Heat transfer device

Abstract

A heat transfer device having a working fluid capable of circulating around a fluid flow path, the circulation around the fluid flow path bringing the working fluid in and out of thermal contact with a heat source, the heat transfer device comprising: a fluid containing portion internally defining a working fluid flow path; a heat source at least partially in thermal contact with the fluid containing portion; a gas substance generator at least partially within the fluid containing portion, and arranged to generate bubbles of vapor capable of driving the working fluid along a portion of the working fluid flow path in thermal contact with the heat source; wherein, in use, the driven working fluid absorbs heat from the heat source and transports the heat away from the heat source; and the driven working fluid returns to the gas substance generator to be recycled about the fluid flow path.

1 . A solar energy converter comprising:
 a tube, the tube being at least partially transparent and at least partially evacuated;   a heat transfer element located within the tube; and   at least one photovoltaic element mounted on a surface of the heat transfer element.   
     
     
         2 . The solar energy converter according to  claim 1 , and comprising a plurality of photovoltaic elements. 
     
     
         3 . The solar energy converter according to  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of photovoltaic elements are arranged in an array. 
     
     
         4 . The solar energy converter according to  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of photovoltaic elements are arranged in a linear array. 
     
     
         5 . The solar energy converter according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer element comprises a first sheet and a second sheet defining fluid passages between them. 
     
     
         6 . The solar energy converter according to  claim 2 , and further comprising electrical conductors connected to the plurality of photovoltaic elements. 
     
     
         7 . The solar energy converter according to  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of photovoltaic elements are arranged to convert incident solar energy into electrical energy, and the electrical conductors are arranged to carry the electrical energy produced by the plurality of photovoltaic elements. 
     
     
         8 . The solar energy converter according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer element is arranged to cool the at least one photovoltaic element. 
     
     
         9 . The solar energy converter according to  claim 8 , wherein the heat transfer element is arranged to maintain the at least one photovoltaic element at a uniform temperature value. 
     
     
         10 . The solar energy converter according to  claim 1 , and further comprising a heat exchange assembly connected to an end of the heat transfer element. 
     
     
         11 . The solar energy converter according to  claim 10  wherein the heat exchange assembly is located outside the tube. 
     
     
         12 . The solar energy converter according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer device comprises a substantially rigid heat conducting structure. 
     
     
         13 . The solar energy converter according to  claim 1 , wherein the tube is at a pressure of one of: 40 mbar or less; 2 mbar or less; 1 mbar or less; 10 −2  mbar or less; 10 −3  mbar or less; 10 −6  mbar or less. 
     
     
         14 . The solar energy converter according to  claim 1 , wherein the tube is one of: a cylindrical tube; an elliptical tube. 
     
     
         15 . The solar energy converter according to  claim 1 , wherein the tube is formed, at least in part, of glass. 
     
     
         16 . The solar energy converter according to  claim 1 , wherein the tube and heat transfer element are arranged for rotation about an axis of the tube. 
     
     
         17 . The solar energy converter according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of photovoltaic elements comprise a semiconductor material. 
     
     
         18 . The solar energy converter according to  claim 2 , wherein the heat transfer element has an upper face, and the plurality of photovoltaic elements cover substantially the entire upper face of the heat transfer element. 
     
     
         19 . The solar energy converter according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer element has a substantially flat upper surface and the plurality of photovoltaic elements are bonded to the substantially flat upper surface of the heat transfer element. 
     
     
         20 . The solar energy converter according to  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of photovoltaic elements are bonded to the substantially flat upper surface of the heat transfer element by a heat conducting layer. 
     
     
         21 . The solar energy converter according to  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of photovoltaic elements are bonded to the substantially flat upper surface of the heat transfer element by a flexible adhesive layer. 
     
     
         22 . A solar energy collecting array comprising a plurality of solar energy converters, each of the plurality of solar energy converters comprising:
 a tube, the tube being at least partially transparent and at least partially evacuated;   a heat transfer element located within the tube; and   at least one photovoltaic element mounted on a surface of the heat transfer element;   wherein the plurality of solar energy converters are arranged so that their respective tubes are parallel.   
     
     
         23 . A solar energy collecting array according to  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of tubes are arranged to be rotatable about their respective axes to track light incident on the solar energy collecting array.