With Control Means Energized In Response To Actuator Stimulated By Condition Sensor Patents (Class 126/572)
  • Publication number: 20120192857
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on one or more computer storage devices, for collecting solar energy using heliostats arranged about a collection of solar energy receivers. For each heliostat, estimated efficiencies of the heliostat in directing solar rays to two or more receivers at various times of day are determined. Each heliostat is assigned to direct solar rays to two or more different receivers at two or more different times of day, wherein each heliostat directs solar rays to one receiver at a time and the assigning is based on the determined estimated efficiencies for the heliostat at the various of times of day. In some implementations, the receivers are repositionable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Andrew B. Carlson, Alec Brooks, John S. Fitch, Ross Koningstein
  • Publication number: 20120193912
    Abstract: A system for providing a thermal transformer to provide heating and cooling to enclosed structures, most generally a building using solar power combined with geothermal storage and a heat powered heat pump to raise or lower the temperature of the stored energy to a useful temperature as needed. The system also has an electrical generation embodiment to provide electricity in addition to the heating and cooling. The system will collect and store solar energy and supply heated or cooled water to the building's existing HVAC system while consuming no fossil fuels and emitting no greenhouse gases. The system may also be used in one embodiment to supply power for the pumps/fans used to circulate the heated or cooled air or water throughout the building.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: PDM SOLAR INC.
    Inventors: David M Baker, Fred P. Lane
  • Patent number: 8210162
    Abstract: An improved tracking device comprised of a lightweight structural design optimized to carry it's own mass, that mass of a lightweight incident surface or surfaces for reflecting or absorbing energy, and to withstand the forces of low to medium wind loads. A weathervaning stowage mode is initiated under high wind conditions that will inherently rotate the structure such that the reflective facets will face away from the oncoming wind and any entrained dust, hail, or other particulate. The incident surfaces will also pivot upwards via pivots near the top mounting point to reduce the surface area presented to the wind and the resultant aerodynamic forces. A fixed wind deflector is employed to transfer wind load from the top of the incident surface(s) above the point of rotation where the wind load inhibits rotation to the bottom of the facet where upward rotation is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventor: Douglas Evan Simmers
  • Patent number: 8187550
    Abstract: Reactors for conducting thermochemical processes with solar heat input, and associated systems and methods. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment include a reactor having a reaction zone, a reactant source coupled in fluid in communication with the reactant zone, and a solar concentrator having at least one concentrator surface positionable to direct solar energy to a focal area. The system can further include an actuator coupled to the solar concentrator to move the solar concentrator relative to the sun, and a controller operatively coupled to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Patent number: 8113193
    Abstract: A reciprocating solar engine includes a) a seesawing platform having a central fulcrum support upon which the platform is moveably positioned to reciprocally rotate through a predetermined arc b) a first solar heat-receiving closed container located on the platform on one side of the support and a second solar heat-receiving closed container located on the platform on a second side of the support; c) a connecting tube connecting the first container and the second container; d) a fluid contained within at least one of the first and the second container, the fluid being evaporable from solar heat and condensable from shading from solar heat; e) a roof above and connected to the platform, having at least one window of which is located above the first container and at least one window of above the second container; f) shuttering devices connected to the roof and movable so that one window is closed while the other is open and vice versa; and, g) shutter device controls functionally connected to the shutter device
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Kenergy Scientific, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth P. Glynn
  • Patent number: 8076625
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for improving the total power output from a field of solar energy systems. The invention provides a field level tracker controller which calculates an improved positioning of individual solar energy systems and communicates those configurations to trackers in the field. An algorithm stored in the controller calculates the improved configuration for the solar energy systems based on factors such as solar movement, shade patterns generated by surrounding structures, and measured output of the energy systems. Improved positioning may include individual energy systems being directed to a stowed position to maximize the power output of the field as a whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: SolFocus, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark McDonald
  • Publication number: 20110297141
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system for tracking a solar energy collector and diagnosing the solar collector's operational status. More specifically, it relates to a system employing a 3-axis accelerometer to determine the orientation of a solar collector, the vibration experienced by that solar collector, whether that solar collector has experienced an impact, and initiating system position control and diagnostics based on that information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: David Correia, Jim Braig, Arthur M. Shulenberger
  • Publication number: 20110271952
