Abstract: A laundry dryer source of heat for providing warm gas to dry laundry is utilized to heat water for laundry washer use, and is particularly suited for coin operated laundries. Each dryer has a gas burner and a heat absorbtion water coil in the flame area of the burner, the coils being connected in a circuit between a cool water outlet and a heated water inlet of a typical automatic water heater tank, with pump means for circulating cool water from the tank through coils and returning heated water from the coils to the tank whenever any of the dryers are in operation. In one embodiment continuous water flow through the coils is provided during heating operation by substantially equal pressure differentials between the cold water inlet and the hot water outlet of each of the coils, and is further assured by provision of coils having substantially straight, horizontal runs, alternate runs being generally coplanar with the planes spaced apart.

Abstract: A laundry dryer source of heat for providing warm gas to dry laundry is utilized to heat water for laundry washer use, and is particularly suited for coin operated laundries. In the illustrated embodiment each dryer has a gas burner and a water coil is in the flame area of the burner, the coils being connected in circuit between a cool water outlet and a heated water inlet of a typical automatic water heater tank. A water circulating system includes a pump or pumps for circulating cool water from the tank through coils and returning heated water from the coils to the tank whenever any of the dryers are in operation. One embodiment of the circulating system assures continuous water flow through the plurality of dryer water coils during heating operation by providing a substantially equal pressure differential between the cold water inlet and the hot water outlet of each of the coils.

Abstract: Paving and solar energy utilization systems and methods disclosed herein include a fluid carrying conduit embedded in paving such as in a roadway or roofing exposed to solar energy. Fluid circulated through the conduit is heated by the paving and cools the paving thereby prolonging its useful life and reducing heat transmission through the roofing to the interior of the building. Large amounts of useable energy may be provided by a solar collector forming part of and generally concealed within structures having other useful functions such as a roadway, roofing and so forth. Additionally, the fluid carrying conduit of such a collector may alternatively carry a heated fluid as is customary for snow and ice removal. Specific examples of solar systems and methods of this type include heating swimming pool water by use of a collector forming part of a parking lot and/or roofing paving, and generating electric power by use of a collector forming part of a highway roadway, for example.

Abstract: A solar collector has a galvanized steel, inverted heat pan having a flat plate top and depending sides encasing the sides of typical insulation along the bottom of the plates. A continuous copper tube on the upper face of the plate is of generally serpentine configuration with ends of adjacent runs connected by return bends. The runs are slightly inclined horizontally so that any moisture collecting on the plate flows to the bottom of the normally inclined plate and is discharged. Also, cool water entering at the bottom of the tube moves upwardly through the inclined runs as it is heated, and through an outlet at the top of the tube. Lead strips are preferably provided between the copper tube and the galvanized plate to prevent deterioration by electrolysis between the tube and the plate. A transparent dome has sides which overlap the plate sides and are secured thereto in a manner permitting passage of air into and out of the dome and thus maintain substantially atmospheric pressure within the dome.

Abstract: A typical automatic hot water tank installation has a self-contained source of heat for the water and is provided with external hot water from a solar collector, air conditioning condenser, or other suitable source. An external hot water handling assembly replaces the conventional drain valve at the bottom of the tank and includes a pair of concentric tubes. The outer one of the tubes is connected through the tank drain connection and has its open end proximate the tank wall. The inner tube extends into the tank inwardly from the outer tube and its opening is approximately midway across the tank and is directly upwardly to provide an inlet for discharge of the external hot water upwardly into a lower portion of the tank, and away from the cold water leaving the tank through the outer tube. Spacing apart of the hot water inlet and cold water outlet substantially retards passage of the hot water directly to the cold water proximate the outlet.

Abstract: A solar collector adapted to be conveniently installed on a roof or similar structure includes a casing having a continuous bottom flange adapted to be secured to the roof and providing flashing for suitable roofing material. A continuous side wall extends upwardly from the flange and a continuous shoulder along the side wall and extends outwardly from a lower portion of the side wall to an upper portion thereof. A solar collector heat pan includes a generally flat heat plate having an upper face carrying typical tubing for a liquid to be heated by solar energy, the pan further having a continuous depending flange positioned on the casing shoulder with the plate substantially flush with the top edge of the casing. A light transmitting cover overlies the heat pan and has a continuous depending flange extending above the heat plate so that solar energy may engage the heat plate during relatively early and late daylight hours.