Solar collector pipe

A solar energy collection system comprising at least two solar collector pipes in fluid flow communication with one another for conveying fluid to be heated and for removing heated fluid, the at least two solar collector pipes each comprising:

• a transparent portion for admitting solar energy therethrough;
• an absorbing portion therein for absorbing solar energy;
• and
• a conduit portion comprising opposing wall portions on either side of a vertical center axis of the solar collector pipe that together form an ogive shape in cross-section, the opposing wall portions comprising a reflecting surface thereon for reflecting solar energy received through the transparent portion onto the absorbing portion;
• wherein the transparent portion, the conduit portion, and the absorbing portion together define at least one fluid passageway for conveying the fluid.

A solar collector pipe for conveying fluid to be heated and for removing heated fluid, the solar collector pipe comprising:

• a fluid conduit comprising:
• a transparent portion on an external surface of the fluid conduit, the transparent portion having a first end and a second end and forming one of an arc shape, a cambered shape, a parabolic shape, a catenary shape, and a semi-elliptical shape in cross-section;
• a conduit portion comprising a first opposing wall having a first end coupled to the first end of the transparent portion and a second opposing wall having a first end coupled to the second end of the transparent portion, the first and second opposing walls each having second ends joined together and together forming one of an ogive shape, a dropped ogive shape, an equilateral ogive shape, and a lancet ogive shape in cross-section about either side of a vertical center axis of the solar collector pipe, the opposing walls comprising a reflecting surface thereon for reflecting solar energy received through the transparent portion toward the vertical center axis of the solar collector pipe;
• and
• an absorbing portion internal to the fluid conduit and extending along the center vertical axis for at least a portion of its extent.

A solar energy collection system for conveying liquid to be heated and for removing heated liquid, the solar energy collector system comprising:

• first and second liquid conduits each comprising:
• a transparent portion on an external surface, the transparent portion having a first end and a second end;
• a first opposing wall having a first end coupled to the first end of the transparent portion;
• a second opposing wall having a first end coupled to the second end of the transparent portion;
• wherein the first and second opposing walls are joined together at respective second ends, together forming an ogive shape in cross-section about either side of a vertical center axis, and wherein each of the first and second opposing walls comprise a reflective surface thereon configured to reflect solar energy received through the transparent portion toward the vertical center axis;
• and
• an absorbing portion extending within the cross-section along the center vertical axis for at least a portion of its extent;
• wherein the first and second liquid conduits are located substantially parallel to each other and are coupled in fluid communication at first respective ends such that fluid passing through the first liquid conduit thereafter passes through the second liquid conduit.