Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for solar collector with integral stagnation temperature control

US7143762B2 · kind B2 · utility

11Cited by
14References
34Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 6, 2004
Grant dateDec 5, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 10, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/44
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for a solar collector having intergral control of the the maximum temperature that it can reach, thereby avoiding excessive stagnation temperatures in the collector. In one embodiment, a solar collector comprises a top portion comprising glazing, a bottom portion; an absorber disposed between said top portion and said bottom portion for absorbing solar energy received through said glazing, said absorber in a spaced relationship above said bottom portion such that a channel is defined between a lower surface of said absorber and an upper surface of said bottom portion; an inlet and an outlet associated with and at substantially opposite ends of said channel between said absorber and said bottom portion, for ventilating said channel; and a damper for opening said outlet at a temperature equal to or above a first selected temperature and for closing said outlet at a temperature equal to or below a second selected temperature; wherein said first and second selected temperatures are below a stagnation temperature of the solar collector.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.