Problem

 

Due to higher heating costs in recent decades more and more research and development of new solar based heating products has occurred to help save exhaustible energy resources and also lower heating costs for consumers through harnessing the power of the sun to provide residential heat and electricity.  

 

Solution

 

After researching the effectiveness of more recently developed solar harnessing technologies Dr. Chalifoux began to work on the development of a window mounted passive solar system that could generate significant additional heat for home heating and thus reduce heating bills in colder climates.

 

Design Specifications

 

The general design constraints for the proof of concept prototype design and construction was that it could fit in the lower half of standard window frames and also utilize absorbers that were made of highly absorbent surface materials with precise widths, curvatures and angles relative to the highest point of the sun in the sky.  It was also important for the different materials used in the construction of the prototype to meet specific requirements for absorbency, insulation and conductivity.

 

Design

 

During the design stage the design team researched various off the shelf components for potential use in the development of the prototype vs. the remaining components which would need to be custom designed and made.  After 6 weeks of research, design iterations and back and forth communication between the design team and Dr. Chalifoux, the design for the first prototype iteration was approved and the prototyping process was started.

 

Physical Prototype

 

Several months later the prototype was completed and shipped to Dr. Chalifoux for review and testing.  Dr. Chalifoux was very pleased with the construction and quality of his prototype and is currently performing tests in order to determine what further improvements may be necessary.

 

Testimonial

 

"I was very pleased with quality of Dirt Cheap Prototype's design and prototyping services and would recommend them to other inventors seeking affordable, high quality product development services."

 

Dr. Paul C. - Boston, MA