CA1230276A - Solar heating system for beehives and other enclosures - Google Patents
Solar heating system for beehives and other enclosuresInfo
- Publication number
- CA1230276A CA1230276A CA000454079A CA454079A CA1230276A CA 1230276 A CA1230276 A CA 1230276A CA 000454079 A CA000454079 A CA 000454079A CA 454079 A CA454079 A CA 454079A CA 1230276 A CA1230276 A CA 1230276A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- air duct
- warm air
- cool air
- base assembly
- solar
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
- F24D5/00—Hot-air central heating systems; Exhaust gas central heating systems
- F24D5/005—Hot-air central heating systems; Exhaust gas central heating systems combined with solar energy
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; CARE OF BIRDS, FISHES, INSECTS; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K47/00—Beehives
- A01K47/06—Other details of beehives, e.g. ventilating devices, entrances to hives, guards, partitions or bee escapes
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S10/00—Solar heat collectors using working fluids
- F24S10/50—Solar heat collectors using working fluids the working fluids being conveyed between plates
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S23/00—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors
- F24S23/70—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors
- F24S23/77—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors with flat reflective plates
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S30/00—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules
- F24S30/40—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S30/00—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules
- F24S2030/10—Special components
- F24S2030/16—Hinged elements; Pin connections
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
- Y02E10/44—Heat exchange systems
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
- Y02E10/47—Mountings or tracking
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A solar heating system characterized by a fixed base assembly and a movable collector assembly coupled to the base assembly such that it can move between a closed position and an heating position. The base assembly and is designed to fit an opening provided in an enclosure. The collector assembly is hinged to the base assembly such that it covers the base assembly when in the closed position and such that it is angled towards the sun when in the open position. Cool air is drawn from within the enclosure through ducts, and is heated within the collector assembly and returned to the enclosure. The warm air ducts and the cool air ducts of the two assemblies are connected together only when the collector assembly is in its heating position.
Solar wings can help direct solar radiation to the collector assembly, and a reflective material can be attached to the back of the collector assembly to reflect unwanted heat away from the solar heating system.
A solar heating system characterized by a fixed base assembly and a movable collector assembly coupled to the base assembly such that it can move between a closed position and an heating position. The base assembly and is designed to fit an opening provided in an enclosure. The collector assembly is hinged to the base assembly such that it covers the base assembly when in the closed position and such that it is angled towards the sun when in the open position. Cool air is drawn from within the enclosure through ducts, and is heated within the collector assembly and returned to the enclosure. The warm air ducts and the cool air ducts of the two assemblies are connected together only when the collector assembly is in its heating position.
Solar wings can help direct solar radiation to the collector assembly, and a reflective material can be attached to the back of the collector assembly to reflect unwanted heat away from the solar heating system.
Description
1 ~23~Z'~
3 l 4 ¦ 1. Field Ox the InyçntLQn ¦ This invention relates generally to solar heating 6 ¦ systems, and more particularly to solar heating systems that 7 ¦ utilize air all a heat transfer medium.
8 ¦ 2. Des$ript1o~Q~_th~ Prior 9 ¦ Most solar heat collections systems utilize the infrared ¦ radiation of the sun to raise the temperature of a working fluid.
11 ¦ Water and air are by far the two most common working fluids for 12 ¦ solar heating systems.
13 ¦ A solar heat collection panel is the part of a solar 14 ¦ heating system which actually absorbs the solar radiation and ¦ typically includes a frame covered with a piece of glass or other 16 ¦ transparent material. Solar radiation is transmitted through the 17 ¦ glass and impinges heat absorptive surfaces Jo raise the 18 ¦ temperature of those surfaces. The working fluid flows past 19 ¦ these heat absorptive surfaces to cause a transfer of heat. The ¦ fluid is then put to a useful purpofie, such as to heat a home or 21 ¦ hot water supply.
æ The working fluid can be caused to flow past the heat 23 absorptive surfaces by mechanical means such as a pump or fan, or 24 can be caused to flow past the heat absorptive surfaces by intrinsic thermodynamic forces. For example, one type of solar 26 heat collection panel utilizes the convective properties of the ` Z I Z'~6 1 ¦ heated air to draw cool air across the heat absorptive surfaces
3 l 4 ¦ 1. Field Ox the InyçntLQn ¦ This invention relates generally to solar heating 6 ¦ systems, and more particularly to solar heating systems that 7 ¦ utilize air all a heat transfer medium.
8 ¦ 2. Des$ript1o~Q~_th~ Prior 9 ¦ Most solar heat collections systems utilize the infrared ¦ radiation of the sun to raise the temperature of a working fluid.
11 ¦ Water and air are by far the two most common working fluids for 12 ¦ solar heating systems.
13 ¦ A solar heat collection panel is the part of a solar 14 ¦ heating system which actually absorbs the solar radiation and ¦ typically includes a frame covered with a piece of glass or other 16 ¦ transparent material. Solar radiation is transmitted through the 17 ¦ glass and impinges heat absorptive surfaces Jo raise the 18 ¦ temperature of those surfaces. The working fluid flows past 19 ¦ these heat absorptive surfaces to cause a transfer of heat. The ¦ fluid is then put to a useful purpofie, such as to heat a home or 21 ¦ hot water supply.
æ The working fluid can be caused to flow past the heat 23 absorptive surfaces by mechanical means such as a pump or fan, or 24 can be caused to flow past the heat absorptive surfaces by intrinsic thermodynamic forces. For example, one type of solar 26 heat collection panel utilizes the convective properties of the ` Z I Z'~6 1 ¦ heated air to draw cool air across the heat absorptive surfaces
2 ¦ The heated air can then be mixed with the air within an
3 ¦ enclosure.
4 ¦ Solar heating systems are particularly attractive in S ¦ situations where energy is either expensive or hard to obtain.
6 ¦ One such situation is in the heating of beehives, which should be 7 ¦ maintained at a relatively high temperature so that the bees 8 ¦ remain productive. During the winter when the outside 9 ¦ temperature is low, bees will consume honey to produce body heat ¦ to warm up the hive. This, of course, reduces the amount of 11 ¦ honey that a beekeeper can sell. It hue been found that if the 12 ¦ brood nest area of the hive is kept near 94.1F, the adult fliers 13 ¦ will stop consuming the honey and will tart to store new honey.
14 ¦ Thus 9 proper heating of a beehive can make it vastly more ¦ productive.
16 ¦ In the past, the temperature within a beehive was raised 17 ¦ by two basic techniques. A first technique was to feed the bees 1& yeast and syrup mixture so that they had enough food to both 19 ¦ heat the hive and produce honey The second technique way to ¦ artificially heat the hive with an electric heater Both of 21 ¦ these techniques tend to be prohibitively expensive, and often 22 ¦ commercially infeasible. It has been calculated that, for a 23 ¦ large scale honey operation, syrup and/or electric costs can run 24 ¦ into thousands of dollars per month.
¦ Beehives have been provided with solar heating systems in 26 ¦ the past. For example, in US. patent number 4,300,250 of alkali I I
Lowe 1 a solar heater for beehives is disclosed including a solar 2 collection box provided with a transparent wall through which 3 solar radiation may enter, and a thermally conductive sheet 4 located within the box to transmit heat to the beehive.
S A problem with Twill solar heating system is that it 6 is a relatively inefficient absorber of solar radiation. The 7 transparent wall and conductive sheet of Toolers collection box 8 is vertical to the ground and thus will not collect a large 9 portion of the solar radiation incident upon it. It has been well established in the prior art that a solar heating panel is 11 maximally efficient only when it is angled such that, on the 12 average, the incident solar radiation is perpendicular to the 13 panel's surface.
