Combination Solar and Combustion Heater

摘要

Substituting a solar concentrator for a conventional burner for heating is desirable. However, the sun's energy is diurnal and cannot be counted upon even during daylight hours. To ensure heating is available, a backup conventional combustor can be provided. According to the present disclosure, a heat exchanger element of the heater assembly is directly acted upon by solar rays via a solar concentrator and by combustion. The heat exchanger acts as the combustion holder. Fuel provided to the outside of the heat exchanger is adjusted based on the demanded for heating and the amount of insolation achieved via the solar concentrator. The heat exchanger can be part of a conventional heater or a heat pump for heating water.

主权项

1. A heater assembly, comprising:
a window having an outer surface and an inner surface; a solar concentrator having a collection area many times greater than an area of the window wherein most of the sun rays that impact the solar concentrator are reflected onto the outer surface of the window; a heat exchanger that is arranged closer to the inner surface of the window; and a fuel-and-air delivery chamber defined by the inner surface of the window, a first surface of the heat exchanger, and a side wall of the delivery chamber with an inlet for fuel and air defined in the side wall of the delivery chamber; and a combustion chamber defined by a second surface of the heat exchanger, a side wall of the combustion chamber, and a bottom wall with an outlet for exhaust gases defined in one of the side wall and the bottom wall of the combustion chamber.