Abstract: A solar battery cell of a back-electrode type is used to enhance the photo-electric efficiency in which the electrical connecting structure for the solar battery cell is simplified, and the deterioration of connected portions can be prevented. The solar battery cell of a back-electrode type having second electrodes on the back thereof, are placed on and fixed to a board having first electrodes on its surface, so that the first electrodes and the second electrodes are electrically connected to each other. Output terminals are connected to the first electrodes on the board outside of and to the side of the solar battery cell, by soldering. A truncated conical light guide having a larger diameter-end face serving as a light receiving end face is placed on and fixed to a surface of the solar battery cell with the light receiving end face disposed in the vicinity of the focal point of the lens.

Abstract: An inflatable solar oven is comprised of two sheets of flexible material which are sealed at their edges to form an enclosure. The top sheet is clear and the bottom sheet has a reflective layer. The two sheets can be inflated to form a spherical enclosure by passing air through an edge opening that is also large enough to access a water or food holding receptacle which can be placed with the inflated enclosure. Extended portions of the sheets that form the opening can be rolled up to form a closure for it. The inflated enclosure can be secured to the ground in an appropriate position to receive the sun's rays which pass through the clear sheet and reflect from the bottom sheet to heat the receptacle therein.

Abstract: A flow controllable unit includes a pair of spaced upper and lower sheets. A plurality of elongated partitions are sandwiched between the upper and lower sheets to define a plurality of fluid passages. The partitions have an intermediate region and opposite lateral sides. The partitions are secured to the upper and lower sheets so that the intermediate region is movable relative to the upper and lower sheets. When a pressure increase occurs within the passages, the intermediate region of the partitions is bent or deformed to allow the upper and lower sheets to be moved away from each other. This movement increases the effective cross sectional area of the passages to accommodate such a pressure increase. The partitions thus provide a pressure relief function.

Abstract: A concentrating solar array consisting of a roll of reflective film which is stretched between tension wires strung between a pair of wire stays. There is a roll of film and a take up roll such that the film can be unrolled from the storage roll and pulled toward the take-up roll to replace degraded film. A pair of extension arms holds a solar cell at a fixed position relative to the solar concentrator film surface to receive concentrated sunlight. The roll of reflective film ensures the life requirements of the solar concentrator can be met in space, by replacing exposed concentrator film as it degrades.

Abstract: A flexible tie-down device is provided for attaching a swimming pool-type solar water panel to a roof or other structure. The device is adapted for use with a solar panel having at least one elongate solar panel array formed of a number of side-by-side connected, small diameter, flexible elastomeric, heat transfer tubes, which are attached in fluid flow relationship at one end to a rigid, larger diameter tubular, unheated water inlet manifold and at the other end to a rigid, larger diameter tubular heated water outlet manifold. The tie-down device comprises a plurality of flexible elastromeric tubes connected in a side-by-side relationship to form a device array, the tubes having a length enabling the device array to bend around the outside of either of the inlet and outlet manifolds with the end regions of the device extending outwardly in a parallel, overlapping relationship relative to one another.

Abstract: A snap hook fastener for swimming pool covers is provided to hold a pool cover edge rigidly close to the edge of the pool. The snap hook/eyebolt connection supports a pool edge sealing member in a proper orientation for optimal contact with the pool wall. The fastener includes a hook device used to attach the pool cover to the edge of a pool. It holds the edge of the pool cover horizontal and very close to the edge of the pool to minimize the chance of persons or objects falling between.

Abstract: A portable solar heating device is provided comprising an outer housing of transparent synthetic plastics material and a bladder within the outer housing. The bladder is of flexible sheet synthetic plastics material and has an expanded condition when filled with liquid and a collapsed condition when empty. The device has at least one port leading into the bladder, and means for minimising the area over which the bladder contacts the housing when the bladder is in its expanded condition, thereby to leave an airgap between the bladder and the housing over most of the surface area of the bladder.

Abstract: The pool cover is made of multi-layer light weight construction having transparent top layers to permit sunlight to pass through, an opaque layer for absorbing sunlight passing through the transparent layers and a reflective layer to transfer heat from the opaque layer into a pool of water. In addition, a plurality of pockets are formed on one of the transparent layers to encapsulate air therein. In one embodiment, the opaque and reflective layers may be incorporated into a single layer with an opaque surface on one side and reflective surface on the other side. Also, the edges of the cover may be sealed so that the entire cover has an encapsulated air layer. The cover can be reversed to place the reflective layer topmost so as to reflect sunlight from the pool, e.g. for short term pool closure. The opaque layer and reflective layer reduce sunlight penetration and thus inhibit algae growth while the insulating layer reduces heat movement either in or out of the water.

Abstract: The device for collecting solar energy and transferring it to a reception body to be heated includes a plurality of parallel profiled elements and a closure mechanism. The profiled elements are spaced apart and superposed in order to form a curtain having an outer face suitable for being exposed to solar radiation and an inner face suitable for being located on the reception body side. The profiled elements have two reflecting faces and a shape such that when the inner face is vertical, the profiled elements slope downwardly from the inner face to the outer face. The profiled elements define a plurality of air channels directed upwards from the outer face to the inner face when the inner face is vertical. The profiled elements and the two reflecting faces thereof are formed of an insulating material so as not to conduct heat from the outer face to the inner face.

Abstract: A solar sanitary dryer bag to be used for drying and exterminating tiny worms and insects existing in a mattress or the like, characterized by having an opening for vacuuming the bag and having a black layer therein for effectively absorbing the solar heat.