Abstract: An autonomous passive solar tracker having a thermal actuator that is connected through a cable and pulley and drum to a spring. The drum and spring are mounted on a cross beam of the tracker frame. The cable is attached on one end to the actuator push rod. It then threads through the pulley and wraps around the drum. The spring biases the tracker to pivot towards one direction, and the actuator when heated and extended forces the tracker to pivot in the opposite direction. The tracker is oriented so that the spring has a bias to pivot the tracker to the east, and the outward force of the actuator rod against the cable causes the actuator to pivot to the west. One may take advantage of this tracking by attaching a solar collector to the frame of the tracker.

Abstract: A passive ventilation system and method for venting hydrogen from a chamber housing a battery. The system comprises a battery chamber with an exhaust opening and an inlet opening near the upper end of the chamber. A heat conductive, gas impervious conduit extends through the chamber from the inlet opening to a position near the lower end of the chamber. The conduit includes a horizontal portion that allows heat transfer between the interior and exterior of the conduit to equalize the temperature of the gas in the conduit and the gas inside the chamber. In this manner, the incoming fresh air will reach the same temperature as the inside gas before it descends to the lower end of the chamber thereby minimizing convective flow in the absence of hydrogen build-up in the chamber.

Abstract: A passive temperature regulating system for cooling a structure exposed to extreme heat and a method for manufacturing the temperature regulator system. The system comprises at least one temperature regulator integrally formed to the roof of the structure. The temperature regulator is manufactured from a mold having a lower mold portion removably attached to an upper wall. The upper wall has an uneven lower surface and is adapted to be part of the roof. A resinous material is molded within the mold to form a container. After cooling, the lower portion is removed and the container remains an integral part of the upper wall because the melted plastic has conformed to the uneven lower surface of the upper wall. Thus, the container will remain in intimate contact with the roof, thereby supporting it own weight and eliminating the need for an expensive support system.

Abstract: A passive ventilation device and method for releasing hydrogen from an enclosure (3) housing a battery (9). The enclosure has an outer shell (11) and an inner insulating layer (13) that includes a gas permeable panel (7). The panel is disposed within the chamber adjacent one of the sidewalls of the enclosure. The sidewall has an inlet opening (34) and an exhaust opening (36) in communication with a ventilation space (32) for providing an upward air flow through the ventilation space to draw hydrogen through the gas permeable panel into the ventilation space. The upward air flow can be powered by the low density hydrogen and/or by heating the air within the ventilation space to a temperature greater than the ambient temperature.

Abstract: A passive temperature regulating system (2) for heating and cooling a structure (8) exposed to extreme temperatures. The system comprises a thermally conductive exterior wall, such as a roof (6), having corrugations (16) formed therein. A plurality of plastic containers (4) each have a body portion (30) filled with liquid, such as water, and an elongated heat exchanger portion (28) attached to the exterior wall within one of the corrugations. The heat exchanger portion has a conduit in communication with the body via two tubes (44, 46) so that the water can flow vertically between the heat exchanger portion and the body. When the containers are attached to the exterior wall, the water in the heat exchanger portion exchanges heat with the ambient environment through the exterior wall and the water in the body modifies the temperature of the interior of the structure.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for controlling the ambient temperature of an enclosure for containing temperature-sensitive equipment utilizing a quantity of water. A water container is located inside the enclosure. A generally flat, hollow radiator is provided in a nearly horizontal configuration proximate and exterior to the enclosure above the level of the upper end of the water container. The radiator has an exposed upper surface adapted to radiate heat into the atmosphere. A pair of symmetric conduits provide a pair of parallel flow paths from spaced apart container entry/exit positions proximate the upper end of the water container to spaced apart radiator entry/exit positions in the radiator.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved liquid conduit for a device such as a solar collector. A tube of stretchable material carries the liquid. A rigid elongate channel has side walls in contact with and enclosing the tube about at least 50% but not the entirety of its circumference. The channel allows the tube to expand radially along part of its circumference when the liquid expands due to freezing.

Abstract: A temperature regulating system that includes an enclosure having at least one temperature regulator including a container coupled to the ceiling of the enclosure and having an upper wall, a lower wall and an intermediate section that form a chamber which houses insulation and is filled with water provides a cooling system independent of external power. The insulation is positioned adjacent to the upper wall of the container and includes an upper surface facing the container's upper wall. The area of the upper surface of the insulation is approximately equal to the effective heat transfer area of the interior surface of the container. The insulation forms passages that provide fluid flow communication between the upper and lower walls of the container. With this construction relatively cold water, chilled by cool surroundings, e.g.

Abstract: An enclosure for controlling the ambient temperature of a battery by utilizing a quantity of water for heat transfer and thermal mass is disclosed. A housing has a thermally insulated interior defining a cavity which contains the battery. A water container within the cavity is in thermal contact with the battery. A flat radiator with a hollow interior is located proximate the housing above the level of the water container, and has a nearly horizontal orientation. Warm supply and cold supply conduits extend from the hollow interior of the radiator to the interior of the water container. The cold supply conduit extends to a position within the water container relatively below the position to which the warm supply conduit extends.

Abstract: A lightweight support for one or more solar panels is disclosed. A compression frame is mounted to the supporting surface, and tension members extend laterally from the frame in opposite directions to the supporting surface. The solar panels are attached to one of the tension members in a fashion which allows the solar panel to rotate and so that the panels can follow the sun throughout the day.

Abstract: A fluid cycling system for a solar collector is disclosed. The collector has a pump to force fluid through the collector to a fluid exit. The present invention provides a vertically extending expansion tank with an inlet coupled to the fluid exit from the collector located intermediate the top and bottom of the expansion tank. A primary outlet is provided below the tank, and a secondary outlet above the primary outlet. A return conduit couples the primary outlet to the pump. A radiator couples the secondary outlet to an intermediate portion of the return conduit. A fluid occupies the solar collector and the return conduit, and has a liquid volume so that in the absence of solar input to the collector the level of liquid in the tank is below the inlet.

Abstract: A solar actuated louver system which provides shade in the summer but typically maximizes solar heating in the winter is disclosed. A plurality of overlapping, interconnected louvers pivot about parallel axes. A solar tracker has a frame which pivots between fixed stops. The tracker typically includes a pair of alternative tracking modes, a winter mode in which the frame is oriented toward the sun, and a summer mode in which the frame is oriented away from the sun. A counterweight is attached to the frame, and is adjustable between a summer position in which the center of gravity is above the pivotable axis of the frame, and a winter position in which the center of gravity is below the pivotable axis. The louvers are linked to the frame so that the louvers remain perpendicular to the frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus for tracking the sun which reorients itself immediately in the absence of sunlight. Large and small cannisters are provided at the respective ends of a pivotable frame. When the sun is not normal to the plane containing the cannister, the near cannister is shaded from direct sunlight and the far cannister is exposed. A conduit is provided between the cannisters, and a quantity of volatile fluid is located in the cannisters and conduit. The liquid volume of the volatile fluid is greater than that of the small cannister plus the conduit, but less than the volume of the large cannister. A gas spring fluid is located in the large cannister, which has a vapor pressure sufficient to force the volatile fluid into the small cannister in the absence of sunlight on the east cannister.