Solar energy heated with e.g. for desalination - has housing mounted lenses focussing on interval body expanding and contracting to maintain optimum heating

摘要

A solar energy heater comprises a body carrying spaced lenses for concentrating direct and reflected sunlight onto a member within the body which is expanded and contracted on heating into exact convergence with the lens focal points. There is a heat-absorbing core within the member and fluid to be heated is passed through the member. The body is pref. supported above a reflecting surface. The body is e.g. a rigid plastics or metal sphere with lenses around its entire surface and a reflecting coating on lenses and/or sphere inner surface. The member is e.g. an expansible sphere, its movement maintaining optimum heating.