Solar energy collection system

An energy collection system particularly suited for use in collecting energy from a solar source including:

• A. a triangular array of contiguous heliostat fields, each field comprising a plurality of contiguously related heliostats of a hexagonal configuration collectively forming a surface for reflecting a conical beam of solar energy;
• B. a triangular array of mutually spaced energy receivers, each receiver being supported in suspension above a heliostat field of the triangular array of heliostat fields for receiving a conical beam of energy reflected by one of the array of fields;
• and
• C. means disposed within each of said receivers for converting radiant energy to heat comprising a network of tubular conduits for conducting a working fluid along a tortuous path for absorbing heat from a conical beam of reflected energy.

A solar energy receiver for converting radiant solar energy to heat including:

• A. a cover shell of a downwardly opening concave configuration;
• B. an energy conversion unit suspended beneath said shell comprising a plurality of concentrically related conduits of substantially annular configurations, and a plurality of radially extended conduits interconnecting said concentrically related conduits for conducting a working fluid in its liquid phase along a tortuous path for absorbing heat from an incident beam of radiant solar energy;
• C. a delivery tube connected with said energy conversion unit for delivering a working fluid thereto;
• D. a header chamber concentrically related to said plurality of concentrically related conduits for converting the working fluid to a vapor as heat is absorbed from said beam;
• and
• E. means including a vapor conduit connected to said header chamber extended away from said receiver for conducting said working fluid in its vapor state away from the header chamber.