Tubular solar energy traps with inflated flexible reflecting walls - for lightweight and simple construction

摘要

Solar energy traps involving a tubular profile with partially transparent, partially reflecting walls focusing imping solar radiation on a pipe passing a heat exchange fluid along the focal axis of the reflecting surface, in which the reflecting wall is of flexible material kept distended by internal pressure. Pref. the reflective wall is of metallised plastic film, pref. e.g. of 'MYLAR' (RTM-polyethylene-terephthalate). Used for multi-tube collectors used in series linked by manifolds, for recirculating the fluid through a heat exchanger. The structure can be much simpler and lighter than traps using rigid reflectors, e.g. for roof-top locations.