Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
126643000 | With heat exchanger | 41 |
20080251065 | Supercritical Flat Panel Collector and Methods of Use - A high efficiency flat panel collector is disclosed using an integral supercritical heat transfer, and a series of fail-safe mechanisms. Using the preferred configuration with solar concentrators and integral energy conversion devices, including the further preferred utilization of ionic liquids or ionic liquid polymers as the working fluid in the system, achieves optimal total energy efficiency. Strategic use of the flat panel collector can further yield enhanced functionality of mechanical pumps, heat pumps, and expansion energy transformation devices. | 10-16-2008 |
20090241938 | SOLAR THERMAL RECEIVER FOR MEDIUM- AND HIGH-TEMPERATURE APPLICATIONS - A receiver system for harnessing solar radiation. Embodiments of a receiver system include a receiver including one or more receiver elements, each receiver element including: a plurality of transparent tubes including a first tube and at least one second tube at least partially within the first tube; a first passage interposed between the first tube and the at least one second tube, the first passage having an inlet and an outlet; a second passage within the at least one second tube, the second passage having an inlet and an outlet; and an absorber in the at least one second tube, the absorber adapted to absorb the solar radiation. In some embodiments, a receiver further includes a housing having at least one transparent portion, the housing configured to enclose the plurality of receiver elements, whereby a third passage is formed between the first tube and the housing. | 10-01-2009 |
20090277441 | Low entropy heat exchanger especially for use with solar gas processors - An apparatus and method for solar energy powered gas processing. There is disclosed a processor assembly for use in heating a process or feed gas by means of a convective heat exchanger which receives solar energy from a focused solar energy collector. A specialized heat exchanger is described, which maximizes the area upon which solar energy can radiate, as well as the available area for heat transfer to the flowing gas. Various modes for operating the processor assembly are described. The apparatus and method may be utilized to heat a gas to drive a heat engine. The apparatus and method also may be used to heat feed gasses to drive a gas processing reaction, such as for steam methane reformation or a reverse water-gas shift reaction. | 11-12-2009 |
20090277442 | Coiled heat exchanger with beam spreader especially for use with solar-powered gas processors - An apparatus and method for solar energy powered gas processing. There is disclosed a processor assembly for use in heating a process or feed gas by means of a convective heat exchanger which receives solar energy from a focused solar energy collector. A specialized heat exchanger is described, which includes a conical envelope into which a metal tube is spirally wound, such that the tube is coiled into a conical spiral corresponding generally to the envelope. A reflective beam spreader is situated near the vertex of the envelope cone to re-direct incident solar radiation toward the exchanger tube. The apparatus thus has a cavity into which solar energy is focused to be incident upon the exchanger tube to superheat a gas or gas mixture flowing through the tube. The heated gas can be used in various gas reaction processes, such as steam methane reformation, a reverse water-gas shift reaction, or to drive a heat engine. Various auxiliary features are disclosed for increasing the efficiency of the solar heat transfer into the flowing process gas. | 11-12-2009 |
20090277443 | CONTINUOUS MOVING BED SOLAR STEAM GENERATION SYSTEM - A continuous moving bed solar steam generation and storage system is provided to generate steam for production processes after loss or reduction of received solar energy. The system includes a receiver | 11-12-2009 |
20090277444 | SELF-POWERED PUMP FOR HEATED LIQUID, FLUID HEATING AND STORAGE TANK AND FLUID HEATING SYSTEM EMPLOYING SAME - In one aspect, a self-powered pump for heated liquid is provided. The pump includes an airtight container for containing the heated liquid. A heated liquid inlet pipe extends upwardly into the container such that its end is within the container. A heated liquid outlet is lower than the end of the inlet pipe. A breathing pipe extends upwardly into the container such that its end is within the container and is higher than both of the outlet and the end of the inlet pipe but lower than an interior side of the container top. An opposite end of the breathing pipe is outside the container, lower than the container base, and is received by an open container such that the opposite end can become submerged in heated liquid accumulated within the open container during pump operation. A fluid or liquid heating system incorporating the self-powered pump may operate without external power for the