Abstract: A device for controlling air or heat flow within an air passageway ducting, or other air passageways, having low cost, high efficiency and easily installed, is in the form of a Force Air Ducting Flow Control Valve. The valve has a rubber or synthetic rubber bladder, controlled by a telescoping piston, which, using compressed air from an outside source, moves the bladder across the air passageway and causes the bladder to fill with compressed air and expand until constrained by an outer metal or plastic air permeable case, thus forming an efficient obstruction in the air passageway on two sides of the bladder.

Abstract: A collector for heat energy from a solar or other source is in the form of a body of given thickness. The body is composed of a packed plurality of particles of coal, and each of those particles is selected to have a maximum size of between approximately one-fourth and one-half of the given thickness of the body. Substantially permeated throughout the particles is an elastomeric binder. It forms a continuous coating over the surface of the body and cohesively rigidifies the particles together, so that the body is at least substantially self supporting. A major surface of the body is exposed directly to solar radiation as a result of which heat energy is absorbed within the body. Subsequently, that heat energy is re-radiated or otherwise conveyed out passively into an adjacent space or interactively with a fluid moved across a surface of the body or through the interior of the body.