SOLAR ENERGY COLLECTING SYSTEMS AND METHODS

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.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/332,840, filed on May 10, 2010. The contents of all of the above documents are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to systems and methods of utilizing solar energy and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to systems and methods of utilizing solar energy for heating and/or steaming fluids.

Solar energy can provide an environmentally friendly source of energy that does not rely on fuels and that contributes relatively less to global warming and to related environmental problems than do fuel-based energy sources. In addition, in many cases solar energy can be captured and used locally and thus reduce requirements for transportation or importation of fuels such as petroleum.

Solar energy may be captured, for example, by a collector that absorbs solar radiation and converts it to heat, which may then be used in a variety of applications. Alternatively, solar radiation may be captured by a collector which absorbs solar radiation and converts a portion of it directly to electricity by photovoltaic methods, for example. Minors or lenses may be used to collect and concentrate solar radiation to be converted to heat or electricity by such methods.

Solar energy collectors have been designed and manufactured to numerous specifications. Many areas require an economical source of energy for process heat or electricity generation and air conditioning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an energy collecting unit for assembling, together with a plurality of similar energy collecting units, an energy collecting system or module. The energy collecting unit comprises a fluid channel having a lumen for conducting working 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 onto the fluid channel.

Optionally, the energy collecting unit further comprises an air evacuated chamber having a low atmospheric pressure between the energy collecting element and the fluid channel.

More optionally, the walls of the air evacuated chamber are at least partly covered with mirrors to concentrate the radiation onto the fluid channel.

Optionally, the energy collecting unit further comprises a chamber having a gas with low heat transfer properties between the energy collecting element and the fluid channel.

More optionally, the walls of the chamber are at least partly covered with mirrors to concentrate the radiation onto the fluid channel.

Optionally, the fluid channel is made of a substantially transparent material.

More optionally, the substantially transparent material is selected from a group consisting of: glass, Borosilicate glass, quartz glass, fused silica, and Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

Optionally, the energy collecting unit does not include moving parts.

Optionally, the energy collecting element comprises a member from a group consisting of: a Fresnel lens, a lenticular array, and an array of lenses.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an energy collecting module that comprises a heat exchanger having first and second openings for streaming target fluid, a fluid channel configured for circulating working fluid via the heat exchanger, and at least one energy collecting element mounted in front of the fluid channel for concentrating radiation onto the fluid channel during the circulating.

Optionally, the at least one energy collecting element comprises a plurality of energy collecting elements; wherein the energy collecting module is comprised of a plurality of detachable units each having a segment of the fluid channel and one of the energy collecting elements assembled to concentrate radiation onto the segment.

Optionally, the energy collecting module is configured for assembling, together with a plurality of similar energy collecting module, a modular energy collecting system.

Optionally, the energy collecting module further comprises at least one air evacuated chamber having a low atmospheric pressure between the at least one energy collecting element and the fluid channel.

Optionally, the energy collecting module further comprises at least one chamber having a gas with low heat transfer properties between the at least one energy collecting element and the fluid channel.

Optionally, the fluid channel is made of a substantially transparent material.

More optionally, the substantially transparent material is selected from a group consisting of: glass, Borosilicate glass, quartz glass, fused silica, and Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

Optionally, the energy collecting module does not include moving parts.

Optionally, the energy collecting module further comprises a supporting structure for supporting the fluid channel and the energy collecting element in a substantially cubical shape structure.

Optionally, the at least one energy collecting element comprises a member from a group consisting of: a Fresnel lens, a lenticular array, and an array of lenses.

Optionally, the at least one energy collecting element comprises at least one lens and at least one minor mounted to direct the radiation toward the at least one lens.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method of installing an energy collecting modular system. The method comprises providing a plurality of seperable energy collecting modules each having a fluid channel having a lumen for conducting working fluid via a heat exchanger and an energy collecting element for concentrating radiation onto the fluid channel, spreading the plurality of energy collecting modules to cover an energy collecting area, assembling a heating conduit in the energy collecting area by tubularly connecting the heat exchangers of the plurality of energy collecting modules, and connecting a pump to one end of the heating conduit so as to stream fluids via the heating conduit toward an energy consumption unit at another end of the heating conduit.

Optionally, the method further comprises adjusting the operation of the pump to the number of the plurality of energy collecting modules.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an energy collecting modular system that comprises a plurality of separable energy collecting modules each having a closed loop fluid channel and a heat exchanger which is set to be connected physically to another heat exchanger of another of the plurality of separable energy collecting modules so as to form a heating conduit having an inlet and an outlet for conducting fluid, each energy collecting module has at least one energy collecting element mounted to concentrate radiation onto a segment of the heating conduit, a pump, which is connected tubularly to the inlet for conducting a target fluid along the heating conduit via the outlet toward an energy consumption unit, and a controller which controls the pump.

