Abstract: Device and method for correcting urinary incontinence and urinary retention, by implanting a urinary flow control device for elective user control of urinary function in male and female patients. The device is a mechanical valve for a natural or artificial bladder, and includes a longitudinally extended housing, preferably attached to the abdominal wall. Preferably a bladder anti-prolapse skirt is attached between the bladder and control valve, and the skirt may repair or replace the bladder. The device provides a urine flow channel that passes through the valve from one side to the other of a valve seat where an actuator with a mating stopper is controlled to open and close the valve at the election of the user with an external controller. The valve is an occlusion type, or a pinch type. Preferably the flow channel is an artificial urethra passing through a pinch valve between stopper and valve seat.

Abstract: Solar collector of the heat pipe type, comprising in per se known manner a case or container containing a heat pipe absorber of the solar energy, insulation placed between the absorber and the bottom of the container, at least one glass partition on the container, as well as the devices necessary for assembling and sealing the system, said heat pipe absorber being constituted by a tightly sealed case formed by a first heat collecting wall, a second wall forming the base and sidewalls, a capillary system lining the inside of the case and a heat transfer fluid which wets this capillary system, wherein the capillary system comprises a first part applied to the first wall and a second part applied to the second wall and wherein at least one of the said first and second walls is deformable under the action of an overpressure in the case, said first and second parts of the capillary system having no point of contact when the wall is deformed and at least one line of contact when the wall is not deformed.

Abstract: Solar sensor with linear concentration with a fixed receiver and movable mirrors.The solar sensor with a linear concentration comprises a system of elementary segmental mirrors arranged along the generating lines of a cylinder portion and directs the solar rays towards a zone located in the vicinity of a generating line of said cylinder and a receiver having a linear configuration arranged in said zone, wherein the receiver is stationary and means are provided for giving the mirror system a rotational movement without sliding so that the zone at which the reflected rays are directed remains fixed and the direction of the reflected rays remains unchanged when the sun's position changes.

Abstract: In a system of stationary collectors which are connected together in series and differently oriented with respect to the sun, a heat-transporting fluid is circulated from the collector which is least exposed to solar radiation to the collector which is the most exposed to solar radiation. The direction of flow within the collectors is reversed at a moment of the day which is determined beforehand so as to control the quantity of energy delivered by the collectors.