Solar collector system

Abstract

A solar collector system is provided. The solar collector system comprises a frame member and a top plate supported by the frame member with the top plate being transparent to solar energy. A membrane is supported within the frame beneath the top plate and a solar absorber plate supported within the frame beneath the membrane. A collector or plurality of collectors removes heat from the solar absorber plate. The collectors have a fluid selectively flowable through the heat collectors wherein upon the membrane achieving a first predetermined temperature, the membrane becomes substantially taut within the frame and spaced from the solar absorber plate and wherein upon the membrane achieving a second predetermined temperature, the membrane becomes substantially flaccid and contacts the solar absorber plate thereby maintaining the solar absorber plate below the second predetermined temperature.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A solar collector system, the solar collector system comprising: 
 a frame member;    a top plate supported by the frame member, the top plate being transparent to solar energy;    a membrane supported within the frame beneath the top plate;    a solar absorber plate supported within the frame beneath the membrane; and    at least one collector for removing heat from the solar absorber plate, the at least one collector having a fluid selectively flowable through the at least one collector;    wherein upon the membrane achieving a first temperature within a predetermined operating temperature range, the membrane becomes substantially taut within the frame and spaced from the solar absorber plate; and    wherein upon the membrane achieving a second predetermined temperature, the membrane becomes substantially flaccid and contacts the solar absorber plate thereby maintaining the solar absorber plate below a second predetermined temperature.    
     
     
         2 . The solar collector system of  claim 1  wherein the temperature of the solar absorber plate decreases by at least approximately fifty (50° C.) degrees Celsius.  
     
     
         3 . The solar collection system of  claim 1  wherein the membrane is constructed from a Teflon material.  
     
     
         4 . A system for collecting solar energy, the system having a solar absorber plate for absorbing solar energy and heat collectors for collecting the solar energy from the solar absorber plate during flow conditions, the system comprising: 
 means spaced from the solar absorber plate during flow conditions and contactable with the solar absorber plate during no-flow conditions for reducing the temperature of the solar absorber plate.    
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the means comprises a membrane constructed from a Teflon type material.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the membrane becomes flaccid at a predetermined temperature and contacts the solar absorber plate.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the membrane approaches the absorber plate temperature during no-flow conditions.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the maximum stagnation temperature of the solar absorber plate is reduced by approximately fifty (50° C.) degrees Celsius.  
     
     
         9 . A solar collector having a double-glazed configuration, the solar collector comprising: 
 means for transforming from a double-glazed configuration into a single-glazed configuration upon occurrence of a predetermined event.    
     
     
         10 . The solar collector of  claim 9  and further comprising a solar absorber plate for absorbing solar energy.  
     
     
         11 . The solar collector of  claim 9  wherein the means is a membrane, the membrane contactable with the solar absorber plate at a predetermined temperature.  
     
     
         12 . The solar collector of  claim 9  and further comprising at least one collector alternatable between a flow condition and a no-flow condition, the at least one collector reducing the temperature of the solar absorber plate during the flow condition.  
     
     
         13 . The solar collector of  claim 12  wherein the predetermined event is the no-flow condition.  
     
     
         14 . A method for transforming a double-glazed solar collector system into a single-glazed solar collector system, the method comprising: 
 providing a membrane;    supporting a solar absorber plate beneath the membrane;    moving the membrane into substantial contact with the solar absorber plate upon the membrane reaching a predetermined temperature.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  and further comprising: 
 providing at least one collector; and  
 absorbing heat from the solar absorber plate with at least one collector;  
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the membrane becomes flaccid and sags onto the solar absorber plate.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  and further comprising: 
 constructing the membrane from a Teflon material.