APPARATUS FOR SOLAR THERMAL COLLECTION AND SYSTEM OF THE SAME

One embodiment of the present invention discloses an apparatus for solar-thermal collection. The apparatus includes a thermal resistance body; a solar-thermal converter disposed inside the thermal resistance body, wherein the volume of the solar-thermal converter is less than that of the thermal resistance body, so that a space exists between the inner wall of the thermal resistance body and the outer wall of the solar-thermal converter; and at least one opening disposed on the wall of the thermal resistance body, wherein the opening is a through hole only on the wall of the thermal resistance body

Skip to: Description  ·  Claims  · Patent History  ·  Patent History
Description
1. FIELD

The present invention relates to a solar thermal collection apparatus and the system of the same, and more particularly, to a solar thermal collection apparatus and the system of the same including a thermal resistance body with a high-reflection inner wall and at least one opening, and a solar-thermal converter with a high-absorption outer wall.

2. BACKGROUND

Due to global warming and industrialization in developing countries, climate change and over-exploitation of natural resources are causing increasing amounts of natural and man-made disasters. In addition, the utilization of renewable energy sources is promoted and many nations have signed international agreements on reducing carbon dioxide output. The two aforementioned reasons are driving increased research and development in renewable energy technologies. The present disclosure provides an apparatus which can be used during emergencies or outdoor recreation activities for heating using solar power. The disclosed apparatus includes new features that are different from conventional solar-thermal converters such as to increase the liquid temperature inside the converter within a short timeframe and are portable and easy to operate.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a solar-thermal collection apparatus, the apparatus including: a thermal resistance body; a solar-thermal converter positioned in the thermal resistance body, wherein the volume of the solar-thermal converter is less than the volume of the thermal resistance body, and therefore a space exists between the inner wall of the thermal resistance body and the outer wall of the solar-thermal converter; and at least one opening situated on the thermal resistance body, wherein the opening penetrates only the thermal resistance body.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a solar-thermal collection system, the system including a solar-thermal collection apparatus and a light collection system. The solar-thermal collection apparatus includes a thermal resistance body; a solar-thermal converter positioned in the thermal resistance body, wherein the volume of the solar-thermal converter is less than the volume of the thermal resistance body, and therefore a space exists between the inner wall of the thermal resistance body and the outer wall of the solar-thermal converter; and at least one opening situated on the thermal resistance body, wherein the opening penetrates only the thermal resistance body. The light collection system is positioned outside the at least one opening of the thermal resistance body and is configured to focus the light at the focal point of the light collection system.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter, and form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures or processes for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objectives and advantages of the present invention are illustrated with the following description and upon reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional diagram of a solar-thermal collection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the cross section of the solar-thermal collection apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the stereoscopic structure on the outer wall of the solar-thermal collection apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the stereoscopic structure on the outer wall of the solar-thermal collection apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the stereoscopic structure on the outer wall of the solar-thermal collection apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional diagram of the solar-thermal collection apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional diagram of the solar-thermal collection apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional diagram of the solar-thermal collection apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional diagram of the solar-thermal collection system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional diagram of the solar-thermal collection system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional diagram of the solar-thermal collection system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional diagram of the solar-thermal collection system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 13 shows a testing result according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a cross section of the solar-thermal collection apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The solar-thermal collection apparatus 10 includes a thermal resistance body 101 and a solar-thermal converter 102. The thermal resistance body 101 can be, but is not limited to, a metal container with a high-reflection coating on its inner wall 101A. The outer wall 102B of the solar-thermal converter 102 has a high-absorption coating and the inner space of the solar-thermal converter 102 is configured to accommodate food or liquid 105 to be heated. According to one embodiment, the solar-thermal converter 102 is placed inside the thermal resistance body 101 but does not have any direct physical contact with the resistance body 101 due to the support of a stand 104. An opening 103 penetrating through the wall of the thermal resistance body 101 can be positioned in an arbitrary position on the body 101; as shown in FIG. 1, the opening 103 can be disposed at the bottom of the body 101. A space exists between the thermal resistance body 101 and the solar-thermal converter 102 so as to form a body with high thermal resistance in order to prevent heat from dissipating to the exterior of the solar-thermal converter 102. As shown in FIG. 1, a cover 101C is disposed on the thermal resistance body 101, and another cover 102C is disposed on the solar-thermal converter 102. The implementation of the covers is optional. In the present embodiment, the cover serves to facilitate the displacement and the removal of the food or liquid to be heated.

