Solar collector having absorber plate formed by spraying molten metal
OwnerDavid Deakininventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of making a solar energy collector where the absorber plate, selective surface, and protective outer skin of the collector are formed by spraying molten metal particles onto a substrate and building a coating of metal up to a desired thickness. This process allows greater flexibility in permitting a greater choice of materials and geometric shapes to be used for manufacturing the collector. The process may also be used to create the individual components of the collector, i.e., body, absorber plate, or selective surface as well as a storage tank.
Claims20
A method of making a solar energy collector adapted to transfer heat to a working medium, said collector comprising a substrate means and tubular heat exchange means for transferring solar energy to said working medium, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a base surface,
- arranging said tubular heat exchange means on said base surface in a structural supporting pattern,
- spraying molten metal on said base surface to form said substrate means and to join said tubular heat exchange means to said substrate means thus formed, and
- providing a supporting means for the sprayed metal of said substrate means.
A method of making a solar collector adapted to transfer heat to a working medium, said collector comprising:
- substrate means for providing a base surface for forming an absorber plate of said solar collector and circulation means for conveying solar energy to said working medium, said method comprising the steps of:
- forming said absorber plate on said substrate means and integrally joining said circulation means therewith by spraying molten metal on said substrate means,
- said spraying step including building up sprayed molten metal of a sufficient thickness to achieve a unitary structure,
- providing a supporting means for the sprayed metal of said absorber plate, and
- embedding said circulation means by a method including said spraying step thereby to protect said circulation means from an external environment.
A method of making a solar collector panel comprising a housing, a metallic tubular conduit for carrying a working fluid, and sprayed metal absorber plate for absorbing radiant energy, said method including the steps of:
- A. providing a base surface,
- B. placing a metallic foil means over said base surface,
- C. prearranging the tubular conduit in a pattern and placing said tubular conduit on said metallic foil means,
- D. forming said absorber plate integrally with said prearranged tubular conduit and said metallic foil means by spraying molten metal over said tubular conduit and foil means,
- E. embedding said patterned tubular conduit by a method including said spraying step so as to shield said tubular conduit from an external environment thereby to prevent corrosion, including galvanic corrosion resulting from any difference between the metals of said tubular conduit and said absorber plate, and
- F. mounting said foil means, tubular conduit and sprayed absorber plate in a housing thereby to form said solar collector panel.
A method of making a solar collector panel comprising a housing, a metallic tubular conduit for carrying a working fluid, and a sprayed metal absorber plate for receiving radiant energy, said method including the steps of:
- A. providing a base surface,
- B. prearranging the tubular conduit in a pattern and placing said prearranged tubular conduit on said base surface,
- C. forming said absorber plate integrally with said prearranged tubular conduit and said base surface by spraying molten metal over said tubular conduit,
- D. embedding said prearranged tubular conduit by a method including said spraying step so as to shield said tubular conduit from an external environment to prevent corrosion, including galvanic corrosion resulting from any difference between the metals of said tubular conduit and said absorber plate,
- E. providing a supporting means for the sprayed metal of said absorber plate, and
- G. mounting said tubular conduit and sprayed absorber plate in a housing thereby to form said solar collector panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.