Abstract: A push-pull chain that can bend in one direction only, and is provided with at least two rollers on each of the driving pins, one of the rollers engages a drive sprocket and the other of said at least two rollers engages a chain guide surface. An actuator for e.g. opening and closing a window that uses this dual-roller push-pull chain. A link driven push-pull chain that can bend in one direction only, with links that is shaped as an engagement surface for engaging a drive sprocket. An actuator for e.g. opening and closing a window that uses the link driven push-pull chain.

Abstract: A solar heating system and a method for controlling the system, the system including at least two solar collectors with different exposure, a load, a main supply line which branches into individual supply lines to the solar collectors, and a main return line into which lead individual return lines from the solar collectors, a distribution valve which is arranged at the branch-off of the main supply line to the individual supply lines or at the branch-off of the main return line to the individual return lines, and a pump for conveying a heat transfer medium.

Abstract: Provided herein is a curb-mounted skylight having a rigid plastic curb frame, a mechanism for firmly securing the curb frame to an opening in a building, a transparent or translucent covering element, and a mechanism for retaining the covering element on the frame. The curb frame includes a fixed base frame (having an interior frame and a counter-flashing element) and a moveable sash frame (having an accessory shelf and a sash). The base frame and the sash frame may be connected to one another by a first hinge member integral with the counter-flashing element and a cooperative and complementary-shaped second hinge member attached to the sash. The hinge members form a watertight seal and may be disengaged to permit the sash to be removed from the skylight assembly during installation, if so desired. Because the frame and hinge components are made of plastic, the skylight assembly is relatively lightweight.

Abstract: A method and a related device for providing heat for heating buildings and optionally for heating tap water via a solar collector, in which the solar collector is filled and permeated with a thermal carrier medium in the event of incident solar radiation, in order to heat the thermal carrier medium, and in which the solar collector is otherwise emptied, the thermal carrier medium being collected in a storage reservoir.

Abstract: An assembly for securing a hinged building window (11) in closed position relative to an aperature defined by a main frame (12). The assembly includes a compressible gasket disposed between the hinged building window (11) and the main frame (12) defining the aperature. The hinged building window (11) and the main frame (12) each includes a respective portion (20) of a magnetic means for securing the hinged building window said (11) to the frame (12), where the magnetic means for securing includes a two magnetic magnets that are magnetically attracted to one another.

Abstract: Method of and system for transmitting signals, e.g. control signals, request signals, interrogation signals etc. in a control system comprising at least two units, wherein at least one of said units is designed to operate as a master unit and wherein at least one of said units is designed to operate as a slave unit, whereby a plurality of channels may be used for the transmission, whereby a first unit performs the steps of detecting a vacant channel and transmitting a signal via said vacant channel, and whereby at least one other unit performs the step of scanning the channels for transmitted signals.

Abstract: Method of and communication system for controlling operation of at least one transmitter and/or one receiver in a communication system, e.g. a system for transmission of control signals, request signals, interrogation signals etc. wherein a signal comprising a message frame transmitted from a transmitter to a receiver comprises a message part indicative of the time of transmission for a later signal.

Abstract: A tubular skylight is provided with a solar-powered light damper unit that includes a damper supported by an axle within a light-conveying tube, a solar cell, and a motor powered by the solar cell. The motor includes a cam that connects to the axle and that rotates the damper between a fully open position and a fully closed position. The solar cell is housed protectively within the skylight assembly, and may be attached to one of the damper itself or an interior surface of the light-conveying structure. The damper unit may be operated by remote control. The unit may be provided with new skylight installations or may be sold separately for retro-fitting existing installations.

Abstract: A bracket member (9) of a supporting means for supporting a screening device in a frame structure, which has at least one pair of opposed frame pieces (5, 6), said supporting means comprising a pair of bracket members (9, 9?) provided for mounting on a respective frame piece (5, 6) of said pair of opposed frame pieces and a pair of coupling members (30) positioned at either of two opposing ends of the screening device. The bracket member (9) comprises a base (10) for abutment on the frame piece (5), a main face (11) opposite the base (10) and at least one bracket member engagement side (12) for engaging a coupling member of the screening device. A part of the main face (11) is provided by a releasable cover member (15), below which an electrical contact point is provided. The coupling member comprises a recess having at least one coupling member engagement side for engaging a bracket member (9) and an electrical terminal in the recess.

Abstract: A seamless surround for a rectangular skylight assembly is provided. Each side of the rectangular surround is characterized as having an obtuse-angled profile having an angle of between greater than 90 degrees and about 100 degrees, the profile including a vertically extending surface and a downwardly sloping surface. The vertically extending surfaces abut curb members attached to the skylight assembly and include apertures therethrough for receipt of a joining element. The downwardly sloping surfaces abut a building rooftop and further include apertures therethrough for receipt of a joining element. The roof-abutting side of the downwardly sloping surfaces includes a barrier material attached thereto. The barrier material may be any suitable air and water barrier, such as a polyurethane foam or a thermoplastic elastomer. A method of installing a skylight having the seamless surround is also provided.