Optionally, each heat exchanger heats the target fluid so as to steam the target fluid before the streaming thereof via the outlet.

Optionally, the outlet is connected to the energy consumption unit via a heating system that further heats the target fluid before the streaming thereof to the energy consumption unit.

Optionally, each energy collecting module is encased in a plate shape structure, the plurality of separable energy collecting modules being arranged to substantially cover a roof or a wall.

Optionally, the energy consumption unit is selected from a group consisting of a steam turbine, a steam engine, and a steam accumulator.

Optionally, the energy collecting modular system further comprises at least one sensor for measuring at least one of the pressure and the temperature of the target fluid; the controller operates the pump according to the measuring.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an energy collecting modular system that comprises a plurality of separable energy collecting modules which are set to be connected physically to one another so as to form a heating conduit having an inlet and an outlet for conducting target fluid, each separable energy collecting module having at least one energy collecting element mounted to concentrate radiation onto a segment of the heating conduit and a pump, which is connected tubularly to the inlet for conducting the target fluid via the outlet.

Optionally, the system further comprises a controller which controls the pump.

Optionally, the outlet is connected to a reservoir; the radiation performs at least one of the following actions: purifying the target fluid, causing a chemical reaction to the target fluid, enhancing a biological process in the target fluid, and suppressing a biological process in the target fluid.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an energy collecting modular system that comprises a plurality of separable energy collecting modules which are set to be connected physically to one another so as to form a fluid channel having an inlet and an outlet for conducting working fluid, each energy collecting module having an energy collecting element mounted to concentrate radiation onto a segment of the fluid channel, a pump, which is connected tubularly to the inlet for recycling the working fluid via the fluid channel and via a heat exchanger, and a controller which controls the pump.

Optionally, the energy collecting modular system further comprises a steam tank or a mixing valve for facilitating the feeding of an energy consumption unit with a mixture of a target fluid stream heated by the heat exchanger and an additional fluid stream from an independent heating system.

Optionally, the heat exchanger heats a target fluid stream that is conducted for heating an absorption refrigerator.

Optionally, the heat exchanger heats a target fluid stream that is steamed to actuate a turbine.

Implementation of the method and/or system of embodiments of the invention can involve performing or completing selected tasks manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. Moreover, according to actual instrumentation and equipment of embodiments of the method and/or system of the invention, several selected tasks could be implemented by hardware, by software or by firmware or by a combination thereof using an operating system.

For example, hardware for performing selected tasks according to embodiments of the invention could be implemented as a chip or a circuit. As software, selected tasks according to embodiments of the invention could be implemented as a plurality of software instructions being executed by a computer using any suitable operating system. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, one or more tasks according to exemplary embodiments of method and/or system as described herein are performed by a data processor, such as a computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions. Optionally, the data processor includes a volatile memory for storing instructions and/or data and/or a non-volatile storage, for example, a magnetic hard-disk and/or removable media, for storing instructions and/or data. Optionally, a network connection is provided as well. A display and/or a user input device such as a keyboard or mouse are optionally provided as well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

In the drawings:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are lateral and top schematic illustration of an energy collecting module having a closed loop fluid circulation channel, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of three exemplary arrays of energy collecting modules, such as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, which are connected using tubing elements, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a sectional schematic illustration of an energy collecting unit having an exemplary chamber that has a shape of an inverted and truncated pyramid, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a lateral schematic illustration of an energy collecting unit having a fluid channel segment, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4C is a lateral schematic illustration of an energy collecting unit having a fluid channel segment with a helical section that functions as a heat exchanger, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4D is a lateral schematic illustration of a plurality of energy collecting units, such as depicted in FIG. 4B, which are connected in series, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a modular array of energy collecting modules of an energy collecting system wherein energy collecting modules construct an open loop according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a modular array of energy collecting modules of an energy collecting system having a closed loop fluid channel that flows working fluid via an external heat exchanger, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a modular array of energy collecting modules of an energy collecting system that is set to heat or steam fluid that passes via an external heat exchanger in conjunction with a steam boiler that is powered by conventional fuel or electricity, in a steam generating system. According to some embodiments of the present invention

