Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A SOLAR RADIATION ABSORBER
REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS
Applicant hereby claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Serial No. 61/152,241, filed on February 12, 2009, entitled "A Method for
Manufacturing a Solar Radiation Absorber"; U. S. Provisional Patent
Application Serial
No. 61/153,656, filed on February 19, 2009, entitled "A Method for
Manufacturing a
Solar Radiation Absorber"; and U. S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No.
61/164,474, filed on March 30, 2009, entitled "A Method for Manufacturing a
Solar
Radiation Absorber", all applications are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a solar
radiation absorber.
BACKGROUND
Turbines are commonly used to produce electrical power. Typically, a fluid,
such as air, steam or any other gas, is compressed and heated before being
supplied to
the turbine, wherein the fluid is expanded and some of the energy content of
hot,
compressed fluid is converted to mechanical motion which is then converted to
electricity by use of a generator.
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In solar energy systems one device known in the art for heating the fluid
prior to
entering the turbine is a solar receiver. Such a receiver utilizes solar
radiation which
impinges upon a solar radiation absorber within the solar receiver. The fluid
is heated
by the absorber, and thereafter the fluid transfers the heat via the turbine
for producing
electrical power therefrom. Additionally, the heated fluid may be introduced
into any
heat consuming system for utilizing the thermal energy of the heated fluid.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention a method for manufacturing a solar absorber element forming a solar
absorber of a solar receiver including providing a substrate, placing at least
one
projection within the substrate, and attaching the projection to the substrate
with an
attachment functionality operative to attach the projection to the substrate,
thus
defining the solar absorber element, the solar absorber being configured to
allow a fluid
to flow therein and be heated by solar radiation penetrating the projection of
the solar
absorber element. Additionally, the attachment functionality includes an
indentation
formed in the projection and an attachment means designated to engage the
projection
with the substrate. Accordingly, the attachment means includes an adhesive.
Alternatively, the attachment means includes a clip.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention the indentation is
defined by perforations formed within the projection. Additionally, the
indentation is
defined by a jagged portion of the projection. Accordingly, the substrate is
formed of a
thermal insulating material. Furthermore, the- projection is formed with
perforations
therein.
There is thus provided in accordance with another embodiment of the
present invention a solar radiation absorber including at least one solar
radiation
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absorber element defining the solar radiation absorber, a substrate, at least
one
projection, and an attachment functionality operative to attach the projection
to the
substrate, thus defining the solar radiation absorber element, the solar
absorber being
configured to allow a fluid to flow therein and be heated by solar radiation
penetrating
the projection of the solar radiation absorber element. Accordingly, the
attachment
functionality includes an indentation formed in the projection and an
attachment means
designated to engage the projection with the substrate. Additionally, the
attachment
means includes an adhesive. Alternatively, the attachment means includes a
clip.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention the
indentation is defined by perforations formed within the projection.
Accordingly, the
indentation is defined by a jagged portion of the projection. Additionally,
the substrate
is formed of a thermal insulating material. Furthermore, the projection: is
formed with
perforations therein.
There is thus provided in accordance with yet another embodiment of the
present invention a solar receiver including the solar radiation absorber, an
inlet for
allowing the fluid to flow therein and to be heated within the solar radiation
absorber,
and an outlet for egress of the heated fluid therefrom.
There is thus provided in accordance with still another embodiment of
the present invention a solar radiation absorber manufacturing assembly
including a
receptacle for receiving a substrate material therein, and a plurality of
projections
operative to be embedded within the substrate material wherein the substrate
material is
in an unsolidified state. Accordingly, the projections are partially embedded
within the
substrate material. Additionally, the assembly includes an aligning element.
Furthermore, the assembly includes a cover. Accordingly, an aperture is
provided for
suction of the substrate material.
There is thus provided in accordance with a further embodiment of the
present invention a solar receiver including a solar radiation absorber
assembly
manufactured in the solar radiation absorber manufacturing assembly, an inlet
for
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allowing a fluid to flow therein and to be heated within the solar radiation
absorber
abriumii1y, tend an routlust f i-'sgr bra di the hutttud fluid thtst frum.
There is thus provided in accordance with yet a further embodiment of
the present invention a method for manufacturing a solar absorber element
forming a
solar absorber of a solar receiver including providing a substrate wherein a
substrate
material is unsolidified, placing a plurality of projections within the
unsolidified
substrate material, and solidifying the substrate material thereby embedding
the
projections within the substrate and thus defining the solar absorber element.