14 Another problem with with Taylor' 5 system is that it is cumbersomely heavy and large. Furthermore, the size of ~IYlQL~S
16 system increases the cost of the system due to the large amount 17 of materials required in its construction.
18 Solar heating systems are most often used to heat the air 19 within habitable enclosures such as houses, apartments, and business premises. Such systems usually include a large array of 21 solar heat collecting panels coupled to the central heating 22 system and operated by an elaborate control system These solar 23 heating systems are very expensive to install and maintain.
24 Solar heating systems in general have a number of problems. or one, solar heating systems tend to be large, 26 cumbersome, and non-portable. Furthermore, solar heating systems 1 ~3QZ'7f;
1 ¦ are, due to their large glass area, especially vulnerable to 2 ¦ damage due to vandalism and exposure to the elements Also, 3 ¦ solar heating systems must often be provided with elaborate 4 ¦ control systems so that they do not collect heat when it is not 6 ¦ wanted, such as during the summer I
8 l 9 l I I
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~L~3~2~6 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of an aspect of this invention is to provide a portable, efficient solar heating system.
An object of an aspect of this invention is to provide a solar heating system which, in one embodiment, is particularly well adapted to heat a beehive.
An object of an aspect of this invention is to provide-an efficient solar heating system which, in a second embodiment, can be retrofitted to a window frame.
on object of an aspect of this invention is to provide a solar heating system where the glass covering the panels can be protected against vandalism and environmental damage.
An object of an aspect of this invention is to provide a solar heating system which has a simple inexpensive means to reflect unwanted solar radiation when solar heating is not-desired.
Briefly, the invention includes a fixed base assembly and a movable collector assembly hinged to the I base assembly that pivots between a closed position in which it overlies the base assembly, and an open, heat-in position where it gathers solar radiation. The base assembly which can be designed to fit a beehive, window frame, or other enclosure opening, includes a first warm air duct and a first cool air duct. The collector assembly includes a second warm air duct a ~'~,3~2~6 second cool air duct a divider panel separating the two ducts and a transparent pane which allows solar radiation to impinge upon the divider panel. The air in the second warm air duct above the divider panel becomes heated and flows through the first warm air duct into the enclosure to be heated. The warm, rising air draws cool air from the enclosure through the first cool air duct and the second cool air duct to complete the cycle.
When the collector assembly is in its closed position, a reflective material attached to one of its sides will reflect away unwanted solar radiation to cool the air within the enclosure. A pair of reflective wings are provided to increase the solar radiation on the divider panel when the collector assembly is in its open or heating position. A solar powered fan can be provided to create a forced air flow.
An advantage of this invention is that it has two operative modes. In its closed mode the solar heating system serves to cool the air within the enclosure to which it is attached. In an open or heating mode, the solar heating system efficiently heats the air within the enclosure, Another advantage of this invention is that it is both portable and rugged. It is easy to install and remove, yet is resistant to damage.
Other aspects of the invention are as follows I
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A solar heating system for an enclosure comprising:
a fixed base assembly attached over an opening in said enclosure and provided with a first cool air duct communicating with an enclosed space within said enclosure and a first warm air duct communicating with said enclosed space, and having an inner side facing said enclosed space and an outer side facing away from said enclosed space, said base assembly having a beveled first interface edge provided with a first cool air slot communicating with said first cool air duct and a first warm air slot communicating with said first warm air duct;
a movable collector assembly provided with a second cool air duct and a second warm air duct, and a solar heated surface over which air may flow from said second cool air duct to said second warm air duct, said collector assembly having a beveled second interface edge provided with a second cool air slot communicating with said second cool air duct and a second warm air slot communicating with said second warm air duct; and hinge means coupling said collector assembly to said fixed base assembly proximate said first beveled interface edge and said second beveled interface edge such that said collector assembly can move between a heating position where said first interface edge and said second interface edge abut in a miter such that said first cool air duct communicates with said second cool air duct through said first cool air slot and said second cool air slot and where said first warm air duct communicates with said second warm air duct through said first warm air slot and said second warm air slot, and a non-heating position where said collector assembly substantially overlies said base assembly.
A solar heating system for an enclosure comprising:
a fixed base assembly provided with a first cool air duct communicating with an enclosed space within said enclosure and a first warm air duct communicating with said enclosed space, said base assembly having an inner side facing said enclosed space and an outer side .:
,.
7b facing away from said enclosed space, said base assembly further having a first interface edge with a first cool air slot and a first warm air slot, where said first warm air duct couples said first warm air slot to a portion of said base assembly on said inner side that is distal from said first interface edge and where said first cool air duct couples said first cool air slot to a portion of said base assembly on said inner side that is proximate said first interface edge, said base assembly further including fan means for drawing warm air through said first warm air duct from said collector assembly, and a first frame member adapted to engage an opening in said enclosure;
a movable collector assembly provided with a second cool air duct and a second warm air duct, and a solar heated surface over which air may flow from said second cool air duct to said second warm air duct, said collector assembly further including a second interface edge adapted to abut said first interface edge, said second interface edge having a second cool air slot and second warm air slot which may align with said first cool air slot and said air slot, respectively;
means coupling said collector assembly to said fixed base assembly such that said collector assembly can move between a heating position where said first cool air duct communicates with said second cool air duct and where said first warm air duct communicates with said second warm air duct, and a non-heating position where said collector assembly substantially covers aid base assembly; and means covering said outer side of said base assembly when said collector assembly is in said heating position.
A solar heating system for an enclosure comprising:
a fixed base assembly provided with a first cool air duct communicating with an enclosed space within said enclosure and a first warm air duct communicating with said enclosed space, said base assembly having an ,.~' 7c ~23~276 inner side facing said enclosed space and an outer side facing away from said enclosed space, said base assembly including a first interface edge having a first cool air slot and a first warm air slot, said base assembly further including a first frame member adapted to engage an opening in said enclosure;
a movable collector assembly provided with a second cool air duct and a second warm air duct, and a solar heated surface over which air may flow from said second lo cool air duct to said second warm air duct, said collector assembly further including a second interface edge adapted to abut said first interface edge, said second interface edge having a second cool air slot and second warm air slot corresponding to said first cool air slot and said air slot, respectively;
means coupling said collector assembly to said fixed base assembly such that said collector assembly can move between a heating position where said first cool air duct communicates with said second cool air duct and where said first warm air duct communicates with said second warm air duct, and a non-heating position where said collector assembly substantially covers said base assembly; and where said collector assembly has a solar collection side which phases outwardly when said collector assembly is in said heating position, and a solar reflection side which faces outwardly when said collector assembly is covering said outer side of said base assembly.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will no doubt become apparent upon a reading of the following descriptions and a study of the several figures of the drawing.
-... ,.~
4 ¦ FIGURE l is a perspective view of a solar heating system S ¦ of this invention attached to the top of a beehive. The solar 6 ¦ heaving system is shown in its cloyed position with the beehive 7 ¦ lid raised up for clarity.
9 ¦ FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the solar heating ¦ system with its collector panel in it heating position.
I ¦ FIGURE 3 is a cro~s-sectional view taken along line 3-3 13 ¦ of figure 2.
¦ FIGURE PA is an enlarged view of the portion of Fig. 3 16 ¦ encircled by broken line PA.
17 I .
18 ¦ FIGURE 4 it a front elevation Al view of an alternate 19 ¦ embodiment of this device attached to a window frame.
21 ¦ FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 22 ¦ of f igur e 4 .
3L23~ 76 2 I .