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for reclaiming solar energy in buildings, comprising a fluid inlet header pipe, a fluid outlet header pipe and a plurality of heat collector panels connected to the two pipes at ends thereof respectively. Fluid with a lower temperature from the fluid inlet header pipe enters into the heat collector panels, where it is heated to a higher temperature by the solar energy stored therein, and then discharges from the system via the fluid outlet header pipe for energy reuse. The heat collector panels are mounted on the inner surface of the cladding panels of the building, so that the outer appearance of the building will not be negatively influenced by the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Yau Lee Innovative Technology Limited
    Inventors: Tin Cheung WONG, Chi Ming Antonio Chan, Wai Sin Lau
  • Publication number: 20110220091
    Abstract: Images representative of cloud shadows with respect to a field of heliostats can be used to adjust operation of a solar energy system. For example, images of a field of heliostats and shadows produced by the clouds can be obtained. Additionally or alternatively, images of the sky and clouds can be obtained. The images can be analyzed to determine a shading parameter. Based on the shading parameter, an operating parameter of the solar energy system can be changed or maintained. For example, the operating parameter may include aiming directions for one or more of the heliostats. Cloud characteristics in addition to the location of the cloud shadow can be used in determining the shading parameter. Such characteristics can be used in determining if and/or how to change the operating parameter of the solar energy system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: BrightSource Industries (Israel), Ltd.
    Inventor: GIL KROYZER
  • Patent number: 8001960
    Abstract: A solar energy collection system includes a primary solar receiver and a secondary solar receiver. The secondary solar receiver generates steam using energy from solar radiation incident thereon. The primary solar receiver receives the generated steam from the secondary solar receiver and superheats the steam using energy from solar radiation incident thereon. A plurality of heliostat-mounted mirrors reflects incident solar radiation onto one of the primary and secondary solar receivers. A controller aims a portion of the heliostat-mounted mirrors at the primary solar receiver such that a predetermined thermal profile is provided on a surface of the primary solar receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: BrightSource Industries (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoel Gilon, Israel Kroizer, Gil Kroyzer
  • Publication number: 20110146661
    Abstract: A solar module arrangement for, in particular, solar-thermal and/or photovoltaic energy production, comprising at least three solar module elements (2) which are arranged in a substantially horizontal, flat composite and are each inclined relative to one another with respect to the horizontal plane (H) in such a way that side edges (4) which frame the solar module arrangement (1) are lower or higher than a substantially middle central region (6) relative to the horizontal plane (H). Furthermore, a roof arrangement with a plurality of solar module arrangements of the above-mentioned type, wherein the solar module arrangements (1) are arranged on subsections (22), which run substantially parallel to one another, of the side borders (4) of adjacent solar module arrangements (1) to form an, in particular, diamond-shaped, roof arrangement (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Mirko Dudas
  • Patent number: 7952017
    Abstract: A light concentrator is described, for a device for the conversion of solar radiation into electrical, thermal or chemical energy, capable of conveying the radiation towards a surface of the conversion device. The concentrator comprises at least one portion of Fresnel lens of rotational symmetry, one face of which has a plurality of crests disposed concentrically about a center so as to form a segmented transverse profile of the portion of Fresnel lens. The profile is formed in such a manner that the focal distance of the Fresnel lens is variable in dependence on the radial distance from the center of the lens. The variation of the focal distance is determined such that, when the Fresnel lens is illuminated by polychromatic radiation, the superposition of the distributions of irradiance, produced by the lens at the individual wavelengths constituting the spectrum of the incident radiation, generates a substantially uniform distribution of polychromatic irradiance on the conversion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: CRF Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Piermario Repetto, Denis Bollea, Davide Capello, Stefano Bernard, Pietro Perlo
  • Publication number: 20100319774
    Abstract: An apparatus for diverting light energy comprising a target, wherein the target is configured for collecting the light energy from a light source and a light bending element disposed in a light path of at least one ray of the light energy between the light source and the target, wherein the light bending element is configured for collection of the light energy as an angle of incidence of at least one ray of the light energy changes over time relative to the light bending element, the light bending element is configured to direct the light energy to the target, wherein the light bending element and the target move relative to each other, movement of the light bending element and the target relative to each other being a function of at least the angle of incidence of at least one ray of the light energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventor: Peter v Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20100175733
    Abstract: The invention relates to a structure containing components for collecting, transferring and storing heat energy originating from solar energy, wherein said components are pre-coupled and mounted in the factory so as to form a compact machine that is ready to be installed and connected directly to the power grid at the installation location. The aforementioned components include solar collectors which transform solar energy into heated water and accumulators which form water containers for storing the energy collected by the solar panels and transmitting same to the next accumulator through a series of successive fluid circulation circuits which are actuated by respective electric pumps and provided with expansion reservoirs and vessels and valves for the operation thereof, which is controlled by a central solar heat source control system which is connected to a number of the above-mentioned electric pumps and to a solar sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Wattpic Energia Intelligent, S.L.
