Basementless solar home

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United States Patent Office 3,236,294 Patented Feb. 22, 1966

3,236,294 be experienced. Thus, expansion and contraction prob BASEMENTBLESS SOLAR HOME lems in component parts may be expected. Also, dust, Harry E. Thomason, District Heights, vid. Water vapor, condensation, freezing and thawing of wa (7354 Walker Mill Road SE, Washiagton, D.C. 20027) ter particles, etc. tend to deteriorate the collector. Thus Filed Nov. 9, 1961, Ser. No. 151,320 5 it is desirable to have a collector construction with the 8 Claims. (C. 165-48) edges of the transparent material 10 sandwiched between Sealing means, such as long-lived, resilient neoprene

In order to make a solar space heating system worth sponge material 22. A cap strip 24 may be simply se while and acceptable by the public it is necessary that cured to frame member 25 by screws 26. Lugs 27, or the system be made simple, efficient, long lived and in 0 other expedients, may be used to secure the collector to expensive to construct, maintain and operate. In many a suitable support such as the roof of a building to be instances it is desirable to have the apparatus reversible heated.

for summertime air conditioning and usable to heat do To protect the frame member 25 from damaging effects mestic water, swimming pool water etc. for the home, of water vapor, to Seal out dust, and for other advan motel or other building. Also, the system should have 5 tages, the collector sheet 12 is preferably crimped and heat storage means for storing heat, for storing "cool made continuous adjacent frame member 25 as illustrat ness' or for stabilizing home temperatures during var ed to receive sealing means 22. Thus, no vapor from iable spring and autumn weather as the ambient air tem inside the collector can get to the frame member and peratures fluctuate widely. Many homes are being con water, dust, etc. from the outside cannot get into the structed without basements and with only crawl spaces 20 collector.

between the floor and the earth. If such type home FIG. 5 illustrates a modification wherein a simple screw is to be heated by solar energy, cooled by stored cool securing member 25 is used to replace frame member ness, and the home temperatures are to be stabilized, 25. A foam-like insulation material 14a may be used then simple, low cost, highly effective heat or cold stor and is foamed into place to rigidify the collecting sheet age apparatus must be devised. The heat collection ap 25 12, to insulate, to simplify construction and to lower paratus must also be simple, inexpensive, highly efficient construction costs. The collector sheet is preferably and long lived. made continuous along the collector edge in the crimped The present apparatus is intended to meet many of fashion illustrated in FIG. 5 (or in FIG. 6) and the the problems of year-round home comforting at low cost. base sheet may be corrugated along leg 35, as shown in

