Abstract: In a solar heat collector, a bottom plate and a side plate of a case which is opened in an upper surface are formed of a vacuum thermal insulation material in which a core material is enveloped by a skin and a vacuum is created in an interior of the skin, the skin is formed by welding together circumferential edges of two metal panels which are disposed to face each other with the core material sandwiched therebetween, a plurality of line grooves are formed in the metal panels, and the two metal panels are disposed so that sides thereof from which bottoms of the line grooves protrude are oriented inwards with the core material sandwiched therebetween.

Abstract: A solar receiver includes a manifold, a sealed enclosure around the manifold and a plurality of tubes connected to the manifold and extending through the sealed enclosure.

Abstract: A seawater desalinization system includes a container portion, a heat conduction cover, and a heating device. The container portion defines a receiving chamber and a slot. The heat conduction cover covers on the container portion and seals the receiving chamber and the slot. The container portion is heated by the heating device. The heating device can absorb solar energy to heat the seawater under the dark condition. Therefore, the seawater desalinization system can heat the seawater to obtain fresh water continually.

Abstract: A seawater desalinization device includes a container portion and a heat conduction cover covering on the container portion. The container portion defines a receiving chamber and a slot. The receiving chamber is configured for receiving seawater, and the slot is defined around the receiving chamber for receiving fresh water evaporated from the seawater. The heat conduction cover defines a plurality of guiding slots facing the container portion for guiding the fresh water drop into the slot.

Abstract: A seawater desalinization device includes a container portion, a guiding pipe, a plug, a heat conduction cover, a switch, and a connecting pipe. The container portion defines a receiving chamber, a slot, and a through hole communicating with the receiving chamber. The guiding pipe is fixed on the container portion to communicating with the slot. The plug is detachably inserted into the guiding pipe. The heat conduction cover covers on the container portion and sealing the receiving chamber and the slot. The switch is assembled in the container portion to control open or close the through hole upon a seawater level in the container portion. The connecting pipe is inserted into the through hole and a seawater source.

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: The disclosed invention relates to solar-thermal receiver tubes for heating high-temperature fluids such as molten salts and oils, such as those used in conjunction with trough reflectors or concentric concentrators. The disclosed invention utilizes fused silica receiver tube assemblies that provide optical absorption by way of optically-absorbing media that is imbedded within the thermal transfer fluid, preferably comprising inorganic “dyes” that comprise pulverized thin film coatings or dissolved materials that are specifically designed for maximizing optical absorption. Alternatively, the chemistry of the transfer fluid can be modified to increase optical absorption, or the optically absorbing media may comprise fine powders with density preferably similar to the thermal transfer fluid, such as fine graphite powder; or, in another preferred embodiment, absorbing means within the heat transfer fluid comprise a solid absorbing element disposed along the central axis of the receiver tube's interior.

Abstract: A solar energy gathering device includes a heat storage unit, a number of heat gathering units and a number of Fresnel lenses. Each of the heat gathering units includes a transparent glass block having a vacuum receiving space, and a heat pipe received in the vacuum receiving space and in thermally contact with the heat storage unit. The Fresnel lenses are attached on each of the glass blocks, and configured for converging solar light to the heat pipes through the glass bocks.

Abstract: An absorption vacuum tube (2) with heat pipe (3), a condenser (4) of which is placed in a plugged stub pipe (5) of a dry type heat exchanger (1) of a solar collector, is characterised in that it comprises more than one heat pipe (3), preferably two to six. The plugged stub pipes (5) are located in walls of the heat exchanger (1) in groups, creating stub pipe sets, in which the condensers (4) of the heat pipes (3), situated in one absorption vacuum tube (2), are located. Thanks to the better use of a heat absorbed, the solar collector, in which the absorption heat pipes (3) and the heat exchanger (1) are used, has a better efficiency.

Abstract: Inventive concentrated solar power systems using solar receivers, and related devices and methods, are generally described.

Abstract: A vacuum solar thermal panel includes a vacuum envelope defining a sealed volume able to withstand atmospheric pressure when evacuated. The envelope includes a first plate made of glass, a second plate facing the first plate, a perimeter frame disposed between the first and second plate close to their edge, a metallic perimeter belt joining the perimeter frame to the first plate, a plurality of spaced apart bearing elements disposed against the edges of the first and second plate, and a plurality of traction rods joining the bearing elements with the perimeter frame to pull the perimeter frame toward the bearing elements, in order to limit the deformation of the perimeter frame under the external atmospheric pressure, when the envelope is evacuated.

