Field of the invention The present invention relates to a cooking apparatus, particularly, but not exclusively, to a solar powered cooking apparatus. The present invention also relates to a thermal transfer apparatus.

Background to the invention

Solar powered cooking apparatuses use the solar electromagnetic radiation from the Sun to cook food. Known solar devices may be used to provide enough energy to cook food. Flowever, such solar devices are limited in that the heat achieved to cook the food in the device properly occurs during the day. This is inconvenient, as the time when food is required is often after the Sun has set. Known solar devices are limited in their thermal efficiency, particularly if food is to be kept hot for

consumption several hours after sunset. The inventor has appreciated the shortcomings in known solar cooking apparatuses.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for cooking comprising:

a frame member;

an oven;

a thermal transfer apparatus, the thermal transfer apparatus being mountable to the frame member such that it can pivot about at least one axis between a first position and a second position, the thermal transfer apparatus comprising: a heat exchange device; and

a housing, the housing comprising:

an electromagnetic radiation receiving section; and an electromagnetic radiation absorption member, wherein the heat exchange device is thermally connectable to the oven and to the electromagnetic radiation absorption member, and the electromagnetic radiation receiving section is configured to allow electromagnetic radiation to be directed towards the electromagnetic radiation absorption member, and

the housing is configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation absorption member back towards the electromagnetic radiation absorption member; and

wherein the apparatus for cooking further comprises a first lens element, the first lens element being mountable to the frame member such that it can pivot about at least one axis between a first position and a second position, and, in use, being configured to provide focused sunlight to the thermal transfer apparatus.

The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may reflect at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation incident thereon. In use, the electromagnetic radiation absorption member may emit electromagnetic radiation. In use, the electromagnetic radiation absorption member may emit thermal radiation. In use, the electromagnetic radiation absorption member may emit infrared electromagnetic radiation. The housing may be configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation emitted from the

electromagnetic radiation absorption member. The housing may be configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation that has been reflected from the electromagnetic radiation absorption member. The housing may be configured to reflect both emitted and reflected electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation absorption member. The housing may be configured to redirect electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation absorption member back towards the electromagnetic radiation absorption member. The housing may be configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation within the housing. The electromagnetic radiation receiving section of the housing may be configured to allow electromagnetic radiation to enter the housing. The electromagnetic radiation receiving section may be configured to direct, or focus, electromagnetic radiation towards the electromagnetic radiation absorption member.

The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may be arranged to reflect or emit electromagnetic radiation towards, or to, the housing. The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may be arranged to reflect or emit electromagnetic radiation to the housing, as opposed to the electromagnetic radiation receiving section of the housing. The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may be arranged to reflect or emit electromagnetic radiation away from the electromagnetic radiation receiving section. At least part of the electromagnetic radiation absorption member may be configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation. At least part of the electromagnetic radiation absorption member may be configured to direct, reflect, or emit, electromagnetic radiation towards the housing. At least part of the electromagnetic radiation absorption member may comprise an undulating surface, a rough surface, a repeated pattern, a randomly arranged repeated surface, an uneven surface, a plurality of non-parallel surface sections, or the like. At least part of the

electromagnetic radiation absorption member may comprise one or more protrusions, raised portions, peaked portions, spiked portions, or the like. At least part of the electromagnetic radiation absorption member may comprise one or more depressions, indents, grooves, pits, holes, troughs, or the like. At least part of the electromagnetic absorption member may have high solar absorption. At least part of the electromagnetic radiation absorption member may have low surface electromagnetic emissivity. At least part of the electromagnetic radiation absorption member may have low surface infrared electromagnetic emissivity.

The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may comprise an undulating surface, or an undulating portion. The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may comprise a rough surface. In this arrangement, the undulating, or rough surface assists in directing, reflecting, or emitting electromagnetic radiation towards the housing. That is, the electromagnetic radiation absorption member is arranged to reflect or emit electromagnetic radiation in a plurality of different directions, when electromagnetic radiation is emitted or reflected therefrom. In this arrangement, the electromagnetic radiation absorption member may be configured to absorb the majority of the energy received from the solar radiation incident thereon, and to direct the majority of the remaining energy (in the form of reflected electromagnetic radiation and emitted infrared electromagnetic radiation) towards the housing. In this

arrangement, energy loss from emitted or reflected electromagnetic radiation exiting the housing is minimised. In this arrangement, energy loss from emitted or reflected electromagnetic radiation passing back through the electromagnetic radiation receiving section of the housing is minimised. In this arrangement, the housing may be configured such that the majority of the electromagnetic radiation that is directed towards the electromagnetic radiation absorption member is ultimately absorbed by the electromagnetic radiation absorption member, as opposed to exiting the housing. In this arrangement, electromagnetic radiation is permitted to enter the housing by way of the electromagnetic radiation receiving section and a maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation is absorbed by the electromagnetic radiation absorption member. The housing is configured to redirect the majority of the reflected and emitted

electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation absorption member back towards the electromagnetic radiation absorption member, as opposed to the electromagnetic radiation receiving section, such that the majority of electromagnetic radiation entering the housing does not leave the housing and is absorbed by the electromagnetic radiation absorption member. The term“lens element” used here and throughout the specification is considered to be an optical device that transmits, refracts and

concentrates electromagnetic radiation, particularly in the visible and near infrared spectrum range. The term“sunlight” used here and throughout the specification is considered to be the portion of electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun, particularly near infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light.

The apparatus for cooking may be considered a solar cooking apparatus. The apparatus may be free-standing.

The apparatus may be arranged such that, in use, the first lens element maintains focused sunlight to the thermal transfer apparatus between the first position and the second position. That is, the first lens element may be arranged to provide focused sunlight to the thermal transfer apparatus as they move between their respective first and second positions. That is, the first lens element may be arranged to provide focused sunlight to the thermal transfer apparatus as the first lens element and the thermal transfer apparatus move relative to the frame member between their respective first and second positions. The frame member may comprise a base portion. The base portion may be a ground engaging base portion. The base portion may be a substantially planar member. The apparatus may be arranged such that it substantially lies within an area defined by the footprint that the base portion of frame member makes on the ground, or other supporting surface. The apparatus may be arranged such that the oven substantially lies within an area defined by the footprint that the base portion of the frame member makes on the ground, or other supporting surface.

The frame member may comprise a track member. The track member may be mountable to the frame member. The track member may be releasably attachable to the frame member. The track member may be releasably attachable to the frame member by way of one or more track member receiving members. The position of the track member receiving member may be adjustable relative to the frame member. The track member receiving member may be rotatably adjustable from a first position to a second position. The track member receiving member may be rotatably adjustable from the first position to the second position by way of one or more guides. The guides may be arcuate, curved, or circular shaped channels, grooves, sockets, or the like.

The track member may be supported by one or more track member support portions. The track member support portions may be connected to a portion of the frame member. The track member support portions may be connected to the base portion of the frame member. The track member support portions may be rods, bars, or the like.

The position of the track member may be adjustable relative to the frame member. The position of the track member may be adjustable relative to the oven. The position of the track member may be adjustable relative to the base portion of the frame member. The position of the track member may be manually adjustable, such that at different latitudes and seasons the position of the Sun may be tracked by the first lens element and the thermal transfer apparatus.

The first lens element may be connectable to the track member. The thermal transfer apparatus may be connectable to the track member. The first lens element may be configured to traverse the track member. The first lens element may be configured to run on the track member. The thermal transfer apparatus may be configured to traverse the track member. The thermal transfer apparatus may be configured to run on the track member. The track member may be shaped to allow the first lens element to pivot between the first position and the second position. The track member may be shaped to allow the first lens element to pivot between the first position and the second position as the first lens element moves relative to the frame member. The track member may be shaped to allow the first lens element to pivot between the first position and the second position as the first lens element moves relative to the track member. The track member may be shaped to allow the first lens element to pivot between the first position and the second position as the first lens element moves with the oven.

The track member may be shaped to allow the thermal transfer apparatus to pivot between the first position and the second position. The track member may be shaped to allow the thermal transfer apparatus to pivot between the first position and the second position as the thermal transfer apparatus moves relative to the frame member. The track member may be shaped to allow the thermal transfer apparatus to pivot between the first position and the second position as the thermal transfer apparatus moves relative to the track member. The track member may be shaped to allow the thermal transfer apparatus to pivot between the first position and the second position as the thermal transfer apparatus moves with the oven.

The track member may be a rail. The track member may be a rail member. The track member may guide the first lens element as the first lens element moves with respect thereto. The track member may guide the thermal transfer apparatus as the thermal transfer apparatus moves with respect to the track member. The track member may be made from metal, optionally stainless steel. At least part of the surface of the track member may be made from metal, optionally stainless steel or chrome.

The track member may be a parabolic shape. The track member may be parabolic-shaped. The track member may follow at least a portion of the shape of a parabola. The shape of the track member may match at least a portion of the path of the Sun. The track member may be shaped to correspond to the day arc of the Sun. The track member may be shaped to correspond to a substantial portion of the day arc of the Sun. The track member may be elliptical-shaped. The track member may be U-shaped. The track member may be curved. The track member may be arcuate.

The track member may be a rod. The track member may be a parabolic or elliptical rod/rail. The track member may be a Sun path shaped rod/rail. The track member may be a day arc of the Sun shaped rod/rail. The track member may be elliptically shaped.

The shape of the track member may allow the first lens element to track the day arc of the Sun. The shape of the track member may allow the first lens element to track a substantial portion of the day arc of the Sun. That is, the shape of the track member may allow the first lens element to track the day arc of the Sun as the first lens element moves from the first position to the second position. The shape of the track member may allow the first lens element to track a substantial portion of the day arc of the Sun as the first lens element moves from the first position to the second position.

The shape of the track member may allow the thermal transfer apparatus to track the day arc of the Sun. The shape of the track member may allow the thermal transfer apparatus to track a substantial portion of the day arc of the Sun. That is, the shape of the track member may allow the thermal transfer apparatus to track the day arc of the Sun as the thermal transfer apparatus moves from the first position to the second position. The shape of the track member may allow the thermal transfer apparatus to track a substantial portion of the day arc of the Sun as the thermal transfer apparatus moves from the first position to the second position.