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a modular array of energy collecting modules of an energy collecting system that is set to power an absorption refrigerator in conjunction with a conventional chiller in a cooling system, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a modular array of energy collecting modules of an energy collecting system that is set to preheat fluid that is used by a fluid heating and/or steaming unit, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of an array of energy collecting modules of an energy collecting system that is set as a heating source for heating a working fluid of a turbine for an electricity generating system, according to some embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a method for installing an energy collecting modular system by connecting a plurality of energy collecting modules, such as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to systems and methods of utilizing solar energy and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to systems and methods of utilizing solar energy for heating and/or steaming fluids.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an energy collecting unit for assembling, together with a plurality of similar energy collecting unit, an energy collecting system or module. The energy collecting unit includes a fluid channel, also referred to as a fluid channel segment, having a lumen for conducting working fluid from one connectable opening to another and an energy collecting element mounted in front of the fluid channel, for example above, for concentrating radiation onto the fluid channel.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an energy collecting module for assembling, together with a plurality of similar energy collecting modules, a modular energy collecting system that may be installed in different energy collecting areas with different dimensions or connected to heat fluid for various energy consumption units. The energy collecting module optionally does not include any moving and/or active parts and therefore not expensive to manufacture and/or maintain. Each one of the energy collecting modules has one or more energy collecting elements which are placed to heat working fluid in a fluid channel, optionally transparent, for example made of glass, which is connected to an internal heat exchanger. Each energy collecting element is optionally a Fresnel lens or a lenticular array. Optionally, the fluid channel and the energy collecting element(s) are mounted in a supporting structure, optionally cubical or substantially cubical. Optionally, a small pump is installed to circulate the working fluid in the fluid channel. Alternatively, the working fluid flows by thermosiphon effect in the fluid channel. Optionally, the atmospheric pressure in the intermediate space between the fluid channel and the energy collecting element(s) is decreased so as to reduce heat loss by convection.

The energy collecting modules may be used to assemble open and/or closed loop modular energy collecting systems that utilizes solar energy to preheat fluid, to heat fluid, to steam fluid for an industrial process, to actuate a turbine, to heat fluid to feed an absorption chiller, to enhance a chemical reaction, to enhance or suppress biological processes and/or the like.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method for installing an energy collecting modular system using energy collecting modules as outlined above and described below. The method is based on a number of seperable energy collecting modules which are provided according to the topography and/or dimensions of the energy collecting area. The energy collecting modules are spread to cover the energy collecting area, the heat exchangers of thereof are tubularly connected to one another to assemble a heating conduit in said energy collecting area. Now, a pump is connected to at least one end of the heating conduit so as to stream or to recycle fluids therethrough. Using such energy collecting modules reduces maintenance fees as each one of them can be replaced separately without disassembling the others.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings and/or the Examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 and 2, which are lateral and top schematic illustrations of an energy collecting module 100 for heating fluid, for example of an energy collecting system, optionally modular, that allows setting fluid conducting tubular bodies in various lengths so as to cover energy collecting areas having different dimensions, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

The energy collecting module 100 includes a fluid channel 101 having a lumen for circulating or streaming working fluid, such as water or oil. The fluid channel 101 is optionally connected to an internal heat exchanger 111 having first and second connectable openings 102, 103 connected by internal channels 157. Each one of the connectable openings 102, 103 is optionally adapted to be connected, optionally detachably, to a heat exchanger of another energy collecting module, for example as described below.

One of the connectable openings 102, 103 may be directly connected to a pump while the other may be connected to an energy consumption unit 203, for example as described below. A pair of energy collecting modules 100 may be connected by using a tubing connector and/or attaching male and female tubing connectors, each located on a different connectable opening 102, 103. In such a manner, arrays of energy collecting modules 100, with connected heat exchangers, may be formed, for example as shown at FIG. 3 where three connected energy collecting modules 100 are connected using tubing elements 149. The fluid channel 101 optionally includes one or more elongated and connected tubular elements, such as pipes, for example made of glass, such as Borosilicate glass or quartz glass, fused silica, and/or Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The fluid channel 101 is optionally made of metal pipes. It should be noted that constructing a modular energy collecting system from energy collecting modules 100 facilitates the maintenance procedure as a defective and/or checked energy collecting module 100 may easily replaced by another without disassembling other collecting units 100 and/or common parts, such as pumps and fluid conductors, for example tubing parts.

For clarity, fluid channel segment 151 may be part of the fluid channel 101, optionally integral.

Optionally, the bottom and/or at least a portion of the side walls of the fluid channel segment 151 is colored with a dark color or covered by a dark color material so as to increase the radiation absorbance. Optionally, the fluid channel segment 151 contains one or more solid bodies that absorb solar radiation and heat up, and then transform the heat to the fluid in the channel that flows by, around, through, or on top of the solid bodies. Optionally the solid bodies are coated by a coating that enhances radiation absorbance. Optionally the coating may be adapted to reduce heat loss by radiation.