pump. In another aspect, a fluid heating and storage tank is provided. The tank includes a storage tank for a primary fluid having a primary fluid inlet and a primary fluid outlet and an apparatus for flowing a secondary fluid through the storage tank in isolation from the primary fluid. The apparatus includes first and second pipes and a heat exchanger. The first pipe extends through the storage tank and is mounted at its ends to first and second fittings in the wall of the storage tank. The second pipe also extends through the storage tank and is mounted at its ends to third and fourth fittings in the wall of the storage tank. The heat exchanger is disposed within the storage tank and fluidly interconnects the first and second pipes. The tank may be capable of standing in more than one orientation. A fluid heating system including the fluid heating and storage tank and a heater may or may not, in different embodiments, use a pump to circulate secondary fluid through the heater, which may be a solar heater. | 11-12-2009 |
20090293865 | Solar heat powered system comprising a circuit for a heat transfer medium - A solar heat powered system has a circuit for a heat transfer medium and at least one spur line that branches off from the circuit for the heat transfer medium. There is at least one expansion container connected to the at least one spur line. The spur line has a cooling element that has an enlarged surface at least in sections. | 12-03-2009 |
20090308378 | Solar Heat Powered System comprising at least one solar collector - A solar heat powered system has at least one solar collector and a feed line for solar fluid leading away from the solar collector. The feed line is divided into at least two partial lines in sections. There is at least one heat exchanger arranged in each partial line. By dividing the feed line for the solar fluid, the plurality of heat exchangers can each be embodied to be more compact. | 12-17-2009 |
20100116265 | HEAT PIPE FOR A SOLAR COLLECTOR - A heat pipe comprises an evaporator section | 05-13-2010 |
20100252029 | HOT WATER FEEDER - A hot water feeder in which a solar heat collector is used. The feeder has a first heat exchanger for heating a heat medium by solar heat, a second heat exchanger for heating water in a hot-water tank by the heated heat medium, and a heat exchange volume determination unit. The heat exchange volume determination unit calculates the flow rate of the heat medium circulating between the first and second heat exchangers on the basis of the detected temperature of the heat medium fed to the first heat exchanger and the rotational speed of a heat medium circulation pump, and calculates the heat exchange volume on basis of the flow rate and the temperature difference between the detected temperatures. | 10-07-2010 |
20100294260 | SOLAR HEAT ABSORBING WINDOW - A window with an integral solar heat-absorber is provided in a compact, low-cost package. Two transparent panes are separated from one another to provide a first passageway for receiving a working fluid. The periphery of the panes is secured in a frame in which a heat exchanger is also secured, the heat exchanger having a second passageway for the working fluid and a third passageway for a service fluid. The first and second passageways are coupled to make a working fluid circuit. | 11-25-2010 |
20100313874 | Energy Recovery System - An energy recovery system ( | 12-16-2010 |
20110100357 | SOLAR HEATED FLUID RECIRCULATION DEVICE - A system for the sequential application of thermal energy subterranean of a structure The system includes a solar thermal collector, fluid for passing through the solar thermal collector for receiving thermal energy therefrom and a pump for passing the fluid through the solar thermal collector and selectively into a plurality of heat exchangers. Each of the heat exchangers is positioned at different levels subterranean and beneath the structure whereby the fluid is selectively introduced to one of the plurality of heat exchangers depending upon a predetermined time of year. | 05-05-2011 |
20110114081 | SOLAR COLLECTOR SYSTEM - A solar energy collecting system comprises a manifold defining a closed fluid passage between a condensation point and a heating point. The manifold includes a plurality of heat exchange members configured to be in heat exchange relationship with the fluid passage at the heating point, and a heat sink at the condensation point. A plurality of solar energy collector members extend from and operably connect to the heat exchange members of the manifold. The solar energy collector members collect solar energy and transform it into heat energy. Heat energy is transferred from the solar energy collector members to the heat exchange members and to a fluid in the passage in the manifold at the heating point so as to heat the fluid into a vapor. The fluid is circulated in heat exchange relationship to the condensation point where heat energy is transferred to the heat sink so as to cool the fluid to a liquid. The fluid repeatedly cycles between a vaporized state at the heat exchange members and a liquefied state at the condensation point. | 05-19-2011 |
