Abstract: A solar thermal panel is disclosed. An example evacuated flat solar thermal panel includes a first evacuated cavity enclosed between first and second layers of material. A second evacuated cavity is enclosed between third and fourth layers of material. A high temperature working fluid cavity is enclosed between the second and third layers of material. A plurality of pillars are disposed between the first and second layers of material, and disposed between the third and fourth layers of material.

Abstract: A solar water heating system, including: (a) a solar heating collector, having: (i) an array of convex lenses; (ii) a panel disposed below the array of convex lenses, wherein the array of convex lenses focuses sunlight on the panel to heat areas of the panel; (iii) a fluid chamber disposed below the panel; and (iv) a plurality of members extending from the panel into the fluid chamber to transfer heat from the panel into fluid in the fluid chamber; (b) a fluid reservoir; (c) a fluid inlet line for moving fluid from the fluid reservoir into the fluid inlet of the solar heating collector; (d) fluid outlet line for moving fluid from the fluid chamber of the solar heating collector to the fluid reservoir; and (e) a pump for moving fluid cyclically through the fluid chamber of the solar collector and the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: An outer side of a receiver is covered with a housing, so that the receiver is not exposed to the open air and no heat of the receiver is taken by winds, to improve thermal efficiency. Although the outer side of the receiver is covered with the housing, a lower side thereof has an opening, so that sunlight reflected by heliostats is introduced through the opening to the inside of the receiver and is surely received by an inner face of the receiver.

Abstract: A solar collector (1) is provided having a cover (200), a back wall (300), and an absorber (100), the absorber being arranged between the cover (200) and the back wall (300) and defining, with the cover (200) and/or the back wall (300), a front and/or back cavity (14, 15), respectively. At least one spacer element (400) is provided, which extends from a front surface (102) of the absorber (100) to the cover (200) and/or from a back surface (103) of the absorber (100) to the back wall (300) and is connected or connectable directly to the absorber (100) and/or the cover (200). A method for manufacturing such a solar collector (1) is also provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solar absorber element forming a solar absorber of a solar receiver including providing a substrate, placing at least one projection within the substrate, and attaching the projection to the substrate with an attachment functionality operative to attach the projection to the substrate, thus defining the solar absorber element, the solar absorber being configured to allow a fluid to flow therein and be heated by solar radiation penetrating the projection of the solar absorber element.

Abstract: A solar heating system for mounting under a roof includes a panel formed of a sheet material, the panel having substantially opposed first and second surfaces and adapted for attachment under the roof with the first surface substantially facing the roof. A plurality of tubing fasteners extend outward from the second surface of the panel, and at least one run of tubing is held against the second surface of the panel by the plurality of tubing fasteners. The plurality of tubing fasteners can be partially cut-out and bent portions of the sheet material. The system can also include a sidewall formed by folding a portion of the sheet material toward the second surface along a line of weakness and standoff tabs extending from the first surface formed as partially cut-out and bent portions of the sheet material.

Abstract: The invention relates to an absorber (40) for a solar panel, provided for containing a heat transfer fluid (42), including first (44) and second (46) plates arranged opposite each other and attached to each other via a plurality of connection points (58, 60), first and second matrices having protruding geometrical shapes (50, 52) formed on the outer surfaces of the first and second plates, respectively, the matrices being offset relative to each other so as to provide a flow path for the heat transfer fluid in the absorber, an inlet (54) and an outlet (56) for the heat transfer fluid arranged at both ends of the heat transfer fluid flow path, respectively, characterised in that at least some of the geometrical shapes have a generally protruding shape with a recess at the centre thereof so as to form a cavity (64, 66), and in that at least some of said non-through connection points are provided in at least some of said recesses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light absorbing device which comprises an transparent outer material layer, a space through which air is circulated and heated by light radiation passing through the outer the material layer, a radiation absorbing material layer, and an element which is adapted to divide the space in at least a first subspace, which comprises a first opening, and a second subspace, which comprises a second opening. The air is adapted to flow along a path having an extension from the first opening to the second opening. The path comprises flow resistance reducing means in at least one portion of the space which is adapted to reduce the flow resistance for the gaseous medium when it is guided through said portion of the space.