Optionally the working fluid in fluid channel 101 and fluid channel segments 151 is colored and/or contains particles to enhance absorption of radiation. Optionally the particles are coated by a coating that enhances absorption.

The energy collecting module 100 further includes one or more energy collecting elements 104, such as a set of one or more lenses, for example linear Fresnel lenses, one or more lenticular arrays, and/or one or more arrays of lenses. The energy collecting elements 104 are mounted in front of different segments of the fluid channel segment 151. When the energy collecting module 100 is installed in an energy collecting area, sunlight radiation is concentrated along the fluid channel 101. Optionally, the energy collecting elements 104 includes only lenses. Optionally, the energy collecting element 104 further includes mirrors which set to direct radiation toward a concentrating lens or towards the fluid channel 101. Optionally, the energy collecting module 100 comprises a sun tracker unit with one or more actuators that allows tilting the energy collecting module 100 according to the location of the sun. Optionally, one or more actuators drive more than one module.

Optionally, fluid channel segments 151 and fluid channels 101 are covered, in whole or in parts, by insulating material 159 that may reduce heat loss and/or provide structural support.

Optionally, a small pump is installed to circulate the working fluid in the fluid channel. Alternatively, the working fluid flows by thermosiphon effect in the fluid channel.

Optionally, the energy collecting element 104 and the fluid channel 101 are mounted in a support structure 106 made of a number of cantilevers, such as metal cantilevers and/or molded by foam. Such a support structure may also provide insulation. Optionally, the support structure seals intermediate space 107, referred to herein as a chamber, between the energy collecting element 104 and the fluid channel 101. In such an embodiment, atmospheric pressure in the intermediate space 107 may be reduced, for example by evacuating air from the chamber 107. Alternatively, the chamber 107 is filled with a gas with low heat transfer properties, such as xenon. Optionally, each energy collecting element 104 is placed on top of a chamber 107. Optionally, the chamber has a shape of an inverted and truncated pyramid, such as a four sided pyramid (for example as depicted in FIG. 4A). In this embodiment, the fluid channel 101 is placed under the upper portion of the chamber that optionally has a cross section with an inverted trapezoid shape. The reduction of atmospheric pressure in this chamber or filling it with a gas with low heat transfer properties, and optionally around the fluid channel 101 as a whole contributes to thermal isolation of the fluid that is conducted via the fluid channel 101 and/or to the radiation absorbance capacity of the fluid channel 101. Optionally, the side walls of chamber 107 have reflective properties, such as a mirror. This allows for directing the light that passes through collecting element 104 towards fluid channel 101 in a desired fashion, such as to increase the intensity of radiation that reaches the fluid channel. Optionally, the support structure 106 has a cubical form that houses the energy collecting element 104, the fluid channel 101, and the chamber 107. This allows building and/or covering a wall using energy collecting modules 100. Optionally, the support structure has a plate form that houses the energy collecting element 104, the fluid channel 101, and chamber 107. This allows building and/or covering a roof using energy collecting modules 100.

Optionally, no active elements, such as pumps or valves, are physically connected to the energy collecting module 100. Optionally, coolant pipes are not used. In such a manner, the manufacturing and/or maintenance cost of the energy collecting module 100 may be reduced.

The energy collecting modules 100 depicted in FIGS. 1-3 are designed to circulate working fluid, which is heated by the energy collecting elements 104, in a closed loop circulation fluid channel 101. Examples of using such energy collecting modules 100 is provided in FIGS. 6-10 and described below.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the energy collecting module 100 is comprised of a plurality of connectable energy collecting units 150. For example, as depicted in FIG. 4B, each connectable energy collecting unit 150 includes a fluid channel 101 and fluid channel segment 151 (optionally transparent) having a lumen for conducting the working fluid from one connectable opening 152 to another 153 and one of the energy collecting elements 104 mounted in front of the fluid channel segment 151 for concentrating radiation onto the fluid channel segment 151. Optionally, the chamber 107 is also part of the energy collecting unit 150. In such an embodiment, an energy collecting module 100 may be comprised of any number of energy collecting units 150. The energy collecting units 150 may be connected in parallel or in series to one another for example as depicted in FIG. 1. Optionally, the diameter of the lumen of the section of the fluid channel segment 151 that is placed below the energy collecting element 104 is wider than the general lumen of the energy collecting element 104 so as to increase the surface area that absorbs the radiation. Optionally, this section covered with heat absorbing material. Optionally, the section of the fluid channel segment 151 that is placed below the energy collecting element 104 includes a heat exchanger. This heat exchanger optionally functions as heat exchanger 111 and includes a tube for conducting target fluid in the fluid channel segment 151, for example as shown at 157 of FIG. 4C. In FIG. 4B, the fluid in the fluid channel segment 151, referred to herein as a working fluid, heats up the target fluid that flows in the tube 157, optionally helical. The energy collecting unit 150 is designed to assemble, together with a plurality of similar energy collecting units 150, a modular energy collecting module, for example as depicted in FIG. 1. As described above, the fluid channel segment 151 has a lumen for conducting working fluid from a first connectable opening 152 to a second connectable opening 153. Optionally, a chamber, such as the chamber 107 described above, is formed between the fluid channel segment 151 and the energy collecting element 104. As depicted, the chamber 107 may be shaped as an inverted and truncated cone. It should be noted that the chamber 107 may also have any other shape. Optionally, the energy collecting element 107 further includes minors which set to direct radiation toward a concentrating lens or towards the fluid channel segment 151.

