Solar radiant energy umbrella
First Claim
1. A device for harnessing radiant solar energy comprising in combination:
- an elongated supporting structure, a concave reflective surface adapted to receive a plurality of rays of radiant energy such that reflected rays converge to a substantially common point substantially coincident with space associated with the concave reflective surface, said elongated supporting structure including a first end extending from said reflective surface in juxtaposition to and spaced-from said common point, and an opposite remaining end of said elongated supporting structure extending from an opposite face of the concave reflective surface and adapted for supporting the concave reflective surface in a predetermined energy ray-receiving position;
clamping means for clamping a liquid-containable vessel onto said first end of said elongated supporting structure, adapted such that a liquid-containable vessel supported by said clamping means is positioned substantially at said common point; and
as the liquid-containable vessel, a liquid-containable vessel of predetermined shape at said common point, the predetermined shape being characterized to maintain liquid adjacent inner wall surfaces of the liquid-containable vessel and within a thickness range below a predetermined maximum layer-thickness such that liquid volume does not exceed volume required for absorbing all energy transmitted through said inner wall surfaces; and
a vaporizable liquid within the liquid-containable vessel in an amount of said thickness range below said predetermined maximum layer-thickness of a volume sufficient to absorb substantially all heat energy transmitted through said adjacent inner wall surfaces, whereby excessive energy dilution is avoided and heat energy is obtainable in high concentration within the thickness range, said amount being insufficient to fill a predetermined minimum of substantially enclosed space above liquid level of said liquid sufficiently to provide for collection of vapor vaporized by heat within said liquid, and vapor channeling means for channeling vapor from said enclosed space to a heating vessel into enclosure space thereof, and as said heating vessel, a liquid-containable heating vessel connected to receive vapor by said vapor channeling means, said vapor channeling means including a liquid-trapping means for trapping liquid physically carried by vapor from the enclosed space passing through said vapor channeling means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a preferred embodiment, an umbrella has a reflective concave face serving a radiant energy collector when the umbrella is invertedly mounted, and a clamp clamps onto the umbrellas shaft a vessel containing water partially filling the same, the vessel being of narrow thickness and being supported at a point of converging reflected rays of energy, the vessel having upper steam space connected to a heating-vessel for heating typically a cup of coffee by heat-exchange with the coffee cup, and having a drain conduit for draining condensed steam back to the liquid-containing vessel, a steam conduit channeling steam through a liquid trap for removing water droplets carried by the steam, and the umbrella when upright serving as typically a beach umbrella which shifts with the wind by virtue of the shaft being off-set from the center.
48 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A device for harnessing radiant solar energy comprising in combination:
- an elongated supporting structure, a concave reflective surface adapted to receive a plurality of rays of radiant energy such that reflected rays converge to a substantially common point substantially coincident with space associated with the concave reflective surface, said elongated supporting structure including a first end extending from said reflective surface in juxtaposition to and spaced-from said common point, and an opposite remaining end of said elongated supporting structure extending from an opposite face of the concave reflective surface and adapted for supporting the concave reflective surface in a predetermined energy ray-receiving position;
clamping means for clamping a liquid-containable vessel onto said first end of said elongated supporting structure, adapted such that a liquid-containable vessel supported by said clamping means is positioned substantially at said common point; and
as the liquid-containable vessel, a liquid-containable vessel of predetermined shape at said common point, the predetermined shape being characterized to maintain liquid adjacent inner wall surfaces of the liquid-containable vessel and within a thickness range below a predetermined maximum layer-thickness such that liquid volume does not exceed volume required for absorbing all energy transmitted through said inner wall surfaces; and
a vaporizable liquid within the liquid-containable vessel in an amount of said thickness range below said predetermined maximum layer-thickness of a volume sufficient to absorb substantially all heat energy transmitted through said adjacent inner wall surfaces, whereby excessive energy dilution is avoided and heat energy is obtainable in high concentration within the thickness range, said amount being insufficient to fill a predetermined minimum of substantially enclosed space above liquid level of said liquid sufficiently to provide for collection of vapor vaporized by heat within said liquid, and vapor channeling means for channeling vapor from said enclosed space to a heating vessel into enclosure space thereof, and as said heating vessel, a liquid-containable heating vessel connected to receive vapor by said vapor channeling means, said vapor channeling means including a liquid-trapping means for trapping liquid physically carried by vapor from the enclosed space passing through said vapor channeling means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
- an elongated supporting structure, a concave reflective surface adapted to receive a plurality of rays of radiant energy such that reflected rays converge to a substantially common point substantially coincident with space associated with the concave reflective surface, said elongated supporting structure including a first end extending from said reflective surface in juxtaposition to and spaced-from said common point, and an opposite remaining end of said elongated supporting structure extending from an opposite face of the concave reflective surface and adapted for supporting the concave reflective surface in a predetermined energy ray-receiving position;
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4. A method for harnessing radiant solar energy, comprising in combination:
- arranging a concave reflective surface to receive a plurality of rays of radiant energy such that reflected rays converge to a substantially common point substantially coincident with space associated with the concave reflective surface;
positioning a liquid-containable vessel of predetermined shape at said common point, the predetermined shape being characterized to maintain liquid thickness below a predetermined maximum layer-thickness of liquid adjacent inner wall surfaces of the liquid-containable vessel;
maintaining a predetermined amount of liquid within said liquid-containable vessel in an amount sufficient to absorb substantially all heat energy transmitted through said adjacent inner wall surfaces and up to said predetermined maximum layer-thickness sufficient to avoid excessive energy dilution and to obtain concentration of heat energy within said predetermined maximum layer-thickness of liquid, and concurrently maintaining a predetermined minimum substantially enclosed space above liquid-level sufficient for collection of vapor vaporized by heat within said liquid; and
channeling liquid-carrying vapor from said enclosed space to a heating vessel into enclosure space thereof and trapping liquid physically-carried by said liquid-carrying vapor during said channeling. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
- arranging a concave reflective surface to receive a plurality of rays of radiant energy such that reflected rays converge to a substantially common point substantially coincident with space associated with the concave reflective surface;
Specification