Solar heat absorbing and distributing system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a highly-radiant heat-absorbing material placed closely spaced from and generally parallel to an inside surface of a glass panel that is disposed in a wall or a door, so as to form therebetween a plenum, said highly-radiant heat-absorbing material being at least partially visually clear;
at least one distributing fan disposed in said plenum to direct at least some air over said highly-radiant heat-absorbing material to absorb heat therefrom;
at least one temperature sensor configured to determine a temperature in said plenum; and
at least one brightness sensor,wherein said at least one fan is arranged to draw air from a location that is located outside the plenum,wherein said apparatus is further configured to forecast an anticipated change in temperature at least using said at least one brightness sensor, said anticipated change in temperature being unpredictable by said at least one temperature sensor alone, andwherein said apparatus is further configured to modify operation of said at least one fan at least in response to said temperature in said plenum and said anticipated change in temperature.
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Abstract
In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus, including: a highly radiant heat absorbing material placed closely spaced from and generally parallel to an inside surface of a glass panel disposed in a wall or a door so as to form therebetween a plenum, the highly radiant heat absorbing material being at least partially visually clear.
61 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a highly-radiant heat-absorbing material placed closely spaced from and generally parallel to an inside surface of a glass panel that is disposed in a wall or a door, so as to form therebetween a plenum, said highly-radiant heat-absorbing material being at least partially visually clear; at least one distributing fan disposed in said plenum to direct at least some air over said highly-radiant heat-absorbing material to absorb heat therefrom; at least one temperature sensor configured to determine a temperature in said plenum; and at least one brightness sensor, wherein said at least one fan is arranged to draw air from a location that is located outside the plenum, wherein said apparatus is further configured to forecast an anticipated change in temperature at least using said at least one brightness sensor, said anticipated change in temperature being unpredictable by said at least one temperature sensor alone, and wherein said apparatus is further configured to modify operation of said at least one fan at least in response to said temperature in said plenum and said anticipated change in temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system comprising:
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a highly-radiant heat-absorbing material placed closely spaced from and generally parallel to an inside surface of a glass panel that is disposed in a wall or a door, so as to form therebetween a plenum, said highly-radiant heat-absorbing material being at least partially visually clear; at least one distributing fan disposed in said plenum to direct at least some air over said highly-radiant heat-absorbing material to absorb heat therefrom; at least one temperature sensor configured to determine a temperature in said plenum; and at least one brightness sensor, wherein said at least one fan is arranged to draw air from a location outside the plenum, wherein said system is configured to forecast an anticipated change in temperature at least using said at least one brightness sensor, said anticipated change in temperature being unpredictable by said at least one temperature sensor alone, and wherein said system is further configured to modify operation of said at least one fan at least in response to said temperature in said plenum and said anticipated change in temperature. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus comprising:
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means for absorbing radiant heat, placed closely spaced from and generally parallel to an inside surface of a glass panel that is disposed in a wall or a door, so as to form therebetween a plenum, said means for absorbing radiant heat being at least partially visually clear; means for blowing air, disposed in said plenum to direct at least some air over means for absorbing radiant heat, in order to absorb heat therefrom; means for sensing temperature configured to determine a temperature in said plenum; and means for sensing brightness, wherein said means for blowing air is also for drawing air from a location outside the plenum, wherein said apparatus is further configured to forecast an anticipated change in temperature at least using said at least one means for sensing brightness, said anticipated change in temperature being unpredictable by said means for sensing temperature alone, and wherein said apparatus is further configured to modify operation of said means for blowing air at least in response to said temperature in said plenum and said anticipated change in temperature. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An apparatus or system comprising:
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a highly-radiant heat-absorbing material placed generally parallel to an inside surface of a glass panel that is disposed in a wall or a door, so as to form therebetween a plenum, said highly-radiant heat-absorbing material being at least partially visually clear; at least one distributing fan disposed in said plenum to direct at least some air so as to absorb heat from said highly-radiant heat-absorbing material; at least one temperature sensor configured to determine a temperature in said plenum; and at least one brightness sensor, wherein said at least one fan is arranged to move air between the plenum and a location that is not within the plenum, wherein said apparatus or system is further configured to forecast an anticipated change in temperature at least using said at least one brightness sensor, said anticipated change in temperature being unpredictable by said at least one temperature sensor alone, wherein said apparatus or system is further configured to modify operation of said at least one fan at least in response to said temperature in said plenum and said anticipated change in temperature; and wherein said highly-radiant heat-absorbing material is at least partly movable or adjustable or rollable, and is automatically controllable at least in response to data from said brightness sensor. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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Specification