Non-tracking solar concentrator with a high concentration ratio
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Energy Research and Development Administration
InventorHenry Hinterberger
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A nontracking solar concentrator with a high concentration ratio is provided. The concentrator includes a plurality of energy absorbers which communicate with a main header by which absorbed heat is removed. Undesired heat flow of those absorbers not being heated by radiant energy at a particular instant is impeded, improving the efficiency of the concentrator.
Claims11
In a radiant energy concentration and collection device having a reflector for concentrating incident radiation to a location with the position of the location varying with time, and an energy receiver upon which the location is directed, the improvement in said receiver comprising:
- a header, a plurality of bulbs, and thin tubes, each of said thin tubes coupling one of said bulbs to said header, said bulbs being positioned in the receiver so that the location is always incident on at least one bulb, said bulbs containing a fluid, with the location incident on a particular bulb the fluid therein boils, thereby producing heated gas which collects in said header, and utilization means coupled to said header for utilizing said heated gas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.