The first lens element may be moveably connectable to the track member by a coupling member. The coupling member may be fixedly attached to the first lens element. The coupling member may be configured to allow the first lens element to move freely along, over, across, or around the track member. The thermal transfer apparatus may be moveably connectable to the track member by a coupling member. The coupling member may be fixedly attached to the thermal transfer apparatus. The coupling member may be configured to allow the thermal transfer apparatus to move freely along, over, across, or around the track member. In this arrangement, movement of the coupling member causes

simultaneous movement of the first lens element and the thermal transfer apparatus. The thermal transfer apparatus and the first lens element may be connected to a single coupling member. The first lens element and the thermal transfer apparatus may be configured to run on the track member together.

The coupling member may be a loop, a hoop, an elongate hoop, or the like. The coupling member may be a loop, a hoop, an elongate hoop, an elongate loop, or the like, so that the track member is accommodated therein between the first and second position. The coupling member may be made from metal, optionally steel.

The thermal transfer apparatus may be connectable to the frame member. The first lens element may be connectable to the frame member.

The frame member may comprise a roller member. The roller member may be one or more wheels, bearings, rollers or casters. The roller member may provide support to the oven, the first lens element and/or the thermal transfer apparatus. The roller member may run on the base portion of the frame member. The roller member may be beatable at a front end of the oven.

The frame member may be configured to provide support to the oven.

The frame member may be configured to provide support to the first lens element. The frame member may be configured to provide support to the track member. The frame member may be configured to provide support to the thermal transfer apparatus.

The oven may be connectable to the heat exchange device. The apparatus may be configured such that the oven may at least partially rotate about at least one axis of rotation. The apparatus may be configured such that the oven can rotate from a first position to a second position. The apparatus may be configured such that the oven may rotate with respect to the frame member. The apparatus may be configured such that the oven may rotate with respect to the base portion of the frame member. The apparatus may be configured such that the oven may pivot with respect to the frame member. The apparatus may be configured such that movement of the oven between its first and second positions causes the thermal transfer apparatus to pivot between its first and second positions. In use, during cooking, the oven may be movable between its first and second positions.

The apparatus for cooking may be configured to permit the oven to at least partially rotate about a single axis. The apparatus for cooking may be configured to permit the oven to rotate about a single axis from the first position to the second position.

The oven may be rotatably connectable to the frame member. The oven may be movably connectable to the frame member. The oven may be movably coupled to the frame member. That is, the oven may be connectable to the frame member such that it may move relative thereto. The oven may have a vertical axis. The oven may be rotatable about its vertical axis. The oven may comprise a base portion. The base portion of the oven may be connectable to the frame member. The frame member may comprise a biasing member. The oven may be engageable with the biasing member. The oven may be connectable to the biasing member. The biasing member may be connectable to the base portion of the frame member. The biasing member may be locatable between the base portion of the frame member and the base portion of the oven. The biasing member may be configured to bias the oven towards the first position. The biasing member may be configured to bias the oven towards the second position. The biasing member may be a spring member. The biasing member may be a spring. The biasing member may be a torsion spring, or the like.

The oven may comprise a removable lid. The oven may comprise one or more handles, or the like. The first lens element may be configured to provide focussed sunlight to the electromagnetic radiation receiving section of the thermal transfer apparatus. The first lens element may be configured to provide focussed sunlight to the electromagnetic radiation absorption member. The first lens element may be configured to provide focussed sunlight to the inside of the housing of the thermal transfer apparatus.

The apparatus may be configured to permit the first lens element to at least partially pivot about two axes. The apparatus may be configured to permit the first lens element to pivot about two axes from the first position to the second position.

The electromagnetic radiation receiving section may comprise a second lens element. The first lens element may be configured to provide focussed sunlight to the second lens element. The first lens element and the second lens element may be configured to provide focussed sunlight to the inside of the housing of the thermal transfer apparatus. The first lens element and the second lens element may be configured to provide focussed sunlight to the electromagnetic radiation absorption member. The apparatus may be configured such that the first lens element may pivot with respect to the oven. The apparatus may be configured such that the first lens element may pivot with respect to the frame member.

The apparatus may be configured such that the first lens element may pivot with respect to the base portion of the frame member. The apparatus may be configured such that the first lens element may pivot with respect to the oven and the frame member. The apparatus may be configured such that at least part of the first lens element may pivot with respect to at least part of the thermal transfer apparatus.

The first lens element may be pivotably connectable to the oven. The first lens element may be pivotably connectable to the thermal transfer apparatus. The first lens element may be movably connectable to the frame member. The first lens element may be movably coupled to the frame member.

That is, the first lens element may be connectable to the frame member such that it may move relative to the frame member. The first lens element may be connectable to the thermal transfer apparatus.

The first lens element may comprise one or more counterweights. The counterweights may be fixedly attached to the first lens element. The one or more counterweights may be arranged to counterbalance the weight of the first lens element. In this arrangement, the weight of the first lens element is counteracted about its pivot point by the one or more counterweights when the first lens element moves from the first position to the second position, and vice versa. The one or more counterweights may be configured to move simultaneously with the first lens element. The first lens element may comprise one or more support arms. The support arms may be configured to provide support to the first lens element. The support arms may be configured to connect the first lens element to the frame member. The support arms may be pivotably connectable to the frame member. The support arms may be connectable to the thermal transfer apparatus by way of the frame member. The support arms may be connectable to the track member. The coupling member may be connected to the support arms. The first lens element may be a modular lens. The first lens element may comprise a number of individual lens elements. The first lens element may comprise one or more substantially rectangular lens elements. The first lens element may comprise a centre lens element and one or more outer lens elements. The first lens element may comprise a centre lens element and eight outer lens elements. The centre lens element may be a substantially rectangular lens element. The one or more outer lens elements may be substantially rectangular lens elements. The centre lens element may be polygon shaped. The one or more outer lens elements may be polygon shaped. The centre lens element may be a four-sided polygon. The one or more outer lens elements may be four-sided polygons. The centre lens element may be a triangle, square, pentagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon lens element. The outer lens elements may be a triangle, square, pentagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon lens elements. One or more of the lens elements may have one or more rounded corners.

The first lens element may be used as a collector. The first lens element may be used as a solar concentrator. The first lens element may be a Fresnel lens. The first lens element may be an inverted Fresnel lens. The first lens element may have a positive focal length. The Fresnel lens may have its facets, or grooves, on the focus side of the lens. The Fresnel lens may have its facets, or grooves, on the underside of the lens. The first lens element may be substantially planar on its non-focus side and have light focussing elements, or surfaces, on its focus side. The first lens element may be substantially planar on its non-focus side and have light focussing facets on its focus side. The first lens element may comprise a piano side. The first lens element may be used to concentrate sunlight and bring it to a focus at its focal point.

The Fresnel lens may be modular. The Fresnel lens may comprise a number of lens elements, wherein each lens element contributes to a complete Fresnel lens. The Fresnel lens may comprise a number of lens elements, wherein each lens element contributes to a complete Fresnel lens of sufficient area to provide the requisite heat energy. The first lens element may comprise a centre lens element and a number of lens elements surrounding the centre lens element. The centre lens element may comprise the centre of the concentric facets (concentric facet rings), rings, or grooves, of the Fresnel lens and each additional lens element together may provide the surrounding concentric facets, rings, or grooves, of the Fresnel lens. The centre lens element may be unique, as it contains the centre of the concentric facets, rings, or grooves, of the Fresnel lens. Some of the surrounding satellite lens elements may be identical. The surrounding satellite lens elements may comprise two sets of identical lenses. The lens elements may be made from PMMA (Poly(methyl methacrylate)), or polycarbonate (Lexan). In this arrangement the modular Fresnel lens comprises one central rectangular lens element and eight surrounding rectangular lens elements. Together the nine lens elements make up a Fresnel lens.

The first lens element may comprise a modular framework. The lens modules may be supported on the modular framework. The modular framework may be made from lightweight metal. The metal may be aluminium. The Fresnel lens modules may be connectable to the modular framework. The Fresnel lens modules may be detachably connectable to the modular framework. The Fresnel lens modules may be detachably connectable to the modular framework by an attachment means. The Fresnel lens modules may be detachably connectable to the modular framework by releasable locking means. The releasable locking means may be thumbscrews. The modular framework may be connectable to the support arms of the first lens element. The support arms of the first lens element may provide support to the modular framework.

The first lens element may be arranged such that its focal point is at a point inside the thermal transfer apparatus or at a point outside the thermal transfer apparatus. The first lens element may be arranged such that its focal point is at a point inside the housing of the thermal transfer apparatus, or at a point outside the housing of the thermal transfer apparatus.

The apparatus for cooking may comprise a locking member. The locking member may be connectable to the oven. The locking member may be connectable to the base portion of the oven. The oven may be releasably lockable to the frame member in one or more positions. The oven may be releasably lockable to the base portion of the frame member in one or more positions. The oven may be releasably fixable to the frame member in one or more positions by way of the locking member. The oven may be releasably fixable to the base portion of the frame member in one or more positions by way of the locking member between the first position and the second position. The locking member may be connectable to an end or side of the oven opposite the thermal transfer apparatus.

The locking member may be operable between a locked state and an open state. In the locked state, the locking member may be held in a fixed position relative to the base portion of the frame member. The locking member may be operable to fix the position of the oven relative to the frame member. The locking member may be operable to fix the position of the oven relative to the base portion of the frame member. The locking member may be engageable with the frame member. The locking member may be engageable with the base portion of the frame member.

A part of the locking member may be locatable in one or more locking member receiving portions in the frame member. A part of the locking member may be beatable in one or more locking member receiving portions of the base portion of the frame member. The locking member receiving portions may be one or more receptacles, holes, or the like, in the frame member. The locking member receiving portions may be arranged in a semi-circular, or circular, pattern.