FIG. 7, for added strength and rigidity. Thus, the re

FIG. 1 is a cross section of a solar heated and air Sultant construction has no place for water vapor to conditioned home. escape from the interior to damage frame members, in FIG. 2 is a plan view of the heat storage apparatus in sulation, or such, and water, snow, ice, etc. are similarly relation to the foundation walls of the home. Sealed out.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the solar heat collector. 35 The solar heat collector of FIG. 6 preferably includes FIG. 4 is a section along line 4-4 of FIG. 3. a corrugated sheet at 28 preferably having bright reflect FIG. 5 is a modification of the heat collector. ing upper and lower surfaces, and a second corrugated FIG. 6 is another modification of the heat collector. heat collecting sheet 30 having its outer surface treated FIG. 7 is a sectional view along line 7-7 of FIG. 6. 40 to make it absorbent of solar energy and with a low FIG. 8 is a modification of the heat collector. degree of radiation of heat energy, that is, having a A solar heated and air conditioned home is illustrated "selective black' surface, or having a dull black sur diagrammatically in FIG. 1. Such home has a solar face. A liquid or gas to be heated, as at 20', is passed heat collector preferably turned in a southwesterly down (or up) between the two sheets 28, 30. In order direction to take advantage of more favorable afternoon 45 to spread the fluid and provide better contact between solar heat collecting conditions. The home illustrated the heated metal and the liquid or gas being heated, a has closet space at 2 with living quarters at 3 and crawl spacer element is provided as at 32. This spacer ele space 4. Ventilators are provided at 5 to permit hot ment is preferably a mesh-like material. It has been air to escape from the attic on hot summer days. The found that corrugated aluminum for sheets 28 and 30 heat collector may have distributor manifolds at 6 and and aluminum screen wire at 32 are good, long-lived and 7 and a collector manifold at 8 for purposes to be more low-cost. The mesh-like (screen) 32 is preferably heat fully described hereinafter. conducting so as to transfer heat readily to the flowing The solar heat collector is preferably constructed as stream of fluid whether it be a gas such as air or a liquid illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Solar energy comes in as such as water. Means such as rivets 34 may be used at 9 and passes thru transparency 10 to a darkened col 55 to prevent separation of members 28, 30, 32. Although lector sheet 12. Insulation at 14 and further insulation a gas can be used as the heat transfer fluid, such gas at 14 provide spaces or chimneys 15 therebetween So being preferably circulated from the bottom to the top that heat escaping through the insulation 14 of the col of the collector, a liquid such as water is preferred and lector on a hot summer day will heat the air in space 15 and cause such air to rise as at 16. This takes away 60 the liquid would preferably be circulated from the top excess heat automatically and avoids overheating of the to gravitate to the bottom. The spacer 32 tends to spread space behind the collector, which may be closet space, the liquid and make it contact the portions of the spacer an attic, or the interior of the home or other building. as well as making it contact both of the corrugated sheets Spacers 18 support the heat collector spaced from in to pick up heat from these sheets. Thus, the liquid sulation 14. The spacer blocks 18 do not extend com weaves back-and-forth, in-and-out as it progresses down pletely across the collector and therefore the ascending the canals formed by the corrugated sheets. heated air passes therearound. A fluid to be heated is Upper sheet 30 is shown as not extending completely circulated thru the collector, small streams of water 20 to the edge of the collector panel. Thus, if the total flowing down the valleys of a corrugated collector sheet amount of fluid introduced at the top will not flow between being used for illustrative purposes. 70 sheets 28 and 30, the excess may flow out into the un In solar heat collectors temperature extremes from be restricted channel at the edge. However, the upper sheet low zero to several hundreds of degrees Fahrenheit may may extend completely to the edge if desired, such as in