It should further be noted that the connectable energy collecting units 150 may be used to comprise a modular energy collecting system without the modules 100. In such an embodiment, any number of connectable energy collecting units 150 may be connected, in parallel or in series to form a heating conduit that heats up a target fluid, for example as depicted in FIG. 4D.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which is a schematic illustration of an array of energy collecting modules 100 which form a modular energy collecting system 200 having an open loop heating conduit 160 with an inlet and an outlet between a pump 202 and an energy consumption unit 203, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The inlet is connected to the pump 202 and the outlet is connected to an energy consumption unit 203, such as a steam turbine, a steam engine, and/or a steam accumulator in the other end.

The internal heat exchangers 111 of the energy collecting modules 100 heat and/or steam the target fluid that is pumped by the pump 202 or by another pressure differential such as gravity. When steaming is performed, the internal heat exchangers 111 of each one of the plurality of energy collecting modules 100 heats up the fluid in a certain segment of the open loop heating conduit 160 so that along the stream temperature increases and steam may be formed and delivered to the energy consumption unit 203.

Optionally, the internal heat exchangers 111 of the energy collecting modules 100 are connected in series to one another, using adaptors, bidirectional tubing connectors, and/or by designated connectors at the tip of the openings of the respective internal heat exchanger 111. The number of energy collecting modules 100, which are connected to one another, may be selected according to the radiation level at the energy collecting area of an energy collecting system so that the fluid is steamed before reaching the energy consumption unit 203. When heating is performed, the energy consumption unit 203 includes a hot fluid consumption unit 203, such as a hot water or hot oil reservoir.

Optionally, a valve 205 is used to adjust the stream of steam that is delivered to the energy consumption unit 203. The valve 205 may be controlled, manually and/or automatically by a controller 206, such as a microcontroller and/or a computing unit, so as to deliver steam at a certain pressure or temperature and/or a range of pressures and/or temperatures. Optionally, a pressure sensor and/or a temperature sensor 207 are placed in proximity to the valve 205 and measure the pressure and/or the temperature of the fluid and forward the measurements to the controller 206. The controller 206 may control the flow rate through the open loop heating conduit 160, so as to achieve required pressure and/or temperature, by controlling the pump 202 and/or a valve 208. Optionally, the controller 206, valves 205, 208, and pump 202 are adapted to be used, generically, with different numbers of energy collecting modules 100. Optionally, the controller 206 adjusts the operation of the pump 202 and/or the valves 205, 208 according to the number of energy collecting modules 100 which are connected to form an open loop heating conduit as described above. The number of energy collecting modules 100 may be provided to the controller 206 manually, for example using a man machine interface (MMI), such as a keypad and/or automatically for example by a reader that detects the number of energy collecting modules 100 which are in a certain proximity thereto. For automatic identification, smart tags may be used, for example radio frequency identification (RFID) or Bluetooth™ tags.

In such a manner, the fluid supply and pressure may be adapted according to the actual length of the heating conduit and/or automatically adjusted when the number of energy collecting modules 100 is changed.

A similar configuration (such as 200) may be used for the purification of the fluid by heat, light, and/or radiation, such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Here, at the outlet, the energy consumption unit 203 includes a fluid receptacle or conductor.

A similar configuration (such as 200) may be used for promoting chemical reactions and/or organic reaction(s), such as encouraging bacteria and/or algae growth in the fluid by heat, light, and/or radiation, such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Here, at the outlet, a fluid receptacle or conductor is placed instead of the energy consumption unit 203.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a schematic illustration of an array of energy collecting modules 100 of an energy collecting system 300 forming a closed loop fluid channel 220, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The controller 206, the pump 202, the valve 208, the sensor(s) 207 and the energy collecting modules 100 which heat up fluid passing via the heat exchangers are as depicted in FIG. 5 and/or FIGS. 1-3, however in FIG. 6 target fluid is iteratively recycled via an external heat exchanger 121. This allows using the heat exchanger 121 to heat target fluids which are streamed in an additional cycle toward the energy consumption unit 203. The processed target fluids are originated from a different source 306 streamed in the additional cycle, boiled and turns to steam that is used by the energy consumption unit 203.

