US20130139808A1

US20130139808A1 - Solar heating device

Info

Publication number: US20130139808A1
Application number: US13/555,812
Authority: US
Inventors: Jian Shian Lin; Yao Chi Peng; Tung Chuan Wu; Tung Cheng Pan; Yu Tang Chen; Wen Hua Zhang
Original assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute ITRI
Current assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute ITRI
Priority date: 2011-12-05
Filing date: 2012-07-23
Publication date: 2013-06-06
Also published as: CN103134200A; TW201323804A

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a solar heating device comprising at least one incidence collector and a thermal container. The thermal container includes at least one light absorbing recess, wherein at least one of the incidence collectors focuses solar beams on a focal point, which is located inside the light absorbing recess. The inner surface of the light absorbing recess converts the energy of the solar beams into radiant heating.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field
The disclosure relates to a heating device, and more particularly, to a solar heating device.
2. Background
Since global warming causes abnormal climate change in seasons and the overdevelopment of industrial society causes serious environmental impact, a lot of disasters occur. Thus, many countries advocate utilizing sustainable energy and have signed climate protection agreements. Thus, there is a need for a device capable of utilizing solar energy for emergency situations (e.g., disasters) or outdoor activity.
A solar beam collection heater 21 in prior art as shown in FIG. 1 comprises a supporting frame 44 and a grill 22. A light beam collecting frame 51 of the heater 21 is disposed on the supporting frame 44. A lens 5 is mounted in the frame 51 and disposed above the heater 21 converges solar beams toward an object 23 on the heater 21 such that the object 23 is heated by solar energy. The object 23 may produce liquid material such as grease during the heating process, which may flow into the container 14. However, the solar beam collection heater 21 may not function well in heating the liquid material, for example, the liquid in the container 14. Furthermore, the heater 21 may be heavy and bulky, which is not suitable for hand carry.

