Closed and open loop solar air collectors

Abstract

A solar thermal collector is disclosed. The collector comprises a body defining a housing; a solar absorber located, within the housing; a transparent insulating medium in proximity to the solar absorber; and a heat exchanger integrated, with the housing.

1 . A solar thermal collector, comprising:
 a body defining a housing;   a solar absorber located within the housing;   a transparent insulating medium in proximity to the solar absorber; and   a heat exchanger integrated with the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The collector of claim wherein at least a portion of the heat exchanger resides within the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The collector of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent insulating medium comprises a nano-porous matrix 
     
     
         4 . The collector of  claim 3 , wherein the solar absorber is embedded within the nano-porous matrix. 
     
     
         5 . The collector of  claim 4 , wherein the nano-porous matrix comprises aerogel, 
     
     
         6 . The collector of  claim 1 , further comprising an inlet and outlet defined between the heat exchanger and the body defining the housing; wherein the inlet serves to introduce a cold heat transfer fluid into the housing, to undergo heating that coming into contact with the solar absorber, and the outlet serves to allow the heated heat transfer fluid to pass from the collective body two the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         7 . The collector of  claim 6 , wherein the heat transfer fluid is circulated within the housing thermally-driven buoyancy forces. 
     
     
         8 . The collector of  claim 6 , further comprising a pump located within the housing configured to facilitate circulation of the heat transfer fluid. 
     
     
         9 . The collector of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a planar configuration including upper and lower faceplates. 
     
     
         10 . The collector of  claim 1 , wherein the body has a cylindrical configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The collector of  claim 4 , wherein the heat transfer fluid comprises air. 
     
     
         12 . The collector of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is elevated relative to the solar absorber. 
     
     
         13 . The collector of  claim 1 , which forms a closed loop system. 
     
     
         14 . The collector of  claim 1 , which forms an open loop system.