Thin film absorber for a solar collector

Patent · Tue Dec 24 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5751308

Wilhelm, W G

This invention pertains to energy absorbers for solar collectors, and more particularly to high performance thin film absorbers. The solar collectors comprising the absorber of this invention overcome several problems seen in current systems, such as excessive hardware, high cost and unreliability. In the preferred form, the apparatus features a substantially rigid planar frame with a thin film window bonded to one planar side of the frame. An absorber in accordance with the present invention is comprised of two thin film layers that are sealed perimetrically. In a preferred embodiment, thin film layers are formed from a metal/plastic laminate. The layers define a fluid-tight planar envelope of large surface area to volume through which a heat transfer fluid flows. The absorber is bonded to the other planar side of the frame. The thin film construction of the absorber assures substantially full envelope wetting and thus good efficiency. The window and absorber films stress the frame adding to the overall strength of the collector.

• Assignee: US DOE
• Patent Number(s): US 4559924
• OSTI ID: 5751308
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
DESIGN
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
FILMS
FLAT PLATE COLLECTORS
FLUID FLOW
FLUIDS
HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS
LIQUID FLOW
MATERIALS
METALS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTICS
SOLAR ABSORBERS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
THERMAL INSULATION
THIN FILMS