Abstract:
A solar cooker which has at least one biconvex lens which can concentrate solar rays onto an item to be cooked. In addition, the solar cooker utilizes a series of pulleys to rotate the lens from an angle of 45.degree. on each side of the sun's zenith in order to effectively collect the sun's rays at different times of the day.
Abstract:
A fin type radiating system is presented having an exposed rear flange for ease in installing, while improving efficiency. The resulting system is environmentally sound and durable.
Abstract:
A system for heating a fluid (5) conveyed or contained in process equipment (7) comprises a layer of transparent thermal insulation (9) which partly covers the process equipment so that a section (13) is exposed to solar radiation and thus is heated by the solar radiation and thereby heats the fluid (5). The "window" defines a form of thermal diode concentrator in that the surface area of the "window" is great than that of the exposed section (13) of the process equipment (7) and thus the "window" in effect concentrates the solar radiation onto the exposed section (13) of the process equipment, and the transparent thermal insulation (9), albeit transparent, minimises heat loss from the fluid (5).
Abstract:
A solar heating apparatus for a tank of water is disclosed which comprises a plurality of substantially planar, light absorbent strips positioned substantially vertically in spaced relationship in the water. The plurality of strips functions as a light trap for solar radiation.
Abstract:
Ventilation air for a building is preheated by providing on a south facing wall a sunlight-absorbent corrugated collector panel with the corrugations vertical, thus defining vertical channels between the panel and the wall, and vertical grooves on the exterior of the panel. Outside air passing upwardly along the channels is heated by a combination of solar heat from the panel and heat being lost from the interior of the building through the wall. Air passing upwardly along the grooves is heated by solar heat from the panel. The thus heated air is withdrawn from the channels and grooves and expelled into the interior of the building.
Abstract:
In accordance with the present invention, an improved receiving surface, preferably a reflector surface and preferably of the parabolic trough type, for a radiant solar energy collector system comprises an essentially open frame means defining the perimeter of an extended receiving surface and a plurality of elongated, flexible strips mounted on said frame means in parallel relation to one another, each of the strips having a width substantially less than one dimension of the frame means, whereby a plurality of the strips cover essentially the entire open area of the frame to form an essentially continuous receiving surface.
Abstract:
A solar energy absorber module having a molded top sheet of translucent plastic material and a molded bottom sheet of solar absorbing plastic material bonded together by circular bond indentations in the body thereof spaced from each other a distance equal to the diameter of the circular bond thereby forming a plurality of convex lens-like elliptical sites for augmentation of solar energy and a plurality of longitudinal tortuous sinusoidal channels in communication with a header at each end of the module for passage of working fluid therethrough.
Abstract:
A solar pond, including a heat absorbing fluid and an insulating layer disposed above and covering the heat absorbing fluid; wherein the insulating layer includes a body of water and fibers suspended in and dispersed throughout the body of water. The fibers have an density that is approximately the same as the density of the body of water and an index of refraction that is approximately the same as the index of refraction of the body of water. The viscosity of the insulating layer may be increased by adding a thickening agent and/or a gel thereto to thereby further suppress heat convection in the insulating layer. The insulating layer further includes membranes defining baffles or closed cells in the body of water to further suppress heat convection in the insulating layer.
Abstract:
A trough-type reflecting solar concentrator and receiver system for aerospace use is disclosed. The reflecting surface is a thin flexible sheet attached to and disposed between curved ribs. The amount of the sheet reflecting sunlight can be changed by winding the unnecessary quantity of sheet onto a roll. The focal length of the curved ribs and therefore the sheet can be changed by flexurally deforming the curved ribs by applying end loads, causing a change in the flux density at the receiver. A similar result is achieved by changing the distance between the reflecting surface and the receiver. The receiver is a photovoltaic array, thermal absorber, or a combination of both. Means for proportioning the amount of energy incident on each type of receiver is disclosed. A spectral splitting thermal absorber with scattering capability is disclosed as a pre-filter for the photovoltaic array.