Abstract: A solar distillation system includes at least one solar panel configured to reflect sunlight, and a distillation tube adjacent the at least one solar panel that is to receive a liquid to be processed into fresh water. The liquid flows through the distillation tube and is heated by the reflected sunlight. At least one supplemental distillation unit is connected to the distillation tube and has at least one curved surface to receive the reflected sunlight. The least one supplemental distillation unit includes a plurality of sprayers configured to spray the liquid onto the at least one curved surface to be further processed into fresh water.

Abstract: A system and method for the applying solar heating to an absorption cooling system. Described is either single or double absorption cooling systems in which in a first embodiment the normal generator function of a traditional absorption cooling system is removed from the absorption cooling system and is placed within a solar parabolic trough that acts as a hybrid solar absorber/generator for the absorption cooling system. In a second embodiment the normal condenser function of a traditional absorption cooling system is also removed from the absorption cooling system and placed within the solar parabolic trough, resulting in a hybrid absorber/generator/condenser of the absorption cooling system.

Abstract: A system and method for the removal of volatile components from a liquid or a slurry containing solids and liquids and using a screw conveyor or auger systems that transfers solid/liquid slurries through an elongated tube heated by solar energy from a parabolic solar trough. The system flashes off the volatile component then counter-currently flows that vapor back into the hollow pipe inside of the augur creating a Multi-effect or Multi Flash device which greatly improves the overall efficiency of removal of the volatile material.

Abstract: A solar distillation system includes at least one solar panel configured to reflect sunlight, and a distillation tube adjacent the at least one solar panel that is to receive a liquid to be processed into fresh water. The liquid flows through the distillation tube and is heated by the reflected sunlight. At least one supplemental distillation unit is connected to the distillation tube and has at least one curved surface to receive the reflected sunlight. The least one supplemental distillation unit includes a plurality of sprayers configured to spray the liquid onto the at least one curved surface to be further processed into fresh water.

Abstract: A system and method for the removal of volatile components from a liquid or a slurry containing solids and liquids and using a screw conveyor or auger system that transfers solid/liquid slurries through an elongated tube heated by solar energy from a parabolic solar trough. The system flashes off the volatile component then counter-currently flows that vapor back into the hollow pipe inside of the augur creating a Multi-effect or Multi Flash device which greatly improves the overall efficiency of removal of the volatile material.

Abstract: A solar distillation system includes at least one solar panel to reflect sunlight, and a distillation tube adjacent the at least one solar panel. The distillation tube is to receive brine to be processed into fresh water. The brine is to flow through the distillation tube and is heated by the reflected sunlight. A first supplemental distillation unit is connected to a first end of the distillation tube and has a curved surface perpendicular to the distillation tube to receive the reflected sunlight. A second supplemental distillation unit is connected to a second end of the distillation tube and has a curved surface perpendicular to the distillation tube to receive the reflected sunlight. The first and second supplemental distillation units each include sprayers to spray brine onto the respective curved surfaces to be further processed into fresh water.

Abstract: A thermoplastic molding process for large parts and particularly to novel rotating elbow piping configurations used to precisely deposit prescribed amounts of thermoplastics or thermoplastic composites into large compression molds.

Abstract: A solar distillation system includes solar panels, and receivers adjacent the solar panels to receive process water to be processed to purified process water. The process water flows from a first receiver to a last receiver and is heated by reflected sunlight. Vapor tubes are coupled to the receivers, with each respective vapor tube coupled between adjacent receivers. Water vapor is generated as the process water is heated within each receiver. The water vapor flows via the respective vapor tubes between the adjacent receivers towards the last receiver. A return vapor tube is coupled to the last receiver. A distillation tube is coupled to the return vapor tube to receive the water vapor. The distillation tube extends through the receivers from the last receiver to the first receiver. As the water vapor travels through the distillation tube it changes to a liquid, with the liquid being the purified process water.

Abstract: A solar distillation system includes at least one solar panel to reflect sunlight, and a distillation tube adjacent the at least one solar panel. The distillation tube is to receive brine to be processed into fresh water. The brine is to flow through the distillation tube and is heated by the reflected sunlight. A first supplemental distillation unit is connected to a first end of the distillation tube and has a curved surface perpendicular to the distillation tube to receive the reflected sunlight. A second supplemental distillation unit is connected to a second end of the distillation tube and has a curved surface perpendicular to the distillation tube to receive the reflected sunlight. The first and second supplemental distillation units each include sprayers to spray brine onto the respective curved surfaces to be further processed into fresh water.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a modular construction mat system wherein each individual mat is made of two layers to support heavy loads while providing stability and ground protection. In use the finished mats can then be adjoined to adjacent mats to complete a large mat system for roadways, walkways, and other support structures using a unique floating nut system to create a single firmly joined modular mat system.

