Thin film absorber for a solar collector

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:865710

Wilhelm, William G ^[1]

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1. Cutchogue, NY

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.

• Research Organization: Associated Universities, Inc., Upton, NY (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4559924
• OSTI ID: 865710
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

film
absorber
solar
collector
pertains
energy
absorbers
collectors
particularly
performance
comprising
overcome
seen
current
systems
excessive
hardware
cost
unreliability
preferred
form
apparatus
features
substantially
rigid
planar
frame
window
bonded
accordance
comprised
layers
sealed
perimetrically
embodiment
formed
metal
plastic
laminate
define
fluid-tight
envelope
surface
volume
heat
transfer
fluid
flows
construction
assures
wetting
efficiency
films
stress
adding
overall
strength
film layers
solar collectors
transfer fluid
energy absorber
solar collector
heat transfer
preferred embodiment
fluid flow
film layer
fluid flows
preferred form
substantially rigid
apparatus features
film window
energy absorbers
current systems
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