Solar quilt

• US 4,426,995 A
• Filed: 10/14/1981
• Issued: 01/24/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1978
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carpools Environmental Protection Services Limited
• Original Assignee: Carpools Environmental Protection Services Limited
• Inventors: Wilson, Gerald E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, Larry
• Application Number:
  US06/311,202
• Time in Patent Office: 832 Days
• Field of Search: 126/415, 126/416, 126/426, 126/450, 126/449, 126/441, 4/498, 4/499, 4/502, 4/493, 47/9, 47/27, 47/2, 47/32
• US Class Current: 126/625
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/243 Collecting solar energy in general F24S
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 10/501 having conduits of plastic material
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 10/504 having conduits formed by paired non-plane plates
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/25 Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/20 Solar thermal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/44 Heat exchange systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/12 using renewable energies, e.g. solar water pumping

Abstract

A flexible quilt collects and absorbs solar energy, and transfers heat to the underlying ground, water or other medium. It includes insulating gastight compartments which are located between an upper film and a lower film. The upper film has a high transmissability of ultraviolet and infrared energy directed downwardly therethrough, and it is reflective of infrared energy impinging on its lower surfaces. The lower film is absorbtive of solar energy and is modified to enhance the thermal conductivity through its thickness. To promote heat transfer to the underlying medium, the lower film is deformed to increase its surface area, a plurality of downward projections extending from each area of the lower film associated with each gastight compartment.

Claims

1. A flexible solar quilt, comprising

an upper film and a lower film which have therebetween a multiplicity of isolated gastight compartments, said compartments providing a thermal insulation barrier between said upper and lower films,

said upper film being flexible and clear with a capability of high ultraviolet and infrared transmission in a downward direction, said upper film including reflective means for reflecting downwardly infrared energy impinging on the underside thereof, said reflective means comprising a layer of unidirectional light transmitting material on the lower surface of the upper film;

said lower film being flexible and having a high light energy absorption capability, said lower film including an organic polymer and thermally conductive particles which are dispersed in the polymer to provide the lower film, through its thickness, with a thermal conductivity of at least 10.0×

10^-4 calories/second/square centimeter/(°

C./centimeter) in order to promote the transfer of heat toward an underlying medium which is to be heated,

said lower film being formed to provide therein, in the area thereof associated with each of the isolated gastight compartments, a plurality of downwardly extending projections, said lower film having a lower surface with an area which is at least about 30% greater than the area of a plane of commensurate lateral dimensions.

2. A flexible solar quilt, comprising,

an upper film and a lower film which have therebetween a multiplicity of isolated gastight compartments, said compartments providing permanent thermal insulation barrier spaces between said upper and lower films,

said quilt having a flexibility which permits it to be rolled up for shipment and storage,

said upper film being flexible and clear with a capability of high ultraviolet and infrared transmission in a downward direction, said upper film including reflective means for reflecting downwardly infrared energy impinging on the underside thereof;

said lower film being flexible and having a high light energy absorption capability, said lower film including an organic polymer and a modifier which provides the lower film, through its thickness, with a higher thermal conductivity than the polymer in order to promote the transfer of heat through the polymer and toward an underlying medium which is to be heated,

said lower film being formed to provide therein, in each area associated with each of the isolated gastight compartments, a plurality of downwardly extending projections;

said lower film having a lower surface with an area which is at least about 30% greater than the area of a plane of commensurate lateral dimensions.

3. A flexible solar quilt according to claim 2 wherein the thermal conductivity of the lower film is at least 10.0×

10^-4 calories/second/square centimeter/(°

C./centimeter).

4. A flexible solar quilt as defined in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the reflective means of the upper film for reflecting downwardly the infrared energy impinging on the underside of said film is a layer of unidirectional light transmitting material on the lower surface of the upper film.

5. A flexible solar quilt as defined in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the modifier for enhancing the thermal conductivity of the lower film includes thermally conductive particles which are dispersed in the organic polymer of the lower film.

6. A flexible solar quilt according to claim 2 or claim 3 having at least one intermediate film located between said upper film and said lower film, said quilt having at least two layers of said isolated gastight compartments.