The locking member may comprise a rod, an L-shaped rod, or the like. The locking member may comprise a biasing member. The biasing member may be configured to bias the locking member towards the locked state. In the locked state, the oven may be held in a fixed position relative to the base portion of the frame member. The locking member may be manually lockable in one or more positions. In this arrangement, the oven can be moved to one or more positions by locking the locking member in one or more positions. The apparatus may be configured such that the oven may be manually moveable by moving the locking member. The locking member may be operable by hand. The apparatus for cooking may comprise an apparatus for moving the apparatus for cooking. The apparatus for moving the apparatus for cooking may be operable to move the apparatus for cooking from the first position to the second position. The apparatus for moving the apparatus for cooking may be a water clock or a pulley-operated pulling device. The apparatus for moving the apparatus for cooking may be a pulling mechanism. The apparatus for moving the apparatus for cooking may be operable to move the oven from the first position to the second position. The oven may be connectable to the apparatus for moving the apparatus for cooking. The locking mechanism may be connectable to the apparatus for moving the apparatus for cooking. The apparatus for moving the apparatus for cooking may be a water-activated pulling mechanism, or the like.

Moving the locking member from the locked state to the unlocked state may permit rotation, or movement, of the oven.

The locking member may be connectable to the apparatus for moving the apparatus for cooking by way of a pulling member. The pulling member may be a wire, string, chain, cable, or the like. The apparatus for moving the apparatus for cooking may be configured to allow the wire, string, chain, cable, or the like to extend from the apparatus for moving the apparatus for cooking over time. In this arrangement, releasing the wire, string, chain, cable, or the like, allows the biasing member of the frame member to move the oven towards the second position, which causes the oven to rotate, provided the locking member is in the unlocked state. The apparatus for cooking may comprise one or more pulleys. The pulling member may be engageable with the one or more pulleys. The apparatus may comprise one or more thermal transfer apparatuses. The oven may comprise one or more thermal transfer apparatuses.

The thermal transfer apparatus may be configured to transfer heat to the oven. The thermal transfer apparatus may be configured to receive focused sunlight from the first lens element and transfer the heat generated therefrom to the oven. The thermal transfer apparatus may be configured to receive focussed sunlight from the first lens element via the electromagnetic radiation absorber member, and to transfer the heat generated therefrom to the oven via the heat exchange device.

The thermal transfer apparatus may be connectable to the oven. The thermal transfer apparatus may be located on a side wall of the oven. The oven may comprise a sloped side wall portion. The thermal transfer apparatus may be located on the sloped side wall portion of the oven. The thermal transfer apparatus may be fixedly secured to the oven. The thermal transfer apparatus may be fixedly secured to the side wall of the oven. The thermal transfer apparatus may be fixedly secured to the sloped side wall portion of the oven. The apparatus for cooking may be configured to permit at least part of the thermal transfer apparatus to pivot about two axes. The apparatus for cooking may be configured to permit at least part of the thermal transfer apparatus to pivot about two axes from the first position to the second position. The apparatus may be configured such that the thermal transfer apparatus may pivot about the vertical axis of the oven. The apparatus may be configured such that at least part of the thermal transfer apparatus may pivot about an axis that is perpendicular to the vertical axis of the oven. The axis perpendicular to the vertical axis may be a horizontal axis. At least part of the thermal transfer apparatus may be movable with respect to the oven. The thermal transfer apparatus may be pivotably connectable to the oven. At least part of the thermal transfer apparatus may be pivotable about a first axis, and at least part of the thermal transfer apparatus may be pivotable about a second axis, from the first position to the second position. At least part of the thermal transfer apparatus may be pivotable about the vertical axis of the oven from the first position to the second position, and at least part of the thermal transfer apparatus may be pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the vertical axis of the oven from the first position to the second position. That is, at least part of the thermal transfer apparatus may pivot about the vertical axis of the oven from the first position to the second position, and at least part of the thermal transfer apparatus may pivot about the axis perpendicular to the vertical axis of the oven, and in this arrangement at least part of the thermal transfer apparatus may pivot about two axes. The apparatus may be configured to permit the thermal transfer apparatus to move relative to the frame member. The apparatus may be configured to permit the thermal transfer apparatus to move relative to the base portion of the frame member. The apparatus may be configured to permit the thermal transfer apparatus to pivot relative to the frame member. The apparatus may be configured to permit the thermal transfer apparatus to pivot relative to the base portion of the frame member.

The heat exchange device may comprise a first end and a second end. The first end may be thermally connectable to the electromagnetic radiation absorption member. The second end may be thermally connectable to the oven.

The heat exchange device may comprise one or more latent heat transfer devices. The heat exchange device may comprise one or more phase change heat transfer devices. The heat exchange device may comprise one or more heat pipes. The heat exchange device may comprise one or more heat pipe receiving portions. The heat pipe receiving portion may be configured to receive at least part of the one or more heat pipes. The heat pipes may be copper heat pipes.

The heat exchange device may be a hollow tube member. The heat exchange device may be made from a metallic material. The heat exchange device may be made from copper, aluminium or stainless steel. The heat exchange device may comprise an inner wall and an outer wall. The outer wall of the heat exchange device may be coated in nickel. The outer wall of the heat exchange device may be coated in nickel, such that the heat exchange device may be engageable with an aluminium member without the risk of galvanic corrosion occurring.

The heat exchange device and the latent heat transfer device(s) may comprise an evaporation section, an adiabatic section and a condenser section. The heat exchange device and the latent heat transfer device(s) may comprise a working fluid. The working fluid may comprise methane, water, ammonia, or sodium. The heat exchange device and the latent heat transfer device(s) may be operable to cause the working fluid to evaporate, the vaporised fluid may then create a pressure gradient forcing the vapour towards the condenser section. The vapour may then travel through the adiabatic section. Upon reaching the condenser section, heat is transferred outside the heat exchange device and the latent heat transfer device(s). Vaporised working fluid may then condense and release its latent heat.

The heat exchange device may comprise a wick element. The wick element may be positioned on the inner wall of the heat exchange device. The wick element may be an axial groove, fine fibre, screen mesh, or sintering, wick.

In use, the working fluid in the evaporation section may heat up by receiving heat from the thermal transfer apparatus, the working fluid may then evaporate, the vaporised fluid may then create a pressure gradient forcing the vapour towards the condenser section. The vapour may then travel through the adiabatic section. Upon reaching the condenser section, heat is transferred outside the heat exchange device. Vaporised working fluid condenses and releases its latent heat. The condensed working fluid is drawn back to the evaporation section by the wick element.

The heat exchange device may be configured such that the condenser section is elevated with respect to at least part of the adiabatic section. The heat exchange device may be configured such that the condenser section is elevated with respect to the evaporation section. The heat exchange device may be configured such that the adiabatic section is elevated with respect to the evaporation section. The heat exchange device may comprise an angled portion. The heat exchange device may be non-linear. The heat exchange device may comprise a substantially horizontal portion and an angled portion.

The heat exchange device may have a high effective thermal conductivity between the evaporation section and the condenser section. The heat exchange device may be one or more heat exchange devices.

The housing may comprise a lateral axis. The lateral axis may be a horizontal axis. The lateral axis may be perpendicular to the vertical axis of the oven.

The housing may be at least partially cylindrical. The inside of the housing may be at least partially cylindrical. The inside surface of the housing may be at least partially cylindrical. The housing may be a cylindrical member. The housing may be an open-ended cylinder. The electromagnetic radiation receiving section may be defined by an aperture in a sidewall of the housing. The housing may be a cylinder comprising one or more apertures.

The apparatus may be configured to permit at least part of the housing to at least partially pivot about at least one axis. The apparatus may be configured to permit at least part of the housing to at least partially pivot about two axes. The apparatus may be configured to permit at least part of the housing to pivot about two axes from the first position to the second position. The apparatus may be configured to permit at least part of the housing to pivot about the vertical axis of the oven. The apparatus may be configured to permit at least part of the housing to pivot about an axis perpendicular to the vertical axis of the oven. The apparatus may be configured to permit at least part of the housing to pivot about the vertical axis of the oven and about an axis perpendicular to the vertical axis of the oven. The apparatus may be configured to permit at least part of the housing to pivot relative to the frame member. At least part of the housing may be movable relative to the heat exchange device. At least part of the housing may be movable between a first position and a second position. The apparatus for cooking may be configured to permit at least part of the housing to at least partially rotate about at least one axis. The apparatus may be configured to permit at least part of the housing to rotate between the first position and the second position. The apparatus for cooking may be configured to permit at least part of the housing to rotate relative to the heat exchange device. The apparatus for cooking may be configured to permit at least part of the housing to rotate relative to the electromagnetic radiation absorption member. At least part of the housing may be rotatable about the lateral axis of the housing. The apparatus for cooking may be configured to permit at least part of the housing to at least partially rotate about the lateral axis of the housing.

The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may be configured to convert electromagnetic energy to thermal energy. That is, the

electromagnetic radiation absorption member may be configured to convert sunlight to thermal energy or heat. The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may comprise a selective surface, or a selective absorber. The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may have a high electromagnetic absorption coefficient. The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may have low emissivity. The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may have low infrared emissivity. The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may have a high solar radiation absorption coefficient. The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may have low thermal infrared radiation emission.

The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may comprise a thermal absorber member. The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may comprise one or more layers. The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may be a multi-layered structure. The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may comprise a multi-layered structure and the thermal absorber member. The thermal absorber member may be coated with a material that has a high electromagnetic absorption coefficient, particularly, but not exclusively in the wavelengths of spectral light and near infrared. The thermal absorber member may be coated with a black selective surface. The thermal absorber member may be coated with a black selective material. This may be a black paint. The thermal absorber member may be coated with a material that has a high electromagnetic absorption coefficient, particularly in the wavelengths of spectral light and near infrared and a low thermal emissivity coefficient. The thermal absorber member may be a planar member. The thermal absorber member may be made from metal. The thermal absorber member may be made from copper. The thermal absorber member may comprise one or more layers. The one or more layers may comprise grooves. The grooves may form channels or recesses when the layers are connected together. The one or more layers may be configured to define one or more heat exchange device receiving portions. The one or more layers may be configured to define one or more heat pipe receiving portions.