Accordingly, the solidifying is performed by heat. Additionally, the
projections are
formed of a perforated material. ]Furthermore, the substrate is formed of a
thermal
insulating material. Additionally, a solar receiver includes a solar radiation
absorber
formed of at least one projection placed in a substrate, the projection being
formed of a
perforated material for allowing solar radiation to penetrate therein and
thereby heat the
absorber, an inlet for allowing a fluid to flow therein and to be heated
within the solar
radiation absorber, and an outlet for egress of the heated fluid therefrom.
There is thus provided in accordance with still a further embodiment of
the present invention a solar radiation absorber including at least one solar
radiation
absorber element including a substrate, and at least one projection projecting
from the
substrate, the projection being placed within the substrate wherein a material
of the
substrate is unsolidified and thereafter the projection being embedded within
the
substrate following solidification of the material of the substrate, the solar
absorber
element being configured to allow a fluid to flow therein and be heated by
solar
radiation penetrating the projection of the solar absorber element.
Accordingly, the
projection is formed of a perforated material. Additionally, a solar receiver
includes the
solar radiation absorber an inlet for allowing the fluid to flow therein and
to be heated
within the solar radiation absorber, and an outlet for egress of the heated
fluid
therefrom.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully
u orn the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
drawings in
which:
Fig. 1 is a simplified partially pictorial, partially sectional illustration
of a
solar receiver constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of
the
present invention;
Figs. 2A - 2C are simplified pictorial illustrations of a solar radiation
absorber manufacturing assembly at an initial manufacturing stage, an
intermediate
manufacturing stage and a final manufacturing stage, respectively, constructed
and
operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a simplified exploded view pictorial illustration of a
disassembled solar radiation absorber manufacturing assembly constructed and
operative in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a simplified pictorial illustration of the solar radiation absorber
manufacturing assembly of Fig. 3 in a partially assembled state;
Fig. 5 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a solar radiation absorber
manufacturing assembly of Figs. 3 and 4 at an initial manufacturing stage;
Figs. 6A & 6B are oppositely facing simplified pictorial illustrations of
the solar radiation absorber manufacturing assembly of Figs. 3 - 5 in an
intermediate
manufacturing stage;
Fig. 7 is a simplified pictorial illustration of the solar radiation absorber
manufacturing assembly of Figs_ 3 - 6B at a final manufacturing stage, shown
in the
orientation of Fig. 6B;
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Figs. 8A - 8C are simplified pictorial illustrations of a solar radiation
absorber manufacturing assembly at an initial manufacturing stage, an
intermediate
manufacturing stage and a final manufacturing stage, respectively, constructed
and
operative in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention;
Figs. 9A and 9B are simplified pictorial illustrations of a solar radiation
absorber manufacturing assembly at an initial manufacturing stage and a final
manufacturing stage, respectively, constructed and operative in accordance
with still
another embodiment of the present invention;
Figs. IOA and 10B are simplified pictorial illustrations of a solar
radiation absorber manufacturing assembly at an initial manufacturing stage
and a final
manufacturing stage, respectively, constructed and operative in accordance
with a
further embodiment of the present invention; and
Figs. IIA, LIB and 11C are simplified pictorial illustrations of a solar
radiation absorber manufacturing assembly at an initial manufacturing stage, a
final
manufacturing stage and a bottom view of the assembly at the final
manufacturing
stage, respectively, constructed and operative in accordance with yet a
further
embodiment of the present invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following description, various aspects of the present invention will
be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details
are set
forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.
However, it
will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may
be practiced
without the specific details presented herein. Furthermore, well known
features may be
omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the present invention.
Reference is now made to Fig. 1, which is a simplified pictorial
illustration of a solar receiver constructed and operative in accordance with
an
embodiment of the present invention. As seen in Fig. 1, a solar receiver 100
comprises a
solar radiation absorber 110 for absorbing solar radiation penetrating therein
and
thereby heating a fluid flowing therein. The fluid may flow into the solar
radiation
absorber 110 via an inlet 120 and heated fluid may egress the solar radiation
absorber
110 via an outlet 124.
The solar radiation absorber 110 may comprise a plurality of solar
absorber elements 130, which are pressed together so as to form solar
radiation absorber
110. Each of the solar absorber elements 130 may be comprised of a substrate
140
supporting a multiplicity of projections 150 protruding therefrom.
