초록 ▼

Radiant energy such as solar energy is utilized to form a vapor from a liquid state of a material. Concentrated radiant energy is directed through a liquid lens to a target for absorption of the radiation. The target in this way is heated to a high temperature and produces steam or other vapor at hi

Radiant energy such as solar energy is utilized to form a vapor from a liquid state of a material. Concentrated radiant energy is directed through a liquid lens to a target for absorption of the radiation. The target in this way is heated to a high temperature and produces steam or other vapor at high pressure. High efficiency at low over-all cost is achieved by (1) the direct vaporization of a liquid within a collector enclosing the target structure; (2) the recovery of energy absorbed by the liquid lens; (3) the reduction in conductive and convective heat losses in the solar collector by special enclosure of the target within the collector; (4) recovery of heat as blackbody radiation from the target by using reflective walls within the enclosure and/or permitting absorption of the blackbody radiation by the liquid lens; and (5) an optional use of a heat pump effect for increasing the output of the collector.

대표청구항 ▼

a radiant energy device comprising a hollow collector having an enclosing wall, a target structure having a dark, heat-absorbing outer surface, enclosed within and spaced from said hollow collector wall, a portion of the inner surface of said collector wall having a concave curvature, a volatile flu

a radiant energy device comprising a hollow collector having an enclosing wall, a target structure having a dark, heat-absorbing outer surface, enclosed within and spaced from said hollow collector wall, a portion of the inner surface of said collector wall having a concave curvature, a volatile fluid transparent to said radiant energy but being absorptive of longer wavelengths of infra-red radiation within said concave wall portion and having a surface spaced from said target structure whereby said fluid forms a lens for converging radiant energy through said enclosing wall to said target structure, another portion of the inner surface of said collector wall being reflective to said radiant energy and extending around said target structure to direct radiant energy passing through said converging lens toward said target structure whereby said fluid is heated and vaporized by radiation emanating from said target structure, and means for removing the vapor of said volatile fluid includes means for providing a partial vacuum within said hollow collector.