Solar energy collector
AssigneeAGA Aktiebolag
InventorStellan Knoos
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A compact, highly versatile, modular solar energy collector is achievable through the employment of well distributed bypass flow components providing a bypass mass flow within a given range across a thin collector face, in conjunction with a low height, laminar interior flow having a predetermined proportionality to the bypass flow. A short flow path length along the collector together with the bypass flow relationship and other parameters permit high temperature differentials to be attained, accompanied by high efficiency. Further, the mass flow through the collector may be varied within a substantial range in response to changing insolation conditions while maintaining the bypass flow in an acceptable range by incorporation of a pressure drop having mass flow dependent characteristics in the principal flow path.
Claims14
A compact solar radiation collector comprising:
- collector panel means having a surface area of less than 1 m.sup.2, and second panel means adjacent the collector panel means and providing a principal flow channel under the panel, said collector panel means including means providing a bypass flow with an f number (ratio of bypass flow to principal flow) in the range of 0.2 to 0.5, said collector panel means with the second panel means defining a flow path length of less than 0.5 m and a channel height of approximately 1.5 mm.
A compact solar radiation collector comprising:
- collector panel means having a surface area of less than 1 m.sup.2, and second panel means adjacent the collector panel means and providing a principal flow channel under the panel, said collector panel means including means providing a bypass flow with an f number (ratio of bypass flow to principal flow) in the range of 0.2 to 0.5, said collector panel means with the second panel means defining a flow path length of less than 0.5 m and a channel height of approximately 1.5 mm, said collector further including means disposed in the principal flow path providing a restriction therein.
A solar radiation energy collector comprising:
- collector panel means including a plurality of areally distributed bypass apertures therein;
- and
- means adjacent said collector panel means for directing a principal flow beneath said collector panel means, and said collector further including means providing a pressure drop in the principal flow.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.