Abstract: An insulated building component which includes two concrete halves having an insulating layer interposed between them. The insulating layer is made from a material with good compression strength and disallows any direct contact between the top half and the bottom half. The top, bottom, end and side surfaces of the building component are parallel or perpendicular with respect to each other and present similar surfaces to those of a standard building block. A plurality of mated walls extend between top and bottom surfaces of the component and are angled to prevent vertical movement of the half members. The facing surfaces of the half members and the outermost edges of the walls are sloped, oppositely with respect to each other, to prevent width-wise lateral movement of the halves. The insulation layer, while retaining its strength in compression between the two halves, serves to decrease the thermal conductivity of the building component.

Abstract: A solar heating wall including a water pipe circulation system having a plurality of separate tubes, each formed as a loop, connected between a water supply and a return. The separate tubes are arranged in a single vertical plane at the approximate center of the wall. The wall is formed within a frame which is packed with a material suited for use as a thermal reservoir, such as concrete. The frame provides extra support by having a series of horizontally disposed cross supports on one surface of the wall and a series of vertically disposed cross supports on the opposite surface. A pressure relief valve may be provided between the water supply to the separate tubes and the water supply to the building or structure containing the solar wall, so that the solar wall can be adapted for use with a city water system.

Abstract: A heat storage article adapted for prevention of stratification of incongruently melting heat storage materials, such as eutectic salts, and adapted for use with congruently melting heat storage materials, such as paraffins. The article is comprised of a concrete stone composition, a certain portion of which is comprised of metallic heat transfer materials in order to increase heat transfer through the concrete structure. The concrete structure has an internal cavity which is filled with either the eutectic salt material or the paraffin material.

Abstract: A heat storage article adapted for prevention of stratification of heat storage materials, such as eutectic salts contained within the container element. The article is comprised of a heavy thermally conductive container with an internal cavity. The internal cavity of the container is substantially completely filled with a combination of a non-biodegradable filler material such as glass fiber insulation and a eutectic salt.

Abstract: A portable solar heat tube comprising an outer flexible tubular member having high solar transmittance capabilities and a flexible insulating tubular member positioned within the outer tubular member. A flexible absorber tubular member is positioned within the insulation tubular member for converting the incoming sunlight into heat and transferring the heat to the air passing therethrough. One end of the absorber tubular member is connected to a source of air under pressure with the other end thereof being connected to the installation requiring heat. A modified form of the solar heat tube includes a flexible header positioned within the absorber tubular member. The flexible header has a diameter somewhat smaller than the absorber tubular member so that a space will be provided therebetween.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use of solar energy. The method and apparatus has the advantage and benefit of providing for use of all collected solar energy, whether or not there is an immediate need in the home for heating. Solar energy is also used for cooling a home or existing building structure via utilization of a heat pump system. The apparatus comprises in combination a direct boil solar collector which boils a refrigerant therein, a Rankine cycle engine for converting heat energy transferred to said refrigerant to kinetic energy, a generator, a heat pump system, and means connected to the Rankine cycle to selectively transfer said kinetic energy from the Rankine engine to the generator or the heat pump. Excess energy not utilized for heating or cooling the home system is returned to a utility power grid for a credit for the home owner and immediate redistribution by the utility to other users.

Abstract: A solar heat collector system which is comprised of a roof or wall structure element, a conduit for heat exchange fluid in the roof or wall structure element, and a focal point reflector plate behind the conduit and in the structure element. Preferably the conduit is of a flat elliptical cross section. The flat plate-focal point collector adds an advantage of reflecting sunlight directly onto the conduit for heat exchange fluid in order to insure more efficient heat exchange between the sun rays and the fluid contained in the conduits; and the reflector directs re-radiated heat from the conduit back to the conduit.