Abstract: A lubrication system comprising a bore including an inlet for receiving lubrication, an outlet for distributing lubrication, and a inner passageway extending between the inlet and outlet is provided. The outlet may be provided with a wider opening than the passageway. The outlet may further include a groove having a radius of curvature, and defined by a pair of flat or curved sidewalls, and a pair of curved end walls each extending toward the inner passageway.

Abstract: A lubricating structure for a marine drive includes a lubricating oil supplying system that supplies lubricating oil to a meshing portion of a driven bevel gear and a drive bevel gear by utilizing centrifugal force exerted by rotation of the bevel gears and one or more passages formed in one or both of the bevel gears.

Abstract: A lubricant gun includes: a housing having a discharge spout and a longitudinal slide channel; a motor; a plunger disposed in the longitudinal slide channel to perform reciprocating movements; a power transmission unit driven by the motor to actuate the plunger, and including a crank connected to the plunger; a moving element movable along with the crank and the plunger to perform a cycle motion; a sensor mounted proximate to a moving path of the moving element to detect the moving element whenever the moving element moves past the sensor, and to generate a signal representative of a number of the cycle motions performed by the moving element; a processing unit connected to the sensor to produce information according to the signal generated by the sensor; and a display unit displaying the information produced by the processing unit.

Abstract: A method for the operation of an elevator installation, wherein the operating parameters for achieving a desired performance are determined by simulation of the operation of the elevator installation, the operating parameter and the desired performance are included in a protocol, the elevator installation is operated with the operating parameter, the actual performance produced by the elevator installation is measured and the actual performance is compared with the desired performance.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a car with an empty weight MK, which car can move a rated load MLmax, a counterweight, which is coupled with the car by a support device so that it rises when the car lowers and lowers when the car rises, as well as a drive device which can apply a maximum traction force MFmax to the support means. According to the present invention the drive device is selected in such a manner that the maximum traction force MFmax is at least greater than half the rated load MLmax (MFmax>0.5×MLmax) and the weight MG of the counterweight is optimized in such a manner that it is substantially equal to the empty weight MK and the difference between the rated load MLmax of the car and the maximum traction force MFmax of the selected drive device (MG?MK+(MLmax?MFmax)).

Abstract: A drive assembly (100) for a wheelchair lift is provided. The drive assembly (100) includes an actuating assembly (104) in communication with a component of the wheelchair lift. The actuating assembly (104) is configured to selectively apply a driving force to move the component between at least first and second positions. The drive assembly (100) also includes an overload assembly (102) coupled to the actuating assembly (104). The overload assembly (102) is configured to redirect application of the driving force from the component to the overload assembly (102) when a force applied to the component exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: An emergency brake apparatus for an elevator system is installed on an elevator cage or a balance weight of the elevator system and includes a grip member with slant surfaces and a pressing surface sandwiching a guide rail, a pressing member disposed movably between the slant surfaces of the grip member and the guide rail, and an electric solenoid connected to the pressing member and actuated by an electric signal. The electric solenoid positions the pressing member away from the guide rail in a non-braking operation while pushing the pressing member between the slant surfaces and the guide rail in a braking operation.

Abstract: A mounting slide insert for use in a guide shoe at an elevator car of an elevator installation has a slide zone and fastening regions for inserting the mounting slide insert into the guide shoe and fastening it there. The mounting slide insert is for temporary use and has two mounting slide zones, which extend substantially parallel to one another and which consist of metal material so that during movement of the elevator car along a guide rail of the elevator installation a cleaning action results at the guide rail.

Abstract: In order to avoid oscillations and brake screeching associated with such oscillations, a brake caliper is provided with a reinforcing element. The reinforcing element is formed with a C-shaped profile element that is connected to the brake caliper on the underside of the housing of said brake caliper. The reinforcing element can also be configured in order to hold the brake pads and linings and therefore relieve the housing of the braking torque.

Abstract: A parking brake system is provided in which, a lock mechanism (25) is provided within a casing (23) to the rear of a parking piston (24) that can give a parking brake state by forward movement in response to the action of a parking control fluid pressure, the lock mechanism (25) operating in response to forward movement of the parking piston (24) in order to mechanically lock the parking piston (24) at a forward position and unlocking in response to the action of a parking release control fluid pressure. The lock mechanism (25) includes a lock piston (30) that is disposed to the rear of the parking piston (24) while having an axis orthogonal to the axis of the parking piston (24) and that makes a forward urging force act on the parking piston (24) at least when the parking piston (24) moves forward, and opposite end parts of the lock piston (30) are slidably fitted into and supported on the casing (23). This enables an automatic parking brake state to be obtained by a simple structure without consuming power.

