Melvin O Johnson
Engineers at Southwood Dr, Littleton, CO

4178910, Dec 18, 1979

Jul 8, 1977

5/814030

Eben J. Gramer - Englewood CO
Melvin O. Johnson - Littleton CO

F24J 302, F16M 1300, F16L 2102, F16J 1510

126442

The invention involves solar energy collecting units and a system for mounting such units on a support surface. Each unit has a solar radiation collecting panel through which a heat transferring fluid such as water can pass. Each panel can be connected to the panel of adjacent units so that the heat transferring fluid can pass among a series of units as it is being heated. A tapered fluid inlet manifold is provided at one end of the solar collecting panel with a similar tapered fluid outlet manifold at the opposite end. An inlet tube is in communication with the inlet manifold and an outlet tube is in communication with the outlet manifold. Male-female couplings are provided about the respective inlet and outlet tubes so that adjacent solar collecting units can be easily and quickly connected. The tapered manifolds allow the fluid to drain quickly and completely out of whichever end of the collector panel is lower when the panel is not in use. A unique system for coupling the inlet and outlet tubes is provided to allow for expansion and contraction of the units during radical temperature fluctuations.

3965887, Jun 29, 1976

Oct 7, 1974

5/512701

Eben J. Gramer - Golden CO
Melvin O. Johnson - Littleton CO

F24J 302

126271

A method of heating a liquid and a solar heating panel therefor is disclosed. The method comprises forming one or more obstruction free, longitudinally extending liquid passageways one side of each passageway being formed from a metallic material whereon the outer surface of said metallic material contains a solar radiation heat absorbing coating and each passageway has a width to depth ratio varying between approximately 6. 5 to 15 and a mean hydraulic radius varying between approximately 0. 018 to 0. 027, exposing the solar radiation heat absorbing coating to solar radiation energy, and heating a liquid by passing said liquid through said passageway and simultaneously maintaining a substantially constant cross-sectional area flow path through said passageway. By such means the liquid is accelerated as same flows from one end of said passageway to the other end. The liquid is passed through said passageway while maintaining a laminar or non-turbulent flow therethrough.