Inventors:
Dale T. Waschow - Eagle WI
International Classification:
F24J 302
Abstract:
A solar heating apparatus including a solar collector for the heating of air passing therethrough, a heat storage and distribution device, in communication with air from the solar collector, for storing and distributing the heated air to heat a room, and a fan and thermostat for circulating air through the heat storage and distribution device when the air from the solar collector exceeds a predetermined temperature. The solar collector comprises a plurality of spaced-apart solar heating tubes, an air inlet into the solar collector, an air outlet out of the solar collector, and valves between each of the tubes and the solar collector outlet for selectively placing each of the solar heating tubes in communication with the solar collector outlet when the air temperature in the respective solar heating tube is greater than a predetermined temperature. The heat storage and distribution device includes a heat storage container, a heat storage medium in the container, and a first air path through the heat storage container for allowing heated air from the solar collector to flow in contact with and heat the medium. The first air path includes an inlet into the container, the inlet being in communication with heated air from the solar collector outlet, and a return outlet in the container and in communication with the solar heating means air inlet.