Solar energy collector

Abstract

There is provided a solar energy collector capable of effectively collecting solar energy. The solar energy collector includes a solar energy collection pipe having an absorption medium flow path for allowing an energy absorption medium to flow therethrough, and at least one lens configured to concentrate solar energy on the solar energy collection pipe.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A solar energy collector, comprising:
 a solar energy collection pipe having an absorption medium flow path for allowing an energy absorption medium to flow therethrough; and   at least one lens configured to concentrate solar energy on the solar energy collection pipe.   
     
     
         2 . The solar energy collector of  claim 1 , wherein the solar energy collection pipe includes:
 a solar energy collection body portion including a solar energy collection portion through which the solar energy concentrated by the lens is transmitted into the solar energy collection pipe; and   an insulating portion configured to cover at least a part of a remaining portion of the solar energy collection body portion other than the solar energy collection portion.   
     
     
         3 . The solar energy collector of  claim 2 , wherein the insulating portion is disposed to make contact with the solar energy collection body portion, and the insulating portion is removable from the solar energy collection body portion. 
     
     
         4 . The solar energy collector of  claim 1 , wherein the solar energy collection pipe includes:
 a solar energy collection support portion configured to provide the absorption medium flow path;   an insulating portion configured to cover the solar energy collection support portion; and   a solar energy collection window portion connected to the solar energy collection support portion so that the solar energy passes through the solar energy collection window portion,   wherein the solar energy collection window portion has an arc-shaped cross section whose radius of curvature is the same as a radius of curvature of the solar energy collection support portion.   
     
     
         5 . The solar energy collector of  claim 4 , wherein the solar energy collection pipe further includes a heat reflector portion disposed on an inner surface of the solar energy collection support portion, and the heat reflector portion has an arc-shaped cross section and is concentrically disposed with respect to the solar energy collection support portion. 
     
     
         6 . The solar energy collector of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a collector pipe spaced apart by a predetermined distance from the solar energy collection pipe and configured to cover the solar energy collection pipe,   wherein the collector pipe includes a collector body portion and a collector window portion including a focusing portion configured to transmit the solar energy concentrated by the lens into the collector pipe.   
     
     
         7 . The solar energy collector of  claim 1 , wherein the lens is configured to concentrate the solar energy toward the center of the solar energy collection pipe, the lens extending along a longitudinal direction of the solar energy collection pipe, the lens having a thickness that grows larger toward the center in a width direction or a thickness that grows larger from one end toward the other end in the width direction. 
     
     
         8 . The solar energy collector of  claim 4 , wherein the solar energy collection window portion includes a one-way window configured to suppress transfer of radiant solar energy in a direction opposite to an incidence direction of the solar energy. 
     
     
         9 . The solar energy collector of  claim 6 , wherein the collector pipe further includes a reflector portion provided on an inner surface of the collector body portion. 
     
     
         10 . The solar energy collector of  claim 6 , wherein the collector body portion further includes an absorption portion coated with an absorption material for absorbing the solar energy. 
     
     
         11 . The solar energy collector of  claim 6 , wherein the collector window portion includes a one-way window configured to suppress transfer of radiant solar energy in a direction opposite to an incidence direction of the solar energy. 
     
     
         12 . The solar energy collector of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a detection sensor configured to measure an incidence angle of the solar energy;   an actuator configured to rotate the solar energy collection pipe, the collector pipe and the lens; and   a controller configured to control an operation of the actuator based on the incidence angle measured by the detection sensor,   wherein the solar energy collection pipe, the collector pipe and the lens are rotated under the control of the controller so that a solar energy collection window portion, the collector window portion and the lens are arranged in an incidence direction of the solar energy.   
     
     
         13 . The solar energy collector of  claim 1 , wherein the lens includes a Fresnel lens disposed so that a focal line passes through an edge of the lens. 
     
     
         14 . The solar energy collector of  claim 1 , wherein the lens includes a Fresnel lens disposed so that a focal line passes through between a center and an edge of the lens. 
     
     
         15 . The solar energy collector of  claim 1 , wherein the lens includes two or more lenses.