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F.G. 8, thus completely sealing the area in which fluid the floor joists to thus save on construction costs for typi is flowing. cal Steel I beams. These walls may extend beyond the If desired a single corrugated sheet may be folded back Storage bin walls at 51 if desired (see FIG. 2) so as to upon itself as in FIG. 8 to provide both the top sheet 30' Support the floor joists beyond the storage bin walls. The and the bottom sheet 28, the resulting folded sheet being storage bin is preferably insulated at the top between the approximately one half the width of the original stock floor joists and on the side walls of the storage bin. If material and thus having one edge completely and ab desired the insulation may be placed around the outside Solutely sealed without any welding or such. Spacer 32 of the walls as at 52 so that the wall material itself, which is similar to that of FIG. 6 and the upper surface of may be bricks, blocks or other, will serve to increase heat collector sheet 30' preferably has a black or a selective O or cold storage capacity of the bin. Further, when the black coating. insulation is placed outside, there is no crushing thereof If desired, the original stock material may be tubular by the stone or other heat storage apparatus. in form. Such that, when it is flattened and crimped along The storage bin preferably has a vapor barrier 55 in the edges to form the top and bottom sheets, the edges are the bottom thereof and a granular semi-insulating material both completely and absolutely sealed as explained above 5 56 Such as dry sand, thereabove. If desired a second relative to one edge in FIG.8. vapor barrier may be provided above the sand. Also, Although the drawings show corrugated collecting a vapor barrier is preferably provided around bin walls sheets in FIGS. 3-8 the sheets could take other forms 50 exteriorly of insulation 52. An air distributor system Such as embossed, planar, V-crimped, etc. 58 may be used to distribute air to the area beneath the A backing of reflective foil or kraft paper or hardboard 20 drum 42 and beneath the stone or other heat storage or Such may be provided at 37 to help retain heat, pro material 59. A water cooling element such as a refrig tect the insulation and to make the collector panel more eration evaporator may be inserted in drum 42 as illus attractive. Or, corrugated sheet metal similar to sheet 12 trated at 43. This element cools the drum of water, and may be used for this backing material. The transparency stone around the drum, for air conditioning the building Securing screws 26 of FIGS. 5 and 6 may be anchored 25 during hot weather. Auxiliary heat, for use during long directly into the sheet itself with sheet metal screws or cloudy spells of the winter when solar heat input is insuf the screws may screw into captive nuts or into a small strip ficient, may be provided by reversing the heat pump opera of wood 25 in FIG. 5 or 36 in FIG. 6, or into other suit tion so as to get auxiliary heat from coils 43. Or, electric able material. When the plastic foam insulation is heating element 60, or a gas or oil burning unit, or a com foamed into place it adheres tenaciously to the corrugated bination of such units, may be used for auxiliary heat. sheet metal, the box sides 35, the screw attaching means A blower is provided at 61 to circulate air thru the 25 or 36 and the backing material 37. Thus, a long lived, storage apparatus and the building to be heated or cooled. firm, composite, light weight, low cost, highly efficient In the present description main emphasis is on collec construction is provided. tion by circulating a liquid through the collector and The collector construction of FIGS. 6 and 8 minimizes 35 storing hot water in the storage bin 44. However, it is Water vapor and heat losses and keeps the outer solar-to anticipated that a gas such as air may be circulated thermal collector surface 30 or 30' from being exposed through the collector and through the storage bin by a to excessive damaging liquid and vapor. Space 15 pro blower whereby to heat the stonelike material 59, either vides for air circulation to take away excessive heat. with or without the drum of water, for storage of the Thus collector temperatures are kept from soaring exces 40 heat. Cooling coils 43 may be used to chill the Water sively if the apparatus is not in use, and heat passage in drum 42, or may be embedded in stone 59 to chill the through the collector into the space behind the insulation stone directly for summertime air-conditioning if no 14' is minimized. As may be seen from FIG. 3 any water drum is provided.