3 l 4 ¦ Referring Jo figure 1, a solar heating system 10 in ¦ accordance with the present invention is attached to the top of a 6 ¦ beehive 12 (sometimes known as a honey swooper). A beehive 7 ¦ cover 14 is shown elevated above the heating system 10. Cover 14 8 ¦ can be replaced by additional honey supers or, alternatively, by 9 ¦ a drilled cover for winter feeding.
¦ Referring additionally to figure 2, the solar heating 11 ¦ system 10 includes a fixed base assembly 16 and a movable 12 ¦ collector assembly 18 that is attached to the base assembly 16 by 13 ¦ hinges 20. Base assembly 16 is securely attached to the top of 14 ¦ beehive 12, such as by nails, hive staples, screws or clamps.
¦ Collector assembly 18 can pivot between a closed position (as 16 ¦ shown in figure I where it overlies and covers fixed bate 17 ¦ assembly 16, and a heating position (a show in figure 2) where 18 ¦ it is angled towards the sun.
19 ¦ As seen in figure 3 and PA, a beehive 12 is usually a ¦ wooden, rectangular box having a base 22, a pair of end wall 24 .
21 ¦ and I and a sidewall OWE The other sidewall 30 of beehive can 22 ¦ be seen in figures 1 and 2. The beehive 12 can be filled with 23 ¦ racks of honeycomb to provide a home for a colony of bees.
24 ¦ Beehive cover 14 is usually of a solid wood construction (but may be further provided with insulation), and is designed to act as a 26 lid for the open top of beehive 12. A screen mesh is provided at it 11 -9- 1 , .-, . . I, . . .
123~ 6 2 the open end of shroud 50 to prevent bees from entering the fan I area.
3 I As mentioned previously, base assembly 16 is interposed 4 ¦ between the beehive 12 and the cover 14. Base assembly 16 S ¦ includes a frame 32 configured to engage the top of beehive 12, a 6 ¦ first cool air duct 34, and a first warm air duct 36 defined a 7 ¦ the space between a divider panel 38 and an upper panel 40.
8 PA duct block 42 is provided between divider panel 38 and upper panel 40. A hole 44 is provided through divider panel 38 to allow warm air to flow from warm air duct 36 to a squirrel 11 cage fan 46. A motor 48 attached to the underside of upper panel 1240 drives the fan 36, and a shroud 50 directs the warm air 13 towards end wall 24 of the beehive 12.
refrying again to figure 1, cool air duct 34 and warm lair duct 36 open on an end 52 of fixed base assembly 16. End 52 16 is beveled at an angle PA" to the horizontal which is determined 17 by the following formula:
bevel angle = [(latitude of the system) + 15] / 2 21 For example, for a beehive at latitude 67 the bevel angle is (67 22+ lS)/2 = 41.
inn figures 3 and 2, movable collector assembly 18 24 includes a reflective side 54, an absorptive side 56, and a reflector wings 58 and 60. A divider panel 62 it located between reflective side 54 and absorptive side 56 to separate a second L23~Z'~6 1 ¦ cool air duct 64 from a second warm air duct 66.
2 ¦ In figure 1, an end 68 of collector assembly 18 is 3 1 beveled to match the bevel angle "A of end 52 of base assembly 4 ¦ 16. Second cool air duct 64 and second warm air duct 66 open on ¦ end 68. When the collector assembly 18 is opened to its heating 6 ¦ position as shown in figure 2, first cool air duct 34 and second ? ¦ cool air duct 64 are connected together at ends I and 68, 8 ¦ respectively, and first warm air duct 36 and second warm air duct 9 ¦ 66 are similarly connected together. Gasket material can be ¦ placed around the openings of ducts 34, 36, PA, and 66 at the 11 ¦ mitered ends of base assembly 16 and collector assembly 18 to 12 ¦ minimize leakage at the joint between ends 52 and 68 when 13 ¦ collector assembly 18 is in its heating position. However, the 14 ¦ gasket materials may be omitted since bees will frequently seal ¦ such joints on their own.
16 ¦ Referring generally to figures 1-3, reflective side 54 of 17 ¦ collector assembly 18 includes a material 70 that is reflective 18 ¦ to electromagnetic radiation in the infrared ranges. Material 70 19 ¦ could be a glass mirror, but more practically is a reflective ¦ plastic, such as mylar. A framework 72 attaches the reflective 21 ¦ material 70 to reflective side 54.
I ¦ Absorptive side 56 includes a clear pane 74 of glass or 23 plastic, and an array of solar cells 76. The solar cells are 24 coupled to motor 48 of the base assembly 16 by wire 78. Hinges 20 can also be used to conduct the elecrici~y generated by solar 26 cells 76 prom collector assembly 18 to base assembly 16.
I
1 ¦ Reflector wings 58 and ED are hinged to the longitudinal ¦ edges of collector assembly 18 and are operative to fold out (as 3 ¦ seen in figure 2) to reflect solar energy through pane 74 onto a 4 ¦ solar heated surface 80 of divider 62. When the collector ¦ assembly 18 is in its closed position (as seen in figure 1) wings 6 ¦ 58 and 60 are folded across pane 74 and solar cells 76 to protect 7 ¦ them from damage.
8 ¦ The present invention has several modes of operation. As 9 ¦ illustrated in figure 1, the collector assembly 18 can be folded ¦ over the top of base assembly 16 and hive cover 14 can be placed 11 ¦ over reflective side 54 to protect it from the elements. This 12 ¦ mode should be used during particularly harsh weather conditions 13 1 such as hail storms In the summer time, hive cover 14 can be 14 ¦ removed to expose reflective material 70. In this mode the hive ¦ 12 is actually cooled since incident solar radiation it reflected 16 ¦ away from the hive, and since duct 64 and 66 form "dead air 17 ¦ spaces which insulate the hive 12 from solar radiation falling on 18 ¦ the top surfaces ox the solar heating system 10.
19 ¦ When in the position shown in figure 1, duct 34 serves a I ¦ an entrance and exit from the beehive 12. If the height of the 21 ¦ duct 34 is chosen to be lest than the size of a bee, and if the 22 ¦ divider panel pa is made from a flexible material, the opening of 23 ¦ duct 34 can be opened to bee traffic by wedging in a small block I ¦ or key, and can be closed to bee traffic by removing the block or key. Ducts 34, 36, 64, and 66 are covered by screen meshes (such 26 as an 8 x 8 mesh) to prevent the bees from entering those duct :~23~Z'76 1 and possibly interfering with the functioning of the devices.
2 When collector assembly 18 is rotated to the position 3 shown in figures 2 and 3 the solar heating system 10 is in its 4 heating configuration. The collector assembly is angled toward S the sun by the beveled edges of ends 52 and 68 such thaw the 6 incident radiation is substantially perpendicular to solar heated 7 surface 80. Cool air duct I and cool air duct 64 are coupled 8 together, and warm air duct 36 and warm air duct 66 are coupled 9 together.
Solar radiation 82 warms the solar heated surface 80 and 11 the air in warms air duct 66 above it. The warm air within duct 12 66 rises and flows through warm air duct 36 of base assembly 16 13 and out of shroud 50 towards end wall 24 of the hive 12. As the 14 warm air cools it sinks to the base 22 of hive 12. The warm air flowing through ducts 66 and 36 draw cool air from hive lo 16 through cool air duct 34 and 64 to complete the loop.
17 It should be noted that the present invention will 18 operate without fan 46, motor 48, and solar cells 76. The fan, 19 however, will greatly increase the efficiency of the system by providing a forced air flow around the loop previously described.
21 In fact, in one embodiment of the prevent invention, the fan 22 moves 20 30 cubic feet of air per minute at temperatures between 23 80 and 90F.
