Abstract: An improved heat exchanger assembly and method. First and second plates made of a predetermined thermally conductive material are configured when mated to form a hermetically sealed vapor chamber. A wick made of the same predetermined thermally conductive material resides in the vapor chamber forming a gas chamber.

Abstract: Heat transfer fluid in vapor only state is cycled through solar collector(s) (12) and a sensible heat storage medium (14) to transfer heat from the solar collector(s) (12) to the sensible heat storage medium (14). The heat transfer fluid is a liquid at ambient temperature, but substantially in the vapor state throughout the entire cycle when in operation.

Abstract: This invention relates to cooling devices for multi-chip semiconductor devices, system-on-a-package devices, and other packaged devices. Because of the non-uniform height across the surface in such large-chip and multi-chip assemblies, providing heat exchange can be troublesome. Many air cooled heat sinks are too stiff to adapt to such non-uniform or warped shapes of chips or to shape-changing chip surfaces during operation. In the present disclosure, application of a mechanical load perpendicular to the chip plane causes certain features to flex and adapt to the non-uniform height of the chip plane, providing improved heat exchange.

Abstract: Operation of a variable frequency in a manner configured to avoid overheating is provided. In one form, a method includes providing a variable frequency drive that includes a switching device in thermal communication with a heat sink including a thermal mass. The method further includes operating the drive in a first mode before active cooling of the heat sink is established and a second mode following the first mode. Operation of the drive in the first mode includes operating the switching device in a first switching frequency mode, and the first switching frequency mode and the thermal mass of the heat sink are selected to provide a temperature of the switching device below a predetermined threshold before active cooling of the heat sink is established. Further embodiments, forms, features, and aspects shall become apparent from the description and drawings.

Abstract: A heat storage device for storing and providing heat energy accruing with the power generation by means of a fluid, includes at least a first and a second chamber. The first chamber is disposed above the second chamber and a conduit disposed substantially in the chambers connects an upper region of the first chamber to a lower region of the second chamber, such that in operation there are no temperature differences and thus also no buoyancy forces between end points of the conduit. An installation is for combined heat and power, and a method is for storing and providing heat energy accruing with the power generation.

Abstract: A Steam power plant comprising a steam turbine (3) and a condenser (5), wherein the condenser (5) is disclosed, comprising a first heat sink being a ground heat exchanger (29) is connected to the condenser during times when ground temperature is lower than air temperature; and a second heat sink being an above-ground heat exchanger is connected to the condenser during times when ground temperature is not lower than air temperature.

Abstract: A solar energy driven power generation system includes a solar energy receiver configured to collect solar energy. A vapor generator is operably connected to the solar energy receiver. A vapor turbine is operably connected to the vapor generator and is configured to be driven by a flow of vapor from the vapor generator. An electrical power generator is operably connected to the vapor turbine and driven thereby. A thermal conditioning system is operably connected to the vapor turbine and is driven by a flow of output vapor or hot liquid from the vapor turbine. A method of power generation includes collecting solar thermal energy and generating vapor utilizing the solar thermal energy. A vapor turbine is driven by the vapor and electrical power is produced via the rotation of the vapor turbine. Output vapor from the vapor turbine is utilized to drive a thermal conditioning system.

Abstract: A steam or vapor condensing system (10) for use with radiant solar energy collecting apparatus (17) of the type having solar energy concentrators (20) and in which steam or vapor is generated for supply to a load such as to a steam turbine, the system (10) using the solar energy concentrators (20) to directly or indirectly radiate heat energy of exhaust steam or vapor from the load. The collecting apparatus (17) may float on a body of liquid (19) and heat energy of the exhaust steam or vapor is transferred to the body of liquid for example by being passed through a duct (23) in the body of liquid (19) and heat energy transferred to the body of liquid (19) is radiated by the concentrators (20).

Abstract: A cooling and heating system with a first heat exchange loop and a second heat exchange loop. The first heat exchange loop uses a first heat transfer fluid that is passed through a compression/evaporation refrigeration cycle to cool a refrigerated space and to collect waste heat, and then pumps that heat transfer fluid to a remote heat pump in the winter where the waste heat is used to provide warm air. The first heat exchange system may also pump some or all of the first heat transfer fluid to a remote water heater where the waste heat is used to heat water. The second heat exchange loop uses a second heat transfer fluid to cool the heat pump in the summer, and may pump that second heat transfer fluid to a remote water heater where waste heat is used to heat water.

Abstract: A controller for an energy management system that controls the amount of light allowed into an area is provided. The system comprises a louver assembly and a light sensor contained within a light well. The light sensor is in communication with a controller that manages the position of the louvers in the system and controls the amount of light allowed through the system. The system further comprises thermal sensors in communication with the controller, which allow for management of the louvers' position to maximize energy efficiency.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to solar-thermal receiver tubes for heating high-temperature fluids such as molten salts and oils, such as those used in conjunction with trough reflectors or concentric concentrators. The disclosed invention utilizes fused silica receiver tube assemblies that provide optical absorption by way of optically-absorbing media that is imbedded within the thermal transfer fluid, preferably comprising inorganic “dyes” that comprise pulverized thin film coatings or dissolved materials that are specifically designed for maximizing optical absorption. Alternatively, the chemistry of the transfer fluid can be modified to increase optical absorption, or the optically absorbing media may comprise fine powders with density preferably similar to the thermal transfer fluid, such as fine graphite powder; or, in another preferred embodiment, absorbing means within the heat transfer fluid comprise a solid absorbing element disposed along the central axis of the receiver tube's interior.

