Abstract: A roof comprises a solar radiation heat recovery device that is invisible from the outside. The roof is made up of supports receiving a heat transfer network which has a longitudinal groove designed to receive the male profile of the protrusion of the heat recovery modules. The supports comprise arms which exert a lateral pressure on the flexible network. The resilient deformation of the network permits the sliding thereof between the arms to the clamped position. The groove of the network closes around the protrusion, immobilizing the module and holding the assembly in the support fixed to the roof frame. The roof is particularly intended to recover solar radiation heat in a way that is aesthetically pleasing, economical, simple and easy to install.

Abstract: A receiver system for a Fresnel solar plant is provided. The system includes an absorber tube defining a longitudinal direction and a mirror array that runs parallel to the longitudinal direction. The mirror array has a mirror-symmetrical curve profile having at least one top apex for concentrating light beams onto the absorber tube. The mirror array has ventilation holes in the region of the apex.

Abstract: In a solar receiver arrangement 300 with a support structure 600, the support structure 600 includes a plurality of tie members 700 for tangentially coupling a plurality of tubes 510, for forming at least one receiver panel 500, in such a manner that the at least one tie member 700 is coupled in at least one crotch portion 520 between a pair of tubes 510. The support structure 600 further includes a plurality of panel support members 800 coupled to the receiver panel 500 selectively in at least one crotch portion 520 between a pair of tubes 510. Furthermore, at least one latching member 900 is configured to detachably attach the plurality of panel support members 800 for engaging the plurality of receiver panels 500.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solar collector (1) comprising a collector element plane comprising a set of parallel metallic collector elements (2) for collecting solar energy. The collector element plane, on its side to be arranged to face the sun, comprises a set of parallel, elongated ridges (R, r) formed by the metallic collector elements (2), and elongated depressions (v) between the ridges (R, r), and that at least some of the ridges (R, r) comprise therein a channel (3) for a heat transfer medium. The invention also relates to a collector element. The invention further relates to a building roof, a building, and a solar energy recovery system comprising said solar collector (1).

Abstract: This invention relates to solar engineering. The solar collector, which comprises a closed enclosure and an absorber 5 with channels for a liquid heat carrier, is designed in the form of a cylindrical portion having radius R1 and an axis coinciding with the axis of the central cylindrical portion 1 of the enclosure. The absorber 5 consists of thin-walled, interconnected modules. The modules are provided with bulges on the rear side thereof, in which channels with slots are made for arranging pipes forming heat-carrier flowing channels. In addition, the absorber can be designed in the form of a storage tank. The shape of the collector is optimized in such a way that the axes of the two lateral cylindrical portions 2 thereof are remote at distance L and the central cylindrical portion 1 is as remote as possible from a plane 3 tangential to the lateral cylindrical portions 2 at a distance H having the defined ratio of geometric parameters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solar collector (1) comprising a collector element plane comprising a set of parallel metallic collector elements (2) for collecting solar energy. The collector element plane, on its side to be arranged to face the sun, comprises a set of parallel, elongated ridges (R, r) formed by the metallic collector elements (2), and elongated depressions (v) between the ridges (R, r), and that at least some of the ridges (R, r) comprise therein a channel (3) for a heat transfer medium. The invention also relates to a collector element. The invention further relates to a building roof, a building, and a solar energy recovery system comprising said solar collector (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sun collector comprising a flat absorber body (1) on or in which one or more absorber channels (17) for the flow of a heat transfer medium are configured. In areas which are not occupied by the one or more absorber channels (17), the absorber body (1) of the present sun collector has penetrable openings (4, 10, 13) for sunlight to pass through. The sun collector therefore provides the double function of a sun collector with a partially transparent sun protection device.

