Abstract: An ultra-supercritical (USC) tower-type solar heat absorber includes a grille-hot-plate current-sharing screen, a tube row, and a graphite filling layer. The grille-hot-plate current-sharing screen is assembled by a plurality of grille hot plates. Each of the plurality of grille hot plates includes a liquid-absorbing core and a grille, and is filled with a phase-transition working medium (such as sodium, potassium, and lithium) and pumped to a vacuum state.

Abstract: A drive circuit and a display device are provided. A detection diode is included in a drive chip of the drive circuit. An acquisition circuit may acquire an electrical signal related to a voltage across the detection diode and a current flowing through the detection diode. A detection circuit may obtain an internal temperature of the drive chip based on the electrical signal acquired by the acquisition circuit. A control circuit may control the drive chip based on the internal temperature of the drive chip obtained by the detection circuit. When the detecting circuit detects that the internal temperature of the drive chip is greater than a maximum threshold temperature or less than a minimum threshold temperature, the acquisition circuit controls the drive chip to stop outputting a drive signal.

Abstract: A water heater system includes a water heater and a thermal mixing valve. The water heater includes a tank and a cap that each define interior volumes. The interior volume of the tank includes a heating element is the location where fluid is heated, whereas the cap includes a volume within which the thermal mixing valve may be disposed. The thermal mixing valve pulls cool and warm water from the volume of the tank, and then discharges a mixed stream of fluid at a user desired temperature via an outlet.

Abstract: A geothermal system transfers heat between the earth and a target. The system includes a containment vessel having an interior volume and a valve being selectively opened and closed to supply a first fluid to the interior volume of the containment vessel so that heat is transferred between the earth and the first fluid. An interior heat exchange line is located in the interior volume of the containment vessel. A second fluid is located in the heat exchange line to transfer heat between the first fluid and the target. A pump for circulates the second fluid through the interior heat exchange line.

Abstract: An integrated liquid-cooled heat dissipation system includes a heat dissipation device, a pumping device, a water reservoir, and a heat absorption device. The heat dissipation device, the pumping device, the water reservoir, and the heat absorption device are integrated as a whole and interconnected with each other, a main body of the heat dissipation device is provided with the pumping device; the water reservoir is integratedly arranged on and connected to the heat dissipation device; and the heat absorption device is arranged on the water reservoir.

Abstract: A method for improving the efficiency of a solar heating system based on absorbing heat from solar radiation into the outer surface of a concrete wall. The heat transfer device makes use of a fluid in a tube system to transfer heat from the outside of the wall to the inside of the wall. The inside wall is then used to heat air that is passed over it, and that air is then used to heat up a heat storage system.

Abstract: An installation evaluation apparatus 10 for a greenhouse includes an input device 11, an insolation evaluation unit 12, and a presentation device 13. The input device 11 is configured to receive input of position information relating to a planned location for installing the greenhouse. The insolation evaluation unit 12 is configured to determine variation, according to the date and time, in an insolation amount in the planned location by performing a computer simulation using the position information input into the input device 11. The presentation device 13 is configured to visualize and present the variation in the insolation amount according to the date and time, determined by the insolation evaluation unit 12.

Abstract: A circulation pump assembly (2) includes an electric drive motor (6) and a control device (10) integrated into the circulation pump assembly (2). At least one internal temperature sensor (16) is arranged in the circulation pump assembly (2) and detects the temperature of the medium delivered by the circulation pump assembly (6) and issues a corresponding temperature signal (42) to the control device (10). The control device (10) is configured, on the basis of the temperature signal (42) of the internal temperature sensor (16), to approximately determine the temperature of the liquid in a liquid storage means (26) which is connected to the circulation pump assembly (2) via a heating circuit (28).

Abstract: A system for the distribution of resources. The system includes a housing including at least one water vapor distillation device, at least one power generating device, at least one source water reservoir, at least one product water reservoir, and at least one energy storage device.

Abstract: A water heater including a storage tank including a water inlet and a water outlet, a pump, an upper temperature sensor, a lower temperature sensor, and an electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to receive an upper temperature signal and a lower temperature signal, compare the upper temperature signal to a sum of a setpoint temperature threshold minus a temperature differential, and compare the lower temperature signal to a high limit temperature threshold. The electronic processor is further configured to activate the pump in response to the first upper temperature signal being less than the sum of the setpoint temperature threshold minus the temperature differential and the first lower temperature signal being less than the predetermined high limit temperature threshold.

