Solar energy collection conduit

Abstract

A solar energy collection conduit ( 10 ) comprising an optical concentrator ( 40 ) incorporated into an outer tube ( 30 ) having a sunlight-transmitting ceiling ( 32 ). The concentrator ( 40 ) focuses, guides, directs, and/or otherwise concentrates sunlight towards a pipe ( 50 ). Fluid ( 60 ) conveyed by the pipe ( 50 ) can be heated to very high temperatures (e.g., up to and above about 100° C., about 200° C., and/or about 300° C.).

1 . A solar energy collection conduit comprising:
 a collection chamber including a sunlight-absorbing region,   an outer tube having a wall defining the collection chamber, this chamber-defining wall having a ceiling which transmits sunlight therethrough, and   an optical concentrator concentrating sunlight transmitted therethrough to the sunlight-absorbing region of the collection chamber;   wherein the optical concentrator is incorporated into the outer tube.   
     
     
         2 . A solar energy collection conduit as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the optical concentrator extends substantially the length of the light-transmitting ceiling. 
     
     
         3 . A solar energy collection conduit as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the light-transmitting ceiling extends substantially the length of the collection chamber. 
     
     
         4 . A solar energy collection conduit as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the light-transmitting ceiling is formed in one piece with the rest of the chamber-defining wall. 
     
     
         5 . A solar energy collection conduit as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the optical concentrator comprises a substrate and sunlight-concentrating features formed on this substrate. 
     
     
         6 . A solar energy collection conduit as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the sunlight-concentrating features comprise Fresnel prisms. 
     
     
         7 . A solar energy collection conduit as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the sunlight-concentrating features comprise meniscus lens. 
     
     
         8 . A solar energy collection conduit as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the sunlight-concentrating features comprise planoconvex lens. 
     
     
         9 . A solar energy collection conduit as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is attached to the sunlight-transmitting ceiling. 
     
     
         10 . A solar energy collection conduit as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the substrate extends downward from an interior surface of the sunlight-transmitting ceiling and the sunlight concentrating features are formed on an upper surface of this substrate. 
     
     
         11 . A solar energy collection conduit as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the substrate extends upward from an exterior surface of the sunlight-transmitting ceiling and the sunlight-concentrating features are formed on a lower surface of this substrate. 
     
     
         12 . A solar energy collection conduit as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is situated within the chamber below the light-transmitting ceiling and above the sunlight-absorbing region. 
     
     
         13 . A solar energy collection conduit as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the substrate extends across the width of the outer tube. 
     
     
         14 . A solar energy collection conduit as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the substrate is formed in one piece with the outer tube. 
     
     
         15 . A solar energy collection conduit as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the substrate is formed separate from the outer tube and then bonded thereto. 
     
     
         16 . A solar energy collection conduit as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a fluid-transferring pipe residing within the sunlight-absorbing region of the collection chamber. 
     
     
         17 . A solar energy collection conduit as set forth in  claim 16 , claims, comprising a fluid being conveyed within the pipe. 
     
     
         18 . A solar energy collection conduit as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the fluid is water, seawater, air, refrigerant, or oil. 
     
     
         19 . A solar energy collection cell comprising a plurality of the solar energy collection conduits as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the conduits' fluid-conveying pipes are connected in series. 
     
     
         20 . A system comprising the solar energy collection cell set forth in  claim 19 , wherein the cell is the fluid-heating component, and wherein the system is a power generation system, a water heating system, a desalination system, or a heat battery reconstitution system.