    Inventors: Francesc I. Sureda Alsina, Josep Maria Salas Parts, Josep Jorda Bataller, Juan Melsom, Jordina Vidal Moreno
  • Publication number: 20100170497
    Abstract: A reciprocating solar engine includes a) a seesawing platform having a central fulcrum support upon which the platform is moveably positioned to reciprocally rotate through a predetermined arc b) a first solar heat-receiving closed container located on the platform on one side of the support and a second solar heat-receiving closed container located on the platform on a second side of the support; c) a connecting tube connecting the first container and the second container; d) a fluid contained within at least one of the first and the second container, the fluid being evaporable from solar heat and condensable from shading from solar heat; e) a roof above the platform, having at least one window of which is located above the first container and at least one window of above the second container; f) shuttering devices connected to the roof and movable so that one window is closed while the other is open and vice versa; and, g) shutter device controls functionally connected to the shutter device and the platform
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventor: Kenneth P. Glynn
  • Publication number: 20100089388
    Abstract: Apparatus in the form of a sash window has sashes (16a, 16b) to control an opening (18). Drive arrangements (20a, 20b) are mounted within the frame and electrically powered from batteries (30), to allow the sashes (16a, 16b) to be opened or closed by remote control (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Bruce Stanley GUNTON
  • Patent number: 7677242
    Abstract: A solar-panel unit is provided with: an attachment structure; at least one solar panel, which is delimited by an extensive plane surface of incidence of the solar radiation and is connected to the attachment structure; and a hinging assembly, set between the attachment structure and the solar panel, to enable rotation of the solar panel with respect to the attachment structure about an inclined hinge axis forming an angle smaller than 90° with a horizontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Lasen Development LLC
    Inventors: Giacomo Carcangiu, Marcello Sardo, Ignazio Carcangiu, Rocco Sardo
  • Publication number: 20100018566
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for levitating photovoltaic arrays, or solar energy panels, above ground level using balloons affixed to the solar energy panels. The apparatus includes batteries and other modules necessary to serve a variety of needs and may optionally be stowed and/or portable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Orin Jackson
  • Publication number: 20100018518
    Abstract: A system may include determination of power delivered to an intended load by a solar collector and determination of a solar tracking error of the solar collector based on the determined power. Some aspects include determination of a servo feedback signal based on the determined power, wherein determination of the solar tracking error includes determination of the solar tracking error based on the servo feedback signal. Determination of the solar tracking error may further include determination of the solar tracking error based on the servo feedback signal and on a relationship between a response of the solar collector and tracking error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Mark McDonald
  • Publication number: 20100006087
    Abstract: Systems and methods for directly monitoring energy flux of a solar receiver in a solar energy-based power generation system include measuring infrared radiation emanating from the solar receiver. Such measurement can be achieved using one or more infrared thermography detectors, such as an IR camera. Resulting thermal data obtained by the imaging can be used to determine energy flux distribution on the receiver. A user or a system controller can use the determined flux distribution to adjust heliostat aiming to achieve a desired operation condition. For example, heliostats can be adjusted to achieve a uniform energy flux distribution across the external surface of the receiver and/or to maximize heat transfer to a fluid flowing through the receiver within system operating limits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: BrightSource Industries (ISRAEL) Ltd.