Optionally, the energy collecting system 300 includes a support structure to which the connected heat exchangers of the plurality of energy collecting modules 100 are connected. The support structure is optionally planner, for example polygonal, pyramidal, and/or graded. For example, the energy collecting modules 100 are mounted in a planner manner on a support structure. In such an embodiment, heat exchangers 111 of a plurality of energy collecting modules 300 may be arranged to heat fluid of a steam or a hot water or thermal oil consuming unit. For brevity, oil, water, and fluid may be used interchangeably. The plurality of energy collecting modules 100 may be monitored and/or controlled by a central control unit.

Optionally, sensors 302, which are similar to sensors 207, are placed to monitor the fluids which are streamed toward the energy consumption unit 203 and monitored by the controller 206. The controller 206 controls the process by monitoring pressures and temperatures after the energy collecting modules 100 and adjusts the operation of the pump 202 and/or the valve 208. Optionally, the controller 206 adjusts the operation of the pump 306 that streams the flowing in the additional cycle toward the energy consumption unit 203.

The controller 206 may also monitor the pressure and temperature of the steam or fluid that is provided to the energy consumption unit 203 using a respective sensor 302.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the external heat exchanger 121 is used to heat target fluids or to generate steam interchangeably or simultaneously with a steam generating system 399, such as a conventional steam generating system. For example, reference is now made to FIG. 7, which is a schematic illustration of an array of energy collecting modules 100 of an energy collecting system 400 that is set to heat or steam fluid that passes via the external heat exchanger 121 that conducts target fluid of a steam generating system, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The controller 206, the pump 202, the valve 208, the sensor(s) 207 and energy collecting modules 100 which heat up fluid passing via their heat exchangers are as depicted in FIG. 6 and/or FIGS. 1-3, however in the system depicted in FIG. 7 steam and/or target fluid is passing via the heat exchanger 121 and streamed, optionally via a one way valve 505, in a heating cycle which cycles steam toward a common steam tank or a mixing valve 502. Interchangeably or simultaneously, the steam generating system 399 generates hot water or steam by using fuel or electricity. The hot water or steam is directed to the common steam tank or mixing valve 502. In such a manner, steam or hot water for the energy consumption unit 203 is available even when the radiation levels are too low to generate steam or hot fluid in a required pressure and/or temperature. The steam pressure at the outlet from the external heat exchanger 121 may be higher than the pressure at the steam tank 502. In such a manner, when the radiation level is high, steam or hot fluid originated from the external heat exchanger 121 enters the common steam tank or mixing valve 502 before fluid from the steam generating system 399. This indicates a boiler control 506 to reduce consumption of fuel, gas or electricity for generating steam. The controller 206 monitors temperatures and pressures in the heat cycles which are connected from both sides of the external heat exchanger 121, for example using the sensors 207, 302 which are described above. It controls the flow of heat transfer fluid and feed water so as to achieve steam at the required quality. The controller 206 may be connected to the control of the boiler 506 so as to regulate its steam supply. Fluid may be conducted via the external heat exchanger 121 by a main pump 507 with a control valve 508, as shown in FIG. 7 or by a separate pump (not shown) that is controlled by the controller 206. It should be noted that a modular energy collecting system which forms an open loop heating conduit as described above with regard to FIG. 5 may also be used. In this embodiment, the fuel consumption of the steam generating system is reduced as the energy collecting module 400 participates in the heating process.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which is a schematic illustration of an array of energy collecting modules 100 of an energy collecting system 500 that is set to power an absorption refrigerator 601, also known as an absorption chiller, in a cooling system, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The controller 206, the pump 202, the valve 208, the sensor(s) 207, the external heat exchanger 121, and energy collecting modules 100 which heat up fluid passing via their heat exchangers are as depicted in FIG. 7 and/or FIGS. 1-3, however in FIG. 8 the external heat exchanger 121 is connected to an absorption chiller 601 having an output directed toward a mixing valve 606. The heated target fluid from the external heat exchanger 121 is used in the absorption chiller 601 to generate a cold fluid, such as chilled water. The cold fluid is delivered to a cooling system 602, such as a chiller or an air conditioner, via the mixing valve 606. Optionally, the cold fluid is mixed with cold fluid from a chiller 603. Heat from the absorption chiller 601 is removed by a fan, a cooling tower, or the like. It can also be removed by a heat exchanger and/or delivered to other applications as hot air or water. A similar modular energy collecting system 500 may be used by itself, without the chiller 603. Optionally, a gage 613 is used to gage the temperature of outlet water and to help the controller 206 to control the system. Optionally, energy collecting system 500 can operate without heat exchanger 121 such that the target fluid in the array of modules 100 is streamed directly to the absorption chiller.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9, which is a schematic illustration of an array of energy collecting modules of an energy collecting system 600 that is set as a preheating device to provide the energy needed to preheat target fluid that is used by a fluid heating and/or steaming unit 701, such as a heater or a steam generator, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The controller 206, the pump 202, the valve 208, the sensor(s) 207, the external heat exchanger 121, and energy collecting modules 100 which heat up fluid passing via their heat exchangers are as depicted in FIG. 7, however in FIG. 9, the external heat exchanger 121 is connected to the fluid or steam heating unit 701. The heat is transferred in the external heat exchanger 121 to preheat fluid that is later further heated by the fluid heating unit 701. This way, the solar energy reduces the amount of fuel and/or electricity that is consumed by the fluid heating unit 701. Optionally, energy collecting system 600 can operate without heat exchanger 121 such that the target fluid in the array of modules 100 is streamed directly to the heating unit 701.

