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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Solar energy collector

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5414936
An infrared solar energy collector is disclosed. The collector comprises a heat absorber which in a first embodiment is a tube through which a heat transfer fluid is circulated. The heat absorber is disposed within a larger glass tube. In a modified embodiment, the heat absorber is in the form of a heat pipe which conducts heat to a heat transfer fluid circulated through a manifold. A wick carrying a volatile fluid may also surround the heat pipe. Absorbed heat evaporates the fluid which is in turn condensed on the cooler manifold. Either the entire interior of the glass tube surrounding the heat absorber is under reduced pressure, or an annular region between the surrounding glass tube and a second, larger diameter surrounding glass tube is under reduced pressure. An energy director such as a reflector within the enclosing glass tube directs solar energy on the heat absorber. The relative positions between the energy director and the heat absorber are changed progressively during the course of each day to enable the maximum utilization of solar energy.
Assignee:
TIC; EDB-78-030426; ERA-03-014314
Patent Number(s):
US 4027653
OSTI ID:
5414936
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English