The opening 103 positioned at the bottom of the thermal resistance body 101 is configured to receive the solar rays gathered by the light collector (not shown). After passing through the opening 103 and entering the thermal resistance body 101, a portion of the solar rays are directly absorbed by the high-absorption coating on the outer surface 102B of the solar-thermal converter 102 and converted into heat. The portion of solar rays which are not absorbed are consecutively and repeatedly reflected by the high-reflection coating on the inner wall of the thermal resistance body 101. The reflected rays are partially absorbed by the high-absorption coating of the solar-thermal converter 102, and the portion which are not absorbed are reflected by the high-reflection coating again. A multiple absorption-reflection routine facilitates the efficiency of solar-thermal conversion, and in one embodiment, the metallic solar-thermal converter evenly conducts and transfers the heat to the food or liquid 102 to be heated.

In the present embodiment, the high-reflection coating is made of aluminum, and the solar-thermal converter 102 is made of high thermal conductivity materials, for example, copper. However, the high-reflection coating and the high thermal conductivity materials are not limited to the materials mentioned above. In other embodiments, the high-reflection coating includes main group metals or transition metals, for example, silver, gold, aluminum, or the combination thereof; materials with high thermal conductivity includes main group metal, transition metal, graphite, carbon fiber, carbonaceous materials, or the like, such as copper, gold, silver, aluminum, or the alloy thereof. The high-absorption coating includes a main body and dopants. In the present embodiment, the main body includes a mixture of carbon black and graphite, and the dopants are gold nanoparticles. However, the main body used in this disclosure is not limited to that of the present embodiment, and other dark color metal oxide, metal sulfide, metal carbide, and metal nitride such as CuO, Hg2O, V2O3, FeO, Ni2O3, Co2O3, Fe3O4, MnO2, Ag2S, Cu2O, CdO, V2O5, Fe2O3, and Ag2O can also be used. Moreover, the high-absorption coating can be dark color metalorganic materials as well. The dopants used in the present disclosure are not limited to those of the present embodiment, and other main group metal or transition metal nanoparticles, for example, aluminum nanoparticles or silver nanoparticles, can also be used as dopants. The high-absorption material is composed of main body and dopants mixed with an arbitrary ratio.

In one embodiment, the high-absorption coating has an absorption rate greater than 30%, and the diameter of the metal nanoparticles is within a range of from 1 nm to 100 nm. The metal nanoparticles applied in the high-absorption coating produces surface plasma effect; in other words, the coating can absorb light and produce instantaneous high temperature, passing the thermal energy to the food or liquid to be heated via the conduction of the solar-thermal converter.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the cross section of the solar-thermal collection apparatus 20 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The solar-thermal collection apparatus 20 has a thermal resistance body 201 and a solar-thermal converter 202. The thermal resistance body 201 can be, but is not limited to, a metal container with a high-reflection coating on the inner wall 201A. The solar-thermal converter 202 possesses an outer wall 202B with high-absorption coating. The food or liquid to be heated 205 is disposed inside the solar-thermal converter 202. According to one embodiment, the solar-thermal converter 202 is placed inside the thermal resistance body 201 but does not have any direct physical contact with the resistance body 201 due to the support of a stand 204. A rectangular opening 203 is disposed at the bottom of the body 201. A space exists between the thermal resistance body 201 and the solar-thermal converter 202 so as to form a body with high thermal resistance in order to prevent the heat inside the converter from dissipating to the exterior of the solar-thermal converter 202. As shown in FIG. 2, a cover 201C is disposed on the thermal resistance body 201, and another cover 202C is disposed on the solar-thermal converter 202. The implementation of the covers is optional. In the present embodiment; the cover serves to facilitate the displacement and the removal of the food or liquid to be heated.