20110114082 | HEAT EXCHANGING STRUCTURE OF SOLAR HEAT EXCHANGER - A heat exchanging structure of a solar heat exchanger | 05-19-2011 |
20110139148 | SOLAR FLUID HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM - A solar water heating and cooling system including a solar energy collection assembly having a heat absorbing element, a heat exchanger and a shield. The system also includes a cooling assembly, the cooling assembly is integral with the shield. The system has a check valve in fluid communication with the solar collection assembly and the cooling assembly, and a fluid pump in fluid communication with the solar energy collection assembly. A working fluid is disposed within the solar energy collection assembly, the cooling assembly, the check valve and the fluid pump. A cooling loop is defined by the solar energy collection assembly, the cooling assembly and the check valve. When the fluid pump is off, the working fluid circulates through the cooling loop, but when the fluid pump is on, the working fluid circulates through a heating loop that is defined by the solar energy collection assembly and the fluid pump. | 06-16-2011 |
20110203577 | COVERING DEVICE FOR ROOF AND THE LIKE - A covering device ( | 08-25-2011 |
20110232634 | SOLAR HEATING APPARATUS - A solar heating apparatus is disclosed that, in one embodiment, comprises a heating coil with improved heating efficiency comprising a first lateral tube comprising rounded ends and an elliptical cross section for a portion extending between the ends that is connected by a rounded end cap to a second lateral tube also comprising rounded ends and an elliptical cross section for a portion extending between the ends. | 09-29-2011 |
20110240008 | Solar Receiver for Electric Power Conversion System - A solar receiver for conversion of solar radiation to thermal energy includes an enclosure defining a cavity and having an aperture for receiving an influx of concentrated solar radiation. A heat exchanger is received within the cavity for transferring heat out of the solar receiver. The heat exchanger comprises a plurality of heat exchange cells arranged in polygonal array within the cavity. Each heat exchange cell comprises an inlet, an outlet, and a heat exchange matrix interposed within a first volume defined between a first plate and a second plate spaced apart from the first plate. The inlet and outlet are in fluid communication with the first volume and the first plate, second plate, and heat exchange matrix are monolithically bonded as a unit. The first plate receives concentrated solar radiation and the heat exchange media defines a pathway for a fluid flowing from the inlet to the outlet between the first and second plates. The solar receiver further includes an inlet manifold in fluid communication with the inlet of each of the heat exchange cells and an outlet manifold in fluid communication with the outlet of the each of heat exchange cells. In a further aspect, a heat exchanger is provided. | 10-06-2011 |
20110247605 | SOLAR COLLECTOR/HEAT EXCHANGER - A solar collector/heat exchanger includes a first panel of corrugated heat conductive material, a second panel of corrugated heat conductive material, and a third panel of corrugated material. A mounting structure mounts the first and second panels with the third panel sandwiched between the first and second panels. The mounting structure further defines an air flow path across the first and second panels. The corrugations of the first and second panels extend parallel to the air flow path and the corrugations of the third panel extend perpendicular to the air flow path so as to cause turbulence in air passing between the first and second panels. | 10-13-2011 |
20110277749 | Solar Heater - An air-to-air heat exchanging solar heater consists of at least one panel having a frame surrounding a mounting plate. At least one column of recycled aluminum cans consisting of about 17 cans stacked end to end. Each respective can has its top removed (thus having an open top) and the bottom wall having a plurality of holes, preferably four to eight holes ¾″ in diameter. A baffled air column is therefore defined by the end-to-end stacked cans. A low power fan draws air through the column. Preferably, the at least one panel includes 17 columns of 17 cans and the entire assembly (except for the clear panel) is painted black with a high-temperature paint. The at least one panel includes hardware to create an air passage to an existing heating system and draws fresh air from outside. | 11-17-2011 |
