Solar window heater

Abstract

A solar heating system for heating air beside a window is disclosed. The solar heating system effectively heats air beside a window in a room of a structure through use of one or more solar panels positioned to be heated by the sun and to transfer that heat to surrounding air via convection in moving air. In at least one embodiment, the solar panel may be a corrugated panel having at least one channel. The solar panel may be positioned such that as the solar panel is heated by the sun, heat is transferred from the solar panel to surrounding air via convection. The solar panel may be configured such that an upward flow of air forms when the air is heated, thereby creating a natural, warm air flow without need of a fan or other such device.

1 . A solar heating system for heating air adjacent to a window within a structure, comprising:
 a solar heater support structure;   at least one solar panel supported by the solar heater support structure;   wherein the at least one solar panel includes at least one channel; and   a cover panel supported by the solar heater support structure adjacent to the at least one solar panel.   
     
     
         2 . The solar heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one solar panel comprises at least one corrugated panel. 
     
     
         3 . The solar heating system of  claim 1 , further comprising an inlet gap between a bottom edge of the at least one solar panel and a bottommost surface of the solar heater support structure such than when installed, the inlet gap exists between the bottom edge of the at least one solar panel and an adjacent structure. 
     
     
         4 . The solar heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one solar panel is positioned at an acute angle relative to the cover panel such that a lower inlet formed in the at least one channel between the cover panel and the at least one solar panel is larger than an upper outlet formed in the at least one channel between the cover panel and the at least one solar panel. 
     
     
         5 . The solar heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one channel is positioned generally vertical. 
     
     
         6 . The solar heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one channel in the at least one solar panel comprises a plurality of aligned channels. 
     
     
         7 . The solar heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the solar heater support structure is formed from a first leg on a first side and a second leg on a second side that is on a generally opposite side of the at least one solar panel. 
     
     
         8 . The solar heating system of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second legs each include a recess in a lower rear edge of each leg to facilitate installation of the solar heater structure in place. 
     
     
         9 . The solar heating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a top cover for covering the upper outlet of the at least one formed in the at least one channel between the cover panel and the solar panel. 
     
     
         10 . The solar heating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a bottom cover for covering the inlet gap. 
     
     
         11 . The solar heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the cover panel includes a communication surface on an outer surface of the cover panel. 
     
     
         12 . The solar heating system of  claim 11 , wherein the communication surface is a dry erase outer surface. 
     
     
         13 . The solar heating system of  claim 11 , wherein the communication surface is selected from a group consisting of a push pin board and a peg board on an outer surface. 
     
     
         14 . The solar heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the cover panel includes at least one shelf on an outer surface. 
     
     
         15 . The solar heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the cover panel includes a mirrored outer surface. 
     
     
         16 . The solar heating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a releasable connector attached to the solar heater support structure to releasably secure the solar heater support structure in place for use. 
     
     
         17 . The solar heating system of  claim 16 , wherein the releasable connector is selected from a group consisting of a hook and loop connector and an adhesive. 
     
     
         18 . A solar heating system for heating air adjacent to a window within a structure, comprising:
 a solar heater support structure;   at least one corrugated panel supported by the solar heater support structure;   wherein the at least one corrugated panel includes a plurality of aligned channels;   a cover panel supported by the solar heater support structure adjacent to the at least one corrugated panel; and   an inlet gap between a bottom edge of the at least one corrugated panel and a bottommost surface of the solar heater support structure such than when installed, the inlet gap exists between the bottom edge of the at least one corrugated panel and an adjacent structure.   
     
     
         19 . The solar heating system of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one corrugated panel is positioned at an acute angle relative to the cover panel such that a lower inlet formed in the at least one channel between the cover panel and the at least one corrugated panel is larger than an upper outlet formed in the at least one channel between the cover panel and the at least one corrugated panel. 
     
     
         20 . The solar heating system of  claim 18 , wherein the solar heater support structure is formed from a first leg on a first side and a second leg on a second side that is on a generally opposite side of the at least one corrugated panel. 
     
     
         21 . The solar heating system of  claim 18 , wherein the cover panel is selected from a group consisting of a dry erase outer surface, a push pin board, a peg board on an outer surface, a shelf on an outer surface, and a mirrored outer surface. 
     
     
         22 . A solar heating system for heating air adjacent to a window within a structure, comprising:
 a solar heater support structure;   at least one corrugated panel supported by the solar heater support structure;   wherein the at least one corrugated panel includes at least one channel;   a cover panel supported by the solar heater support structure adjacent to the at least one corrugated panel;   an inlet gap between a bottom edge of the at least one corrugated panel and a bottommost surface of the solar heater support structure such than when installed, the inlet gap exists between the bottom edge of the at least one corrugated panel and an adjacent structure; and   wherein the at least one corrugated panel is positioned at an acute angle relative to the cover panel such that a lower inlet formed in the at least one channel between the cover panel and the at least one corrugated panel is larger than an upper outlet formed in the at least one channel between the cover panel and the at least one corrugated panel.