The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may be made from copper and/or aluminium. The selective surface may comprise copper and/or aluminium. The apparatus may be configured to permit at least part of the housing to rotate relative to the thermal absorber member.

The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may be connectable to the heat exchange device. The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may be located substantially adjacent to at least part of the heat exchange device. The thermal absorber member may be thermally connectable to the heat exchange device. The thermal absorber member may be engageable, or connectable to, the heat exchange device. The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may be coated with an electromagnetic radiation absorbing material. The electromagnetic radiation absorbing material may be applied by spraying, sputtering, or dipping. The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may be coated with a radar absorbing material. The radar absorbing material may be a paint, or the like.

The electromagnetic radiation absorption member and the housing may be arranged to provide an electromagnetic feedback loop, or path, such that the majority of the electromagnetic radiation that is emitted or reflected from the electromagnetic radiation absorption member is ultimately absorbed by the electromagnetic radiation absorption member. In this arrangement, the majority of the electromagnetic radiation incident on the electromagnetic radiation absorption member is ultimately absorbed by the electromagnetic radiation absorption member.

The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may comprise an at least partially cylindrically-shaped portion, or surface. The selective surface may be substantially surrounded by at least part of the housing and the electromagnetic radiation receiving section of the housing. The selective surface may comprise an at least partially cylindrical^ shaped section. The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may comprise an arcuate-, or curved-shaped surface.

The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may be fixed relative to the heat exchange device. The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may be connected to the heat exchange device. The

electromagnetic radiation absorption member may be connected to the heat exchange device by an adhesive, a jointing compound, or a high temperature jointing compound, or the like.

The evaporation section of the heat exchange device and the latent heat transfer device(s) may be thermally connected to the electromagnetic radiation absorption member. The evaporation section of the heat exchange device and the latent heat transfer device(s) may be thermally connected to the thermal absorber member. The heat exchange device may be engageable with the channels, recesses, or grooves of the thermal absorber member. The heat exchange device may be thermally connectable to the thermal absorber member. The heat exchange device may be fixedly attached to the thermal absorber member. In use, the heat exchange device may transfer heat from the thermal absorber member to the condenser section of the heat exchange device.

The electromagnetic radiation receiving section of the housing may be formed, at least in part, by an aperture, hole, opening, or the like. The housing may comprise an aperture, hole, opening, or the like.

The electromagnetic radiation receiving section of the housing may be a transparent layer. The electromagnetic radiation receiving section may comprise a transparent portion, transparent member, or a transparent section. The electromagnetic radiation receiving section of the housing may have a low electromagnetic absorption coefficient. That is, the majority of focussed sunlight may pass through, towards, into, or onto the electromagnetic radiation receiving section. The electromagnetic radiation receiving section may be made from glass or plastic. The glass may be borosilicate glass. The second lens element may be mountable on the housing. The second lens element may be connectable to the housing. The second lens element may be arranged to provide focussed sunlight to the housing. The second lens element may be arranged to provide focussed sunlight to the inside of the housing. The second lens element may be configured such that the focal point is inside the housing. The focal point of the second lens element may be located at a distance from the

electromagnetic radiation absorption member. The second lens element may be made from glass, optionally borosilicate glass. The second lens element may be a planar lens. The second lens element may be a rectangular lens. The second lens element may be a Fresnel lens.

The housing may comprise one or more electromagnetic radiation receiving sections. The electromagnetic radiation receiving section may be one or more apertures, holes, cut-out portions, or the like. The electromagnetic radiation receiving section may be optically transparent. The electromagnetic radiation receiving section may be configured to allow electromagnetic radiation to pass therethrough. The

electromagnetic radiation receiving section may be configured to allow solar radiation to pass therethrough. The electromagnetic radiation receiving section may be configured to allow sunlight to pass

therethrough. The electromagnetic radiation receiving section may be moveable from a first position to a second position. The thermal transfer apparatus may be configured to permit the electromagnetic radiation receiving section to at least partially pivot about at least one axis. The apparatus may be configured to permit the electromagnetic radiation receiving section to pivot relative to the heat exchange device. The apparatus may be configured to permit the electromagnetic radiation receiving section to pivot relative to the electromagnetic radiation absorption member. The apparatus may be configured to permit the electromagnetic radiation receiving section to pivot relative to the thermal absorber member.

The electromagnetic radiation receiving section may be movable relative to the heat exchange device. The housing may be configured to permit the electromagnetic radiation receiving section of the housing to pivot between the first position and the second position. The housing may be configured to permit the electromagnetic radiation receiving section of the housing to at least partially pivot about at least one axis of the housing.

The electromagnetic radiation receiving section may be located opposite the electromagnetic radiation absorption member. The electromagnetic radiation receiving section and the electromagnetic radiation absorption member may be located on opposite surfaces, or sides, of the housing. The second lens element may be beatable opposite the electromagnetic radiation absorption member. The electromagnetic radiation receiving section may be located in an upper region of the housing. The electromagnetic radiation absorption member may be located in a lower region of the housing.

The housing may be configured to receive at least part of the heat exchange device. The heat exchange device may be connectable to the housing. The heat exchange device may be beatable in the lower region of the housing.

At least a portion of the housing may be reflective. At least a portion of the inside of the housing may be reflective. The housing may comprise one or more reflective surfaces. The inside of the housing may comprise one or more reflective surfaces. The housing may comprise one or more reflective components, reflective modules, reflective elements, or the like. The internal surface of the housing may comprise one or more reflector components, reflective modules, reflective elements, or the like. The internal surface of the housing may be in contact with, or located substantially adjacent to, the electromagnetic radiation absorption member. The reflective components, modules, elements, or the like, may be configured to close at least one of the open ends of the cylindrical housing.

At least part of the housing may have a high reflectance coefficient. At least part of the internal surface of the housing may have a high reflectance coefficient. The housing may comprise one or more reflector modules. The housing may comprise one or more mirrors, or the like.

The reflector module(s) may be at least partially locatable inside the housing. The reflector module(s) may be made from metal. At least part of the internal surface of the housing may be made from metal. The reflector module(s) may comprise stainless steel. At least part of the housing may be made from metal. At least part of the housing may be made from stainless steel. The, or each, reflector module may comprise an aperture, a hole, or the like. The reflector module(s) may comprise an aperture, a hole, or the like, and the reflector module(s) may be movable relative to the heat exchange device, such that the aperture is moveable relative to the heat exchange device.

The reflector module(s) may be at least one of: a disc, a plate, a planar member, an at least partially cylindrically shaped member, or the like. The housing may comprise one or more lateral reflector modules. At least part of the reflective part of the housing may be locatable substantially adjacent to the electromagnetic radiation receiving section of the housing. At least part of the electromagnetic radiation absorption member and at least part of the reflective part of the housing may be arranged to overlap.

The housing may be configured to receive and reflect electromagnetic radiation emitted from the electromagnetic radiation absorption member. The housing may be configured to receive and reflect electromagnetic radiation reflected from the electromagnetic radiation absorption member. The housing may be configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation towards the electromagnetic radiation absorption member. The housing may be configured to receive electromagnetic radiation emitted and reflected from the electromagnetic radiation absorption member and to reflect it towards the electromagnetic radiation absorption member.

The housing may comprise one or more arcuate shaped reflector modules. At least one of the reflector module(s) may be at least partially cylindrical^ shaped.

The reflector module(s) and the electromagnetic radiation absorption member may be arranged to mitigate electromagnetic radiation from exiting the housing by way of the electromagnetic radiation absorption member being configured to reflect or emit electromagnetic radiation towards the reflector module(s) and by the reflector module(s) being configured to redirect and reflect electromagnetic radiation towards the electromagnetic radiation absorption member.

The housing may comprise one or more insulation members. The housing may comprise one or more first insulation members. The first insulation member may be a stationary insulation member. The position of the first insulation member may be fixed relative to the heat exchange device. The first insulation member may be fixedly attached to the heat exchange device. The first insulation member may be configured to mitigate heat loss from the inside of the housing. At least part of the first insulation member may be located substantially adjacent to at least part of the reflector module(s). At least part of the first insulation member may be located substantially adjacent to at least part of the heat exchange device. At least part of the first insulation member may be located substantially adjacent to at least part of the electromagnetic radiation absorption member. The first insulation member may be made from

polyisocyanurate. The first insulation member may be made from a high temperature resistant insulation material. The first insulation member(s) may be formed from one or more component parts.

The first insulation member may comprise an aperture, opening, hole, or the like. The first insulation member may comprise one or more skirts, protrusions, protruding portions, lugs, flanges, or the like. The aperture, opening, hole, or the like, of the first insulation member may be defined by a gap between the one or more skirts, protrusions, protruding portions, lugs, flanges, or the like. The electromagnetic radiation receiving section of the housing, and the aperture, opening, hole, or the like, of the first insulation member may be arranged to at least partially overlap. At least part of the first insulation member may be configured to engage with at least part of the heat exchange device. At least part of the first insulation member may be configured to engage with at least part of the one or more of the heat pipe(s). The first insulation member may comprise one or more grooves, channels, cut-away portions, or the like, configured to engage with the one or more heat pipe(s). The housing may comprise one or more second insulation members. The second insulation member may be a movable insulation member. The second insulation member may be movable relative to the heat exchange device. The second insulation member may be movable relative to the electromagnetic radiation absorption member. The second insulation member may be moveable from a first position to a second position. The thermal transfer apparatus may be configured to permit the second insulation member to at least partially rotate about at least one axis. The second insulation member may be rotatable about the lateral axis of the housing. The second insulation member may be made from a plastic material, optionally polyisocyanurate or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

Part of the second insulation member may be made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, and part of the second insulation member may be made from polyisocyanurate. The second insulation member(s) may be formed from one or more component parts.