    Inventors: YOEL GILON, Ophir Chernin, Gideon Goldwine, Gil Kroyzer, Rotem Hayut, Dan Franck, Israel Kroizer, Ziv Aumann
  • Publication number: 20090165779
    Abstract: A method of adjusting a motorized solar protection installation (1) comprising a screen (3) that can be displaced by activation of an actuator (6) provided with an electronic position counting device (7) and means (9) of detecting an obstacle to the movement, comprising the following steps: storage of a first end-of-travel position, displacement of the screen by activation of the actuator towards the first stored end-of-travel position, continued beyond the first stored end-of-travel position as far as a position that can be assimilated to an end-stop, detected by the means of detecting an obstacle to the movement, measurement of the position difference between the first stored end-of-travel position and the position that can be assimilated to an end-stop, storage of this measurement in memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Laurent Hoff, Eric Guillemot
  • Publication number: 20090120427
    Abstract: The forced recirculation solar water heating system with a backup water heater works through an electronic card that initiates the operation and activation of the water recirculators when there is a difference of 2° C. between the panel and the storage tank [detected] by means of a bimetallic cable connected at one of the top ends of the panel and another bimetallic cable at the upper part of the storage tank, which has a series of safety check valves that prevent temperature loss due to hot water backflow to the hydraulic network or due to natural reverse recirculation, thus avoiding excess pressure in the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: GRUPO CALOREX, S. DE R.L. DE C.V.
    Inventors: ROCIO MEZA DIAZ, CARLOS ALEJANDRO IMILAN
  • Publication number: 20090020110
    Abstract: A control system and a method are disclosed for detecting and reporting a variety of faults in solar thermal systems. Detected and reported faults include a low fluid condition in a closed loop of a solar thermal system in a drain-back configuration, a pressure drop in a closed of a solar thermal system in a glycol configuration, a pressure drop in a potable water portion of a solar thermal system of either configuration. Additionally, systems and methods are disclosed for detecting and reporting power outages and heat exchanger scaling, both of which may be experienced by a solar thermal system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventor: Mogens Lauritzen
  • Patent number: 7434577
    Abstract: This invention provides novel devices and methods for the heating of air with solar radiant energy. The devices of the present invention feature a housing partitioned into essentially isolated sections wherein the sections are in fluid communication with each other through a plurality of channels located within the partitions. The two unique features of the invention, essentially isolated sections and partitions comprising a plurality of channels, increase the temperature achieved by the solar heater by 1) creating multiple, sequential sections that function independently of each other providing a higher starting temperature in each section and, therefore, a higher final temperature, 2) providing second means of heating the air within the channels located within the partitions and, 3) by virtually eliminating the mixing of incoming cold air with the heated air of the solar air heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: Paul M. Doherty
  • Patent number: 7325542
    Abstract: A heating and cooling system for an enclosure includes a positionable solar panel assembly that supplies power to all the power consuming components of the system. A mountable sun tracking assembly continuously detects the position of the sun and adjusts the position of the solar panels to follow the movement of the sun during the day and to reposition the solar panels in the evening to receive the morning sun the following day. One or more ventilation assemblies mountable in one or more openings in the enclosure controllably supplies heated or cooled air into the enclosure, evacuating inside air, re-circulating inside air, and/or circulating outside air in response to control signals from the sun tracking assembly. A control box mounted inside the enclosure selectively controls operation and testing of the system. A dome is provided as an aesthetic covering for the ventilation assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Inventor: Raymundo Mejia
  • Patent number: 7252084
    Abstract: A solar tracking system has a first set of solar heat gain transducers (700) that produce respective first output signals to drive a reversible first motor (300) for changing a vertical angle of a solar collector (200); and a second set of solar heat gain transducers (700) that produce respective second output signals to drive a reversible second motor (608) for changing a horizontal angle of the solar collector (200); each of the transducers (700) having a thermistor (702) in thermal contact with a thermal mass (706); and a communications apparatus (900) receiving output voltage from solar cells (202) on the solar collector (200).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Ivan Pawlenko, Larry Samson
