Thermal solar energy collector

A solar energy to thermal energy converter comprising at least two spaced apart polarizing materials defining a conduit therebetween for the passage of a fluid to be heated, said polarized materials capable of being positioned with respect to each other whereby the plane of polarization of each of the polarizing materials in one position are crossed so that a minimum of light is transmitted through the spaced apart polarizing materials and whereby the plane of polarization of each of the polarizing materials is substantially aligned in a second position so that a maximum amount of light is transmitted through the spaced apart polarizing materials, whereby the amount of solar energy absorbed by a fluid passing between the polarizing sheet materials can be controlled.

A solar energy absorber comprising two spaced apart members defining a conduit therebetween for passage of a fluid to be heated, said absorber being adopted to alter the amount of solar energy that is capable of being transmitted through the absorber, said spaced apart members being formed from a light polarizing material whereby the plane of polarization of each member is capable of being positioned with respect to the other whereby the amount of solar energy that is capable of being transmitted through the members is a maximum amount when the plane of polarization of the members are substantially aligned and the amount of solar energy that is capable of being transmitted through the members is a minimum when the plane of polarization of said members are substantially crossed.

A flat plate solar to thermal energy converter comprising a generally rectangular frame having upwardly extending side walls and end walls and a bottom surface;

• a light transparent cover plate;
• two spaced apart light polarizing materials included within said rectangular frame defining a conduit therebetween for the passage of a fluid to be heated by absorption of solar radiation, the axis of absorption of the light polarizing materials being in a fixed predetermined position with respect to each other whereby a minimum amount of solar radiation is transmitted through the polarizing materials thereby maximizing the amount of solar radiation that is available for absorption by a fluid passing between the polarizing materials.

In a tubular collector of the type including two concentric tubes for defining a conduit therebetween for the passage of a fluid to be heated by absorption of solar radiation, the improvement comprising:

• said concentric tubes being formed of light polarizing materials and having their axis of absorption substantially crossed whereby a minimum amount of solar radiation is transmitted through the polarizing materials thereby maximizing the amount of solar radiation that is available for absorption by a fluid passing between the polarizing materials.