Solar collector with angled cooling fins
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorROBERT E. GRIP
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In one embodiment, a solar collector includes a heat pipe and at least one cooling fin. The at least one cooling fin is attached to the heat pipe at a non-perpendicular first angle relative to the heat pipe. In further embodiments, methods of transferring heat are disclosed, in addition to methods of manufacturing solar collectors.
Claims25
A solar collector comprising a heat pipe and at least one cooling fin, wherein said at least one cooling fin is attached to the heat pipe at a non-perpendicular first angle relative to the heat pipe.
A method of transferring heat from a solar collector, the method comprising:
- providing a solar collector comprising a heat pipe, at least one cooling fin, and a solar cell, wherein said at least one cooling fin is attached to the heat pipe at a non-perpendicular first angle relative to the heat pipe;
- reflecting sun rays to the solar cell;
- transferring excess heat from the solar cell to the heat pipe;
- transferring heat from the heat pipe to ambient air outside of the heat pipe through convection.
A method of manufacturing a solar collector comprising:
- providing a heat pipe, and at least one cooling fin;
- and
- attaching said at least one cooling fin to the heat pipe at a non-perpendicular first angle relative to the heat pipe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.