Abstract: A curved surface structure for reflecting solar light, heat or electromagnetic radiation is made by scoring two opposing pairs of curved bend lines along one pair of opposing edges of a sheet of bendable material, dividing it into a center section joined by curved bend lines to curved ribs, joined by curved bend lines to respective curved edges; bending the curved ribs down and curved edges up along the bend lines to nominally right angles to form a curved surface supported by two curved ribs and two curved edges. Two straight ribs and respective straight edges may be scored and formed on the other pair of opposing edges of the sheet. A backside sheet may be applied to the four edges. A widthwise corrugated, elongate right angle reinforcement member may be employed for strengthening the formed bend lines.

Abstract: A solar collector or multi-glazed window includes a desiccant-filled vent which reduces chamber pressure fluctuations, thereby minimizing failure of seals, while inhibiting contamination by moisture. Excess pressure due to solar-heated gas is vented from the chamber, and insufficient pressure due to cooled gas is relieved by additional gas entering the chamber after being dried by the desiccant. Expandable chamber seals can further mitigate pressure fluctuations by enabling chamber dimensions to vary as the gas temperature changes. When the sun warms the desiccant, absorbed moisture is carried away by venting, solar-heated gas. A purging system can fill and purge the chamber, and a dry gas source can provide input gas at a slightly elevated pressure. A pressurized, gas-maintenance system can maintain a constant overpressure in a plurality of chambers. Solar absorbers can be formed by one or two corrugated sheets having fluid tubes installed in channels formed therein or therebetween.

Abstract: A curved surface structure for reflecting solar light, heat or electromagnetic radiation is made by scoring two opposing pairs of curved bend lines along one pair of opposing edges of a sheet of bendable material, dividing it into a center section joined by curved bend lines to curved ribs, joined by curved bend lines to respective curved edges; bending the curved ribs down and curved edges up along the bend lines to nominally right angles to form a curved surface supported by two curved ribs and two curved edges. Two straight ribs and respective straight edges may be scored and formed on the other pair of opposing edges of the sheet. A backside sheet may be applied to the four edges. A widthwise corrugated, elongate right angle reinforcement member may be employed for strengthening the formed bend lines.

Abstract: A flashable, rooftop enclosure with a solar radiation transmissive glazing suitable for holding solar energy collector of a solar power system includes an insulated base section with sidewalls which is secured to the roof sheathing and flashed all around, and a removably attachable glazed top section with full skirt, that is secured to and over the base unit after the interior components and connections are made, so as to seal the enclosure, overlap the flashing, and admit solar radiation. The internal components may include any or all of photovoltaic and thermal converters, with electrical and thermal fluid means of removing energy from the enclosure to respective energy distribution systems.

Abstract: The invention is a convective airflow dryer system for granular, crushed, and sliced fruit and other crops and materials of greater than one quarter inch in average diameter that includes a distributed airflow container. The container may be removable and stackable and has multiple interior airflow plates extending from one surface of said container to an opposing surface, connecting an inlet plenum to an outlet plenum. The airflow plates are parallel and uniformly spaced so as to form material holding bays and are configured to freely admit, and transfer air through the bays and out of the container. The dryer system and the containers are configured for directing the full airflow of the dryer system through the container or set of interconnected containers.

Abstract: A heated airflow dryer system for drying granular, crushed, and in particular, sliced fruit and other crops and materials where granules are of at least about one quarter inch diameter or slices are about one quarter inch or more thickness. An integral or removable materials holding container has multiple removable airflow plates configured with airflow channels extending through the container interior connecting an inlet high pressure plenum to a lower pressure outlet plenum of a primary heated airflow circuit. The airflow plates are parallel and uniformly spaced to form vertical or horizontal bays of sufficient width to hold the granules or slices. The primary airflow is directed through the container. An air dryer removes excess moisture in the primary airflow or a secondary airflow circuit, which may incorporate a heat exchanger, exhausts moist air and provides make up air to the primary airflow.

Abstract: A heated airflow dryer system for drying granular, crushed, and in particular, sliced fruit and other crops and materials where granules are of at least about one quarter inch diameter or slices are about one quarter inch or more thickness. An integral or removable materials holding container has multiple removable airflow plates configured with airflow channels extending through the container interior connecting an inlet high pressure plenum to a lower pressure outlet plenum of a primary heated airflow circuit. The airflow plates are parallel and uniformly spaced to form vertical or horizontal bays of sufficient width to hold the granules or slices. The primary airflow is directed through the container. An air dryer removes excess moisture in the primary airflow or a secondary airflow circuit, which may incorporate a heat exchanger, exhausts moist air and provides make up air to the primary airflow.

Abstract: The invention is a distributed airways airflow dryer system for coffee beans and other such bulk crops. The interior volume or container of the dryer or dehydrator system that holds the bulk crops, is filled with an airways network structure that provides uniformly distributed open wall airflow passageways in the bulk crops. The airflow passages communicate with airflow openings in the walls or bottom of the container, to divide and admit the drying airflow into and through the full volume of the bulk crops as a large number of individual airstreams. Corrugated, ribbed, or cross-ribbed airflow plates are preferred embodiments that provide narrow open grooves or channels that expose the beans or kernels of the bulk crop directly to the airflow. This results in faster drying and greater uniformity of the drying effect on the full volume of the bulk crops.

Abstract: The invention is a convective airflow dryer system for coffee beans and other such crops, that includes a removable materials container. The removable, stackable container has at least one interior airway structure extending from, preferably, the bottom or sidewall surface to about the top of the container. The airflow structure is configured to freely admit, flow and transfer air, including moisture ladened air, through a port or vent in the bottom or sidewall, over its length and breadth into and out of the coffee beans or other crops or materials being dried, and out the top of the container. The dryer system and the containers are configured for directing the full airflow of the dryer system through the container or set of interconnected containers when in place, and to easily remove the containers from the dryer for emptying, refilling and reuse.

Abstract: A solar collector and a method of manufacture is disclosed. The solar collector frame has internally oriented projections for positioning a light transmissive cover, absorber plate, insulation and base to form an enclosure. To provide for maximum active or passive collection efficiency, by increasing resistance to heat flow, an easily maintained evacuated cover is disclosed. The solar collector can be economically manufactured and can be on-site fabricated, and adapted for single or multiple installation in original or retrofit applications in a building with minimal structural modification.

Abstract: In combination with a bicycle having a pedal crank shaft housing, a pedal crank shaft journaled in said housing, a frame having a front diagonal bar, an upwardly extending bar forming a seat support, a rearwardly extending fork, a forwardly extending fork, a wheel carried by said forward fork, a rear wheel carried by said rear fork and a sprocket assembly on the rear wheel, an auxiliary motor unit attachment comprising, a motor have a power output member, a power input member mounted on pedal crank shaft on one side of pedal crank shaft housing for transmitting power output from motor to the pedal crank shaft, a sprocket assembly mounted on the pedal crank shaft on the other side of the pedal crank shaft housing, a chain connecting the sprocket assembly with the rear wheel sprocket assembly, and left and right pedal cranks extending from the ends of the pedal crank shaft, for engaging the pedal crank shaft to impart its movement to the shaft and to disengage the shaft when power is transmitted from the power