SOLAR COLLECTOR

Abstract: A solar collector (1), comprising collector means (2) having a substantially curved collector surface configuration (3) and a reflective device (4) projecting from the collector means (2) and adapted to reflect incident solar energy to the collector surface (3). The collector means (2) is a frusto-conical cup-like means which has on its inner surface a spiral pipe through which heat transfer medium such as water passes. The water is heated by the incident solar energy collected by the collector means and is circulated for use elsewhere.

Description: SOLAR COLLECTOR The invention relates to solar collectors. Such collectors of incident solar energy usually comprise bodies of hollow heat conductive materials such as copper or brass, and containing a heat transfer medium such as water. The collectors catch the sun's rays to cause transfer of heat to the water, which can then be circulated for heating purposes. Such collectors often have a curved collector surface configuration, particularly substantially conical. These collectors then cast a "shadow" from one side to the other when in the sun's rays, so providing unequal heating and lowering their efficiency because not all the available surface area is available for collecting incident solar energy. According to the invention there is provided a solar connector, comprising collector means having a substantially curved collector surface configuration and a reflective device projecting from the collector means and adapted to reflect incident solar energy to the collector surface. The reflective device may comprise a curved member. The curved member may be a part cylindrical member. The member may extend over an arc of substantially 180 c . The reflective device may be inclined to overlie the collector means at least partially. The collector means may be substantially conical, for exa τ τ ie an inverted cone. - ~ - Solar collectors embodying rhe invention are hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of solar 5 collector according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view through the collector of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of solar collector according to rhe invention. IG Referring to the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 shcv/ a solar collector 1, comprising collector means 2 having a substantially curved collector surface configuration 3 and a reflective device 4 projecting from the collector means 2 and adapted to reflect incident solar energy to the collector surface 3. The collector 15 means 2. in Figs. 1 and 2 is a frusto-conical cup-like means which has on its inner surface a spiral pipe through which heat transfer medium such as water passes. The water is heated by the incident solar energy collected by the collector means and is circulated for use elsewhere- Because it is essentially conical, the side 5 20 of the collector surface nearest the sun's rays, arrow A in Fig. 2, is in shadow. The reflective device 4, which is a metal sheet or mirror glass is curved through an arc of 180° (or 110 radius ) and projects upwardly from the rim 6 of the collector means 2 over half the circumference and is inclined to the vertical so that it 25 partly overlies the collector means 2. Solar energy incident on the reflective device 4 is reflected into the collector means 2 to strike hitherto "shaded" part 5 so that the whole of the interior is utilised in collecting solar energy (which is incident directly on the part 7 of the collector means beneath the reflective device 304). The embodiment 10 shown in Fig. 3 is similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in that there is a frustoconical collector means 11 and a reflective device 12. In this embodiment 10 the frusto-cone is inverted. The reflective device 12 projects upwardly from the base 15 of the collector means 11, and overlies it. It will be understood that the reflective device 4,12 and collector means 2,11 are secured together as by any suitable means such as brazing or welding. It will also be understood that the collector means 2,11 may be conical instead of frusto-conical as shown. In every embodiment the reflective device 4,12 substantially increases the effectiveness of the collectors in that it doubles their collecting efficiency. This leads to a reduction in weight because smaller and hence lighter collectors can be utilised. This is important where the collectors are to be installed on the roof of a building as it means that expensive strengthening of the roof can be avoided.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. A solar connector, comprising collector means (2) having a substantially curved collector surface configuration (3) and a relfective device (4,12) projecting from the collector means (2,11) and adapted to reflect incident solar energy to the collector surface (3). 2. A solar collector according to claim 1, the reflective device (4,12) comprising a curved member (4). 3. A solar collector according to claim 2, the curved member (4) being a part cylindrical member. 4. A solar collector according to claim 3, the member (4) extending over an arc of substantially 180°. 5. A solar collector according to any preceding claim, the reflective device (4,12) being inclined to overlie the collector means (2,11) at least partially. 6. A solar collector according to any preceding claim, the collector means (2,11) being substantially conical. 7. A solar collector according to claim 6, the collector means being an inverted frusto-cone (11). 8. A solar collector according to claim 6, the collector means being an open frusto-conical member (2). 9. A solar collector according to claim 7 or claim 8, including heat transfer means at the collector surface (3) . 10. A solar collector according to any preceding claim, the relfective device (4,12) being secured to the collector means at an end thereof.

Inventors: DELACRETAZ JOHN, JOHNSON TERENCE LESLIE, DELACRETAZ, JOHN, JOHNSON, TERENCE, LESLIE
Applicants: DELACRETAZ JOHN, JOHNSON TERENCE LESLIE, DELACRETAZ, JOHN, JOHNSON, TERENCE, LESLIE
Application year: 1988
Main classification: F24J2
IPC codes: F24J2