excessive heat leakage through the collector, such as on If desired a drain pipe may be connected in the bottom hot summer days for example, is carried upwardly under of the sand space as at 62 so that water could be drained the collector insulation 4 (or 14a) and may go into the or pumped from the sand in an emergency such as where attic and out through vents 5 by ascending air currents 6 a local flood, or leaking of drum 42 or of a water line or behind the collector. When water is the fluid to be such would flood the heat bin. heated this heated water may be collected at the bottom The blower 6 is used to withdraw cold air from the of the collector at 8 (see FIG. 1) to flow into sediment 50 home and introduce in into the heat storage bin through trap 38 and through a domestic water preheater assembly the air distributor system 58. A very simple, inexpen at 40 and on via 72, 73 to liquid storage drum 42 in the sive air distributor system may be made of building heat or cold storage bin. An overflow pipe to the outsideblocks, with holes therein, laid on edge so that the holes is shown at 39 and cooling or auxiliary heating coils mayalign to form air ducts or passages. The blocks are be provided in drum 42 at 43. The storage bin 44 is 55 Spaced apart slightly to allow air to pass out therefrom at illustrated as constructed in a basementless home in the Spaced points. The air then spirals back and forth up crawl space 4, thus avoiding the necessity for an expensive through the stones and around the drum. Of course basement construction which many contractors refuse to bricks or other materials could be used to form perforated build and many home purchasers do not want. In some ducts to introduce air into the bottom of the bin. instances the crawl space may be nearly adequate for the 60 The domestic water preheater assembly 40 has an outer heat or cold storage apparatus. If the crawl space is tank 65, insulated to prevent heat loss, and in inner tank inadequate, a depression in the storage space area may be 66 for fresh water under pressure. The fresh water tank scooped out and the earth taken from the depression may is bathed in hot solar-heated water from the solar heat col be banked around the foundation walls 45 as at 46 to help divert rainwater from the foundation walls. Part of the 65 lector and the outer tank need not be under pressure. earth may be banked around the storage bin walls as at Normal water level 67 is attained automatically each time 47. However, sand or other granular insulating material it rains, the rainwater falling on the heat collector flow is deemed to be a preferable material for this embank ing into collector manifold 8 and down into the automatic ment. Due to the low cost, and inasmuch as dry sand is rainwater makeup device and sediment trap 38. When a fair insulator, and inasmuch as dampness tends to dis 70 the Water has reached the proper level 67, excess water sipate more readily from sand following a dampening overflows via 39. Sediment settles out at 68 to keep the thereof, sand is good for the embankment 47. Windows Water in the system clean. Thus, the automatic water or ventilators may be provided at 48. makeup system requires no expensive valve to possibly The storage bin compartment 44 is preferably formed fail and cause trouble. If desired, a float-controlled valve in the crawl space by walls 50. These walls may support 75 can be used to admit makeup water from a public water.