  • Patent number: 7207327
    Abstract: An instrument for a solar energy system including a receiver and a heliostat to reflect solar energy on to the receiver. The instrument includes a first element adapted to form an image of the sun, a second element adapted to form an image of the receiver, and a detector. The detector is positioned to receive each of the images and a comparator is adapted to detect a distance between the images. The comparator generates an error correction signal based on the distance between the images. The error correction signal is received by a controller that controls the operation of a postioner that adjusts the position of the heliostat accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Z Litwin, Christopher D Meister
  • Publication number: 20040050380
    Abstract: A solar lighting apparatus of the sun tracking type for guiding sunlight into a building by using light reflecting means (30), the apparatus comprising the light reflecting means (30) for reflecting sunlight, drive means (60) for driving the light reflecting means, control means (70) for controlling the drive means to orient the light reflecting means toward the direction of the sun, and power source means (20) for supplying electric power to the drive means and the control means. The power source means (20) comprises a main power source unit (22) chargeable by a solar cell panel (40) for supplying electric power to the drive means (60) and the control means (70), and a backup secondary cell (24) chargeable with the electric power from the main power source unit for supplying electric power to the control means (70).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Hiroshi Abe, Atsushi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6688303
    Abstract: A method and system is described for controlling a solar collector. A microprocessor receives inputs from one or more sensors in the system and determines the level of operation of an energy conversion device. If the level of operation reaches a predetermined setpoint below a maximum level at which the device is to operate, a variable focus solar concentrator is defocused to reduce energy input into the energy conversion device. When the system cools down and operates at a second predetermined level, lower than the first predetermined level, the concentrator is then refocused to increase the power input to the energy conversion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
    Inventors: Roger L. Davenport, David C. Smith
  • Patent number: 6662801
    Abstract: A celestial tracking apparatus (20) has a support (26), a tracking assembly (28) coupled to the support (26) by an azimuth pivot (36), a collector assembly (30) coupled to the tracking assembly (28) by an elevation pivot (38), a wind-speed sensor (172), and a controller (150) coupled to the azimuth and elevation pivots (36,38) and configured to cause the collector assembly (30) to assume a wind-stow position (66) when the sensor (172) detects a wind having a speed greater than a predetermined speed, upon failure of a component of the apparatus (20), or upon receipt of a wind-stow command. The collector assembly (30) has a solar collector (22) with a substantially flat surface (24), a center of gravity (52), and a target axis (54) substantially perpendicular to the substantially flat surface (24) and passing through the center of gravity (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Pinnacle West Capital Corporation
    Inventors: Herbert T. Hayden, James C. Warrick, Jefferson G. Shingleton, Raymond S. Zuckerman
  • Patent number: 6648628
    Abstract: The invention is a device for muffling the sound of escaping gas from a dispensing pipe for natural gas or any similar gaseous fuel, where the dispensing pipe has one or more first orifices. The device is an insert that may be placed into the dispensing pipe. The insert has second orifices through which the natural gas or any similar gaseous fuel escapes, and the second orifices are smaller than the first orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: Scott F. Eiklor
  • Patent number: 6533026
    Abstract: This is a heating and cooling system, and method that utilizes the roof of a home or building as a solar collector. A heat barrier material is secured to the inside free edges of the roof rafters to reflect radiant heat into air flow passage ways formed between the rafters, the attic side of the roof and the heat barrier materials. A loft or upper attic floor is built in the upper portion of the attic and is also covered with the heat barrier material. The attic is divided into separate areas that are connected by a ducting system that includes a filter, an evaporator and a blower. The blower produces airflow through the filter and over the evaporator coil and into a separated portion of the attic. Airflow moves through selected formed channels between rafters, barrier material and inside roof to the blower for re-circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Norman C. Noah