The rectangular opening 203 positioned at the bottom of the thermal resistance body 201 is configured to receive the solar rays gathered by the light collector (not shown). After passing through the opening 103 and entering the thermal resistance body 201, a portion of the solar rays are directly absorbed by the high-absorption coating on the outer surface 202B of the solar-thermal converter 202 and converted into heat. The portion of the solar rays which are not absorbed are consecutively and repeatedly reflected by the high-reflection coating on the inner wall of the thermal resistance body 201. The reflected rays are partially absorbed by the high-absorption coating of the solar-thermal converter 202 and the portion which are not absorbed are reflected by the high-reflection coating again. A multiple absorption-reflection routine facilitates the efficiency of solar-thermal conversion, and in one embodiment, the metallic solar-thermal converter evenly conducts and transfers the heat to the food or liquid 205 to be heated. The design of the rectangular opening 203 serves to take into account the relative position of the sun with respect to the solar-thermal converter 20. The path of the focal point of the collector changes as the relative position of the sun changes. Typically, the path is a straight line, and therefore the rectangular opening 203 can direct most of the light into the apparatus over a long timeframe. However, the shape of the opening 203 is not limited by the present embodiment, and other shapes such as circle, square, triangle, and polygons are all applicable to the present apparatus.

In the present embodiment, the high-reflection coating is made of silver, and the solar-thermal converter 202 is made of high thermal conductivity materials, for example, graphite. The high-absorption coating includes a main body and dopants. In the present embodiment, the main body includes dark color metal oxide such as CuO, Ni2O3, Co2O3, Fe3O4, MnO2, Fe2O3, and Ag2O, and the dopants are gold nanoparticles.