At least part of the second insulation member may be located substantially adjacent to at least part of the first insulation member. The second insulation member may be arranged to cover at least part of the reflector module(s).

The second insulation member may comprise an aperture, opening, hole, or the like. The second insulation member may comprise one or more skirts, protrusions, protruding portions, lugs, flanges, or the like. The aperture, opening, hole, or the like, of the second insulation member may be defined by a gap between the one or more skirts, protrusions, protruding portions, lugs, flanges, or the like, of the second insulation member. The aperture, opening, hole, or the like, of the first insulation layer and the aperture, opening, hole, or the like, of the second insulation layer may be arranged to at least partially overlap. The electromagnetic radiation receiving section of the housing and the aperture, opening, hole, or the like, of the second insulation layer may be arranged to at least partially overlap.

The housing may be configured to permit the second insulation member to rotate relative to the first insulation member. The housing may be configured to permit the second insulation member to rotate relative to the first insulation member, whilst maintaining the partial overlap of the aperture, opening, hole, or the like, of the first and second insulation members.

The housing may be mountable to the frame member. The housing may be connectable to the frame member. The frame member may be connectable to the reflector module(s). The frame member may be connectable to the second insulation member. The frame member may be connectable to the first insulation member. The frame member may provide support to the housing. Part of the frame member may be configured to pass through the first insulation member. The housing may be connectable to a rotatable member of the frame member. The rotatable member may be configured to rotate as the coupling member traverses, or runs on, the track member.

The thermal transfer apparatus may comprise a shield. The shield may be arranged to substantially block electromagnetic radiation from striking the outside of the housing. The shield may be arranged to substantially block sunlight from striking the outside of the housing. The shield may be a reflector, mirror, or the like. The shield may be frustum shaped. The shield may be configured to reflect at least part of the focussed sunlight from the first lens element towards the inside of the housing of the thermal transfer apparatus. The shield may be made from metal, optionally aluminium.

The shield may be mountable to a part of the housing. The shield may be connectable to a part of the housing. The shield may be located substantially adjacent to the electromagnetic radiation receiving section of the housing. The shield may be mountable to the electromagnetic radiation receiving section of the housing. The electromagnetic radiation receiving section of the housing may be an aperture, a hole, or the like, and the shield may be mountable therein. The shield may comprise one or more apertures, holes, openings, or the like.

The shield may comprise the second lens element. The shield may comprise a lens receiving portion. The lens receiving portion of the shield may receive the second lens element. There may be a plurality of second lens elements.

The shield may have a first end and a second end. The cross sectional area of the first end may be greater than the cross sectional area of the second end. The thermal transfer apparatus may be arranged such that electromagnetic radiation can pass through the first end of the shield, through the second end of the shield, into the inside of the housing. The second lens element may be locatable at the second end of the shield. The shield may be mountable to the reflector module(s). The shield may be mounted to the housing, such that rotation, or movement, of at least part of the housing causes the shield to move. The shield may be located on an upper region of the housing. The shield may comprise one or more substantially planar wall members. The shield may comprise one or more planar rectangular sheet members. The thermal transfer apparatus may comprise an oven receiving member. The oven receiving member may provide support to the oven.

The oven receiving member may be thermally connectable to the oven. The oven receiving member may comprise one or more oven support members. The oven may be beatable on the one or more oven support members. The one or more oven support members may be configured to transfer heat from the thermal transfer apparatus to the oven. The oven receiving member may be thermally connected to the heat exchange device. The one or more oven support members may be in thermal contact with the oven. The oven support member may be made from a plastics material, optionally nylon.

The oven receiving member may comprise one or more recesses, channels, or grooves. The recesses, channels, or grooves may be located on the side of the oven receiving member. The recesses, channels, or grooves may be configured to receive at least a portion of one or more heat exchange devices therein. The recesses, channels, or grooves may be configured to receive at least a portion of the condenser section of the one or more heat exchange devices therein. The oven receiving member may comprise one or more heat pipe connecting members. The heat pipe connecting members may be made from metal, optionally brass. The oven receiving member may be made from metal, optionally stainless steel.

The oven receiving member may be configurable to store fluid therein. The oven receiving member may be a fluid container, vessel for storing fluid, or the like. The oven and the oven receiving member may form a bain-marie arrangement. In this arrangement, fluid may be added to the oven receiving member, and the oven may be placed in the oven receiving member, and heat may then be transferred from the thermal transfer apparatus to the oven receiving member, to the fluid, to the oven. The fluid may be water, cooking oil, or the like.

The heat exchange device may be engageable with the recesses, grooves, or channels. The heat exchange device may be thermally connectable to the oven receiving member. The heat exchange device may be fixedly attached to the oven heating member. In use, the heat exchange device may transfer heat from the electromagnetic radiation absorption member to the oven receiving member. The condenser section may be thermally connectable to the oven receiving member. The oven receiving member may be an oven heating member.

In use, focussed sunlight may pass through the electromagnetic radiation receiving section, and be converted to thermal energy by the

electromagnetic radiation absorption member, the thermal energy is then transferred to the heat exchange device. The thermal energy is then transferred to the evaporation section of the heat exchange device, and then to the condenser section of the heat exchange device. Thermal energy is then transferred from the condenser section to the oven receiving member and is transferred to the oven. In this way, focussed sunlight is used to provide heat to the oven.

The thermal transfer apparatus may be configured to permit simultaneous rotation of at least part of the housing and the second insulation member. The frame member may be configured to permit simultaneous movement of at least two of: the locking member, the oven, the first lens element, the coupling member, the second lens element, at least part of the housing, at least part of the thermal transfer apparatus, the second insulation member of the thermal transfer apparatus, the electromagnetic radiation receiving section of the housing of the thermal transfer apparatus, and/or the one or more counterweights.

The frame member may be configured to permit simultaneous rotation and/or pivoting of at least two of: the locking member, the oven, the first lens element, the coupling member, the second lens element, at least part of the housing, at least part of the thermal transfer apparatus, the second insulation member of the thermal transfer apparatus, the electromagnetic radiation receiving section of the housing of the thermal transfer apparatus, and/or the one or more counterweights.

At least two of: the locking member, the oven, the first lens element, the coupling member, the second lens element, at least part of the housing, at least part of the thermal transfer apparatus, the second insulation member of the thermal transfer apparatus, the electromagnetic radiation receiving section of the housing of the thermal transfer apparatus, and/or the one or more counterweights, may be fixed relative to each other.

Pivoting the locking member about the vertical axis of the oven may cause the oven to rotate about the vertical axis of the oven. Rotation of the oven about its vertical axis may cause the first lens element to pivot about a horizontal axis. Rotation of the oven about its vertical axis may cause the first lens element to pivot about a horizontal axis and to pivot about a vertical axis. The apparatus may be configured such that at least two of: the locking member, the oven, the first lens element, the coupling member, the second lens element, at least part of the housing, at least part of the thermal transfer apparatus, the second insulation member of the thermal transfer apparatus, the electromagnetic radiation receiving section of the housing of the thermal transfer apparatus, and/or the one or more counterweights, move simultaneously between their respective first and second positions. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for cooking comprising:

a frame member;

an oven;

a thermal transfer apparatus, the thermal transfer apparatus being thermally connectable to the oven;

a first lens element configured to, in use, provide focussed sunlight to the thermal transfer apparatus;

wherein the thermal transfer apparatus and the first lens element are mountable to the frame member such that at least part of the thermal transfer apparatus and at least part of the first lens element can pivot about two axes from a first position to a second position.

Embodiments of the second aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first aspect of the present invention or its embodiments.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a thermal transfer apparatus comprising:

a heat exchange device; and

a housing, the housing comprising: an electromagnetic radiation receiving section; and an electromagnetic radiation absorption member, wherein the heat exchange device is thermally connectable to the electromagnetic radiation absorption member, and

the electromagnetic radiation receiving section is configured to allow electromagnetic radiation to be directed towards the electromagnetic radiation absorption member, and

the housing is configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation absorption member back towards the electromagnetic radiation absorption member.

Embodiments of the third aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first or second aspects of the present invention or their embodiments. Similarly, embodiments of the first or second aspects of the present invention may include one or more features of the third aspect of the present invention or its embodiments.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a thermal transfer apparatus comprising:

an electromagnetic radiation absorption member; and

one or more heat exchange devices;

wherein the one or heat exchange devices are thermally connectable to the electromagnetic radiation absorption member. Embodiments of the fourth aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first, second or third aspects of the present invention or their embodiments. Similarly, embodiments of the first, second or third aspects of the present invention may include one or more features of the fourth aspect of the present invention or its embodiments. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of cooking, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an apparatus for cooking, the apparatus for cooking comprising:

a frame member;

an oven;

a thermal transfer apparatus, the thermal transfer apparatus being mountable to the frame member such that it can pivot about at least one axis between a first position and a second position, the thermal transfer apparatus comprising:

a heat exchange device; and

a housing, the housing comprising:

an electromagnetic radiation receiving section; and

an electromagnetic radiation absorption member,

wherein the heat exchange device is thermally connectable to the oven and to the electromagnetic radiation absorption member, and the electromagnetic radiation receiving section is configured to allow electromagnetic radiation to be directed towards the electromagnetic radiation absorption member, and

the housing is configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation absorption member back towards the electromagnetic radiation absorption member; and

wherein the apparatus for cooking further comprises a first lens element, the first lens element being mountable to the frame member such that it can pivot about at least one axis between a first position and a second position, and, in use, being configured to provide focused sunlight to the thermal transfer apparatus;

adding food to be cooked to the oven;

positioning the apparatus for cooking in the first position; and

moving the apparatus for cooking from the first position to the second position to allow the focussed sunlight from the first lens element to cook the food via the thermal transfer apparatus.