Abstract: A method for producing a solar heat absorber for a solar collector, the solar heat absorber having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The method includes the steps of providing a first and a second substantially flat metal plate, laser welding the plates together at least along a perimeter of the plates, providing at least a circumferential weld while pressing the plates together, placing the welded plates in a press that provides its pressure at the weld or welds and the press applying a pressure of at least 200 tons per m2 of absorber, and then providing a fluid under a pressure to the absorber via at least one of the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A solar collector includes a first header, a second header and one or more riser tubes that connect the first header and second header. The solar collector is mounted to a surface, e.g., a roof, such that the headers are substantially parallel to a horizontal axis. The first header is curved so as to define a low point that facilitates drainage of liquid from the solar collector.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting solar panels to structural surfaces includes a frame member adapted to receive and retain a first end portion of a solar panel, and a mounting foot adapted for attachment to the structural surface, wherein the frame member and the mounting foot are adapted for interlocking engagement with each other to mount an end of a solar panel on the structural surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for employing solar thermal energy for heating are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system is disclosed, in which a thermal-fluid-filled solar-thermal panel that has been sealed to prevent leakage of the thermal fluid. In other embodiments, a method of sealing a solar thermal panel is disclosed. In one preferred embodiment, the solar thermal panel is sealed by applying heat to one edge of the solar thermal panel, thereby melting the edge and forming a seal.

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

Abstract: An absorber for a solar heating panel, designed to contain heat-bearing liquid, and including first and second metal plates fixed to each other in a sealed manner, a matrix of geometrical shapes applied in relief on each of the first and second plates, with the matrices being staggered so as to trace a path for the circulation of heat-bearing liquid in the absorber, and first and second end-pieces placed at the ends of either of the plates so as to provide for circulation of heat-bearing liquid in the absorber, wherein the metal plates are copper plates, and in that non-traversing mechanical connecting means are used to attach the two copper plates together.

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 method for forming a solar collector includes a panel provided with an inner bore and a deformable metal tube inserted in the bore and mechanically secured thereto by passing a plug or bullet through the tube to deform it outwardly into intimate contact with the panel such as to maximize the heat transfer therebetween and to substantially eliminate any possibility of corrosion by keeping the tube in constant compression. The tube can carry a liquid, such as water or glycol, which is heated by the panel exposed to radiant solar heat. The so formed solar collector typically uses a copper tube and an extruded aluminum panel. A number of parallel conduits connected at their opposite ends to common main inlet and outlet copper pipes may be provided with the panels of adjacent conduits mating together while allowing for relative movement therebetween but without the forming of gaps therebetween.

Abstract: A solar heat collecting panel having three stacked compartments enclosed within a frame. A pair of similar spaced apart parallel clear plastic sheets form the top and bottom of the uppermost compartment. The middle compartment is formed by the bottom sheet of the uppermost compartment and a similar parallel spaced apart sheet. A metallic heat absorption sheet lies parallel to the bottom sheet of the uppermost compartment and is spaced between the top and bottom sheets of the middle compartment. The upper side of the metallic sheet is covered with a black coating. The lowermost compartment is formed by the bottom sheet of the middle compartment and a similar parallel spaced apart sheet lying beneath the bottom sheet of the middle compartment. The five sheets of the solar heat collecting panel may be either flat or contour-profiled.

Abstract: A nonimaging solar collector. A method and article of manufacture of a solar collector includes an outer housing transparent to light, a reflector element positioned within the outer housing, an absorber concentrically disposed relative to the outer housing, and a heat conduction fin coupled to the absorber and having a wedge shape which tapers to a smaller thickness as a function of increasing radial separation from the absorber.

Abstract: A device for absorbing heat energy, in particular a solar panel, includes a housing in the form of a frame-shaped rack. The housing has a cover which allows the radiant energy to enter. Several collector tubes are disposed below the cover and between a distributor tube and a gathering tube. The collector tubes are provided with wing-shaped collector elements. The collector tubes are rotatably mounted such that the collector elements can follow the position of the radiation source, such as the sun. The collector elements are thereby disposed at a mutual spacing such that a shading from the adjacent collector element is prevented, even at the lowermost position of the sun. The collector elements are further provided with a heat absorbing coating on both sides, and reflectors are provided below the collector elements as seen in the direction of the incoming heat radiation.