Low cost, high efficiency solar heating window insert & through-wall device

Abstract

This passive solar heating invention is designed to be a single or full window installation (for most sliding and double-hung windows) that is the simplest, lightest, and most cost effective answer to the world-wide demand for clean, cheap, renewable energy. The bias in designing this invention was to give the home resident the option of half a window for viewing. If the resident decides the view is inconsequential, then a full size installation will more than double the heat output of ‘Tersol’ or through wall installation, if feasible. Permanent installation would not increase cost, and would provide for a much larger unit with accompanying output.

1 . This design is meant to take advantage of its simplicity, weight and cost per unit of energy realized.
 a. There is nothing on the market that is close in these attributes.   b. It was conceived to help lower income people and to be sponsored by utility companies, or state and federal governments.   c. Most installations would be sliding window, owner installed. Much larger units could be through wall.   
   
   
       2 . The construction and material used in this invention were carefully based on the environmental sustainability, material toxicity, and renewability.
 a. While many components were researched, the ones selected are the most environmentally friendly, e.g., hook and loop fasteners, Luan plywood, molded Styrofoam, precut cedar moldings, acrylic latex pain, aluminum foil, and ⅛″ standard window glass.   b. My expense per unit, buying retail materials, was about $20.00. Volume manufacturing is expected to be ½ or $10.00 less than the cost of a cheap parasol. Payback time for the retail cost of ‘Tersol’ is planned to be accomplished in the first Winter installation period; about 12 weeks at a 40° latitude.   
   
   
       3 . The efficiency of this solar energy producer is due to certain design features.
 a. Due to the arrangement of the angle of the collector panel to the glazing which takes into consideration the natural change in air density and also the clearance distance between collector and glazing at top and bottom of box. The collector angle and intake area speeds exhaust air. See  FIG. 4   a / 28  of air movement up and through the box.   b. Since BTU's can't be stored in this medium, a flat black collector of heavy aluminum foil as opposed to heavier aluminum sheet metal or copper is sufficient, at a great cost savings   c. The insulation, arrangement and thickness is designed for maximum heat transfer   d. The interior of the box has either black coating or aluminum to facilitate maximum heat transfer.