Abstract: The concepts relate to reducing energy loss associated with hot water systems. One example can monitor hot water use in a system. Upon completion of the hot water use, the example can recover some of the hot water from hot water lines into a water heater that heated the hot water. The method can also deliver the recovered hot water to the water heater in a manner that affects operation of a heating element of the water heater.

Abstract: A water heater has a primary heat exchanger having a first heat transfer tube, a secondary heat exchanger having a second heat transfer tube connected with the first heat transfer tube and being located higher than the first heat transfer tube, and an outflow path connected to an outflow-side end portion of the first heat transfer tube. The outflow path has an offset flow path portion including a rising portion which rises upward or obliquely upward from a connecting portion of the outflow path and the outflow-side end portion of the first heat transfer tube or from the vicinity of the connecting portion, the offset flow path portion being offset at a position higher than the outflow-side end portion.

Abstract: A dry cooling system can include: a heat source flow duct; an air duct disposed over the heat source flow duct; an opening between the heat source flow duct and the air duct such that an air flows through the opening; and a heat pipe including an evaporator section disposed in the heat source flow duct and a condenser section disposed in the air duct. The air can flow from the opening to the condenser section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pipeline system for a linearly concentrating solar power plant (1) with at least one receiver line (13), in which a heat transfer medium is heated by radiating solar energy, or with a central receiver and at least one emptying tank (21) and/or one store for the heat transfer medium, the heat transfer medium having a vapor pressure of less than 0.5 bar at the maximum operating temperature. Furthermore, a gas displacement system (31) is comprised, which connects gas spaces in the at least one emptying tank (21) and/or in the store for the heat transfer medium to one another and which has a central gas store (35) and/or a central gas connection (37) and a central exhaust gas outlet (39), through which gas can be discharged into the surroundings.

Abstract: A system for the distribution of resources. The system includes a housing including at least one water vapor distillation device, at least one power generating device, at least one source water reservoir, at least one product water reservoir, and at least one energy storage device.

Abstract: A vessel including a concentrator configured to concentrate electromagnetic (EM) radiation received from an EM radiation source and a complex configured to absorb EM radiation to generate heat. The vessel is configured to receive a cool fluid from the cool fluid source, concentrate the EM radiation using the concentrator, apply the EM radiation to the complex, and transform, using the heat generated by the complex, the cool fluid to the heated fluid. The complex is at least one of consisting of copper nanoparticles, copper oxide nanoparticles, nanoshells, nanorods, carbon moieties, encapsulated nanoshells, encapsulated nanoparticles, and branched nanostructures. Further, the EM radiation is at least one of EM radiation in an ultraviolet region of an electromagnetic spectrum, in a visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum, and in an infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Abstract: An indirect free cooling module and method for cooling air from a data center is provided. The module includes an adiabatic device in fluid communication with a source of external air, at least one heat exchanger in fluid communication with the adiabatic device and a flow of air from the data center, a damper system in fluid communication with the at least one heat exchanger, and a control system in communication with the damper system and configured to selectively direct the flow of air from the data center to the heat exchanger and to selectively direct a flow of air from the at least one heat exchanger through the damper system.

Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus uses a zeotropic refrigerant mixture, in which its saturated liquid refrigerant temperature is lower than the saturated gas refrigerant temperature under the same pressure condition, as the heat source side refrigerant. When one or some of a plurality of heat exchangers related to heat medium functions as an evaporator, the air-conditioning apparatus executes an anti-freezing control that prevents the heat medium from freezing by estimating occurrence of freezing of the heat medium on the basis of a value obtained by subtracting a freezing temperature correction value that is set as a positive value larger than zero from an evaporating temperature of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger related to heat medium.

Abstract: A multi-layer heated floor includes insulating layer having a bottom surface positioned on a ground level and a top surface. Heating conduits are positioned above the top surface of the insulating layer and a base material layer is positioned on the insulating layer where the base material layer encases the conduits. The base material comprises a compactible material and wherein the base layer comprises a top surface. A concrete layer is positioned on the top surface of the base layer wherein heat from the heating conduit passes through the base layer and wherein the base layer distributes the heat. The heat enters the concrete slab through a bottom surface through a top surface of the concrete layer to heat the space above the floor.