The substrate 140 may be formed of any suitable material, preferably a
thermal insulating material such as silicon oxide or aluminum silicon or a
compound
comprising silicon oxide and aluminum silicon, for example.
Projections 150 may be formed of any suitable material. Preferably, the
projections 150 are formed of a material operative to allow solar radiation
and the fluid
to pass therethrough.
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It is a particular feature of the present invention that the projections 150
are structured so as to allow the projections 150 to securely sit within
substrate 140, as
will be further described in reference to Figs. 2A-11C.
Reference is now made to Figs. 2A - 2C, which are simplified pictorial
illustrations of a solar radiation absorber manufacturing assembly at an
initial
manufacturing stage, an intermediate manufacturing stage and a final
manufacturing
stage, respectively, constructed and operative in accordance with an
embodiment of the
present invention. As seen in Fig. 2A, a substrate 152 is placed in a
receptacle such as a
mold 180 at an initial stage of manufacturing wherein the substrate material
is pliable
and unsolidified.
Turning to Fig. 2B it is seen that projections 182 are placed within the
unsolidified material of the substrate 152 in any suitable arrangement.
Placement of the
projections 182 within substrate 152 may be performed in any suitable manner,
such as
manually.
As seen in Fig. 2B, the projections 182 are preferably formed with
indentations therein. For example, projections 182 may be formed of a
perforated
material thereby defining perforations 184 therein. The perforated material
may be any
suitable material, such as foam made of a ceramic material operative to
withstand
relatively high temperatures, for example. The ceramic material may be a
silicon
carbide foam or silicon infiltrated silicon carbide foam, for example. The
projections
182 may be formed in any suitable configuration.
Perforations 184 allow the substrate material to penetrate therein. A jig
(not shown) may be provided so as to prevent the dislocation of projections
182 within
substrate 152.
It is noted that alternatively projections 182 may be formed of a solid
material with apertures defined therein so as to allow the substrate material
to penetrate
therein.
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The mold 180 may be introduced into a vacuum oven and thereafter into
to a furnace, such as a high temperature furnace, for drying and solidifying
the substrate
material. In a non-limiting example the temperature of the furnace may be in
the range
of 1000-1500 C. Alternatively the substrate material may be solidified by any
heat
source or in any suitable manner.
Following removal of the mold 180 from the furnace, the mold 180 and
the jig, if provided, are removed from the substrate 152. As seen in Fig. 2C,
the
substrate material is solidified with the projections 182 embedded therein
thus forming
an absorber element 190. Wherein the projections are formed of a perforated
material it
is noted that the substrate material is utilized as an attachment means when
it solidifies
within perforations 184, thereby providing attachment functionality for
enhanced
stability of the projections 182 embedded within the substrate 152.
It is appreciated that in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention projections 182 may be formed in any suitable manner allowing any
suitable
attachment functionality to facilitate securing projections 182 to substrate
152 thereby
forming absorber element 190.
It is noted that substrate 152 of Figs. 2A-2C may be identical to substrate
140 of Fig. 1. Projections 182 of Figs. 2A-2C may be identical to projections
150 of
Fig. 1. Absorber element 190 of Fig. 2C may be identical to absorber element
130 of
Fig. 1.
Reference is now made to Figs. 3 and 4, which are a simplified exploded
view pictorial illustration of a disassembled solar radiation absorber
manufacturing
assembly constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the
present
invention and a simplified pictorial illustration of the solar radiation
absorber
manufacturing assembly of Fig. 3 in a partially assembled state, respectively.
As seen in
Fig. 3, a solar radiation absorber manufacturing assembly 200 comprises a base
202
formed of stainless steel or any other suitable material. Base 202 may
comprise a top
portion 206 defining an array of apertures 210 in a central location 212
thereof.
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Underlying central location 212 is a bottom portion 214 protruding from top
portion
206 and forming a support location for a plurality of projections 220 to be
inserted
within apertures 210 and placed within bottom portion 214.
An aligning element 230 is formed with a generally planar surface 232
defining an array of apertures 234 therein, which apertures 234 are arranged
to overlie
apertures 210. Apertures 234 are preferably shaped substancially similar to a
shape of a
bottom surface 236 of projections 220 so as to ensure projections 220 stand
substancially erect within apertures 210 and bottom portion 214, wherein
aligning
element 230 is placed on base 202, as seen in Fig. 4. Aligning element 230 may
be
formed of any suitable material, such as stainless steal for example.
