Abstract: A hybrid photovoltaic and radiant heating and cooling device is provided, wherein the device comprises a photovoltaic panel; a radiant heating and cooling panel; a first heat-exchanging pipe in direct contact with a back surface of the photovoltaic panel; a second heat-exchanging pipe in direct contact with a back surface of the radiant heating and cooling panel; and a thermal storage tank fluidly connecting the first and the second heat-exchanging pipes, wherein the tank is arranged between the first and second heat-exchanging pipes.

Abstract: TURBINE WITH SOLAR COLLECTOR OR TURBOCHARGER, which is designed to originate innovative turbine kinetic energy through solar irradiation, irradiated by heliostats, parabolic or possibly to function with other types of fuel when not no solar radiation. With a heat exchanger through which passes the residual thermal energy is achieved in a higher efficiency than conventional turbines. In this set of turbine exchanged, collector and collector, its components are located so that the drop of the thermal fluid is the minimum possible. The team has been solar collector incorporated a radial type where the sunlight is irradiated, which in the collector, the heated fluid flowing through it which comes from the compressor, through the heat exchanger, and that the empty on the blades of the turbine motor generating a kinetic energy of a mechanical element that needs a turning force or power generators.

Abstract: The invention concerns predominantly enclosed spaces, typically buildings, which are exposed to directionally and temporally varying levels of solar electromagnetic radiation, as well as temporally varying levels of ambient air temperature, flow velocity and direction. Such a building comprising at least one primary compartment and at least one secondary compartment. The primary compartment predominantly serves to achieve the primary purpose of the building. An electronic controller can modulate throughput or speed of active or passive air flow to and from the secondary compartment. The controller uses a descriptive model to predict thermal behavior of the building and to derive control signals. The control system acquires data from one or more sensors. In some embodiments the disclosed methods are at least partially incorporated in a home automation system, including internet connectivity.

Abstract: The invention concerns predominantly enclosed spaces, typically buildings, which are exposed to directionally and temporally varying levels of solar electromagnetic radiation, as well as temporally varying levels of ambient air temperature, flow velocity and direction. Such a building comprising at least one primary compartment and at least one secondary compartment. The primary compartment predominantly serves to achieve the primary purpose of the building. An electronic controller can modulate throughput or speed of active or passive air flow to and from the secondary compartment. The controller uses a descriptive model to predict thermal behavior of the building and to derive control signals. The control system acquires data from one or more sensors. In some embodiments the disclosed methods are at least partially incorporated in a home automation system, including internet connectivity.

Abstract: This invention is a sunlight-to-heat converting member containing chromium silicide having an element ratio of Cr to Si from 1:1.6 to 1:4.7. This invention is also a sunlight-to-heat converting stack including a layer of the sunlight-to-heat converting member and a metal layer. This invention is also a sunlight-to-heat converting device including a light collecting part, either or both of a container and a flow path where sunlight is collected by the light collecting part, and a heating medium housed in either or both of the container and the flow path. The sunlight-to-heat converting member or the sunlight-to-heat converting stack is formed on a surface of either or both of the container and the flow path. The sunlight-to-heat converting member, the sunlight-to-heat converting stack, and the sunlight-to-heat converting device of this invention can convert light to heat efficiently.

Abstract: A protective transparent enclosure (such as a glasshouse or a greenhouse) encloses a concentrated solar power system (e.g. a thermal and/or a photovoltaic system). The concentrated solar power system includes one or more solar concentrators and one or more solar receivers. Thermal power is provided to an industrial process, electrical power is provided to an electrical distribution grid, or both. In some embodiments, the solar concentrators are dish-shaped mirrors that are mechanically coupled to a joint that enables rotation at a fixed distance about respective solar collectors that are fixed in position with respect to the protective transparent enclosure. In some embodiments, the solar collectors are suspended from structure of the protective transparent enclosure and the solar concentrators are suspended from the solar collectors. In some embodiments, the greenhouse is a Dutch Venlo style greenhouse.

