Abstract: A mass transit system is provided which derives its basic energy from the solar system and recovered heat energy.

Abstract: A sprocket wheel with a generally equilateral polygonal rim and a plurality of spaced axially aligned teeth extending from at least one side of the rim.

Abstract: For use with a building having a transparent wall, a method, and a solar energy collection apparatus for performing the method, is provided by which the temperature and amount of sunlight within the building can be regulated during daylight hours, and the energy collected can be used for heating if required at nighttime. The apparatus includes an elongated solar collector that can be rotated about its longitudinal axis to vary the amount of sunlight that is permitted to enter the building.

Abstract: A solar panel having venting gates at opposite ends of an air plenum defined between a collector element and a protective, light-transmissive cover and having a wax thermal actuator for both the gates and flexible force-transmitting linkages between the actuator and each gate to operate the gates simultaneously. Preferred embodiments include certain linkages, gates and gate control apparatus, and certain structural relationships of the actuator with the collector element to achieve desired heat transfers. In certain embodiments, the actuator is part of a heat-sensing module which receives a multiplicity of heat inputs. The collector element in certain highly preferred embodiments is of plastic. A glazed solar panel having a venting gate controlled by a temperature-responsive wax thermal actuator linked thereto.

Abstract: A hollow cylindrical tubing passing a coolant, a generally V-shaped trough having at the apex thereof a mating semicylindrical surface for engaging said cylindrical tubing and the V-shaped trough disposed about 40.degree. from each other or 20.degree. angularly from a mid-plane of the trough, linkage means for moving the V-shaped trough through an angle that follows an east-to-west path of the sun and maximizing the collection of solar energy and programming means repetitively on a daily term for positioning said V-shaped trough to a start position commencing movement of said V-shaped trough from east-to-west following the sun and terminating said movement for subsequent positioning said V-shaped trough to said start position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an improved passive apparatus for absorbing, transferring and storing solar energy as heat, economically and effectively, without pumps, solar tracking devices or electric power. The apparatus comprises an improved trough-type concentrating collector, a heat pipe heat absorber and an insulated storage tank. Solar energy is reflected and focused by the concentrator onto the absorber where the energy is absorbed as heat. The absorber, made of one or more slightly tilted gravity-assisted heat pipes partially filled with a volatile liquid, transfers the heat by evaporation, vapor transport and condensation into a slightly elevated heat storage reservoir. A method for filling the heat pipes is disclosed. The absorber serves as the main axial support for internal structural ribs over which are fitted a flexible transparent top cover and a flexible reflective bottom cover that comprise the concentrator.

Abstract: A solar collector device generally comprises two laterally spaced apart frame arms with sockets located therein for the reception and support of solar collector pipes transversely extending therebetween. Within each frame arm, selected pairs of sockets are placed in fluid communication by means of intersecting ducts, each duct respectively emanating from a socket of each socket pair. This socket/duct network achieves a serial back-and-forth flow, relative to the frame arms, of solar collector fluid throughout the collector pipes from the point of fluid intake to the point of fluid discharge. Located underneath the collector pipe array is a reflective surface having upwardly directed channels, each collector pipe lying within each channel along its transverse span. The channel sides are angularly positioned so as to provide maximum solar ray reflectance and attendant absorption by the collector fluid throughout its serial flow.

Abstract: A rotary support device for use with a dial apparatus is disclosed. The rotary support device is formed mainly of a first cylinder having an aperture through which a rotary shaft of the dial apparatus passes, the rotary shaft being then fixed thereto, a second cylinder having an aperture through which the rotary shaft passes with a clearance therebetween, and a coupling member which resiliently couples the first and second cylinders. The second cylinder is coupled to a rotating member of the dial apparatus and they are to be rotated together, so that when the rotating member of the dial apparatus is rotated, the rotary shaft of the dial apparatus is rotated through the second cylinder, the coupling member and the first cylinder even if the axis of the rotary shaft is eccentric to the axes of the support cylinders.