초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for receiving solar energy reflected from a heliostat configuration in which the apparatus is formed of converging vanes defining cavities therebetween, and preferably converging towards a cavity. The vanes may partially or completely define an enclosed volume. Surfaces of the

A method and apparatus for receiving solar energy reflected from a heliostat configuration in which the apparatus is formed of converging vanes defining cavities therebetween, and preferably converging towards a cavity. The vanes may partially or completely define an enclosed volume. Surfaces of the vanes are provided with reflective surfaces near the outer portions of the receiver, selective surfaces at the intermediate portions and, optionally, absorbing surfaces at the interior portions. Cooling means are provided within the vanes of the receiver adjacent the selective and absorbing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, a transparent barrier is provided transverse to the vanes substantially at the change from the reflective to the selective surfaces, and an infrared absorbing heat transfer fluid is flowed inwardly from the transparent barrier to the cavity to cool the receiver and absorb energy irradiated from the vanes and cavity.

대표청구항 ▼

A radiant energy receiver comprising: a plurality of elongated vane structures arranged in a converging configuration from an exterior portion thereof to an interior throat portion thereof, the exterior to intermediate surfaces of the vanes being at least in part of a reflecting surface, and the int

A radiant energy receiver comprising: a plurality of elongated vane structures arranged in a converging configuration from an exterior portion thereof to an interior throat portion thereof, the exterior to intermediate surfaces of the vanes being at least in part of a reflecting surface, and the intermediate to interior surfaces of the vanes being at least in part of a selective surface which absorbs radiant energy striking the selective surface at a small angle of incidence, but reflects such energy impinging at a greater angle of incidence, whereby radiant energy impinging upon the exterior portions of the vane is reflected towards the converging throat of the vanes and radiant energy in the interior portion striking the selective surface at a relatively small angle of incidence as would indicate incipient or actual reversal of direction of travel of the radiant energy relative to the vanes is absorbed while that striking the selective surface at a relatively large angle of incidence is reflected into the throat of the vanes to generate elevated temperature adjacent the throat of the vanes.