SOLAR ENERGY ABSORBER FOR USE WITH A LINEAR OPTICAL CONCENTRATING SYSTEM

摘要

A solar energy absorber comprises a thermally-insulated duct housing a plurality of longitudinally-extending absorbing plates and having a slit located at the focal axis of an elongate, optical focusing system. The plates are parallel to the plane of symmetry of the optical system and are spaced apart such that focused energy incident through the slit falls upon an entire surface of each plate, any reflected energy being returned to the plates by a plane mirror located on the opposite side of the plates from the slit and by internal reflecting surfaces of the duct such that substantially all the energy is absorbed: this energy is given up to an air flow through the duct, in use.