In one embodiment, the high-absorption coating has an absorption rate greater than 30%, and the diameter of the metal nanoparticles is within a range of from 1 nm to 100 nm. The metal nanoparticles applied in the high-absorption coating produces surface plasma effect; in other words, the coating can absorb light and produce instantaneous high temperature, passing the thermal energy to the food or liquid to be heated via the conduction of the solar-thermal converter 202.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the stereoscopic structure on the outer wall 202B of the solar-thermal collection apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. A special treatment to form micro-features on the high-absorption material of the solar-thermal converter increases the absorption rate of the high-absorption material. The micro-features in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 are a plurality of tetrahedrons 2021. The total number of the light impingement on the stereoscopic microstructure surface is greater than that on the untreated planar surface. Because the absorption rate is proportionally related to the number of light impingement, the absorption rate is increased on the surface with stereoscopic microstructures.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the stereoscopic structure on the outer wall 202B of the solar-thermal collection apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. A microstructural high-absorption coating 2021A is positioned on the outer surface of the solar-thermal converter 202. The process to prepare the structure includes forming a high-absorption coating on the outer surface of the solar-thermal converter 202 by electroplating or anodic treatment, followed by the shaping of the microstructure. However, the method for forming a high-absorption coating on the outer surface is not limited to the present embodiment; other physical vapor deposition methods such as e-gun evaporation, thermal evaporation, or sputtering can be adopted to form the coating. General chemical vapor deposition, chemical oxidation treatment, or spin coating can also be used to form the high-absorption coating.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the stereoscopic structure on the outer wall of the solar-thermal collection apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. A microstructural high-absorption coating 2021B is positioned on the outer surface of the solar-thermal converter 202. The process to prepare the structure includes forming a high-absorption coating on the outer surface of the solar-thermal converter 202 by electroplating or anodic treatment, followed by a surface-roughing procedure. Another layer of the high-absorption coating is subsequently applied on the roughened surface to thicken the microstructure through a manner corresponding to the morphology of the underlying roughened surface.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional diagram of the solar-thermal collection apparatus 60 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The overall structure of the apparatus 60 is similar to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the opening 603 of the solar-thermal collection apparatus 60 is connected to a light collection apparatus. The light collection apparatus includes a cone-shaped collector 607 and a condenser 606. The light collection apparatus can enhance the collection of the solar light and guide the light into the space between the thermal resistance body and the solar-thermal converter. However, the number and the position of the opening 603 are not limited to those of the present embodiment. One or a plurality of the openings can be positioned on the wall of the thermal resistance body and be connected to the light collection apparatus. The solar-thermal collection apparatus 60 further includes a cover 601C shared by the thermal resistance body and the solar-thermal converter.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional diagram of the solar-thermal collection apparatus 70 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The overall structure of the apparatus 70 is similar to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 7, the opening 703 of the solar-thermal collection apparatus 70 is connected to a light collection apparatus. The light collection apparatus includes a wave geode 707, a microstructure layer 706, a condenser 708, and an optical fiber 709. The light collection apparatus can enhance the collection of the solar light and guide the light into the space between the thermal resistance body and the solar-thermal converter. However, the number and the position of the light collection apparatus are not limited to those of the present embodiment. One or a plurality of the openings can be positioned on the wall of the thermal resistance body and be connected to the light collection apparatus. The solar-thermal collection apparatus 70 further includes two covers. One of the covers 701C is coupled with the thermal resistance body, and the other cover 702C is coupled with the solar-thermal converter.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional diagram of the solar-thermal collection apparatus 80 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The overall structure of the apparatus 80 is similar to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 8, the opening 803 of the solar-thermal collection apparatus 80 is connected to a light collection apparatus. The light collection apparatus includes a cone-shaped light collector 806 and a reflective mirror 807 positioned on the inner wall of the light collector 806. The light collection apparatus can enhance the collection of the solar light and guide the light into the space between the thermal resistance body and the solar-thermal converter. However, the number and the position of the light collection apparatus are not limited to those of the present embodiment. One or a plurality of the openings can be positioned on the wall of the thermal resistance body and be connected to the light collection apparatus. The solar-thermal collection apparatus 80 further includes a cover 801C shared by the thermal resistance body and the solar-thermal converter.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional diagram of the solar-thermal collection system 90 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The solar-thermal collection system 90 includes a thermal resistance body 901 and a solar-thermal converter 902. The thermal resistance body 901 can be, but is not limited to, a metal container with an inner wall 901A coated with a high-reflection coating. The solar-thermal converter 902 has an outer wall 902B with a high-absorption coating, and food or liquid 905 to be heated is contained in the solar-thermal converter 902. The solar-thermal converter is placed inside the thermal resistance body 901 but does not make any physical contact with the resistance body 901 due to the support of a stand 904. An opening 903 penetrating through the wall of the thermal resistance body 901 can be positioned in an arbitrary position on the body 90. As shown in FIG. 9, the opening 903 is disposed at the bottom of the body 901. A space exists between the thermal resistance body 901 and the solar-thermal converter 902 so as to form a body with high thermal resistance in order to prevent heat from dissipating to the exterior of the solar-thermal converter 902. A cover 901C is further included in the apparatus, wherein the cover 901C is shared by the thermal resistance body 901 and the solar-thermal resistance body 902 to facilitate the placement and the removal of the food or liquid to be heated.