24 Referring now to the alternate embodiment of figures 4 and 5, with a relatively few changes the solar heating system of 26 the present invention can be converted into a window type solar I
1 ¦ heater. As such it is ideal for homes, businesses, and 2 I recreational vehicles.
3 ¦ The solar heating system 100 of this alternate embodiment 4 ¦ is attached to a window frame 102 from which the glass had been S ¦ removed. The solar heating system 100 includes a fixed base 6 ¦ assembly 104, and a movable collector assembly 106 hinged to the 7 ¦ bass assembly 104. A pair of reflective wings 108 and 110 are 8 ¦ attached to the longitudinal edges of collector assembly 106.
9 Base assembly 104 included a frame 112 having hollow side ¦ columns 114 and 116, and a base portion 118 provided with a first 11 ¦ warm air duct 119 and a first cool air duct 121. The base 12 ¦ assembly 104 is double glazed with an outer glass pane 120 and an 13 ¦ inner glass pane 122. There is a dead air space between pane 120 I ¦ and pane 122 to provide insulation.
¦ Collector assembly 106 is attached to base assembly 104 16 ¦ by hinges 124, It can pivot between a closed position trot 17 ¦ shown) where it substantially covers the base assembly lug, to 18 ¦ the open, heating position shown in figures 4 and 5. The 19 ¦ collector assembly 106 includes a reflective side 126 and an ¦ absorptive side 128. The reflective side is provided with a 21 ¦ support panel 130 covered with a reflective material 132, and the 22 absorptive side 128 includes a pane of transparent material 134.
23 A divider panel 136 extends towards the lower end 138 of 24 collector assembly 106 from an upper end 140. The upper end 140 is provided with ducts which act as an extension of a second cool 26 air duct 142 and a second warm air duct 144.
.....
~23~)2'76 1 This alternate embodiment has two modes of operation. In 2 I a first mode, reflective wings 108 and 110 are folded across 3 ¦ absorptive side 128, and the collector a~fiembly 106 is closed 4 ¦ over the base assembly 1040 The collector assembly is held in S ¦ position with a mechanical or magnetic latch snot shown). while 6 ¦ in this closed configuration, the solar heating system 100 serves 7 ¦ to cool the enclosure to which it is attached since incident 8 ¦ solar radiation will be reflected away by reflective material 132 9 ¦ and since there is an additional dead air space created by ducts ¦ 142 and 144.
11 ¦ In the heating mode of figures 4 and 5, solar radiation 12 ¦ 146 passes through pane 134 to strike panel 136 heating the air 13 ¦ within warm air duct 140. The warmed air will rise tough I ¦ though bass portion 118 and up columns 114 and 116 of base lo ¦ assembly 104. The warm air will flow into the enclosure through 16 ¦ warm air vents 148~ The warm air rising in the warm air duct 140 17 ¦ will draw cool air from the enclosure through an intake 150 into 18 ¦ the cool air ducts 142 to complete the cycle.
19 1 While this invention has been described in terms of a Jew ¦ preferred embodiments, it is contemplated that persons reading 21 ¦ the preceding descriptions and studying the drawing will realize 22 ¦ various alterations, permutations and modifications thereof. It 23 ¦ is therefore intended that the following appended claims be I ¦ interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations and I ¦ motif cations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the 26 ¦ prune invention.
231 -15- l Z30~76 WOW' IS CLAllil~D IS:
3j `
6 ¦ One such situation is in the heating of beehives, which should be 7 ¦ maintained at a relatively high temperature so that the bees 8 ¦ remain productive. During the winter when the outside 9 ¦ temperature is low, bees will consume honey to produce body heat ¦ to warm up the hive. This, of course, reduces the amount of 11 ¦ honey that a beekeeper can sell. It hue been found that if the 12 ¦ brood nest area of the hive is kept near 94.1F, the adult fliers 13 ¦ will stop consuming the honey and will tart to store new honey.
14 ¦ Thus 9 proper heating of a beehive can make it vastly more ¦ productive.
16 ¦ In the past, the temperature within a beehive was raised 17 ¦ by two basic techniques. A first technique was to feed the bees 1& yeast and syrup mixture so that they had enough food to both 19 ¦ heat the hive and produce honey The second technique way to ¦ artificially heat the hive with an electric heater Both of 21 ¦ these techniques tend to be prohibitively expensive, and often 22 ¦ commercially infeasible. It has been calculated that, for a 23 ¦ large scale honey operation, syrup and/or electric costs can run 24 ¦ into thousands of dollars per month.
¦ Beehives have been provided with solar heating systems in 26 ¦ the past. For example, in US. patent number 4,300,250 of alkali I I
Lowe 1 a solar heater for beehives is disclosed including a solar 2 collection box provided with a transparent wall through which 3 solar radiation may enter, and a thermally conductive sheet 4 located within the box to transmit heat to the beehive.
S A problem with Twill solar heating system is that it 6 is a relatively inefficient absorber of solar radiation. The 7 transparent wall and conductive sheet of Toolers collection box 8 is vertical to the ground and thus will not collect a large 9 portion of the solar radiation incident upon it. It has been well established in the prior art that a solar heating panel is 11 maximally efficient only when it is angled such that, on the 12 average, the incident solar radiation is perpendicular to the 13 panel's surface.
14 Another problem with with Taylor' 5 system is that it is cumbersomely heavy and large. Furthermore, the size of ~IYlQL~S
16 system increases the cost of the system due to the large amount 17 of materials required in its construction.
18 Solar heating systems are most often used to heat the air 19 within habitable enclosures such as houses, apartments, and business premises. Such systems usually include a large array of 21 solar heat collecting panels coupled to the central heating 22 system and operated by an elaborate control system These solar 23 heating systems are very expensive to install and maintain.
24 Solar heating systems in general have a number of problems. or one, solar heating systems tend to be large, 26 cumbersome, and non-portable. Furthermore, solar heating systems 1 ~3QZ'7f;
1 ¦ are, due to their large glass area, especially vulnerable to 2 ¦ damage due to vandalism and exposure to the elements Also, 3 ¦ solar heating systems must often be provided with elaborate 4 ¦ control systems so that they do not collect heat when it is not 6 ¦ wanted, such as during the summer I
8 l 9 l I I
. .
~L~3~2~6 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of an aspect of this invention is to provide a portable, efficient solar heating system.
An object of an aspect of this invention is to provide a solar heating system which, in one embodiment, is particularly well adapted to heat a beehive.
An object of an aspect of this invention is to provide-an efficient solar heating system which, in a second embodiment, can be retrofitted to a window frame.
on object of an aspect of this invention is to provide a solar heating system where the glass covering the panels can be protected against vandalism and environmental damage.
An object of an aspect of this invention is to provide a solar heating system which has a simple inexpensive means to reflect unwanted solar radiation when solar heating is not-desired.
Briefly, the invention includes a fixed base assembly and a movable collector assembly hinged to the I base assembly that pivots between a closed position in which it overlies the base assembly, and an open, heat-in position where it gathers solar radiation. The base assembly which can be designed to fit a beehive, window frame, or other enclosure opening, includes a first warm air duct and a first cool air duct. The collector assembly includes a second warm air duct a ~'~,3~2~6 second cool air duct a divider panel separating the two ducts and a transparent pane which allows solar radiation to impinge upon the divider panel. The air in the second warm air duct above the divider panel becomes heated and flows through the first warm air duct into the enclosure to be heated. The warm, rising air draws cool air from the enclosure through the first cool air duct and the second cool air duct to complete the cycle.