Embodiments of the fifth aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first, second, third or fourth aspects of the present invention or their embodiments. Similarly, embodiments of the first, second, third or fourth aspects of the present invention may include one or more features of the fifth aspect of the present invention or its

embodiments.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for cooking comprising:

a frame member;

an oven;

a thermal transfer apparatus, the thermal transfer apparatus being mountable to the frame member such that it can pivot about at least one axis between a first position and a second position, the thermal transfer apparatus comprising:

a thermal exchange device; and

a housing, the housing comprising:

an electromagnetic radiation receiving section; and an electromagnetic radiation absorption member, wherein the thermal exchange device is thermally connectable to the oven and to the electromagnetic radiation absorption member, and the electromagnetic radiation receiving section is configured to allow electromagnetic radiation to be directed towards the electromagnetic radiation absorption member, and

the housing is configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation absorption member back towards the electromagnetic radiation absorption member; and

wherein the apparatus for cooking further comprises a first lens element, the first lens element being mountable to the frame member such that it can pivot about at least one axis between a first position and a second position, and, in use, being configured to provide focused sunlight to the thermal transfer apparatus.

Embodiments of the seventh aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth aspects of the present invention or their embodiments. Similarly, embodiments of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth aspects of the present invention may include one or more features of the seventh aspect of the present invention or its embodiments.

Brief description of the drawings

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figs. 1 a and 1 b are perspective views of an apparatus for cooking according to the present invention;

Fig. 2a is a perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 2b is a top view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 2c is a front view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 2d is a side view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3a is an exploded view of a thermal transfer apparatus of the apparatus of Fig. 1

Fig. 3b is a side view of the thermal transfer apparatus of Fig. 3a; Fig. 3c is a front view of the thermal transfer apparatus of Fig. 3a; and

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of a part of the thermal transfer apparatus of Fig. 3a.

Description of preferred embodiments

With reference to Figs. 1 a to 4, an apparatus for cooking 1 is illustrated. Turning to Figs. 1 a to 2d, the apparatus for cooking 1 includes a frame member 6, an oven 20, a thermal transfer apparatus 10, and a first lens element 22. The thermal transfer apparatus 10 is mountable to the frame member 6 such that it can pivot about at least one axis (see below 2, 4) between a first position (depicted in Fig. 1 a) and a second position (depicted in Fig. 1 b). An arrow 5 has been used in Fig. 1 a and fig. 2a to depict the direction of pivot of the thermal transfer apparatus 10. In this embodiment, the thermal transfer apparatus 10 can pivot about a vertical axis 2 of the oven 20. Furthermore, in this embodiment, at least part of the thermal transfer apparatus 10 can pivot about a horizontal axis 4. However, whilst in this embodiment at least part of the thermal transfer apparatus 10 can pivot about two axes 2, 4, it should be appreciated that in some embodiments the thermal transfer apparatus 10 could pivot about at least one axis.

As best shown in Figs. 3a to 3c, the thermal transfer apparatus 10 includes a heat exchange device 12 and a housing 14. The housing 14 includes an electromagnetic radiation receiving section 16 and an electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18. The heat exchange device 12 is thermally connectable to the oven 20 and to the

electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18.

As shown schematically in Fig. 4, the electromagnetic radiation receiving section 16 is configured to allow electromagnetic radiation 1 1 to be directed towards the electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18, and the housing 14 is configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation 1 1 from the electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18 back towards the electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18.

As shown in Figs. 1 a to 2d, the first lens element 22 is mountable to the frame member 6 such that it can pivot about at least one axis 2, 4, between a first position (shown in Fig. 1 a) and a second position (shown in Fig. 1 b) in the direction indicated by the arrow 5. In this embodiment, the first lens element 22 can pivot about the vertical axis 2 and the horizontal axis 4. In use, the first lens element 22 is configured to provide focused sunlight to the thermal transfer apparatus 10. Whilst in this embodiment the first lens element 22 can pivot about two axes 2, 4, it should be understood that in some embodiments the first lens element 22 could pivot about at least one axis.

As best shown in Figs. 3a to 4, the electromagnetic radiation receiving section 16 is configured to allow electromagnetic radiation 1 1 to enter the housing 14, and is configured to direct electromagnetic radiation 1 1 towards an undulating surface 18b of the electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18. As best shown in Fig. 4, it will be appreciated that the housing 14 is configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation 1 1 emitted and reflected from the electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18 back towards the electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18. In this arrangement, energy loss from emitted or reflected electromagnetic radiation 1 1 exiting the housing 14 is minimised.

Whilst in Fig. 4 the undulating surface 18b is depicted as a series of protrusions 18b, it should be understood that it could be a rough surface, a repeated pattern, a randomly arranged repeated surface, an uneven surface, a plurality of non-parallel surface sections, or the like. In this arrangement, the undulating surface 18b assists in directing, reflecting, or emitting electromagnetic radiation 1 1 towards the housing 14. It should be understood that in some embodiments the undulating surface 18b could be formed by one or more protrusions, raised portions, peaked portions, spiked portions, or the like, and/or by one or more depressions, indents, grooves, pits, holes, or the like. Turning now to Figs. 1 a to 2d, the apparatus for cooking 1 is a solar cooking apparatus 1 and is free-standing on the ground 7. The frame member 6 comprises a base portion 6a, which is a substantially planar ground engaging base portion 6a, and a track member 8. The track member 8 is releasably attachable to the frame member 6 by way of four track member receiving members 6c. The position of the track member receiving members 6c is adjustable relative to the frame member 6, such that the track member receiving members 6c are rotatably adjustable from a first position to a second position. The track member receiving members 6c include guides 6d, which in this embodiment are arcuate channels.

The track member 8 is supported by four track member support portions 8b, which are connected to the base portion 6a.

The position of the track member 8 is adjustable relative to the base portion 6a of the frame member 6 and to the oven 20. In this embodiment, the position of the track member 8 is manually adjustable, such that at different latitudes and seasons the position of the Sun can be tracked by the first lens element 22 and the thermal transfer apparatus 10. Fig. 2a shows that the first lens element 22 and the thermal transfer apparatus 10 are moveably connectable to the track member 8 by way of a single coupling member 9. In this embodiment, the first lens element 22 and the thermal transfer apparatus 10 are configured to traverse, or run on, the track member 8 together. As will be described in more detail below, the apparatus 1 is configured to permit the oven 20 to pivot from the first position to the second position as the first lens element 22 and the thermal transfer apparatus 10 moves from the first position to the second position. Fig. 2a also shows the apparatus for cooking 1 in a position that is substantially halfway between the first and second positions.

The track member 8 is shaped to allow the first lens element 22 and the thermal transfer apparatus 10 to pivot between the first position and the second position. In this arrangement, the first lens element 22 and the thermal transfer apparatus 10 move simultaneously.

The track member 8 is a stainless steel rail, which guides the thermal transfer apparatus 10 and the first lens element 22 as the first lens element 22 and the thermal transfer apparatus 10 move with respect to the track member 8. In the embodiment illustrated here, the surface of the track member 8 is plated with chrome to reduce friction between the coupling member 9 and the track member 8. The track member 8 follows at least a portion of the shape of a parabola, and the shape matches at least a portion of path of the Sun. The shape of the track member 8 allows the first lens element 22 and the thermal transfer apparatus 10 to track the day arc of the Sun as the first lens element 22 and the thermal transfer apparatus 10 move from their respective first and second positions.

As illustrated in Fig. 2a, the coupling member 9 is fixedly attached to the first lens element 22 and the thermal transfer apparatus 10 and is configured to allow the first lens element 22 and the thermal transfer apparatus 10 to move freely along, over, across, or around the track member 8. The coupling member 9 is made from steel and, in the embodiment illustrated and described here it is an elongate hoop 9, which allows the track member 8 to be accommodated therein between the first and second positions. Both the thermal transfer apparatus 10 and the first lens element 22 are connectable to the frame member 6. The frame member 6 also includes a roller member 6b, which in this embodiment is two wheels 6b, which provides support to the oven 20, the first lens element 22 and the thermal transfer apparatus 10. The roller member 6b runs on the base portion 6a of the frame member 6 and is located at a front end 20c of the oven 20.

As best shown in Figs. 2c and 2d, the frame member 6 is configured to provide support to the oven 20, the first lens element 22, the thermal transfer apparatus 10 and the track member 8.

As shown in Figs. 1 a and 1 b, the apparatus 1 is configured such that the oven 20 can at least partially rotate about at least one axis of rotation 2, which in this embodiment is the vertical axis 2 of the oven 20, from a first position to a second position. Flowever, it should be appreciated that in some embodiments the oven 20 could at least partially rotate about two or more axes.

In the embodiment described here, the apparatus 1 is configured such that movement of the oven 20 between its first and second positions causes the thermal transfer apparatus 10 to pivot between its first and second positions, and causes the first lens element 22 to pivot between its first and second positions. In use, during cooking, the oven 20 is movable between its first and second positions.

Turning now to Figs. 2c and 2d, the oven 20 is rotatably connectable to the frame member 6 by way of a biasing member 6e, which in this embodiment is a torsion spring member, configured to bias the oven 20 towards the second position (shown in Fig. 1 b). However, it should be appreciated that the biasing member 6e could be configured to bias the oven 20 towards the first position.

As shown in Figs. 1 a and 1 b, the oven 20 includes a removable lid 20d and handles 20b.

Fig. 2b shows that the first lens element 22 is configured to provide focussed sunlight to the electromagnetic radiation receiving section 16 of the thermal transfer apparatus 10. As best shown in Figs. 3a to 3c, the electromagnetic radiation receiving section 16 includes a second lens element 24.

Referring to Figs. 1 a to 3a, the first lens element 22 and the second lens element 24 are configured to provide focussed sunlight to the inside 14a of the housing 14 of the thermal transfer apparatus 10 and thus to the electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18. The first lens element 22 is movably connectable to the frame member 6 such that it may move relative to the frame member 6. The first lens element 22 includes two counterweights 22d fixedly attached to the first lens element 22 arranged to counterbalance the weight of the first lens element 22. In this arrangement, the weight of the first lens element 22 is counteracted about its pivot point by the counterweights 22d when the first lens element 22 moves from the first position to the second position, and vice versa.

