Abstract: In abstract, a preferred embodiment of this invention is a system for heating a structure by capturing ambient solar energy and storing the same for controlled use thereafter. The collector portion of the present invention has a single and yet highly efficient motivating means to maintain the same at optimum angle to the solar radiant heat source.

Abstract: A heat storage tank suitable for solar house heating systems. The tank includes a rigidly supported bottom panel covered with a layer of stones of substantially uniform size which are bonded together thermally and mechanically at their points of contact with each other, but which have voids forming air passages remaining between them, bottom insulation below said bottom panel, a bottom air passage between the bottom insulation and the bottom panel, and at least one opening in the bottom panel whereby air can pass from said bottom air passage into said layer of stones.

Abstract: A hot air type solar heat-collecting apparatus includes a plurality of solar heat-collecting units mounted on a roofing, the inlet and outlet of which face the openings of a pair of parallel-extending plenum ducts to communicate therewith through packings mounted between the solar heat-collecting units and the roofing provided with the plenum ducts.

Abstract: An improved portable grill construction employing a hood pivotally mounted to an underlying grill tub which supports a grilling grate and a heating element in spaced relation is described. The hood and the tub are manufactured from identical lightweight shells each having a deep portion and an adjacent shallow portion, which are mounted in confronting symmetrical relation to define a closed contour when the hood is closed. The top surface of the hood is apertured, and a separate insert member adapted for holding a container for food or liquid to be heated when the hood is closed, is removably mounted in the aperture and is so dimensioned as to yield an air-permeable gap around its entire periphery for efficient heating of the container. The hood is associated with the tub through a U-shaped member which folds flat when the hood is closed to define a carrying handle.

Abstract: A cooking oven is made with a flat base of refractory material and a dome of refractory material forming an enclosure in which solid fuel is burned while resting directly on the base and food is also cooked directly on the base. An opening is provided in the dome wall through which fuel and food can be separately inserted within the oven. Only a relatively small part of the dome is removed to form the opening, which extends only part way up the full height of the dome. A flue is located just outside the opening so that combustion products from the fuel pass generally horizontally through the enclosed space and out the opening and up the flue. A closure is provided to shut the opening to limit the escape of heat. The dome is made by casting hemispherical sectors of refractory material and assembling the sectors into a dome on the base. The sectors are formed with interlocking edges to help hold them together and the entire dome can be enclosed within an insulated chamber..

Abstract: A heat reclaimer for use with a gas clothes dryer of the type including a rotary drum. The dryer includes a housing in the upper portion of which is a gas burner chamber. The heat generated in the gas burner is moved downwardly through the rotary drum by a blower mounted in the lower portion of the housing then out a discharge stack. The heat reclaimer includes a downwardly open conduit located centrally in the stack and recirculating a portion of the air from the stack back into the gas burner chamber, on the opposite side of the burner and on the downstream side of the heated air passage from the burner to the clothes dryer. An inverted deflector cone is mounted at the lower end of the conduit. The discharge stack has an enlarged diameter at the portion of the stack which contains the conduit. The junction of the conduit and the gas burner chamber is in the form of a long narrow slot to better mix the recirculating air with the air in the gas burner chamber.

Abstract: A water activated therapeutic moist heat pad structure is described formed with outer porous water retaining layers which enclose an inner layer of distributed heat generating heat cells and an associated water retaining absorbent inner porous layer. In a preferred embodiment the heat cells are formed of electrochemical heat cells wherein a suitable dry electrolyte is provided such as table salt. The inner porous layer is sized to provide the electrochemical heat cells with adequate electrolyte to use up their active ingredients and achieve an extended heating period. The segmentation of the heat cells and their distribution throughout the structure combine to provide a flexible therapeutic moist heating pad which can conform to the body surface to be treated.

Abstract: A solar energy collector including a bank of pyramidal or conical units having a relatively small tip angle. Translucent cover means having pyramidal shaped bosses of large tip angles serve to concentrate and preserve the heat. The units may be assembled so as to be properly oriented to the sun, or the pyramid may be constructed in a form other than a regular pyramid with its base at a right angle to its median line for the same purpose.

Abstract: A reflecting solar heat collector. A stationary cylindrical receiver surface absorbs sunlight. An array of reflecting mirror strips are rotatably mounted in substantially parabolic arrangement having the receiver surface substantially at its focus. Motor means are connected for pivotally rotating said mirror strips substantially in unison about spaced-apart axes parallel to said receiver surface and substantially in said parabolic arrangement, to track the sun's apparent motion.

Abstract: This door omits the usual metal frame for supporting a pane of glass. Hinges are mounted on channel trim strips on the adjacent edges of a pair of the glass panes to provide a two panel folding door. The lower hinge has a spring catch to hold the door closed. The trim strips are secured in assembled relation on the horizontal and vertical edges of the glass by snap fit engagement with four corner connectors within the channels, without screws or welds. On one of the panels two of the corner connectors have pivot posts for mounting the door in a stationary frame and on the other panel two of the corner connectors have guide posts which slide in grooves in said frame. Thus the trim strips and corner connectors themselves form a frame for the glass in each door panel.

Abstract: A grease extraction cartridge for a kitchen exhaust ventilator is removably disposed along a flow path through the ventilator for normally forming a fire wall, while being readily removable from the ventilator to permit access to the interior of the ventilator for purposes of cleaning and maintaining the device.

Abstract: A detachable cooling vent assembly installed in the side window of a parked aircraft enables ventilation of the interior while barring entry of rain and insects. The cooler interior temperature resulting from ventilation through the cooling vent reduces heat-caused deterioration of cabin electronic equipment, fabrics, and fittings.

Abstract: A solar heating assembly including a radiant energy collector having a casing where fluid conduit is mounted therein in substantially suspended fashion relative to the interior space of the casing and angularly oriented, reflective wall surfaces disposed to essentially concentrate the radiant energy on the fluid conduit so as to heat the interior space of the casing and the fluid within the conduit. A brace frame is mounted on the ground or other surface and comprises a plurality of support columns wherein the casing is adjustably mounted adjacent the upper portions of the support columns and brace frame in spaced relation to the ground. A plurality of exercise devices such as children's gym set are mounted in substantially suspended relation wherein the collector assembly of the solar heating assembly is used in combination with the brace frame which is specifically in the form of an exercise device or gym set.

Abstract: A portable camp stove for supporting a container of cooking fuel above a given plane and a cooking utensil over said container, said stove comprising a flat blank of bendable sheet metal having portions defining a container support, a first side member and a second side member, said side members connected to said support at bending lines.The stove is erected by bending each side member with respect to the support along the bending lines wherein, during use, the container rests upon the support and the utensil is placed on the side members over the fuel container.

Abstract: In a system for flocking a substrate, such as a garment, the improvement comprising a method, apparatus and article for adjustably controlling the moisture content of the flock in the flock tray to any desired moisture level, whereby the flocking machine is not limited to use only in a plant having a humidity controlled atmosphere.

Abstract: A system for improving the effluent dispersal characteristics of smokestacks subject to relative winds comprising a vortex generating airfoil attached to a smokestack near the stack gas exit. Relative winds passing over the airfoil create strong vortices which entrain and hold together smokestack effluents until the vortices deteriorate. The vortex flow direction and angle of ascension may be controlled in order to achieve optimum effluent dispersal by varying the airfoil angle of attack.

Abstract: The following invention relates generally to a solar water heater apparatus adapted for use particularly in housetrailers or mobile homes having curved roof surfaces as well as houses whose top portion also has a contour. Plural twin-storage tanks for water are disposed on these roof tops, and they are suitably dark colored to absorb the sun's radiation. Conduits and valves associated with these storage tanks allow for the transition of heated liquid within the tank to a point remote therefrom for subsequent use, and also include valve and conduit means for replenishing the water contained in the tanks. Preferably a pair of such twin-tanks are installed at the apex of curvature on a roof top, and support members co-act with each of the tanks to provide balance on the apex. The tanks are supported on insulating means, and overlying said tanks and spaced therefrom is an overlying canopy which serves to intensify, magnify, and retain the sun's thermo radiation.

Abstract: A solar energy collecting system of the liquid type where conduits in individual collectors of a system are in contact with an absorbing panel and the conduits of each panel are connected between liquid external input and exit manifolds, and where provision is made to accommodate differential expansion and contraction between piping of individual collectors and manifolds and minimize heat losses where the collector headers exit the collectors and join the external manifolds.

Abstract: A total exhaust laminar flow biological fume hood safety cabinet is disclosed having a closed housing with a viewing panel and access port therebeneath at its front portion. Centrally a work tray is mounted with means permitting air passage thereabout. A plenum chamber connects the lower portion of the housing to the top, and an exhaust blower in closed pneumatic communication with the plenum delivers contaminated air to an exhaust filter for total exhaust. Makeup air means are provided at the upper portion of the housing to deliver filtered air downwardly over the work tray, and the blower capacities, flow rates, and filter capacities are developed to the end that the air passing through the access port exceeds the quantity of filtered makeup air while providing for an access air velocity at least double that of the makeup air velocity.

Abstract: A ventilation and insulation baffle is secured to the tops of the rafters in a building construction prior to placing the sheathing over the rafters to prevent insulation from blocking the soffit vents and to provide attic ventilation channels between the soffit vents and the attic. The baffle has a plurality of planar panels connected together by upstanding rectangular channels. The channels are spaced and sized to fit over the top of the rafters. The opposite free edges of each baffle have a half-formed rectangular channel to partially overlap the outer rafters and to support the panels therefrom. One edge of each of the panels includes an angularly disposed flap which is secured to the sill of the building to prevent insulation from entering the soffit from the interior of the building, but leaving an inner channel or passageway above each panel from the soffit into the interior of the structure.