  • Publication number: 20010035180
    Abstract: A solar generation system includes a standard solar cell string and a substandard solar cell string. A DC voltage output from the substandard solar cell string is boosted by a booster unit to the level of the DC voltage output from the standard solar cell string, and the DC voltage from the standard solar cell string and the boosted DC voltage are applied to a DC/AC inverter, whereby an AC power is obtained, which is supplied to a utility power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Fumiya Kimura, Hirofumi Nakata, Tsukasa Takebayashi, Hirokazu Kodama, Kiyoshi Nishida
  • Patent number: 6244264
    Abstract: A passive solar collector has a reflector or a plurality of reflectors in a tube that is in a partial vacuum and is entirely or partly transparent. An absorber collects light reflected by the reflector or plurality of reflectors and delivers energy from the collected light to a central tube where it heats a substance such as water or other fluid. The absorber is disposed at an angle to the axis of the passive solar collector. The passive solar collector is protected against overheating by one or more devices such as a getter that releases a gas to reduce the vacuum or an opaque shield that is placed so as to cover the reflector in response to an indication of overheating. Reflecting surfaces of the solar collector may be symmetrical or asymmetrical, and they may be smooth or they may have dents, protrusions, or both. The surfaces of the solar collector may be smooth, ridged with smooth curves, or ridged with sharp curves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Solar Enterprises, International, LLC
    Inventor: Roland Winston
  • Patent number: 6231197
    Abstract: An azimuth sensor unit 15 and an altitude sensor unit 16 have pairs of optical sensors 18 and 20, respectively, disposed along their respective directions, which pair of optical sensors are disposed toward the sun in the form of a tapered section narrower to the front end and broader to the rear end with their light-receiving surfaces outward, and the azimuth sensor unit and the altitude sensor unit themselves rotate so as to balance light-receiving amounts of their respective pairs of optical sensors and send signals for rotating a concave mirror 10 in the same directions by half the amounts of the rotations of the azimuth sensor unit and the altitude sensor unit to a drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Mitaka Kohkico., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsushige Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5977475
    Abstract: There is provided a converging solar module of a simple structure which can accurately track the sun and efficiently generate electricity. A converging solar module comprises an electricity generating converging lens (10) made of resin having a flat shape, and a solar battery cell (12) placed in the vicinity of a focal area of the converging lens (10). The converging lens (10) and the solar cell (12) are rotatable as a unit. The electricity generating converging lens (10) is attached to a shaft (20) of a rotation driving motor (18). Using sunlight converged by a cylindrical position detecting converging lens (40), a position detecting sensor (42) locates the sun, and outputs information regarding the position of the sun as angle information to a controller (48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kouetsu Hibino
  • Patent number: 5578140
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns various improvements in a solar energy plant of the kind in which incoming solar radiation is concentrated by a Fresnel reflector, i.e. a field of concentrating mirrors, and the concentrated radiation is focused into a solar receiver. By one improvement a dielectric mirror is provided at a suitable level above the solar collector, to reflect the concentrated solar radiation into the collector. By another disclosed improvement a plurality of non-imaging secondary concentrators arranged in concentric zones is provided intermediary between the dielectric mirror and receiver. By yet another improvement the solar receiver is directly attached to a heat storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Yeda Research and Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Amnon Yogev, Vladimir Krupkin, Michael Epstein
  • Patent number: 5551991
    Abstract: Compact solar energy collector that incorporates into the same housing the collector itself and an accumulator in the shape of a parallelepiped and divided by walls to better withstand water pressure, being then complemented with the remaining conventional elements such as pump, differential thermostat, purges and valves, the housing being fitted with a transparent cover (3) and a heat exchanger inside (13) that is connected to the pump (1) and to the collector (6) and at the other end to valve (11) and lip (10), the rest of the interior of the housing containing insulating material. The water pumping rate is controlled by supplying the pump (1) with electrical power generated by a photovoltaic panel (2) in proportion to the intensity of available sunlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventor: Manuel B. Avero