When the collector assembly is in its closed position, a reflective material attached to one of its sides will reflect away unwanted solar radiation to cool the air within the enclosure. A pair of reflective wings are provided to increase the solar radiation on the divider panel when the collector assembly is in its open or heating position. A solar powered fan can be provided to create a forced air flow.
An advantage of this invention is that it has two operative modes. In its closed mode the solar heating system serves to cool the air within the enclosure to which it is attached. In an open or heating mode, the solar heating system efficiently heats the air within the enclosure, Another advantage of this invention is that it is both portable and rugged. It is easy to install and remove, yet is resistant to damage.
Other aspects of the invention are as follows I
~Z3(~Z7~
A solar heating system for an enclosure comprising:
a fixed base assembly attached over an opening in said enclosure and provided with a first cool air duct communicating with an enclosed space within said enclosure and a first warm air duct communicating with said enclosed space, and having an inner side facing said enclosed space and an outer side facing away from said enclosed space, said base assembly having a beveled first interface edge provided with a first cool air slot communicating with said first cool air duct and a first warm air slot communicating with said first warm air duct;
a movable collector assembly provided with a second cool air duct and a second warm air duct, and a solar heated surface over which air may flow from said second cool air duct to said second warm air duct, said collector assembly having a beveled second interface edge provided with a second cool air slot communicating with said second cool air duct and a second warm air slot communicating with said second warm air duct; and hinge means coupling said collector assembly to said fixed base assembly proximate said first beveled interface edge and said second beveled interface edge such that said collector assembly can move between a heating position where said first interface edge and said second interface edge abut in a miter such that said first cool air duct communicates with said second cool air duct through said first cool air slot and said second cool air slot and where said first warm air duct communicates with said second warm air duct through said first warm air slot and said second warm air slot, and a non-heating position where said collector assembly substantially overlies said base assembly.
A solar heating system for an enclosure comprising:
a fixed base assembly provided with a first cool air duct communicating with an enclosed space within said enclosure and a first warm air duct communicating with said enclosed space, said base assembly having an inner side facing said enclosed space and an outer side .:
,.
7b facing away from said enclosed space, said base assembly further having a first interface edge with a first cool air slot and a first warm air slot, where said first warm air duct couples said first warm air slot to a portion of said base assembly on said inner side that is distal from said first interface edge and where said first cool air duct couples said first cool air slot to a portion of said base assembly on said inner side that is proximate said first interface edge, said base assembly further including fan means for drawing warm air through said first warm air duct from said collector assembly, and a first frame member adapted to engage an opening in said enclosure;
a movable collector assembly provided with a second cool air duct and a second warm air duct, and a solar heated surface over which air may flow from said second cool air duct to said second warm air duct, said collector assembly further including a second interface edge adapted to abut said first interface edge, said second interface edge having a second cool air slot and second warm air slot which may align with said first cool air slot and said air slot, respectively;
means coupling said collector assembly to said fixed base assembly such that said collector assembly can move between a heating position where said first cool air duct communicates with said second cool air duct and where said first warm air duct communicates with said second warm air duct, and a non-heating position where said collector assembly substantially covers aid base assembly; and means covering said outer side of said base assembly when said collector assembly is in said heating position.
A solar heating system for an enclosure comprising:
a fixed base assembly provided with a first cool air duct communicating with an enclosed space within said enclosure and a first warm air duct communicating with said enclosed space, said base assembly having an ,.~' 7c ~23~276 inner side facing said enclosed space and an outer side facing away from said enclosed space, said base assembly including a first interface edge having a first cool air slot and a first warm air slot, said base assembly further including a first frame member adapted to engage an opening in said enclosure;
a movable collector assembly provided with a second cool air duct and a second warm air duct, and a solar heated surface over which air may flow from said second lo cool air duct to said second warm air duct, said collector assembly further including a second interface edge adapted to abut said first interface edge, said second interface edge having a second cool air slot and second warm air slot corresponding to said first cool air slot and said air slot, respectively;
means coupling said collector assembly to said fixed base assembly such that said collector assembly can move between a heating position where said first cool air duct communicates with said second cool air duct and where said first warm air duct communicates with said second warm air duct, and a non-heating position where said collector assembly substantially covers said base assembly; and where said collector assembly has a solar collection side which phases outwardly when said collector assembly is in said heating position, and a solar reflection side which faces outwardly when said collector assembly is covering said outer side of said base assembly.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will no doubt become apparent upon a reading of the following descriptions and a study of the several figures of the drawing.
-... ,.~
4 ¦ FIGURE l is a perspective view of a solar heating system S ¦ of this invention attached to the top of a beehive. The solar 6 ¦ heaving system is shown in its cloyed position with the beehive 7 ¦ lid raised up for clarity.
9 ¦ FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the solar heating ¦ system with its collector panel in it heating position.
I ¦ FIGURE 3 is a cro~s-sectional view taken along line 3-3 13 ¦ of figure 2.
¦ FIGURE PA is an enlarged view of the portion of Fig. 3 16 ¦ encircled by broken line PA.
17 I .
18 ¦ FIGURE 4 it a front elevation Al view of an alternate 19 ¦ embodiment of this device attached to a window frame.
21 ¦ FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 22 ¦ of f igur e 4 .
3L23~ 76 2 I .
3 l 4 ¦ Referring Jo figure 1, a solar heating system 10 in ¦ accordance with the present invention is attached to the top of a 6 ¦ beehive 12 (sometimes known as a honey swooper). A beehive 7 ¦ cover 14 is shown elevated above the heating system 10. Cover 14 8 ¦ can be replaced by additional honey supers or, alternatively, by 9 ¦ a drilled cover for winter feeding.
¦ Referring additionally to figure 2, the solar heating 11 ¦ system 10 includes a fixed base assembly 16 and a movable 12 ¦ collector assembly 18 that is attached to the base assembly 16 by 13 ¦ hinges 20. Base assembly 16 is securely attached to the top of 14 ¦ beehive 12, such as by nails, hive staples, screws or clamps.
¦ Collector assembly 18 can pivot between a closed position (as 16 ¦ shown in figure I where it overlies and covers fixed bate 17 ¦ assembly 16, and a heating position (a show in figure 2) where 18 ¦ it is angled towards the sun.
19 ¦ As seen in figure 3 and PA, a beehive 12 is usually a ¦ wooden, rectangular box having a base 22, a pair of end wall 24 .
21 ¦ and I and a sidewall OWE The other sidewall 30 of beehive can 22 ¦ be seen in figures 1 and 2. The beehive 12 can be filled with 23 ¦ racks of honeycomb to provide a home for a colony of bees.
24 ¦ Beehive cover 14 is usually of a solid wood construction (but may be further provided with insulation), and is designed to act as a 26 lid for the open top of beehive 12. A screen mesh is provided at it 11 -9- 1 , .-, . . I, . . .
123~ 6 2 the open end of shroud 50 to prevent bees from entering the fan I area.
3 I As mentioned previously, base assembly 16 is interposed 4 ¦ between the beehive 12 and the cover 14. Base assembly 16 S ¦ includes a frame 32 configured to engage the top of beehive 12, a 6 ¦ first cool air duct 34, and a first warm air duct 36 defined a 7 ¦ the space between a divider panel 38 and an upper panel 40.
