Abstract: Prior inventions in 2-tank solar heat-storage systems, generally speaking, provide for solar-produced heat stored in a first tank. Therefore STORED solar heat is limited to that one tank. Backup heat is produced and stored in a second tank. In the present invention, SOLAR-PRODUCED heat from said first tank flows to said second tank. No pump is used. No pump-control is used. No valve is used. Flow is automatic, by natural thermosyphon action when the temperature in said first tank exceeds the temperature in said second tank. AND, the EFFECTIVE storage of solar-produced heat is much greater. Moreover, heat from said second tank, which usually contains the backup heater(s), does not flow from said second tank back to said first tank. There is no reverse flow and no waste of backup heat energy when the temperature in said second tank exceeds that in said first tank.

Abstract: The present invention comprises heat-storage means to store heat in a tank of liquid, and back-up heat means. The back-up heat means comprise more than one source of heat, which can produce back-up heat and heated liquid at various temperatures (for example, LOW and HIGH-temperatures). And, there are more than one heat-use means (for example, LOW and HIGH-temperature heat use means). And, there are a number of means to conduct the flow of the heated fluid among the heat-storage means, the back-up heat means, and the heat-use means.

Abstract: In a solar heating system, using liquid for heat-transfer or heat-storage or both, the liquid may be lost slowly due to a leaky pipe connection, or a cracked or split absorber plate or collector pipes attached to the absorber of a closed type of collector, by evaporation through broken solar collector glazing of a trickle-flow collector, or such.A number of schemes have been proposed to provide makeup liquid. One is to allow makeup liquid, such as water, to flow backward from a large heat-storage vessel used during the winter to a smaller one which is the only one in use during the summer. That scheme was disclosed in a patent application filed by Dr. Harry E. Thomason way back in 1961. However, the backflow-connecting pipe had no check valve in it and therefore was of limited value.

Abstract: In the field of solar heating, domestic water heating is accomplished by flowing the potable (city) water through an inner tank which is bathed in a non-toxic liquid in a slightly larger tank, which, in turn, is bathed in an outer tank containing liquid that is circulated to a solar heat collector for heating.

Abstract: Storage of energy is desirable for many purposes, such as heat energy produced by sunshine or by conventional energy sources during periods of off-peak demand. In the present case, heat energy is brought into a storage area by way of a "pillow" or quilted blanket-like device that has large storage space within itself and which, in addition, serves as a large heat-exchanger to impart its heat to other storage material within a container.The "pillow" or quilted blanket-like device is generally used to transfer heat into storage, to warm a swimming pool, for example. It could be used to extract heat from storage in cases where it is desired to store coolness.The low-cost materials used make it practical to have large quantity heat storage, large area heat-exchange surfaces, plus safety features such as protection for divers' heads, knees and elbows against concrete pool bottoms, plus decorative benefits such as beautiful pool bottoms or pool walls or both.

Abstract: For solar heating (with cooperating cooling) both simplification and automatic control are needed. In the present invention solar heating and air conditioning apparatus is improved in various ways. For example, the furnace for auxiliary heat is eliminated. Operation of the solar heat collecting apparatus may be made automatic, or manual selective collection of solar heat may be obtained, for cold or cool weather conditions. A solar heat collector coating is provided that is changeable in absorption characteristics, so as to collect more heat when operating in winter and to reject heat when not operating during hot summer weather. An improved heat collector trough is provided for the solar heat collector.

Abstract: Solar heat storage apparatus, invented by Thomason, includes a tank of water surrounded by a truckload of stones in a heat storage bin in the basement, U.S. Pat. No. 3,254,702 and others. Air circulating through the bin is warmed and circulated through the home to warm the home, or other building.The present invention adds humidity to the air and also enhances heat transfer out of the storage bin and into the home by heat-of-vaporization. That permits use of heat from storage to a lower temperature level while making the home feel warmer. And, the solar heat collector obtains more free heat from the sun because it is operating at a lower temperature level and more efficiently.Heat that normally goes up the chimney from an auxiliary heat source, such as a water heater or furnace, is used to assist home heating.

Abstract: For the simple Thomason "SOLARIS" heat collector, a simple outlet is used that requires a drop-outlet nipple with a U-slotted top end, and sealant to avoid escape of liquid or steam (vapor).In a modification, only one drop outlet is used for two "SOLARIS" panels, thus cutting the cost even further.In another modification a slotted, sloping pipe serves as an outlet and drain.

Abstract: In the present invention, a plurality of containers provide for heat storage in water or other fluids, or solids, or both, plus domestic water heating. There is good quality heat exchange going in to storage and going out to points of use. Space heating may be accomplished by hot air, or by hot water or other liquid, or both.

