Heat collecting device

Abstract

A heat collecting device includes: a first vacuum device which includes a first housing and which defines a first vacuum chamber; a second vacuum device which includes a second housing that contains the first vacuum device and which cooperates with the first vacuum device to define a second vacuum chamber therebetween; a metal plate mounted within the first vacuum device and having a plate body and an extension portion extending from the plate body to project outwardly of the first and second vacuum devices, the metal plate being capable of absorbing heat energy from an external heat source through the first and second vacuum devices; an insulating layer enclosing the extension portion; and a thermoelectric semiconductor device attached to the extension portion of the metal plate, extending through the insulating layer, and disposed outside the second vacuum device for conducting the heat energy absorbed by the metal plate.

1 . A heat collecting device, comprising:
 a first vacuum device which includes a first housing and which defines a first vacuum chamber;   a second vacuum device which includes a second housing that contains said first vacuum device and which cooperates with said first vacuum device to define a second vacuum chamber therebetween;   a metal plate mounted within said first vacuum device and having a plate body and an extension portion extending from said plate body to project outwardly of said first and second vacuum devices, said metal plate being capable of absorbing heat energy from an external heat source through said first and second vacuum devices;   an insulating layer enclosing said extension portion of said metal plate; and   a thermoelectric semiconductor device attached to said extension portion of said metal plate, extending through said insulating layer and disposed outside said second vacuum device for conducting the heat energy absorbed by said metal plate.   
   
   
       2 . The heat collecting device according to  claim 1 , wherein said metal plate is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of copper and aluminum. 
   
   
       3 . The heat collecting device according to  claim 1 , wherein said metal plate has an outer surface that is coated with a black paint material. 
   
   
       4 . The heat collecting device according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second housings is a rectangular housing, said first and second housings having confronting walls that are made of glass.