Abstract: A tubular heat-absorbing element partly enclosed in an insulating layer or jacket, has absorbing surface that is accessible to solar radiation. The thermal insulation is designed to provide entry to solar radiation by way of a cavity. The absorbing surface can be substantially planar.

Abstract: A tankless solar water heater for heating domestic pressurized water having a flexible insulated heat exchanger housing that contracts to accommodate volume reduction when the solar heating fluid cools. A check valve releases gas and solar heating fluid if interior pressure exceeds ambient pressure by more than one pound per square inch, without admitting air into the container or the heat exchanger when volume of the solar heating fluid reduces due to cooling.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprises a vacuum tube with an outer wall. An inner tube can be filled with a heat-conducting fluid. The outer wall of the inner tube is situated concentric to a wall of the vacuum tube. At least one heat-conducting film is provided that joins said wall of the vacuum tube to the fluid-conducting tube system. A means which collects and concentrates solar energy is provided on the wall on the side of the vacuum tube facing away from the heat-conducting element. In addition, each heat-conducting element, while being pretensioned, presses against the wall of the vacuum tube and against the fluid-conducting tube system.

Abstract: A tubular heat-absorbing element partly enclosed in an insulating layer or jacket, has absorbing surface that is accessible to solar radiation. The thermal insulation is designed to provide entry to solar radiation by way of a cavity. The absorbing surface can be substantially planar.

Abstract: A tubular heat-absorbing element partly enclosed in an insulating layer or jacket, has absorbing surface that is accessible to solar radiation. The thermal insulation is designed to provide entry to solar radiation by way of a cavity. The absorbing surface can be substantially planar.

Abstract: A tubular heat-absorbing element partly enclosed in an insulating layer or jacket, has absorbing surface that is accessible to solar radiation. The thermal insulation is designed to provide entry to solar radiation by way of a cavity. The absorbing surface can be substantially planar.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an absorber tube that comprises an inner tube having an exterior surface, at least a portion of which contains a plurality of coating layers. The absorber tube also includes an outer tube spaced apart from the inner tube so as to define a cavity between the two. At least one of the coating layers may be configured to substantially impede migration of gaseous particles from the interior surface and into said cavity. At least one of the coating layers may be a reflective copper coating that is adhered to the exterior surface via an electrical charging process. An absorber tube comprising a connecting member between central and end portions of the tube is also provided. The central portion may be formed from carbon steel, while remaining portions are formed from stainless steel. Coating layers may be likewise adhered to only the central portion.

Abstract: A solar collection device includes a solar energy collector assembly being received and supported by a base. The solar energy collector assembly includes: a plurality of lenses secured within an elongated holder. Positioned concentric to the axis of the holder is a cylindrical glass shroud through which a tube passes. A first end of the tube, which is preferably formed of a high thermally transmissive metal, receives a supply of water, which is heated within the evacuated glass shroud by sunlight passing through the lenses and being focused onto the tube. The solar collector assembly is rotatably mounted to the base and may be caused to rotate at a slow speed by a drive means, or may be rocked at a slow speed. The elongated holder may be cylindrical, or may have a polygonal cross-sectional shape, with lenses staggered along each side of the holder to increase collection capability.

Abstract: A solar collector apparatus with Dewar-type evacuated tubes results in the more efficient collection of solar radiation by, for example, maintaining the level of a volatile liquid flowing into the solar collector so that no more than 80% of the volume of an inner cylinder of a collection tube is filled with liquid and a corresponding manifold collects the vapor produced when heat is transferred from the surface of the inner glass cylinder that absorbs solar radiation to the volatile liquid. The aforementioned apparatus may likewise be used to heat a liquid within an absorber tube, the liquid having a volatile and a non-volatile component. As heat is transferred to the liquid, a fraction of the volatile component is converted to vapor, leaving the liquid more concentrated in the non-volatile component.

Abstract: In this presentation, we have shown new methods, devices, and systems, to concentrate the light for the solar cells, using refractive index variations, light funnels, liquid crystals, and other methods and materials. We have shown various methods for enhancing the solar cell efficiency. We have given many variations for each application.

Abstract: A solar collector has first and second manifolds and tubes that provide fluid communication between the manifolds. An enclosure of the collector extends between first and second ends thereof that are respectively proximal to the first and second manifolds, and the tubes extend out of the enclosure at the first and second ends passed a seal at each end to connect to the first and second manifolds.

