This application claims priority of Taiwanese Application No. 098139494, filed on Nov. 20, 2009.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a thermal collecting device, more particularly to a portable solar energy collecting device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In such a configuration, a mechanical power output generated by the conventional thermal engine 1 depends on the thermal energy generated by the thermal energy source 2. When the thermal energy is generated from solar energy or terrestrial heat, unstable supply of the thermal energy to the first pneumatic cylinder 11 may occur. When the thermal energy is generated by fuel combustion, in order to ensure stable supply of the thermal energy to the first pneumatic cylinder 11, continuous supply of fuel is necessary, thereby resulting in relatively high costs.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable solar energy collecting device that can overcome the aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art.
According to the present invention, a portable solar energy collecting device comprises:
a container configured with an accommodating space therein and including a transparent housing, the transparent housing including an inner surrounding wall and an outer surrounding wall, and being formed with a vacuum chamber defined between the inner and outer surrounding walls and surrounding the accommodating space; and
a heat-absorbing unit disposed in the accommodating space in the container, absorbing solar energy when the transparent housing is irradiated by solar radiation and converting the solar energy into thermal energy that is accumulated in the accommodating space in the container.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
Referring to
The container 3 is configured with an accommodating space 30 therein. In this embodiment, the container 3 includes a transparent housing 31 and a cap body 32.
The housing 31 includes an inner surrounding wall 313, and an outer surrounding wall 311, and is formed with a vacuum chamber 33 defined between the inner and outer surrounding walls 313, 311 and surrounding the accommodating space 30. The housing 31 further includes a partition wall 312 disposed in the vacuum chamber 33 so that the vacuum chamber 33 is divided by the partition wall 312 into first and second chamber portions 331, 332. The housing 31 is further formed with an opening 310. In this embodiment, the housing 31 is made of a heat-isolating material, such as glass and quartz.
The cap body 32 covers sealingly the opening 310 in the housing 31 and cooperates with the housing 31 to define the accommodating space 30.
The heat-absorbing unit 4 is disposed in the accommodating space 30 in the container 3. In this embodiment, the heat-absorbing unit 4 includes a heat-absorbing member 41 made of high carbon steel and attached on an inner surface 3131 of the inner surrounding wall 313 of the housing 31 of the container 3. The heat-absorbing member 41 absorbs solar energy when the housing 31 is irradiated by solar radiation. Preferably, a condenser 2, such as a Fresnel lens, is provided so as to condense sunlight onto the heat-absorbing member 41, as indicated by dotted-line arrows in
It is noted that, due to the presence of the vacuum chamber 33, i.e., the first and second chamber portions 331, 332, heat dissipation from the container 3 can be minimized, thereby effectively collecting the solar energy absorbed by the heat-absorbing member 41.
In actual use, after detachment of the cap body 32 from the housing 31, thermal energy accumulated in the accommodating space 30 in the container 3 can be supplied to a thermal engine (not shown) when a pneumatic cylinder of the thermal engine is disposed in the accommodating space 30 such that the thermal engine is driven to generate kinetic energy. Therefore, when a number of the solar energy collecting devices of the present invention are applied, stable supply of thermal energy to the thermal engine at relatively low costs can be attained. Furthermore, the portable solar energy collecting device of the present invention can serve as a portable thermal source, thereby resulting in convenience during use.
While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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098139494 | Nov 2009 | TW | national |