8 PA duct block 42 is provided between divider panel 38 and upper panel 40. A hole 44 is provided through divider panel 38 to allow warm air to flow from warm air duct 36 to a squirrel 11 cage fan 46. A motor 48 attached to the underside of upper panel 1240 drives the fan 36, and a shroud 50 directs the warm air 13 towards end wall 24 of the beehive 12.
refrying again to figure 1, cool air duct 34 and warm lair duct 36 open on an end 52 of fixed base assembly 16. End 52 16 is beveled at an angle PA" to the horizontal which is determined 17 by the following formula:
bevel angle = [(latitude of the system) + 15] / 2 21 For example, for a beehive at latitude 67 the bevel angle is (67 22+ lS)/2 = 41.
inn figures 3 and 2, movable collector assembly 18 24 includes a reflective side 54, an absorptive side 56, and a reflector wings 58 and 60. A divider panel 62 it located between reflective side 54 and absorptive side 56 to separate a second L23~Z'~6 1 ¦ cool air duct 64 from a second warm air duct 66.
2 ¦ In figure 1, an end 68 of collector assembly 18 is 3 1 beveled to match the bevel angle "A of end 52 of base assembly 4 ¦ 16. Second cool air duct 64 and second warm air duct 66 open on ¦ end 68. When the collector assembly 18 is opened to its heating 6 ¦ position as shown in figure 2, first cool air duct 34 and second ? ¦ cool air duct 64 are connected together at ends I and 68, 8 ¦ respectively, and first warm air duct 36 and second warm air duct 9 ¦ 66 are similarly connected together. Gasket material can be ¦ placed around the openings of ducts 34, 36, PA, and 66 at the 11 ¦ mitered ends of base assembly 16 and collector assembly 18 to 12 ¦ minimize leakage at the joint between ends 52 and 68 when 13 ¦ collector assembly 18 is in its heating position. However, the 14 ¦ gasket materials may be omitted since bees will frequently seal ¦ such joints on their own.
16 ¦ Referring generally to figures 1-3, reflective side 54 of 17 ¦ collector assembly 18 includes a material 70 that is reflective 18 ¦ to electromagnetic radiation in the infrared ranges. Material 70 19 ¦ could be a glass mirror, but more practically is a reflective ¦ plastic, such as mylar. A framework 72 attaches the reflective 21 ¦ material 70 to reflective side 54.
I ¦ Absorptive side 56 includes a clear pane 74 of glass or 23 plastic, and an array of solar cells 76. The solar cells are 24 coupled to motor 48 of the base assembly 16 by wire 78. Hinges 20 can also be used to conduct the elecrici~y generated by solar 26 cells 76 prom collector assembly 18 to base assembly 16.
I
1 ¦ Reflector wings 58 and ED are hinged to the longitudinal ¦ edges of collector assembly 18 and are operative to fold out (as 3 ¦ seen in figure 2) to reflect solar energy through pane 74 onto a 4 ¦ solar heated surface 80 of divider 62. When the collector ¦ assembly 18 is in its closed position (as seen in figure 1) wings 6 ¦ 58 and 60 are folded across pane 74 and solar cells 76 to protect 7 ¦ them from damage.
8 ¦ The present invention has several modes of operation. As 9 ¦ illustrated in figure 1, the collector assembly 18 can be folded ¦ over the top of base assembly 16 and hive cover 14 can be placed 11 ¦ over reflective side 54 to protect it from the elements. This 12 ¦ mode should be used during particularly harsh weather conditions 13 1 such as hail storms In the summer time, hive cover 14 can be 14 ¦ removed to expose reflective material 70. In this mode the hive ¦ 12 is actually cooled since incident solar radiation it reflected 16 ¦ away from the hive, and since duct 64 and 66 form "dead air 17 ¦ spaces which insulate the hive 12 from solar radiation falling on 18 ¦ the top surfaces ox the solar heating system 10.
19 ¦ When in the position shown in figure 1, duct 34 serves a I ¦ an entrance and exit from the beehive 12. If the height of the 21 ¦ duct 34 is chosen to be lest than the size of a bee, and if the 22 ¦ divider panel pa is made from a flexible material, the opening of 23 ¦ duct 34 can be opened to bee traffic by wedging in a small block I ¦ or key, and can be closed to bee traffic by removing the block or key. Ducts 34, 36, 64, and 66 are covered by screen meshes (such 26 as an 8 x 8 mesh) to prevent the bees from entering those duct :~23~Z'76 1 and possibly interfering with the functioning of the devices.
2 When collector assembly 18 is rotated to the position 3 shown in figures 2 and 3 the solar heating system 10 is in its 4 heating configuration. The collector assembly is angled toward S the sun by the beveled edges of ends 52 and 68 such thaw the 6 incident radiation is substantially perpendicular to solar heated 7 surface 80. Cool air duct I and cool air duct 64 are coupled 8 together, and warm air duct 36 and warm air duct 66 are coupled 9 together.
Solar radiation 82 warms the solar heated surface 80 and 11 the air in warms air duct 66 above it. The warm air within duct 12 66 rises and flows through warm air duct 36 of base assembly 16 13 and out of shroud 50 towards end wall 24 of the hive 12. As the 14 warm air cools it sinks to the base 22 of hive 12. The warm air flowing through ducts 66 and 36 draw cool air from hive lo 16 through cool air duct 34 and 64 to complete the loop.
17 It should be noted that the present invention will 18 operate without fan 46, motor 48, and solar cells 76. The fan, 19 however, will greatly increase the efficiency of the system by providing a forced air flow around the loop previously described.
21 In fact, in one embodiment of the prevent invention, the fan 22 moves 20 30 cubic feet of air per minute at temperatures between 23 80 and 90F.
24 Referring now to the alternate embodiment of figures 4 and 5, with a relatively few changes the solar heating system of 26 the present invention can be converted into a window type solar I
1 ¦ heater. As such it is ideal for homes, businesses, and 2 I recreational vehicles.
3 ¦ The solar heating system 100 of this alternate embodiment 4 ¦ is attached to a window frame 102 from which the glass had been S ¦ removed. The solar heating system 100 includes a fixed base 6 ¦ assembly 104, and a movable collector assembly 106 hinged to the 7 ¦ bass assembly 104. A pair of reflective wings 108 and 110 are 8 ¦ attached to the longitudinal edges of collector assembly 106.
9 Base assembly 104 included a frame 112 having hollow side ¦ columns 114 and 116, and a base portion 118 provided with a first 11 ¦ warm air duct 119 and a first cool air duct 121. The base 12 ¦ assembly 104 is double glazed with an outer glass pane 120 and an 13 ¦ inner glass pane 122. There is a dead air space between pane 120 I ¦ and pane 122 to provide insulation.
¦ Collector assembly 106 is attached to base assembly 104 16 ¦ by hinges 124, It can pivot between a closed position trot 17 ¦ shown) where it substantially covers the base assembly lug, to 18 ¦ the open, heating position shown in figures 4 and 5. The 19 ¦ collector assembly 106 includes a reflective side 126 and an ¦ absorptive side 128. The reflective side is provided with a 21 ¦ support panel 130 covered with a reflective material 132, and the 22 absorptive side 128 includes a pane of transparent material 134.
23 A divider panel 136 extends towards the lower end 138 of 24 collector assembly 106 from an upper end 140. The upper end 140 is provided with ducts which act as an extension of a second cool 26 air duct 142 and a second warm air duct 144.
.....
~23~)2'76 1 This alternate embodiment has two modes of operation. In 2 I a first mode, reflective wings 108 and 110 are folded across 3 ¦ absorptive side 128, and the collector a~fiembly 106 is closed 4 ¦ over the base assembly 1040 The collector assembly is held in S ¦ position with a mechanical or magnetic latch snot shown). while 6 ¦ in this closed configuration, the solar heating system 100 serves 7 ¦ to cool the enclosure to which it is attached since incident 8 ¦ solar radiation will be reflected away by reflective material 132 9 ¦ and since there is an additional dead air space created by ducts ¦ 142 and 144.
