Apparatus and method for solar energy collection and conversion
OwnerRichard John Worthingtoninventor
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a solar energy collector (18) including an outer casing (20) having at least one aperture (22) disposed therein and an absorber (24) disposed within the outer casing (20). The aperture (22) is arranged to receive a beam (16) of solar radiation therethrough so that the beam (16) is incident on the absorber (24). The absorber (24) is arranged in use to absorb the energy of the beam of solar radiation and to thereby convert solar radiation to heat energy to heat a fluid communicated through the absorber (24). The absorber (24) is arranged to be moved by a moving means to promote even heating of the absorber (24).
Claims18
A system for collecting solar radiation comprising:
- (i) a solar energy collector comprising an outer casing having an aperture disposed therein and an absorber disposed within the outer casing, the aperture is arranged to receive a beam of collimated concentrated solar radiation therethrough so that the beam is incident on the absorber, the absorber is arranged to absorb the energy of the incident beam of collimated concentrated solar radiation to thereby heat a medium communicated through the absorber, and the absorber is arranged to be moved by a mover to promote even heating of the absorber,
- (ii) a primary parabolic reflector, and
- (iii) a lens or a secondary parabolic reflector configured to collimate solar radiation reflected from the primary reflector;
- wherein the collector, primary parabolic reflector and lens or secondary parabolic reflector are arranged such that, in use, the beam of collimated concentrated solar radiation is directed through the aperture of the outer casing to incide on the absorber of the solar energy collector.
A solar energy collector including an outer easing having at least two apertures disposed therein, an absorber disposed within the outer casing, and optionally a fenestrated screen disposed between the outer casing and the absorber, each of the apertures of the outer casing arranged to receive a beam of concentrated solar radiation therethrough so that each of the beams is incident on the absorber, the absorber is arranged to absorb the energy of each of the incident beams of solar radiation to thereby convert that energy to heat energy to heat a fluid communicated through the absorber, and the absorber is arranged to be moved by a mover to promote even heating of the absorber, wherein the apertures, outer casing, optional fenestrated screen, and absorber are dimensioned and arranged such that:
- (i) most of the heat energy radiated externally from the absorber is radiated onto a reflective inner surface of the outer casing and also the fenestrated screen, if present, causing most of the heat energy radiated externally from the absorber being retained in the collector and/or
- (ii) most of each of the incident beams of solar radiation reflected by the outer surface of the absorber is reflected onto a reflective inner surface of the outer casing and also the fenestrated screen, if present, causing the energy of each of the reflected beams being retained in the collector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.