The first lens element 22 includes two support arms 22c configured to provide support to the first lens element 22. In this embodiment, movement of the coupling member 9 along the track member 8 moves a part of the frame member 6 which causes the support arms 22c to move, which in turn causes the first lens element 22 to move.

The first lens element 22 is a modular lens, and includes nine individual lens elements 22a, 22b, which in this embodiment are substantially rectangular lens elements 22a, 22b, including a substantially rectangular centre lens element 22a and eight substantially rectangular outer lens elements 22b.

The first lens element 22 is a Fresnel lens and has a positive focal length, with its facets, or grooves, on the focus side of the lens 22 (the underside of the lens 22). In the embodiment illustrated and described here, the first lens element 22 is substantially planar on its non-focus side and has light focussing elements, or surfaces, on its focus side. The first lens element 22 is used to concentrate sunlight and bring it to a focus at its focal point 23, which is depicted in Figs. 3a and 3c. Each of the individual lens elements 22a and 22b contributes to a complete Fresnel lens 22 of sufficient area to provide the requisite heat energy. The centre lens element 22a includes the centre of the concentric facets (concentric facet rings), rings, or grooves, of the Fresnel lens and each additional lens element 22b together provides the surrounding concentric facets, rings, or grooves, of the Fresnel lens 22.

The centre lens element 22a is unique, as it contains the centre of the concentric facets, rings, or grooves, of the Fresnel lens 22. In this arrangement, the surrounding satellite lens elements 22b are formed from two sets of identical lenses. The lens elements 22a, 22b may be made from PMMA (Poly(methyl methacrylate)), or polycarbonate (Lexan). The lens modules 22a, 22b are supported on an aluminium modular framework 22e.

As best shown in Figs. 3a and 3c, the first lens element 22 is arranged such that its focal point 23 is at a point inside the housing 14 of the thermal transfer apparatus 10. The focal point 23 is spaced from the selective surface 18a of the electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18 in order to mitigate overheating of the electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18. As best shown in Fig. 2b, the apparatus for cooking 1 includes a locking member 28 connected to a base portion 20a of the oven 20, which allows the oven 20 to be releasably lockable to the frame member 6 in one or more positions between the first position and the second position. The locking member 28 is connected to an end of the oven 20 opposite the thermal transfer apparatus 10. The locking member 28 is operable between a locked state and an open state. In the locked state, the locking member 28 is held in a fixed position relative to the base portion 6a of the frame member 6. The apparatus 1 is capable of being manually operated by locating a part of the locking member 28 in one or more locking member receiving portions 28a in the frame member 6 throughout the day. The locking member receiving portions 28a are receptacles arranged in a semi-circular pattern. In the locked state, the oven 20 is held in a fixed position relative to the base portion 6a of the frame member 6.

As shown in Figs. 1 a and 1 b, the apparatus for cooking 1 includes an apparatus 30 for moving the apparatus for cooking 1 , operable to move the apparatus for cooking 1 from the first position to the second position. The apparatus 30 for moving the apparatus for cooking 1 may be a water clock, or the like. The apparatus 30 for moving the apparatus for cooking 1 is connectable to the oven 20 via the locking member 28. Moving the locking member 28 from the locked state to the unlocked state permits rotation of the oven 20.

The locking member 28 is connectable to the apparatus 30 for moving the apparatus for cooking 1 by way of a pulling member 32, which in this embodiment is a wire 32. The apparatus 30 for moving the apparatus for cooking 1 is configured to allow the wire 32 to extend from the apparatus 30 for moving the apparatus for cooking 1 over time. In this arrangement, releasing the wire 32 allows the biasing member 6e of the frame member 6 to move the oven 20 towards the second position (shown in Fig. 1 b) , which causes the oven 20 to rotate, provided the locking member 28 is in the unlocked state.

With reference to Figs. 1 a and 1 b, the apparatus for cooking 1 includes a pulley 34. The pulling member 32 is engageable with the pulley 34 and the pulley 34 is configured to prevent the wire 32 from contacting the apparatus for cooking 1 as the oven 20 moves from the first position to the second position. As shown in Figs. 3a to 3c, the thermal transfer apparatus 10 is configured to receive focused sunlight from the first lens element 22 and transfer the heat generated therefrom to the oven 20 via the heat exchange device 12.

The thermal transfer apparatus 10 is located on a side wall 20e of the oven 20. The thermal transfer apparatus 10 is pivotably connectable to the oven 20.

In this embodiment, all of the thermal transfer apparatus 10 is pivotable about the vertical axis 2 of the oven 20, and at least part of the thermal transfer apparatus 10 is pivotable about the horizontal axis 4. That is, the thermal transfer apparatus 10 can pivot about the vertical axis 2 of the oven 20 from the first position to the second position, and at least part of the thermal transfer apparatus 10 can pivot about the horizontal axis 4, and in this arrangement at least part of the thermal transfer apparatus 10 can pivot about two axes 2, 4.

The apparatus for cooking 1 is configured to permit at least part of the housing 14 to at least partially rotate about the horizontal axis 4, and to permit at least part of the housing 14 to pivot about the vertical axis 2 of the oven 20. However, it should be appreciated that the apparatus 1 could be configured to permit at least part of the housing 14 to at least partially rotate, or pivot, about at least one axis.

Referring to Fig. 3a, the heat exchange device 12 comprises a first end 12a and a second end 12b. The first end 12a is thermally connectable to the electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18 and the second end 12b is thermally connectable to the oven 20.

As shown in Fig. 3a, the heat exchange device 12 includes four latent heat transfer devices 12’, which in this embodiment are heat pipes. The heat exchange device 12 includes one or more heat pipe receiving portions 18d configured to receive at least part of the one or more heat pipes 12’. The heat pipes 12’ are copper heat pipes 12’. The heat exchange device 12 and the latent heat transfer device(s) 12’ include an evaporation section 12c, an adiabatic section 12d and a condenser section 12e. The condenser section 12e is elevated with respect to the adiabatic section 12d and with respect to the evaporation section 12c. The heat exchange device 12 is configured such that the adiabatic section 12d is elevated with respect to the evaporation section 12c.

The heat exchange device 12 includes an angled portion 12f and a horizontal portion 12g and the heat exchange device 12 has a high effective thermal conductivity between the evaporation section 12c and the condenser section 12e.

The housing 14, and the inside surface 14f thereof, is at least partially cylindrical. The housing 14 may be an open-ended cylinder. The electromagnetic radiation receiving section 16 is defined by an aperture in a sidewall 14b of the housing 14. The housing 14 is a cylinder comprising one or more apertures.

The apparatus 1 is configured to permit at least part of the housing 14 to pivot about two axes 2, 4 from the first position to the second position.

The electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18 is configured to convert sunlight to thermal energy or heat. The electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18 includes a selective surface 18a, or a selective absorber 18a and has a high electromagnetic absorption coefficient, low emissivity, a high solar radiation absorption coefficient, and low thermal infrared radiation emission.

The electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18 includes a thermal absorber member 18c. The electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18 is a multi-layered structure and includes the thermal absorber member 18c. The thermal absorber member 18c is a planar member made from metal, which in this embodiment is copper. The selective surface 18a includes copper and aluminium layers.

As shown in Figs. 3a to 3c, the thermal absorber member 18c includes grooves 18d, which form channels or recesses when the layers of the thermal absorber member 18c are connected together. The layers are configured to define heat pipe receiving portions 18d.

As shown in Figs. 3a to 3c, the electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18 is connected to the heat exchange device 12 and is located substantially adjacent to at least part of the heat exchange device 12. In the embodiment illustrated and described here, the electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18 is fixed relative to the heat exchange device 12. However, it should be understood that in some embodiments the electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18 could move relative to the heat exchange device 12. As best shown in Fig. 4, the electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18 and the housing 14 are arranged to provide an electromagnetic feedback loop, or path, such that the majority of the electromagnetic radiation 1 1 that is emitted or reflected from the electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18 is ultimately absorbed by the electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18.

The electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18 includes an at least partially cylindrically-shaped portion, or surface. In this embodiment, the selective surface 18a is substantially surrounded by at least part of the housing 14 and the electromagnetic radiation receiving section 16 of the housing 14. The selective surface 18a includes an at least partially cylindrically shaped section.

As shown in Fig. 3a, the evaporation section 12c of the heat exchange device 12 and the latent heat transfer device(s) 12’ are thermally connected to the thermal absorber member 18c. The heat exchange device 12 is engageable with the channels, recesses or grooves 18d of the thermal absorber member 18c. In use, the heat exchange device 12 transfers heat from the thermal absorber member 18c to the condenser section 12e of the heat exchange device 12.

With reference to Fig. 2b and Fig. 3a, in this embodiment the

electromagnetic radiation receiving section 16 of the housing 14 is formed in part by an aperture in the housing 14 and by the second lens element 24. However, it should be understood that in some embodiments the electromagnetic receiving section 16 could be an aperture, opening, or hole in the housing 14.

The second lens element 24 is arranged to provide focussed sunlight to the inside 14a of the housing 14. The second lens element 24 is configured such that the focal point 23 is inside 14a the housing 14. The focal point 23 of the second lens element 24 is located at a distance from the electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18. It should be appreciated that in this embodiment, the focal point 23 is achieved through the combination of the first and second lens elements 22 and 24. This helps to mitigate overheating of the electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18, as the focussed sunlight is dispersed prior to being incident on the electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18. The second lens element 24 is made from borosilicate glass and is a planar rectangular lens element 24.

The electromagnetic radiation receiving section 16 of the housing 14 has a low electromagnetic absorption coefficient. That is, the majority of focussed sunlight may pass through, towards, into, or onto the

electromagnetic radiation receiving section 16.

