Energy collection device

Abstract

Described is an energy collection device for harnessing energy, including solar energy, as heat or electricity. The energy collection device can be situated over a roof or mounted to a wall. Additionally, the energy collection device can also be made into a walkway cover or used internally at locations which produce heat (e.g., laundromat). The energy collection device is capable of collecting and absorbing thermal energy from the sun, atmosphere or heat-producing device and transferring it to a point of source for immediate or future use.

1 . An energy collection device for absorbing thermal energy, the energy collection device comprising: 
 a housing;    a passage within the housing, said passage having a first and a second end; and    wherein said passage is adapted to contain a fluid, having a first heat energy, wherein the passage accepts the fluid through a first end thereof, such that the fluid may absorb thermal energy within the passage, and directs the fluid, having a second heat energy, through the second end of the passage.    
   
   
       2 . The energy collection device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is viscous.  
   
   
       3 . The energy collection device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is gaseous.  
   
   
       4 . The energy collection device of  claim 1 , wherein the second heat energy is higher than the first heat energy.  
   
   
       5 . The energy collection device of  claim 1 , further comprising support posts operable to couple the housing to a surface.  
   
   
       6 . The energy collection device of  claim 5 , wherein the surface is a roof or a wall.  
   
   
       7 . The energy collection device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is water, oil, or antifreeze.  
   
   
       8 . The energy collection device of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal energy comprises at least visible and ultraviolet light generated by the sun.  
   
   
       9 . The energy collection device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid, having the second heat energy, is harnessed to produce heat or electricity.  
   
   
       10 . An energy collection system, comprising: 
 one or more energy collection devices for absorbing thermal energy, the energy collection devices comprising:    a housing;    a passage within the housing having a first and a second end, said passage adapted to contain a fluid, having a first heat energy, wherein the passage accepts the fluid through a first end thereof, such that the fluid may absorb thermal energy within the passage, and directs the fluid, having a second heat energy, through the second end of the passage;    a fluid system operable to move the fluid having the second heat energy from the energy collection device to a point of usage; and    a reservoir to stock the fluid having the second heat energy for subsequent use.    
   
   
       11 . The energy collection system of  claim 10 , wherein the point of usage is a residential or commercial building.  
   
   
       12 . The energy collection system of  claim 10 , wherein the subsequent use comprises converting the fluid having the second heat energy into heat or electricity.  
   
   
       13 . The energy collection system of  claim 10 , wherein the reservoir comprises a steam boiler or a hot water boiler.  
   
   
       14 . The energy collection system of  claim 10 , further comprising an apparatus for preheating a fluid having a first heat energy.  
   
   
       15 . The energy collection system of  claim 14 , wherein the apparatus is a water tank.  
   
   
       16 . The energy collection system of  claim 10 , wherein the fluid is viscous.  
   
   
       17 . The energy collection device of  claim 10 , wherein the fluid is gaseous.  
   
   
       18 . An energy collection system, comprising: 
 one or more washing machines and dryers;    a broiler for providing heat to the washing machines and/or dryers;    one or more energy collection devices for absorbing thermal energy, the energy collection devices comprising: 
 a housing;  
 a passage within the housing having a first and a second end, said passage adapted to contain a fluid, having a first heat energy, wherein the passage accepts the fluid through a first end thereof, such that the fluid may absorb thermal energy within the passage, and directs the fluid, having a second heat energy, through the second end of the passage; and  
   wherein the one or more energy collection devices is positioned above the broiler to capture excess heat released by the broiler.    
   
   
       19 . The energy collection system of  claim 18 , further comprising means for directing excess heat from the dryers to the broiler and/or energy collection device.  
   
   
       20 . The energy collection system of  claim 18 , further comprising means for directing the fluid, having a second heat energy, to a point of usage.  
   
   
       21 . A method of collecting thermal energy comprising: 
 positioning one or more housings, having fluid channels passing therethrough, externally on a structure or over a heat-producing device so that a volume defined by the housing is able to capture thermal energy from the sun or the heat-producing device; and    causing fluid to circulate through the fluid channels such that the fluid absorbs the captured thermal energy thereby raising a temperature of the fluid.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising elevating the one or more housings externally on the structure.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising utilizing the heated fluid to generate electricity.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising directing the heated fluid to a point of usage.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising utilizing the heated fluid in the structure.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising storing the heated fluid for subsequent use.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the heat-producing device is a broiler or furnace.  
   
   
       28 . A method of collecting thermal energy in a laundromat having multiple washing machines, dryers and a broiler, comprising: 
 positioning one or more housings, having fluid channels passing therethrough, over the broiler so that a volume defined by the housing is able to capture thermal energy released by the broiler; and    causing fluid to circulate through the fluid channels such that the fluid absorbs the captured thermal energy thereby raising a temperature of the fluid.    
   
   
       29 . The method of collecting thermal energy of  claim 28 , further comprising directing the heated fluid to the washing machines and/or the broiler.  
   
   
       30 . The method of collecting thermal energy of  claim 28 , wherein the housing is parabolic.  
   
   
       31 . The method of collecting thermal energy of  claim 28 , further comprising hanging said energy collection device over the broiler from a ceiling of the laundromat.  
   
   
       32 . A shading device comprising: 
 a material operable to block light and heat energy generated by the sun; and    means for connecting, in an elevated arrangement such that a space is created between the material and the surface, the material to a surface of a structure requiring shade.    
   
   
       33 . The device of  claim 32 , wherein the material is canvas.  
   
   
       34 . The device of  claim 32 , wherein elongated supports are used to connect the material, in an elevated arrangement, over the subject surface.