Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1 1 7~935
CONCENTRATING VACUUM ISOLATED SOLAR
ENERGY COLLECTION APPARATUS EMPLOYING REFLECTOR
Background of the Invention
The rapid expansion of the world's population
coupled with the accelerated techrological development of
large sectors of the world has produced a dramatic increase
in the demand for energy in all forms including fuels and
electricity for heating, lighting, transportation and
manufacturing processes. The construction of hydroelectric
facilities ana the development of fossil fuel resources has
continued at a rapid rate but it becomes increasingly evident
that these efforts are inadequate to keep pace with the
demands of the growing population.
Until recently, the development of solar energy
collectors for commercial use has been largely directed to
the flat plate collector which is made of metal and glass
with one or more layers of glass laid over a blackened plate.
Air spaces are provided between layers of glass and air or
water passes through these tubes under the metal plate to
remove the collected energy. The layers of glass in cooperation
with the blackened plate act as a heat trap, letting in the
sun's rays but keeping most of the heat from escaping again.
A major disadvantage of the flat plate collector
is that it must be very large in order to collect sufficient
energy, the large size resulting in part from the fact that
except for brief periods during the day its surface is not
perpendicular to the rays of the sun.
Prior Art
Parabolic reflectors have been utilized in the past
along with sun-tracking mechanisms in connection with various
-1-
1 ~ 70935
schemes for the collection, conversion and utilization of solar energy.
Variations of such equipment are described in United States Patents
1,162,505; 2,803,591; 3,118,437 and 4,000,734.
Further, the inventor of this application has obtained U.S.
patent 4,253,445 entitled "Concentrating Vacuum Insulated Solar Energy
Collection Apparatus", issued March 3, 1981.
I-leretofore, heat exchangers, particularly of the type adapted
to collect cold or heat, have been constructed either with a series of
tubes embedded in a flat reflective surface or have comprised a curved or
semi-cylindrical reflector ~;th a round tube mounted at approximately its
focal point with U.S. Patents 1,946,184 and 3,847,136 being representative
thereof. Relative to this latter form of the prior art, fins or vanes
have been molmted about the tube in an effort to obtain more efficiency
from the unit.
At best, the prior art heat exchangers have been extremely
inefficient even to the point where it is necessary to incorporate thereinto
an elaborate system of gears and racks or other means to shift or otherwise
change the position of the exchange or collector unit so that its relative
position to the source of heat will remain constant.
While such prior art inventions do suggest workable approaches for
the realization of the important objectives involved, the particular imple-
mentation described in these patents have in general fallen short of what
is required in a low-cost and practical system.
Summary of the Invention
_
In accordance with the invention claimed, an improved vacuum
isolated solar energy collecting and converting apparatus is provided which
is compact, inexpensive and efficient by virtue of its uniquely designed
configuration.
It is, therefore, one object of this invention to provide an
improved vacuum isolated heat energy accumulator, storage and converting
apparatus which employs reflective means for selectively collecting and
1 ~ 7~935
converting solar energy through a vacuum isolating shield.
Another object of this invention is to provide a compact and
inexpensive solar energy collecting apparatus employing a means for
supporting a vacuum enveloping housing around the energy collecting
structure and employing a novel refractive housing and reflective shield.
A further object of this invention is to provide such an inex-
pensive solar energy collector structure which achieves maximum energy
collection throughout the day without the need of an expensive solar
tracking mechanism.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a novel
heat retrieving mechanism which selectively transmits this form of
energy back through the vacuum with little or no radiational loss thereof.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a
protective cooling means around the accumulator for accommodating inten-
sified solar rays passing therethrough and into the accumulator core and
serving as a preheating means for other utilitarian use.
Thus, in accordance with a broad aspect of the invention, there
is provided an improved heat exchange means comprising: a pair of
concentrically arranged inner and outer spaced, closed objects, said inner
object comprising a material to be heated by solar rays impinging on at
least a part of its outer periphery, the space between said objects con-
taining less than atmospheric pressure therein, said outer object being at
least partially transparent for transmitting solar rays to said inner
object, an energy transfer means arranged within the space between said
objects for selectively moving into contact with and away from the outer
periphery of said inner object, a control means for selectively controlling
the movement of said energy transfer means, and a cover spacedly positioned
and coaxially arranged around said inner and outer objects, said covering
defining between it and the outer periphery of said outer object a fluid
conducting space.
Further objects and advantages of this invention will become
apparent as the following description proceeds and the
- 3 -
.
I 1 709~5 ~ ~
,,
features of novelty which characterize this invention will be
pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and
forming a part of this specification.
Brief Description of the Drawing
The present invention may be more readily described
by reference to the accompanying drawing in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a solar ray accumu-
lator arranged within a solar ray concentrator and employing
a movable fluid conducting reflector;
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 1 taken
along the line 2-2;
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 2 taken
along the line 2-2;
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 1 taken
along the line 4-4;
Fig. 5 is an enlargement of the circled area in
Fig. 4 identified by the reference numeral 5; and
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a modification
of the bearing structure for the shaft of the movable shoe
shown in Figs. 1 and 5.