It is appreciated that aligning element 230 may be obviated.
A receptacle formed as an enclosure subassembly 250 comprises an
external enclosure element 252 preferably configured as a rectangular-like
shaped
frame. A top peripheral recess 258 is defined on an upper surface 260 thereof
and a
bottom peripheral recess is defined on a bottom surface thereof (not shown)
for
allowing O-rings 262 to be placed therein. External enclosure element 252 may
be
formed of any suitable material, such as stainless steal for example.
An aperture 264 may be defined within a wall 268 forming external
enclosure element 252. It is noted that aperture 264 may be defined within any
suitable
location within the absorber manufacturing assembly 200.
An internal enclosure element 270 of enclosure subassembly 250 may be
formed in any suitable manner such as by placing inclined surfaces 272 of two
opposite
facing bars 274 on an inclined surface 276 of a wedge 278. Internal enclosure
270 is
preferably placed within external enclosure 252 thereby defining a receiving
volume
280 (Fig. 4) therein.
External enclosure element 252 and internal enclosure element 270 of
enclosure subassembly 250 may be formed of any suitable material, such as
stainless
steel, for example.
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A cover 284 is formed of a generally planer surface 286 and is arranged
to be placed upon enclosure subassembly 250 and engaged with external
enclosure
element 252 of enclosure subassembly 250 and base 202 in any suitable manner,
such as
by threads 288 inserted within bores 292, 294 and 296 of cover 284, external
enclosure
element 252 and base 202, respectively. Cover 284 may be engaged with internal
enclosure element 270 and base 202 in any suitable manner, such as by pins 298
inserted within bores 300, 302 and 304 of cover 284, internal enclosure
element 270 and
base 202, respectively. Cover 284 may be formed of any suitable material, such
as
stainless steel.
Each of projections 220 may be inserted within an aperture 210 of base
202 and partially placed within bottom portion 214. As seen in Fig. 3, a
single
projection, designated by reference numeral 318 is shown to be inserted within
an
aperture 210 and placed within bottom portion 214, thus defining a portion 320
thereof
situated within bottom portion 214 and a remaining portion 322 protruding
upwardly
from aperture 210. A sealing material, such as wax or oil, may be introduced
within
apertures 210 so as to prevent displacement of projections 220 within
apertures 210 and
additionally to prevent other materials from penetrating projection portion
320, as will
be further described hereinbelow. Insertion of the projections 220 within
apertures 210
and introduction of the sealing material therein may be performed in any
suitable
manner, such as manually.
Projections 220 may be formed of any suitable material. Preferably, the
projections 220 are formed of a material operative to allow solar radiation
and the fluid
to pass therethrough. The projections 220 are preferably formed with
indentations
therein. For example, projections 220 may be formed of a perforated material
thereby
defining perforations 330 therein. The perforated material may be any suitable
material,
such as foam made of a ceramic material operative to withstand relatively high
temperatures, for example. The ceramic material may be silicon carbide foam or
silicon
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infiltrated silicon carbide foam, for example. The projections 220 may be
formed in any
suitable configuration.
Aligning element 230 may be thereafter placed over base 202 and
projections 220 so as to prevent displacement of projections 220 within
apertures 210
and to ensure projections 220 stand erect therein. External enclosure element
252 of
enclosure subassembly 250 may be placed upon base 202 and house two opposite
facing
bars 274 and wedge 278 of internal enclosure element 270 therein, thereby
defining
receiving volume 280 (Fig. 4) therein. O-rings 262 may be placed within top
peripheral
recess 258 and bottom peripheral recess so as to ensure that the manufacturing
assembly
200, when closed, is a tight sealed enclosed assembly.
Reference is now made to Fig. 5, which is a simplified pictorial
illustration of a solar radiation absorber manufacturing assembly of Figs. 3
and 4 at an
initial manufacturing stage. As seen in Fig. 5, a substrate material 340 may
be
introduced into receiving volume 280 wherein the substrate material is pliable
and
unsolidified. The substrate material may be any suitable material, preferably
a thermal
insulating material such as silicon oxide or aluminum silicon or a compound
comprising
silicon oxide and aluminum silicon, for example.
