Abstract: There is disclosed a molded glass bulb-type solar collector which includes a parabolic specular reflector member and integral glass tubular member closed at the inner end extends along the focal axis of the reflecting surface. A shank portion of the tubular member extends outside the parabolic reflector and is open at the outer end. The tubular wall has its outside surface within the reflector coated with a wave length selective coating. A transparent glass cover plate that is preferably convex (domed) is sealed over the large open end of the reflector at a peripheral flange. The flange is formed to a regular geometric configuration, viz, square, diamond, hexagon, etc., and several of the bulb collectors are fabricated into a curtain wall with these flanges in adjacent relationship. The space within the cover plate and reflector is pumped to a vacuum.The shank portion of the member is connected into an aperture of a manifold.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a three piece solar energy bulb type collector device comprising a hollow glass body shaped with a parabolic interior surface that is coated with specular finish of a metal, e.g. silver, and includes an apex aperture and integral hollow yoke. A glass test-tube like element is exteriorly coated with a wave length selective coating having more than 0.8 absorption above 2.5 microns wave length and less than 0.1 emission at 2.5 microns or less wave lengths. The coated glass tube is the absorber and has an intermediate rib and flared open end which are fused with glass at the aperture area and open end of the yoke. The absorber is coaxially located with the focal axis of the parabolic surface. A cover plate is sealed over the large end of the parabolic body enclosing the interior mirror surface area in a chamber which is placed under vacuum (evacuated).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a bulb-type solar energy collector device comprising a hollow glass body shaped with a parabolic interior surface that is coated with specular finish of a metal, e.g. silver, and includes an apex aperture and integral hollow yoke. A hollow glass, bulb-shaped absorber element is exteriorly coated with a wave length selective coating. The bulb-shaped element includes a tubular hollow stem dependent from the bulbar portion and fixed in the yoke of the glass body so that the central axis of the stem and bulbar end portion is along the focal axis of the parabolic reflecting surface. A cover plate is sealed over the enlarged end of the reflecting surface enclosing the interior mirror surface in a chamber which is evacuated to substantial vacuum, e.g. 10.sup.-4 torr or greater vacuum. A working media is circulated from a source in a manifold through the interior volume of the absorber element to remove the solar energy absorbed thereby as heat and the media is returned to the manifold.

Abstract: A system for the collection and utilization of solar energy. A manifold is mounted on the roof of a building with a major portion of the manifold being contained within the building. A plurality of double-walled, glass solar energy collector tubes are inserted into that part of the manifold which extends above the roof of the building. A gas, such as air, completely fills the manifold and collector tubes. The gas is circulated from the manifold to the ends of the collector tubes from whence it returns, having been heated during the movement. A heat exchanger mounted in the manifold has a working fluid, such as water, passing through it. The heated gas impinges on the heat exchanger, giving up much of its energy to the fluid passing through the heat exchanger. The working fluid is then used for space heating or cooling functions within the building.