Inventors:
Manu Ghela - Mesa AZ, 85210
International Classification:
F24J 210
US Classification:
126692, 126674, 126651, 126658, 126662, 126693
Abstract:
An improved solar collector pipe that directly conveys fluid to be heated and collects and transfers solar energy efficiently and directly to the internal fluid, thereby maximizing both the amount of energy transmitted to the internal fluid and the peak temperature attainable by that fluid. The solar collector pipe includes a transparent portion for admitting solar energy into the solar collector pipe. Internal to the solar collector pipe is an absorbing portion for absorbing solar energy. A conduit portion is also included and comprises a reflecting surface thereon for reflecting solar energy received through the transparent portion onto the absorbing portion. In embodiments of the invention, the transparent portion, the conduit portion, and the absorbing portion together define at least one fluid passageway for conveying the fluid. In other embodiments of the invention, an internal conduit defines a fluid passageway for conveying the fluid. The internal conduit may be supported within the solar collector pipe and supported by heat-absorbing portions, or may be placed between two solar collector pipe sections to form a single solar collector pipe with an internal conduit extending therethrough.