Abstract: An internally ventilated disc brake comprising a brake disc, having two friction rings that are spaced apart by ribs. Air cooling channels are formed between the ribs with at least one heat dissipating element provided between the friction rings. The two friction rings and the heat dissipating element form an essentially integral molding so that the heat dissipating element is cast into the molding at least in certain areas. The heat dissipating element projects into at least one cooling air channel at least in certain areas and is disposed substantially in a parting plane of the molding, the parting plane extending parallel to the friction rings.

Abstract: A damper for a washing machine includes: a cylinder; a piston body having one end inserted into the cylinder; a first friction member interposed in a contact surface between the piston body and the cylinder; an extension bar extended from an inserted portion of the piston body, the extension bar having a circumferential stopper at the extended portion; a friction ring formed between the circumferential stopper and the first friction member; and a second friction member formed on an outer circumferential surface of the friction ring to contact with an inner surface of the cylinder.

Abstract: A wheel support device (200) includes a spring (302, 304) fitted to an in-wheel motor (70) and damping the vibration of a motor-driven wheel (100) and the in-wheel motor (70) by extending and retracting, a knuckle (180) attached to the spring (302, 304) and rotatably supporting the motor-driven wheel (100), a center part (306) of a dynamic mass damper mechanism (300) vibrating together with the in-wheel motor (70) by a force given from a road surface when a vehicle runs, an upper part (310) thereof restricting the vibration of the in-wheel motor (70) by coming into contact with the center part (306) at a prescribed region, and a cushioning member (322, 324) fitted to a portion of the center part (306) or the upper part (310) corresponding to the prescribed region brought into contact with the other.

Abstract: A travel bag is disclosed having a wheeled foldaway support pivoted to the back side of the wheeled bag thereof and coupled to the bottom end of the retractable handle thereof through links such that when the retractable handle is pulled out of the wheeled bag, the wheeled foldaway support is turned outwards from the back side of the wheeled bag for supporting the wheeled bag on the floor in a tilted position.

Abstract: A collector cover for electric rail applications is provided which forms a complete assembly for capturing dust particles generated by electric rail systems. The cover includes complementary portions that are connected together to form a dust collecting device. The collector cover may include first and second side members which may be configured to form at least one cavity to receive therein particles from the collector. In one embodiment, the first and second side members can each include a recess forming a cavity when engaging the collector.

Abstract: The invention concerns a hydrodynamic clutch with a pump wheel; with a turbine wheel; the pump wheel and the turbine wheel combine to form a work chamber which can be filled with work medium for the transfer of torque from the pump wheel onto the turbine wheel; with a case which features one or several vent openings for the drainage of work medium from the work chamber and the case (3). The hydrodynamic clutch, according to the invention, is characterized by the following features: a collection bath is provided underneath the case for the collection of work medium being discharged from the vent openings and in which the case is immersed, whereby there is designed to be in the collection bath at least one drainage opening with a drainage flange which is positioned above the floor of the collection bath with a predetermined clearance distance from the bottom and the case is immersed so far in the collection bath that it reaches into an area underneath the drainage flange.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a clutch and reverse-locking device comprising a stop bolt (1), an internal clutch stem (2), a clutch control member (3), a clutch casing (4) and a stopper (5). The internal clutch stem (2) is inserted into the clutch casing (4) and they move independently of each other. The internal clutch stem (2) has a slot (21) to house and guide the stop bolt (1). The clutch control member (3) is installed in the internal clutch stem (2) and has an edge (32) set against the groove (11) of the stop bolt (1). The stopper (5) is fitted in the internal clutch stem (2) and protrudes partially outward therefrom. The protruding or non-protruding position of the stop bolt (1) in the internal clutch stem (2) correlates or disconnects the joint movement of the clutch casing (4) and the internal clutch stem (2), activating or deactivating the clutch operation of the clutch device.

