Six patents covering the Sunbender tracker/shade product line and related solar collector hardware.
Source files in raw-sources/archives/:
1979-10-25-us4275712-suntracking-device.pdf1983-11-14-us4476854-gas-spring-solar-tracker.pdf1983-11-14-us4505255-summerwinter-solar-control.pdf1984-06-06-us4528976-thermal-control-solar-collector.pdf1987-05-28-us4832001-lightweight-solar-panel-support.pdf1991-03-11-us5143053-solar-collector-tube-plate.pdf| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Patent | US 4,275,712 |
| Title | Suntracking Device Employing Displaced Heating Surfaces for Automatic Morning Reorientation |
| Inventor | Stephen C. Baer, Albuquerque (no corporate assignee listed — solo filing) |
| Filed | Oct 25, 1979 |
| Issued | Jun 30, 1981 |
| Classification | F24J 3/02; G03B 21/00 / 126/425; 353/3 |
Abstract: Device for rotating a solar collector to keep it oriented during the day and return it to morning position automatically. Whereas the Skylid relied on differential heating of the canisters themselves (the Franklin pulse-glass principle), this device moves the heat-collecting surfaces to separate plates on the canisters — allowing finer tuning of the differential heating without altering canister geometry.
Significance: The first Baer tracker patent after the Skylid (1975). References Geer's heliotropic device (US 2,999,943, also cited in the Skylid patent) and Glynn (US 4,079,249). This is the mechanical ancestor of the Gas Spring Solar Tracker (1984) and the Sunbender product.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Patent | US 4,476,854 |
| Title | Gas Spring Solar Tracker |
| Inventor | Stephen C. Baer, Albuquerque |
| Assignee | Zomeworks Corporation, Albuquerque |
| Filed | Nov 14, 1983 |
| Issued | Oct 16, 1984 |
| Claims | 21 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures |
| Classification | F24J 3/02; F03C 5/00 / 126/425; 60/531 |
Abstract: Apparatus for tracking the sun which reorients itself in the absence of sunlight. Large and small canisters at the respective ends of a pivotable frame. When the sun is not normal to the plane containing the canister, the near canister is shaded from direct sunlight and the far canister is exposed. A conduit between the canisters; a volatile fluid. Liquid volume in canisters and conduit is greater than the volume of the small canister but less than the volume of the large canister. A gas spring fluid in the large canister has a vapor pressure sufficient to force the volatile fluid into the small canister in the absence of sunlight on the east canister.
Key feature: The "gas spring" — a separate pressurized gas in the large canister that forces the tracker to return to morning position overnight, without external power.
References: US 3,884,414 (Baer/Skylid), US 4,275,712 (Baer 1981 tracker), US 4,079,249 (Glynn), US 4,175,391 (Baer 1979 — another tracker patent not yet in archive).
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Patent | US 4,505,255 |
| Title | Summer/Winter Solar Control System |
| Inventor | Stephen C. Baer, Albuquerque |
| Assignee | Zomeworks Corporation, Albuquerque |
| Filed | Nov 14, 1983 (same day as Gas Spring Tracker) |
| Issued | Mar 19, 1985 |
| Claims | 13 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures |
| Classification | F24J 3/02; E05F 15/20 / 126/419; 126/425; 49/74; 25 |
Abstract: A solar-actuated louver system that provides shade in summer but maximizes solar heating in winter. Overlapping, interconnected louvers pivot about parallel axes. A solar tracker with a frame pivoting between fixed stops — a winter mode (frame oriented toward sun) and a summer mode (frame oriented away). A counterweight attached to the frame, adjustable; center of gravity above the pivotable axis in summer position, below in winter.
Significance: This is the Sunbender® louver shade system — the mirrored reflector/shade panels visible in Baer House photographs and listed in the AIA slideshow. Filed concurrently with the Gas Spring Tracker, the two patents form a single product system: the tracker (4,476,854) orients the collector, and the louver system (4,505,255) controls shading.
References: US 3,884,414 (Skylid/Baer).
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Patent | US 4,528,976 |
| Title | Thermal Control System for Solar Collector |
| Inventor | Stephen C. Baer, Albuquerque |
| Assignee | Zomeworks Corporation, Albuquerque |
| Filed | Jun 6, 1984 |
| Issued | Jul 16, 1985 |
| Claims | 11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures |
| Classification | F24J 3/02 / 126/422; 126/434; 126/432 |
Abstract: A fluid cycling system for a solar collector that prevents overheating. The collector has a pump to force fluid through to a fluid exit. A vertically extending expansion tank with an inlet coupled to the fluid exit; primary outlet below the tank, secondary outlet above the primary outlet. A return conduit couples the secondary outlet to an intermediate portion of the return conduit. A radiator couples the secondary outlet to the pump. At max safe operating temperature, the liquid volume reaches the secondary outlet so a portion passes through the radiator to prevent exceeding maximum temperature.
Significance: Solves the stagnation/overheating problem for active solar collector systems — when the pump is running but the load is satisfied. The expansion tank approach allows passive temperature regulation without electronics.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Patent | US 4,832,001 |
| Title | Lightweight Solar Panel Support |
| Inventor | Stephen C. Baer, Albuquerque |
| Assignee | Zomeworks Corporation, Albuquerque |
| Filed | May 28, 1987 |
| Issued | May 23, 1989 |
| Claims | 12 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets |
| Classification | F24J 3/02 / 126/425; 126/424; 136/246 |
Abstract: A lightweight support for solar panels. A compression frame mounted to the supporting surface; tension members extend laterally from the frame in opposite directions to the supporting surface. Solar panels attached to allow rotation so panels can follow the sun throughout the day.
Significance: The structural frame for mounting the Gas Spring Solar Tracker / Sunbender assembly on a roof or ground mount.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Patent | US 5,143,053 |
| Title | Solar Collector Tube Plate |
| Inventor | Stephen C. Baer, Albuquerque |
| Assignee | Zomeworks Corporation, Albuquerque |
| Filed | Mar 11, 1991 |
| Issued | Sep 1, 1992 |
| Claims | 8 Claims, 1 Drawing Sheet |
| Classification | F24J 2/24 / 126/418; 126/418; 165/83; 165/81 |
Abstract: An improved liquid conduit for a solar collector. A tube of stretchable material carries the liquid; a rigid elongate channel has side walls in contact with and enclosing the tube about at least 50% but not the entirety of its circumference. The channel allows the tube to expand radially along part of its circumference when the liquid expands due to freezing.
Significance: A freeze-tolerant tube design for solar collector water channels. The stretchable tube inside a rigid channel can accommodate ice expansion without bursting — solving freeze damage without antifreeze. Directly relevant to the Cool Cell's preference for drain-back freeze protection and the collector designs in the archive's unglazed collector documentation.
Skylid principle (1974–75)
→ Suntracking Device (1981) — displaced heating surfaces
→ Gas Spring Solar Tracker (1984) — gas spring for morning reset
+ Summer/Winter Solar Control (1985) — louver shade (Sunbender)
+ Thermal Control System (1985) — collector overheating protection
→ Lightweight Panel Support (1989) — structural mount
→ Solar Collector Tube Plate (1992) — freeze-tolerant tubes
→ Cool Cell collector tubes (1995–2002)
Sources: Patent PDFs in raw-sources/archives/ (renamed YYYY-MM-DD-slug.pdf). All patents: inventor Stephen C. Baer; assignee Zomeworks Corporation, Albuquerque, NM (except US 4,275,712, solo filing).