Reference is now made to FIG. 10 which is a schematic illustration of a modular energy collecting system 700 that is set as a heating source for heating a working fluid of a turbine 702 that is optionally connected to an electricity generation device 703, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The controller 206, the pump 202, the valve 208, the sensor(s) 207, the external heat exchanger 121, and energy collecting modules 100 which heat up fluid passing via their heat exchangers are as depicted in FIG. 7 and/or FIGS. 1-3, however in FIG. 9, the external heat exchanger 121 is connected to heat the working fluid which is steamed to actuate the turbine 702. This way, the solar energy is used to produce electricity. The turbine 702 actuating steam is later optionally condensed using a condenser 704 and pumped toward the external heat exchanger 121. Optionally, the controller 206 receives feedbacks from the generator 703 to identify whether more heat is needed. Energy collecting system 700 can be operated in conjunction with a separate heating or steaming system as in FIG. 7. Optionally, energy collecting system 700 can operate without heat exchanger 121 such that the target fluid in the array of modules 100 is streamed directly to the turbine.

Reference is now also made to FIG. 11, which is a flowchart of a method 900 for installing an energy collecting modular system by connecting the heat exchangers of a plurality of energy collecting modules, such as depicted in FIG. 1 or 2, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

First, as shown at 901, an energy collecting area is defined. Then, as shown at 902, according to the length and/or width of the energy collecting area, and according to the dimensions of the energy collecting modules, a number of seperable energy collecting modules, each such as described above, are provided. Now, as shown at 903, the seperable energy collecting modules are spread to cover the energy collecting area or at least a portion thereof. Optionally, the provided and spread energy collecting modules are adapted to the topography of the energy collecting area and/or to their relative location in the energy collecting area. The more energy collecting modules are spread in a given energy collecting area, the more productive the given energy collecting area may be. This allows, as shown at 904, to assemble a heating conduit in the energy collecting area (lengthwise and/or widthwise) by tubularly connecting one or more of the connectable openings of the heat exchangers of each energy collecting module to a connectable opening of another heat exchanger of another energy collecting module, for example as described above and exemplified in FIG. 3.

Now, as shown at 905, one or more pumps are connected to the heating conduit, for example to one end thereof, so as to stream fluids therethrough toward an energy consumption unit or to recycle the fluid via the heating conduit and a heat exchanger, as described in 906, for example as described above and depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7.

It is expected that during the life of a patent maturing from this application many relevant systems and methods will be developed and the scope of the term a turbine, a generator, a heat exchanger and a controller is intended to include all such new technologies a priori.

As used herein the term “about” refers to ±10%.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including”, “having” and their conjugates mean “including but not limited to”. This term encompasses the terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”.

The phrase “consisting essentially of” means that the composition or method may include additional ingredients and/or steps, but only if the additional ingredients and/or steps do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition or method.

As used herein, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term “a compound” or “at least one compound” may include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance or illustration”. Any embodiment described as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments and/or to exclude the incorporation of features from other embodiments.

The word “optionally” is used herein to mean “is provided in some embodiments and not provided in other embodiments”. Any particular embodiment of the invention may include a plurality of “optional” features unless such features conflict.

Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases “ranging/ranges between” a first indicate number and a second indicate number and “ranging/ranges from” a first indicate number “to” a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals therebetween.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting.