Abstract: A control apparatus of an automatic transmission having first and second frictional engagement elements that achieve higher and lower speed gear stages respectively, includes a target value determination section setting a rotation speed difference between input and output sides of the frictional engagement element, a total torque capacity calculation section calculating a total torque capacity, a distribution ratio determination section setting a distribution ratio of the total torque capacity to the first and second frictional engagement elements, an individual torque capacity calculation section calculating individual torque capacities respectively required of the first and second frictional engagement elements, and an engagement control section controlling engagement conditions of the first and second frictional engagement elements in accordance with the individual torque capacity.

Abstract: A drive member for a water pump of a cooling water circuit of an internal combustion engine, including a drive wheel, a shaft which is coupled to the water pump, and an electromagnetically actuable frictional shift clutch for the transfer of torque between the drive wheel and the shaft. According to the invention, a transfer of torque to a driven wheel can be shifted by means of the frictional shift clutch.

Abstract: A hub and a drum are respectively provided inside and outside a forward clutch (multiple-disc clutch) of an automatic transmission for a vehicle. A piston for pushing the forward clutch and a hydraulic servo for controlling the piston are provided inside the hub. A plurality of notched portions are formed in the piston and the hub with the positions thereof displaced from each other in the peripheral direction so that the piston and the hub are overlapped with each other in the axial direction in such a fashion that parts of one of the piston and the hub where no notched portions are formed are inserted into the notched portions of the other.

Abstract: A synchronization device is described for a change speed gear, comprising at least one cone clutch which comprises a double cone ring (10) which is freely rotatable relative to a hub (1) between an inner friction ring (8) and an outer synchronizing ring (9) which is axially displaceable relative to the friction ring (8) and which comprises a ring body (15) with a stop gearing (14) on the outer circumference and a friction surface (17) on the inner circumference as well as radially inwardly facing drivers (13) for the friction ring (8). In order to provide advantageous constructional conditions it is proposed that the drivers (13) are provided on a driver ring (16) made of at least one sheet-metal pre-cut part which is joined to the ring body (15) consisting of a sintered body.

Abstract: A freewheel basically has an inner tubular member, an outer tubular member rotatably mounted on an inner tubular member with a clutch pawl selectively connecting the outer and inner tubular members together. A pawl-retracting member is disposed between the outer and inner tubular members with the pawl-retracting member frictionally engaged with the internal circumferential surface of the outer tubular member to rotate with the outer tubular member between a pawl-retracting position in which the pawl-retracting member maintains the clutch pawl in a disengagement position and a pawl-releasing position in which the pawl-retracting member releases the clutch pawl to move to an engagement position.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for an electro-mechanical transmission includes an electrically-powered main pump, a battery powered auxiliary pump and an output pump. The main pump provides fluid to transmission components such as a torque-transmitting mechanism. The auxiliary pump provides fluid pressure to engage the torque-transmitting mechanism when electric power to the main pump is unavailable or the main pump is otherwise inoperable. The engaged torque-transmitting mechanism enables rotation of an output member which mechanically powers the output pump so that it may provide fluid to the transmission components in lieu of the main pump. A method of providing fluid to transmission components is also provided.

Abstract: A rotating hinged cashbox for a vending or gaming machine that can be tilted for emptying can include a pivot mechanism that engages corresponding pivot features of the vending or gaming machine. The cashbox can include a cassette having a receptacle for receiving payments deposited into the vending or gaming machine and a pivot point on the cassette that enables the cassette to rotate relative to the vending or gaming machine.

Abstract: A vending machine capable of discharging merchandises by throwing a coin therein to operate a discharge merchandise retention member by the operating power of a handle. The vending machine includes: a notch which is provided at a front face of a box body and which opens upward, a control panel which is attached with the notch in a detachable manner, the control panel including the handle and a coin sorting unit.

Abstract: A driving and/or reversing system includes a driving and/or reversing element and a chain having a plurality of first and second chain pins connected by chain plates. The driving and/or reversing element has first and second pitch circles. First and second chain pins are alternately correspondingly engaged with the first and second pitch circles.

