Abstract: A thermal-pumping apparatus according to a non-limiting example embodiment may include a first volume structure defining a first inlet opening and a first outlet opening in fluid communication with a first volume, a second volume structure defining a second inlet opening and a second outlet opening in fluid communication with a second volume, and a connection structure joining the first outlet opening of the first volume structure to the second inlet opening of the second volume structure. The connection structure may include a one-directional valve configured to allow fluid flow between the first and second volume structures in one direction only from the first volume of the first volume structure to the second volume of the second volume structure.

Abstract: The water heater includes a main body and a secondary tank. The main body encloses a receiving space and absorbs solar energy to heat water therein. The main body has a first inlet, a first outlet, and a steam outlet. The secondary tank includes a tank having a second inlet, a second outlet, and a steam inlet. The second outlet communicates with the first inlet of the main body via an inlet pipe, and the steam inlet communicates with the steam outlet of the main body via the steam pipe. Water enters the tank via the second inlet and enters the main body via the inlet pipe. Steam produced by the heated water in the main body enters the tank via the steam pipe to be further discharged or to condense into liquid water. The liquid water enters the main body again via the inlet pipe.

Abstract: A loop heat pipe includes an evaporator to cause a liquid-phase working fluid to be vaporized by heat from a heat source; a condenser to condense the vaporized working fluid; a circulation path including a liquid line and a vapor line to connect the condenser and the evaporator in a loop; a tank provided on the liquid line and configured to accommodate the liquid-phase working fluid; a connecting line to connect the tank and the evaporator to supply the liquid-phase working fluid to the evaporator; and a bypass line positioned over the connecting line in a direction of gravity and connecting the evaporator and the tank, the bypass line being configured to discharge a vapor bubble produced in the evaporator during operation of the loop heat pipe to the tank.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for absorbing solar energy and, simultaneously having a continuous control of the light admission making it possible to install the device in external openings of buildings and equipment, such as windows, shutters or skylights. The system comprises two frames which support plates of transparent material, between which it is possible to introduce a colourful solution coming from an external reservoir. Both frames are interconnected through a flexible membrane which allows the plates to be pushed against each other, making the window transparent, or pushed away interposing the colourful solution, which will make the window uniform and gradually translucent or opaque. The said liquid comes from a reservoir and the access to the gap between the plates through is obtained by means of a channel that separates the two frames, allowing the liquid to flow evenly into the whole surface, thus being a homogenous and adjustable darkening obtainable.

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.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for improving systems that include an evacuated, and in essence hermetically-sealed, fluid circuit containing a heat-transfer fluid which--while circulating, usually with the assistance of a pump, around the fluid circuit--absorbs heat, primarily by evaporation, from a heat source and releases the absorbed heat, primarily by condensation, to a heat sink; the maximum temperature of the heat sink being, at a given instant in time, lower than the maximum temperature of the heat source at that instant in time.The various techniques disclosed always furnish the fluid circuit with a property named `self-regulation`; and, where applicable, with one or more properties named `overpressure protection`, `freeze protection`, `heat-absorption control`, `heat-release control`, and `heat-source control`.