Thin film absorber for a solar collector

Patent · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 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: ASSOC UNIVERSITIES INC
• 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

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energy
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film
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frame
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heat
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laminate
layers
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perimetrically
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planar
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preferred
preferred embodiment
preferred form
rigid
sealed
seen
solar
solar collector
solar collectors
strength
stress
substantially
substantially rigid
surface
systems
transfer
transfer fluid
unreliability
volume
wetting
window