US4052976A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-tracking solar concentrator with a high concentration ratio
Assignee: Energy Research and Development Administration ERDA
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Filing: 1976-06-30
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Granted: 1977-10-11
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Expires: 1996-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A nontracking solar concentrator with a high concentration ratio is provided. The concentrator includes a plurality of energy absorbers which communicate with a main header by which absorbed heat is removed. Undesired heat flow of those absorbers not being heated by radiant energy at a particular instant is impeded, improving the efficiency of the concentrator.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry Hinterberger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:14
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S30/00; F24S30/40; F24S30/42; F24S30/425; F24S20/00; F24S20/20; F24S23/00; F24S23/70; F24S23/71; F24S23/74; F24S23/79; F24S2023/83; F24S2023/833; F24S2023/86; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/47
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
In a radiant energy concentration and collection device having a reflector for concentrating incident radiation to a location with the position of the location varying with time, and an energy receiver upon which the location is directed, the improvement in said receiver comprising: a header, a plurality of bulbs, and thin tubes, each of said thin tubes coupling one of said bulbs to said header, said bulbs being positioned in the receiver so that the location is always incident on at least one bulb, said bulbs containing a fluid, with the location incident on a particular bulb the fluid therein boils, thereby producing heated gas which collects in said header, and utilization means coupled to said header for utilizing said heated gas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
In a radiant energy concentration and collection device having a reflector for concentrating incident radiation to a location with the position of the location varying with time, and an energy receiver upon which the location is directed, the improvement in said receiver comprising: a header, a plurality of bulbs, and thin tubes, each of said thin tubes coupling one of said bulbs to said header, said bulbs being positioned in the receiver so that the location is always incident on at least one bulb, said bulbs containing a fluid, with the location incident on a particular bulb the fluid therein boils, thereby producing heated gas which collects in said header, and utilization means coupled to said header for utilizing said heated gas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the reflector concentrates indicent radiation to a point with said point being the location.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The receiver of claim 2 further including a plurality of secondary concentrators, each being positioned between one of said bulbs and the reflector for further concentrating radiation directed by the reflector to the receiver.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
106 words
The receiver of claim 3 further including conduit means coupling each of said bulbs to said header and wherein the top of each of said tubes extends into said header, said fluid occupying a portion of said header below the height of said tops of said tubes and communicates between said bulbs, said tubes, said conduit means and said header, with the location incident on a particular bulb the fluid therein boils with said heated gas travelling via said tube and collecting in the unoccupied portion of said header and thereby being separated from said bulbs by said fluid in said occupied portion of said header.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The receiver of claim 4 wherein said tubes are a material having a low thermal conductivity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The receiver of claim 5 wherein said tubes are of stainless steel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The receiver of claim 3 further including a conduit positioned within said header and having within a heat transfer material, said heat transfer material absorbing heat from said heated gas in said conduit, said utilization means being coupled to said conduit for utilizing the heat absorbed by said heat transfer material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
10 words
The receiver of claim 7 wherein said conduit is finned.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The receiver of claim 3 wherein said secondary concentrators are conical.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The receiver of claim 9 further including means for varying the height of said secondary concentrators.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The receiver of claim 10 wherein said secondary concentrators are permanently mounted on said receiver and are so arrayed that the location is incident on at least one secondary concentrator during desired collection times.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1946184A
Cited
US3875926A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-10-10 | 1981-04-11 | 1981-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-10 | 1985-04-11 | 1985-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-10 | 1989-04-11 | 1989-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |