Abstract: This specification discloses an improvement in a solar system having one or more collectors for receiving and using radiant energy from the sun and at least one and preferably a plurality of respective reflector means for reflecting the radiant energy onto the collectors. The improvement is characterized by having towerless collectors and towerless reflectors that are disposed at ground level or substantially the same level, to eliminate the major expense of a collector tower, which is inefficient and nonfunctional in a solar system.Also disclosed is a complete system, or combination, for generating power employing solar energy and the improvement delineated above; as well as structural details of preferred arrangements and equipment.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electromechanical solar tracking device which tracks the position of the sun using paired, partially-shaded bimetallic elements.

Abstract: A multiple fluid medium energy conversion system for a building which includes a radiant energy panel assembly connectable alternatively with a closed Brayton cycle closed air circuit or an open environmental air circuit, the open environmental air circuit including a clothes dryer selectively mounted therein, a temperature water storage closed circulating system for storing the temperature energy, a room air temperature conditioning circuit and a potable hot water circuit, the potable hot water circuit including an improved potable hot water storage tank assembly, all of the circuits being interrelated by heat exchangers and a control circuit for the system.

Abstract: Two identical header tube members are fitted to opposite ends of an absorbing member with a plurality of internal channels for circulation of a heat transport fluid to form a collector element. Each header has a header tube which is spaced from a header base plate by a tube saddle. The perimeter of the element includes a flange for joining it together with other, identical elements. Any number of such elements may be joined together to form a continuous, watertight sheet. Where the header tubes of adjoining elements connect, their spacing from the base plate leaves a passageway under them between adjacent tube saddles. Water can run off the surface through the passageway in the direction of slope of the surface upon which the sheet of elements is installed.

Abstract: A means for supporting a heat exchanger formed of spaced apart headers with finned tubes extending therebetween, the headers being supported between parallel opposed structural members, the support means including brackets having horizontal portions on which each of the headers rests and clip affixed to the headers adjacent each bracket, each clip having a horizontal portion extending below and parallel the brackets, and stops adjacent the clips to limit the horizontal movement of the headers.

Abstract: A solar heat collector having an elongated housing, a segmented absorber plate, inlet and outlet header pipes fluidly connected by a plurality of riser pipes for conducting heat transfer fluid through the collector, multilayered insulation for minimizing heat losses from the collector and at least one segmented, arcuate transparent cover for allowing passage of solar radiation therethrough while isolating the interior of the collector from the elements. The multilayered insulation is constructed so as to withstand temperatures of about 400.degree. F. without any attendant thermal degradation.

Abstract: A cam assembly is disclosed which is used for the selection of different track positions for a magnetic tape head in a magnetic tape player/recorder. The tape track position of a magnetic tape head is determined by the position of a cam follower member which is selectively positioned with respect to a reference surface by selectively positioning a number of different diameter ball bearings between the cam follower member and the reference surface. Specifically, a solenoid actuated armature causes the linear movement of pawl members which in turn rotate a ratchet wheel member. The ratchet wheel member forms part of a cam apparatus that includes four ball bearings of different diameters. Sequential rotation of the ratchet member selectively positions ball bearings of different diameters between a non-rotatable reference surface and the cam follower member.

Abstract: A solar collector has a liquid system independent of a household hot water heater system, the two systems transferring heat in a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has an open top inner tank enclosed in a closed outer tank, a coil connected to the hot water tank system circulates under main pressure in a coil in the annular space between the inner and outer tanks. Liquid from the collector enters at the bottom of the annular space, flows upward around the coil and overflows the top of the inner tank. A pump draws liquid from the bottom of the inner tank for circulation through the solar collector system. The liquid in the collector system drains by gravity into the inner tank at any time that the collector circulating pump is not operating, thus providing freeze protection during all normal operations and also at such time that a power failure may occur.

Abstract: High efficiency solar collector apparatus heats throughput liquid or fluid to relatively high temperature.

Abstract: A controller for a system of the type including a variable temperature heat source arranged in heat exchange relation with a fluid circulating circuit, and a variable speed pump disposed in said circuit for varying the flow rate of fluid therethrough in response to variations in the temperature of the fluid. The controller includes a probe for sensing a temperature indicative of the temperature of the fluid in the circuit and for generating a first signal indicative thereof; means for generating a reference signal indicative of a predetermined temperature; means for comparing the first two signals and generating a third signal indicative of the difference therebetween; means responsive to the third signal for generating an analog control signal; means responsive to the analog control signal for varying the pump speed as a function of the control signal for equalizing the first and second signals.

Abstract: A humidifier is disclosed for use with a forced air furnace in which water flowing in a coiled tube disposed in the exhaust path for waste gas from the combustion chamber is vaporized by heat transfer from the waste gas and transferred in admixture with unvaporized water into a container in the warm air duct of the furnace. The steam humidifies the air while the unvaporized water is separated and returned to the exhaust path of the combustion chamber where it in turn is vaporized and vented to the atmosphere. The heat transfer to the water in the coiled tube is enhanced by a convoluted configuration of the tubing which induces turbulence in the waste gas and/or water. The humidifier is regulated by controls which are response to the flow of air through the furnace as well as to the humidity.

Abstract: The system makes use of a plurality of side-by-side parallel water troughs for exposing water in the troughs to solar radiation as well as the night sky. The troughs are arranged to be positioned on either a flat roof or a pitched roof. Water storage tanks in side-by-side spaced relationship are positioned beneath the water troughs and appropriate pumps provided for transferring water between the troughs and the water storage tanks. Air ducts in turn are defined between the storage tanks so that the ducts have common walls with the storage tank to effect efficient heat transfer between air in the ducts and water in the storage tanks. Heating of rooms is accomplished by transferring water from the troughs at sundown to the storage tanks, the heat accumulated during the daylight hours being transferred to air in the ducts which air is then directed to one or more rooms.

Abstract: Solar furnace support apparatus including frame member, furnace holding member and actuating mechanism, the frame member including a base portion and an upstanding portion; the furnace holding member being pivotally carried by the frame member, the furnace holding member including spaced longitudinal members, cross members connecting the longitudinal members adjacent the ends thereof, shaft mechanism disposed adjacent the center of the longitudinal members and disposed adjacent connection of the cross members with the longitudinal members, the shaft mechanism being engageable with releasable locking members disposed on the frame member adjacent the top of the upstanding portion and adjacent the base portion thereof, actuating mechanism for moving the furnace holding member, the actuating mechanism including cooperating mechanism operatively connected to at least one of the longitudinal members at points along the length thereof substantially equidistant from the center.

Abstract: A warm air furnace including a plenum, a blower, heat exchanger disposed within the plenum and an air distribution chamber. The heat exchanger includes an encasement surrounding a plurality of vertically extending heat exchanger tubes. The tubes are in communication with the plenum and with the air distribution chamber. A fibrous refractory inorganic tubular flame chamber is positioned within the encasement and is partially surrounded by the vertically extending tubes. The tubes are positioned in a generally U-shaped pattern and one of the tubes contacts the flame chamber. The tubes along the sides of the pattern are interconnected by upper and lower side baffles. The baffles are vertically spaced from each other to define exhaust outlets. A rear baffle extends between the tubes along the base of the pattern. A flue extends from the encasement for exhaust of combustion gases.

Abstract: A solar energy collector having a plurality of elongated upwardly-open trough-shaped reflectors placed side by side and each having facing reflective surfaces joined by a curved section disposed about a medial axis of each trough and supported by a series of templates spaced along the reflectors and having upwardly opening recesses the walls of which engage and shape the reflectors, the edges of the reflectors being held by locking members engaged on the templates between the said recesses, to accurately locate the side edges of the reflectors and hold the reflectors in stressed relationship in the templates, a frame supporting the templates and arranged to be oriented about a horizontal axis, heat collector tube being supported by the said frame and disposed at the focal area of each of the reflectors and constructed to act as an absorber of heat focussed on to it by the reflectors.

Abstract: An automatic damper means and controls, which provide an exceedingly safe automatic damper for the exhaust duct-work of an associated gas furnace or the like, by automatic control of the damper, and automatic control of the gas supply, with redundancy features for providing exceedingly safe operation.

Abstract: A heat exchanger has a modular construction to create uniformity among several of its components. The heat exchanger utilizes concentric tubes, with one fluid flowing through the inner tube, and the other fluid flowing through the annular space in the outer tube. The inner tube fluid flows back over the outer tube, further exchanging heat, as it is discharged. The heat exchanger includes four cup-shaped modules that nest or slide together. Each module includes a sleeve with a port for one of the fluids. Each module also has a convex portion that slides sealingly into an adjacent module and contains holes for the tubes. The tubes are sealed into the holes in the convex portions, causing each module to define one of the four manifolds necessary for the operation of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A concentrating vacuum insulated solar energy collecting and converting apparatus employing transfer means for selectively moving the collected energy back through the vacuum preservation means for useful purposes.

Abstract: Set out herein is a solar heating panel adapted to exchange solar heat with fluids, the panel including a translucent upper surface covering the top of a rectangular enclosure, the enclosure further supporting on stand-offs a heat exchange panel. The heat exchange panel is provided with a plurality of tubular segments attached to the exposed surface thereof by which the solar rays received in the panel are reflected repeatedly until absorbed. It is contemplated to convey fluid around the tubular segments, the fluid thus exchanging heat therewith.

Abstract: A grate assembly consisting of a pair of tubular U-shaped grates with turned-down, front positioned ends coupled to receptacles in a base plate, which base plate extends across the front and inside of a fireplace. Two of these receptacles, one coupled to each grate, are connected to a blower positioned in a frontal cavity of a hearth in front of and below the fireplace. The other two of the receptacles, one connected to each grate, are connected to pipes which extend down through and to the front of the hearth. They exhaust heated air.