Importance

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Abstract

A solar energy collector for cooking food or sterilizing liquids or articles is described, which may be fixed in place or portable. The device includes a heating (cooking or sterilization) chamber with a double-walled solar radiation concentrator with an outer transparent wall and an inner radiation absorptive wall, with the walls forming a space therebetween which is partially evacuated, means for retaining the food, liquid or articles within the chamber, an apertured casing attached to and surrounding the concentrator, and a support for the device. There may also be a radiation absorptive coating on the surface of the inner wall facing the evacuated space. Sunlight falling on the concentrator through the casing's aperture generates heat within the chamber to cook food or sterilze the liquid or articles. The device may be mounted on legs, a stand, wheels or moveable posts, or fitted with carrying straps or handles to be carried on hiking, riding or camping trips, for which its light weight and lack of need for fuel make it ideal, or on a vehicle such as a car or boat where it can operate while the vehicle is stationary or in motion. The collector may be tubular, dome-shaped, semicylindrical or other convenient shape, and is convenient made of glass or plastic or combinations thereof with each other or ceramic or metal. An internal or external reflector may be added to enhance the amount and effect of collected solar radiation.

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First Claim