Abstract: A closed solar energy collection and storage system comprising one or more solar heat collector units in parallel, feed and return headers at lower and upper levels at the opposite ends thereof, a liquid storage tank at a level below said units, a circulating pump connected to said tank, a first conduit between said pump and the lower feed header, a second conduit extending downward from said upper return header into said tank, a return vent extending from said upper return header to the top of said tank for passage of air or gas or steam thereto from said collector or tank to receive and condense steam or vapor received therefrom and return the condensate to said tank.

Abstract: An evaporator feed and control system maintains a relatively high level of stability over a wide range of varying loads. The evaporator system includes a first evaporator having a multiple pass inlet and a single pass outlet, and a second evaporator having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet of the second evaporator is connected to the output of the first evaporator. A control valve device is utilized for bypassing at least a portion of refrigerant-oil flowing in the first evaporator from the second evaporator directly to a suction line when system is operating at a reduced capacity.

Abstract: An absorption refrigeration system is adapted to be energized by plural sources of a heating system stored at different temperatures. A control system automatically selects the proper source of supply to the generator in response to the temperatures of the heating medium of the plural sources and to the temperature of heated medium entering the generator. The temperature of heated medium entering the generator is dependent upon the respective temperatures of (1) the cooling water, used to cool the condenser and absorber coils, and (2) the chilled water supplied to the load, vary in response to changing conditions.

Abstract: An absorption refrigeration system is adapted to be powered by solar energy or a source of relatively low temperature waste heat. A control system automatically adjusts the maximum energizing temperature as the temperature of the cooling water, used to cool the condenser and absorber coils, varies.

Abstract: A solar collector utilizing elongated channel-shaped reflector members which comprise modified parabolas in cross-section to reflect sun rays onto straight sections of a tubular conductor of heat-transfer fluid located substantially along the focal lines of said reflector members and being oval in cross-section to intercept the rays of the sun as the position of the sun rises above and falls below the central axes of said reflector members, a series of said reflector members and conductors being horizontal in use for gravity drain and flow and the ends of the straight sections being connected to provide a sinous tube system. An insulating frame supports said reflector members and tube systems and a transparent cover extends across the outer face in use.

Abstract: A thermal storage and heat transfer system for use with a solar energy heat collector comprising a tank having a plurality of temperature zones therein each zone having, preferably, a plurality of layers of closely arranged cells of irregular shape occupying a minimum space to provide a maximum number of cells in said space in a manner to provide ample passages between the cells for a liquid heat transfer medium to contact and move past appreciable surface areas to effect heat transfer to and from said medium, said cells in said zones respectively having sealed therein different heat storage mediums of a nature to develope a substantially constant latent heat of fusion temperature when changing from liquid to solid state at a predetermined temperature, and a pump connected to said tank and operable to circulate said heat transfer medium through said passages from and to a solar heat collector. The prefered shape of said cells is a tetrahedron or a similar simple solid geometric configuration.

Abstract: A rotary fluid compressor of the sliding vane type having a housing containing a closed working chamber and a rotor eccentrically mounted in the chamber. A control member is rotatably mounted in the housing and provided with an elongated arcuate aperture in fluid contact with the working chamber and spanning at least one of the vanes to permit fluid to bypass the vanes and thereby change the compression volume in the chamber.

Abstract: An improved insert for a vertical tube condenser comprising a trunk having a plurality of upward extending branches of different lengths formed to have a dense uniform pattern of pick-off points over the tube surface so as to effectively pick-off, by capillary action, the great part of the condensate and to maintain a relatively thin average thickness of condensate on the surface.

Abstract: A series of air-cooled, vertical condensing tubes extend upwardly from a horizontal header to which refrigerant vapor is supplied. The vapor flows upwardly from the header through the condensing tubes and forms, on the tubes' internal surfaces, condensate which then flows downwardly into the header and eventually through the header's outlet. With this arrangement, the customary top header is not needed.