Abstract: A retaining device for absorber tubes that have a metal tube and a glass cladding tube is provided. The retaining device includes a tube clamp made of two tube clamp halves, which have a main part with a retaining feature. The tube clamp surrounds the metal tube in the mounted state, and the retaining feature rests against the exterior of the metal tube. A thermal radiation shield is arranged on the interior of the main part of the tube clamp in order to reduce the loss of heat at the ends of the metal tube of the absorber tube.

Abstract: A solar thermal collecting system, including at least one solar thermal collector and a pressure-adjusting module, is provided. The solar thermal collector includes a container, a light-transmissive cover that seals the container, and a plurality of solar thermal collecting pipes. The solar thermal collecting pipes are installed in the container, so as to allow a heat transfer material to flow therein. The outer surfaces of the solar thermal collecting pipes are correspondingly deposited with solar selective coatings for absorbing solar radiation energy, transforming the radiation energy into thermal energy, and transmitting thermal energy to the heat transfer material flowing in the solar thermal collecting pipes. The pressure-adjusting module controls the heat loss rate of the solar thermal collector by adjusting the air pressure inside the solar thermal collector and controlling the direction of air circulation to flow in or out of the solar thermal collector.

Abstract: A system for cooling hard disk drives (HDDs) includes: an enclosure having (i) a lower volume within which a cooling liquid is heated to a boiling point to cause some of the cooling liquid to evaporate, creating a plume of rising vapor and (ii) an upper volume having (a) a HDD cooling area with HDD(s) placed in the direct path of the rising vapor, which cools the HDD(s) during functional operation of the HDD(s) and (b) a condenser located above the HDD cooling area and which cools a substantial portion of the rising vapor that impacts the condenser within the upper volume such that the rising vapor condenses back into liquid phase on contact with the condenser; and a heat source that dissipates heat into the lower volume of the enclosure, sufficient to heat the cooling liquid to the boiling point temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus for a concentrating solar collector is disclosed, comprising: A nested main frame and reflector carriage with vertically folding one-piece preformed reflector support panels, to which individually replaceable pieces of mirror-like material of various kinds may be mounted to make a Fresnel-type array. A hand-winch operated cable system provides for a full range of reflector altitude adjustment. An alignment guide allows assessment of solar tracking alignment without gazing toward the focal area. A griddle-like flattop receiver is used for frying foods, and an adjustable rack facilitates suspension of cooking pots in the focal area to receive unobstructed, concentrated solar energy. Also described is a method for making the reflector support panels. One embodiment of the apparatus has a lower frame portion substantially forming a rolling chassis. An additional embodiment describes lower frame structure for a fixed location installation.

Abstract: A tower structure with storing capacity for at least one medium is described. The tower structure comprising at least two substantially vertically oriented support structures for forming the tower structure, wherein at least one of the support structures comprises at least one constructive pressure vessel for forming the support structure. A method for building the tower structure also is disclosed. The pressure vessel based tower structure may have applications e.g. in wind mills and solar thermal towers.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and devices related to fixed and transportable structures and vehicles utilizing the integration of solar and wind technologies for generation of electricity. The system generates electricity using solar panels (and/or solar thermal units) and wind turbines, stores and converts electricity, and can be located in various locations either as fixed or portable embodiments including on land, on water, underwater, air and space and may also be housed in a structure to provide electricity for various facilities and uses.

Abstract: A solar concentrating system for concentrating sunlight by tracking the sun, including concentrator support structure, an annular track mounted on an upper surface of a base, the center of mass of the concentrator support structure being off-axis relative to curvature center of annular track, enclosures provided at comers and comprising a wheel positioned on the track, the enclosure connected to a piston connected to a guiding element placed on the track; a fastening element that when moved towards the track, the guiding element is fastened to the track, and when the fastening element is moved away from the track, the guiding element is released, when the first piston elongates or contracts, the first guiding element is fastened to the track, the second guiding element is released, the wheels of the enclosures rotate from a first location on the track to a second location, thereby rotating the concentrator support structure.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method of collecting solar energy having a variable position for optimizing sunlight collection and for use in a heating and/or cooling system. The system includes a solar collector apparatus, a collector support frame assembly, a sun position tracking apparatus, a fluid transfer pump, a fluid storage tank, an insulated pipe for connecting the fluid pump to the storage tank and the solar collector, a differential temperature controller, and a safety override relay controller.