As shown in FIG. 9, the solar-thermal collection apparatus 90 includes the aforesaid solar-thermal converter and a light collection system. The light collection system includes a light collection apparatus connected to the solar-thermal collection apparatus 90 as shown in FIG. 6 and a Fresnel lens 910 not connected with the solar-thermal collection apparatus 90. Opposite to the planar side of the Fresnel lens 910, a series of concentric circles defines the surface morphology of the other side of the Fresnel lens 910. The angle and the thickness of every concentric circle are different, but effectively the Fresnel lens 910 used herein is like a plano-convex lens. In the present embodiment, the side with concentric circles is coated with high-reflective metal and is configured to focus the light beam into a focal point in space. The incident solar rays have a focal point 909 generated by the light collection system, and after passing thorough the focal point 909, the rays are guided to the space between the solar-thermal converter and the thermal resistance body. However, the number and the position of the opening 903 are not limited to those of the present embodiment. One or a plurality of the openings can be positioned on the wall of the thermal resistance body and be connected to the light collection apparatus. At the outside of the thermal resistance body can be positioned a light collection apparatus with a greater light collecting area, and the combination of such light collection apparatus is called a light collection system. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, if the opening is positioned at the side wall of the solar-thermal collection apparatus, the light collection apparatus with a greater light collecting area can be a set of reflective mirrors or a set of Fresnel lenses coated with high-reflection metal. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, if the opening is positioned at the top of the solar-thermal collection apparatus, the light collection apparatus with a greater light-collecting area can be a set of condensers or a set of Fresnel lenses. The light collection system includes Fresnel lenses, condensers, reflective mirror, waveguide, optical fibers, cone-shaped light collector, or the combination thereof.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional diagram of the solar-thermal collection system 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The overall structure of the apparatus 100 is similar to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The light collection system includes a light collection apparatus as shown in FIG. 7 and a Fresnel lens 1010. In the present embodiment, the Fresnel lens 1010 is not connected with the solar-thermal collection apparatus. The Fresnel lens 1010 passes the focused light into the space between the solar-thermal converter and the thermal resistance body via the light collection apparatus. As shown in FIG. 10, the conjunction of the light collection apparatus and the thermal resistance body is positioned at the bottom of the body. However, the number and the position of the conjunction are not limited to those of the present embodiment. One or a plurality of the openings can be positioned on the wall of the thermal resistance body as a port for conjunction and can be connected to the light collection apparatus. At the outside of the thermal resistance body can be positioned a light collection apparatus with a greater light collecting area, and the combination of such light collection apparatuses is called a light collection system. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, if the opening is positioned at the side wall of the solar-thermal collection apparatus, the light collection apparatus with a greater light colleting area can be a set of reflective mirrors or a set of Fresnel lenses coated with high-reflection metal. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, if the opening is positioned at the top of the solar-thermal collection apparatus, the light collection apparatus with a greater light-collecting area can be a set of condensers or a set of Fresnel lenses.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional diagram of the solar-thermal collection system 110 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The overall structure of the apparatus 110 is similar to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The solar-thermal collection apparatus of FIG. 11 further includes a pressure sensor 1103, and a depressurization apparatus, such as a vent valve 1104 positioned on a cover 1102C, wherein the vent valve 1104 penetrates through another cover 1101C and connects with a mechanical knob 1105. When the pressure sensor 1103 senses that the pressure inside the solar-thermal converter is greater than a predetermined safe value, the sensor 1103 will generate a signal, for example, an alarm, to remind the user to manually vent the solar-thermal converter by turning the mechanical knob 1105. The light collection system includes a light collection apparatus and a Fresnel lens 1110. In the present embodiment, the Fresnel lens 1110 is not connected with the solar-thermal collection apparatus.

The incident solar ray has a focal point 1109 generated by the light collection system, and after passing thorough the focal point 1109, the ray is guided to the space between the solar-thermal converter and the thermal resistance body. However, the number and the position of the opening 1108 are not limited to those of the present embodiment. One or a plurality of the openings can be positioned on the wall of the thermal resistance body and can be connected to the light collection apparatus. At the outside of the thermal resistance body can be positioned a light collection apparatus with a greater light collecting area, and the combination of those light collection apparatus is called a light collection system. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, if the opening is positioned at the top of the solar-thermal collection apparatus, the light collection apparatus with a greater light-collecting area can be a set of condensers or a set of Fresnel lenses.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional diagram of the solar-thermal collection system 120 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The overall structure of the apparatus 120 is similar to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The solar-thermal collection apparatus of FIG. 12 further includes a pressure sensor 1203, and a depressurization apparatus such as a vent valve 1204 positioned on a cover 1202C, wherein the vent valve 1204 penetrates only through the cover 1202C and connects with a mechanical knob 1205. When the pressure sensor 1203 senses that the pressure inside the solar-thermal converter is greater than a predetermined safe value, the sensor 1203 will generate a signal, for example, an alarm, to remind the user to open the cover 1201C and to manually vent the solar-thermal converter by turning the mechanical knob 1205. The light collection system includes two light collection apparatuses as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and a Fresnel lens 1212. In the present embodiment, the lens 1212 is not connected with the solar-thermal collection apparatus. The light collection apparatus shown in FIG. 7 is devised at the side wall of the thermal resistance body, while the one as shown in FIG. 8 is devised at the bottom of the thermal resistance body. In the present disclosure, the Fresnel lens 1212 is not connected with the solar-thermal collection apparatus.

