Abstract: The present invention discloses a solar heating system for cyclic heating of a swimming pool, relating to the swimming pool heating technology. The solar heating system structurally comprises a swimming pool, solar heaters and a water pump. Compared with the prior art, a solar panel is mainly added, and the water pump is installed on a solar heater in an integrated way that the water pump is connected with not only the solar heater as a waterway, but also the solar panel as a power supply circuit. After the above-mentioned improvements, the whole solar heating system has the advantages such as a compact structure, convenient disassembly and assembly, and miniaturization. Since the solar panel independently supplies power to the water pump, the solar heating system can be used normally in an outdoor place far away from a mains socket. The application place is not restricted with wide application scope.

Abstract: A solar collector adapted to absorb thermal heating from the sun, wherein said solar collector comprises hollow sections adapted to house a medium. The solar collector is a self-supporting composite solar collector produced from a composite material constituted of at least a first and second material, wherein said first and second materials have equal or substantially equal coefficients of elasticity.

Abstract: A device for thermal separation between a conditioned environment and at least one external environment, which comprises a wall that has at least a first active layer-like region toward the conditioned environment, a second active layer-like region toward the external environment with respect to the first active layer-like region, a first insulating layer-like region, which is interposed between the active layer-like regions, a second insulating layer-like region, which is interposed between the second active layer-like region and the external environment. The active layer-like regions accommodate channels for the outflow of heat transfer fluids, which have, during the operation of the thermal separation device, temperatures that on average are different through the thickness of the wall.

Abstract: An Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system having a turbine with an upstream side and a downstream side. Warm water under a partial vacuum is converted into a vapor, the vapor being supplied to the upstream side of the turbine at a pressure controlled by the temperature of the warm water. A condenser is situated on the downstream side of the turbine to cause the vapor, after passing through the turbine, to undergo a phase change back to a liquid, which can be used as potable water. The condenser is coupled to a source of a cooling liquid, and the pressure of the vapor on the downstream side of the turbine is determined by the temperature of the cooling liquid. A flexible floating solar collector supplies the warm liquid to the upstream side at a temperature higher than normal ambient temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a wind power plant, comprising one or more wind turbine generator(s) connected to an electrical grid, and a power plant controller having an operational mode, controlling electrical parameters, wherein the method comprises, determining a first voltage level of one or more wind turbine generator(s), determining if the first voltage level of one or more wind turbine generator(s) is outside a first predetermined range, in case the first voltage level of one or more wind turbine generator(s) is outside a first predetermined range then, changing the operational mode of the power plant controller between first and second operational modes, the first operational mode controlling a first electrical parameter, the second operational mode controlling a second electrical parameter, the first and second parameters being different. The present invention also relates to a power plant controller and a wind power plant operated according to the method.

Abstract: A solar thermal collector including a carrier, channels and a solar selective coating is provided. The channels are embedded in the carrier for a heat transfer fluid flowing therein. The solar selective coating is deposited on an outer surface of the carrier. The solar selective coating includes a damping layer, an absorbing layer and an anti-reflecting layer. The damping layer is deposited on the outer surface of the carrier. The absorbing layer is deposited on the damping layer, wherein the absorbing layer has a transition region including plural sub-layers and located adjacent to the damping layer. The anti-reflecting layer is deposited on the absorbing layer, wherein a light beam is adapted to enter the absorbing layer through the anti-reflecting layer, and irradiation energy of the light beam is transformed by the collector into thermal energy, which is then transmitted to the heat transfer fluid in the channels.

Abstract: A system for heating a pool of water is provided. An inlet is provided for liquid to be delivered to the pool of water. The system includes an attachment apparatus having a body defining a fluid passageway from a first opening to a second opening. A third opening is disposed between the first and second opening. The attachment connects to the inlet for receiving the liquid. An adjustable diverging mechanism is mounted to the attachment operable to redirect flow out of the third opening. A tube having a flow channel and thermally conductive outer surface is coupled to the third opening and extends out of the pool to be exposed to environmental conditions and absorb thermal energy. The liquid passing through the flow channel of the tube returns to the pool of liquid and heated when passing through the tube prior to returning to the pool.

