Recirculating natural convection solar energy collector
Patent
·
OSTI ID:6437155
Recirculating natural convection solar energy collectors are disclosed. In one species of the invention, the collector comprises an insulated housing, a cover of glass or other suitable transparent material, a transparent plate of glass or other suitable material mounted inside said housing and spaced apart from the cover, a heat absorber mounted inside the housing and spaced apart from the transparent plate, an air separator mounted inside the housing and spaced apart from the absorber and cover, and a heat exchanger located inside the housing at the top of the housing. The heat absorber is made from a thin sheet of suitable material such as aluminum foil that has a surface coated with a heat absorbing material such as black paint, solar selective black chrome and the like. As the air inside the housing flows over the heat absorber, it is heated and rises to the top of the housing. The heat exchanger at the top of the housing absorbs heat from the hot air thereby cooling the air. The cooler air flows downward through a cool air return channel and then again flows over the absorber to be heated. In this manner a continuous air flow is maintained with the heat exchanger absorbing useful heat from the air. In a second species of the invention, a second plate made of glass or other suitable transparent material is mounted between the transparent plate and the heat absorber. A variation of the two main species is also disclosed. In this variation, a small blower is mounted in the bottom of the housing to assist the air flow.
- Assignee:
- TIC; ERA-04-022357; EDB-79-035342
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4135490
- OSTI ID:
- 6437155
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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