SUMMARY

The disclosure provides a solar heating device, which comprises at least one incidence collector and a thermal container. The thermal container includes at least one light absorbing recess. At least one incidence collector focuses solar beams on a focal point. The light absorbing recess converts the energy of the solar beams into radiant heating (e.g., a black-body radiating source). Preferably, the focal point is located inside at least one of the light absorbing recesses.
The disclosure also provides a solar heating device, comprising at least one incidence collector and a thermal container including at least one light absorbing recess. At least one of the incidence collectors focuses solar beams on a focal point and includes an optical guide. The optical guide directs the solar beams to the focal point and locates the focal point inside the light absorbing recess so the light absorbing recess converts the solar beams into radiant heating.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical benefits of the disclosure in order that the detailed description of the application that follows may be better understood. Additional features of the disclosure will be described hereinafter, and form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures or processes for carrying out the same purposes of the disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the disclosure may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the Figures, where like reference numbers refer to similar elements throughout the Figures, and:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a solar beam collection heater in prior art;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a solar heating device in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a solar heating device in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a solar heating device in accordance with still another embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a solar heating device in accordance with yet another embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a solar heating device in accordance with yet still another embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a solar heating device in accordance with still another embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure is directed to a solar heating device. In order to make the disclosure completely comprehensible, detailed steps and structures are provided in the following description. Obviously, implementation of the disclosure does not limit special details known by persons skilled in the art. In addition, known structures and steps are not described in detail, so as not to limit the disclosure unnecessarily. Preferred embodiments of the disclosure will be described below in detail. However, in addition to the detailed description, the disclosure may also be widely implemented in other embodiments. The scope of the disclosure is not limited to the detailed description, and is defined by the claims.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a solar heating device 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 2, the solar heating device 100 includes at least one incidence collector 110 and a thermal container 120. In one embodiment, the incidence collector 110 is a Fresnel mirror, which reflects solar beams and focuses the solar beams on a focal point 130. Particularly, the detail of the Fresnel mirror is shown in the enlarged view below FIG. 2. Since each of the reflection angles of the Fresnel mirror is different, the incident solar beams with different incident angles can be focused on the focal point 130. In addition, the thermal container 120 includes at least one light absorbing recess 140 at the bottom. Since the focal point 130 of the Fresnel mirror is located inside at least one of the light absorbing recesses 140, the light absorbing recess 140 will convert energy of the solar beams into a black-body radiating source or a radiant heating. Particularly, when solar beams emit into the light absorbing recess 140, since the solar beams are reflected inside the light absorbing recess 140 and the incidence opening 141 of the light absorbing recess 140 is very small, the solar beams cannot scatter away from the light absorbing recess 140. In addition, since the solar beams are repeatedly reflected by the inner wall of the light absorbing recess 140, the energy of the solar beams will be converted into black-body radiating source for radiant heating. The disclosure utilizes the black-body radiating source and the thermal conduction capability of the light absorbing recess 140 to conduct heat inside of the thermal container 120 so as to heat the liquid 200 accommodated in the thermal container 120. Since the solar heating device 100 can heat the liquid 200 (e.g., water) to its boiling point, the solar heating device 100 can be, but is not limited to being, applied for heating food. In the embodiment, the number of light absorbing recesses 140 is one; however, in another embodiment (not shown), the number of light absorbing recesses 140 can be plural in accordance with different designs.
The thermal container 120 further includes an outer wall 121, an inner wall 122 and a vacuum layer 123. The vacuum layer 123 is disposed between the outer wall 121 and the inner wall 122. Since the position of the light absorbing recess 140 does not include the vacuum layer 123 between the outer wall 121 and the inner wall 122, the position of the light absorbing recess 140 in the thermal container 120 is formed by a single recess wall instead of the outer wall 121 and the inner wall 122. By such design, the black-body radiating source of the light absorbing recess 140 directly conducts heat into the inside of the thermal container 120 to heat liquid 200. In addition, since the thickness of the outer wall 121 and the inner wall 122 is inversely proportional to the value of thermal conductivity, if the wall thickness of the light absorbing recess 140 is less than that of the outer wall 121 and the inner wall 122 of the thermal container 120, it is more efficient to conduct the heat into the thermal container 120 from the radiating source. Furthermore, in the embodiment, the thermal container 120 further includes, but not limited to, a cover 300 which seals the opening (not shown) of the thermal container 120 so as to rapidly heat the liquid 200.
As shown in FIG. 2, the light absorbing recess 140 includes an incidence opening 141. The light absorbing recess 140 is surrounded by side walls 142. The diameter of the incidence opening 141 is less than the maximal diameter of the light absorbing recess 140 to avoid light leakage from the incidence opening 141. In addition, the above-mentioned focal point 130 is located inside the light absorbing recess 140 defining the incidence opening 141. Furthermore, the side walls 142 defining the light absorbing recess 140 are coated with a light beam absorbing material 400 (e.g. carbon-related compound). The absorbing ratio of the light beam absorbing material 400 is higher than 30%. The light beam absorbing material 400 forms a structural layer (not shown) including a plurality of micro holes (not shown). Particularly, since the light absorbing recess 140 includes a plurality of micro holes formed by the light beam absorbing material 400, when the solar beams are focused on the inside of the light absorbing recess 140, the energy of the solar beams will be absorbed by the micro hole of the light absorbing recess 140, instead of scattering away from the light absorbing recess 140. Moreover, since the solar beams are repeatedly reflected by the inner wall of the light absorbing recess 140, the energy of the solar beams can be absorbed by the micro holes and then converted into the black-body radiating source. In addition, the shape of the light absorbing recess 140 is selected from the group consisting of spherical shape, half spherical shape, polygonal shape, symmetrical shape, cubic shape, rectangular shape, conic shape, arc-like shape, and non-symmetrical shape so as to absorb the solar beams in the light absorbing recess 140 to convert the optical energy into the thermal energy.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the solar heating device 100 further includes a fixing device 150 configured to maintain the relative position between the thermal container 120 and at least one of the incidence collectors 110. Since the fiving device 150 can prevent the focal point 130 from being located outside of the light absorbing recess 140 due to the shift of the relative position between the thermal container 120 and the incidence collectors 110, the black-body radiating source generated by the energy of the focal point 130 can be ensured. Furthermore, the shape of the incidence opening 141 is selected from the group consisting of circular shape, square shape, triangular shape, polygonal shape, rectangular shape, arc-like shape, and curved shape. Moreover, the shape of the incidence opening 141 allows the diameter of the incidence opening 141 to be less than the maximal diameter of the light absorbing recess 140 so as to avoid light leakage from the incidence opening 141.