Abstract: A solar energy collecting assembly useful for transferring solar heat to a heat utilizing system via heat transfer fluid flow, comprising anisotropic graphite sheets coupled to a pipe containing heat transfer fluid , and various configurations and embodiments. Methods useful for extracting collected solar heat and transferring said heat to a heat transfer medium.

Abstract: A roofing panel (13) incorporating a heat exchange assembly is described, the roofing panel including: an internal fluid passageway (51) formed between a pair of spaced substantially parallel internal sheets (16, 17) for the passage therethrough of a fluid; respective external passageways (52, 53) formed between each internal sheet and a respective external sheet (21, 20) spaced from and substantially parallel to a respective internal sheet, and spacing ribs (18, 22, 24) between the sheets and forming with the sheets a plurality of fluid conduits (19) within the fluid passageway and a plurality of external conduits (23, 25) within the external passageways; wherein the panel is sealed at the sides thereof by the spacing ribs and is open at the ends thereof to provide access to the conduits which extend from one end of the panel to the other end thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for pre-heating ventilation air for a building. The apparatus includes a first sunlight-absorbent collector panel on the building. The panel is exposed to ambient air and defines a first air collection space between itself and the building. The first sunlight-absorbent collector panel has a plurality of air inlet openings to allow the ambient air to pass through the openings to the first air collection space. A second sunlight-absorbent collector panel on the building is adjacent the first sunlight-absorbent collector panel and defines a second air collection space between itself and the building. The second sunlight-absorbent collector panel has a plurality of air inlet openings to allow air to pass through the openings to the second air collection space. A glazing covers the second sunlight-absorbent collector panel and defines an intermediary air flow chamber between itself and the second sunlight-absorbent collector panel.

Abstract: A solar power plant having a plurality of receiver panels mounted in a circular fashion about a solar receiver. Each receiver panel includes a plurality of tubes that terminate at each end at a header. To eliminate the presence of gaps between the tubes of adjacent receiver panels the headers are staggered or beveled. In the staggered configuration the headers of adjacent receiver panels are located in different elevations so that the headers of adjacent receiver panels may overlap each other, thus allowing the headers and tubes of adjacent receiver panels to be positioned closer together to eliminate gaps between the tubes of adjacent panels. In the beveled configuration the headers are angled such that the terminal ends of adjacent headers are parallel and positioned in a closely abutting relationship, resulting in the absence of gaps between adjacent headers and tubes.

Abstract: An improved solar collector pipe that directly conveys fluid to be heated and collects and transfers solar energy efficiently and directly to the internal fluid, thereby maximizing both the amount of energy transmitted to the internal fluid and the peak temperature attainable by that fluid. The solar collector pipe includes a transparent portion for admitting solar energy into the solar collector pipe. Internal to the solar collector pipe is an absorbing portion for absorbing solar energy. A conduit portion is also included and comprises a reflecting surface thereon for reflecting solar energy received through the transparent portion onto the absorbing portion. In embodiments of the invention, the transparent portion, the conduit portion, and the absorbing portion together define at least one fluid passageway for conveying the fluid. In other embodiments of the invention, an internal conduit defines a fluid passageway for conveying the fluid.

Abstract: An improved solar collector pipe that directly conveys fluid to be heated and collects and transfers solar energy efficiently and directly to the internal fluid, thereby maximizing both the amount of energy transmitted to the internal fluid and the peak temperature attainable by that fluid. The solar collector pipe includes a transparent portion for admitting solar energy into the solar collector pipe. Internal to the solar collector pipe is an absorbing portion for absorbing solar energy. A conduit portion is also included and comprises a reflecting surface thereon for reflecting solar energy received through the transparent portion onto the absorbing portion. The transparent portion, the conduit portion, and the absorbing portion together define at least one fluid passageway for conveying the fluid.