Abstract: A dual-exposure heat absorption panel is disclosed, which can be used in a solar receiver design. Generally, the heat absorption panel includes a tube panel through which a heat transfer fluid is flowed to absorb solar energy from heliostats that are focused on the tube panel. A structural support frame surrounds the tube panel. A stiffener structure runs across the exposed faces of the tube panel. The headers and other support structures on the periphery are protected by use of a heat shield.

Abstract: A solar collector including a linear receiver and an array of linear mirrors positioned to concentrate sunlight onto the linear receiver, with all of the mirrors in the array tracking solar motion in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the receiver, a fraction of the mirrors tracking solar motion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the receiver and a two-axis steering mechanism adapted to combine the linear images formed by each linear mirror into a single linear image that remains focused on the linear receiver as the mirrors rotate about the two axes, with the linear receiver incorporating a secondary concentrator, and concentrated sunlight heating an atmospheric-pressure gas-phase heat-transfer fluid.

Abstract: A solar receiver is disposed on a top portion of a tower provided upright on the ground for heating a compressible working fluid by means of heat converted from sunlight collected by heliostats disposed on the ground, to raise the temperature of the compressible working fluid. The solar receiver has modules disposed back-to-back, and each of which includes a casing having a bottom plate to be fixed to the top-portion upper surface of the tower. A heat-transfer-tube unit is accommodated in the casing and includes heat transfer tubes. A sunlight inlet port having a circular shape in front view or an elliptical shape in front view is provided at the center portion of a plate-like member whose lower end is connected to an outer circumferential end of the bottom plate to constitute the casing and that extends obliquely upward from the outer circumferential end.

Abstract: A linear solar energy collector system includes reflective lines arranged in parallel in a south-north direction, heliostats mounted on the reflective lines, respectively, each comprised of mirror segments to reflect solar radiation, a light receiving line set above the reflective lines in a east-west direction, a receiver mounted on the light receiving line, to receive light reflected from the heliostats and collect heat from the light, and an angular adjuster to adjust angles of the mirror segments individually to irradiate a same light receiving area on the receiver with the reflected light from east-west neighboring reflective lines and thereby adjust a concentration ratio.

Abstract: A heat exchanging structure of a solar heat exchanger 3 includes a housing 5 and a pipe 11. The solar heat exchanger includes a heat-resistant container 8 having an open top and containing a low-melting-point metal 9 and a light receiving plate 10. The housing accommodates the solar heat exchanger. The pipe passes a heat carrier H. The pipe is arranged in a space between the housing and the solar heat exchanger in such a way as not to touch the solar heat exchanger. The heat carrier is surely heated by radiant heat from the solar heat exchanger that is heated to very high temperatures. The light receiving plate has a container-like shape having an open top, and therefore, has a large light receiving area to heat itself to higher temperatures compared with a flat light receiving plate.

Abstract: A solar receiver is provided, comprising a receiver housing extending along a longitudinal axis, having front and rear ends; a window configured to allow radiation to pass therethrough, the window being mounted at the front end and projecting within the housing; a receiver chamber defined between the housing and the window, the receiver chamber having a working fluid inlet for ingress of working fluid to be heated therewithin, and a working fluid outlet for egress therethrough of the heated working fluid; and a solar radiation absorber configured for absorbing the radiation and heating the working fluid thereby, the absorber being located within the receiver chamber and surrounding at least a portion of the window, the solar radiation absorber being formed with channels and made of a foam material, such as a ceramic or metallic foam material, having a characteristic average pore diameter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a panel-based solar receiver for a thermal solar tower power plant (4), which comprises: a front panel (8), the external surface of which receives solar radiation (2) from the field of heliostats (3), a back panel (9), sealing elements (10) between the panels (8, 9), arranged at the lateral ends of both, an intake collector (5), located in the upper part of the panels (8, 9), where the heat transfer fluid enters the receiver (1) and an evacuation collector (6), located in the lower part of the panels (8, 9), where the heat transfer fluid leaves the receiver (1); wherein the front panel (8), back panel (9) and the two sealing elements (10) form the receiver body (16), which constitutes a passage for the heat transfer fluid (7) to travel through. Each solar tower can contain one or several panel-based receivers (1) and be arranged in series or in parallel, with the same or a different fluid (7) circulating there through.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for collecting and utilizing energy generated by the sun, comprising a layered construction provided with a substrate layer and a cover layer comprising a curable mortar, wherein there is arranged on the substrate layer a tube system through which a fluid can be transported in order to regulate the temperature in the tube system, this tube system being at least partially embedded in the mortar, and wherein the mortar of the cover layer comprises insulating granules, cement, water and additives. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a layered construction for a device for collecting and utilizing energy generated by the sun.