Abstract: A control architecture for material handling includes multiple tiers of controllers, such as three. The lowest-level controllers interact directly with sensors and actuators used in the material handling system, such as photo-eyes and motors used with conveyors. The lowest-level controllers receive higher level commands from one or more mid-level controllers. The mid-level controllers, in turn, receive still higher level commands and information from at least one upper level controller. Each mid and low level controller is designed to include sufficient intelligence to deal with many of the signals and messages it receives without having to forward those signals or messages to the next higher level controller and await instructions from that higher level controller. The system thus distributes intelligence amongst the controllers. The system is well-adapted for application to conveyor control systems.

Abstract: An orientating apparatus and associated method includes an agitator, one or more channels adjacent the agitator, and a lower component delivery portion. The agitator is powered by a drive assembly, which induces a motions in relation to the channels. The channels are designed such that a component for orienting can only pass through the channels in a preferred orientation, and the agitator provides opportunities for the components to achieve proper orientation to enter the channels. This allows the components to pass through the channels to the staging portion in an orientated manner. This orientating apparatus, intended for the automatic positioning of wicks, will work on manufacturing lines with any number of apparatus or parts, as long as it is generally adjacent the utilization point.

Abstract: A loading system is provided which has a first conveyor for transporting a support structure and a second conveyor for transporting an article. The second conveyor includes a substantially stationary inclined transfer member that directs the article to a loading zone of the first conveyor. The article is received in the loading zone by a support structure being moved through the loading zone by the first conveyor. The article may be moving at substantially the same speed and in substantially the same direction as the support structure when it is received by the same. Loading systems according to the present invention may be used in a method wherein a moving article is received on a moving support structure.

Abstract: A wiper blade for removing material from a conveyor belt attached to the conveyor belt frame near the nose roller such that the belt will not have material on the belt during the return portion of the loop. The wiper blade is easily attached to and removed from the conveyor frame for installing and replacing the wiper blades when they become worn. The wiper blade is slid out from its slot on the support bar and a new blade inserted into the slot and slid into a locking position for a quick and low cost change of blades. The support bar is rotatably attached to the conveyor frame to adjust the edge of the wiper blade to be proximate the conveyor belt. The wiper blade is made of an elastomeric material without any metal parts for ease of recycling.

Abstract: A log shuffler and conveyor assembly including: a chute including a log conveyor having a bottom surface and at least one sidewall; a gap in the log conveyor, and a log shuffler arranged in the gap of the conveyor, wherein the shuffler includes at least one pivoting plate having a first edge moving reciprocally above and below the bottom surface of the chute.

Abstract: A dual belt conveyor system having a drive assembly that includes a gearbox for driving an upper belt and a lower belt between the drive assembly and a discharge assembly is disclosed. Both the upper belt and the lower belt have respective smooth and rough sides which are arranged such that the only the rough sides of the upper and lower belts are driven by the drive assembly. The gearbox includes an input shaft that drives an output shaft through a plurality of gears such that the input shaft and the output shaft rotate in opposite directions. In addition, the drive assembly includes an upper spring take-up mechanism that provides a means for automatically adjusting tension applied to the upper belt.

Abstract: A chain module with an undulating edge has an upper conveying surface having an opening for receiving a projecting portion of an adjacent chain module. The upper conveying surface has a top edge, a leading edge and a trailing edge. The leading edge has first and second portions separated by the opening. The trailing edge has first and second portions separated by the projecting portion. A curved portion extends from the top edge of the conveying surface to the leading edge. The leading edge and trailing edge have alternating peaks and valleys such that the peaks on the trailing edge align with the valleys on the leading edge of an adjacent chain module. A pair of opposed first hinge eyes extends from the upper conveying surface on opposite sides of the opening, each hinge eye having a transverse pivot rod opening. A second hinge eye is disposed in the projecting portion and also has a transverse pivot rod opening.

Abstract: A belt of a chain conveyor wherein the belt is composed of transverse bars, containment sidewalls, slide guides and drive chains, each chain being formed by a succession of modules, each one composed of an appropriately shaped link for fixing, without preventing axial rotation thereof, the transverse bar which forms the support surface for the products and for engaging the mechanical drive members, made in a form which has a lateral appendage shaped according to a profile suitable for engaging the motor members.

Abstract: An appliance timer operable in a selection mode and an operation mode includes a shaft assembly, a switch assembly, a cam device, a bi-directional motor, and a display device. The shaft assembly is operable to select an operation cycle and to drive the display device in the selection mode. The motor rotates in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction in the operation mode. When the motor rotates in the first rotational direction, the motor drives the cam device to operate the switch assembly to actuate or deactivate a plurality of electrical circuits associated with a plurality of appliance functions. When the motor rotates in the second rotational direction, the motor drives the display device to indicate an operational status of the appliance. The rotation of the motor is controlled by a microprocessor.

