Patent ID: 7870855

Claim:
Solar heat collecting apparatus comprising: a frame including a plurality of frame elements, each extending upward and inward from a lower end attached to a floor structure to an upper end attached to an upper plate, wherein all of the frame elements comprise an odd number of frame elements arranged in a circular pattern; a first plurality of transverse elements, extending across each of the frame elements and interwoven with the frame elements so that each transverse element extends across the frame elements alternately inside and outside the frame elements, and so that transverse elements adjacent one another cross each frame element on opposite sides of the frame element, wherein each of the transverse elements includes portions of a first fluid path and of a second fluid path, with fluid flowing in opposite directions within the first and second fluid paths, wherein each of the transverse elements extends completely around the circular pattern, wherein the transverse elements in the first plurality of transverse elements are connected to one another to form a dome shaped helical structure extending around and along the frame elements, and wherein the dome shaped helical structure includes a first end, having an inlet connected to the first fluid path and an outlet connected to the second fluid path, and a second end, in which the first fluid path is connected to the second fluid path; a doorway; a doorway frame element within the plurality of frame elements at each side of the doorway; and a second plurality of transverse elements, extending around each of the doorway frame elements and interwoven with frame elements between the doorway frame elements so that each transverse element within the second plurality of transverse frame elements extends across the frame elements between the doorway frame elements in the circular pattern, alternately inside and outside the frame elements, and so that transverse elements adjacent one another cross each frame element between the doorway frame elements on opposite sides of the frame element, wherein transverse elements in the second plurality of transverse elements are joined to one another to form a reversing spiral structure connected to the dome shaped helical structure with a first path in the reversing spiral structure connected to the first path within the dome shaped helical structure, and with a second path within the reversing spiral structure connected to the second path within the dome shaped helical structure.