Abstract: Thermal solar energy collector, in which a solar radiation absorption panel, inside which the heat-conducting fluid flows, is situated inside a parallelepipedal box, with an opening having a transparent cover at the front, which may be doubled so as to leave an atmospheric space in the middle. The rear wall of the box has a system of seals and reservoirs which are inset in the wall so that they accommodate the expansion and contraction of vertical tubes of the panel and horizontal connections by means of gentle changes in curvature of the tube bends and slight rotations of the reservoirs, with the addition of a system for filling the box with an inert gas, the pressure of which may be chosen from a range of between a thousandth of an atmosphere and one atmosphere, there being provided for this purpose an external gas circuit, with low- and high-pressure tanks, an intermediate compressor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiant energy powered water heating methods and apparatus, particularly, to the open-loop solar radiation collection systems. At least one nozzle is directed against a reflection surface facing an evaporation surface to spray at least one jet with reflection to diffuse the fluid within the inner cavity in an atomized plume having the evaporation surface been moisturized by a part of the sprayed fluid and said moisturizing part of the sprayed fluid been sufficiently vaporized or evaporated (see FIG. 3).

Abstract: A receiver system for a Fresnel solar plant is provided. The system includes an absorber tube defining a longitudinal direction and a mirror array that runs parallel to the longitudinal direction. The mirror array has a mirror-symmetrical curve profile having at least one top apex for concentrating light beams onto the absorber tube. The mirror array has ventilation holes in the region of the apex.

Abstract: An absorber tube is provided that has a metal tube and a sleeve tube, which is made of glass and encloses the metal tube such that an annular space is formed between the metal tube and the sleeve tube. The annular space is evacuated and has at least one container filled with protective gas, where the container is a solder-free pressure container.

Abstract: Improved solar collectors (40) comprising glass tubing (42) attached to bellows (44) by airtight seals (56) enclose solar absorber tubes (50) inside an annular evacuated space (54. The exterior surfaces of the solar absorber tubes (50) are coated with improved solar selective coatings {48} which provide higher absorbance, lower emittance and resistance to atmospheric oxidation at elevated temperatures. The coatings are multilayered structures comprising solar absorbent layers (26) applied to the meta surface of the absorber tubes (50), typically stainless steel, topped with antireflective Savers (28) comprising at least two layers 30, 32) of refractory metal or metalloid oxides (such as titania and silica) with substantially differing indices of refraction in adjacent layers. Optionally, at least one layer of a noble metal such as platinum can be included between some of the layers.

Abstract: A receiver used in a solar collection assembly includes a tube adapted to carry a heat transfer medium therethrough. An envelope surrounds the tube and has opposed ends and a diaphragm is interposed between each end and the tube to support the tube from the envelope. The diaphragm comprises radially oriented convolutions which minimizes the axial length of the diaphragm and hence reduces shading of the absorber tube.

Abstract: A volumetric receiver vessel for heating a fluid with concentrated solar radiation which includes: an external housing having an aperture at the front end; an internal housing separating fluid entering the vessel from fluid exiting thereof; a window covering the aperture of the vessel, where the window closes and seals the aperture of said vessel against a non-metallic seal; and a radiation absorber, located inside the vessel and places to absorb radiation entering the vessel through said window on a radiation absorbing surface, where said surface include at least two zones with different radiation absorption coefficients.

