Abstract: A high efficiency solar heating system comprising a plurality of hollow modular units each for receiving a thermal storage mass, the units being arranged in stacked relation in the exterior frame of a building, each of the units including a port for filling the unit with the mass, a collector region and a storage region, each region having inner and outer walls, the outer wall of the collector region being oriented for exposure to sunlight for heating the thermal storage mass; the storage region having an opening therein and the collector region having a corresponding opening, the openings being joined for communicating the thermal storage mass between the storage and collector regions by thermosiphoning; the collector region being disposed substantially below and in parallel relation to the storage region in the modular unit; and the inner wall of the collector region of each successive modular unit in the stacked relation extending over the outer wall of the storage region of the next lower modular unit in

Abstract: A combination solar collector, thermal storage and heating module for mounting in a building framework comprising a hollow panel member for receiving a thermal storage mass, including an outer wall and an inner wall; opposed pairs of sidewalls and end walls sealed to the inner and outer walls for connecting the corresponding perimeters of the inner and outer walls, thereby defining an enclosed chamber; a plurality of individual connections each of the connections forming a joint between the inner wall and the outer wall for maintaining the rigidity of the walls when the chamber is filled with the mass; and a port in the panel member for filling the panel member with the mass. Various modifications and alternatives are disclosed including several structures for attaching the module to the building framework, and additional modifications for increasing solar absorption and decreasing heat loss from the building.

Abstract: Heat is transferred to and from a building having a stack or other group of containers for thermal storage mass, arranged to be illuminated directly or indirectly by sunlight, via a frontally spaced sun swept glazing system. A connection path is established through the glazing to module space and a shade system is provided for modulating heat transfer. For cooling, warmest water may be removed from the modules, spray cooled and circulated back to coolest modules. Designs for field-erectable modules are disclosed.

Abstract: The module includes a panel of thermal insulation which facially separates the interior space into an outer, facially large, volumetrically small chamber and an inner volumetrically large chamber. The two chambers are communicated above and below the insulation panel to establish a convection path for the heat transfer liquid. A seasonally reversible check valve provides for unidirectional circulation. The larger chamber is provided with a relatively large surface in contact with the room that is to be heated and cooled.

Abstract: A container of phase change energy storage material such as Glauber's salt is deployed behind the glazing of the south wall of a building structure for absorbing heat to heat the structure and/or for radiating heat to cool the structure. Several construction modules and mounting arrangements are shown, including ones where panels are backed with thermal insulation and pivotally mounted for reversibility.

Abstract: Heat is transferred to and from a building having a stack or other group of containers for thermal storage mass, arranged to be illuminated directly or indirectly by sunlight, via a frontally spaced sun swept glazing system. A connection path is established through the glazing to module space and a shade system is provided for modulating heat transfer. For cooling, warmest water may be removed from the modules, spray cooled and circulated back to coolest modules. Designs for field-erectable modules are disclosed.