Contoured insulation window for evacuated solar collector

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In its simplest form, the present invention is directed to a contoured insulating structure or cover for an enclosed chamber and an evacuated flat plate solar collector utilizing such structure in the form of a solar window.
The solar window is supported solely about its peripheral portions and in order to withstand the pressures exerted thereon by the atmosphere, the window is sinusoidally corrugated along its longitudinal extent and, in order to form a beam which will withstand the atmospheric pressure with a minimum of glass deformation, the upwardly extending corrugations are each contoured transversely of the window in the form of a paraboloid.
Thus, it is possible to form a continuous window for an evacuated flat plate collector which is of a minimum thickness and weight, but yet will withstand the forces of atmospheric pressure being exerted thereon.
The problem of producing a continuous solar window for an evacuated solar collector not only resides in the production of such a window which will not fail when subjected to atmospheric pressure, but in forming such a window with a minimal thickness so as to minimize the weight of the collector and facilitate transmission through the window.
Since many solar collectors are mounted upon roof portions of residential or commercial buildings, it is necessary from a pure structural and economic standpoint to limit the amount of weight incorporated within the solar collector, and thus minimal solar window thickness is desired.
Further, transmission is certainly enhanced and refraction reduced by utilizing minimal thickness solar windows.
It is preferred to produce the contoured solar window of the present invention from a glass having a relatively high tensile strength and a minimum MOR of about 10,000 psi so that the required thickness may be held at a minimum.
For example, the thickness of a flat plate window having a width of 24" required to withstand an atmospheric pressure of 15 psi will vary depending on the type of glass used and its MOR