The incident solar rays have a focal point 1205 generated by the light collection system, and after passing thorough the focal point 1205, the rays are guided to the space between the solar-thermal converter and the thermal resistance body. However, the number and the position of the opening 1206 are not limited to those of the present embodiment. One or a plurality of the openings can be positioned on the wall of the thermal resistance body and can be connected to the light collection apparatus. A light collection apparatus with a greater light collecting area is positioned on the outside of the thermal resistance body, and the combination of such light collection apparatuses is called a light collection system. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, if the opening is positioned at the top of the solar-thermal collection apparatus, the light collection apparatus with a greater light-collecting area can be a set of condensers or a set of Fresnel lenses.

FIG. 13 shows a testing result according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. According to the simulation result, water inside the solar-thermal collection apparatus reaches 100 degrees Celsius within 20 minutes under solar radiation. According to the actual test result, the apparatus as shown in FIG. 9 of the present disclosure reaches 100 degrees Celsius within 30 minutes under solar radiation. The apparatus of FIG. 9 possesses high-reflection coating and high-absorption coating. The control group is a solar-thermal collection apparatus with only high-absorption coating. Water inside the apparatus of the control group reached only 63 degrees Celsius after 30 minutes of thermal radiation. Therefore, the solar-thermal collection apparatus having both the high-reflection and the high-absorption coatings can boil the water contained within in a reasonable timeframe, hence, the purpose to make use of the solar energy to survive in emergency or outdoor recreation activity can be achieved in this preferred embodiment.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, many of the processes discussed above can be implemented in different methodologies and replaced by other processes, or a combination thereof.

Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed, that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

Claims

1. A solar-thermal collection apparatus, comprising:

a thermal resistance body;
a solar-thermal converter positioned in the thermal resistance body, wherein the volume of the solar-thermal converter is less than the volume of the thermal resistance body, and therefore a space exists between the inner wall of the thermal resistance body and the outer wall of the solar-thermal converter; and
at least one opening situated on the thermal resistance body, wherein the opening only penetrates the thermal resistance body.

2. The solar-thermal collection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner wall of the thermal resistance body further comprises a high-reflection coating comprising metal, transition metal, or the alloy thereof.

3. The solar-thermal collection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outer wall of the solar-thermal converter comprises a high-absorption coating, and the absorption rate of the high-absorption coating is greater than 30 percent.

4. The solar-thermal collection apparatus of claim 3, wherein the high-absorption coating comprises:

a major body selected from the group consisting of graphite, carbon black, dark color metal compound, dark color metalorganic compound, and the combination thereof; and
dopant selected from the group consisting of metal nanoparticles, transition metal nanoparticles, and the combination thereof;
wherein the major body and the dopant are mixed with any arbitrary ratio.

5. The solar-thermal collection apparatus of claim 4, wherein the size of the metal nanoparticles and the size of the metalorganic nanoparticles are within a range of from 1 nm to 100 nm.

6. The solar-thermal collection apparatus of claim 3, wherein the high-absorption coating comprises a planar structure or a stereoscopic microstructure.

