Alpha Solarco Inc.

Cincinnati Incorporated

Other

Miroslav Uroshevich

Edward C Schmidt

Hydraulic press

The disclosure illustrates a concentrating photovoltaic collector comprising an elongated deep reflector having a rim angle of close to 90.degree. and an elongated series of photovoltaic cells positioned in a plant extending parallel to and spaced beyond the focal axis of the reflector. The cells are mounted in an extrusion that provides a passage for a cell coolant fluid and which has a pair of elongated opposed reflectors inclined toward one another at an angle of 70.degree. with respect to the plane of the photovoltaic cells. The mirrors re-reflect rays to compensate for the shadows cast by the cells and to provide more uniform distribution of solar energy while at the same time permitting a more compact collector.

Concentrating photovoltaic solar collector

The disclosure illustrates a ribbon like photovoltaic cell that is formed by first applying a thin layer of tungsten or other conductive, temperature resistant material on a base ribbon of high temperature resistant, and electrically non-conductive material. A thin coat of silicon up to several atoms thick is deposited over the ribbon and/or tungsten to enable the ribbon to be drawn through a bath of molten silicon to grow a layer of silicon which is subsequently doped with impurities. A conductive grid over the silicon and a connector through a perforation in the base ribbon enable the cell to be connected in an electrical circuit to produce a current flow. The use of the base ribbon enables continuous flow process techniques to greatly reduce the cost of production for a photovoltaic cell. In addition, the base ribbon may be split lengthwise after processing on both sides to enable the production of two (2) ribbons.

Solar energy cell and method of manufacture

The disclosure illustrates an elongated receiver for a solar energy collector of the focusing type. The heat transfer fluid passage in the receiver contains an element having a plurality of tines to promote turbulence and a tube plugged at both ends to direct the heat transfer fluid only along the walls of the receiver that are exposed to solar radiation. Both treatments to the passage increase the heat transferred to the fluid.

Solar energy receivers

The disclosure illustrates a solar energy collector of the focusing type where the beam component of solar radiation is reflected and focused along a focal axis. A heat conductive tube for heat exchange fluid is positioned along the focal axis. A cylindrical glass shell is formed around the tube and is evacuated to minimize convection losses. A pair of elements forming a Winston-Setti collector are positioned within the glass tube to collect and concentrate solar energy on the tube which would be otherwise lost in the shadow cast on the reflector by the receiver assembly.

The disclosure illustrates a solar collector of the focusing type comprising a trough like element with an interior reflective surface that faces a main reflector of the collector. A tubular receiver providing a passage for heat transfer fluid is positioned in the trough like element generally along the focal line of the main reflector. A flat glass plate covers the trough along a perimeter seal so that subatmospheric conditions may be maintained within the trough like element to minimize convection heat losses.

Solar collectors

The disclosure illustrates a flat plate solar collector comprising a vacuum formed tray, of low conductivity material, such as ABS, of sufficient thickness to form a structural support. A layer of glass beaded foam is placed in the tray. A receiver of layers of thin copper with heat transfer fluid passages is positioned over the glass beaded foam. Single or double glass glazing is provided to cover the tray and reduce heat losses. Foam insulating material on the outside of the tray further minimizes heat losses. The receiver and glass beaded insulating material are secured to the tray which forms a low cost, easily manufacturable structural base for the collector.

Flat plate solar collector

The disclosure illustrates an improved reflector for a solar energy collector. The reflector is made up of a thin, vacuum formed, elongated, trough like sheet having a reflective parabolic surface for reflecting and focusing solar radiation. A structural sheet conforms to and supports the thin sheet. The structural sheet has a series of integrally formed depressions extending away from the thin sheet to form elongated reinforcing ribs.

Reflectors for solar energy collectors

The disclosure illustrates a solar collector comprising an evacuated generally rectangular glass shell of a configuration commonly used for television tubes and a flat plate receiver having a black chrome surface positioned within the shell. A conduit in heat exchange relation to the plate has a single inlet and outlet for heat exchange fluid which extends through an insulating seal in the neck of the glass shell. This configuration permits a far greater collector surface area than prior evacuated cylindrical tube configurations.

Solar energy collector

The disclosure illustrates a focusing solar energy collector that has a main reflector made up of a central support rib and a plurality of lateral support ribs extending from the main support to form a series of cross shaped supports for a thin reflective sheet held on the supports by a double faced tape. The central support rib connects with end supports for an evacuated cylindrical glass tube that contains a receiver and a secondary mirror. The secondary mirror is formed from an extrusion and comprises an elongated curved reflective surface having its edges touching the glass cylinder, and an elongated rib also touching the glass to give three point support. A flexible seal is provided between the receiver and the end plates for the glass cylinder to accommodate differential expansion.

Solar energy collectors

The disclosure illustrates a receiver for the focused beam component of solar radiation. The receiver comprises an elongated element of heat insulating material and an elongated heat conductive element secured to the insulating element along its marginal edges to form a passage for heat transfer fluid. The heat conductive element has a concave or convex outer surface that has portions normal to reflected solar radiation coming from a range of different directions. Preferably the heat conductive element is formed from a thin walled extrusion which has an internal fin to maximize the surface area of the passage for the heat transfer fluid.

The disclosure illustrates a receiver for focused solar radiation. The portion of the receiver in the path of the reflected radiation has a microporous surface to enhance reception of solar radiation while the remainder of the surface has a highly polished receiver to minimize radiation losses.

A tobacco smoke filter for use with a cigarette comprising a tube having a conical disc at its upstream end adjacent the tobacco. A capillary orifice through the apex of the conical disc permits discharge of tobacco smoke from the cigarette at high velocity into a downstream chamber for sublimation of alkaloids and other harmful matter to solid particles by rapid expansion. A parabolic disc is positioned in line with the high velocity jet to trap the solid particles and reverse flow to promote turbulence. The disc has a periphery closely adjacent the inner wall of the tube to promote a high speed flow around its edge. The resulting turbulence causes additional deposition of solids on the disc's downstream face. A tube integral with the disc extends to a circular opening in the downstream end of the tube for discharge of filtered smoke. Certain surfaces in the filter, such as the upstream side of the disc, may be coated with a catalyst to enhance a beneficial chemical reaction of constituents in the tobacco smoke.

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Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Miroslav Uroshevich