Abstract: A thermoplastic molding process for large parts and particularly to novel rotating elbow piping configurations used to precisely deposit prescribed amounts of thermoplastics or thermoplastic composites into large compression molds.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a modular construction mat system wherein each individual mat is made of two layers to support heavy loads while providing stability and ground protection. In use the finished mats can then be adjoined to adjacent mats to complete a large mat system for roadways, walkways, and other support structures using a unique floating nut system to create a single firmly joined modular mat system.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and apparatus of preparing a molded article, and more particularly to a method and apparatus of automated molding using male molds and thermoplastic sheets in which the thermoplastic sheets are systematically draped across the mold contour.

Abstract: A solar distillation system includes solar panels, and receivers adjacent the solar panels to receive process water to be processed to purified process water. The process water flows from a first receiver to a last receiver and is heated by reflected sunlight. Vapor tubes are coupled to the receivers, with each respective vapor tube coupled between adjacent receivers. Water vapor is generated as the process water is heated within each receiver. The water vapor flows via the respective vapor tubes between the adjacent receivers towards the last receiver. A return vapor tube is coupled to the last receiver. A distillation tube is coupled to the return vapor tube to receive the water vapor. The distillation tube extends through the receivers from the last receiver to the first receiver. As the water vapor travels through the distillation tube it changes to a liquid, with the liquid being the purified process water.

Abstract: A solar energy collector apparatus includes a solar collector panel having a parabolic shape, and a base comprising a pair of spaced apart support frames. Each support frame has a parabolic shape corresponding to the parabolic shape of the solar collector panel. Spaced apart rollers are positioned along an upper surface of each support frame to support the solar collector panel. A drive mechanism is coupled to the solar collector panel for rotation thereof. The solar collector panel includes a pair of spaced apart guide channels on an underside thereof for contacting the spaced apart rollers to ensure that the solar collector panel rotates squarely with respect to the base.

Abstract: A pipe includes a number of pipe sections extending in a longitudinal direction. Each pipe section includes a radially outward circumferential surface area extending in the longitudinal direction to define an exterior surface. The radially outward circumferential surface area has a pair of opposing side edges extending in the longitudinal direction, with one of the side edges having a recess and with the other side edge having a tab. Adjacent pipe sections are joined together by inserting the tab from one of the pipe sections into the recess of an adjacent pipe section so as to form an interlocking joint between the two pipe sections.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and apparatus of preparing a molded article, and more particularly to a method and apparatus of automated molding using male molds and thermoplastic sheets in which the thermoplastic sheets are systematically draped across the mold contour.

Abstract: A solar heat exchange panel that includes a lower plate and an upper plate that together define an interior volume containing a flowing heat transfer fluid. The upper plate includes a plurality of upward extensions and downward extensions that cover the top surface of the solar heat transfer panel and are configured to capture solar radiant energy. The lower plate plate includes a plurality of upwardly extending hollow lower plate extensions. The lower plate extensions are aligned with the bottom portions of each upward extension of the upper plate and almost touching. Each of the downward extensions form the upper plate extend down and are joined to the base of the lower plate. In operation, a heat transfer fluid introduced into an inlet on one end of the solar heat transfer panel passes through the defined interior volume and is intimately contacted with the solar heated surfaces extending down into the solar heat transfer panel from the upper plate.

Abstract: A solar energy collector system includes a base, and a parabolic trough collector carried by the base for reflecting sunlight to a longitudinal focal line. The parabolic trough collector includes a center section horizontally positioned with respect to ground, and opposing end sections adjacent the center section. Each end section is angled towards the ground. A conduit is positioned along the longitudinal focal line to receive the reflected sunlight. The conduit circulates a heat transfer liquid therethrough to be heated by the reflected sunlight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a molded article (e.g., 141) from first and second heated and thermoformable thermoplastic sheets (75, 78), which are each respectively formed in situ from first and second thermoplastic compositions (e.g., by means of extrusion). The heated first and second thermoformable sheets are each drawn by reduced pressure into contour matching contact with the interior mold surfaces (14, 32) of separate first and second mold portions (11, 29), so as to form separate first and second profiled thermoplastic sheets (129, 144) within the separate mold portions. The first and second mold portions (11, 29) are positioned towards each other (e.g., together) so as to bring into contact and fuse together contact portions (159, 163) of the first and second profiled thermoplastic sheets (129, 144). Fusion between the contacted contact portions (159, 163) is achieved by means of (e.g.