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a solar heating device 100 a in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, an incidence collector 110 a of the solar heating device 100 a includes a Fresnel lenslet array. Solar beams passing through the Fresnel lenslet array are focused on the focal point 130. In addition, the thermal container 120 includes a first light absorbing recess 140 a. Since the focal point 130 focused by the Fresnel lenslet array is located inside a second light absorbing recess 140 b, the second light absorbing recess 140 b will absorb the solar beams and convert them to the black-body radiating source. Particularly, when solar beams emit into the second light absorbing recess 140 b, since the solar beams are repeatedly reflected by the inner wall of the second light absorbing recess 140 b and the diameter of the incidence opening (equal to the incidence opening 141 of the first light absorbing recess 140 a) of the second light absorbing recess 140 b is too small to allow the solar beams to scatter away, the energy of the solar beams can be absorbed by the inner wall of the second light absorbing recess 140 b and then converted into the black-body radiating source. In the embodiment, the lateral side of the thermal container 120 includes the above-mentioned first light absorbing recess 140 a. Other lenslet arrays (not shown) can focus the solar beams inside the first light absorbing recess 140 a so as to generate another black-body radiating source for rapidly heating the liquid in the thermal container 120. In the alternative embodiment, the solar heating device 100 a further includes the above-mentioned incidence collector 110 b for focusing solar beams inside the first light absorbing recess 140 a. In addition, the light beam absorbing material 400 as shown in FIG. 2 can be coated inside the first or second light absorbing recesses 140 a or 140 b. Moreover, the fixing device 150 shown in FIG. 2 can be applied for the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 to maintain the relative position among the thermal container 120 and the incidence collector 110 a.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a solar heating device 100 b in accordance with still another embodiment of the disclosure. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, an incidence collector 110 b of the solar heating device 100 b includes an optical guide 111, directing solar beams toward the focal point 130. The optical guide 111 includes a light guide plate 112 and a collector prism 113. The light guide plate 112 includes a micro structural layer 1121 and a body 1122. The micro structural layer 1121 is disposed on the body 1122. The micro structural layer 1121 utilizes its own micro structure to direct most of the solar beams into the body 1122. The solar beams are total reflected inside the body 1122. The collector prism 113 is disposed at a side of the body 1122 and focuses the solar beams from the body 1122. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the solar heating device 100 b further includes a guiding light device 160. The guiding light device 160 includes an optical fiber 161. One end 162 of the optical fiber 161 connects with the collector prism 113, while the other end 163 of the optical fiber 161 directs the solar beams to the focal point 130. In an alternative embodiment, the above-mentioned incidence collectors 110 or 110 a can be utilized to focus solar beams inside the light absorbing recess 140. In addition, the light beam absorbing material 400 as shown in FIG. 2 can be coated inside the light absorbing recesses 140. Furthermore, the fixing device 150 shown in FIG. 2 can be applied for the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 to maintain the relative position among the thermal container 120 and the incidence collector 110 b.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a solar heating device 100 c in accordance with yet another embodiment of the disclosure. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the solar heating device 100 c further includes a guiding light device 170 (e.g., a prism), which directs the solar beams at the focal point 130 into at least one of the light absorbing recesses 140. Since the guiding light device 170 of the disclosure can direct the solar beams at the focal point 130 into the light absorbing recess 140, the focal point 130 focused by the incidence collector 110 a is not necessarily located inside the light absorbing recess 140. In other words, the guiding light device 170 can direct the solar beams of the focal point 130 located outside of the light absorbing recess 140 into the light absorbing recess 140 so as to convert the energy of the solar beams into the black-body radiating source. In the embodiment, the number of guiding light devices 170 is not limited to only one and can be plural in accordance with different designs. In addition, the fixing device 150 shown in FIG. 2 can be applied for the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 to maintain the relative position among the thermal container 120, at least one incidence collector 110 a, and the guiding light device 170. In the alternative embodiment, the solar heating device 100 c further includes the above-mentioned incidence collectors 110, 110 a or 110 b for focusing solar beams inside the lateral light absorbing recesses 140. In addition, the light beam absorbing material 400 as shown in FIG. 2 can be coated inside the light absorbing recesses 140. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the solar heating device 100 c may further include the above-mentioned guiding light device 160 to direct solar beams from the incidence collector 110 b. In alternative embodiment, the guide light device 160 can be replaced with the lenslet array.
In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the solar heating device 100 d further includes a guiding light device 180 (e.g., the reflecting mirror). The reflecting mirror can be plate-shaped as shown in FIG. 6 or conically-shaped guiding light device 190 as shown in FIG. 7. The reflecting mirror reflects the solar beams of the focal point 130 into at least one of the light absorbing recesses 140. Since the guiding light device 180 of the embodiment can direct the solar beams of the focal point 130 into the light absorbing recess 140, the focal point 130 focused by the incidence collector 110 a is not necessarily located inside the light absorbing recess 140. In other words, the guiding light device 180 or 190 can reflect the solar beams of the focal point 130 located outside of the light absorbing recess 140 into the light absorbing recess 140 so as to convert the energy of the solar beams into the black-body radiating source. In the embodiment, the number of guiding light devices 180 or 190 is not limited to only one and can be plural in accordance with different designs. In addition, the fixing device 150 shown in FIG. 2 can be applied to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 to maintain the relative position among the thermal container 120, at least one incidence collector 110 a, and the guiding light device 180. In the alternative embodiment, the solar heating device 100 d or 100 e further includes the above-mentioned incidence collectors 110, or 110 b for focusing solar beams inside the lateral light absorbing recesses 140. In addition, the light beam absorbing material 400 as shown in FIG. 2 can be coated inside the light absorbing recesses 140. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the solar heating device 100 d or 100 e may further include the above-mentioned guiding light device 160 to direct solar beams from the incidence collector 110 b or the above-mentioned guiding light device 170 to direct solar beams from the focal point 130. In alternative embodiment, the guide light device 180 or 190 can be replaced with the lenslet array.
Although the disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. For example, many of the processes discussed above can be implemented in different methodologies and replaced by other processes, or a combination thereof.
Moreover, the scope of the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, and composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed, that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A solar heating device, comprising:

at least one incidence collector; and

a thermal container, including at least one light absorbing recess, wherein at least one of the incidence collectors focuses solar beams on a focal point, and the light absorbing recess converts the energy of the solar beams into radiant heating.

2. The solar heating device according to claim 1, wherein the incidence collector further includes a Fresnel lenslet array, and the solar beams pass through the Fresnel lenslet array to focus on the focal point located inside the light absorbing recess.

3. The solar heating device according to claim 1, wherein the incidence collector includes a Fresnel mirror, reflecting solar beams and focusing on the focal point, located inside the light absorbing recess.

4. The solar heating device according to claim 1, wherein the incidence collector includes an optical guide, directing solar beams to the focal point located inside the light absorbing recess.

5. The solar heating device according to claim 1, wherein the optical guide includes a light guide plate and a collector prism, the light guide plate includes a micro structural layer and a body, the micro structural layer is disposed on the body, the micro structural layer directs the solar beams to the body, and the collector prism is disposed at a side of the body and focuses the solar beams from the body.

6. The solar heating device according to claim 2, further comprising a guiding light device, directing the solar beams of the focal point to at least one light absorbing recess, wherein the guiding light device is selected from a group consisting of reflecting mirror, lenslet array, and optical fiber.

7. The solar heating device according to claim 3, further comprising a guiding light device, directing the solar beams of the focal point to at least one light absorbing recess, wherein the guiding light device is selected from a group consisting of reflecting mirror, lenslet array, and optical fiber.

8. The solar heating device according to claim 5, further comprising a guiding light device, directing the solar beams of the focal point to at least one light absorbing recess, wherein the guiding light device is selected from a group consisting of reflecting mirror, lenslet array, and optical fiber.

9. The solar heating device according to claim 5, further comprising a guiding light device, including an optical fiber, wherein an end of the optical fiber connects with the collector prism, and the other end of the optical fiber directs the solar beams to the focal point.

10. The solar heating device according to claim 1, wherein the thermal container further includes an outer wall, an inner wall, and a vacuum layer, the vacuum layer is disposed between the outer wall and the inner wall, and the position of the light absorbing recess in the thermal container does not include the vacuum layer between the outer wall and the inner wall.

11. The solar heating device according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the light absorbing recesses includes an incidence opening, the focal point is located inside the light absorbing recess, and the shape of the light absorbing recess is selected from the group consisting of spherical shape, half spherical shape, polygonal shape, symmetrical shape, cubic shape, rectangular shape, conical shape, arc-like shape, and non-symmetrical shape.

12. The solar heating device according to claim 11, wherein the shape of the incidence opening is selected from the group consisting of circular shape, square shape, triangular shape, polygonal shape, rectangular shape, arc-like shape, and curved shape.

13. The solar heating device according to claim 11, wherein the inner surface of the light absorbing recess is coated with a light beam absorbing material, and the absorbing ratio of the light beam absorbing material is greater than 30%.

14. The solar heating device according to claim 13, wherein the light beam absorbing material forms a structural layer including a plurality of micro holes.

15. The solar heating device according to claim 1, further comprising a fixing device, maintaining the relative position between the thermal container and at least one of the incidence collectors.

16. The solar heating device according to claim 1, wherein the light absorbing recess is located at the bottom or the lateral outer wall of the thermal container.

17. The solar heating device according to claim 11, wherein the diameter of the incidence opening is less than the maximal diameter of the light absorbing recess to avoid light leakage from the incidence opening.

18. The solar heating device according to claim 12, wherein the diameter of the incidence opening is less than the maximal diameter of the light absorbing recess to avoid light leakage from the incidence opening.

19. The solar heating device according to claim 6, wherein the shape of the reflecting mirror is selected from the group consisting of plate shape and conical shape.

20. The solar heating device according to claim 7, wherein the shape of the reflecting mirror is selected from the group consisting of plate shape and conical shape.