20110290235 | EVACUATED SOLAR THERMAL CONDUCTIVE DEVICE - An evacuated solar thermal conductive device including a conductive heat receiving element having a heat receiving surface and a heat sink portion disposed away from the heat receiving surface. A heat resistant enclosure that includes a top encasing that is at least partially transparent, and a bottom encasing that is joined to the top encasing to create an airtight seal. The bottom encasing having a cavity for receiving at least part of the heat receiving element such that at least part of the heat sink portion is in direct contact with the bottom encasing. A vacuum is provided in a space within the enclosure between at least a part of the heat receiving surface and the top encasing. Solar energy is transmitted to the heat receiving surface through the transparent top encasing and is transferred through the heat receiving element to the heat sink portion. | 12-01-2011 |
20120125321 | SOLAR HOT WATER AND RECOVERY SYSTEM - A solar hot water and recovery system includes a water loop, a refrigerant loop and a solar loop. Cross-heat exchange occurs in a first heat exchanger between the heat transfer mediums of the refrigerant loop and the solar loop to produce a super-heated fluid stream which is returned to the air conditioning or heat pump unit. Cross-heat exchange also takes place in a second heat exchanger between the now-lower temperature heat transfer medium of the solar loop and the water loop to produce a heated water stream. The main objective of the system is to superheat refrigerant and use all excess heat for heating the water. The heat exchangers are preferably housed in the same heat recovery unit and arranged so that the refrigerant heat exchange area is before the water heat exchange area, thereby maximizing solar potential. | 05-24-2012 |
20120186575 | Solar Collector - A solar collector is provided that concentrates solar energy for heating a medium such as air. The solar collector includes a housing with a first end wall, a second end wall and a cavity therebetween. A receiver tube is extended through the first end wall on a first end and extending longitudinally within the cavity. A receiver core member made from a metal foam material is disposed within the receiver tube. At least one mirror is arranged within the cavity opposite the receiver tube, the at least one mirror being arranged to reflect light onto the receiver tube. In one embodiment, an automated cleaning system is arranged to clean the collector cover. In another embodiment, the mirror is made from a dielectric mirror. | 07-26-2012 |
20120240920 | POLYMER MANIFOLD AND POLYMER HEAT EXCHANGER - A variety of methods of forming polymer manifolds and the resulting manifold structures are described. The described manifolds are well suited for use in heat exchangers and a variety of other applications. In one aspect a polymer manifold includes a multiplicity of tubes having first ends that are received by a manifold housing. A polymer film is secured to the manifold housing and to the ends of each of the tubes. The film is arranged to seal the housing while leaving the openings of the tubes exposed to thereby create a manifold. In some embodiments, a potting material is used to reinforce the film. In a method aspect, a manifold may be formed by positioning first ends of the tubes in a manifold housing and welding a polymer film to the manifold housing and to distal tips of the tubes. Openings for the tubes are then formed in the film by directing heat towards the film which melts or vaporizes the film in the regions of the tube openings. A liquid coolant or potting material is placed inside of the chamber within the manifold housing that is sealed by the film during the heating to help prevent the heat from damaging the seals between the film and the tube tips or the film in the interstitial spaces between the tubes. | 09-27-2012 |
20120260908 | System And Method For Heat Rejection In A Solar Power Collection System - A heat rejection system for a solar power collector having an array of heliostat mirrors, the heat rejection system having a rail system supporting the array of heliostat mirrors, the rail system having a plurality of thermally conductive pipes, a reservoir positioned underground and connected to the rail system, a condenser connected to the thermally conductive pipes and the reservoir, and a coolant means circulating through the thermally conductive pipes, condenser and reservoir the heat rejection system operates as closed systems without the consumption of water and returns solar heat to the environment. | 10-18-2012 |
20120291770 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TEMPERATURE LIMITING IN A SEALED SOLAR ENERGY COLLECTOR - Insulated solar panels provide that provide a solar thermal collector with means for limiting stagnation temperatures and preventing damage include: temperature limiting is provided by the insulated solar panel, isolating internal components from the environment, using passive closed systems within the sealed solar thermal collector, while also allowing alternative implementations as active systems and/or portions of the temperature limiting system outside the sealed solar thermal collector. A heat pipe can be used as a passive thermal switch, where the temperature induced action at a predetermined temperature causes an abrupt transition from a state of thermal isolation to a state of strong thermal coupling. Additionally, a set of siphon circulation pipes provides a passive closed system for temperature limiting. | 11-22-2012 |
