Abstract: A solar collector is connected to a storage tank. A thermo-siphon heater is connected to the storage tank. A pressurized tank is connected to the upper portion of the storage tank. A vertically moveable insulated divider floats in the storage tank to separate hot and cold water in the storage tank. Means are provided to withdraw water from storage and feed it out under pressure.

Abstract: Solar heating system. A solar collector. A double storage device connected to the collector to provide coolest possible heat transport medium at beginning of each day's collection and to control collector input temperature at minimum temperature and hence maximum collection efficiency. The first storage device has a capacity for approximately one days operation. The second storage device has a capacity for several days operation. The operation of the storage devices are controlled so that the first storage device is heated first and when the first storage device is heated sufficiently then the second storage device is heated. The operation of the storage devices are also controlled so that the first storage device is used first for heating and when the first storage device is depleted of useable heat then the second storage device is used.

Abstract: Solar heating system. A solar connector. A double storage device connected to the collector to provide coolest possible heat transport medium at beginning of each day's collection and to control collector input temperature at minimum temperature and hence maximum collection efficiency. The first storage device has a capacity for approximately one days operation. The second storage device has a capacity for several days operation. The operation of the storage devices are controlled so that the first storage device is heated first and when the first storage device is heated sufficiently then the second storage device is heated. The operation of the storage devices are also controlled so that the first storage device is used first for heating and when the first storage device is depleted of useable heat then the second storage device is used.

Abstract: An air-heating solar collector having a plurality of parallel, spaced-apart, substantially coextensive translucent sheets and a convoluted air passage passing in succession between successive pairs of said sheets, the air finally passing over a blackened absorber plate, whereby heat escaping from the absorber to the sheets is picked up by air flowing in the convoluted air passage.

Abstract: An absorber plate for water heating collectors. A cover sheet has a blackened upward surface for absorbing sunlight and a plurality of ridges on its lower surface. A back sheet has an equal number of grooves, the spacing of said grooves matching said ridges, the cover sheet and the back sheet being assembled so that the ridges nest in the grooves, the grooves being wider and shallower than said ridges so that a plurality of water passages partially bounded by the ridges and the grooves are formed when the cover sheet and the back sheet are assembled in nesting relation.

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 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: An air-heating solar collector having a plurality of parallel, spaced-apart, substantially coextensive translucent sheets and a convoluted air passage passing in succession between successive pairs of said sheets, the air finally passing over a blackened absorber plate, whereby heat escaping from the absorber to the sheets is picked up by air flowing in the convoluted air passage.

Abstract: In a solar heat collector. A shallow hollow member. A transparent cover for said member. A plurality of load bearing partitions in said hollow member. A plurality of heat collecting plates are spaced between said partitions. A plurality of water pipes are each connected along one of said collector plates and the water pipes are connected in parallel. Inlet and outlet water pipes means are connected to the parallel connected pipes. The outlet pipe connection has an expansion loop to compensate for temperature variations. Vacuum is applied to the hollow member. The partitions are proportioned and spaced so as to support the cover against external atmospheric pressure. Conduction and convection losses from said heat collector plates are minimized because of the vacuum.

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.