Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an improved receiving surface, preferably a reflector surface and preferably of the parabolic trough type, for a radiant solar energy collector system comprises an essentially open frame means defining the perimeter of an extended receiving surface and a plurality of elongated, flexible strips mounted on said frame means in parallel relation to one another, each of the strips having a width substantially less than one dimension of the frame means, whereby a plurality of the strips cover essentially the entire open area of the frame to form an essentially continuous receiving surface.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an improved collector means for a solar energy collector system having an absorber plate and a glazing panel spaced from at least one side of the absorber plate in which a cap means is coupled to and extends along one edge of the absorber plate and a depending leg extends over the complimentary edge of the glazing panel, the cap means having formed therein at least one air channel conforming in shape to the cross-sectional shape of the cap means and having air inlet means adjacent the bottom of a leg of the cap means in communication with the channel and an air outlet means adjacent the top of the cap means and in communication with the channel and adapted to permit currents of cooling air to pass therethrough from the inlet to the outlet, thereby maintaining said complimentary edge of the glazing panel relatively cool.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an improved collector means for a solar energy collector system having an absorber plate and a glazing panel spaced from at least one side of the absorber plate in which a cap means is coupled to and extends along one edge of the absorber plate and a depending leg extends over the complimentary edge of the glazing panel, the cap means having formed therein at least one air channel conforming in shape to the cross-sectional shape of the cap means and having air inlet means adjacent the bottom of a leg of the cap means in communication with the channel and an air outlet means adjacent the top of the cap means and in communication with the channel and adapted to permit currents of cooling air to pass therethrough from the inlet to the outlet, thereby maintaining said complimentary edge of the glazing panel relatively cool.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an improved collector means for a solar energy collector system having an absorber plate and a glazing panel spaced from at least one side of the absorber plate in which a cap means is coupled to and extends along one edge of the absorber plate and a depending leg extends over the complimentary edge of the glazing panel, the cap means having formed therein at least one air channel conforming in shape to the cross-sectional shape of the cap means and having air inlet means adjacent the bottom of a leg of the cap means in communication with the channel and an air outlet means adjacent the top of the cap means and in communication with the channel and adapted to permit currents of cooling air to pass therethrough from the inlet to the outlet, thereby maintaining said complimentary edge of the glazing panel relatively cool.

Abstract: The temperature of a heating fluid used in a yarn crimping zone is controlled in response to whether a yarn plug is detected at a predetermined point, and in another embodiment a fluid is heated, passed to a yarn heating zone and a yarn is heated in the zone in response to whether the yarn is being wound in a yarn winding zone.

Abstract: The temperature of a heating fluid used in a yarn crimping zone is controlled in response to whether a yarn plug is detected at a predetermined point, and in another embodiment a fluid is heated, passed to a yarn heating zone and a yarn is heated in the zone in response to whether the yarn is being wound in a yarn winding zone.

Abstract: The temperature of a heating fluid used in a yarn crimping zone is controlled in response to whether a yarn plug is detected at a predetermined point, and in another embodiment a fluid is heated, passed to a yarn heating zone and a yarn is heated in the zone in response to whether the yarn is being wound in a yarn winding zone.