As shown in Figs 1 a to 2d, the electromagnetic radiation receiving section 16 is moveable from a first position to a second position and the thermal transfer apparatus 10 is configured to permit the electromagnetic radiation receiving section 16 to at least partially pivot about at least one axis 2, 4. The apparatus 1 is configured to permit the electromagnetic radiation receiving section 16 to pivot relative to the heat exchange device 12 and to the thermal absorber member 18c. As best shown in Fig. 3a and Fig. 4, the electromagnetic radiation receiving section 16 and the second lens element 24 are located opposite the electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18. The electromagnetic radiation receiving section 16 is located in an upper region 14c of the housing 14 and the electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18 is located in a lower region 14d of the housing 14. The heat exchange device 12 is also located in the lower region 14d of the housing 14.

In this embodiment, and as shown in Figs. 3a and 3c, substantially all of the inside 14a of the housing 14 is reflective, which is achieved by the internal surface 14f of the housing 14 including one or more reflector components 14g, 14h, reflective modules 14g, 14h, reflective elements 14g, 14h, or the like. The internal surface 14f of the housing 14 is in contact with, and is located substantially adjacent to, the electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18. The reflective components 14g, 14h, modules 14g, 14h, or elements 14g, 14h, are configured to close at least one of the open ends of the cylindrical housing 14.

In this embodiment, the reflective surfaces of the housing 14 are made from stainless steel and one of the reflective surfaces includes an aperture 16 which forms part of the electromagnetic radiation receiving section 16.

The housing 14 includes two lateral reflector modules 14g, which in this embodiment are discs.

Part of the reflective part of the housing 14 is located substantially adjacent to the electromagnetic radiation receiving section 16 of the housing 14. Part of the electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18 and Part of the reflective part of the housing 14 are arranged to overlap. With reference to Fig. 4, the housing 14 is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation 1 1 emitted and reflected from the

electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18 and to reflect it towards the electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18.

As illustrated in Fig. 3a, the housing 14 includes one or more arcuate shaped reflector modules 14h. At least one of the reflector module(s) 14h are at least partially cylindrically shaped. As shown in Fig. 3a, the housing 14 includes one or more first insulation members 40 and one or more second insulation members 42. In this embodiment, the first and second insulation members 40, 42 are formed from two halves that are joined together, and the position of the first insulation member 40 is fixed relative to the heat exchange device 12.

The first insulation member 40 is configured to mitigate heat loss from the inside of the housing 14 and is located substantially adjacent to at least part of the reflector module(s) 14g, 14h and at least part of the heat exchange device 12. The first insulation member 40 is made from polyisocyanurate.

The first insulation member 40 includes an aperture 40a defined by a gap between one or more protrusions 40b. The electromagnetic radiation receiving section 16 of the housing 14 and the aperture 40a of the first insulation member 40 are arranged to at least partially overlap, such that electromagnetic radiation 1 1 can pass therethrough.

As will be seen in Fig. 3a, the first insulation member 40 includes one or more grooves 40c configured to engage with the one or more heat pipe(s) 12 The thermal transfer apparatus 10 is configured to permit the second insulation member 42 to at least partially rotate about at least one axis, which in this embodiment is the horizontal axis 4. In this embodiment one of the second insulation members 42’ is made from polyisocyanurate and the other second insulation member 42" is made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. However, it should be understood that the first and second insulation members 40, 42, could be made from any material that is suitable for use as a high temperature insulation member.

In this embodiment, at least part of the second insulation member 42 is located substantially adjacent to at least part of the first insulation member 40. The second insulation member 42 is arranged to cover at least part of the reflector module(s) 14g, 14h.

The second insulation member 42 includes an aperture 42a defined by a gap between one or more protrusions 42b. The aperture 40a of the first insulation member 40 and the aperture 42a of the second insulation layer 42 is arranged to at least partially overlap. The electromagnetic radiation receiving section 16 of the housing 14 and the aperture 42a of the second insulation layer 42 and the aperture 40a of the first insulation member 40 are arranged to at least partially overlap, such that electromagnetic radiation 1 1 can pass therethrough. The housing 14 is configured to permit the second insulation member 42 to rotate relative to the first insulation member 40, whilst maintaining the partial overlap of the aperture 40a, 42a, of the first and second insulation members 40, 42, such that electromagnetic radiation 1 1 can pass therethrough. The housing 14 is mountable to the frame member 6 and is connectable to the frame member 6 by way of a rotatable member 6’ configured to rotate as the coupling member 9 traverses, or runs on, the track member 8. In the embodiment illustrated and described here, the thermal transfer apparatus 10 includes an aluminium shield 36 arranged to substantially block electromagnetic radiation 1 1 , or sunlight, from striking the outside of the housing 14. In this embodiment, the shield 36 is a frustum shaped reflector, or mirror configured to reflect at least part of the focussed sunlight from the first lens element 22 towards the inside of the housing 14a of the thermal transfer apparatus 10.

The shield 36 is mountable to a part of the housing 14 and is located substantially adjacent to the electromagnetic radiation receiving section 16 of the housing 14. As illustrated in Fig. 3a, the shield 36 includes an aperture 36a, which forms part of the electromagnetic radiation receiving section 16.

It will be appreciated that in this embodiment, the shield 36 includes the second lens element 24, which is beatable in a lens receiving portion 36b.

The shield 36 includes a first end 36c and a second end 36d, and the cross sectional area of the first end 36c is greater than the cross sectional area of the second end 36d. The thermal transfer apparatus 10 is arranged such that electromagnetic radiation 1 1 can pass through the first end 36c of the shield 36, through the second end of the shield 36d, into the inside 14a of the housing 14.

The shield 36 is mounted to the housing 14, such that rotation, or movement, of at least part of the housing 14 causes the shield 36 to move. The shield 36 includes four substantially planar wall members 36e, which are planar rectangular sheet members 36e. As shown in Fig. 3a, the thermal transfer apparatus 10 includes an oven receiving member 44, which provides support to the oven 20 and is thermally connectable to the oven 20. The oven receiving member 44 includes two nylon oven support members 46, and the oven 20 is locatable on the oven support members 46.

In this embodiment, the oven support members 46 are configured to transfer heat from the thermal transfer apparatus 10 to the oven 20.

The oven receiving member 44, which is made from stainless steel, includes one or more channels 44a located on the side of the oven receiving member 44. The channels 44a are configured to receive at least a portion of one or more heat exchange devices 12 therein. The oven receiving member 44 includes two brass heat pipe connecting members 48.

As shown in Fig. 3a, in use, the oven 20 and the oven receiving member 44 form a bain-marie arrangement. In this arrangement, fluid may be added to the oven receiving member 44, and the oven 20 may be placed in the oven receiving member 44, and heat may then be transferred from the thermal transfer apparatus 10 to the oven receiving member 44, to the fluid, to the oven 20. The fluid is water, although cooking oil, or the like, could also be used.

In use, focussed sunlight from the first lens element 22 may pass through the electromagnetic radiation receiving section 16, and be converted to thermal energy by the electromagnetic radiation absorption member 18, the thermal energy is then transferred to the heat exchange device 12.

The thermal energy is then transferred to the evaporation section 12c of the heat exchange device 12, and then to the condenser section 12e. Thermal energy is then transferred from the condenser section 12e to the oven receiving member 44 and is transferred to the oven 20. In this way, focussed sunlight is used to provide heat to the oven 20.

A brief description of how the apparatus for cooking 1 may be used will now be provided.

Initially, the apparatus for cooking 1 is positioned in its first position (as shown in Fig. 1a) by moving the oven 20, either manually or by setting the apparatus 30 for moving the apparatus for cooking 1 . In order to position the oven 20 in its first position, a force must be applied to the oven 20 in order to overcome the effect of the biasing member 6e, which is configured to bias the oven 20 towards the second position (which, in use may be considered as the final position). The track member 8 can be calibrated prior to using the apparatus 1 depending on the season and the latitude.

The oven 20 can then be manually locked in the first position by way of the locking member 28, or alternatively the apparatus 30 for moving the apparatus for cooking 1 may be set to begin releasing the wire 32. Once the oven 20 is placed in the first position, food is then added to the oven 20.

Whether an apparatus 30, or manual operation is used, the oven 20 is rotated throughout the day. As described in detail above, this in turn causes simultaneous movement of the first lens element 22 and the thermal transfer apparatus 10, such that focussed sunlight causes the food within the oven 20 to be cooked throughout the day.

Because the first lens element 22 and the thermal transfer apparatus 22 are configured to track the Sun and move simultaneously together, the apparatus 1 is highly efficient and a significant amount of food can be cooked in the oven 20.

Modifications and Improvements

Modifications may be made to the foregoing embodiment within the scope of the present invention. For example, although at least part of the thermal transfer apparatus 10 can pivot about two axes 2, 4, from the first position to the second position, it should be appreciated that at least part of the thermal transfer apparatus 10 could be configured to pivot about a single axis, or a plurality of axes. The axes of rotation of the thermal transfer apparatus 10 have been depicted as being the vertical axis 2 of the oven 20 and the horizontal axis 4. Flowever, it should be appreciated that the thermal transfer apparatus 10 could be configured to pivot about a different axis or axes.

It will be appreciated that although at least part of the first lens element 22 can pivot about two axes 2, 4, from the first position to the second position, it should be appreciated that at least part of the first lens element 22 could be configured to pivot about a single axis, or a plurality of axes.

The axes of rotation of the first lens element 22 have been depicted as being the vertical axis 2 of the oven 20 and the horizontal axis 4.

However, it should be appreciated that the first lens element 22 could be configured to pivot about a different axis or axes. Although at least part of the housing 14 can pivot about two axes 2, 4, from the first position to the second position, it should be appreciated that at least part of the housing 14 could be configured to pivot about a single axis, or a plurality of axes. The axes of rotation of the housing 14 have been depicted as being the vertical axis 2 of the oven 20 and the horizontal axis 4. However, it should be appreciated that the housing 14 could be configured to pivot about a different axis or axes.

It should be appreciated that the apparatus 30 for moving the apparatus for cooking 1 , although described as being a water clock, or the like, it will be appreciated that any device capable of moving the apparatus for cooking 1 could be used.