Abstract: A coolant loop for trough-reflector solar energy conversion systems has open coolant supply and discharge reservoirs. Coolant is driven by siphoning pressure through cooling channels which have attached solar cell arrays. The siphoning pressure is produced by maintaining the free surface of coolant in a coolant supply reservoir at a higher elevation than the free surface of coolant in a coolant discharge reservoir. The cooling channels have air evacuation and air inlet ports to facilitate initiation and termination of siphon-pressure-driven coolant flow. The cooling channels also have in-line flow control valves that respond to control signals generated by coolant temperature sensors.

Abstract: A system and method for regulating the temperature of a building interior, the building including at least one thermal mass for receiving and holding heat, distribution vents and an air return, the method including receiving and holding heat in the at least one thermal mass, enabling an air flow from the at least one thermal mass using the distribution vents, and returning the air flow to the at least one thermal mass via the air return, wherein the air flow tends to maintain a generally constant temperature in the building.

Abstract: A solar collector, comprising: (a) a plurality of thermosiphon tubes in which water flows, each tube having a top opening and a bottom opening; (b) a top manifold having a water inlet and water outlet and disposed at the top opening of the tubes, providing both a water feed into at least one of the plurality of tubes and a water exit from the rest of the tubes; and (c) a bottom basin connecting the bottom openings of the tubes. In some embodiments the plurality of tubes are divided into at least one inlet tube and the rest as outlet tubes by a stopper disposed in the top manifold.

Abstract: Solar thermal collector comprising a plurality of parallel vertical tubes, connected to each other by one upper horizontal tube and one lower horizontal tube through which a heat carrying fluid flows, a glass surface that covers the parallel vertical tubes, the upper horizontal tube and the lower horizontal tube, and a dissipating device installed in an upper part of the solar thermal collector, the heat dissipating device comprising a thermostatic valve, a heat exchanger and a return pipe, wherein the thermostatic valve is housed in the upper horizontal tube, the thermostatic valve and the heat exchanger being connected to a pipe by way of an inverted U-shaped tube provided at a greater height than the inlet to the heat exchanger, such that, under normal working conditions, energy losses by heat transfer by convection from the thermostatic valve to the heat exchanger are interrupted.

Abstract: Non-tracking solar collector device (1) comprising at least an absorber element (2), at least a couple of reflector elements (3) disposed on opposite sides of the absorber element (2) for conveying the solar radiation onto the absorber element itself and said reflector elements (3) comprising at least one fixed portion (8a,8b) and at least one rotating portion (9); the rotating portions (9) being movable between at least a first extreme position (10), in which the rotating portions are moved away from each other and the entire surface of said reflector elements (3) is substantially continuous, and a second extreme position (11), in which the rotating portions are moved close to each other in order to substantially obscure said absorber element (2).

Abstract: A solar water heating and cooling system including a solar energy collection assembly having a heat absorbing element, a heat exchanger and a shield. The system also includes a cooling assembly, the cooling assembly is integral with the shield. The system has a check valve in fluid communication with the solar collection assembly and the cooling assembly, and a fluid pump in fluid communication with the solar energy collection assembly. A working fluid is disposed within the solar energy collection assembly, the cooling assembly, the check valve and the fluid pump. A cooling loop is defined by the solar energy collection assembly, the cooling assembly and the check valve. When the fluid pump is off, the working fluid circulates through the cooling loop, but when the fluid pump is on, the working fluid circulates through a heating loop that is defined by the solar energy collection assembly and the fluid pump.

Abstract: A system including a solar heat collector and a heat receiving structure has a supply conduit extending through an airspace within the solar heat collector, to the heat receiving structure, and into the heat receiving structure. A temperature sensor within the airspace of the solar heat collector measures a temperature within the airspace of the solar heat collector and turns an air pump on to move air through the supply conduit it this temperature is too high. This air may be exhausted through a bypass valve instead of being pumped into the heat receiving structure. The heat receiving structure may include a pool with water heated by bubbles of hot air from the supply conduit.

