The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 20, 1982
Filed:
Sep. 17, 1979
Thomas P Hopper, Durham, CT (US);
Other;
Abstract
A solar energy collecting apparatus comprises an elongated, trough-like reflector for reflecting solar energy to an elongated focal region. The reflector, which partially defines an enclosed space, includes adjacent first and second portions that extend in mutually parallel relation, each portion including an inner reflective surface having a generally parabolic cross-sectional shape that comprises a vertex and opposing side walls diverging from the vertex. One of the side walls of the first portion intersects one of the side walls of the second portion and thereby defines a peak or cusp that projects inwardly of the enclosed space. An absorber is mounted in the focal region in spaced relation to the peak to receive solar energy directly incident thereon and reflected thereto by the reflector and comprises a tubular member for conducting a heat transferring medium therethrough. Two vanes are associated with the tubular member, each vane making an angle of less than 180.degree. with the other. One vane projects to a position laterally adjacent and spaced from one side of the peak and the other projects to a position laterally adjacent and spaced from the other side of the peak so that no straight-line path is available for light between the peak and absorber. Accordingly the vanes block and absorb solar energy reflected from both the first and second portions of the reflector to the region between the peak and the absorber. A method of manufacturing this solar energy collecting apparatus is also disclosed.