Abstract: A flat evacuated-tube solar collector includes two parallel collecting tubes, a plurality of parallel evacuated tubes perpendicularly installed between two collecting tubes. Each evacuated tube includes two distal tube sections and a middle section situated between the two distal tube sections, and the middle section is in a flat shape, and has a cross-sectional area greater than that of the distal tube sections. The flat evacuated tubes substitute the conventional fins soldered onto a flat panel solar collector to receive sunlight, while the characteristic of two distal ends of the evacuated tube having a smaller cross-section than the middle section maintains an appropriate spacing between the collecting tube and a connecting point of the evacuated tube to assure the structural strength of the collecting tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat exchanger configured to capture energy by radiation, comprising at least one flag-shaped basic exchanger (10), including: a) an input collector (5) and an output collector (6); b) a plurality of exchange tubes (1) connected to the input collector (5) and to the output collector (6), respectively, and stacked so as to halt the incident radiation, each tube (1) being provided in the form of a hairpin with one curved part at the head of the pin (4) and two arms (2, 3) adjoining essentially vertically and on the largest part of the length thereof, the end of the tubes (1) at the pin head (4) being free and the tubes (1) being self-supported at the ends thereof connected to said collectors (5, 6).

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a solar heat collecting apparatus comprises a first heat exchanging unit and a second heat exchanging unit. The first heat exchanging unit includes a first pipe through which a heat medium flows and a first heat receiving face which receives heat of sunlight reflected by a plurality of reflecting units. The first heat exchanging unit heats the heat medium flowing through the first pipe by using heat of the first heat receiving face. A second heat exchanging unit includes a second pipe through which the heat medium heated by the first heat exchanging unit flows, a second heat receiving face which receives heat of the sunlight reflected by a plurality of reflecting units, and a nozzle provided to the second pipe to discharge the heat medium flowing through the second pipe toward a back face of the second heat receiving face.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a solar-thermal receiver comprising: (a) a light-absorbing panel comprising: (i) a light-absorbing outer surface; and (ii) an inner volume configured to admit the flow of heat transfer fluid; (b) an inlet configured to receive heat transfer fluid; and (c) an outlet configured to output the heat transfer fluid from the volume under hydrostatic pressure. Embodiments may include vanes and/or other flow-directing and/or flow-impending structural elements.

Abstract: A solar receiver device includes a metal conduit and a glass container disposed around the metal conduit such that there is a space between the glass container and the conduit. A coating is disposed on the metal conduit and has a composition that includes at least one element from silicon, titanium, aluminum, barium, and samarium.

Abstract: Solar energy generates steam in a “once-through” configuration without recirculation, with closely managed steam quality, to produce wet steam from high-contaminant feed water without scaling or fouling. Feed water is pressurized, preheated, and evaporated in a series of pipes exposed to concentrated solar energy to produce a water-steam mixture for direct distribution to an industrial process such as enhanced oil recovery or desalination. Water flow rates are managed based on measurements of solar energy and steam production to manage variations in the solar energy. Steam generator piping system uses continuous receiver pipe that is illuminated by segmented parabolic mirrors enabled to track the sun. Provisions for steam generator piping recurring maintenance are provided. Thermal energy from hot condensate and/or from low quality steam is recaptured and warms inlet water.

Abstract: A solar energy receiver includes a plurality of solar receiver elements. Each solar receiver element includes a substantially solid core configured to absorb solar radiation and to store the solar radiation as heat. The core includes a base surface and a plurality of absorption surfaces. The receiver further includes at least one fluid passageway defined within the core adjacent at least one absorption surface of the plurality of absorption surfaces, wherein the at least one fluid passageway is configured to channel a working fluid therethrough for absorbing heat stored in the core.

