US 4,048,983 A · Solar energy collector apparatus

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a three piece solar energy bulb type collector device comprising a hollow glass body shaped with a parabolic interior surface that is coated with specular finish of a metal, e.g. silver, and includes an apex aperture and integral hollow yoke. A glass test-tube like element is exteriorly coated with a wave length selective coating having more than 0.8 absorption above 2.5 microns wave length and less than 0.1 emission at 2.5 microns or less wave lengths. The coated glass tube is the absorber and has an intermediate rib and flared open end which are fused with glass at the aperture area and open end of the yoke. The absorber is coaxially located with the focal axis of the parabolic surface. A cover plate is sealed over the large end of the parabolic body enclosing the interior mirror surface area in a chamber which is placed under vacuum (evacuated). Working media, which may be either gas or liquid, is circulated from a manifold through the absorber tube to remove solar energy as heat, and is returned to the manifold. The solar energy laden media is available for heating, cooling or power generating applications.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A solar collector apparatus comprising an integral endless glass wall defining a parabolic surface disposed about a central focal axis, an aperture at one end of said wall centered on said axis at the apex of said parabolic surface, the opposite end of said wall defining an enlarged open end,

a continuous reflective coating layer over the parabolic surface of said wall for reflecting solar radiation striking said surface to said focal axis,
a hollow, tubular glass member having a closed end and an opposite open end, said member being inserted through said aperture and coaxial with said focal axis such that the open end thereof is disposed adjacent the apex aperture,
fusion connecting means sealingly attaching said hollow tubular glass member integrally with said parabolic glass wall at the apex aperture region thereof,
said tubular glass member including an energy absorbing surface thereon extending over substantially the entire surface area thereof disposed along the focal axis of said parabolic wall,
a transparent glass cover member for covering the open end of said parabolic wall opposite the aperture thereof, and
means for sealingly connecting the glass cover plate over said parabolic glass wall closing the parabolic chamber defined thereby, said chamber being evacuated to at least a partial vacuum.

3 more elements

A solar collector apparatus comprising an endless glass wall forming a parabolic surface disposed about a central focal axis and having a rim edge at one end thereof defining an enlarged opening and an annular hollow yoke portion at the other end thereof extending outwardly beyond the apex of said parabolic surface that is concentric on said focal axis and open at its opposite axial ends, the yoke providing an aperture in said parabolic surface,

a hollow, tubular glass member having a closed end and an opposite open end, said member being inserted through said aperture and disposed in said yoke and coaxial with said focal axis such that the open end thereof extends beyond said apex aperture,
a fusion means for annularly sealingly connecting the hollow tubular glass member and said glass wall,
a reflective coating over the parabolic surface of said wall for reflecting solar radiation striking said surface to said focal axis,
said tubular glass member including an energy absorbing surface thereon extending over substantially the entire surface area thereof disposed along the focal axis within said parabolic wall,
a transparent glass cover member for covering the open end of said parabolic wall opposite the aperture thereof,
means for sealingly connecting the glass cover plate about the rim edge of said parabolic glass wall closing the parabolic chamber defined thereby, said chamber being evacuated to at least a partial vacuum,
a manifold providing a conduit for flow of working fluid, said manifold including means for sealingly connecting said open end of the hollow tubular glass member to the manifold whereby the hollow tubular member is in communication with said conduit, and
means for introducing working fluid from the manifold conduit internally of the tubular member in heat exchange relation therewith and returning the solar energy laden working fluid to said manifold conduit.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Solar energy collector apparatus

Life of this patent

Solar energy collector apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18