Abstract: A solar energy module includes a photovoltaic unit including a layer of one or more solar cells. The layer has a front side exposed to incident radiation and an opposite back side. The solar energy module also includes a thermal unit thermally coupled to the back side of the layer of one or more solar cells. The thermal unit includes one or more channels through which a thermal transfer fluid flows, wherein a portion of the incident radiation is converted into electricity by the layer of one or more solar cells and a portion of the incident radiation is simultaneously converted to heat for increasing the temperature of the thermal transfer fluid. The solar energy module also includes a heating system to further increase the temperature of the thermal transfer fluid. The heating system is powered by electricity generated by the one or more solar cells.

Abstract: In a hot water supply system having a solar heater that heats a heating medium with absorbed solar heat, a cogeneration unit that heats the medium by heat exhausted from an engine, a hot water supply unit with a heat exchanger for heat-exchanging between the medium and water supplied from a water supply source to generate the hot water, a medium circulator that circulates the medium among the solar heater, cogeneration unit and heat exchanger, an electric heater that heats the hot water with the power generated by the generator, a heat absorption amount to be adsorbed by the solar heater is estimated and operations of the cogeneration unit and the electric heater are controlled based on the estimated heat absorption amount, thereby enabling to improve energy efficiency of the entire system.

Abstract: In order to provide a method of operating a solar thermal power plant, in which a heat transfer medium is evaporated endothermally by solar radiation in an evaporator section, wherein the evaporator section comprises a plurality of evaporator branches, among which the heat transfer medium is distributed, in which method non-uniform radiation conditions of the evaporator section may be effectively taken into consideration, it is provided that the mass flow distribution at the evaporator section is controlled, wherein the mass flows are adjusted individually at all or a majority of the evaporator branches and a controlled variable is a variable characterizing a spatial energy rise in a respective evaporator branch in a region of the evaporator branch where the heat transfer medium has not yet evaporated.

Abstract: Solar heating systems are provided which utilize an integrated fixture for transferring heat from a solar collector to a lower-temperature loop, e.g. a domestic hot water system or radiant heating system. The fixture provides a heat exchanger for transferring heat from the solar collector to the lower temperature loop. The fixture may also include a casting, in which are formed solar collector supply and return ports, lower temperature supply and return ports, a solar collector pump volute, and a lower temperature pump volute. The systems also include two pumps, and a temperature optimization control that varies the speed of at least one of the pumps depending on the temperature of the liquid in the solar collector.

Abstract: A solar heating system for a hot water heater. The system has at least one solar heating unit that heats water contained therein and is fluidly connected to a water storage tank. The water storage tank is enclosed underneath the surface of the earth and is fluidly connected to the hot water heater in order to provide hot water to the hot water heater. An active over-heat protection system for the heating panels that tilts away from the sun when heating isn't needed. An active system that maintains proper water temperature in the storage tank during use of hot water and during reheating of water.

Abstract: A pump drained solar water heating system, includes a solar collector; a reversible pump; a reservoir for storing heat transfer fluid; an insulated water storage tank for storing the potable water; piping for fluidically connecting the pump to the solar collector, the heat transfer fluid reservoir; and a heat exchanger; and a controller for operating the pump to transmit fluid in a forward flow or reverse flow direction.

Abstract: A tankless water heating auxiliary system for a solar water heating system, includes a solar collector; a tankless water heater auxiliary system; an insulated water storage tank storing the potable water; a heat exchange system for heating stored water; and piping for connecting the collector, the storage tank and the heat exchanger in fluid communication. A first sensor is connected to and located adjacent the storage tank for sensing the temperature of the stored water at an outlet of the tank.

Abstract: A heating system comprises a hot water cylinder having a first input coil whereby water within the cylinder can be heated using solar energy, a second input coil whereby water within the cylinder can be heated by a boiler, and a third, output coil whereby heat can be extracted from the water within the cylinder, the system further comprising a heat demand, and control means operable to determine whether the heat demand is supplied from the boiler, from the third coil, or from a combination thereof.

