High efficiency conversion of solar radiation into thermal energy
AssigneeFort Recovery Construction & Equipment, LLC
InventorsDavid L. Lowe, Donald L. Crawmer, Jerry A. Goodman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A high-efficiency solar radiation collection and conversion system is described. An array of evacuated collector tubes each includes two or more inner heat pipes that capture the solar energy and conduct it as heat through a condenser portion into a manifold that operates as part of a closed-loop circulation system. In another part of the loop, a heat exchanger transfers the heat into a hot-water holding tank or otherwise applies the heat energy in the circulating fluid.
Claims19
A solar energy collection system, comprising:
- an elongated, substantially cylindrical, transparent outer tube comprising an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder, wherein
- the outer and inner cylinders are transparent and substantially axially concentric,
- the space between the outer and inner cylinders is evacuated,
- the ends of the outer cylinder form an air-tight connection with the corresponding ends of the inner cylinder such that the evacuated space remains evacuated, and
- one end of the outer tube is closed;
- a first and a second heat pipe, each comprising a collection portion and a condenser portion, the collection portion being substantially contained within the outer tube;
- a circulation path, comprising:
- a manifold in heat-conducting communication with an end of each of the first and second heat pipes;
- and
- a load for using heat energy.
A method of manufacturing a solar collector, comprising:
- placing two or more heat pipes, each having a collection portion and a condenser portion, and each being adapted to move heat from the collection portion to the condenser portion, in heat-transfer communication with a manifold;
- and
- placing an evacuated tube around the collection portion of the two or more heat pipes, where the evacuated tube comprises an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder, the outer cylinder being substantially transparent, the inner cylinder defining an internal volume that contains the two or more heat pipes, and the ends of the inner cylinder a the outer cylinder being sealed to define an evacuated space;
- such that the condenser portion of each heat pipe is elevated in relation to the collection portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.