20130118478 | LIQUID-AIR TRANSPIRED SOLAR COLLECTORS - The invention, in some embodiments, relates to solar energy collectors, and methods of use thereof. In some embodiments, the invention relates to liquid-air transpired solar energy collectors, and methods of use thereof. In some embodiments, the invention relates to thermal energy transfer systems that comprise solar energy collectors, and methods of use thereof. In some embodiments of the invention, methods of constructing solar energy collectors are provided. | 05-16-2013 |
20130133642 | UNIT FOR HARNESSING SOLAR POWER - A unit for harnessing solar power for heating water at high pressure, in which the circuit is exposed to freezing, comprising: a heat exchanger made as a single piece for a hydraulic circuit, made up of parallel polymer pipes ( | 05-30-2013 |
20130233301 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SUPERHEATED STEAM BY MEANS OF A SOLAR-THERMALLY OPERATED REHEATER AND USE OF THE SUPERHEATED STEAM - An apparatus for producing superheated steam with solar energy is provided. The apparatus has a heat-transfer medium circuit with a heat transfer medium for absorbing the solar energy in the form of heat and a water/stream circuit with water and/or steam for forming the superheated steam. The water and/or the steam may flow in one direction in the water/steam circuit. For producing the superheated steam, the heat-transfer medium circuit and the water-steam circuit are thermally coupled to each other by a heat exchanger of a reheater. In the water/steam circuit, a water separator is arranged upstream of the heat exchanger in direction of flow for separating water and steam from each other, so that substantially only steam enters the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger and the water separator are arranged in a common reheating pressure vessel. | 09-12-2013 |
20140209090 | AIR PANEL TECHNOLOGY AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF - A device for using solar energy to heat air. The device can include a hot air panel having a box. The box can include a glazing, a collection plate, and a base layer. The collection plate can be disposed between the glazing and the base layer so as to define a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber can be an insulation chamber that can hold air within the box. The second chamber can be a flow chamber that allows air to flow through the box. The box can be further associated with a temperature detection device and a fan. | 07-31-2014 |
20150122244 | SOLAR ENERGY RECEIVER - A solar energy receiver comprises a panel, having a graphite core, a substantially gas tight housing encasing the graphite core, a heat exchanger comprising heat exchanger tubing, a heat exchanger inlet and a heat exchanger outlet. The heat exchanger tubing is at least partially embedded in the graphite core, and the heat exchanger inlet and the heat exchanger outlet extend through the housing. The housing is sealed around the heat exchanger inlet and the heat exchanger outlet. A method of manufacturing a solar energy receiver comprises: a) fabricating the heat exchanger in a serpentine coil shape; b) inserting grooved planks of graphite between individual coils of the heat exchanger to form the graphite core such that the coils are encompassed in the grooves; c) inserting the graphite and heat exchanger into the housing; and d) sealing the housing and sealing openings around the inlet and outlet where they pass through the housing. | 05-07-2015 |
20150300691 | SOLAR ENERGY COLLECTORS AND METHODS FOR SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS - The present invention offers improved absorber plates for solar energy collectors, improved cover glazings for solar energy collectors, improved concentrating solar energy collectors, and solar energy collection methods that use one or more of the improved solar energy collectors for useful residential, commercial, and industrial applications. The improved absorber plate solar energy collectors utilize a porous metal to improve solar radiant absorption collection and utilization, the improved concentrating solar energy collectors are Fresnel lens faced ducts of various geometries that enable efficient axial length solar energy collection, and the improved cover glazings utilize transparent front and back faces with other improvements to enable increased solar radiant energy collection per unit front face cover area of solar collector. | 10-22-2015 |