Abstract: In a hot water supply system having a solar heater that heats a heating medium with absorbed solar heat, a cogeneration unit that heats the medium by heat exhausted from an engine, a hot water supply unit with a heat exchanger for heat-exchanging between the medium and water supplied from a water supply source to generate the hot water, a medium circulator that circulates the medium among the solar heater, cogeneration unit and heat exchanger, an electric heater that heats the hot water with the power generated by the generator, a heat absorption amount to be adsorbed by the solar heater is estimated and operations of the cogeneration unit and the electric heater are controlled based on the estimated heat absorption amount, thereby enabling to improve energy efficiency of the entire system.

Abstract: A solar energy-based water heating and power generating module includes a factory-fabricated compound module panel usable as a cover panel for building, car or ship and capable of absorbing solar energy for heating water flowing in a water chamber and a circulation pipe, and a power generator formed of a field magnet set, an oscillator and a coil and actuated by a temperature difference energy to generate heat.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring a solar thermal system, the solar thermal system being for recovering heat energy by heating a heat transfer medium, the apparatus including a processing system for determining a flow rate of the heat transfer medium, determining a temperature change for the heat transfer medium, causing data to be stored based on the determined flow rate and the temperature change, the data being at least partially indicative of an amount of heat energy recovered.

Abstract: A heating and cooling system and a method for controlling and regulating the temperature within a building envelope (10) having roof and wall cavities (14) adapted to receive replaceable foam liquid. The interior of the building envelope (10) is maintained at any specific controlled temperature by controlling the temperature of the liquid foam. The temperature of the liquid foam within the roof and wall cavities (14) is sensed and when a change in temperature is detected, a dynamic liquid foam regeneration unit is triggered so as to supply new liquid foam at an appropriate temperature so as to maintain the overall temperature of the liquid foam in the roof and wall cavities (14) substantially constant.

Abstract: A solar powered air conditioning system includes an absorption machine coupled to three primary loops. A heat loop provides energy to the absorption machine. A cooling tower loop exhausts heat from the absorption machine. A chilled water loop is used to draw heat from a room or building. The heat loop provides energy from a boiler and/or from a number of solar collectors. In one mode of operation, the solar collectors circulate through a storage tank. The flow through the solar collectors is regulated to maximize energy collection.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of controlling a heat accumulator. According to the method the heat carrier, in contrast to conventional methods, is not controlled on the basis of differences in temperatures between the energy collector and heat accumulator but as a function of the internal energy in the energy collector, the connection line between the energy collector and the heat accumulator and in the heat accumulator.

Abstract: A solar energy collecting system includes a water tank and a solar collector and a pump for pumping water from the water tank to the solar collector. A sensor is arranged close to the solar collector. A CPU is connected to the pump and the temperature sensor in order to circulate the water according to the water temperature at the inlet of the solar collector. The water can be circulated in a fast speed when at noon. The water may be heated with a lengthened heating time and may be heated with a smaller temperature difference so as to effectively collect solar energy.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for converting solar energy into heat wherein a solar collector includes a plurality of mutually-coupled solar energy collector elements (1) coupled to a heat transfer fluid circuit, each collector element including a collector channel (3) located on the bottom of a collector chamber (37) delimited by a transparent cover, the collector chamber normally being connected to a high temperature reservoir (12) via connecting lines (10, 11), until a control valve arrangement (18) is reversed and the collector channel is disconnected from the high temperature reservoir and connected to a low temperature reservoir (13) for heat pump (26) operation when the temperature of the circulating heat transfer fluid falls below a predetermined minimum value detected by a temperature sensor (35) associated with the collector channel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solar heating system including solar collectors through which a heat transfer medium is circulated by a pump between the solar collectors and a reservoir. Temperature sensors monitor the temperature of the heat transfer medium and the temperature of the environment of the system. The electronic output signals from the sensors represent these temperatures, but these signals "drift." A sunlight sensor monitors the intensity of the sunlight and provides electronic output signals representing sunlight intensity. The signal from the sunlight sensor also "drifts." To compensate for signal drift an equilibrium curve for the collectors is employed. A controller for the system has a memory element in which is stored data representing the equilibrium curve for the collector means. This curve enables the controller based on the electronic output from the sensors to determine if the collectors can gain or lose heat.