Abstract: An economical ground heat exchanger system uses water-filled membrane liners in cylindrical augured holes. A submersible pump in a drain reservoir is shared by multiple boreholes. Thermal connection with a building or industrial process occurs through a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the reservoir. The pump sends water tempered by the heat exchanger to the water-filled holes, where it exchanges heat with the ground before overflowing through gravity drain piping back to the reservoir for continued recirculation. Heat transfer with the ground occurs through thermal contact between the water, the membrane liners, and earth supporting the liners. Optional raised borehole support rims maintain an “above grade” water level and allow removed soil to be re-used as a berm or planter over manifold pipes that connect the system components, thus eliminating the cost of trenching for the manifold pipes.

Abstract: An economical ground heat exchanger system uses water-filled membrane liners in cylindrical augured holes. A submersible pump in a drain reservoir is shared by multiple boreholes. Thermal connection with a building or industrial process occurs through a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the reservoir. The pump sends water tempered by the heat exchanger to the water-filled holes, where it exchanges heat with the ground before overflowing through gravity drain piping back to the reservoir for continued recirculation. Heat transfer with the ground occurs through thermal contact between the water, the membrane liners, and earth supporting the liners. Optional raised borehole support rims maintain an “above grade” water level and allow removed soil to be re-used as a berm or planter over manifold pipes that connect the system components, thus eliminating the cost of trenching for the manifold pipes.

Abstract: A residential bathtub or shower is combined with a catch drain or basin below and in proximity with the tub or shower in a unitary structure. Most components of a heat pump are located in the catch basin. A hot water tank is outside of the catch basin but located in the immediate vicinity such as at an end of the tub or above the tub or alongside of the tub. The hot tank includes a heat exchanger that is the heat pump condenser, bringing heat to the hot tank for warming household water. Hot water flows from the tank into the tub or shower for bathing and then drains into the catch basin where heat exchangers remove heat before draining or reuse in flushing a toilet.

Abstract: A frame for an evaporative cooler includes a bottom channel including a bottom panel and two bottom-side panels, a top channel including a top panel and two top-side panels, and a pair of side channels disposed between, and engaged with, each of the bottom channel and the top channel. The side channels may include a vertical side panel, a flanged bottom, a flanged top, and a pair of flanged sides, where the flanged bottom is engaged with the bottom panel, the flanged top is engaged with the top panel, and each of the pair of flanged sides is engaged with a bottom-side panel of the bottom channel and a top-side panel of the top channel.

Abstract: A support system for rigid media of an evaporative cooler includes a water distribution pipe, a bottom support including at least one sidewall extending from a bottom surface of the bottom support, and a rigid media block having a bottom end at least partially supported by the bottom surface of the bottom support, the rigid media block including a slot formed across a top surface thereof and having the water distribution pipe running through the slot, the slot having a depth selected such that a gap is formed below the water distribution pipe when the water distribution pipe is disposed within the slot and the bottom end of the rigid media block is engaged with the bottom surface of the bottom support.

Abstract: A frame for an evaporative cooler includes a bottom channel including a bottom panel and two bottom-side panels, a top channel including a top panel and two top-side panels, and a pair of side channels disposed between, and engaged with, each of the bottom channel and the top channel. The side channels may include a vertical side panel, a flanged bottom, a flanged top, and a pair of flanged sides, where the flanged bottom is engaged with the bottom panel, the flanged top is engaged with the top panel, and each of the pair of flanged sides is engaged with a bottom-side panel of the bottom channel and a top-side panel of the top channel.

Abstract: This invention provides simple, low-cost designs for rooftop support of pipes on low-slope commercial and industrial roofs. The designs use cut pieces of extruded plastic shapes with holes or slots transverse to the extrusion direction. The supports are designed to be lightly adhered to the roof, and to allow pipe movement for expansion and contraction.

Abstract: This invention provides an economical helical polymeric heat exchanger that packages tightly for handling and then is quickly assembled to its full length prior to placement in either the ground or water.

Abstract: This invention provides a simple integrated system that uses roof-spray, water collection, and water storage components to cool a building, collect and store rainwater, and clean a rooftop solar array.

Abstract: This invention provides a simple integrated system that uses roof-spray, water collection, and water storage components to cool a building, collect and store rainwater, and clean a rooftop solar array.

Abstract: This invention is an improvement to the shape of liquid storage tanks, in particular to unpressurized molded polymer tanks used for thermal storage in solar systems. All aspects of this invention are well suited to solar storage tanks, and individual aspects are suited to other liquid tank applications. This invention provides a formed horizontal extension at the bottom of the tank. From the top of this lower extension, a hollow vertical stub provides a reliable connection to a circulator pump. Thermal performance is enhanced by ensuring the lowest and coolest water is delivered to the array of rooftop solar collectors without entraining debris from the bottom of the tank. At the top of the tank, a similar horizontal extension is used to distribute hot water returning from the solar collectors. Flow velocity is eliminated and a curving lower edge allows return water to find the matching thermocline to avoid de-stratifying.

Abstract: This invention is an improvement to the shape of liquid storage tanks, in particular to unpressurized molded polymer tanks used for thermal storage in solar systems. Although solar storage tanks represent the first commercial application, this invention is well suited to ambient-temperature water and chemical storage tanks as well. By using a tank with a square footprint instead of a cylindrical tank, storage capacity can be increased by more than 20%, while consuming the same floorspace. For large indoor applications, doorway access amplifies the advantages of a rectangular tank versus cylinders. This invention combines the higher volume of square and rectangular footprint tanks with the structural efficiency of cylinder tanks. The tank walls are formed by alternating vertically-stacked cylinders and rectangular prisms. The cylinders take advantage of hoop strength and also provide a place for external reinforcing bands. Edges and corners may be sharp, chamfered or filleted.

Abstract: A flat plate solar air heater for installation between light frame structural members, which comprises a pan of sheet stock such as sheet metal with one or more substantially transparent surface sheets to admit solar radiation into a sealed chamber between said pan and the transparent sheets. A louvered structure placed behind the transparent surface sheets reflects high angle solar rays in summer yet admits low angle solar rays in winter into the black-surfaced absorbing chamber. The louvered structure also increases heat transfer to an air stream moving through the chamber, and directs most of the air flow against the absorber surface. The top and bottom of the pan may be chamfered to permit various ductwork connections.

Abstract: A unitary electrical receptacle or switch for installation after finishing of the surface in which it is to appear, which comprises internal electrical conductors for such a receptacle or switch enclosed by electrically insulating material which is formed into a housing portion and a cover plate portion, with openings in said housing portion for insertion of distribution cable to make the desired electrical contact with the internal conductors, openings in the cover plate portion for insertion of a plug into the receptacle or for protrusion of switching means from switches, and through-holes for connecting the unitary receptacle or switch to a structural member. Means may also be included for firmly connecting the distribution cable to such a receptacle or switch.The housing portion may be designed to straddle a structural member. The flanges formed by the cover plate portion overhanging the housing portion may be provided with shoulders adapted to the thickness of various surfacing materials.