20160040908 | SOLAR THERMAL COLLECTING SYSTEM - A solar thermal collecting system, including at least one solar thermal collector and a pressure-adjusting module, is provided. The solar thermal collector includes a container, a light-transmissive cover that seals the container, and a plurality of solar thermal collecting pipes. The solar thermal collecting pipes are installed in the container, so as to allow a heat transfer material to flow therein. The outer surfaces of the solar thermal collecting pipes are correspondingly deposited with solar selective coatings for absorbing solar radiation energy, transforming the radiation energy into thermal energy, and transmitting thermal energy to the heat transfer material flowing in the solar thermal collecting pipes. The pressure-adjusting module controls the heat loss rate of the solar thermal collector by adjusting the air pressure inside the solar thermal collector and controlling the direction of air circulation to flow in or out of the solar thermal collector. | 02-11-2016 |
20160097564 | SOLIDS-BASED CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER RECEIVER - A concentrated solar power (CSP) system includes channels arranged to convey a flowing solids medium descending under gravity. The channels form a light-absorbing surface configured to absorb solar flux from a heliostat field. The channels may be independently supported, for example by suspension, and gaps between the channels are sized to accommodate thermal expansion. The light absorbing surface may be sloped so that the inside surfaces of the channels proximate to the light absorbing surface define downward-slanting channel floors, and the flowing solids medium flows along these floors. Baffles may be disposed inside the channels and oriented across the direction of descent of the flowing solids medium. The channels may include wedge-shaped walls forming the light-absorbing surface and defining multiple-reflection light paths for solar flux from the heliostat field incident on the light-absorbing surface. | 04-07-2016 |
20160161150 | SOLAR POWERED COOKING DEVICE - A cooking device includes a heatable element for providing heat for cooking food. The heatable element includes a fluid channel through which a heating fluid flows for transferring heat from the heating fluid to the heating element. A solar collector is provided through which the heating fluid flows. The solar collector includes heating tubes capable of receiving solar energy, and converting the solar energy, and converting the solar energy into heat energy, and transferring the generated heat energy to the heating fluid to heat the heating fluid to a temperature above the boiling point of water. The return conduit member is provided for collecting fluid which emerges from the heating element and conducting the heating fluid back to the solar collector for reheating by the solar collector | 06-09-2016 |
20160161152 | Solar Thermal Heat Exchanger - The described embodiments provide thermal energy via solar powered heat exchangers. This energy can be implemented to heat hot water or heat residential/commercial structures. Parallel mounted vacuum insulated tubes heat water within a geometric heat transfer piping system. This thermal energy is transferred via a piping system to an insulated tank. A digital controller monitors and controls the temperature of the water within the system as well as provides frost/freezing protection. An electrical active pumping system is connected to the digital controller to circulate water within the solar heat exchanger. The electric active pump can be connected to a solar photovoltaic (electric) panel for reliable and uninterrupted heat/hot water delivery. | 06-09-2016 |
126645000 | With liquid phase change | 4 |
20090241939 | Solar Receivers with Internal Reflections and Flux-Limiting Patterns of Reflectivity - Solar receivers and particularly to solar receivers having one or more cavities and optionally having absorptivity/reflectivity patterns on surfaces and methods of reflective material application. | 10-01-2009 |
20100258112 | GENERATION OF STEAM FROM SOLAR ENERGY - A cavity-type solar energy receiver for generating high pressure steam, which includes panels of tubes defining a cavity within an outer enclosure. Concentrated solar energy provided by a heliostat enters the cavity opening in the enclosure and evaporates water within some of the tube panels. The evaporating tubes receive hot water from a steam drum by natural circulation and return a mixture of steam and hot water to the steam drum. Additional tube panels are positioned to receive reflected solar energy, which is used to preheat feed water and to superheat steam. | 10-14-2010 |
20110253128 | SOLAR HEAT EXCHANGER - A light receiving plate floating on the surface of tin, i.e., a low-melting-point heating medium and receiving solar beams is made of solid carbon material entirely coated with a silicon carbide film. Due to the silicon carbide film, the surface of the light receiving plate is black to realize a high absorption ratio of the solar beams. In addition, the light receiving plate is made of the silicon carbide film at least at the surface thereof, to demonstrate excellent heat resistance. | 10-20-2011 |
20130269682 | Process for Producing Superheated Steam from a Concentrating Solar Power Plant - A process and an apparatus ( | 10-17-2013 |