Solar energy collector

Claim 1

A collector for capturing solar rays and transferring the heat energy therein to a circulating fluid for utilization comprising: A. a plurality of longitudinally extending adjoining tubes in heat exchange relationship with one another, each of said tubes having a longitudinally extending opening therein which subscribes an arc of approximately 90° and said openings are oriented in the first quadrant for half of the adjoining tubes and in the second quadrant for the other half of the adjoining tubes to permit a first portion of the interior of said tubes to be directly exposed to solar rays, said tubes having a second interior portion to be exposed to solar rays reflected from said first portion, the interior and exterior surfaces of said tubes having a heat absorbing coating thereon, and B. at least one fluid carrying conduit located in heat exchange relationship with two of said tubes, and each of said plurality of tubes having a cross sectional wall thickness dimension in inverse proportion to its distance from said conduit whereby the tubes in heat exchange relationship with said conduit have a greater wall thickness than the next adjacent tubes and the tubes most remote from said conduit have the thinnest wall thickness.