Solar receiver

Abstract

A solar receiver includes a manifold, a sealed enclosure around the manifold and a plurality of tubes connected to the manifold and extending through the sealed enclosure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A solar receiver comprising:
 a manifold;   a sealed enclosure around the manifold; and   a plurality of tubes connected to the manifold and extending through the sealed enclosure.   
     
     
         2 . The solar receiver as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the sealed enclosure defines a volume between the sealed enclosure and the manifold, the sealed enclosure substantially sealing the volume from convective air flow between the volume and an exterior of the sealed enclosure. 
     
     
         3 . The solar receiver as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the volume is at a lower pressure than the exterior. 
     
     
         4 . The solar receiver as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the volume includes an insulating gas different than air. 
     
     
         5 . The solar receiver as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the insulating gas is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen-based gas, helium-based gas, carbon dioxide-based gas and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The solar receiver as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the sealed enclosure includes at least one seal element. 
     
     
         7 . The solar receiver as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the sealed enclosure includes at least one seal element between a panel of the sealed enclosure and the plurality of tubes. 
     
     
         8 . The solar receiver as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the sealed enclosure includes a top wall above the manifold, a bottom wall below the manifold, a forward wall in front of the manifold, a back wall behind the manifold, and side walls adjacent ends of the manifold. 
     
     
         9 . The solar receiver as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a thermal shield arranged adjacent the sealed enclosure. 
     
     
         10 . The solar receiver as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the thermal shield includes a support and ceramic panels mounted in an array on the support. 
     
     
         11 . The solar receiver as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the ceramic panels include respective openings there-through and fasteners arranged partially within the respective openings and securing the ceramic panels on the support, and plugs arranged at least partially within corresponding ones of the openings. 
     
     
         12 . The solar receiver as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the sealed enclosure includes a heater. 
     
     
         13 . The solar receiver as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the sealed enclosure includes an insulator panel sealed against the plurality of tubes. 
     
     
         14 . A method for use with a solar receiver, the method comprising:
 sealing an enclosure around a manifold that is connected with a plurality of tubes such that there is a volume between the enclosure and the manifold that is sealed from an exterior of the enclosure.   
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , including substantially sealing the enclosure around the manifold from convective air flow with the exterior of the enclosure. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , including establishing the volume to be at a lower pressure than the exterior. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the volume has an insulating gas different than air. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the insulting gas is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen-based gas, helium-based gas and carbon dioxide-based gas. 
     
     
         19 . A thermal shield comprising:
 a support;   ceramic panels mounted in an array on the support, the ceramic panels including respective openings there-through;   fasteners arranged partially within the respective openings and securing the ceramic panels on the support; and   plugs arranged at least partially within corresponding ones of the openings.   
     
     
         20 . The thermal shield as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the plugs are ceramic plugs. 
     
     
         21 . The thermal shield as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the ceramic panels include lap joints. 
     
     
         22 . The thermal shield as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the array is planar.