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 collector produces electricity and heat using an optically transparent vessel containing one or more photovoltaic cells and a liquid that substantially fills the vessel. The vessel has a top with a flat exterior surface and a bottom with a concave exterior surface that is coated on the outside with a reflective material. Solar radiation traveling through the top of the vessel into the liquid and through the bottom strikes the reflective material on the outside of the vessel and is reflected back through the bottom, into the liquid and to a focal line adjacent to the interior surface of the top. Cooled liquid is fed into the vessel through an entry port and heated liquid is removed through an exit port. One or more photovoltaic solar cells are located adjacent to the interior surface of the top aligned with the focal line.

Abstract: An energy collecting module for assembling, together with a plurality of similar energy collecting module, a modular energy collecting system. The energy collecting module comprises a fluid channel having a lumen for conducting fluid from a first connectable opening to a second connectable opening and an energy collecting element mounted in front of the fluid channel for concentrating radiation along the fluid channel.

Abstract: The present invention regards a metal composition suitable for originating a joint (22) by means of welding with a borosilicate glass for a solar collector (10). The composition, expressed in weight percentage, comprises the following alloy elements Table 1 and it is such that 45.5?(Ni+Co)?46.5, and that (Ti+Ta+Zr)?4×C, the remaining part being made up of iron, apart from the inevitable impurities. The invention also regards: a metal ring (20) made of the metal composition described above and suitable for originating a metal-glass joint by means of welding; the metal-glass joint thus obtained; and the tubular solar collector (10) thus obtained.

Abstract: A solar water heater includes a number of elongate water heating units which can be interconnected in series. The solar water heater can be installed vertically or inclined to have maximum solar exposure. Each water heating unit can utilize inner and outer glass tubes, which may or may not be a twin glass tube, to collect and conserve solar thermal energy inside. An inner metal water container extends through an opening in the inner and outer glass tubes. Heat transfer elements can be inserted between the inner tube and the metal water container. The solar water heater can work on natural convection and city water pressure.

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 solar thermal collector includes a receptacle and a fluid conduit. The receptacle is evacuated to a subatmospheric pressure. The receptacle includes a window and a reflector facing the window. The window and the reflector are exposed to the subatmospheric pressure in the receptacle. The fluid conduit extends through the receptacle between the window and the reflector. The reflector concentrates solar radiation passing through the window onto the fluid conduit.

Abstract: This invention relates to a low temperature solar thermal power system, which combines the solar hot water collectors with the organic Rankine cycle system using the low critical temperature hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) or hydrocarbons (HC) working fluid for converting solar energy to electrical energy. This invention also relates to systems and methodology for conversion of low temperature thermal energy, wherever obtained, to electrical energy using the low critical temperature hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) or hydrocarbons (HC) working fluid for organic Rankine cycle system to drive an electrical generator or do other work in a cost effective way.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fluid heating system, wherein the fluid is capable of being heated by means of solar energy, the fluid heating system including: an outer housing; an inner housing contained within the outer housing and including an absorbent material core located within the inner housing to define a flow passage between it and the walls of the inner housing; the absorbent material core being suitable for absorbing solar energy transmitted through the outer and inner housings; and wherein the outer housing; inner housing; and the absorbent material core are arranged such that solar energy is transferred through the fluid in the flow passage before being absorbed by the absorbent material core.

Abstract: A solar reflector assembly is provided for generating energy from solar radiation. The solar reflector assembly is configured to be deployed on a supporting body of liquid and to reflect solar radiation to a solar collector. A solar reflector assembly comprises an inflatable elongated tube having an upper portion formed at least partially of flexible material and a lower ballast portion formed at least partially of flexible material. A reflective sheet is coupled to a wall of the tube to reflect solar radiation. The elongated tube has an axis of rotation oriented generally parallel to a surface of a supporting body of liquid.

Abstract: A hybrid solar system and method of manufacturing same are described. A solar energy apparatus comprises at least one enveloping tube, at least one heat pipe, at least one reflector device, at least one reflective filter, and at least one photovoltaic device. The enveloping tube has an outer surface made of transmissive material and an evacuated internal atmosphere. The heat pipe runs longitudinally within the at least one collector tube. The reflector device is fixedly attached to an inner surface of the enveloping tube, and the reflective filter is located such that light reflecting off the reflector device is directed to the reflective filter. The photovoltaic device is located such that at least a first portion of the light filtered by the reflective filter may be directed to the photovoltaic device and the portion incompatible with the photovoltaic device may be captured within the at least one heat pipe.

