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A solar energy collection system comprises hollow radiation absorber(s) in an enclosure, each absorber for filling with working fluid, to absorb radiation impinging thereon and transform its energy into heat to thereby heat the fluid. The system comprises an inlet non-return valve upstream of each a

A solar energy collection system comprises hollow radiation absorber(s) in an enclosure, each absorber for filling with working fluid, to absorb radiation impinging thereon and transform its energy into heat to thereby heat the fluid. The system comprises an inlet non-return valve upstream of each absorber, for allowing a flow of the fluid thereto; and an outlet valve downstream of each absorber for allowing a flow of the fluid out. The system comprises a measuring device for determining parameter(s) of the fluid within each absorber, which depends on the heat absorbed thereby; and a controller that controls operation of at least the outflow valve between its open state in which the fluid can flow freely out of the associated absorber, and its closed state in which the fluid filling the associated absorber is held therein for a period of time depending on a desired change of the parameter.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A solar energy collection system having a system inlet and a system outlet, the solar energy collection system comprising: one or more hollow radiation absorbers, each having an inlet end configured for being in fluid communication with the system inlet, and an outlet end in fluid communication w

1. A solar energy collection system having a system inlet and a system outlet, the solar energy collection system comprising: one or more hollow radiation absorbers, each having an inlet end configured for being in fluid communication with the system inlet, and an outlet end in fluid communication with the system outlet, each absorber configured for being filled by said fluid, to absorb solar radiation impinging thereon and transform its energy into heat and to thereby allow said fluid to be heated;an enclosure enclosing said one or more radiation absorbers, for blocking said heat from dissipating into surrounding environment;an inlet non-return valve upstream of said one or each absorber, for allowing a flow of said fluid thereto through said inlet end, while preventing backflow therefrom;an outlet valve downstream of said one or each absorber for allowing a flow of said fluid out thereof via said outlet end;a measuring device for determining at least one parameter of said fluid within said one or each radiation absorber, which depends on the amount of heat absorbed thereby; anda controller configured to control the operation of at least said outflow valve at least between an open state thereof in which said fluid can flow freely out of the associated radiation absorber, and a closed state thereof in which the fluid filling said associated radiation absorber is held therein for a period of time depending at least on a desired change of said parameter. 2. The solar energy collection system according to claim 1, further comprising an intake manifold in fluid communication with said inlet valves, for providing said inlet fluid communication for each of said absorbers via its corresponding inlet valve. 3. The solar energy collection system according to claim 1, further comprising an outtake manifold in fluid communication with said outlet valves, allowing outlet fluid communication with the outlet end of each of said absorbers via its corresponding outlet valve. 4. The solar energy collection system according to claim 3, wherein said controller is configured to selectively operate the outlet valves of a plurality of said absorbers. 5. The solar energy collection system according to claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to keep the outlet valve of at least one of the absorbers open whilst keeping the outlet valve of at least one other of the absorbers closed. 6. The solar energy collection system according to claim 4, wherein a group of at least three said absorbers is enclosed within one said enclosure, and said controller is configured to control the operation of their outlet valves in turn so that, when the outlet valve of each one of the three absorbers is open, the outlet valves of the other two absorbers are closed. 7. The solar energy collection system according to claim 1, wherein each of said absorbers within said enclosure is thermally insulated from all other absorbers in said enclosure. 8. The solar energy collection system according to claim 4, wherein said outtake manifold is disposed outside said enclosure and, said system is configured for such installation that said manifold is disposed in the shadow of said enclosure. 9. The solar energy collection system according to claim 1, wherein said outlet valve of at least some of the absorbers is disposed outside said enclosure, and said system is configured for such installation that the outlet valves of the absorbers are disposed in the shadow of said enclosure. 10. The solar energy collection system according claim 1, wherein said inlet valve is operable by energy other than electricity. 11. The solar energy collection system according to claim 1, wherein said inlet valve of each absorber is disposed within said enclosure. 12. The solar energy collection system according to claim 1, wherein said inlet valve is a check valve configured to be always open at least during the operation of the device. 13. The solar energy collection system according to claim 1, wherein said inlet valve is operable by electricity. 