Abstract: Solar apparatus includes a base portion, a supporting portion, a reflecting portion, a collecting portion and an actuating portion. The base portion includes a major surface disposed in a generally horizontal plane with a pivot member extending upwardly therefrom. The supporting portion includes a table section supported on the pivot member above the major surface and oriented substantially parallel thereto. A frame section extends upwardly from the table section. The reflecting portion includes a curved reflective section extending upwardly from the frame section with a lower part of the reflective section being pivotally connected to the frame section. The collecting portion includes an elongated channel section disposed adjacent the lower part of the reflective section and substantially parallel thereto, the channel section having a curved surface facing the concave surface of the reflective section and pivotable therewith.

Abstract: A solar furnace apparatus including a reflector portion, a collector portion and a fluid transfer portion; the reflector portion including a generally dish-shaped reflective member, the reflective member having a conic section configuration with a large open face and a highly reflective internal surface, the reflective member including a fixed base section concentric with the axis of the reflective member, a plurality of movable curved segments extending from the fixed base section to the free edge of the open face of the reflective member, the end of each segment adjacent to the fixed base section being pivotally connected thereto; the collector portion being disposed along the axis and the focal point of the reflective member, the collector portion including a chamber formed of a plurality of concave longitudinal conductive metal sections joined at their edges, the cross section of the longitudinal sections forming a generally star-shaped configuration, the concave longitudinal sections being disposed subst

Abstract: Solar furnace supporting apparatus including a frame portion, a furnace holding portion and an actuating portion, the frame portion including a base section and an upstanding section; the furnace holding portion being pivotally carried by the frame portion, the furnace holding portion including spaced longitudinal members, cross members connecting the longitudinal members adjacent the ends thereof, a supporting shaft disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal members adjacent the centers thereof and being engageable with the frame portion adjacent the top of the upstanding section thereof, the actuating portion including cooperating flexible connectors operatively connected to at least one of the longitudinal members at points along the length thereof substantially equidistant from the supporting shaft, each of the cooperating flexible connectors having one end attached to the longitudinal member and extending downwardly in a converging relationship to at least one pair of adjoining parallel pul

Abstract: A solar furnace apparatus including a reflector portion, a collector portion and a fluid transfer portion; the reflector portion including a generally dish-shaped reflective member, the reflective member having a conic section configuration with a large open face and a highly reflective internal surface, the collector portion being disposed at the focal point of the reflective member, the collector portion including a chamber formed of a plurality of concave longitudinal sections and therewith forming an enclosed chamber, inlet and outlet members communicating with the chamber, the fluid transfer portion including a conduit member connected to the inlet and outlet members of the collector portion and mechanism associated with said conduit member for circulating fluid to heat storage or heat dissipating members.

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.