Solar energy absorber
AssigneeHercules Incorporated
InventorPatrick Von McAllister
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Abstract
An improved solar energy absorber is provided in which the absorber surface is prepared from a multiplicity of fibers having free ends which are tapered and coated with a low emissivity material. The fibers are straight, aligned in a parallel relationship and have diameters of from about 4 to 100 micrometers. The fibers are spaced together very tightly so that the distance between adjacent fibers is from about 1 to 10 micrometers. The fiber surface presents an improved solar trap for absorbing solar energy.
Claims9
A solar energy absorber comprising a multiplicity of nonmetallic fibers, stable in air at temperatures of up to about 500.degree. F., said fibers being substantially straight and aligned in a parallel and side-by-side relationship, substantially all of said fibers having at least one free end, said fibers having diameters of from about 4 micrometers to about 100 micrometers, said fibers being spaced apart such that the distance between adjacent fibers is from about 1 micrometer to about 10 micrometers, the free ends of the fibers being tapered and the free ends of said tapered fibers being coated with a material having an emissivity of less than about 0.05, said coated free ends of the fibers comprising the solar energy absorbing surface.
A solar energy absorber device comprising
- a. a solar energy absorber comprising a multiplicity of nonmetallic fibers, said fibers being stable in air at temperatures of up to about 500.degree. F., said fibers being substantially straight and aligned in a parallel and side-by-side relationship, substantially all of said fibers having at least one free end, said fibers having diameters of from about 4 micrometers to about 100 micrometers, said fibers being spaced apart such that the distance between adjacent fibers is from about 1 micrometer to about 10 micrometers, the free ends of the fibers being tapered and the free ends of said tapered fibers being coated with a material having an emissivity of less than about 0.05, said coated free ends of the fibers comprising the solar energy absorbing surface, and
- b. heat conducting means in communication with said solar energy absorber for conducting heat therefrom to perform work.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.