Zarley, McKee, Thomte, Voorhees & Sease
Method and means of preventing heat convection in a solar pond
 A method and means of preventing heat convection in a solar pond is disclosed with the means comprising a liner element adapted to cover the sides and floor of a solar pond with the liner element having a bottom portion corresponding to the floor of the pond and side portions corresponding to the sides of the pond and a plurality of membrane elements extending between the sides of the liner element and sealably connected thereto so as to form a plurality of liquid layers with each said layer being fluidly sealed from the immediate adjacent layers and the membrane elements being of a transparent film material. The method of preventing heat convection comprises providing a body of liquid supported on a bottom support surface and having a closed periphery and upper surface, providing a plurality of closely spaced horizontal membranes in the body of liquid with the membranes being a transparent film material, sealing each membrane at the periphery of the body of liquid to prevent migration of liquid upwardly past the membranes, imposing a closed conduit through the liquid adjacent one of the lowermost membranes, and moving a fluid through the conduit whereby the fluid will absorb heat from the liquid by conduction through the conduit. An alternate embodiment of the means for preventing convection is disclosed comprising a liner element and a membrane element extending between the sides of the liner element and sealably connected to the liner element with the membrane adapted to form an upper insulating layer and a plurality of solution filled capsules adapted for dispersion within the insulating layer with the capsules and the solution being transparent. 
Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
Y F
Y02E F24S
additional inventional
John R.
Hull