7. The solar-thermal collection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the solar-thermal converter comprises materials with high thermal conductivity, and the materials comprise metal, transition metal, carbonaceous materials, or the alloy thereof.

8. The solar-thermal collection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shape of the opening comprises rectangle, circle, square, triangle, or polygons.

9. The solar-thermal collection apparatus of claim 8, wherein the opening is further connected to a light collection apparatus, and the light collection apparatus comprises condensers, reflective mirrors, cone-shaped light collectors, and the combination thereof.

10. The solar-thermal collection apparatus of claim 8, wherein the opening is further connected to a light collection apparatus, and the light collection apparatus comprises a waveguide, a microstructure layer, a condenser, and an optical fiber.

11. The solar-thermal collection apparatus of claim 6, wherein the microstructure of the high-absorption coating is a plurality of tetrahedrons.

12. The solar-thermal collection apparatus of claim 6, wherein the microstructure surface further comprises a high-absorption coating formed by electrical plating or anodic treatment.

13. The solar-thermal collection apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one cover configured to seal the thermal resistance body and the solar-thermal converter.

14. The solar-thermal collection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the solar-thermal converter comprises a depressurization apparatus.

15. A solar-thermal collection system, comprising;

a solar-thermal collection apparatus, comprising: a thermal resistance body; a solar-thermal converter positioned in the thermal resistance body, wherein the volume of the solar-thermal converter is less than the volume of the thermal resistance body, so that a space exists between the inner wall of the thermal resistance body and the outer wall of the solar-thermal converter; and at least one opening situated on the thermal resistance body, wherein the opening only penetrates the thermal resistance body; and
a light collection system positioned outside of the opening and configured to collect the light to the focal point of the light collection system.

16. The solar-thermal collection system of claim 15, wherein the inner wall of the thermal resistance body further comprises a high-reflection coating comprising metal, transition metal, or the alloy thereof.

17. The solar-thermal collection system of claim 16, wherein the outer wall of the solar-thermal converter comprises a high-absorption coating, and the absorption rate of the high-absorption coating is greater than 30 percent.

18. The solar-thermal collection system of claim 17, wherein the high-absorption coating comprises:

major body selected from the group consisting of graphite, carbon black, dark color metal compound, dark color metalorganic compound, and the combination thereof; and
dopant selected from the group consisting of metal nanoparticles, transition metal nanoparticles, and the combination thereof;
wherein the major body and the dopant are mixed with any arbitrary ratio.

19. The solar-thermal collection system of claim 18, wherein the size of the metal nanoparticles and the size of the metalorganic nanoparticles are within a range of from 1 nm to 100 nm.

20. The solar-thermal collection system of claim 17, wherein the high-absorption coating comprises a planar structure or a stereoscopic microstructure.

21. The solar-thermal collection system of claim 15, wherein the solar-thermal converter comprises materials with high thermal conductivity, and the materials comprise metal, transition metal, carbonaceous materials, or the alloy thereof.

22. The solar-thermal collection system of claim 15, wherein the shape of the opening comprises rectangle, circle, square, triangle, or polygons.

23. The solar-thermal collection system of claim 15, wherein the light collection system comprises condensers, reflective mirrors, cone-shaped light collectors, Fresnel lenses, or the combination thereof.

24. The solar-thermal collection system of claim 15, wherein the light collection system comprises a waveguide, a microstructure layer, a condenser, a Fresnel lens, or the combination thereof.

25. The solar-thermal collection system of claim 15, wherein the focal point of the light collection system is positioned at the opening.

26. The solar-thermal collection system of claim 15, further comprising at least one cover configured to seal the thermal resistance body and the solar-thermal converter.

27. The solar-thermal collection system of claim 15, wherein the solar-thermal converter comprises a depressurization apparatus.

Patent History
Publication number: 20130206135
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 22, 2013
Publication Date: Aug 15, 2013
Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE (HSINCHU)
Inventor: Industrial Technology Research Institute
Application Number: 13/747,284
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Solar Oven (126/681)
International Classification: F24J 2/02 (20060101);