Solar energy collector and method of making same

Patent · Tue Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5775336

Deakin, D

This patent describes a method of making a solar energy collecting device which includes glass absorbing means for absorbing radiant energy and transferring the energy to a heat transfer fluid carried thereby, and insulating means for passing therethrough radiant energy while insulating the absorbing means from an external environment. The method consists of melting a metallic substance to form molten metal, spraying the molten metal on the glass absorbing means by use of a stream of pressurized gas so as to fuse a metallic layer thereon, blackening the metallic layer, and hermetically sealing together the glass absorbing means and the insulating means so as to form an insulating chamber therebetween, whereby the absorbing means absorbs, when the collecting device is operational, solar energy at a level of at least 70% and passes the same to the heat transfer fluid while emitting no more than 5% energy in the infrared range. A method of making a solar energy concentrator for use with solar absorbing means for absorbing solar energy and for transferring the solar energy to a heat transfer fluid carried thereby. The concentrator includes a solar energy concentrating means for directing radiant energy onto the absorbing means. The concentrating means is made by the steps of: forming a transparent glass member in a shape so that, when disposed about the absorbing means, an inner surface of the transparent member faces and is adapted to direct radiant energy onto the absorbing means, and melting a metallic substance to form molten metal, spraying the molten metal on an outer surface of the transparent glass member by use of a stream of pressurized gas so as to fuse thereon a thin metallic layer thereby to form a smooth, highly reflective concentrator for directing radiant energy onto the absorbing means. This patent also describes a solar energy collecting devices.

• Assignee: NOV; EDB-86-116242
• Patent Number(s): US 4579107
• OSTI ID: 5775336
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 16 Mar 1984
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR COLLECTORS
FABRICATION
BLACK COATINGS
GAS FLOW
GLASS
HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS
MELTING
METALS
PRESSURIZING
RADIANT HEAT TRANSFER
SEALS
SOLAR ABSORBERS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
THERMAL INSULATION
COATINGS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY TRANSFER
EQUIPMENT
FLUID FLOW
FLUIDS
HEAT TRANSFER
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
141000* - Solar Collectors & Concentrators