Abstract: A solar receiver (2) comprises a housing (4) defining a receiver chamber (12) and an aperture (14); a window (16) mounted in the aperture (14); at least two inlet means (17) axially spaced from the window (16) and positioned at different distances therefrom for the injection into the receiver chamber (12) of different flows of workind fluid; an outlet means (18) for the ejection of the working fluid out of the receiver chamber (12); and absorption control means for the provision of the different flows of the working fluid with different capability to absorb solar radiation

Abstract: A bottom supported solar receiver tube/header assembly having a bottom clip for supporting the entire load of a plurality of tubes carrying a heat absorbing fluid. The tubes are allowed to expand vertically upwardly under thermal flux conditions created when the fluid absorbs heat from the solar receiver panel. A receiver panel assembly incorporating a plurality of the bottom supported receiver tubes requires less piping than a comparably sized, conventional receiver panel assembly with top supported tubes and even better facilitates access and maintenance of valves associated with the receiver panel assembly. The invention further allows a solar receiver panel assembly to be constructed with significantly fewer drain and vent valves than previously developed, top supported receiver panel assemblies.

Abstract: A solar thermal energy transmission system having a bellows that sealingly interconnects a first structure to a second structure is disclosed. The bellows includes a surface that is compatible with a molten salt and is configured to resiliently deform in response to contraction and expansion of at least one of the first and second structures, to thereby accommodate relative movement of the structure(s) to which it is coupled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a collector module (1) comprising a collector pipe (2) which has a inlet (9) and an outlet (10) for the heat transfer medium. Said collector module (1) also comprises at least one co-axially cross-flown collector pipe (3) which has a jacket pipe (4), an absorber pipe (5) and a co-axial pipe (6). The aim of the invention is to produce a collector module which has good mounting qualities as well as good sealing abilities and increased endurance. According to the invention, the outlet (10) comprises at least one hollow nipple (12) which extends in the radial direction of the collector pipe, whereon at least one absorbing pipe (5) is fixed in a co-axial manner, whereby at least one sealing element (15) is arranged between the nipple (12) and the absorbing pipe (5). The inlet (9) comprises at least one element (13, 20) for receiving the co-axial pipe.

Abstract: A solar heat collector constructed of non-conducting laminated and corrugated material to form a collector container with a bottom panel, a plurality of end panels that include a plurality of attached plenums with air inlet and exiting apertures and distribution apertures for air flow over and under an absorber plate. A plurality of side panels include longitudinally folded supports for an absorber plate held in place by bonding attachment to longitudinal side and underlying center supports extending upward from the bottom panel. The conductive absorber plate is positioned vertically to allow air flow space between the plate and a cover and air flow space below the plate parallel to the centerline. In another embodiment, end and side panels including the end plenums and side supports are co-extensive panels of a common multi-panel blank that is folded to form the container bottom, ends and sides.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for a solar collector having intergral control of the the maximum temperature that it can reach, thereby avoiding excessive stagnation temperatures in the collector.

Abstract: This invention provides a thin wall header fabricated from a nickel-base superalloy, UNS N06626, for the solar absorption panels in a molten nitrate salt solar central receiver. The thin wall header is obtained by using multiple flow distribution nozzles to yield the smallest diameter header having uniform flow distribution for the panel tubes while providing enough space to butt weld the tubes to the nozzles with an automatic orbital weld head and avoid overlapment of the nozzle reinforcement regions. This small diameter combined with the high allowable tensile stress of UNS N06626 results in a thin wall header. The thin wall small diameter UNS N06626 header with its low thermal expansion coefficient and small temperature gradients and differentials during cloud cover induced molten salt temperature transients yields low thermal strains in the tube nozzle to header region. The nozzles may be formed by direct extrusion from the header wall or by insert-welding a machined nozzle into the header wall.

Abstract: A solar-powered water heating system provides heated water to a pool in an aesthetically-pleasing, leak-resistant manner. The invention provides a heat gathering unit disposed in a tray that fits within the deck boards of a typical roof. Shingles are disposed over the heat gathering unit and any leaks that occur within the heat gathering unit flow out over the top of the shingles. A drain conduit is provided below supply and return pipes so that any leaks flowing out of the supply and return pipes and their connections with the heat gathering unit will be directed out of the building structure to a location where the leak may be readily detected.

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

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

Abstract: A solar collector has a distribution and collecting unit having a housing and a distribution channel and a connecting channel arranged in the housing. Collector tubes for heating a fluid medium are connected to the housing. The collector tubes have an adaptor, respectively, with a rotary closure for connecting the collector tubes to the distribution channel and the collecting channel of the housing. The adaptor is rotatably adjustable for aligning the collector tubes relative to the solar radiation in order to improve thermal output of the solar collector.

Abstract: A solar-thermal collector formed by an upper plastic layer facing solar rays and by a lower plastic layer not facing the solar rays, whereby between the two secured together plastic layers there is formed at least one hollow chamber for passage of a heat-transport medium. The upper plastic layer is transparent, and an inner surface of the upper plastic layer, which inner surface faces the hollow chamber, has an absorbing layer.