Abstract: A machine that improves the management of thermal energy for a residence or other building by serving as both a swimming pool 26 water heater and an attic space 22 ventilator. The heating of air within an attic space 22, resulting primarily from the insolation of the roof surface 24, is exploited to heat water 26. The device consists of an air-to-water heat exchanger coil 28, a fan 30, an air outlet passage 32 between the attic 22 and the outside air with the necessary mounting 90 and weather excluding structure 86. When water heating is not required, the device retains its attic ventilation function in order to reduce the cooling load on the air refrigeration system for the building. The device may be used as either an alternative to a fuel burning or electric powered water heater or as a means to minimize the use and expense of such heaters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat collection system for a roof, the system including a roof deck, a membrane upwardly adjacent of the roof deck; a fluid channel disposed between the membrane and the roof deck, the fluid channel having a defined entry port and a defined exit port, the entry port and the exit port being disposed in fluid communication via the fluid channel.

Abstract: This invention provides a solar fluid heating assembly that generally increases efficiency by reflecting the sun's energy onto heat generating surfaces that face away from the sun. It also provides an aesthetic structure that is readily installed in a variety of outdoor settings and can be used as a boundary fence in certain applications. In an illustrative embodiment, the solar heater comprises one or more conduits and a reflective mechanism, such that in use, heat energy falls onto a front surface of the conduit, thereby heating water or another fluid within the conduit, and heat energy is reflected by the reflective mechanism onto another surface of the conduit, thereby further heating the fluid within the conduit.

Abstract: A liquid-heating system has a solar energy collector exposed to solar radiation, a geothermal heat exchanger buried in the ground at a depth between 0.5 m and 5 m, a heater through which a liquid to be heated passes, and a heat pump having a sink side connected to the heater and a source side connected to the geothermal heat exchanger or to the solar energy collector. A first controller or valve setup connected to the heat collector can in one position connect the solar energy collector to the water heater such that heat collected by the solar energy collector is applied to the water heater. In another position it can connect the solar energy collector to the geothermal heat exchanger such that heat collected by the solar energy collector is applied to the ground surrounding the geothermal heat exchanger.

Abstract: A solar panel and a solar fence incorporating the solar fence. The solar panel has a fluid heating component adapted to absorb solar energy and mounted to a frame assembly. The solar panel may include an auxiliary line to facilitate alternative system configurations and convenient connection of inlet and outlet lines. The solar panel may also include a cover to selectively control the rate at which the fluid is heated. The solar panel may also include panels to provide privacy when the solar panel is incorporated into a solar fence.

Abstract: A machine that improves the management of thermal energy for a residence or other building by serving as both a swimming pool 26 water heater and an attic space 22 ventilator. The heating of air within an attic space 22, resulting primarily from the insolation of the roof surface 24, is exploited to heat water 26. The device consists of an air-to-water heat exchanger coil 28, a fan 30, an air outlet passage 32 between the attic 22 and the outside air with the necessary mounting 90 and weather excluding structure 86. When water heating is not required, the device retains its attic ventilation function in order to reduce the cooling load on the air refrigeration system for the building. The device may be used as either an alternative to a fuel burning or electric powered water heater or as a means to minimize the use and expense of such heaters.

Abstract: A solar panel (10) has tubing (12) through which water from a swimming pool is recirculated. The tubing (12) is adapted to be exposed to the sun for heating the water to a temperature whereby the pool is heated. The solar panel (10) has a housing (14) for the tubing (12), and the housing (14) has a transparent screen (16) covering the tubing (12). In use, the housing (14) retains heat therewithin for increasing the temperature of the tubing (12) above that outside of the housing.

Abstract: A solar panel (10) has tubing (12) through which water from a swimming pool is recirculated. The tubing (12) is adapted to be exposed to the sun for heating the water to a temperature whereby the pool is heated. The solar panel (10) has a housing (14) for the tubing (12), and the housing (14) has a transparent screen (16) covering the tubing (12). In use, the housing (14) retains heat therewithin for increasing the temperature of the tubing (12) above that outside of the housing.

