Abstract: A plant tender delivers light to the foliage and water and nutrients to the roots of a plant growing in a container and embedded in an anchoring medium contained in the container. The plant tender has an armature positioned adjacent to the plant and formed with a conduit for electrical power. A reservoir is provided in physical contact with the container, armature or anchoring medium. The reservoir supplies water and nutrients to the roots. An artificial light source is supported by the armature and irradiates the foliage. A controller establishes a duty cycle of the light source and controls both the duty cycle and the delivery of water and nutrients. In certain embodiments, the positions of the plants and lights can be adjusted, and fish are grown in symbiotic relation to the plants.

Abstract: A plant tender delivers light to the foliage and water and nutrients to the roots of a plant growing in a container and embedded in an anchoring medium contained in the container. The plant tender has an armature positioned adjacent to the plant and formed with a conduit for electrical power. A reservoir is provided in physical contact with the container, armature or anchoring medium. The reservoir supplies water and nutrients to the roots. An artificial light source is supported by the armature and irradiates the foliage. A controller establishes a duty cycle of the light source and controls both the duty cycle and the delivery of water and nutrients. In certain embodiments, the positions of the plants and lights can be adjusted, and fish are grown in symbiotic relation to the plants.

Abstract: A method of maintaining vegetation above frost damage levels in which the roots, stems, trunks or foliage of the vegetation is surrounded by a phase change material having a melting point in excess of the frost damage level, which phase change material is encased in a plurality of bags or in an elongated tubular member. In the case of use of an elongated tubular member, it may be coiled directly about the vegetation or coiled in stacks positioned above the vegetation or laid below ground in rows or coiled within the interior of an automotive tire proximate the vegetation which serves to directly collect solar energy. A fluid path is provided through the center of the tubular member which is coupled to a solar collector. The solar thermal energy collected thereby is transfered via fluid recirculating in this path to the phase change material such that the phase change material melts.

Abstract: A solar energy collection mat element of unitary black elastomeric or flexible plastic consists of a side-by-side series of parallel pipes with integral connecting material between the pipes defining tear lines. The last pipe of the series has a longitudinally directed slit, allowing the last pipe to be opened transversely and placed in gripping relationship about the first pipe of another similar mat element.

Abstract: A two-sided solar collector is housed between a pair of opposed corrugated translucent plates which define a series of side by side elongated cavities. In alternate ones of the cavities are located integral elongated elastomeric solar energy absorbing elements including a series of side by side tubular conduits for heat transfer fluid and stretchable left and right margins terminated with beads that sealably engage the interiors of the empty cavities. A corrugated reflector below the solar collector reflects light passing through the empty cavities toward the cavities having the energy absorbing elements. The elongated solar energy absorbing elements may be configured as one such continuous element which is alternately run back and forth through the alternate cavities to form plural meandering fluid paths through the solar collector.

Abstract: An elongated flexible elastomer or plastic double tube structure for storing heat energy includes inner and outer flexible tubes held in coaxial relationship by integral angularly spaced apart webs which divide up the annular space between the tubes into angularly spaced apart segments. The segments are filled with phase change material such as salt hydrate. The annular space is sealed at opposite ends by sealing the outer tube against the inner tube and the inner tube provides a conduit for the passage of a heat transfer fluid, such as water, through the structure.

Abstract: A solar collector is formed by a stack of vehicular tires for absorbing solar radiant energy. A series of conduits intercepting the upper and lower sidewall of each tire at locations spaced about 180 degrees apart couple together the hollow interiors of the tires in an air path passing angularly through each tire in two paths of about 180 degrees in length and serially from tire to tire for heat exchange purposes. A thermal energy storage medium is provided in the center of the stack which medium may be porous and switchable dampers are provided to selectively set up either a recirculating air path through the tires and the medium to transfer heat from the tires to the medium or a recirculating air path between the medium and a living space to be heated.

Abstract: Vehicular tires are generally toroidal heat collection elements of a solar heating system. Liquid or gaseous fluid flow is circulated between the tires and a space to be heated for transferring the heat from the tires to the space. The tires are generally vertically stacked within a thermally insulated enclosure which includes a double glazed window located that solar rays impinge on and heat the tires. Heat storage media such as water, rock or pebble beds, or phase change material in an elongated coiled jacket may be provided within the tires. Downwardly inclined vanes either partially cut from the tire walls or attached to the tires or attached to separators between the tires, provide additional surface area to absorb the solar radiation and to also direct airflow radially inward into the center of the tires.

Abstract: Solar energy converting apparatus having a plurality of parallel troughs each of which includes a receiving portion for receiving solar radiation and an exit portion. The troughs are parabolic in shape and the side walls thereof are pivotable about an axis which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of a trough. Heat transfer apparatus is disposed adjacent the exit portions of the troughs, the heat transfer apparatus defining a conduit for heat transfer fluid whereby heat derived from received solar radiation is transferred to the fluid. The fluid may be either in liquid or gaseous form.