Abstract: A solar heater with a primary circuit course in a panel for heating two separate inter connected storage reservoirs.

Abstract: A solar panel comprises a conduit which in the usual way is designed to comprise a heat carrying medium for heat transfer between the solar panel and the surrounding environment. The conduit is placed so that it can be heated by the rays from the sun. The solar panel comprises a chemical heat pump of the type hermetically sealed unity tube with a reactor part, an evaporator/condenser part and a passage there between. The part of the unity tube comprising the reactor part of the chemical heat pump is positioned in heat conducting contact with the first conduit and thereby the part of the unity tube with the reactor part will be heated. The unity tube may be surrounded by a heat insulating part of vacuum jug type comprising an evacuated space between an outer wall and an inner wall. The inner wall may at its outwards facing surface comprise a radiation receiving part adapted to transform solar radiation to heat and which is in heat conducting contact with the first area and the first conduit.

Abstract: A modified heat pipe is provided which moves heat from a relatively elevated location to a relatively depressed location and which utilizes osmosis membranes to enable pumping of working fluid to the vaporizer after it has condensed in the condenser.

Abstract: An overheat protection device (OPD) is implemented independently of the circulating system of a solar thermal collector and isolated from the environment. The system facilitates operation of a solar thermal collector at elevated internal temperatures (versus reducing or ceasing operation above a critical temperature). OPD includes a heat pipe filled with at least two fluids. In a non-heat conducting state, a temperature at an evaporator portion of the heat pipe is below a transition temperature and the dual-fluid includes at least one fluid in a liquid state and at least one fluid in a gaseous state. When the temperature at the evaporator is above the pre-defined transition temperature the OPD undergoes an abrupt transition to a heat conducting state, whereby the dual-fluid transfers heat from the evaporator area to the condenser area, thus transitioning from a state of thermal isolation from an environment to one of strong thermal coupling.

Abstract: A solar collector apparatus with Dewar-type evacuated tubes results in the more efficient collection of solar radiation by, for example, maintaining the level of a volatile liquid flowing into the solar collector so that no more than 80% of the volume of an inner cylinder of a collection tube is filled with liquid and a corresponding manifold collects the vapor produced when heat is transferred from the surface of the inner glass cylinder that absorbs solar radiation to the volatile liquid. The aforementioned apparatus may likewise be used to heat a liquid within an absorber tube, the liquid having a volatile and a non-volatile component. As heat is transferred to the liquid, a fraction of the volatile component is converted to vapor, leaving the liquid more concentrated in the non-volatile component.

Abstract: A solar thermal system comprising at least one solar system including a solar system working fluid flowing therethrough, and a solar receiver for heating the solar system working fluid by solar radiation admitted into the solar receiver, and a thermal energy system in fluid communication with the solar system and receiving the heated solar system working fluid so as to produce thermal energy.

Abstract: A solar collector apparatus with Dewar-type evacuated tubes results in the more efficient collection of solar radiation by, for example, maintaining the level of a volatile liquid flowing into the solar collector so that no more than 80% of the volume of an inner cylinder of a collection tube is filled with liquid and a corresponding manifold collects the vapor produced when heat is transferred from the surface of the inner glass cylinder that absorbs solar radiation to the volatile liquid. The aforementioned apparatus may likewise be used to heat a liquid within an absorber tube, the liquid having a volatile and a non-volatile component. As heat is transferred to the liquid, a fraction of the volatile component is converted to vapor, leaving the liquid more concentrated in the non-volatile component.

Abstract: The invention is related to solar collectors intended to perform technological processes and specifically, to solar collectors used for concentration by evaporation of aqueous solutions. The proposed solar collector concentrates the aqueous solution by combination of heating the upper thin layer of this solution (this heating is accompanied with evaporation a significant part of this layer) and carrying away of the obtained vapors from the internal space of the solar collector by air stream introduced constantly into the internal space. In another version of this invention the obtained vapors are condensing on the surface of cooling water flowing through the solar collector.

Abstract: Solar collectors heat and self pump heat transfer fluid at reduced system pressure without mechanical intervention for heat exchange with hot water in a storage tank. Slugs of hot fluid are pumped by steam bubbles formed in solar collector tubes through an upper manifold and an exit-tube into an upper hot fluid reservoir. Hot fluid flows downward through a heat exchanger at the tank. Cold fluid returns to a lower reservoir. Vapor flows from the upper reservoir and is condensed by cooler water and walls of the lower reservoir. The cool fluid returns from the lower reservoir to a lower manifold supplying the collector tubes. Below ambient pressure is automatically established in the system. When heat build-up increases pressure in the system, fluid flows to a third closed variable volume reservoir. A float valve in the bottom of the third reservoir allows liquid to return to the system when it cools.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sun collector comprising a flat absorber body (1) on or in which one or more absorber channels (17) for the flow of a heat transfer medium are configured. In areas which are not occupied by the one or more absorber channels (17), the absorber body (1) of the present sun collector has penetrable openings (4, 10, 13) for sunlight to pass through. The sun collector therefore provides the double function of a sun collector with a partially transparent sun protection device.

Abstract: This nontracking solar concentrator can be larger than a football field and produce a 20 sun focus. A tank holds panels to collect light and water to guide light to the focus. The tank has a wide field of view that eliminates the need for a sun-tracking mechanism.