Abstract: A solar energy collector system (32) has a fixed array (34) of reflectors (40) extending in parallel rows, and a common focal receiver (36) located above the fixed array (34) and extending parallel to the rows of reflectors (40). Incident solar radiation from all of the reflectors is reflected upon the receiver (36) which includes a heat absorbing medium adapted to absorb heat from the reflected radiation. There is an elevated support structure (38) for the fixed array (34) of reflectors and the receiver (36). The support structure (38) orients each row of reflectors at a respective fixed angle relative to the support structure. The support structure (38) is pivotally mounted to an upright elevation assembly (77) to allow controlled rotation of the fixed array (34) and receiver (36) simultaneously about a pivotal axis (39) extending parallel to the rows of reflectors (40) so as to track the movement of the sun.

Abstract: A tube structure, and a method for assembling the tube structure, is provided, that is particularly useful in a solar heating system. The tube structure comprises, (a) a tube formed into a predetermined (e.g. coiled) configuration, (b) at least one rafter which engages the tube in a manner designed to hold the tube in the predetermined configuration, and (c) a plurality of snippets connected at predetermined locations to the rafter, the snippets extending away from a bottom surface of the rafter, and configured to (i) hold the rafter away from the substrate to allow flow of water and debris along the substrate without interference from the rafter, and (ii) allow relative movement of the rafter and tube relative to the snippets during expansion and contraction of the tube structure.

Abstract: Solar energy generates steam in a “once-through” configuration without recirculation, with closely managed steam quality, to produce wet steam from high-contaminant feed water without scaling or fouling. Feed water is pressurized, preheated, and evaporated in a series of pipes exposed to concentrated soar energy to produce a water-steam mixture for direct distribution to an industrial process such as enhanced oil recovery or desalination. Water flow rates are managed based on measurements of solar energy and steam production to manage variations in the solar energy. Steam generator piping system uses continuous receiver pipe that is illuminated by segmented parabolic mirrors enabled to track the sun. Provisions for steam generator piping recurring maintenance are provided. Thermal energy from hot condensate and/or from low quality steam is recaptured and warms inlet water.

Abstract: A boiler for a solar receiver includes a first boiler panel having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the first boiler panel to an outlet header of the first boiler panel. The tubes of the first boiler panel form a first solar receiver surface. A second boiler panel has a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the second boiler panel to an outlet header of the second boiler panel. The tubes of the second boiler panel form a second solar receiver surface. The first and second boiler panels are adjacent to one another with a portion of the first boiler panel and an end of the first solar receiver surface overlapping an end of the second boiler panel to reduce solar radiation passing between the first and second solar receiver surfaces.

Abstract: A heat receiver tube having first, second, and further partial heat receiver tube surfaces for absorbing and transferring solar energy to heat transfer fluid is presented. The first and further partial heat receiver tube surfaces are formed by solar absorptive coatings deposited on partial surfaces of core tube. The second partial heat receiver tube surface is formed by emission radiation inhibiting coating deposited on second core tube surface for inhibiting emissivity for infrared radiation. The further partial heat receiver tube surface is arranged in radiation window of second partial heat receiver tube surface such that direct sunlight impinges further partial heat receiver tube surface. The heat receiver tube is arranged in focal line of parabolic mirror of parabolic trough collector. The first partial heat receiver tube surface and sunlight reflecting surface is arranged face to face, second and further partial heat receiver tube surfaces are averted to reflecting surface.

Abstract: A solar heat collection element includes: a central tube (102) formed from glass-ceramic material; and an outer tube (104) formed from glass material disposed coaxially with respect to the central tube (102) to form a volume therebetween (106).

Abstract: A solar collector is provided with a reflective panel assembly that is supported by a frame and pivots about a first horizontal axis. The panel assembly is configured for reflecting sunlight to a common focal point, and includes a central panel and a pair of outer panels each pivotally coupled to the central panel and configured for folding over the central panel. A collector assembly is mounted relative to the frame and pivotal about a second horizontal axis. The collector assembly is configured for collecting solar energy and includes a receiver that is positioned at the focal point. The receiver is configured for extracting energy from the reflected sunlight. The solar collector may also include a four-bar linkage assembly for supporting the panel assembly and the collector assembly during movement from a collapsed position and a partially extended position.