Abstract: Parametric cylindrical solar collector with an optimized secondary reconcentrator and its design process, where the geometry of the primary reflector is an evolution of the Helmet collector concept towards a discontinuous curve that allows increasing the C/Cmax concentration to over 0.52 as well as reducing the wind loads. The structure is optimized to withstand the different loads to which the collector is exposed. The collector's center of gravity is brought closer to the axis of rotation of the collector. The geometry of the secondary reconcentrator is optimized and the collection efficiency of the collector is of 100%. The secondary reconcentrator is obtained partially mirroring the glass tube that keeps the vacuum in the absorber tube.

Abstract: An enhanced solar heating device comprising multiple arrays of lenses enclosed in a housing configured to receive solar rays and concentrate the rays into multiple hot spots located on the outer surface of a water conduit is disclosed. The solar ray collection system is supplemented by a reflector attachment used to increase the solar light fed into the device. The water conduit is configured with multiple sections to increase exposure to solar light and increased surface area for formation of hot focal points.

Abstract: A solar collector is provided having an absorber (100), which has a front side (102) facing toward the solar radiation during use and a back side (103) facing away from the solar radiation during use, a transparent cover (200) arranged essentially plane-parallel opposite the front side (102) of the absorber (100), and a back wall (300) arranged opposite the back side (103) of the absorber (100). The solar collector distinguishes itself in that the back wall (300) is constructed as a transparent pane, in particular a glass pane or plastic pane, and contains, at least in some regions, a medium which reflects infrared radiation and is reflective in the direction of the back side (103) of the absorber (100). Further, a composite pane is provided, in particular a composite glass pane (1), an absorber (100), and a use of such an absorber (100) in solar collectors and composite panes. This absorber can also have a coating for the reduction of heat emission (low-e).

Abstract: A solar collector includes a first wall and a second wall facing one another, which between them delimit a housing, the first wall being transparent and intended to face in the direction of the solar radiation incident upon the collector, and an absorption device for absorbing the energy derived from the solar radiation and positioned in the housing, the absorption device including at least one pipe through which a heat-transfer fluid flows. In addition, the collector includes at least one transparent spacer arranged between the first wall and the absorption device in the region of the pipe.

Abstract: The solar panel cone with rotating mirror includes a cone-shaped solar panel array that rests upon a base, and a rotating mirror. The rotating mirror rotates about the base via a series of gears and motor. The device includes an electrical converter that is wired to the motor and an electrical wire that supplies electricity.

Abstract: Collector tube for a solar collector, having an envelope tube, an absorber tube which is arranged within the envelope tube and into whose interior a heat carrier medium can be carried, characterized by an inner tubular element which is arranged within the absorber tube and has a thermal conductivity which is variable.

Abstract: A solar collector (26) includes: an outer tube (64) of circular cross-section, closed at one of its ends, an absorption layer (52) arranged inside the outer tube (64), for absorbing solar radiation (Rs), and a heat pipe (56) including a hot part (58) laid out inside the outer tube (64), a cold part (60) arranged outside the outer tube (64), and a reservoir (62) containing a heat pipe fluid (63) and extending over the hot part (58) and the cold part (60). The outer tube (64) is hermetically closed around the heat pipe (56) at the other of its ends, a vacuum being formed inside said outer tube (64). For the hot part (58) of the heat pipe (56), the reservoir (62) is applied at least locally against the absorption layer (52).

Abstract: Methods for depositing a coating on a metal surface can include heating a metal surface to a temperature not greater than its melting point; while heating the metal surface, applying a vacuum thereto; and while heating the metal surface, releasing the vacuum and backfilling with a first purge gas, where the first purge gas is reactive with the heated metal surface so as to deposit at least one layer of a coating thereon. The present methods can be used to deposit a coating in situ during the fabrication of solar receivers, in which the solar receivers contain an annulus defined by a metal tube as the inner surface and a material that is at least partially transparent to solar radiation as the outer surface.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including: a trough shaped reflector extending along a longitudinal axis and including at least one reflective surface having a shape which substantially corresponds to an edge ray involute of the absorber.

