Abstract: Solid-liquid interface photoelectrochemical cells are provided wherein the liquid phase comprises a nonaqueous solvent, an electrolyte dissolved therein forming an ionically conductive solution and a redox couple suitable to accept and donate electrons from and to the electrodes. The redox couple is present in an amount sufficient to sustain a predetermined current and the concentrations of the electrolyte and redox couple in the solution are sufficient to provide no greater than a selected small voltage drop relative to the output voltage of the cell. The efficiency of conversion of light to electrical energy of such photoelectrochemical cells are 10% and greater.

Abstract: A solar cell having a solar absorbing layer of truly amorphous or microcrystalline semiconductor material or mixture thereof with means cooperating with said layer for collecting carriers generated by the solar energy. Said solar cell also including means for causing the solar energy to twice pass through the solar energy absorbing layer.

Abstract: A technique for converting solar energy directly to electrical energy is disclosed herein and utilizes a plurality of photovoltaic-like flat panels having solar collecting front sides. These panels are supported for simultaneous rotation about a given axis, preferably a horizontal or south sloping axis, while their solar collecting front sides face the same direction. At the same time, these front sides are maintained in end-to-end relationship with one another within a common plane, preferably one which is at all times parallel with the axis of rotation. In actual operation, the photovoltaic-like panels are simultaneously rotated about their given axis in tracking relationship with the sun, preferably so as to maintain the solar collecting front sides of the panels at a fixed acute angle with respect to the sun's rays. Moreover,the panels are preferably supported adjacent to one another in a way which minimizes the distance between endmost panels.

Abstract: A pair of male and female hinge halves fabricated of extruded metal sections having complemental cross-sectional shapes so as to slidingly interfit and interhookingly engage with one another define a longitudinally extending through opening at one transverse side for the reception of a hinge pin, and interhooking means at the opposite side for interhooking engagement with the complementary shape of an extruded metal frame member of a solar collector frame or the like to be adjustably supported. The interhooking engagement between the hinge halves provides a limited movement fulcrum between the two transverse sides serving to clamp the opposite side interhooking means in secure frictional abutment with the extruded metal frame member when the hinge pin is force-fitted into its through opening.

Abstract: An arrangement for converting solar energy directly to electrical energy is disclosed herein and utilizes a group of photovoltaic-like panel members, each of which is designed to convert solar energy into electrical energy by developing a voltage across opposite terminals thereof in response to and dependent upon its collection of solar energy. These panel members are electrically interconnected together in a specific way which combines their voltages in order to drive a given load. In addition, individual bypass circuitry is electrically connected with each photovoltaic-like member for diverting current around the latter in the event the resistance between its terminals increases above a certain level, for example due to an open circuit or undesirable shadowing. In this way, a malfunction of one photovoltaic-like member will not disrupt the operation of the overall arrangement.

Abstract: A collapsible structural assembly including first and second flexible sheets disposed in confronting relationship to one another is disclosed herein. The assembly also includes an arrangement of ribs located between and connected with the sheets so as to support the sheets as a single unit for movement between a first collapsed position such that the sheets lie flat and adjacent one another with the ribs therebetween and a second extended position such that sheets have predetermined curved configurations and the ribs serve as structural reinforcements therebetween. In the actual embodiment disclosed, one of the sheets includes an outermost light reflective surface and the predetermined curvature conferred upon the sheets including the light reflective surface is that of a parabola. In this way, the entire assembly may serve as a trough-line parabolic concentrator comprising part of an overall solar collector.

Abstract: A solar collector device having a plurality of parallel collector tubes mounted between a pair of header members through which a heat carrying liquid flows. The collector tubes each have a plane surface exposed to the solar rays and extending laterally substantially equal to the maximum diameter of the respective tubes. The edges of adjacent tubes abut each other to form a substantially continuous planar collector surface. The tubes are moreover, made of a highly efficient conductor of thermal energy, namely a specialized copper alloy. A method of forming such tubes with planar surfaces for use in solar energy collectors is also disclosed.

Abstract: A saturated non-convective solar pond is employed as an unmixing device in conjunction with reverse electrodialysis or pressure-retarded osmosis for power generation.

Abstract: An absorption refrigerator in which the refrigerant is miscible in the absorbent at the relatively low absorbing temperature and is at least partly immiscible at elevated temperatures, allowing separation of refrigerant and absorbant in the liquid phase.

Abstract: A forced air solar heating system including a solar panel unit having an elongated base member, a corrugated absorber member disposed over the base member, an end cap disposed over a first end of the base and absorber members, another cap disposed over the other end of the base and absorber members, a translucent cover positioned over the absorber member to form dead air space therebetween, an intake manifold coupled to an end cap of the solar panel unit, an output manifold coupled to the other end cap of the solar panel unit, a heat storage unit coupled to the output manifold, and a blower coupling the heat storage unit to the intake manifold for circulating air through the solar panel and heat storage unit.

Abstract: A gas drying system where the heat energy in the exhaust gas and the dried product is recovered to reduce the energy required to dry additional products.

Abstract: The concentration of the solute in solution in a saturated non-convecting solar pond is greatest at a lower hotter level decreases continuously toward a higher cooler level and is saturated at all levels, thus preventing solute diffusion. In the customary operation of such saturated non-convecting solar ponds, the heat generated by incident radiation is absorbed in a bottom or lower layer. Because of the continuously decreasing density of solute which is near saturation from the lower to the upper layers, there is little salt convection and the pool tends to be further stabilized. Further, by heating due to absorption of the radiation largely at the lower level, a temperature gradient is maintained in which the upper layers remain cool, evaporation and consequent loss of heat is inhibited and the efficiency of the solar pond is improved. It has been discovered that a brine consisting essentially of an appropriate mixture of sodium carbonate (Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO.sub.

Abstract: A solar collector includes a plurality of panels overlapped along one direction such that each panel overlies a portion of one adjacent panel and underlies a portion of another adjacent panel to define overlapping areas. The panels are slightly transversely spaced from one another in the overlapping areas for flow of air therebetween to a plenum chamber at least partly enclosed by the panels. Heat absorbed by the panels from solar radiation is transferred to air flowing over the panels and through the spaces in the overlapping areas.

Abstract: An inflatable collector for solar energy is provided in which superposed layers of plastic sheet material are heat sealed to one another to provide a pair of layers providing an absorber unit in which the upper layer is pigmented to absorb solar radiation and the pair of layers are sealed to one another in a pattern providing a continuous elongated path. Fluid is supplied to one end of this elongated path and at least one transparent layer is provided overlying the pair of layers, to provide a return space above the pair of layers, and valve means are provided to interconnect the end of the elongated path remote from the fluid supply end with the return space so that fluid heated in the elongated path is further heated in the return space before being withdrawn from the collector.