초록 ▼

Apparatus and methods for concentrating and collecting solar energy are disclosed. In accordance with the invention, solar energy is concentrated by economical refringent lenses or lens systems including fluid lenses and/or Fresnel-type lenses. The lenses concentrate the solar energy preferably alon

Apparatus and methods for concentrating and collecting solar energy are disclosed. In accordance with the invention, solar energy is concentrated by economical refringent lenses or lens systems including fluid lenses and/or Fresnel-type lenses. The lenses concentrate the solar energy preferably along lines in continuous linear foci or in discrete foci at an elongated collector comprising one or more fluid-carrying conduits and one or more fluids therein. In one embodiment, a plurality of photoelectric cells are located in or on the collector along the linear foci or at the discrete foci and operate at increased efficiency with heat being removed by the collector. A first fluid in the collector is heated by the concentrated solar energy and in a preferred embodiment is used to heat a second fluid contiguous to the first fluid, the first fluid having a boiling point exceeding that of the second fluid. In a preferred embodiment, the first fluid is carried in an inner conduit while the second fluid is carried by an outer conduit which encloses the inner conduit and first fluid. Thus, the two fluids can be heated to different temperatures by a single concentrating system and used for different purposes. Additionally, the invention provides for the storage of energy using two fluids of different boiling points. Also disclosed are methods and fixed and portable apparatus for distilling water containing salt or other substances by evaporation of the water and condensation of the water vapor wherein preferably the heat of condensation is recovered. The invention also provides for assemblies of individual systems to form larger systems. The present invention provides heat from solar energy at a cost competitive with heat produced from fuels.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for distilling liquids including water using solar energy, comprising container means for holding liquid to be distilled, an elongated fluid lens for concentrating solar energy in said container means, said fluid lens having upper and lower solar energy-transmitting lens plates and a solar

Apparatus for distilling liquids including water using solar energy, comprising container means for holding liquid to be distilled, an elongated fluid lens for concentrating solar energy in said container means, said fluid lens having upper and lower solar energy-transmitting lens plates and a solar energy-transmitting fluid enclosed by said lens plates and means for admitting fluid to and withdrawing fluid from said fluid lens such that said fluid can be passed through said fluid lens, said fluid lens being disposed above said container means and positioned such that rising evaporated liquid from said container means impinges upon said lower lens plate and is condensed thereon, said lower lens plate being operative to transmit at least in part the heat of condensation released by evaporated liquid condensing thereon to said fluid in said lens, and said fluid being operative to absorb at least in part the heat transmitted by said lower lens plate, said fluid lens being inclined with respect to the horizontal such that condensed liquid flows along said lower lens plate to a vertically lower portion thereof and is discharged therefrom, and liquid collecting means disposed below said lower portion of said lower lens plate for collecting condensed liquid discharged from said lower portion.