Abstract: A network jack is provided. The network jack includes a circuit board, first contacts, second contacts and an acting portion. The circuit board has a first side, plural first contacting areas arranged along the first side and plural second contacting areas. The plural first contacting areas are between the plural second contacting areas and the first side, and plural distances between the first side and each of the plural second contacting areas are various. The first contacts are mounted on the first contacting areas and the second contacts are mounted on the second contacting areas. The acting portion bends the second contacts.

Abstract: An acceleration sensitive switching arrangement (208) includes an acceleration sensitive variable capacitor (200), a detection circuit (202) for detecting a capacitance value of the variable capacitor (200), and a switching circuit (204) responsive to a comparison between the detected capacitance and a threshold value.

Abstract: A tilt switch includes a base and a cover body. The base includes an upright support having a lower groove, and first and second lower passage holes communicated with the lower groove. An emitter is mounted on the base to emit a light signal. A receiver is disposed opposite to the emitter to receive the light signal. The cover body includes first and second press pieces respectively having first and second upper passage holes that complement with the respective first and second lower passage holes to define first and second light passages, respectively, and an upper groove cooperating with the lower groove to define a chamber. The light signal propagates along a light path passing through the chamber from the first to the second light passage. A ball member is rollable within the chamber to block or unblock the light path.

Abstract: A tilt switch comprises an insulating housing, a cover covering the opening of the housing, three terminals fixed at the bottom of the housing and an electrically conductive ball movably received in the housing to on/off the switch by contacting/leaving said terminals. Three terminals are located at each vertex position of a triangle such that one terminal having a polarity opposite to the other two terminals and a protruding length longer than those of the other two terminals, allowing elevation difference to exist between them.

Abstract: A MEMS switch according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a substrate; a fixing portion formed on the substrate; a movable beam including a lower electrode, a first insulation layer formed on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode formed on the first insulation layer, the movable beam having one end fixed by the fixing portion, the lower electrode and the first insulation layer having an opening going through both of the lower electrode and the first insulation layer; a fixed electrode formed on the substrate facing to a bottom surface of the other end of the movable beam, the fixed electrode facing to the opening; a contact electrode formed in the opening so as to project below the bottom surface of the movable beam and to be electrically connected to the upper electrode as well as to be insulated from the lower electrode; and a second insulation layer formed on the fixed electrode and having an opening facing to the contact electrode so as to insulate the lower electrode from the fixed

Abstract: A switch which can prevent detraction of insulation of fixed contacts and facilitate design, manufacturing and assembling works and can be miniaturized is disclosed. In a power window switch, an earth fixed contact 6e is provided at the center and a manual-up fixed contact, an automatic-up fixed contact, a manual-down fixed contact, and an automatic-down fixed contact are arranged in the right-and-left direction are provided as fixed contact on a board along which movable contacts provided to a movable piece are slid by reciprocating motion of the movable piece in the right-and-left direction. The manual-up/down fixed contacts are nearer to the earth fixed contact than the automatic-up/down fixed contacts. The earth fixed contact is designed so that side portions of the earth fixed contact which are near to the manual-up/down fixed contacts are concaved with respect to side portions near to the automatic-up/down fixed contacts.

Abstract: A low profile switch assembly is provided having a base portion that supports a folded flexible circuit sealed about its edges, an overlying deformable elastomeric portion, and a pair of window knobs. The base portion has a pair of integrally formed, upwardly extending posts that pivotally support the window knobs and encourage alignment of the flexible circuit and the overlying elastomeric pad. A series of domes are formed in the elastomeric pad, pairs of which are operated sequentially by the window knob acting on a lever bridging the pairs of domes. The domes, when collapsed, compress portions of the flexible circuit to bridge opposing traces within the folded circuit to actuate respective switches. The arrangement of the components provides a low profile device that inhibits contamination and uses fewer parts.