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supply. However, the apparatus herein described makes means for conducting the heated, or the cooled, or rain such arrangement unnecessary for most installations. liquid which may fall on top of the collector from the For wintertime solar heating, water is withdrawn from collector means to the automatic sediment trap and the bottom of large drum 42 via outlet 70 and is circul excess liquid overflow device, means for conducting the lated to distributor manifold 6 at the top of collector i.

liquid from the sediment trap and overflow device serially

As the water descends it is heated and is collected in col to the domestic water heater and in turn to the storage lector manifold 8 as hot water. From manifold 8 it drum, means for conducting the liquid from said drunn flows to sediment trap 38 and via pipe 71 into the outer for recirculation to said heat collector during cold tank 65 of domestic water preheater 40. The hot water weather, means for bypassing said large liquid storage thus bathes the fresh water tank 66 to heat the water 10 drum during hot weather, the liquid entering said large therein and passes on out from outer tank 65 via 72, 73 drum at a point spaced below the top thereof to permit into large drum 42 to heat the water in the large drum. backflow of liquid from the large drum if the liquid The drum of hot water yields up part of its heat load to level of the water in the water heater is lowered below the surrounding stone or other heat storage material the top of the large drum, said heat storage material 59 while the water cools back down ready to take on an and large drum being located beneath the building, a other “load of heat” on its next pass through the heat heat (or cold) storage bin surrounding said storage collector 1. Air from the home is circulated around the material, and means to circulate air from the building drum of heated water and through the heated Stone to through the storage bin to heat the building during cold warm the air and the home as needed. weather or to cool the building during hot weather. For summertime use, water is not drawn out from large 20 2. In a solar building, a solar heat collector to heat drum 42 via outlet 70 but is drawn directly from tank a liquid circulating therethrough, means to introduce a 65 via 72 and 74 and is then recirculated to the heat col fluid on top of the collector to be cooled, means to lector until the domestice water is sufficiently heated. introduce a fluid into the collector to be heated, collector Domestic water heater assembly 40 is insulated from Stor means to collect said fluids from said collector, an age bin 44. During the hot weather the water in large 25 automatic sediment trap and excess liquid overflow de drum 42 may be chilled, preferably at night, by flowing vice, a domestic water heater, a large liquid storage drum the water over the heat collector via distributor mani with apparatus to chill or heat the liquid therein, heat fold 7, or by flowing it over the north-sloping roof of storage material around the large drum, means for con the building, or by refrigeration cooling coils 43, or by a combination of these features. If the water is chilled by 30 ducting the heated, or the cooled, or rain liquid which may fall on top of the collector from the collector flowing it over the north sloping roof, or over the heat means to the automatic sediment trap and excess liquid collector, it is returned directly to drum 42 by appropriate overflow device, means for conducting the liquid from connections, thus leaving hot water in heater 46 while the sediment trap and overflow device serially to the chilling water in drum 42. If any water is lost from the domestic water heater and in turn to the storage drum, heat collector system it is automatically replenished by means for conducting the liquid from said drum for rainwater. However, if a drought condition occurs, the recirculation to said heat collector during cold weather, relatively small reserve of water in the top of the tank 65 means for bypassing said large liquid storage drum dur may be lost. With the apparatus herein described if the ing hot weather, the liquid entering said large drum at water level in tank 65 drops to a level below the top of a point spaced below the top thereof to permit backflow large drum 42, then makeup water from drum 42 will 40 of liquid from the large drum if the liquid level of flow automatically into tank 65, or to outlet 74 while the water in the water heater is lowered below the top water is being drawn from 74 for circulation to the col of the large drum, said heat storage material and large lector. Thus, a relatively large amount of water is avail drum being located beneath the building, a heat (or cold) able from drum 42 to automatically replenish water in storage bin surrounding said storage material, exterior the domestice water heating system 40 in the event of insulation and vapor resistant means for said bin, and emergency drought conditions or excessive loss of water means to circulate air from the building through the from the solar water heating system. storage bin to heat the building during cold weather Distributor manifold 7 may be used for many pur or to cool the building during hot weather. poses. Water may be circulated to manifold 7 at night 3. In a solar building, a solar heat collector to heat to flow down over the outside of the heat collector trans 50 a liquid circulating therethrough, means to introduce a parency and to thus cool the water. The water may be fluid on top of the collector to be cooled, means to collected in trough 8 of the heat collector and passed di introduce a fluid into the collector to be heated, collector rectly to drum 42 by simple means well-known to an en means to collect said fluids from said collector, an gineer. Or the water may be chilled by circulating it automatic sediment trap and excess liquid overflow de over the north-sloping roof at night. In some climates 55 vice, a domestic water heater, a large liquid storage drum this method of heat dissipation is adequate for air-con with apparatus to chill or heat the liquid therein, heat ditioning the home. If ice and snow should accumulate storage material around the large drum, means for con on the collector it can be dislodged by flowing water onto ducting the heated, or the cooled, or rain liquid which the collector transparency by way of distributor 7. If may fall on top of the collector from the collector dust collects excessively and the collector transparency is 60 means to the automatic sediment trap and excess liquid not washed clean by rainwater, water may be brought onto overflow device, means for conducting the liquid from the collector through distributor manifold 7 to wash the the sediment trap and overflow device serially to the collector.

