Thomas William Hopper

US Patent:

40982599, Jul 4, 1978

Filed:

Jul 9, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/703975

Inventors:

Everett M. Barber - Guilford CT
Thomas P. Hopper - Durham CT

Assignee:

Sunworks, Inc. - Guilford CT

International Classification:

F24J 300

US Classification:

126270

Abstract:

A solar energy collecting system of the liquid type where conduits in individual collectors of a system are in contact with an absorbing panel and the conduits of each panel are connected between liquid external input and exit manifolds, and where provision is made to accommodate differential expansion and contraction between piping of individual collectors and manifolds and minimize heat losses where the collector headers exit the collectors and join the external manifolds.

US Patent:

44248520, Jan 10, 1984

Filed:

Sep 29, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/191406

Inventors:

Thomas P. Hopper - Durham CT

International Classification:

E06B 920
F16G 1500

US Classification:

160309

Abstract:

A bead-chain drive system for operating and positioning a window shade comprises a roller having a window shade mounted thereon, the roller being urged by the weight of the window shade in a direction to lower the shade. The drive system further includes a sprocket for driving the roller that is driven by a bead-chain, trained about the sprocket. The bead-chain includes a chain length urged toward the sprocket by the weight of the shade applied to the roller and the sprocket. The drive system also includes a bead-chain retainer having a holding device operative to hold at least one of the beads of the chain length against movement toward the sprocket to position the window shade and from which the chain length can be easily freed upon movement thereof away from the sprocket. The bead-chain retainer further has a bead engagement and guiding device operative upon release of the chain length to engage a bead of the length and guide this bead into engagement with the holding device to stop further movement of the chain length toward the sprocket and to prevent further lowering of the window shade.

US Patent:

41471563, Apr 3, 1979

Filed:

Mar 23, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/780441

Inventors:

Thomas P. Hopper - Durham CT

Assignee:

Sunworks, Inc. - Guilford CT

International Classification:

F24J 302

US Classification:

126271

Abstract:

A solar energy collector housing having a transparent cover, and a solar energy absorbing panel in the housing beneath the cover, and including a transparent member having closed tubular air pockets positioned between the panel and the cover to inhibit convection currents therebetween.

US Patent:

42145759, Jul 29, 1980

Filed:

Jan 24, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/006004

Inventors:

Thomas P. Hopper - Durham CT

Assignee:

Sunworks, Inc. - Guilford CT

International Classification:

F24J 302

US Classification:

126450

Abstract:

Solar heat energy collectors of the gaseous heat exchange type where the absorber is in the form of a duct completely out of thermal contact with the collector housing and extending between openings in opposite sides of the housing. Resilient seals are provided about the housing openings and compressively engaged with each other to prevent egress of heated gas or ingress of ambient air.

US Patent:

D2711583, Nov 1, 1983

Filed:

Sep 15, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/187200

Inventors:

Thomas P. Hopper - Durham CT

International Classification:

D0204

US Classification:

D 2317

US Patent:

41469593, Apr 3, 1979

Filed:

Jun 2, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/802823

Inventors:

Thomas P. Hopper - Durham CT

International Classification:

B23D 2104

US Classification:

30 95

Abstract:

A device for cutting a cylindrical article, such as a window shade or the like, comprises a tubular support for encircling the article and a guide mounted with the support for rotation about the support axis. The guide has a radially outwardly projecting arm that is formed to be engaged by an operator. A knife blade, having a cutting edge, is mounted in the guide for movement from a first position with the cutting edge tangentially intersecting the tubular section defined by the support to a second position with the cutting edge chordally intersecting the tubular section. A spring urges the knife from its first to its second position while the guide is rotated about the support.

US Patent:

40390195, Aug 2, 1977

Filed:

Jan 26, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/652628

Inventors:

Thomas P. Hopper - Durham CT

International Classification:

E06B 908

US Classification:

160121R

Abstract:

An apparatus for insulating against conductive, convective, and radiant heat transmission comprises three or more mutually parallel non-transparent sheets. The sheets may be attached to a retracting device from which they can be drawn to extend in mutually parallel relation and cover a building opening such as a window or onto which they can be retracted to uncover the opening. A number of resilient spacers in the form of collapsible devices are mounted within the apparatus to separate each pair of adjacent sheets and, thus, define a dead air space therebetween. At least one of the sheets has a highly radiation reflective surface located to face on a dead air space. Importantly, the collapsible devices are designed so as not to abrade or otherwise harm the reflective surface. The combination of these dead air spaces with the highly radiation reflective sheet surfaces results in an apparatus having extremely low emissivity that effectively impedes radiant heat transfer. The dead air spaces also effectively impede conductive and convective heat transfer.

US Patent:

41311116, Dec 26, 1978

Filed:

Feb 28, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/772972

Inventors:

Thomas P. Hopper - Durham CT

Assignee:

Sunworks, Inc. - Guilford CT

International Classification:

F24J 302

US Classification:

126271

Abstract:

A solar energy collector in which one or more sheets of thin transparent material are positioned in the collector housing. The sheets are tensioned on frames which are supported within the housing and the uppermost frame supports a glass cover member.