Title: Solar heated building

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Abstract: A solar heated building of generally hemispherical shape which supports on its surface solar heat collectors. The solar heat collectors are in the shape of spherical sectors and cover an arcuate area defined by the receipt of usable solar heat energy; consideration being given to the diurnal and seasonal positions of the sun. Heat collecting fluid is passed in thermal contact with the solar heat collectors and is in circulation with a heat storage reservoir. Air is passed in thermal contact with the solar heat collector to prevent overheating when the heat collecting fluid is cut off or to provide hot air when the heat storage reservoir is fully heated or when the solar heat collector is warmer than ambient but not hot enough to supply heat to the heat storage reservoir. The solar heat collectors are segregated by the heat collecting fluid circulation system piping into discrete arrays each covering about 15.degree. of azimuth arc and each such array is controlled by one or more valves which admits or blocks heat collecting fluid flow. Each of the solar heat collector arrays and the heat reservoir is provided with a temperature sensor. A temperature comparison device compares the temperature of each of the solar collectors with the temperature of the heat reservoir to automatically open the valves to only such arrays as will supply heat to the heat reservoir. The air circulation system through the solar heat collectors is automatically activated for cooling when the solar heat collectors are not being used for heat storage. When air is passed through the solar heat panels, the heated air may be used to directly provide hot air for space conditioning or other purposes and thereby conserve the stored heat. The dual-mode capability of air-fluid operation enables the system to extract the maximum amount of solar energy for usable purposes.


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