Abstract: An electrostatic filter removes particles from non-electrically-conductive fluids. A pair of electrical conductors extend through a filter housing for providing one of a plurality of D.C. voltage levels selected to control electrical current consumption within the filter. A plurality of identical perforated, electrically conductive plates are connected to individual ones of the conductors by reversing the orientation of the plate. Successive plates are alternately positive or negative. Porous foam filter pads are located between each pair of plates. A permanent magnet is located in the foam pads which are between the positive to negative, but not between negative to positive, conductive plates, determined with respect to the direction of the fluid flow within the filter housing. The permanent magnetic field interacts with a corona formed around plates of one polarity in order to agitate the particles which then become entrapped within the porous foam filter pads.

Abstract: Solar energy conversion apparatus including a housing portion, an energy absorbing portion, a fluid directing portion and a cover portion; the housing portion including a molded plastic pan member including a base section with upwardly extending spaced spacer sections, the pan member including outwardly inclined sidewall sections having spaced inner and outer wall sections with a top section including an outwardly extending flange section and an inwardly extending slotted frame section; the energy absorbing portion including a conductive metal liner member positioned within the housing portion and resting on the upper surfaces of the spacer sections, a conductive metal separator section extending between the liner sidewall sections adjacent the upper ends thereof and enclosing the liner member; the fluid directing portion including a plurality of parallel spaced longitudinal baffle members arranged in a staggered relationship to provide a tortuous fluid path through the apparatus, an inlet opening and an outl

Abstract: Solar energy conversion apparatus including a housing portion, an energy absorbing portion, a fluid directing portion and a cover portion; the housing portion including a molded plastic pan member including a base section with upwardly extending spaced spacer sections, insulation covering the exposed surface of the base section to a depth less than the height of the spacer sections; the pan member including outwardly inclined sidewall sections having spaced inner and outer wall sections with a top section including an outwardly extending flange section and an inwardly extending slotted frame section; the energy absorbing portion including a conductive metal liner member positioned within the housing portion and resting on the upper surfaces of the spacer sections with flange sections extending outwardly from upper edges of liner sidewall sections and bearing on the top section of the pan member, conductive metal absorber members with spaced risers covering the bottom of the liner member; the fluid directing p