raw · papers · ingested 2026-07-18
US 3,884,414 — Solar Heating Device (Skylid)
Source: Steve Baer / Zomeworks archive
Inventor: Stephen C. Baer, Corrales, New Mexico Assignee: Zomeworks Corporation, Albuquerque, New Mexico Filed: April 8, 1974 (Appl. No. 458,913) Granted: May 20, 1975 Claims: 8 claims, 4 drawing figures
Abstract
Apparatus for maximizing the transfer of solar energy to the interior of a structure and minimizing heat loss therefrom. The apparatus includes at least one louver panel forming a portion of the exterior of the structure, pivotable about an axis through its center of gravity. An interior reservoir is fixed to the interior surface of the panel so its weight biases the panel open; an exterior reservoir is fixed to the exterior surface so its weight biases the panel closed. A tube provides fluid communication between the two reservoirs, charged with a partially vaporized volatile fluid such as freon. The relative proportions of liquid and vapor in each reservoir depend on the relative vapor pressure, which tracks temperature: higher exterior (sun-exposed) temperature raises vapor pressure and forces liquid from the exterior reservoir to the interior one, opening the panel; higher interior temperature drives liquid back the other way, closing it.
Key claim
A louver panel pivoting about its own center of gravity, with two freon reservoirs (interior and exterior) connected by tubing, whose relative liquid/vapor balance — driven purely by differential temperature/vapor-pressure between the two sides — opens the panel toward the warmer surface and closes it otherwise. No electricity, thermostat, or motor.
Significance
- The engineering basis of Zomeworks’ Skylid® product — see Skylid.
- A clear instance of Baer’s design principle of letting physics (differential vapor pressure) perform the control function directly, rather than adding a sensor-plus-actuator layer.
- Filed the same period as Baer’s other reservoir/thermal-transfer patents (condensate return, stock-pond heat transfer), showing a sustained line of work on passive fluid-driven actuation.