What claim is: domestic water heater and in turn to the storage drum, i. In a solar building, a solar heat collector to heat means for conducting the liquid from said drum for a liquid circulating therethrough, means to introduce a recirculation to said heat collector during cold weather, fluid on top of the collector to be cooled, means to means for bypassing said large liquid storage drum dur introduce a fluid into the collector to be heated, collector ing hot weather, the liquid entering said large drum at means to collect said fluids from said collector, said a point spaced below the top thereof to permit backflow collector comprising a corrugated heat collecting sheet 70 of liquid from the large drum if the liquid level of with insulation therebeneath and a transparency there the water in the water heater is lowered below the top above, an automatic sediment trap and excess liquid of the large drum, said heat storage material and large overflow device, a domestic water heater, a large liquid drum being located beneath the building, a heat (or cold) storage drum with apparatus to chill or heat the liquid storage bin Surrounding said storage material, and means therein, heat storage material around the large drum, 75 to circulate air from the building through the storage bin

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to heat the building during cold weather or to cool the 7. In a solar building heat or cold storage apparatus building during hot weather. comprising; a sediment trap, a domestic water heater, 4. In a solar building, a solar heat collector to heat and a water storage drum, fluid flow passages connecting a liquid circulating therethrough, means to introduce a said trap, heater and drum in series relationship, an ex fluid on top of the collector to be cooled, means to 5. cess liquid overflow device connected at a point in one introduce a fluid into the collector to be heated, collector of Said passages to determine the maximum height to means to collect said fluids from said collector, an which liquid may rise in the apparatus, an outlet means automatic sediment trap and excess liquid overflow de in the passage between said domestic water heater and vice, a domestic water heater, a large liquid storage drum said water storage drum from which water may be with apparatus to chill or heat the liquid therein, heat 10 drawn, the passage between the domestic water heater storage material around the large drum, means for con and said water storage drum including a connection to ducting, the heated, or the cooled, or rain liquid which the water storage drum at a point below the top thereof, may fall on top of the collector from the collector said water storage drum being located in an insulated means to the automatic Sediment trap and excess liquid storage bin containing heat or cold storage material in overflow device, means for conducting the liquid from addition to said water storage drum, apparatus for chill the sediment trap and overflow device serially to the ing said water storage drum to chill said storage appa domestic water heater and in turn to the storage drum, ratus for cold storage or to provide auxiliary heat when means for conducting the liquid from said drum for Solar heating input is inadequate, said storage bin being recirculation to said heat collector during cold weather, located beneath a building and insulated around the means for bypassing said large liquid storage drum dur 20 exterior thereof, and vapor resistant means around por ing hot weather, the liquid entering said large drum at tions of said storage apparatus. a point spaced below the top thereof to permit backflow 8. In a solar building heat or cold storage apparatus of liquid from the large drum if the liquid level of comprising; a sediment trap, a domestic water heater, the water in the water heater is lowered below the top and a Water Storage drum, fluid flow passages connecting of the large drum, said heat storage material and large Said trap, heater and drum in series relationship, an ex drum being located beneath the building, and a heat cess liquid overflow device connected at a point in one (or cold) storage bin surrounding said storage material. of Said passages to determine the maximum height to 5. In a solar building, a solar heat collector, means which liquid may rise in the apparatus, an outlet means for introducing a liquid to and retrieving liquid from said collector, said collector comprising a corrugated 30 in the passage between said domestic water heater and said water storage drum from which water may be heat collecting sheet with insulation therebeneath and drawn, the passage between the domestic water heater a transparent covering thereabove, frame means around and said water storage drum including a connection to said heat collector, said corrugated sheet comprising a single sheet folded near its centerline to provide a top the water storage drum at a point below the top thereof, said water storage drum being located in an insulated sheet and a bottom sheet for fluid flow therebetween and 3 5 a sealed edge along an edge of the heat collector, a heat storage bin containing heat or cold storage material in or cold storage bin, means to conduct liquid from said addition to said water storage drum. collector to said bin, said bin containing means to store References Cited by the Examiner said liquid, and an air distributor system to withdraw air 40 from said building and distribute the air substantially UNITED STATES PATENTS uniformly to various points of said bin, said bin con 201,439 3/1878 Moreau -------- 126-270 taining a heat or cold storage material around said means 965,391 7/1910 Little ---------------- 237-1 to store said liquid through which said air is circulated, 995,219 6/1911 Bradley.

means in said bin to provide auxiliary heat when desired 1,696,003 12/1928 Harvey ------------ 126-271 or to provide coolness when desired, and means to insu 45 1,889,238 11/1932 Clark ------------- 126-271 late said storage bin to minimize transfer of heat into 2,342,211 2/1944 Newton ----------- 165-18 or out from said storage bin. 2,396,338 3/1946 Newton ------ 165-18 6. In a solar building, a solar heat collector, means 2,469,496 5/1949 Christenson - 126-271 X for introducing liquid to and retrieving liquid from said 50 2,484, 127 10/1949 Stelzer -------- 165-18 collector, said collector comprising a heat collecting sheet 2,544,474 3/1951 Swanton --------- 126-271 X with insulation therebeneath and a transparent covering 2,553,302 5/1951 Cornwall ----------- 237-1 thereabove, a heat or cold storage bin, means to con 2,660,863 12/1953 Gerhart ------- 126-271 X duct liquid from said collector to said bin, said heat or 2,677,243 5/1954 Telkes --------- 126-270 X cold storage bin comprising means to store said liquid, 55 2,680,565 6/1954 Lof ---------------- 237-1 and an air distributor system to withdraw air from said 2,693,939 11/1954 Marchant et al. - 165-45 X building and distribute the air substantially uniformly 2,705,948 4/1955 Rostock ----------- 126-171 to various points of Said bin, said bin containing a heat 2,891,774 6/1959 Theoclitus ---------- 165-4 or cold storage material around said means to store said liquid through which said air is circulated, means 60 3,076,450 2/1963 Gough et al. ------- 126-271 in said bin to provide auxiliary heat when desired or FREDERICK L. MATTESON, JR., Primary Examiner. to provide coolness when desired, and means to insulate CHARLES SUKALO, Examiner.

said storage bin to minimize transfer of heat into or out from said Storage bin.