Abstract: A transparent glazing material with a plurality of concentrating lenses on its top surface such that incident radiation on the top surface is focused to pass through apertures in a corresponding plurality of integral reflective surfaces with a plurality of segments of thermal insulating material arranged directly beneath the reflective surfaces along the bottom of the transparent material in a pattern with apertures in the reflective and insulating materials located directly below each lens such that incident radiation on the top surface is focused by the lenses and passes through the holes in the reflectors and insulation and out the bottom. Radiation in the direction opposite to the incident radiation will strike the bottom of the reflectors and be reflected back from the bottom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for collecting, absorbing, transferring, and storing solar heat energy, economically and passively, without pumps or electric power. The apparatus comprises a solar collector with a flat finned heat pipe absorber and an attached integral insulated storage tank with a double wall heat exchanger. The absorber, made of one or more slightly tilted gravity assisted heat pipes with flat absorber fins, absorbs and transfers solar heat by evaporation, vapor transport, and condensation to the slightly elevated heat storage tank. The one or more heat pipes turn on when the sun is shining and turn off automatically when the sun is not shining.

Abstract: An improved high electrical current conductive marine sweep cable. The cable includes an elongated flotation core having electrical conductors juxtaposed to the outer surface thereof with thin insulation about each of the conductors, providing high thermal conductivity therethrough. An outer jacket surrounds the associated insulated conductors and core. Structure is arranged to conduct seawater radially through the jacket for effecting heat transfer between the conductors and the ambient seawater suitable to prevent the temperature increase in the conductors resulting from the desired current flow therethrough from rising above a preselected maximum value preventing degradation of the cable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an improved passive apparatus for absorbing, transferring and storing solar energy as heat, economically and effectively, without pumps, solar tracking devices or electric power. The apparatus comprises an improved trough-type concentrating collector, a heat pipe heat absorber and an insulated storage tank. Solar energy is reflected and focused by the concentrator onto the absorber where the energy is absorbed as heat. The absorber, made of one or more slightly tilted gravity-assisted heat pipes partially filled with a volatile liquid, transfers the heat by evaporation, vapor transport and condensation into a slightly elevated heat storage reservoir. A method for filling the heat pipes is disclosed. The absorber serves as the main axial support for internal structural ribs over which are fitted a flexible transparent top cover and a flexible reflective bottom cover that comprise the concentrator.