Reference is now made to Figs. 6A - 7, which are oppositely facing
simplified pictorial illustrations of the solar radiation absorber
manufacturing assembly
of Figs. 3 - 5 in an intermediate manufacturing stage and at a final
manufacturing stage,
respectively. As seen in Fig. 6A, cover 284 is placed upon enclosure
subassembly 250
and the substrate material 340 and is threadably engaged thereto via threads
288
inserted within bores 292, 294 and 296 of cover 284, external enclosure
element 252
and base 202, respectively and pins 298 inserted within bores 300, 302 and 304
of cover
284, internal enclosure element 270 and base 202, respectively. It is
appreciated that
cover 284 may be obviated and the enclosure subassembly 250 may be enclosed in
any
suitable manner.
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The enclosed absorber manufacturing assembly 200 may be introduced
into a vacuum oven and thereafter into to a furnace, such as a high
temperature furnace,
for drying and solidifying the substrate material 340. In a non-limiting
example the
temperature of the furnace may be in the range of 1000-1500 C. Alternatively,
the
substrate material may be solidified in any suitable manner.
Suction may be performed prior to introduction into the vacuum oven or
furnace via aperture 264 (Figs 3&4) so as to minimize formation of air bubbles
within
the substrate material.
Turning to Fig. 7 it is seen that following removal of the absorber
manufacturing assembly 200 from the furnace, the base 202, aligning element
230,
enclosure assembly 250, cover 284 and sealing material are removed and thus a
solar
radiation absorber element 350 is formed. The substrate material 340 is
solidified to
form a substrate 360 with the projections 220 embedded therein thus forming
the
absorber element 350.
Wherein the projections are formed of a perforated material it is noted
that the substrate material 340 is utilized as an attachment means when it
solidifies
within perforations 330 in portion 320 of projections 220, thereby providing
attachment
functionality for enhanced stability of the projections embedded within the
substrate
360.
It is appreciated that in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention projections 220 may be formed in any suitable form allowing any
suitable
attachment functionality to facilitate securing projections 220 to substrate
360 thereby
forming absorber element 350.
It is noted that substrate 360 of Fig. 7 may be identical to substrate 140 of
Fig. 1. Projections 220 of Figs. 3-7 may be identical to projections 150 of
Fig. 1.
Absorber element 350 of Fig. 7 may be identical to absorber element 130 of
Fig. 1.
Reference is now made to Figs. 8A - 8C, which are simplified pictorial
illustrations of a solar radiation absorber manufacturing assembly at an
initial
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manufacturing stage, an intermediate manufacturing stage and a final
manufacturing
stage, respectively, constructed and operative in accordance with yet another
embodiment of the present invention. As seen in Fig. 8A, a substrate 400 is
provided at
an initial stage of manufacturing. Substrate 400 may be formed of any suitable
material,
preferably a thermal insulating material such as silicon oxide or aluminum
silicon or a
compound comprising silicon oxide and aluminum silicon, for example. As seen
in Fig.
8A, the substrate material may be in an unsolidified state or in a solidified
state. An
array of apertures 420 may be defined within substrate 400 for allowing a
plurality of
projections 450 to be inserted therein, as seen in Fig. 8B.
Apertures 420 may be formed in any suitable shape, such as a
rectangular-like shape or a circular-like shape, for example, or any suitable
shape
operative to accommodate projections 450 therein.
Projections are preferably formed of a material operative to allow solar
radiation and fluid to pass therethrough. For example, projections 450 may be
formed of
a perforated material thereby defining perforations 460 therein (Figs. 8B &
8C). The
perforated material may be any suitable material, such as foam made of a
ceramic
material operative to withstand relatively high temperatures, for example. The
ceramic
material may be a silicon carbide foam or silicon infiltrated silicon carbide
foam, for
example. The projections 450 may be formed in any suitable configuration.
Apertures
420 may be formed in any suitable configuration.
Turning to Fig. 8B it is seen that the projections 450 are placed within
the apertures 420 in any suitable arrangement. Placement of the projections
450 within
apertures 420 may be performed in any suitable manner, such as manually. The
projections 450 are preferably formed with the perforations 460 for allowing
any
suitable attachment means, such as an adhesive 470 to be introduced within
apertures
420 and penetrate perforations 460 thereby adhering projections 450 to
substrate 400.
The adhesive 470 may be any suitable adhesive. A jig (not shown) may be
provided so
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as to prevent the dislocation of projections 450 within substrate 400 during
placement
of projections 450 therein.
