Abstract: Solar distillation apparatus is disclosed in which the released heat of condensation of the condensing liquid is recovered in a transparent conduit disposed over the liquid to be distilled. Solar energy passes through the transparent conduit and is received on an undulated plate system over which the liquid to be distilled is conducted. A cooling fluid is circulated through the conduit to absorb heat released by the condensing liquid. In one embodiment, the conduit does not concentrate the solar energy. The conduit is preferably disposed at an angle of up to about 25.degree. with the horizontal so that the system is subjected to minimal pressure. In another embodiment the conduit defines a fluid lens system which concentrates the solar energy on the plate system. Provision is also made to recover heat from the condensate and a concentrate of the liquid to be distilled.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for concentrating and collecting solar energy are disclosed. In accordance with the invention, solar energy is concentrated by economical refringent lenses or lens systems including fluid lenses and/or Fresnel-type lenses. The lenses concentrate the solar energy preferably along lines in continuous linear foci or in discrete foci at an elongated collector comprising one or more fluid-carrying conduits and one or more fluids therein. In one embodiment, a plurality of photoelectric cells are located in or on the collector along the linear foci or at the discrete foci and operate at increased efficiency with heat being removed by the collector. A first fluid in the collector is heated by the concentrated solar energy and in a preferred embodiment is used to heat a second fluid contiguous to the first fluid, the first fluid having a boiling point exceeding that of the second fluid.

Abstract: A system in which solar energy is concentrated by an elongated lens in an elongated focus and collected in an elongated collector is disclosed. The lens is supported above the collector for pivotal movement with respect to the conduit about a first axis thereof to track the sun with the conduit remaining stationary. The collector further includes a container having an elongated solar energy transmitting aperture facing the lens along and adjacent to which the conduit extends, the container and lens being interconnected for pivotal movement with respect to the conduit about the first axis to maintain the aperture facing the lens with the conduit remaining stationary while the interconnected lens and container are pivoted. In one embodiment, the interconnected lens, container and conduit are also pivoted about a second axis transverse to the first axis.

Abstract: Solar distillation apparatus are disclosed in which a substantial part of the heat of condensation of the condensing liquid is recovered. A conduit having an inclined smooth lower surface is disposed above the liquid to be distilled and on which the evaporated liquid condenses and releases its heat of condensation. A fluid is circulated through the conduit in a heat exchanging relationship with the lower surface thereof, the fluid absorbing a substantial part of the released heat of condensation. The condensed liquid flows along the bottom of the inclined lower surface and is discharged from the lower end thereof and collected. The conduit in the preferred embodiments is flat and transparent and the spacing between the upper and lower walls of the conduit is selected so that only a small part of the solar energy is absorbed in the conduit while the fluid in the conduit recovers a substantial part of the released heat of condensation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for concentrating and collecting solar energy and for lowering the cost and increasing the efficiency of solar energy systems are disclosed. Solar energy is concentrated by economical refringent lenses or lens systems including fluid lenses and/or Fresnel-type lenses. The lenses concentrate the solar energy preferably along lines in continuous linear foci or in discrete foci at an elongated collector comprising one or more fluid-carrying conduits and one or more fluids therein. According to one aspect of the invention, lower reflectors are disposed below a central reflector and positioned to reflect and preferably concentrate solar energy towards the central reflector. The central reflector reflects and preferably concentrates the solar energy from the reflectors towards the collector means, also disposed below the central reflector. A lens, preferably a fluid lens, is disposed in the path of reflected solar energy between the lower reflectors and the collector.

Abstract: In order to improve the efficiency of a solar energy system utilizing a Fresnel lens for concentrating solar rays on a conduit system or the like, only the central portion of a Fresnel lens, otherwise of large width, is utilized and slide assemblies, each containing a plurality of slats with a reflective coating and disposed at an angle such as to reflect solar energy to the same focal point as the Fresnel lens, are disposed on each side of the lens thereby effectively increasing the aperture of the lens and increasing efficiency of concentration.