Energy concentration and collection devices

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. Also described is an energy concentration device that can be used alone or in conjunction with the energy collection device for harnessing the solar energy.

1 . An energy concentration device for focusing thermal energy, the energy concentration device comprising: 
 a housing;    a passage within the housing, the passage having a first and second end; and    wherein the passage includes a plurality of optical elements and is adapted to accept a first heat energy through the first end thereof, wherein the plurality of optical elements are operable to direct heat to the first heat energy as it traverses the length of the passage thereby transforming the first heat energy into a second heat energy, said second heat energy able to exit the passage through the second end thereof.    
   
   
       2 . The energy concentration device of  claim 1 , wherein the optical elements comprise lenses, Fresnel lenses, mirrors, glasses, prisms, plastic and polycarbonate lenses.  
   
   
       3 . The energy concentration device of  claim 1 , wherein the second heat energy is higher than the first heat energy.  
   
   
       4 . The energy concentration device of  claim 1 , further comprising a parabolic reflector.  
   
   
       5 . An energy transfer system, comprising: 
 one or more energy concentration and collection devices for focusing and absorbing thermal energy, the energy concentration and collection devices comprising:    a housing;    a passage within the housing, the passage having a first and second end; and    wherein the passage contains a plurality of optical elements and a fluid, the passage for accepting a first heat energy through the first end thereof, wherein the plurality of optical elements are operable to direct heat to the first heat energy through the length of the passage thereby transforming the first heat energy into a second heat energy, wherein the fluid may absorb the second heat energy within the passage, and wherein the passage directs the fluid, having a third heat energy through the second end of the passage; and    a fluid system operable to move the fluid having the third heat energy from the energy concentration and collection device to a point of usage.    
   
   
       6 . The energy transfer system of  claim 5  further comprising a reservoir to store the fluid having the third heat energy for subsequent use.  
   
   
       7 . The energy transfer system of  claim 5 , wherein the point of usage is a residential or commercial building.  
   
   
       8 . The energy transfer system of  claim 5 , further comprising means for converting the fluid having the third heat energy into heat or electricity.  
   
   
       9 . The energy transfer system of  claim 5 , wherein the optical elements comprise lenses, Fresnel lenses, mirrors, glasses, prisms, plastic and polycarbonate lenses.  
   
   
       10 . The energy transfer system of  claim 5 , further comprising a parabolic reflector.  
   
   
       11 . A method of concentrating thermal energy comprising: 
 positioning one or more housings, having passages therethrough, externally on a structure or over a heat-collecting device so that a volume defined by the housing is able to focus thermal energy from the sun; and    causing heat energy to circulate through the passages such that the heat energy absorbs the focused thermal energy thereby raising a temperature of the heat energy.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising elevating the one or more housings externally on the structure.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising utilizing the heated heat energy to generate electricity.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising focusing thermal energy from the sun to the one or more housings with one or more parabolic reflectors.  
   
   
       15 . A method of concentrating and collecting thermal energy comprising: 
 positioning one or more housings, having passages and 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 focus thermal energy from the sun or capture thermal energy from the heat-producing device;    causing heat energy to circulate through the passages such that the heat energy absorbs the focused thermal energy thereby raising a temperature of the heat energy; 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.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising elevating the one or more housings externally on the structure.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising utilizing the heated heat energy or the heated fluid to generate electricity.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising focusing thermal energy from the sun to the one or more housings with one or more parabolic reflectors.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising directing the heated fluid to a point of usage.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising utilizing the heated fluid in the structure.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising storing the heated fluid for subsequent use.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the heat-producing device is a broiler or furnace.