Abstract: The present invention includes a solar water heating system including: a water tank to hold water to be heated, an heat transfer fluid circuit including an heat exchanger associated with said water tank to heat water therein, a solar collection means in communication with said heat exchanger, an inlet connection to carry heat transfer fluid from said solar collection means to said heat exchanger where said water will be heated; and an outlet connection to carry heat transfer fluid from said heat exchanger to said solar collection means where said heat transfer fluid will be heated, said heat transfer fluid circuit including a reversibly evaporable heat transfer fluid which will absorb heat from said solar collection means and which will transfer said heat to said water in said water tank by means of said heat exchanger; and an diversion path being provided in said heat transfer circuit, whereby when a portion of heat transfer fluid changes to a gaseous state in said solar collection means, heat transfer fluid

Abstract: A self-adjusting solar light transmission (daylighting) apparatus includes a sunlight concentrating member (e.g., a lens array) for concentrating direct sunlight in focal zone regions disposed inside a sheet containing an evenly-distributed stimuli-responsive material (SRM) that has a relatively high transparency state in the absence of concentrated sunlight, and changes to a relatively opaque (light scattering or absorbing) state in small portions located in the focal zone regions in response to concentrated direct sunlight. Thereby, 80% or more of direct sunlight is prevented from passing through the apparatus, but 80% or more of diffuse light is passed. The outer sheet surfaces are locally parallel (e.g., planar) such that sunlight scattered by the light-scattering SRM portions is transmitted by total internal reflection through the remaining transparent sheet material, and outcoupled to one or more optional solar energy absorbing structures (e.g.

Abstract: Delivering heat from modem high temperature solar collectors to hot water storage tanks is more effectively done using unpressurized when cold, self-pressurized on heat up, automatic air eliminating, higher temperature fluid loops. A pressurizing valve, an overflow reservoir and a vacuum relief valve are used. Non-toxic water/antifreeze mixtures are pressurized up to about two atmospheres resulting in a 265° Fahrenheit boiling point. Loss of circulation under full sun results in solar collector boiling under pressure. The steam generated in the solar collector is condensed in the pressurized liquid-to-air radiator, a steam heat pipe, and water is returned to the solar collector to keep it completely full of fluid and steam. A set of pressure-actuated air dampers on the solar collector can also be used to shed the excess solar collector heat.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for a solar collector having intergral control of the maximum temperature that it can reach, thereby avoiding excessive stagnation temperatures in the collector.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for a solar collector having intergral control of the the maximum temperature that it can reach, thereby avoiding excessive stagnation temperatures in the collector.

Abstract: A high concentration central receiver system and method provides improved reflectors and a unique heat removal system. The central receiver has a plurality of interconnected reflectors coupled to a tower structure at a predetermined height above ground for reflecting solar radiation. A plurality of concentrators are disposed between the reflectors and the ground such that the concentrators receive reflective solar radiation from the reflectors. The central receiver system further includes a heat removal system for removing heat from the reflectors and an area immediately adjacent the concentrators. Each reflector includes a mirror, a facet, and an adhesive compound. The adhesive compound is disposed between the mirror and the facet such that the mirror is fixed to the facet under a compressive stress.

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.

Abstract: A thermal panel (10) for passive temperature control includes a cell (28) having a transparent side (14) and a base side (24). The cell (28) has a heatable plate (12) contained therein. The heatable plate (12) is passively disposable between a warming position and a cooling position. The heatable plate (12) is heated by a plurality of light waves (34) when the plate (12) is passively disposed in the warming position. Further, the cell also has an insulating medium (30) contained therein. The insulating medium (30) shields the heatable plate (12) from the light waves (34) when the heatable plate (12) is in the cooling position.

Abstract: A polar column solar collector for use in association with a building, the system having a concave mirror located on the exterior of the building and defining a focal point and a central axis, a mounting column secured to the mirror coaxial therewith, a polar axis column, a hinge swingably connecting the mounting column to the polar axis column for moving the concave mirror to aim it directly at the sun at least over a predetermined period of the daylight hours, a secondary reflector located at the focal point of the concave mirror to receive the sun's rays reflected from the concave mirror, an opening in the concave mirror to receive a concentrated beam of the sun's rays reflected from the secondary reflector and to direct the beam along the mounting column, a third reflector movably located at the junction of the mounting column and the polar axis column to receive the concentrated beam of the sun's rays from the secondary reflector reflected through the opening, and to redirect it along the polar axis colu

Abstract: A heat pipe containing a working fluid, comprises an evaporator, a condenser, an interconnecting tube joining the evaporator and the condenser, and a regulating means for limiting the maximum temperature in the condenser to a predetermined temperature. The regulating means comprises a plug operable by means of a temperature sensitive member to move between a first position in which the plug seats in a fluid reservoir in the condenser and a second position in which the reservoir is adapted to collect the working fluid.