The adhesive 470 is typically introduced into apertures 420 in an
unsolidified form and is thereafter solidified in any suitable manner, such as
air-dried or
by heat, for example
As seen in Fig. 8C, the adhesive 470 is solidified with the projections
450 placed in substrate 400 thus forming an absorber element 480.
It is appreciated that in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention projections 450 may be formed in any suitable manner allowing any
suitable
attachment functionality to facilitate securing projections 450 to substrate
400 thereby
forming absorber element 480.
It is noted that substrate 400 of Figs. 8A-8C may be identical to substrate
140 of Fig. 1. Projections 450 of Figs. 8B&8C may be identical to projections
150 of
Fig. 1. Absorber element 480 of Fig. 8C may be identical to absorber element
130 of
Fig. 1.
Reference is now made to Figs. 9A and 9B, which are simplified pictorial
illustrations of a solar radiation absorber manufacturing assembly at an
initial
manufacturing stage and a final manufacturing stage, respectively, constructed
and
operative in accordance with still another embodiment of the present
invention. As seen
in Fig. 9A, a substrate 500 is provided at an initial stage of manufacturing.
Substrate
500 may be formed of any suitable material, preferably a thermal insulating
material
such as silicon oxide or aluminum silicon or a compound comprising silicon
oxide and
aluminum silicon, for example. As seen in Fig. 9A, the substrate material may
be in an
unsolidified state or in a solidified state. An array of apertures 520 may be
defined
within substrate 500 for allowing a plurality of projections 550 to be
inserted therein, as
seen in Fig. 9B.
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Apertures 520 may be formed in any suitable shape, such as a
rectangular-like shape or a circular-like shape, for example, or any suitable
shape
operative to accommodate projections 550 therein.
Projections 550 are preferably formed of a material operative to allow
solar radiation and fluid to pass therethrough and may be formed in any
suitable
configuration. As seen in Fig. 9B projections 550 are formed without
perforations.
Turning to Fig. 9B it is seen that the projections 550 are placed within
the apertures 520 in any suitable arrangement. Placement of the projections
550 within
apertures 520 may be performed in any suitable manner, such as manually. A
single
projection 552 is shown prior to insertion within aperture 520.
Projections 550 are engaged with substrate 500 by any suitable
attachment means, such as an adhesive 570. Adhesive 570 is typically
introduced into
apertures 520 in an unsolidified form and is thereafter solidified in any
suitable manner,
such as air-dried or by heat, for example. A single projection 572 is shown
inserted
within aperture 520 with adhesive 570 surrounding projection 572, thereby
securing:
projection 572 within substrate 500.
As seen in Fig. 9B, the projections 550 are secured in substrate 500 thus
forming an absorber element 580.
It is appreciated that in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention projections 550 may be formed in any suitable manner allowing any
suitable
attachment functionality to facilitate securing projections 550 to substrate
500 thereby
forming absorber element 580.
It is noted that substrate 500 of Figs. 9A&9B may be identical to
substrate 140 of Fig. 1. Projections 550 of Figs. 9A&9B may be identical to
projections
150 of Fig. 1. Absorber element 580 of Fig. 9B may be identical to absorber
element
130 of Fig. 1.
Reference is now made to Figs. 10A and 10B, which are simplified
pictorial illustrations of a solar radiation absorber manufacturing assembly
at an initial
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manufacturing stage and a final manufacturing stage, respectively, constructed
and
operative in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.
As seen in Fig. 10A, a substrate 600 is provided at an initial stage of
manufacturing. Substrate 600 may be formed of any suitable material,
preferably a
thermal insulating material such as silicon oxide or aluminum silicon or a
compound
comprising silicon oxide and aluminum silicon, for example. As seen in Fig.
10A, the
substrate material may be in an unsolidified state or in a solidified state.
An array of
apertures 620 may be defined within substrate 600 for allowing a plurality of
projections 650 to be inserted therein, as seen in Fig. IOB.
Apertures 620 may be formed in any suitable shape, such as a
rectangular-like shape or a circular-like shape, for example, or any suitable
shape
operative to accommodate projections 650 therein.
Projections 650 are preferably formed of a material operative to allow
solar radiation and fluid to pass therethrough and may be formed in any
suitable
configuration. On a lower portion 652 of projections 650 may be defined an
indented
structure 656. Indented structure 656 may be configured with any form of
indentations
658 for allowing an attachment functionality comprising an attachment means,
such as
an adhesive 670, to engage with indentations 658 so as to secure lower portion
652 to
substrate 600. As seen in Fig. 10B, indented structure 656 is formed with a
jagged
configuration with adhesive 670 inserted within indentations 658.
