Corning Glass Works

Arthur H Wilder

Howard E Kellberg

Francis P Fehlner

Yilmaz C Belentepe

Li-Chung Lee

Craig M Lemrow

Dennis J Ure

Richmond W Wilson

There has been provided an evacuated tubular solar collector wherein a relatively long extraordinarily large diameter glass tube having sealed hemispheric-like ends surrounds a corresponding large absorber therewithin. A conduit, in heat exchange relation with the absorber, passes through the envelope by means of a hermetic seal. The conduit provides a fluid flow path for a working fluid. Important parameters include, at least one of a ratio of tube diameter to tube length and absorber area to the length of the conduit.

Solar collector apparatus

The absorber of a solar collector expands and contracts with varying insolation. A detector responsive thereto provides indication of the absorber temperature for controlling system parameters.

Solar collector and control

An insulating contoured solar window is provided for use with an enclosed chamber or structure such as an evacuated flat plate solar collector. The solar window is supported about its peripheral portion and in order to withstand the pressures exerted thereon by atmosphere the window may be outwardly domed along its longitudinal and/or transverse extent. Intermediate portions between domes are supported by a lower portion of the structure. A perforated or segmented absorber may be located in the chamber and spaced from the peripheral and intermediate portions in order to prevent heat loss from the absorber to the structure through the window. A pair of such solar windows may be arranged with corresponding peripheral and intermediate supports in opposed supporting contact.

Contoured insulation window for evacuated solar collector

The invention relates to a support for a solar receiver element which is adapted to carry the element and accommodate cyclical thermal expansion and contraction by use of roller bearings.

Solar receiver tube support

A solar energy collector structure has been provided which comprises a plurality of at least partially evacuated tubular members arranged in a group lying in parallel axial alignment. Each tubular member is joined to a next adjacent tubular member of the group to form a self supporting structure having at least one enclosed flow channel defined by intersticies of tubular members so joined. An absorber surface, disposed in communication with the flow channel, intercepts and absorbs solar energy, which is carried by a working fluid in the heat exchange relation with the absorber surface.

Solar energy collector

A solar energy collector structure has been provided which comprises a plurality of at least partially evacuated tubular members arranged in a group and closely packed in parallel axial alignment. The tubular members are joined together to form a tube sheet. A unitary insulating support structure having a recess therein is adapted to receive the tube sheet in tandem therewith, the tube sheet being sealed within the recess of the support structure along respective opposite lateral margins thereof to form a flow channel therebetween. The support structure has headers integrally formed therewith and includes means for providing flow communication with the flow channel. An absorber, disposed behind the tube sheet, in communication with the flow channel, intercepts and absorbs solar energy, which by heat transfer is carried off by a working fluid in heat exchange relation with the absorber.

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Corning, NY, United States of America

Arthur H Wilder