Also disclosed are methods for making such a matrix from glass tubes that are thermally crystallizable; one method involves longitudinally bundling the tubes with their ends sealed and heating the assembly to soften, expand and fuse the tubes in a heat treatment schedule that also nucleates and thermally crystallizes the matrix to the final ceramic product. Another embodiment involves superimposing a plurality of layers of tubes, one layer above the other in successive parallel planes, with the tubes in each plane being essentially parallel to each other and transverse to the tubes in adjacent layers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly or matrix comprising an arrangement of integrally fused tubes forming a series of nonporous, longitudinal parallel passageways therethrough. The matrix is of a low-expansion ceramic material and the passageways therethrough have thin walls; a high proportion of the cross-sectional or frontal area of the matrix is free open area. Also disclosed are methods for making such a matrix from glass tubes that are thermally crystallizable; one method involves longitudinally bundling the tubes with their ends sealed and heating the assembly to soften, expand and fuse the tubes in a heat treatment schedule that also nucleates and thermally crystallizes the matrix to the final ceramic product. Another embodiment involves superimposing a plurality of layers of tubes, one layer above the other in successive parallel planes, with the tubes in each plane being essentially parallel to each other and transverse to the tubes in adjacent layers.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a solar energy collector in a conversion system. The collector is made from common glass tubing lengths of different diameters and comprises a first outer clear glass cylindrical tube closed at one end, and a glass absorber tube inside the first tube having an energy absorbing coating on its exterior surface. The absorber tube resembles an over-sized test tube in that one end is closed. The absorber tube is held in place inside the outer tube by a spacer-support means engaging the closed end of the absorber tube. The open end of the absorber tube is sealed to the inside of the wall of the outer tube, which is the longer of the two, and the space is evacuated. An open-ended fluid handling tube of glass is inserted into the absorber tube to guide working fluid issuing into the absorber tube near its closed end along the wall thereof and extract collected heat.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a solar energy collector apparatus having several double-wall glass tubular elements connected on opposite sides of an elongated manifold to form a module. The elements are sealed in oppositely facing metal cups and inside the opposite elements is a cross supply tube. The cups in a module are series connected by conduits for flow of a liquid through the collectors. Along the manifold are two header pipes respectively connected to the cups for introducing liquid to the collectors for series flow and for receiving heated liquid flowed through them. The headers also connect a series of modules and the system utilizing the solar heated liquid. The cups, header pipes and interconnecting conduits are enclosed in an insulation jacket of foamed plastic, e.g. polyurethane. The manifold includes support brackets for mounting the apparatus in spaced drainage position above a supporting surface having a solar exposure.

Abstract: There is disclosed a solar energy collector assembly in which the working media is a liquid circulated through the several tubular collectors in series. The manifold device is of a design that is inexpensive to fabricate for detachably inserting tubular collectors into opposite sides of the liquid manifold. The assembly includes an inlet for liquid to enter an outer tube of the collector and flow in one direction to the end and thereat enter an inner tube and flow in an opposite direction to the other far end of the inner tube, finally transferring to the manifold outlet connected to the next tube or tubes in the series. The receptacles of the manifold for connecting the collector tubes are fabricated from metal stampings and/or castings and surrounded with molded insulation, such as foamed plastic, e.g. polystyrene, polyethylene, polyurethane or the like.

Abstract: The novel embodiments disclosed herein also illustrate a novel method for making a recuperator structure. First and second pluralities of layers of elongated tubes are provided which are formed of a glass that is thermally crystallizable to a low expansion glass-ceramic. Each of the tubes is filled with a fluid medium that is expansible in response to the application of heat and the tubes have sealed ends to retain the expansible fluid medium entrapped therein. Each of the tubes has an essentially straight central portion and header connector portions continuing from each end of the central tube portions to the sealed end of the tube. The header connector tube portions of the first plurality of layers diverge away from the header connector tube portions of the second plurality of layers at the ends of the central tube portions when the first and second layers are placed on top of each other.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a solar energy collector in a conversion system. The collector is made from common glass tubing lengths of different diameters and comprises a first outer clear glass cylindrical tube having approximately a semi-cylinder surface portion mirror coated for reflection and a collector tube inside the first tube having an energy absorbing coating on its exterior surface. The tubes resemble over-sized test tubes in that one end is closed. The collector is held in place inside the outer tube by a spacer-support element snapped on the closed end of the collector. The open end of the outer tube is sealed to the wall of the collector, and the space is evacuated. An open-ended fluid handling tube of glass is inserted into the collector tube and has a spiral or helical baffle along its length to guide working fluid issuing into the collector near its closed end along the wall thereof and absorb collected heat.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is an improvement in a gas-fired range having a burner means supported in a well in the range structure below its top surface. An annular plate of a glass-ceramic including integral, plural, peripheral downturned legs is supported by the stove well in an overlying, spaced relation to the burner means. The glass-ceramic is formed of a crystallized glass having thermal coefficient of expansion in the range of -12 to +12 .times. 10.sup..sup.-7 /C.degree. over a temperature 0.degree.-300.degree.C. In its preferred form, the plate is made of a glass-ceramic having a thermal coefficient in the -5 to +5 .times. 10.sup..sup.-7 /C.degree. range over 0.degree.-300.degree.C.

Abstract: The novel embodiments disclosed herein also illustrate a novel method for making a recuperator structure. First and second pluralities of layers of elongated tubes are provided which are formed of a glass that is thermally crystallizable to a low expansion glass-ceramic. Each of the tubes is filled with a fluid medium that is expansible in response to the application of heat and the tubes have sealed ends to retain the expansible fluid medium entrapped therein. Each of the tubes has an essentially straight central portion and header connector portions continuing from each end of the central tube portions to the sealed end of the tube. The header connector tube portions of the first plurality of layers diverge away from the header connector tube portions of the second plurality of layers at the ends of the central tube portions when the first and second layers are placed on top of each other.