Abstract: A modular swimming pool water heating system including a first casing for mounting in an attic of a building, a heat exchange unit removably mounted in said first casing, an opening in said first casing permitting access to the interior of the first casing for receiving said heat exchanger, a cover removably mounted on said casing for closing said opening, an inlet manifold on said heat exchanger for introducing swimming pool water into said heat exchanger, said inlet manifold extending through said cover on said first casing when the first casing is closed, an outlet manifold on said heat exchanger for returning water to a swimming pool, said outlet manifold extending through said cover on said first casing when the first casing is closed, inlet sleeves for removable attachment to one side of said first casing for introducing air into the casing, fan units for removable mounting on a second side of said first casing opposite said one side for drawing air into said first casing and through said heat exchange

Abstract: A radiant energy collection unit that can be used in a solar panel heating system is described. The energy collection unit comprises an absorbing panel secured to a base panel and forming a channel there between. The channel is in fluid communication with an inlet feeder and an outlet conduit. The design of the collection unit allows for its use on a house, garage or similar building.

Abstract: The invention concerns a panel comprising a front plate exposed to solar radiation and whereof the rear face is adjacent to an insulating layer, for example made of a synthetic foam. A conduit network for heat transferring fluid is inserted between the front plate and the insulating layer. A conducting lap such a fine and flexible aluminum grille is also inserted between the front plate and the heat insulating layer to collect the heat generated in the front plate and conduct it towards the conduit network. The invention is useful for collecting solar energy in the form of heat particularly in roofs.

Abstract: A solar energy collecting apparatus for heating a working fluid using the plurality of substantially identical reflective elements arranged in rows is provided. Each reflective element comprises a substantially rectangular element having opposing side walls and opposing end walls which together form a bottom edge for supporting the reflective element on a flat support such as a sheet metal or molded base. Each reflective element further includes a top wall connected with and supported by the side walls and the end walls. The top wall is formed to provide a reflective surface facing away from the bottom edge and is formed in a shape for reflecting solar radiation falling thereon, from a range of incident angles, to a focal axis. The focal axis of each reflective element is substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the reflective element and when the reflective elements are arranged in parallel rows, each row includes a focal axis along its longitudinal length.

Abstract: Shower apparatus (1) heated by solar apparatus radiation (3) used in open spaces, made of any type of material, and installed in a substantially vertical position, which comprises the structural configuration of the apparatus in addition to act as accumulation container (2) of water heated by sunbeam (3), so that the vertical cylinder (2) made of rigid material is used both as an accumulator storage of hot water and as a carrier structure for the apparatus. The storage cylinder may be coated with a protection cover which avoids the cooling produced by ambient air.

Abstract: A solar absorber assembly (13) having upper and lower connectors (14, 15) between which tubes (16) extend for conveying water to be heated, the tubes (16) being surrounded by a glazing assembly (17) which is supported by the connectors (14, 15). The connectors (14, 15) may be connected with adjacent connectors (14, 15) of adjacent assemblies (13) to form a fence panel (11) which can be supported by posts (12), the fence panel (11) also serving as a security fence for swimming pools.

Abstract: The present invention is a hot tub heater system. The hot tub heater system is comprised of a hot tub having water within. The hot tub heater system is also comprised of means for heating the water within the hot tub. The heating means comprises a hot water heater which heats a body of water within a tank and means for transferring heat from the water within the tank to the water of the hot tub without any intermixing. Preferably, the heat transferring means comprises a piping assembly which acts as a heat exchanger. The piping assembly can be a variety of different forms. The present invention allows a hot tub to be heated inexpensively with a domestic hot water heater.

Abstract: A solar heater for a swimming pool or the like is formed by heat sealing two rectangular sheets of a flexible thermoplastic material, such as black vinyl, around the peripheral edges thereof. A plurality of spaced apart heat sealed seams are formed between the two sheets. The seams have end portions alternately spaced from and joined to the sealed peripheral edge to define a plurality of passageways forming a serpentine water pathway through the collector. Inlet and outlet fittings communicate with the passageways to permit pool water to circulate in the collector to be heated therein.