Projections 650 are placed within the apertures 620 in any suitable
arrangement. Placement of the projections 650 within apertures 620 may be
performed
in any suitable manner, such as manually. A single projection 672 is shown
prior to
insertion within an aperture 620.
Adhesive 670 is typically introduced into apertures 620 in an unsolidified
form and is thereafter solidified in any suitable manner, such as air-dried or
by heat, for
example. A single projection 676 is shown inserted within aperture 620 with
adhesive
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670 inserted within indentations 658, thereby securing projection 676 within
substrate
600.
As seen in Fig. 10B, the projections 650 are secured in substrate 600 thus
forming an absorber element 680.
It is appreciated that in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention projections 650 may be formed in any suitable manner allowing any
suitable
attachment functionality to facilitate securing projections 650 to substrate
600 thereby
forming absorber element 680.
It is noted that substrate 600 of Figs. 10A&IOB may be identical to
substrate 140 of Fig. 1. Projections 650 of Figs. 10A&IOB may be identical to
projections 150 of Fig. 1. Absorber element 680 of Fig. 1OB may be identical
to
absorber element 130 of Fig. 1.
Reference is now made to Figs. 11A, 11B and 11C, which are simplified.
pictorial illustrations of a solar radiation absorber manufacturing assembly
at an initial
manufacturing stage, a final manufacturing stage and a bottom view of the
assembly at
the final manufacturing stage, respectively, constructed and operative in
accordance
with yet a further embodiment of the present invention.
As seen in Fig. 11 A, a substrate 700 is provided at an initial stage of:
manufacturing. Substrate 700 may be formed of any suitable material,
preferably a
thermal insulating material such as silicon oxide or aluminum silicon or a
compound
comprising silicon oxide and aluminum silicon, for example. As seen in Fig.
11A, the
substrate material may be in an unsolidified state or in a solidified state.
An array of
apertures 720 may be defined within substrate 700 for allowing a plurality of
projections 750 to be inserted therein, as seen in Figs. 11B and 11C.
Apertures 720 may be formed in any suitable shape, such as a
rectangular-like shape or a circular-like shape, for example, or any suitable
shape
operative to accommodate projections 750 therein.
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Projections 750 are preferably formed of a material operative to allow
solar radiation and fluid to pass therethrough and may be formed in any
suitable
configuration. Along the projections 750 may be defined an indented portion
756
configured to receive any suitable attachment means, such as a clip 770,
thereby
forming an attachment functionality. Clip 770 may be formed in any suitable
manner
and may define a semi-annular portion 774 with a protrusion 776 protruding
therefrom.
Semi-annular portion 774 is shown in Fig. 11C to encircle indented portion 756
and to
be attached thereto via protrusion 776 thus securing projections 750 to
substrate 700
thus forming an absorber element 780.
Projections 750 are placed within the apertures 720 in any suitable
arrangement. Placement of the projections 750 within apertures 720 may be
performed
in any suitable manner, such as manually. A single projection 790 is shown
prior to
insertion within aperture 720.
It is appreciated that .in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention projections 750 may be formed in any suitable manner allowing any
suitable
attachment functionality to facilitate securing projections 750 to substrate
700 thereby
forming absorber element 780.
It is noted that substrate 700 of Figs. 11A, 11B. and 11C may be identical
to substrate 140 of Fig. 1. Projections 750 of Figs. I IA, 11B. and 11C may be
identical;
to projections 150 of Fig. 1. Absorber element 780 of Fig. 11B and 11C may be
identical to absorber element 130 of Fig. 1.
It is noted that the projections described with reference to Figs. 1-11C
may be engaged with the substrate by any suitable means employing any suitable
attachment functionality. For example, the projections may be engaged with the
substrate by heating a portion of the projections so as to melt a portion of
the projection
into the substrate, thereby embedding the projections within said substrate.
It is appreciated that the substrates of Figs. 1-11C may be formed in any
suitable manner so as to form the absorber element. For example, the absorber
element
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may be configured in an annular shape or any configuration operative to allow
a fluid
flowing within the solar receiver 100 to be heated with the absorber element.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present
invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described
herein
above. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations
and
subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as
variations and
modifications which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the
specifications and which are not in the prior art.
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