Abstract: A push-pull chain actuator (1) comprises a housing with a chain exit/entry opening (4) and a sprocket (2) arranged to engage a push-pull chain (3). The sprocket (2) causes the polygon effect. The actuator comprises a first chain guide part (10a) for guiding said push-pull chain (3) around the sprocket (2) and a second chain guide part (10b) for guiding said push-pull chain (3) at a correct angle between the chain exit/entry opening (4) and the sprocket (2). The second chain guide part (10b) is shaped as a meandering path to counteract the polygon effect. Alternatively, the second chain guide part (10b) can be shaped and dimensioned to reduce chain oscillations caused by the rollers (8c) engaging or disengaging the chain exit/entry opening (4) at the end of the second chain guide part (10b).

Abstract: A glazed solar collector with a frame surrounding an absorber (3a), an insulating layer (2) disposed beneath the absorber (3a) and a cover pane (4) spaced above the absorber (3a). Absorber tubing (3b) is connected to an supply header (15) and to an return header (16). The axis (X) of the supply/return header (15,16) is arranged at an angle to a plane (Z) coinciding with the cover pane (4) with the distance between the axis (X) and the plane (2) increasing along the axis (X) in a direction leading away from the collector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Stirling engine, including at least one cylinder in which two pistons are arranged which move counter to one another, with each piston being connected by means of a first connecting rod to an oscillating lever, and the oscillating lever is connected by means of a second connecting rod to the crankshaft, where the oscillating lever is connected in an articulated manner with its first end to the second connecting rod, it is pivotably mounted at its second end in the cylinder housing, and the first connecting rod is connected in an articulated manner between the first and second end.

Abstract: System and method for controlling at least one device such as for example an operator for a door, a gate, a window, blinds, shutters, a curtain, an awning or a light source including a controllable unit associated with the at least one device and a plurality of nodes for transmitting control signals to the at least one controllable unit. The at least one of the plurality of nodes for transmitting control signals is configured for transmitting a signal imposing a limit for at least one parameter for the device. Further, the controllable unit is configured for registering the limit and establishing a resulting limit for the parameter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for obtaining heat, comprising a first brine circuit (2) in which at least a first brine pump (3) and at least one heat pump unit (40) with an outside register (5) for utilizing heat of the ambient air are arranged, and at least a second brine circuit (7) in which at least a second brine pump (9) and at least a solar collector (8) are arranged, with the second brine circuit (7) being thermally connected with a heat storage reservoir (11). In order to cover the largest possible number of operating states and to ensure high thermal efficiency, it is provided that the first and second brine circuit (2, 7) can be flow-connected with each other via a first valve (24), preferably a mixing valve.

Abstract: The outwardly opening window or door assembly (1) comprises a sash (3) mounted in a frame (2). A locking device (7) comprises a housing (101) being mounted in a cavity of a sash member. A handle (102) is adapted to displace a locking element (8, 9) between a locked position and an unlocked position. The handle (102) protrudes through an actuation opening (114) in a face (136) of the sash member being substantially at right angles to the window pane (4) or door leaf. The handle (102) is provided with an at least partially circular engagement portion (133) extending through the actuation opening (144) in the face of the sash member, and the at least partially circular engagement portion (133) is provided with a wedge shaped recess (110) that is releasably engaged with a correspondingly shaped wedge shaped element (III) pivotably arranged in the housing (101).

Abstract: The screening device comprises a tubular element with an axis of rotation and rotatable in relation to a shaft device. It further comprises a screening body with one end secured to said tubular element and a free opposite end, which on rotation of said tubular element is adapted to move between a first position, in which the screening body is completely rolled up on said tubular element, and a second position, in which the screening body extends over said aperture in order to screen it. A drive unit for driving said tubular element comprises a motor connected to said tubular element and said shaft device such as to provide said rotation of said tubular element in relation to said shaft device. A control unit controls operation of said motor and comprises a printed circuit board with an electronic motion sensor. Said printed circuit board is located in a fixed position in relation to said axis of rotation of said tubular element and/or in relation to said shaft device.

Abstract: A stop member for an operator chain in a chain operator, wherein the operator chain has a width, rivet holes and rivets, constitutes a pin arranged in a rivet hole not occupied by a rivet in the operator chain, wherein the pin has a length exceeding the width of the operator chain. The pin can be cylindrical with a diameter corresponding essentially to that of the rivet hole, and the diameter of the pin can be slightly smaller than that of the rivet hole, so as to be loosely held in the rivet hole.

Abstract: Provided herein is a unitary U-shaped cladding component that surrounds three sides of a deck-mounted skylight frame. In one embodiment, the frame includes a pair of longitudinal members, each of which has a locking mechanism (such as a bendable tab or rotatable latch) on its exterior side near one end. The locking mechanism engages a corresponding lock-receiving slot of the side panels of the cladding component. In another embodiment, the cladding component includes a locking mechanism (such as a bendable tab) on the exterior surface of each end. The locking mechanisms engage corresponding apertures in a head flashing member. Skylight including these cladding components are also provided, as are methods of installing such cladding components.