Abstract: The present invention relates to photovoltaic roofing systems in which photovoltaic elements are disposed upon roofing elements such as shingles, tiles, shakes or slates. For example, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a photovoltaic roofing system comprising: a first plurality of horizontally-arranged roofing elements; a bus bar batten system extending across the headlap regions of the first plurality of roofing elements, the bus bar batten system comprising one or more rigid supports and an electrical interconnection system; a first plurality of photovoltaic elements, each disposed on a butt region of one of the first plurality of roofing elements, each operatively engaged with the electrical interconnection system of the bus bar batten system; and a second plurality of horizontally-arranged roofing elements disposed on the roof deck and covering the bus bar batten system and the headlap regions of the first plurality of horizontally-arranged roofing elements.

Abstract: A package of specialty shingles is provided, preferably for containing hip, ridge or rake shingles, with support in the bottom of the package for the shingles that is complementary to the lower ends of nested, stacked shingles in the package. Shaped constraining devices are provided, for retaining the shape of shingles in the package. An assembly of packages of the specialty shingles is provided, in a tray arrangement, and a pallet assembly of various levels of such packages disposed on a pallet are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to photovoltaic roofing systems in which photovoltaic elements are disposed upon roofing elements such as shingles, tiles, shakes or slates. For example, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a photovoltaic roofing system comprising: a first plurality of horizontally-arranged roofing elements; a bus bar batten system extending across the headlap regions of the first plurality of roofing elements, the bus bar batten system comprising one or more rigid supports and an electrical interconnection system; a first plurality of photovoltaic elements, each disposed on a butt region of one of the first plurality of roofing elements, each operatively engaged with the electrical interconnection system of the bus bar batten system; and a second plurality of horizontally-arranged roofing elements disposed on the roof deck and covering the bus bar batten system and the headlap regions of the first plurality of horizontally-arranged roofing elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to photovoltaic systems. The present invention relates more particularly to photovoltaic roofing systems in which photovoltaic elements are disposed upon roofing elements such as shingles, tiles, shakes or slates.

Abstract: A package of specialty shingles is provided, preferably for containing hip, ridge or rake shingles, with support in the bottom of the package for the shingles that is complementary to the lower ends of nested, stacked shingles in the package. Shaped constraining devices are provided, for retaining the shape of shingles in the package. An assembly of packages of the specialty shingles is provided, in a tray arrangement, and a pallet assembly of various levels of such packages disposed on a pallet are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to photovoltaic systems. The present invention relates more particularly to photovoltaic roofing systems in which photovoltaic elements are disposed upon roofing elements such as shingles, tiles, shakes or slates.

Abstract: A plate heat exchanger includes a case assembly and a plurality of primary flow channel assemblies. The case assembly includes first and second side panels and first and second end plates mounted to the ends of the side plates. Each of the end plates has alternating slots, and ribs extending transversely between the laterally extending edges of the end plate, with the slots of the first end plate and corresponding slots of the second end plate defining multiple pairs of slots. Each primary flow channel assembly includes laterally spaced first and second heat exchange plates, with the inner surfaces of the heat exchange plates forming a longitudinally extending primary flow passage. One of the primary flow channel assemblies is associated with each pair of slots with a first end portion of the flow channel assembly mounted in the slot of the first end plate and the second end portion of the flow channel assembly mounted in the corresponding slot of the second end plate.

Abstract: A multiple rake sootblower reciprocates over an area to clean an entire surface using a minimum of space for the sootblower stroke. An internal valving manifold and a plurality of bushings inside of a plenum isolate the rakes from each other and operate one rake at a time. This maintains the required sootblowing media pressure at the nozzles of each of the rakes. The internal valving manifold may either be reciprocated or rotated to select the desired rake.

Abstract: Adjoining heat exchange modules of a recuperative cross flow plate-type heat exchanger are joined into a single unit by means of common plate spacer bars. Each common spacer bar extends between and into the adjacent modules. The prior art mid-module gaps are eliminated.