D cri ion of the Preferred Embodiment
es pt
Referring more particularly to the drawing by
characters of reference, Figs. 1-4 disclose a solar energy
collection and conversion apparatus 10 utilizing a pair of
coaxially arranged spacedly positioned close ended cylinders
11 and 12 which are maintained in this spaced arrangement by
a plurality of intersecting spacers 13 and 14. These spacers,
as shown more clearly in Fig. 4, comprise triangular configu-
rations, the apexes of which intersect in a lateral manner
--4--
1170.g35
so as to maintain between the outer surface llA of cylinder
11 and the inner surface 12A of cylinder 12 a space 15 which
is maintained in a suitable vacuum condition by withdrawing
the air or atmosphere therebetween by a suitable vacuum pump
and its control means (not shown) through a suitable valve
16. The spacers may comprise anticline and syncline configu-
rations.
The spacers 13 and 14 maintain the two cylinders
11 and 12 in a given spaced arrangement but each spacer, strut
or separating means forms a conductive path for the flow of
energy, i.e., heat, cold or the like from one wall or surface
of the other cylinder and vice versa across the space 15.
Accordingly, the number of spacers and their design
configuration should be so configured to limit and control
the number of such paths and the size thereof to control the
energy flow therealong. The A-shaped configuration of the
spacers 13 and 14 provides a strong and reinforced support
for the closely positioned walls while limiting the energy
flow paths through the reinforcements between the cylinders.
It should be noted that the apexes of the reinforcements 13
engage the apexes of the reinforcements 14. This limited
substantially lined or limited area contact between the rein-
forcements greatly limits the energy flow path between the
cylinders and thereby preserves the energy of the retaining
cylinder.
In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the
inner cylinder 11 is intended to contain a suitable medium
which may be water or any other fluid filling or partially
filling cylinder 11 which is intended to be heated by the sun's
rays penetrating the walls of the outer cylinder and the vacuum
--5--
1 ~ 70935
space 15 and impinging on the walls of the cylinder 11.
The walls of cylinder 11 may be transparent or of black
absorbing character so that by absorption, conduction or
otherwise, the rays of the sun may be absorbed by the cylinder
walls and the medium inside of it and converted into heat
energy. If so desired, part of the walls of cylinder 11
may be transparent or opaque, as desired.
The outer cylindrically shaped cylinder 12 is
transparent and acts as a refractor for the sun's rays
directing those rays, striking its outer surface obliquely,
through its walls to the inner cylinder 11. If the outer
cylinder 12 is substantially larger than cylinder 11, solar
rays are collected by cylinder 12 and through refraction,
directed to cylinder 11 thereby reducing the need for reflec-
tor collecting devices. Since the outer cylinder 12 may be
a hollow shell and contain a liquid moving through the shell,
cylinder 12 may be adequately cooled thereby reducing the
deteriorating effect of the heat of the sun's rays. The
heat is due to the intensified reflected and refracted light
received by it.
Thus, the inner cylinder becomes a heat absorber,
intensifier or accumulator with little if any loss of its
heat by radiation or conduction since it is encased in a
vacuum formed between inner and outer cylinders 11 and 12.
It should be noted that the inner cylinder continues to inten-
sify in temperature since very little heat is lost through
the spacers or reinforcements 13 and 14.
In order to retrieve the heat energy from the inner
cylinder when needed, an energy transfer means 17 is provided.
This transfer means may comprise any suitable means but for
purpose of illustration is shown as a brake shoe like structure
18 arranged within the space 15 between the cylinders 11 and 12
~ 1 7093S
which is reciprocally mounted so as to engage with the outer
periphery of cylinder 11 and move away therefrom. One
suitable means for moving the shoe-like structure 18 into
engagement with cylinder 11 and away therefrom may comprise an
attached electric motor 19, the rotor 20 of which is threadedly
connected by means of a shaft 21 through the walls of the
outer configuration 12. Rotation of motor 19 in one direction
causes the shoe-like structure 18 to engage the outer periphery
of the inner cylinder 11 and through conduction transfer the
heat energy of the medium of cylinder 11 into the shoe-like
structure 18 and through the bearing and guiding shafts, flexible
hoses or pipes 22 and 23 of the transfer means 17 to a heat
utilization apparatus (not shown).
As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the shoe-like structure
may be of an arcuate configuration so that it conforms to the
outer surface of the inner cylinder when in engagement there-
with.
In order to more readily transfer the heat of the
inner cylinder 11 to a heat utilizing means, the shoe-like
structure 18 is shown as a hollow configuration through which
water or other fluid flows by means of pipes 22 and 23 absorb-
ing by conduction the heat of cylinder 11 and transporting
this heat through the vacuum space 15 to the outside world.
Although a motorized means is used to move the shoe-
like structure to and from cylinder 11, it should be recognized
that a suitable hand lever or crank may be used, if so desired.
The controls 25' for the transfer means 17 selectively
control the direction of rotation of motor 19 and the operation
of pump 26 which circulates water through the shoe-like struc-
ture 18 when the structure is in engagement with the outer
periphery of the inner cylinder 11.
