Improved Solar Collector

Abstract

Apparatus for collection of solar energy includes at least one heat-transfer collector device comprising (i) a hollow core, adapted for passage of heat transfer fluid, and (ii) a preferably detachable laminar metallic cover configured to wrap around the and be in close physical contact with at least part of an outer surface of the core, while the outer surface of the cover is adapted for exposure to solar radiation by the presence of a solar energy absorptive coating.

1 . Apparatus for collection of solar energy which includes at least one heat-transfer collector device comprising (i) a hollow core, adapted for passage of heat transfer fluid through the hollow(s) thereof, and (ii) a laminar metallic cover defining an inner and an outer surface, said cover being configured to wrap around said core whereby the inner surface of said core is in close physical contact with at least part of an outer surface of said core, while the outer surface of said cover is adapted for exposure to solar radiation by the presence thereon of a solar energy absorptive coating. 
   
   
       2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , which is further characterized by at least one of the following features:
 (a) said at least one device comprises a plurality such devices, adapted for serial or parallel transport of said heat-transfer fluid;   (b) said absorptive coating has a thickness in the range of 100 nm to 5000 nm;   (c) the material of said metallic cover is selected from steel, cobalt and cobalt alloys;   (d) said cover is attachable to and detachable from said core, and its attachability/detachability is achieved by magnetization/demagnetization of said cover and said core, and/or by click fastenings, and/or by tensioned clasps and/or tensioned springs, and/or by flange elements attached to said cover, having holes through which bolts may be inserted;   (e) said absorptive coating is a vacuum-, chemically- or electrochemically-deposited coating, or any combination thereof;   (f) said core has the form of a hollow cylinder.   
   
   
       3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said close physical contact is achieved by polishing to the order of micronic fineness, either the outer surface of said core or the inner surface of said cover, or both. 
   
   
       4 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said close physical contact is achieved by the presence of a layer of metal or metal alloy, disposed intermediately between the outer surface of each said core and the inner surface of said cover. 
   
   
       5 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said metal or metal alloy is solid at ambient temperature and under the conditions of absorption of solar energy is either sufficiently soft for efficient thermal contact, or is liquid. 
   
   
       6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the metal or metal alloy is lead or lead alloy. 
   
   
       7 . Apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the conditions of absorption of solar energy and the thickness of said intermediately disposed layer are such, that said liquid is held in place by surface tension forces. 
   
   
       8 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said heat-transfer devices is mounted on a tower. 
   
   
       9 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the periphery of said core is constituted by a plurality of hollow tubes welded together in a predetermined configuration. 
   
   
       10 . Apparatus according to  claim 9 , which is further characterized by at least one of the following features:
 (a) said at least one device comprises a plurality such devices, adapted for serial or parallel transport of said heat-transfer fluid;   (b) said absorptive coating has a thickness in the range of 100 nm to 5000 nm;   (c) the material of said metallic cover is selected from steel, cobalt and cobalt alloys;   (d) said cover is attachable to and detachable from said core, and its attachability/detachability is achieved by magnetization/demagnetization of said cover and said core, and/or by click fastenings, and/or by tensioned clasps and/or tensioned springs, and/or by flange elements attached to said cover, having holes through which bolts may be inserted;   (e) said absorptive coating is a vacuum-, chemically- or electrochemically-deposited coating, or any combination thereof;   (f) said core has the form of a hollow cylinder;   (g) each of said hollow tubes is adapted for flow of heat transfer fluid therethrough.   
   
   
       11 . Apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said close physical contact is achieved by polishing to the order of micronic fineness, either the outer surface of said core or the inner surface of said cover, or both. 
   
   
       12 . Apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said close physical contact is achieved by the presence of a layer of metal or metal alloy, disposed intermediately between the outer surface of each said core and the inner surface of said cover. 
   
   
       13 . Apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said metal or metal alloy is solid at ambient temperature and under the conditions of absorption of solar energy is either sufficiently soft for efficient thermal contact, or is liquid. 
   
   
       14 . Apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the metal or metal alloy is lead or lead alloy. 
   
   
       15 . Apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the conditions of absorption of solar energy and the thickness of said intermediately disposed layer are such, that said liquid is held in place by surface tension forces. 
   
   
       16 . Apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein at least one of said heat-transfer devices is mounted on a tower. 
   
   
       17 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , substantially as hereinbefore described, with particular reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.