Apparatus for collecting, intensifying and storing solar energy

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A method and apparatus for collecting, intensifying, and storing thermal energy which includes a hollow spherical vessel having an interior wall.
A window is provided in the wall of the vessel for allowing concentrated rays from the sun to enter into the interior of the vessel.
A spherical container is centrally located within the vessel and has a solar collector carried thereon.
The solar collector, in one particular embodiment, is conically shaped and has a substantially black (or selective coating) surface thereon for receiving and absorbing the rays passing through the window of the spherical vessel.
Heat absorbing means, in one particular embodiment, in the form of metal shots is carried in the spherical container for absorbing and storing the thermal energy collected by the solar collector causing radiant energy to be emitted from the spherical container.
A polished reflective surface is carried on the interior wall of the spherical vessel for reflecting the radiant energy back to the spherical container intensifying the temperature of the heat absorbing means.
Normally, the heat absorbing means begins in a solid state; and as the intensity of the temperature supplied by the rays from the sun and the reflected radiant energy increases, it is changed from a solid to a liquid state.
As a result of the radiant energy being reflected back and forth between the exterior wall of the spherical container and the interior wall of the vessel, the spherical container with the heat absorbing means therein is raised to very high temperatures.
Transfer tubes are carried within the spherical container through which a heat transferring fluid passes for removing heat from the molten heat absorbing means for use as a source of thermal power.
A vacuum is provided in the space between the external wall of the spherical vessel.
A vacuum is also provided in the interior of the spherical container.
In another embodiment, heat is removed from the molten heat absorbing means by selectively opening a door for allowing radiant energy to pass therethrough and strike a radiant exchanger