Abstract: A solar system for collecting solar energy, adapted to be rapidly assembled on site. The modular solar system includes a solar energy collector-assembly, having two wings of collectors, arranged in at least one row. The modular solar system further includes an energy-receiving-module, having a receiver unit, adapted to absorb the solar energy, a shaft, a support structure, a stand, disposed on rigid surface, a control-subsystem, a motor and a sun-following mechanism coupled to operate with the control-subsystem. The receiver unit has a diameter dr, wherein collected energy directed at the external surface of the receiver unit forms a pair of solar energy strips, each strip having a width de, such that de<dr. The solar system may be shipped by land vehicles inside one standard container, wherein each major component is light weight, and can be lifted by two workers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a trough collector having a focal area and an absorber tube arranged in the focal area, said absorber tube having an insulating area that extends from its outer surface to the inside, enclosing preferably a transport channel that runs through the absorber tube along its length and carries a heat-transporting medium, and is penetrated by at least one thermal opening that extends radially from the outside through the insulating area to the transport channel. According to the invention, the at least one thermal opening comprises a constriction for radiation passing through it, the focal area being located in the constriction.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a sample chamber constructed according to a design certified by the Department of Transportation for transporting fluids at a first pressure P1. A cylindrical sample compartment exists within the sample chamber. The sample compartment is designed to withstand the pressure P1. The cylindrical sample compartment has a cylindrical inner surface with a radius r and a height h. A hollow cylindrical sleeve is secured to the cylindrical inner surface of the sample compartment and has a wall of thickness t. The sample chamber is capable of transporting fluids at a second pressure P2. P2 is higher than P1.

Abstract: A receiver system for harnessing solar radiation. Embodiments of a receiver system include a receiver including one or more receiver elements, each receiver element including: a plurality of transparent tubes including a first tube and at least one second tube at least partially within the first tube; a first passage interposed between the first tube and the at least one second tube, the first passage having an inlet and an outlet; a second passage within the at least one second tube, the second passage having an inlet and an outlet; and an absorber in the at least one second tube, the absorber adapted to absorb the solar radiation. In some embodiments, a receiver further includes a housing having at least one transparent portion, the housing configured to enclose the plurality of receiver elements, whereby a third passage is formed between the first tube and the housing.

Abstract: A solar energy collection system comprises hollow radiation absorber(s) in an enclosure, each absorber for filling with working fluid, to absorb radiation impinging thereon and transform its energy into heat to thereby heat the fluid. The system comprises an inlet non-return valve upstream of each absorber, for allowing a flow of the fluid thereto; and an outlet valve downstream of each absorber for allowing a flow of the fluid out. The system comprises a measuring device for determining parameter(s) of the fluid within each absorber, which depends on the heat absorbed thereby; and a controller that controls operation of at least the outflow valve between its open state in which the fluid can flow freely out of the associated absorber, and its closed state in which the fluid filling the associated absorber is held therein for a period of time depending on a desired change of the parameter.

Abstract: New expansion compensating device and manufacturing method of the same, of those used in solar power absorber tubes featuring a dual bellows design where the height of the waves of the bellows is not regular, but the second wave is greater (where it supports more load) and diminishes towards the ends. With this design improving the performance of the receiver is achieved because it shortens the length of the device and consequently there is more surface area receiving solar radiation as well as it decreases the necessary diameter of glass tube and therefore its cost.

Abstract: A flat evacuated-tube solar collector includes two parallel collecting tubes, a plurality of parallel evacuated tubes perpendicularly installed between two collecting tubes. Each evacuated tube includes two distal tube sections and a middle section situated between the two distal tube sections, and the middle section is in a flat shape, and has a cross-sectional area greater than that of the distal tube sections. The flat evacuated tubes substitute the conventional fins soldered onto a flat panel solar collector to receive sunlight, while the characteristic of two distal ends of the evacuated tube having a smaller cross-section than the middle section maintains an appropriate spacing between the collecting tube and a connecting point of the evacuated tube to assure the structural strength of the collecting tube.