Abstract: A passive solar collector has a reflector or a plurality of reflectors in a tube that is in a partial vacuum and is entirely or partly transparent. An absorber collects light reflected by the reflector or plurality of reflectors and delivers energy from the collected light to a central tube where it heats a substance such as water or other fluid. The absorber is disposed at an angle to the axis of the passive solar collector. The passive solar collector is protected against overheating by one or more devices such as a getter that releases a gas to reduce the vacuum or an opaque shield that is placed so as to cover the reflector in response to an indication of overheating. Reflecting surfaces of the solar collector may be symmetrical or asymmetrical, and they may be smooth or they may have dents, protrusions, or both. The surfaces of the solar collector may be smooth, ridged with smooth curves, or ridged with sharp curves.

Abstract: A solar collector plate (1) comprises a dark-colored absorber plate (2) facing the sun, parallel wall sheets (4) arranged perpendicularly to the rear side of the absorber sheet (2), fixed thereto and also fixed to a support sheet (3) arranged parallel to the absorber sheet (2), whereby cavity channels (5) are provided between said sheets (2, 3, 4) for flowing cooling liquid (6) which is intended to transport heat away from the absorber sheet (2). In order to provide a good thermal contact between the liquid (6) and the absorber sheet (2) at a low rate of liquid flow in the cavity channels, the cavity channels (5) are filled with particles (7), which particles lift the cooling liquid (6) to contact with the absorber sheet (2) by means of a capillary effect.

Abstract: A solar receiver (1) for a solar-thermal power plant, comprising a receiver surface (2) facing towards the concentrated incident solar radiation (8) and including a plurality of mutually spaced absorber bodies (3), is provided with gas channels arranged between the absorber bodies (3) for supplying a gas or gaseous mixture (11) adapted to absorb solar radiation (8) to a region located in front of the receiver surface (2). In this region, the gas (11) will absorb a part of the incident solar radiation (8) and then will be sucked together with the ambient air (9) through the absorber bodies (3) to be further heated therein.

Abstract: An improved pressure vessel which has a fluid flowing through it can be simply manufactured and has a high operational safety. The fluid may be heated by radiation, such as solar radiation. A guiding device with inlet and outlet stream guides is arranged in the interior of the pressure vessel to guide a stream of the fluid. The inlet stream guide and the outlet stream guide are separate from one another, and are formed in the vessel interior by the guiding device. The stream of fluid is guided from the inlet stream guide to the outlet stream guide. Additionally, a branch stream of the stream of fluid is returned from the outlet stream guide to the inlet stream guide via a passage of the guiding device due to a lower pressure that is created in the inlet stream guide.

Abstract: This invention reduces a molten salt, solar central receiver's size, pressure loss and cost by using a loose-tight-loose twist, twisted-tape insert inside the receiver's tubes to enhance the tube's heat transfer coefficient. This twist staging is designed to provide a higher heat transfer coefficient in the receiver's central region where the solar flux is high and a reduced pressure loss at the low solar flux entrance and exit end regions. Because the twisted-tape enhances the tube's heat transfer ability it can be made larger in diameter than a smooth bore tube at an equivalent pressure loss. This reduces the number of tubes which results in a substantial reduction in receiver cost.

Abstract: The invention relates to an absorber designed to absorb radiation and to transfer the energy of the radiation to a heat transport medium. To provide an absorber with high efficiency, the absorber according to the invention comprises a plurality of absorber components (32) attached to each other and having passages (42) formed therein for absorption of radiation and for suctional intake of a heat transport medium. Each absorber component (32) is provided with a dedicated mixing chamber (44) having said passages (42) of said absorber component (32) entering thereinto and comprising flow-restricting outlet orifices for connection to a suction means.

