초록 ▼

A modular solar energy collector having elongated V-shaped side walls formed by a pair of coplanar panels for each side wall. The upper panels, occupying most of the wall area are diffusely reflective, but the lower panels are specularly reflective. A Fresnel lens, having a snap fit relation to the

A modular solar energy collector having elongated V-shaped side walls formed by a pair of coplanar panels for each side wall. The upper panels, occupying most of the wall area are diffusely reflective, but the lower panels are specularly reflective. A Fresnel lens, having a snap fit relation to the side walls focuses some light on the lower specularly reflective panels which direct light to the solar cells at the base of the V-shaped walls. A heat sink provides support for the two panels with two opposed, upwardly extending wings terminating in opposed linear clips located near the lengthwise seam of the coplanar panels, each clip holding two coplanar panels in parallel alignment. The clips not only provide support for the panels, but also transfer heat to the remainder of the heat sink. The clips are shaped so that edges of the panels engage each clip by a snap fit, outside of the clip in one embodiment and inside of the clip in another embodiment. End caps are also formed with structures which snap to the wall panels. Since all junctions of components snap together, the collector of the present invention is easily assembled without specialized tools. Using side walls which are only partly specularly reflective permits a large angle of acceptance, yet provides an economical wall design because the entire wall need not be specularly reflective.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A modular solar energy conversion unit for assembly comprising:an elongated housing having opposed convergent wall members, each wall member having upper and lower reflector panels with co-extensive lengthwise extent, the lower panel being specularly reflective, the panel

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A modular solar energy conversion unit for assembly comprising:an elongated housing having opposed convergent wall members, each wall member having upper and lower reflector panels with co-extensive lengthwise extent, the lower panel being specularly reflective, the panels having edges with one edge of each panel being bent, the housing having distal ends with an end cap closing each end,a pair of linear clips engaging bent edges of each panel in opposed panels,a heat sink, with a base and upright wings supporting the linear clips, panel member,a curved Fresnel lens removably disposed between upper edges of the wall members with snap fasteners, anda plurality of solar cells disposed on the base of the heat sink in optical communication with said Fresnel lens, whereby wall members may clipped together and the Fresnel lens snapped to the wall members for an assembly of the unit.