Abstract: Solar energy warms liquid in a storage container. To warm a home or other structure or apparatus, a pump circulates liquid through radiators or other heat exchangers from storage when stored solar heat is adequate, and from a furnace when auxiliary heat is needed. Thus, the radiators are always either warm or hot, during cold weather when heat is needed. They are never cold, as with intermittent operation of conventional hot water heating systems. And, by using warm solar-heated water most of the time, a good percentage of the heat comes from free solar heat, thus saving expensive fuel. Expensive heat exchangers are not needed in the heat storage container.Conversion from existing conventional hot water heat to solar heat is made simple and inexpensive.

Abstract: Simplicity is the height of invention. Glazing is simplified and reduced in cost by substantially eliminating framework for glass or other glazing material. And yet, long-life is retained, by use of an adhesive-sealant to secure the glazing to the solar absorber sheet. Differential expansion and contraction of parts does not break the glass or other glazing, or rupture metals, or crack rigid plastics.

Abstract: For solar heating (with cooperating cooling) both simplification and automatic control are needed. In the present invention solar heating and air conditioning apparatus is improved in various ways. For example, the furnace for auxiliary heat is eliminated. Operation of the solar heat collecting apparatus may be made automatic, or manual selective collection of solar heat may be obtained, for cold or cool weather conditions. A solar heat collector coating is provided that is changeable in absorption characteristics, so as to collect more heat when operating in winter and to reject heat when not operating during hot summer weather. An improved heat collector trough is provided for the solar heat collector.

Abstract: Simplicity is the height of invention. In the present invention, a plurality of containers provide for heat storage in water or other fluids, plus heat storage in heat-of-fusion heat storage material, plus domestic water heating, including good quality heat exchange going in to storage and going out to points of use. Additionally, the heat-of-fusion material acts as an insulator, to some extent, to reduce heat losses out of storage.

Abstract: Simplicity is the height of invention.In order to conserve energy when the thermostat turns air conditioning apparatus on, in the present invention apparatus is employed to automatically reduce energy input to, and also heat output from, illuminating apparatus in the area being air conditioned. This is feasible because, in many instances, increased illumination from the sun, during daylight hours, renders the need much less for illumination from lamps or artificial luminares. In other instances, turning off a few lamps in each office can avoid blackouts, brownouts, overloading of generators, and burning out of air conditioning apparatus and other electrical appliances.

Abstract: Solar heat storage apparatus, invented by Thomason, includes a tank of water surrounded by a truckload of stones in a heat storage bin in the basement, U.S. Pat. No. 3,254,702 and others. Air circulating through the bin is warmed and circulated through the home to warm the home, or other building.The present invention adds humidity to the air and also enhances heat transfer out of the storage bin and into the home by heat-of-vaporization. That permits use of heat from storage to a lower temperature level while making the home feel warmer. And, the solar heat collector obtains more free heat from the sun because it is operating at a lower temperature level and more efficiently.Heat that normally goes up the chimney from an auxiliary heat source, such as a water heater or furnace, is used to assist home heating.

Abstract: Open-flow solar heat collectors have been used since 1959 in Thomason Solar House No. 1, similar to those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,145,707 and 3,215,134. Improvements were needed to avoid heat loss, vapor loss, and condensation, near the top and bottom of the corrugated solar heat collector sheet.In the present invention a transition area or transition section is used to change the collector sheet from its irregular or non-planar configuration to a substantially planar configuration. At the bottom, the irregular, non-planar sheet may be formed to a planar configuration and then shaped to form a collector trough with an outlet for warm water flowing therefrom. At the top, the irregular, non-planar collector sheet may be changed, at the transition area or section, to a substantially planar configuration and substantially sealed to, or adjacent to, the collector glazing material to reduce heat and vapor loss at the top.

Abstract: A storage bin may be used in many ways during the year such as: storage of solar-produced heat during the winter; storage of cold during the summer obtained from nighttime cold-producing apparatus or solar cooling apparatus; storage of heat and cold simultaneously for variable autumn and springtime weather, storage of dryness to absorb excess moisture on hot humid days, and so on. The present invention includes a number of features regarding storage of "heat" and "cold" (technically, storage of heat at higher and lower temperature levels). One of the important features is use of the air conditioner compressor for its normal chilling, drying function during the hot summer, using it as a "heat pump" during variable autumn and spring weather to heat one bin while chilling another, and using it as an auxiliary heat source for long cloudy spells during the winter when solar energy is not adequate, thereby eliminating the furnace.