Abstract: A solar collector with radiation opaque wafers for generating electrical and thermal energy from solar radiation includes a housing. A semitransparent photovoltaic module is disposed in the housing so as to form an upper part of the solar collector. A solar thermal module is disposed in the housing so as to form a lower part of the solar collector. The solar thermal module and the photovoltaic module form an insulation space therebetween, wherein the insulation space is configured to allow a heat radiation to pass while preventing a convective heat loss. A transparent support is disposed so as to close the collector in a direction of the solar radiation.

Abstract: A solar collector comprises an evacuated glass tube (8), an absorbing section (9) comprising a radiation absorbing plate (10), an elongate tube (11, 15) for a working fluid in contact with the radiation absorbing plate (10) and a wire clip (25) for retaining the absorbing section (9) in position in the solar absorbing glass tube (8). The wire clip (25) consists of a single piece wire having a clamping portion (26) for clamping onto the outer surface of the working fluid tube (11, 15) and a pair of resilient side support sections (27) flanking the clamping portion (26). The side support sections (27) extend so that portions thereof engage against the inner surface of the solar absorbing tube (8).

Abstract: A solar collector assembly comprises a solar absorbing tube (1) having an evacuated radiation-transparent enclosure (8); a radiation absorber (10) within the tube (1), an elongate outer conduit (11) for a heat transfer medium extending through the tube (1), an inner conduit (12) extending through the outer conduit (11), and a manifold (2). The outer conduit (11) has an end region (5) extending into the manifold (2) so that passageway (13) defined between the outer conduit (11) and the inner conduit (12) is in fluid communication with the cold fluid passageway of the manifold (2). The inner conduit (12) extends beyond the end region (5) of the outer conduit (11) into the heated fluid passageway of the manifold (2). The solar collector also comprises a clip (20) for retaining the inner conduit (12) in spaced-apart relation to the end region (5) of the outer conduit (11). The clip (20) comprises a generally circular base (24) which engages with the inner surface of the end region (5) of the outer conduit (11).

Abstract: A solar receiver includes at least two receiver panels having a common outer front surface for receiving incident solar radiation from a field of mirrors. The receiver panels include an array of side by side arranged heat exchange tubes which have a substantially straight main portion which extend in an upwards longitudinal direction and an inwards extending portion for a connection to an input or output header for respectively distributing or collecting fluid to or from the heat exchange tubes. The receiver panels are spaced apart in the upwards direction at a distance of Z cm. The header for the solar receiver is spaced behind the front surface at a distance of A cm, wherein the quotient of Z and A, Z/A, at the most equals the quotient of a vertical V and a horizontal H distance, V/H, from the header to a most far positioned mirror.

Abstract: A receiver tube (1) for a solar trough collector which focuses the solar radiation incident thereon towards a focal line includes an absorber tube (2) which in the mounted condition of the receiver tube (1) extends on the focal line of the trough collector and which is in the form of part of a flow path for a heat carrier medium, and a gas-tightly closed casing tube, in the internal space (8) of which the absorber tube extends, wherein the flow path for the heat carrier medium is passed outwardly through the wall of the casing tube in the end regions thereof.

Abstract: Solar thermal collector comprising a plurality of parallel vertical tubes, connected to each other by one upper horizontal tube and one lower horizontal tube through which a heat carrying fluid flows, a glass surface that covers the parallel vertical tubes, the upper horizontal tube and the lower horizontal tube, and a dissipating device installed in an upper part of the solar thermal collector, said heat dissipating device comprising a thermostatic valve, a heat exchanger and a return pipe, wherein said thermostatic valve is housed in the upper horizontal tube, the thermostatic valve and the heat exchanger being connected by means of a pipe by way of an inverted siphon provided at a greater height than the inlet to the heat exchanger, such that, under normal working conditions, energy losses by heat transfer by convection from the thermostatic valve to the heat exchanger are interrupted.

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: A solar collector apparatus with Dewar-type evacuated tubes results in the more efficient collection of solar radiation by, for example, maintaining the level of a volatile liquid flowing into the solar collector so that no more than 80% of the volume of an inner cylinder of a collection tube is filled with liquid and a corresponding manifold collects the vapor produced when heat is transferred from the surface of the inner glass cylinder that absorbs solar radiation to the volatile liquid. The aforementioned apparatus may likewise be used to heat a liquid within an absorber tube, the liquid having a volatile and a non-volatile component. As heat is transferred to the liquid, a fraction of the volatile component is converted to vapor, leaving the liquid more concentrated in the non-volatile component.