Receiver for use with a parabolic solar concentrator

Abstract

A receiver for use with parabolic solar concentrators. The receiver consists of a heat conductive tube helically coiled into a hollow cone shape. Heat conductive fluid is pumped into an entry point in the tube and exits at an exit point from the tube. A casing is provided to cover the cone. An insulator between the cone and casing prevents heat from escaping from the coil. When deployed, the receiver is positioned such that the aperture of the cone is directed towards the parabolic solar concentrator. The receiver can be positioned so that the focus of the parabolic concentrator is outside of the cone but adjacent to the aperture. Alternatively, the receiver can be positioned so that focus of the parabolic concentrator is inside the cone but still adjacent to the aperture. To assist in the heat transfer, the inside of the cone can be colored black.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A receiver for use with a concentrated solar thermal system, the receiver comprising:
 at least one thermally conductive tube, said at least one tube being helically coiled into a hollow cone shape, said at least one tube being for passing a thermally conductive fluid from an entry point on said tube to an exit point on said tube;   
       wherein said receiver is placed adjacent to a focal point of a parabolic dish solar concentrator. 
     
     
         2 . A receiver according to  claim 1  further including an outer casing for covering an outside of said cone shape. 
     
     
         3 . A receiver according to  claim 2  further including a thermal insulator placed between said at least one thermally conductive tube and said casing. 
     
     
         4 . A receiver according to  claim 1  wherein said thermally conductive fluid is pumped into said at least one tube by way of said entry point. 
     
     
         5 . A receiver according to  claim 1  wherein sunlight reflected by said concentrator is incident on an inner portion of said cone shape. 
     
     
         6 . A receiver according to  claim 1  wherein an inner portion of said cone shape is colored to increase heat absorption by said tube. 
     
     
         7 . A receiver according to  claim 1  wherein said outer casing is cone shaped. 
     
     
         8 . A receiver according to  claim 1  wherein an apex of said cone shape is pointed at a solar heat source. 
     
     
         9 . A receiver according to  claim 6  wherein said inner portion of said cone shape is colored black. 
     
     
         10 . A receiver according to  claim 2  wherein said outer casing is cylinder shaped. 
     
     
         11 . A receiver according to  claim 1  wherein said tube is made from copper. 
     
     
         12 . A receiver according to  claim 1  wherein an aperture of said cone shape is adjacent said focal point. 
     
     
         13 . A receiver according to  claim 1  wherein a position of said receiver relative to said focal point is adjustable. 
     
     
         14 . A receiver according to  claim 1  wherein said thermally conductive liquid is water. 
     
     
         15 . A receiver according to  claim 2  wherein a vacuum exists between said at least one thermally conductive tube and said casing.