Claims

1. An energy collecting unit for assembling, together with a plurality of similar energy collecting units, an energy collecting system or module comprising:

a fluid channel having a lumen for conducting working fluid from a first connectable opening to a second connectable opening; and

an energy collecting element mounted in front of said fluid channel for concentrating radiation onto said fluid channel.

2. The energy collecting unit of claim 1, further comprising an air evacuated chamber having a low atmospheric pressure between said energy collecting element and said fluid channel.

3. The energy collecting unit of claim 2, wherein the walls of said air evacuated chamber are at least partly covered with minors to concentrate said radiation onto said fluid channel.

4. The energy collecting unit of claim 1, further comprising a chamber having a gas with low heat transfer properties between said energy collecting element and said fluid channel.

5. The energy collecting unit of claim 4, wherein the walls of said chamber are at least partly covered with mirrors to concentrate said radiation onto said fluid channel.

6. The energy collecting unit of claim 1, wherein said fluid channel is made of a substantially transparent material.

7. (canceled)

8. The energy collecting unit of claim 1, wherein said energy collecting unit does not include moving parts.

9. The energy collecting unit of claim 1, wherein said energy collecting element comprises a member from a group consisting of: a Fresnel lens, a lenticular array, and an array of lenses.

10. An energy collecting module, comprising:

a heat exchanger having first and second openings for streaming target fluid;

a fluid channel configured for circulating working fluid via said heat exchanger; and

at least one energy collecting element mounted in front of said fluid channel for concentrating radiation onto said fluid channel during said circulating.

11. The energy collecting module of claim 10, wherein said at least one energy collecting element comprises a plurality of energy collecting elements; wherein said energy collecting module is comprised of a plurality of detachable units each having a segment of said fluid channel and one of said energy collecting elements assembled to concentrate radiation onto said segment.

12. The energy collecting module of claim 10, wherein said energy collecting module is configured for assembling, together with a plurality of similar energy collecting module, a modular energy collecting system.

13. The energy collecting module of claim 10, further comprising at least one air evacuated chamber having a low atmospheric pressure between said at least one energy collecting element and said fluid channel.

14. The energy collecting module of claim 10, further comprising at least one chamber having a gas with low heat transfer properties between said at least one energy collecting element and said fluid channel.

15. The energy collecting module of claim 10, wherein said fluid channel is made of a substantially transparent material.

16. (canceled)

17. The energy collecting module of claim 10, wherein said energy collecting module does not include moving parts.

18. The energy collecting module of claim 10, further comprising a supporting structure for supporting said fluid channel and said energy collecting element in a substantially cubical shape structure.

19. The energy collecting module of claim 10, wherein said at least one energy collecting element comprises a member from a group consisting of: a Fresnel lens, a lenticular array, and an array of lenses.

20. The energy collecting module of claim 10, wherein said at least one energy collecting element comprises at least one lens and at least one minor mounted to direct said radiation toward said at least one lens.

21. A method for installing an energy collecting modular system, comprising:

providing a plurality of separable energy collecting modules each having a fluid channel having a lumen for conducting working fluid via a heat exchanger and an energy collecting element for concentrating radiation onto said fluid channel;

spreading said plurality of energy collecting modules to cover an energy collecting area;

assembling a heating conduit in said energy collecting area by tubularly connecting the heat exchangers of said plurality of energy collecting modules; and

connecting a pump to one end of said heating conduit so as to stream fluids via said heating conduit toward an energy consumption unit at another end of said heating conduit.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising adjusting the operation of said pump to the number of said plurality of energy collecting modules.

23-28. (canceled)

29. An energy collecting modular system, comprising:

a plurality of separable energy collecting modules which are set to be connected physically to one another so as to form a heating conduit having an inlet and an outlet for conducting target fluid, each said separable energy collecting module having at least one energy collecting element mounted to concentrate radiation onto a segment of said heating conduit; and

a pump, which is connected tubularly to said inlet for conducting said target fluid via said outlet.

30. The system of claim 29, further comprising a controller which controls said pump.

31. The system of claim 29, wherein said outlet is connected to a reservoir; said radiation performs at least one of the following actions: purifying said target fluid, causing a chemical reaction to said target fluid, enhancing a biological process in said target fluid, and suppressing a biological process in said target fluid.

32-35. (canceled)

36. The energy collecting unit of claim 6, wherein said transparent fluid channel contains at least one solid body adapted to absorb solar radiation.

37. The energy collecting module of claim 10, further comprising at least one pump that circulates said working fluid.

38. The energy collecting module of claim 10, wherein said working fluid contains a plurality of particulates which enhance absorption of a solar radiation.

39. The energy collecting module of claim 10, further comprising a sun tracker unit which tracks a motion of the sun and includes at least one actuator that tilts said at least one energy collecting element according to said motion.