1 ~ 70935
It should be recognized that although two coaxial
cylinders 11 and 12 are shown, these cylinders may be one
within the other but not coaxially aligned and still fall
within the scope of this invention. Further, the cylinders
could be replaced by any other geometrical configuration, such
as, for example, hollow spheres, prisms and the like.
It should be noted that an electrical switching
means 30 and the associated heating means 31 shown in Fig. 9
of the copending application and Fig. 4 of this application
may be utilized to heat the interior of cylinder 11 for compen-
sating for the lack of sun on cloudy days. A solar ray sensor
33 connected thereto could be used to energize the heating
resistance when the sun is not shining enough to heat the
inner object sufficiently.
Energization of the resistance 31 will also provide
a way to heat the contents 33 of cylinder 11 so that heat may
be stored in cylinder 11, as desired, from a public utility at
a time when the rates are the lowest and used when needed such
as during cloudy days when solar energy is not available or
to boost a dissipated stored solar energy supply.
It should be noted that cylinder 11 could be of a
solid material and could accumulate energy from the sun until
it became unstable when the vacuum surrounding it is maintained.
To eliminate a too high stored energy level of either
the inner cylinder 11 or outer cylinder 12 whether it comprises
a solid member or a hollow member containing a suitable fluid,
suitable controls such as controls 25' shown in Fig. 1 may be
used to move the shoe-like configurations 18 into contact
with the inner cylinder 11 when desired to bleed off excess
heat. This excess heat can be then transmitted to a suitable
1 ~ 70935
storage device outside of the heat exchange means 10. A
cover 34 may be concentrically mounted around outer cylinder
12 to form a transparent or opaque cover for the accumulator
and may shade or partially shade the apparatus from the sun
if the temperature in the inner cylinder becomes too hot.
Further, it may be hollow and fluid conductive, if so desired.
Further, it should be noted that an external source
of heat may be used such as, for example, a waste steam by-
product, geothermal energy, and other forms which may be
conducted through the shoe-like configuration 18 when in con-
tact with cylinder 11 for heating the inner cylinder 11 whether
hollow containing a liquid or solid. When heated, the inner
cylinder then may serve as a source of heat for withdrawal
later and used through the shoe-like configuration 18 in the
manner disclosed.
As shown more clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, the hollow
pipes or shafts 22 and 23 which form the ingress and egress
passages for fluid through the hollow interior of the shoe-like
structure 18 are each insulatingly covered by a finned housing
35, the hollow interior of which is in communication with the
hollow vacuumed area 36 arranged between cylinders 11 and 12.
Each of the shafts 22 and 23 are spacedly arranged within the
hollow interior of housing 35 by a pair of spacers or reinforce-
ments 13' similar to spacers or reinforcements 13, shown in
Fig. 1. A hollow housing 35A may cover the fins as shown in
dash lines in the drawing for containing a fluid moving there-
through for cooling purposes, if so desired.
A similar housing 36 may be formed around the threaded
drive shaft l9A of motor 19 to keep it from overheating and
conducting heat away from outer wall or cylinder 12.
_g _
1 17û93S
It should be noted that the space between cover 34
and outer cylinder 12 may be used to hold heat and transmit
outwardly thereof through a pipe 37 suitable fluid 38 such as
gas or water as a further heat generating means. In other
words, some of the heat directed to the inner cylinder 11 may
be captured in fluid 38 and used for a useful purpose prior
to its reaching the inner cylinder 11 of the accumulator 10.
In accordance with the teachings of this invention,
one or more pivotally mounted reflecting means 40 may be pro-
vided which is attached to the ends of housing 34 by suitable
pins 41 through a pair of arms 42 one positioned at each end
of the apparatus. This reflecting means may comprise an arcuate
configuration having an arcuate or concave inner reflecting and
concentrating surface 43 which may be manually or automatically
positioned at various arcuate positions around the apparatus
to capture and reflect the sun's rays onto housing 34 and in
turn the inner cylinder 11, as shown by the arrows A in Fig.
4. The dash line illustration of the reflecting means 40
indicates the positioning and use of this device for sun
shielding purposes when the accumulator has reached its tem-
perature limit.
It should be noted that a concave reflector positioned
a sufficient distance from the outer cylinder 12 and of suffic-
ient arcuate configuration can reflect light to the accumulator
at all times from rising to setting sun.
As evident from Figs. 4 and 5, the pivotally mounted
reflective means 40 may comprise a hollow configuration that
is capable of receiving through port 44 and exiting through
port 45 a suitable fluid 46 which is heated by the rays of the
sun prior to the rays being concentrated and reflected through
the transparent housing 34, the medium between the inner
--10--
1170935 : .1
, ..
periphery of housing 34 and outer cylinder 12 to the inner ,~
- ~ cylinder 11 forming the accumulator.
Fig. 6 is a modification of the bearing assembly
shown in Figs. 1 and 4 wherein the hollow space 47 in housing
48 is in communication with the space 38 within cover 34. `
This space improves the isolating qualities of housing 48
~for the movable shaft l9A of shoe-like structure 18.
Although but a few embodiments of the invention have
been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those
skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may
be made therein without departing from the spirit of the
invention or from the scope of the appended claims.