11 ¦ In the heating mode of figures 4 and 5, solar radiation 12 ¦ 146 passes through pane 134 to strike panel 136 heating the air 13 ¦ within warm air duct 140. The warmed air will rise tough I ¦ though bass portion 118 and up columns 114 and 116 of base lo ¦ assembly 104. The warm air will flow into the enclosure through 16 ¦ warm air vents 148~ The warm air rising in the warm air duct 140 17 ¦ will draw cool air from the enclosure through an intake 150 into 18 ¦ the cool air ducts 142 to complete the cycle.
19 1 While this invention has been described in terms of a Jew ¦ preferred embodiments, it is contemplated that persons reading 21 ¦ the preceding descriptions and studying the drawing will realize 22 ¦ various alterations, permutations and modifications thereof. It 23 ¦ is therefore intended that the following appended claims be I ¦ interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations and I ¦ motif cations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the 26 ¦ prune invention.
231 -15- l Z30~76 WOW' IS CLAllil~D IS:
3j `
Claims (13)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A solar heating system for an enclosure comprising:
a fixed base assembly attached over an opening in said enclosure and provided with a first cool air duct communicating with an enclosed space within said enclosure and a first warm air duct communicating with said enclosed space, and having an inner side facing said enclosed space and an outer side facing away from said enclosed space, said base assembly having a beveled first interface edge provided with a first cool air slot communicating with said first cool air duct and a first warm air slot communicating with said first warm air duct;
a movable collector assembly provided with a second cool air duct and a second warm air duct, and a solar heated surface over which air may flow from said second cool air duct to said second warm air duct, said collector assembly having a beveled second interface edge provided with a second cool air slot communicating with said second cool air duct and a second warm air slot communicating with said second warm air duct; and hinge means coupling said collector assembly to said fixed base assembly proximate said first beveled interface edge and said second beveled interface edge such that said collector assembly can move between a heating position where said first interface edge and said second interface edge abut in a miter such that said first cool air duct communicates with said second cool air duct through said first cool air slot and said second cool air slot and where said first warm air duct communicates with said second warm air duct through said first warm air slot and said second warm air slot, and a non-heating position where said collector assembly substantially overlies said base assembly.
a fixed base assembly attached over an opening in said enclosure and provided with a first cool air duct communicating with an enclosed space within said enclosure and a first warm air duct communicating with said enclosed space, and having an inner side facing said enclosed space and an outer side facing away from said enclosed space, said base assembly having a beveled first interface edge provided with a first cool air slot communicating with said first cool air duct and a first warm air slot communicating with said first warm air duct;
a movable collector assembly provided with a second cool air duct and a second warm air duct, and a solar heated surface over which air may flow from said second cool air duct to said second warm air duct, said collector assembly having a beveled second interface edge provided with a second cool air slot communicating with said second cool air duct and a second warm air slot communicating with said second warm air duct; and hinge means coupling said collector assembly to said fixed base assembly proximate said first beveled interface edge and said second beveled interface edge such that said collector assembly can move between a heating position where said first interface edge and said second interface edge abut in a miter such that said first cool air duct communicates with said second cool air duct through said first cool air slot and said second cool air slot and where said first warm air duct communicates with said second warm air duct through said first warm air slot and said second warm air slot, and a non-heating position where said collector assembly substantially overlies said base assembly.
2. A solar heating system as recited in claim 1 wherein the angle of said bevels of said first interface edge and said second interface edge are determined by the formula:
bevel angle = [(latitude of system) + 15°]/2.
bevel angle = [(latitude of system) + 15°]/2.
3. A solar heating system as recited in claim 1 wherein said first warm air duct couples said first warm air slot to a portion of said base assembly on said inner side that is distal from said first interface edge, and wherein said first cool air duct couples said first cool air slot to a portion of said base assembly on said inner side that is proximate said first interface edge.
4. A solar heating system as recited in claim 1 wherein said fixed assembly further includes fan means for drawing warm air through said first warm air duct from said collector assembly.
5, A solar heating system as recited in claim 1 wherein said fixed base assembly includes a divider extending from said first interface edge towards a distal edge to separate said first warm air duct from said second warm air duct.
6. A solar heating system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a lid covering said outer side of said base assembly when said movable collector is in said heating position.
7. A solar heating system as recited in claim 1 wherein said fixed base assembly includes vertical side frame members provided with said warm air ducts, said side frame members releasing warm air into said enclosed space proximate an upper edge thereof.
8. A solar heating system as recited in claim 7 wherein said fixed base assembly further includes a double glazing of glass extending between said vertical side frame members.
9. A solar heating system for an enclosure comprising:
a fixed base assembly provided with a first cool air duct communicating with an enclosed space within said enclosure and a first warm air duct communicating with said enclosed space, said base assembly having an inner side facing said enclosed space and an outer side facing away from said enclosed space, said base assembly further having a first interface edge with a first cool air slot and a first warm air slot, where said first warm air duct couples said first warm air slot to a portion of said base assembly on said inner side that is distal from said first interface edge and where said first cool air duct couples said first cool air slot to a portion of said base assembly on said inner side that is proximate said first interface edge, said base assembly further including fan means for drawing warm air through said first warm air duct from said collector assembly, and a first frame member adapted to engage an opening in said enclosure;
a movable collector assembly provided with a second cool air duct and a second warm air duct, and a solar heated surface over which air may flow from said second cool air duct to said second warm air duct, said collector assembly further including a second interface edge adapted to abut said first interface edge, said second interface edge having a second cool air slot and second warm air slot which may align with said first cool air slot and said first warm air slot, respectively;
means coupling said collector assembly to said fixed base assembly such that said collector assembly can move between a heating position where said first cool air duct communicates with said second cool air duct and where said first warm air duct communicates with said second warm air duct, and a non-heating position where said collector assembly substantially covers aid base assembly; and means covering said outer side of said base assembly when said collector assembly is in said heating position.
a fixed base assembly provided with a first cool air duct communicating with an enclosed space within said enclosure and a first warm air duct communicating with said enclosed space, said base assembly having an inner side facing said enclosed space and an outer side facing away from said enclosed space, said base assembly further having a first interface edge with a first cool air slot and a first warm air slot, where said first warm air duct couples said first warm air slot to a portion of said base assembly on said inner side that is distal from said first interface edge and where said first cool air duct couples said first cool air slot to a portion of said base assembly on said inner side that is proximate said first interface edge, said base assembly further including fan means for drawing warm air through said first warm air duct from said collector assembly, and a first frame member adapted to engage an opening in said enclosure;
a movable collector assembly provided with a second cool air duct and a second warm air duct, and a solar heated surface over which air may flow from said second cool air duct to said second warm air duct, said collector assembly further including a second interface edge adapted to abut said first interface edge, said second interface edge having a second cool air slot and second warm air slot which may align with said first cool air slot and said first warm air slot, respectively;
means coupling said collector assembly to said fixed base assembly such that said collector assembly can move between a heating position where said first cool air duct communicates with said second cool air duct and where said first warm air duct communicates with said second warm air duct, and a non-heating position where said collector assembly substantially covers aid base assembly; and means covering said outer side of said base assembly when said collector assembly is in said heating position.
