초록 ▼

The field of this invention is solar collectors, and more particularly, the invention pertains to a flat plate collector that employs high performance thin films. The solar collector of this invention overcomes several problems in this field, such as excessive hardware, cost and reliability, and oth

The field of this invention is solar collectors, and more particularly, the invention pertains to a flat plate collector that employs high performance thin films. The solar collector of this invention overcomes several problems in this field, such as excessive hardware, cost and reliability, and other prior art drawbacks outlined in the specification. In the preferred form, the apparatus features a substantially rigid planar frame (14). A thin film window (42) is bonded to one planar side of the frame. An absorber (24) of laminate construction is comprised of two thin film layers (24a, 24b) that are sealed perimetrically. The layers (24a, 24b) define a fluid-tight planar envelope (24c) of large surface area to volume through which a heat transfer fluid flows. Absorber (24) is bonded to the other planar side of the frame. The thin film construction of the absorber assures substantially full envelope wetting and thus good efficiency. The window and absorber films stress the frame adding to the overall strength of the collector.

대표청구항 ▼

A solar collector comprising: (a) a perimetric frame defining a substantially open central portion having two spaced, substantially planar sides; (b) glazing, substantially congruent to said frame, covering one of said sides and fastened to said frame; and, (c) a thin film absorber, substantially co

A solar collector comprising: (a) a perimetric frame defining a substantially open central portion having two spaced, substantially planar sides; (b) glazing, substantially congruent to said frame, covering one of said sides and fastened to said frame; and, (c) a thin film absorber, substantially congruent to said frame, covering the other of said sides and tautly bonded around the edges to said frame, whereby said frame and said absorber cooperate to form a light-weight, high-strength monocoque structure, said absorber further comprising two substantially congruent thin films bonded together around their edges to form an envelope having a high surface area to volume ratio and openings for introducing and removing a heat transfer fluid to and from said envelope; and (d) manifold means for providing a flow of heat transfer fluid through said absorber.