Solar energy collecting device with a thermal conductor, and water heating apparatus using the solar energy collecting device

Abstract

A solar energy collecting device includes a housing confining a receiving space and formed with an opening for access into the receiving space. The housing has a transparent side wall. A thermal conductor has a heat-absorbing portion disposed in the receiving space of the housing, and a heat-radiating portion extending out of the receiving space via the opening. The thermal conductor includes a hollow heat-conducting member that defines a sealed chamber therein and that is formed with a thermal conductor layer in the chamber. The heat-absorbing portion absorbs solar energy when the housing is irradiated by solar radiation, and transmits the solar energy to the heat-radiating portion.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A solar energy collecting device comprising: 
 a housing confining a receiving space and formed with an opening for access into said receiving space, said housing having a transparent side wall; and    a thermal conductor having a heat-absorbing portion disposed in said receiving space of said housing and a heat-radiating portion extending out of said receiving space via said opening, said thermal conductor including a hollow heat-conducting member that defines a sealed chamber therein and that is formed with a thermal conductor layer in said chamber, said heat-absorbing portion absorbing solar energy when said housing is irradiated by solar radiation and transmitting the solar energy to said heat-radiating portion.    
     
     
         2 . The solar energy collecting device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said housing is formed integrally from a transparent material.  
     
     
         3 . The solar energy collecting device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said housing includes a base body, and a transparent cover mounted on said base body and serving as said transparent side wall.  
     
     
         4 . The solar energy collecting device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said housing is a rectangular housing and said heat-conducting member is a rectangular member.  
     
     
         5 . The solar energy collecting device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said heat-absorbing portion of said thermal conductor has an outer surface formed with a heat-absorbing film.  
     
     
         6 . The solar energy collecting device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said heat-absorbing film is formed by sputtering.  
     
     
         7 . A water heating apparatus comprising: 
 a water tank having a water inlet and a water outlet; and    a solar energy collecting device including a housing confining a receiving space and formed with an opening for access into said receiving space, said housing having a transparent side wall, and    a thermal conductor having a heat-absorbing portion disposed in said receiving space of said housing and a heat-radiating portion extending out of said receiving space via said opening and into said water tank, said thermal conductor including a hollow heat-conducting member that defines a sealed chamber therein and that is formed with a thermal conductor layer in said chamber, said heat-absorbing portion absorbing solar energy when said housing is irradiated by solar radiation and transmitting the solar energy to said heat-radiating portion for heating water in said water tank.    
     
     
         8 . The water heating apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said housing is formed integrally from a transparent material.  
     
     
         9 . The water heating apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said housing includes a base body, and a transparent cover mounted on said base body and serving as said transparent side wall.  
     
     
         10 . The water heating apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said housing is a rectangular housing and said heat-conducting member is a rectangular member.  
     
     
         11 . The water heating apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said heat-absorbing portion of said thermal conductor has an outer surface formed with a heat-absorbing film.  
     
     
         12 . The water heating apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said heat-absorbing film is formed by sputtering.