  • Patent number: 5531215
    Abstract: A device for absorbing heat energy, in particular a solar panel, includes a housing in the form of a frame-shaped rack. The housing has a cover which allows the radiant energy to enter. Several collector tubes are disposed below the cover and between a distributor tube and a gathering tube. The collector tubes are provided with wing-shaped collector elements. The collector tubes are rotatably mounted such that the collector elements can follow the position of the radiation source, such as the sun. The collector elements are thereby disposed at a mutual spacing such that a shading from the adjacent collector element is prevented, even at the lowermost position of the sun. The collector elements are further provided with a heat absorbing coating on both sides, and reflectors are provided below the collector elements as seen in the direction of the incoming heat radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Inventor: Alois Schwarz
  • Patent number: 5524381
    Abstract: A building including high efficiency transparent insulation and optical shutter solar collector (HETIOSSC) to effectively control heat loss and gain in a passively-solar climate control system. HETIOSSC includes a layer of protective glazing, a transparent insulation, an optical shutter, an optional solar radiation absorbing material and optional heat storage elements. When the building and its heat storage are too warm, the optical shutter layer becomes opaque to prevent overheating. During cloudy and cold winter days, HETIOSSC still has a solar transmission and insulation efficiency great enough to collect sufficient sunlight for heating. Location of HETIOSSC on the roof, rather than the walls, does not alter shape and orientation of a building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Inventor: Day Chahroudi
  • Patent number: 5452710
    Abstract: A self-sufficient apparatus and method for conveying solar heat energy from an attic (20) under a solar energy absorbing roof (10) to a place remote from the attic. A synergetic combination of in-attic air controlling devices such as fans and motorized vents (40a, 40b) are energized by stored electrical energy generated by a sunlight-to-electrical-energy panel (14), located adjacent the roof. The panel, preferably a photovoltaic array, has a limited size, providing just sufficient electrical energy to operate the electrical elements of the apparatus. It will not impair the heat absorbing capability of the roof and can be located where it is not aesthetically objectionable. In a preferred embodiment a forced-air-to-water heat exchanger (30) provides solar heated domestic hot water (90). In another embodiment solar heated attic air is drawn into a fan (50) and forced via a duct to another part of the building (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Solar Attic, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward G. Palmer
  • Patent number: 5347985
    Abstract: A constant temperature solar water heater switch, for operating a solar water heating element, using an electrical motor, and a water pump, the water pump pumping water from a water source to the solar water heating element, which uses the solar rays to heat the water, and then returning the water to the source. This system matches a solar PV panel to a compatible relay, using a variable resistance to adjust for desired operation of the system, in order to shut the system down when the sun is not shining directly, and sufficiently to heat the water in the solar heater element, in order to prevent cool water to re-enter the source.A manual electrical overide switch is provided for manual operation of the system, for manual operation, or, for preventative maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Inventor: Douglas A. Bucciarelli
  • Patent number: RE41693
    Abstract: Excitation of a triad artificial photosynthetic reaction center consisting of a porphyrin (P) convalently linked to a fullerene electron acceptor (C60) and a carotenoid secondary donor (C) leads to the formation of a long-lived C+-P-C60? charge-separated state via photoinduced electron transfer. This reaction occurs in a frozen organic glass down to at least 8 K. At 77 K, charge recombination of C*+-P-C60? occurs on the ?s time scale, and yields solely the carotenoid triplet state. In the presence of a small (20 mT) static magnetic field, the lifetime of the charge-separated state is increased by 50%. This is ascribed to the effect of the magnetic field on interconversion of the singlet and triplet biradicals. At zero field, the initially formed singlet biradical state is in equilibrium with the three triplet biradical sublevels, and all four states have comparable populations. Decay to the carotenoid triplet only occurs from the three triplet sublevels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents, Acting for and on Behalf of, Arizona State University
    Inventors: John D. Gust, Jr., Ana L. Moore, Thomas Moore