Self-contained reflux condenser solar water heater

In an apparatus for heating water by solar radiation comprising,

• primary means for containing a vaporizable heat transfer fluid and collecting solar radiation so as to vaporize said fluid,
• heat exchange means elevated below said primary means for both passing vaporized fluid formed in said primary means into heat exchange relationship with water and condensing said vaporized fluid into condensate,
• the means for recirculation of condensate from said heat exchange means to said primary means comprising,
• means of preselected condensate capacity elevated below said heat exchange region for accumulating condensate formed in and flowing by gravity from said heat exchange means,
• a venturi elevated below and communicating with said accumulating means for receiving excess condensate in excess of the preselected capacity of and flowing by gravity from said accumulating means, said venturi having a throat portion for receiving and increasing the velocity of vaporized excess condensate generated in a booster means described hereinafter, said throat portion operatively connected with said accumulation means to draw by venturi-effect condensate accumulated in said accumulation means into said throat,
• booster means elevated below and operatively connected with said venturi so as to (a) receive and expose to solar radiation and vaporize thereby excess condensate flowing by gravity from said venturi, and (b) deliver to said venturi throat vaporized excess condensate,
• and means communicating with said venturi for receiving vaporized excess condensate and condensate drawn into said throat by venturi-effect and for delivering the received vapor and condensate into said primary means.

An apparatus for heating fluid by solar radiation comprising:

• (a) solar radiation collection means adapted to contain a heat transfer liquid that vaporizes in response to solar radiation,
• (b) heat exchange means adapted to receive vaporized heat transfer fluid from said solar radiation collection means wherein said heat transfer fluid is condensed to liquid form as a result of a heat transfer operation,
• (c) means cooperative with said heat exchange means for accumulating said condensed heat transfer fluid, said means for accumulating having means for expelling condensed heat transfer fluid greater than a given amount,
• (d) booster means for receiving and flash vaporizing heat transfer fluid expelled from said means for accumulating said fluid, said booster means being itself disposed to be heated by solar radiation, and
• (e) means coupled to said means for accumulating and said booster means and responsive to said flash vapor for effecting transport of heat transfer liquid from said accumulating means to said solar radiation collection means.