Abstract: The disclosure relates to a heat collecting and heat radiating roof structure for use in collecting solar energy and/or for use in radiating unwanted heat to the far sky; the disclosure relating specifically to a roof construction having rafters and duct means intermediate the rafters with return and delivery channels or passages through which air may be circulated to collect heat from the sun's rays, which may be absorbed by the roof structure, or to reject heat at night to the far sky if desired; the disclosure relating to novel construction of duct means between roof rafters; the duct means being made of sheet metal and having upwardly extending portions covered by an inverted U-shaped structure located directly above each rafter. The disclosure also relates to a radiation transparent convection and dust shield means disposed over the heat collecting ducts of the roof structure.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an air conditioning system employing a heat pump in combination with facilities for thermal storage, evaporative cooling and solar heat collection, as well as solar heat radiation; the heat pump having an indoor heat exchanger and an outdoor heat exchanger and a third heat exchanger in series with the outdoor heat exchanger; the third heat exchanger being disposed to receive heat or cool air so as to augment operation of the heat pump during critical ambient conditions so as to improve the relative efficiency of the heat pump when operating under the aforementioned critical conditions.