Abstract: A high-temperature receiver for converting concentrated solar radiation has a channel with an inlet and an outlet. An areal air-permeable support element is connected to the inlet. An absorber structure for absorbing solar radiation is supported by the support element and is made of an air-permeable mat material. Air is transported as a cooling medium through the absorber structure in a flow direction identical to a direction in which the solar radiation hits the absorber structure. The mat material has a first density in an area where the solar radiation enters the absorber structure and a second density in an area where the absorber structure faces the support element. The first density is lower than the second density. The first density favors absorption of the solar radiation and the second density provides for a secure fastening of the absorber structure on the support element.

Abstract: A solar device has an air receiver with a housing and an absorber connected within the housing. The absorber is heated by solar radiation. The absorber has an upstream side and a downstream side, wherein a stream of air is guided through the absorber from the upstream side to the downstream side and heated to generate heated air and wherein said heated air is cooled to produce useable heat energy and cooled air. A device for returning at least a portion of the cooled air as return air in a plurality of partial streams to the absorber is provided for guiding the partial streams through the absorber counter to the stream of air without mixing therewith from the downstream side to the upstream side. A device for deflecting the partial stream at the upstream side is provided for deflecting the partial streams toward the upstream side.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the photocatalytic treatment of a fluid, including inlet means for supplying fluid to the apparatus; exposing means for exposing the fluid to ultraviolet light; and outlet means for discharging the fluid from the apparatus connected to the exposing means. The exposing means include at least one channel defining a fluid flow path connected to the inlet means, wherein the channel is composed at least in part of an ultraviolet-transmitting, chemically inert material, is self-supporting and is capable of being pressurized.

Abstract: A solar collector converts solar radiation to heat energy over a specified surface area and collects the heat energy by trickle feeding a heat transfer fluid over a trickle feed absorber surface having improved absorber surface area to volume ratio. The elements of the solar collector include a glazing first layer for receiving and passing incident solar radiation over the specified surface area and an impervious backing layer spaced from the glazing first layer. The absorber layer is sandwiched between the glazing first layer and backing layer with the glazing first layer and backing layer contacting the absorber layer on opposite sides. The absorber layer is a layer of fiber material defining capillary channels and spaces in the absorber layer between the glazing first layer and backing layer.

Abstract: A xenon arc lamp (10, 12) used as a high intensity light source for a liquid crystal light valve projector includes a cold mirror (16) that reflects visible reading light (18a, 18b) to the liquid crystal light valve and transmits infrared light to a heat transfer unit (20) that is arranged to remove heat from the projector. The heat transfer unit (20), positioned adjacent the back of the cold mirror, is formed by a group of wire grids (50,52,54,56) that are mutually parallel and spaced close to one another with the openings of the grids displaced so as to be out of alignment with one another from grid to grid. The grids are mounted in a housing (28,30,34) which includes a heat reflective backup plate (62) on the far side of the grids and a cooling gas is caused to flow through the housing and over the grids to remove the heat transferred to the grid from the infrared radiation.

Abstract: A solar heat exchange system is disclosed which includes a header or manifold conduit which includes multiple radially disposed apertures therein. A flexible elastomeric mat which includes multiple elongate tubular elements is then mated to the conduit. Each tubular element includes an exterior wall having an octagonal cross-section such that multiple longitudinally disposed flat surfaces are provided, each capable of reflecting non-absorbed solar radiation onto an adjacent tubular element, greatly enhancing the heating efficiency of a solar heat exchange system utilizing this mat. In an alternate embodiment of the mat each tubular element includes an exterior wall having an octagonal cross section and one or more of the upper surfaces of the octagonal cross section include a number of mutually perpendicular facets, such that solar radiation reflected from each facet is reflected onto an adjacent facet.

Abstract: A central solar receiver with a volumetric solar absorber. The volumetric absorber comprises an array of absorber members mounted on a base body and facing a window that admits concentrated solar radiation. Working fluid is injected into the volumetric absorber so as to flow in directions which intersect the absorber members.