Abstract: This invention provides a thin wall header fabricated from a nickel-base superalloy, UNS N06626, for the solar absorption panels in a molten nitrate salt solar central receiver. The thin wall header is obtained by using multiple flow distribution nozzles to yield the smallest diameter header having uniform flow distribution for the panel tubes while providing enough space to butt weld the tubes to the nozzles with an automatic orbital weld head and avoid overlapment of the nozzle reinforcement regions. This small diameter combined with the high allowable tensile stress of UNS N06626 results in a thin wall header. The thin wall small diameter UNS N06626 header with its low thermal expansion coefficient and small temperature gradients and differentials during cloud cover induced molten salt temperature transients yields low thermal strains in the tube nozzle to header region. The nozzles may be formed by direct extrusion from the header wall or by insert-welding a machined nozzle into the header wall.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device for converting radiation energy into electric power, includes a front side exposed to radiation from a radiation source, a backside; and a cooling unit having a liquid medium, e.g. water, arranged between the front side and the radiation source. The liquid medium is surrounded by an envelope, and forms with the envelope a selective filter allowing passage of radiation useful for the photovoltaic effect and converting the longer wave radiation into hear which is immediately dissipated to substantially prevent heating of the photovoltaic module.

Abstract: A solar powered fluid heating system for providing a user with a cost and energy saving advantage when heating fluids includes a solar dish which includes a mirrored concave surface. A power head assembly coupled to the solar dish by a support pole extending outwardly from the solar dish. A fluid line extending through the support pole. The fluid line is coiled at a focal point of the mirrored surface of the solar dish whereby solar rays are directed by the solar dish onto the coiled fluid line for heating fluid passing through the coiled fluid line.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solar collector, comprising: a cover layer to be directed toward the incident solar radiation; a system of tubes which is thermally coupled to the cover layer and through which heat transfer medium, in particular liquid such as water, can flow between a feed connection and a discharge connection; a substantially form-stiff carrier layer supporting the tube system and the cover later. The solar collector according to the invention has the special feature that: the cover layer consists of a weather-resistant plastic roof-covering foil; the tubes consist at least partially of a plastic material welded fixedly to the cover layer; the carrier layer is provided with recesses in which the tube system is accommodated.

Abstract: A coolant sealing structure for a solar cell of which the sealing property is maintained with high reliability in use for a long period. A solar cell has its light receiving surface and a reinforced portion formed around the fringe portion of the light receiving surface. The plate member is joined with the top of the reinforced portion by means of an anode joint process. A transparent member is joined with the plate member to form a coolant passage. This structure allows the solar cell to be directly cooled with the coolant flowing through the coolant passage. Since the solar cell is joined with the plate member, separation does not occur at the joined portion under repeated temperature changes. The coolant sealing structure can be used with high reliability for a long period.

Abstract: A central solar receiver comprising a tubular housing with a central axis, a radiation admitting aperture and an absorber chamber having an outer wall, two oppositely located ends, an inner-wall-forming substantially tubular transparent window co-axial with the tubular housing. The solar receiver further comprises injection means near a first of the oppositely located ends and at least one egress opening means near a second of the oppositely located ends. The injection means are capable of injecting into the absorber chamber a multicomponent fluid mixture comprising at least one radiation absorbing component and are so designed that the fluid mixture is injected into the absorber chamber adjacent and essentially tangentially to the outer wall, whereby contact between the mixture and the window is reduced. The egress opening enables the egress of the fluid mixture from the absorber chamber.

Abstract: This invention provides a molten salt, solar central smooth tube receiver that is able to effectively absorb a peak solar flux of 1.42 MW/M.sup.2 by constructing the receiver from low cycle fatigue 625 alloy. Although higher flux levels are attainable for a smooth tube receiver by reducing the tube diameter to increase the salt's heat transfer coefficient, the receiver's size is optimized at this flux level to minimize capital and performance costs. Analogously, material provides substantial performance and capital cost improvements for receivers constructed with internally enhanced film coefficient tubes. The receiver's cost is minimized by utilizing autogenously welded and drawn tubing with the weld located at the tube's neutral axis to provide minimal strain at the weld.

Abstract: A solar heater for a swimming pool or the like is formed by heat sealing two rectangular sheets of a flexible thermoplastic material, such as black vinyl, around the peripheral edges thereof. A plurality of spaced apart heat sealed seams are formed between the two sheets. The seams have end portions alternately spaced from and joined to the sealed peripheral edge to define a plurality of passageways forming a serpentine water pathway through the collector. Inlet and outlet fittings communicate with the passageways to permit pool water to circulate in the collector to be heated therein.

Abstract: A solar heater includes one or more conduits coupled between a pair of pipes, one or more extensions are formed on each of the pipes, each of the conduits has two ends rotatably engaged in the extensions of the pipes, and a heat collecting mechanism is fixed on each of the conduits and rotated in concert with the conduits such that the heat collecting mechanism can be rotated relative to the pipes in order to adjust the directions of the heat collecting mechanisms.