10. A solar heating system for an enclosure comprising:
a fixed base assembly provided with a first cool air duct communicating with an enclosed space within said enclosure and a first warm air duct communicating with said enclosed space, said base assembly having an inner side facing said enclosed space and an outer side facing away from said enclosed space, said base assembly including a first interface edge having a first cool air slot and a first warm air slot, said base assembly further including a first frame member adapted to engage an opening in said enclosure;
a movable collector assembly provided with a second cool air duct and a second warm air duct, and a solar heated surface over which air may flow from said second cool air duct to said second warm air duct, said collector assembly further including a second interface edge adapted to abut said first interface edge, said second interface edge having a second cool air slot and second warm air slot corresponding to said first cool air slot and said first warm air slot, respectively;
means coupling said collector assembly to said fixed base assembly such that said collector assembly can move between a heating position where said first cool air duct communicates with said second cool air duct and where said first warm air duct communicates with said second warm air duct, and a non-heating position where said collector assembly substantially covers said base assembly; and where said collector assembly has a solar collection side which faces outwardly when said collector assembly is in said heating position, and a solar reflection side which faces outwardly when said collector assembly is covering said outer side of said base assembly.
a fixed base assembly provided with a first cool air duct communicating with an enclosed space within said enclosure and a first warm air duct communicating with said enclosed space, said base assembly having an inner side facing said enclosed space and an outer side facing away from said enclosed space, said base assembly including a first interface edge having a first cool air slot and a first warm air slot, said base assembly further including a first frame member adapted to engage an opening in said enclosure;
a movable collector assembly provided with a second cool air duct and a second warm air duct, and a solar heated surface over which air may flow from said second cool air duct to said second warm air duct, said collector assembly further including a second interface edge adapted to abut said first interface edge, said second interface edge having a second cool air slot and second warm air slot corresponding to said first cool air slot and said first warm air slot, respectively;
means coupling said collector assembly to said fixed base assembly such that said collector assembly can move between a heating position where said first cool air duct communicates with said second cool air duct and where said first warm air duct communicates with said second warm air duct, and a non-heating position where said collector assembly substantially covers said base assembly; and where said collector assembly has a solar collection side which faces outwardly when said collector assembly is in said heating position, and a solar reflection side which faces outwardly when said collector assembly is covering said outer side of said base assembly.
11. A solar heating system as recited in claim 10 wherein said collector assembly further includes a divider disposed between said solar collection side and said solar reflection side and extending from said second interface edge towards a distal end of said collector assembly, said divider separating said second cool air duct from said second warm air duct and forming a part of said solar heated surface.
12. A solar heating system as recited in claim 11 wherein said solar reflection side includes reflective means attached to said second frame.
13. A solar heating system as recited in claim 12 further comprising a pair of reflective wings hinged to said second frame, said wings having a closed position where they cover said solar collection side, and an open position where they direct solar radiation to said solar collection side.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US510,550 | 1983-07-05 | ||
| US06/510,550 US4494528A (en) | 1983-07-05 | 1983-07-05 | Solar heating system for beehives and other enclosures |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1230276A true CA1230276A (en) | 1987-12-15 |
Family
ID=24031204
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000454079A Expired CA1230276A (en) | 1983-07-05 | 1984-05-10 | Solar heating system for beehives and other enclosures |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4494528A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU570048B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1230276A (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ208760A (en) |
Families Citing this family (19)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5575703A (en) * | 1995-03-15 | 1996-11-19 | Stearns; Gary D. | Solar-powered beehive cooler and ventilator |
| US6912816B2 (en) * | 2001-10-01 | 2005-07-05 | Futura Solar, Llc | Structurally integrated solar collector |
| WO2007122513A2 (en) * | 2006-03-17 | 2007-11-01 | Allen Matthew James | Portable on-site incubator for bees and bee nest |
| US20080210728A1 (en) * | 2006-10-28 | 2008-09-04 | Jon Bihn | Solar backpack |
| WO2010098853A1 (en) * | 2009-02-25 | 2010-09-02 | Mcneil Michael B | Ventilation, moisture removal and heat management in a beehive |
| US8272921B2 (en) * | 2011-02-09 | 2012-09-25 | Mite Zapper, Llc | Beehive frame and comb foundation for controlling varroa mites |
| ITFI20110083A1 (en) * | 2011-04-21 | 2012-10-22 | Marco Casini | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TREATING MITCHES IN BEEKEEPING |
| TWI427250B (en) * | 2011-07-12 | 2014-02-21 | Univ Nat Pingtung Sci & Tech | Buoyancy solar power generator |
| CZ2012775A3 (en) * | 2012-11-12 | 2014-07-23 | Roman Linhart | Method of thermal treatment of bee colonies and device for pursuance of this method |
| US9801358B1 (en) * | 2013-05-13 | 2017-10-31 | Pacific Pollination Llc | Method and apparatus for field incubation of bees |
| ITTO20140074U1 (en) * | 2014-05-20 | 2015-11-20 | Chore Time Europe B V | THERMOCONVECTOR EQUIPPED WITH GAS HEATER |
| US10222094B2 (en) * | 2015-04-17 | 2019-03-05 | Patrick Sherwin | Solar cooking apparatus |
| CN108077115A (en) * | 2016-11-19 | 2018-05-29 | 甘肃省蜂业技术推广总站 | A kind of ecology beehive |
| FR3069412B1 (en) * | 2017-07-27 | 2019-08-23 | Smurfit Kappa France | INSULATING PARTITION DEVICE FOR A HOLE WITH REMOVABLE PANEL ELEMENTS. |
| US20190239486A1 (en) * | 2018-02-07 | 2019-08-08 | Kosto Serafimovski | Beehive heater |
| US10775058B2 (en) * | 2018-08-09 | 2020-09-15 | Pawan Tyagi | Pumpless solar energey based air heater and method |
| CN109618913A (en) * | 2018-12-29 | 2019-04-16 | 宁波微萌种业有限公司 | A kind of wall bee pollinating device |
| US11146211B1 (en) | 2019-06-25 | 2021-10-12 | John B. Jacob | Photovoltaic horizontal beehive system |
| US11129370B1 (en) * | 2020-05-04 | 2021-09-28 | Darrell Shaw | Thermodynamic terminator and method of eliminating mites and parasites within a bee box |
Family Cites Families (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2150110A (en) * | 1937-02-20 | 1939-03-07 | Alfeo Testolin | Car heater and defroster |
| US3957109A (en) * | 1974-10-31 | 1976-05-18 | Worthington Mark N | Solar collector -- heat exchanger |
| US3994034A (en) * | 1975-10-01 | 1976-11-30 | Joseph Van Damme | Beehive heater |
| US4100914A (en) * | 1977-06-13 | 1978-07-18 | Salvion Ed Williams | Solar energy collector |
| US4233961A (en) * | 1979-05-10 | 1980-11-18 | Kelly Donald A | Suspended, hot-box solar collectors |
| US4287878A (en) * | 1979-05-16 | 1981-09-08 | Holly International Company | Portable solar heater structure |
| US4300532A (en) * | 1979-06-18 | 1981-11-17 | Otto Fabric, Inc. | Method and apparatus for collecting solar energy |
| US4300250A (en) * | 1980-01-25 | 1981-11-17 | Taylor Merritt I | Beehives |
| US4327795A (en) * | 1981-01-12 | 1982-05-04 | Wheeler Everett T | Window casement |
-
1983
- 1983-07-05 US US06/510,550 patent/US4494528A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1984
- 1984-05-10 CA CA000454079A patent/CA1230276A/en not_active Expired
- 1984-06-14 AU AU29451/84A patent/AU570048B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1984-07-03 NZ NZ208760A patent/NZ208760A/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2945184A (en) | 1985-01-10 |
| US4494528A (en) | 1985-01-22 |
| AU570048B2 (en) | 1988-03-03 |
| NZ208760A (en) | 1988-06-30 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKEX | Expiry |