초록 ▼

A solar energy collector providing both concentrating-tracking functions and non-concentrating diffuse absorption functions in a single unit. The solar energy collector and process may provide both a higher temperature heat transfer fluid and a lower temperature heat transfer fluid for utilization i

A solar energy collector providing both concentrating-tracking functions and non-concentrating diffuse absorption functions in a single unit. The solar energy collector and process may provide both a higher temperature heat transfer fluid and a lower temperature heat transfer fluid for utilization in various processes, such as environmental conditioning, which may advantageously utilize thermal energy of two different temperatures. The solar energy thermal collector and process of this invention provides a high temperature thermal output in combination with a simplified tracking capability.

대표청구항 ▼

A multimode solar energy collector comprising: a transparent tubular body portion having end closures sealing each end of said body portion providing a fluid-tight cavity within the tube, a concentrator-reflector within the tube, a focal-line solar energy absorber in the focus of said concentrator-r

A multimode solar energy collector comprising: a transparent tubular body portion having end closures sealing each end of said body portion providing a fluid-tight cavity within the tube, a concentrator-reflector within the tube, a focal-line solar energy absorber in the focus of said concentrator-reflector, means for removal of absorbed energy from said focal-line solar energy absorber to the exterior of said tube, a diffuse solar energy absorber within the tube adapted to be in the path of reflected or diffuse solar radiation, a low temperature fluid conduit in thermal exchange relation with said diffuse solar energy absorber, heat exchanger fluid in said conduit and means for introducing and withdrawing the heat exchange fluid from said collector, said concentrator-reflector adapted to be in the path of direct solar radiation and focusing said direct radiation to said focal-line absorber and said diffuse absorber adapted to be in the path of reflected or diffuse solar radiation. The multimode solar energy collector of claim 1 wherein said focal-line energy absorber is coated with a photovoltaic material or fitted with photovoltaic cells directly converting the solar energy into electrical energy. The multimode solar energy collector of claim 1 wherein said concentrator-reflector is in movable relation to the tube.