Bulb-type solar energy collector
There is disclosed a molded glass bulb-type solar collector which includes a parabolic specular reflector member and integral glass tubular member closed at the inner end extends along the focal axis of the reflecting surface. A shank portion of the tubular member extends outside the parabolic reflector and is open at the outer end. The tubular wall has its outside surface within the reflector coated with a wave length selective coating. A transparent glass cover plate that is preferably convex (domed) is sealed over the large open end of the reflector at a peripheral flange. The flange is formed to a regular geometric configuration, viz, square, diamond, hexagon, etc., and several of the bulb collectors are fabricated into a curtain wall with these flanges in adjacent relationship. The space within the cover plate and reflector is pumped to a vacuum. The shank portion of the member is connected into an aperture of a manifold. The collectors are connected in series wherein working fluid is carried in a conduit, and at each aperture, a partition extends into the tubular member bisecting it so that the fluid on one side of the partition is diverted in a counterflow path therethrough and back to the conduit on the other side of the partition. In another form of manifold, collectors are connected in parallel, so to speak, wherein two parallel divided passages are provided in the manifold.
- Assignee:
- Owens-Illinois, Inc.
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4084576
- OSTI ID:
- 6701299
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 3 May 1976
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
CONCENTRATING COLLECTORS
DESIGN
EVACUATED COLLECTORS
CONFIGURATION
GEOMETRY
PARABOLIC REFLECTORS
PLASTIC FOAMS
THERMAL INSULATION
TUBES
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
FOAMS
MATHEMATICS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
POLYMERS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR REFLECTORS
141000* - Solar Collectors & Concentrators