Abstract: A position switch is disclosed, with a plunger. In at least one embodiment, the plunger can be moved, via an actuator, from a rest position to an operating position by way of a first rotatable locking element. A second rotatable locking element is usable to block the first rotatable locking element by way of the plunger. A position switch is specified, which separates the actuating mechanism for a switch unit from the holding-shut mechanism and, in doing so, guarantees reliable holding-shut, which manages with a low number of components. Here, the plunger is designed to contact an active surface of the first locking element in the operating position and to contact an active surface of the second locking element in the rest position. The first locking element is able to block the second locking element by way of the plunger and vice versa.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-directional activation button disposed on a protective case for activating a multi-directional control device on an electronic device. The multi-directional activation button has a flexible membrane with a top side divided into directional surfaces that are aligned with a plurality of directions of operation of said multi-directional activation button. A membrane supports an extension that engages the multi-directional control device. The membrane has a length from a pivot point that controls the direction and the amount of movement of an activation extension wherein movement from the pivot point simulates an extension of a user's finger depending upon which directional surface of the rubber membrane is depressed by the user's finger. The multi-directional activation button may be utilized for push button activation, toggle slide operations, dial wheel, or joy stick like operations.

Abstract: A switch assembly includes a base, a flat spring, a switch, and an actuating member. The base includes a central channel. The flat spring may be pivotally secured to a portion of the base. The switch is proximate the flat spring, and is configured to selectively open and close a circuit, such as an ignition circuit of a vehicle. The actuating member is positioned through the central channel and abuts the flat spring. The actuating member is configured to be engaged toward the flat spring in order to activate the switch, wherein movement of the actuating member in a first direction causes the flat spring to move in a second direction into the switch to activate the switch. The first direction may be perpendicular to the second direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thin key sheet in which the adhesive is prevented from being squeezed out and in which adhesive marks and bubble marks are hard to be visible. An adhesive layer is in a dot pattern formed by a plurality of dots spaced apart from each other by gaps, so when attaching a key top and a base sheet to each other through an intermediation of the adhesive layer, it is possible to allow air to escape through the gaps, and bubbles recognizable to a naked eye are not easily trapped by the interior of the adhesion layer or an interface between the adhesive layer and the key top. Further, since the adhesive layer is a screen print layer, a dimension of elements of fine pattern thereof can be on an order of microns, thereby making the fine pattern of the adhesive layer hard to be visible through the key top.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for recovery of energy and by-products from automobile and truck tires. The tires are heated in an oxygen poor environment, and the off gases are condensed to recover a liquid oil product and compressible natural gas. The tires are reduces to ash and steel, both of which can be feed streams for other processes. The apparatus includes a condenser with cooled plates, and oil recovery structures.

Abstract: This distillation column comprises a cross-corrugated packing module formed from strips having corrugations that define channels (14), each channel lying between two main peaks (12; 10) and each channel having two channel legs (16) that are joined together by a top main peak (10; 12). The strip (2) comprises an inverted portion (22) which lies within the cross section of one of the channels (14) and which includes a first intermediate peak (26) oriented in the opposite direction to the top main peak (10; 12). The inverted portion (22) includes a second intermediate peak (28; 30) oriented in the direction of the top main peak (10; 12). Application to air distillation installations.

Abstract: The invention provides a seawater desalination plant including a cascade of evaporation units that are connected by a line system which guides the saltwater. Each cascade unit can be impinged upon by low pressure. The seawater is guided to the evaporation unit after having been directed through the cascades so that it can be successively evaporated. In order to improve the energy balance of the plant, an arrangement of heat exchangers (WT) is placed in at least the saltwater supply line and a heat pump (WP) is connected to one or several heat exchangers (WT).

Abstract: A solar collector (1) is provided from plastics material sheets. There is a base part (3) and a first covering (5) overlying the base part (3). A first chamber (9) exists between the base part (3) and the first covering (5). The sheets are scaled at their side edges. The surface of the base part (5) that faces internally of the first chamber is heat absorbing to assist solar energy absorption into the first chamber (9). The first chamber (9) is supplied with a positive pressure air from a fan or blower and inflates the collector. The air is, in turn, heated by solar energy absorbed and can be used to heat water or other liquids directly within the collector (1) or the heated air can be taken from the collector (1) and used for heating. In a variation a second covering (7) overlies the first covering (5) and provides a second chamber (11) which is also inflated with positive pressure air. A method of obtaining drinkable/potable water using the solar collector is also disclosed.