14. The solar energy collection system according to claim 1, wherein the inlet valves of at least some of the absorbers are disposed outside said enclosure and said system is configured for such installation that the inlet valves are disposed in the shadow of said enclosure. 15. The solar energy collection system according to claim 2, wherein said intake manifold is disposed outside said enclosure and, optionally, said system is configured for such installation that the intake manifold is disposed in the shadow of said enclosure. 16. The solar energy collection system according to claim 1, wherein said inlet valve is a control valve configured to be selectively operated by said controller between an open state at the time when said outlet valve is in the closed state, and a closed state at the time when said outlet valve is in the open state. 17. The solar energy collection system according to claim 1, wherein each said radiation absorber is interconnected serially via at least one of its valves with at least one other radiation absorber. 18. The solar energy collection system according to claim 1, wherein said measuring device is a temperature or a pressure sensor. 19. The solar energy collection system according to claim 1, configured for being installed with a closed-cycle heat exchange system. 20. The solar energy collection system according to claim 1, further comprising a bypass mechanism with a bypass valve in fluid communication with the system inlet and a bypass heater with a heater inlet in fluid communication with said bypass valve and a heater outlet in fluid communication with the system outlet. 21. The solar energy collection system according to claim 20, wherein said controller is configured to open said bypass valve when said parameter of the working fluid within none of the absorbers reaches said desired change. 22. The solar energy collection system according to claim 21, wherein said controller is configured to open energy supply to said bypass heater to heat said fluid until said parameter reaches said desired change. 23. A process of energy collection comprising: providing a solar energy collection system according to claim 1;determining at least one parameter of fluid in at least one radiation absorber of the system, which depends on the amount of heat absorbed thereby; andcontrolling the operation of an outflow control valve of said absorber at least between its open state in which said fluid can flow freely out of the absorber, and its closed state in which the fluid filling said heat absorber is held therein for a period of time depending at least on a desired change of said parameter. 24. The process according to claim 23, wherein said parameter is temperature or pressure. 25. The process according to claim 23, wherein said controlling includes opening said outlet valve of at least one absorber upon said parameter of fluid within said one absorber reaching said desired change, while keeping at least the outlet valve of one other absorber closed. 26. The process according to claim 23, wherein said inlet valves are electrically controlled valves. 27. The process according to claim 26, wherein upon said parameter for one absorber with an open outlet valve being below a desired threshold parameter, said controlling includes: closing said outlet valve of said one absorber,opening its inlet valve, allowing said absorber to be filled by said fluid,closing said inlet valve, andkeeping both the inlet and the outlet valves closed for a period of time depending at least on said desired change of said parameter. 28. The process according to claim 23, wherein said system includes at least three absorbers and said controlling includes the operation of their outlet valves in turn so that, when the outlet valve of each one of the three absorbers is open, the outlet valves of the other two absorbers are closed. 29. The process according to claim 28, wherein closing of the outlet valve of each of said three absorbers is performed at a time different from that when the outlet valve of any one of the other three absorbers is performed. 30. The process according claim 23, wherein the system comprises a first absorber with a first inlet valve and a first outlet valve and a second absorber with a second inlet valve and a second outlet valve, said first absorber being in serial fluid communication with said second absorber via said first outlet valve and said second inlet valve, and wherein said controlling includes: opening said first outlet valve upon the parameter change of fluid within said first absorber reaching a first desired change, causing said fluid to flow into said second absorber via said second inlet valve;closing said first outlet valve; and,upon the parameter change of fluid within said second absorber reaching a second desired change, opening said second outlet valve. 31. The process according to claim 23, further including providing a bypass mechanism with a bypass valve in fluid communication with the system inlet and a bypass heater with a heater inlet in fluid communication with said bypass valve and a heater outlet in fluid communication with the system outlet, and wherein said controlling further includes opening said bypass valve when in none of said absorbers said desired change of said parameter is achieved. 32. The process according to claim 31, wherein said controlling further includes closing said bypass valve when in at least two said absorbers causing said desired change is achieved. 33. The process according to claim 31, wherein said controller is configured to cause said bypass heater to heat said fluid until in the fluid therein said parameter reaches said desired change.