Stationary type solar energy collector apparatus
A hybrid collector for collecting solar energy is disclosed comprised of a plurality of parabolic reflectors cooperating with tube/fin type fluid carrying collector elements, selective ones of which are arranged at the focal points of the parabolas. Additional tube/fin elements are positioned at a spaced distance above the boundary line between adjacent parabolic reflectors. The exterior surfaces of the tube/fin collector elements are treated preferably with a selective coating to provide high absorptivity and low emissivity. The surface areas of the tube/fin elements are also reduced to further contribute to a reduction in emissivity to optimize total absorptance. Location of the tube/fin elements which are off the parabolic reflector focal points cooperate with those located at the focal points to absorb diffuse energy while the tube/fin elements at the focal points absorb beam energy providing for both absorption of beam energy on clear sunny days and absorption of diffuse energy on cloudy or overcast days. The positioning of the tube/fin collectors well above the reflectors takes advantage of convection currents to increase energy transfer by reduction of energy loss. The structure provides the above functions through a fully stationary mounting. The parabolic reflector structures comprise flexible reflector sheets mounted within supporting troughs which are adapted to slideably receive the reflective sheets and urge the sheets into perfect parabolic configurations due to the geometry and interrelationship of the troughs and the reflective sheets, yielding a perfect parabolic reflector produced in an inexpensive manner.
- Assignee:
- Solar Energy Systems, Inc.
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4167178
- OSTI ID:
- 5885766
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 27 Jun 1977
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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