Abstract: There is provided a water transportation system comprising evaporation zones for converting water into water vapour; condensation zones for condensing the water vapour into condensed water, the condensation zones being in fluid communication with the evaporation zones; water vapour conduits adapted to enable the fluid communication of the water vapour between the evaporation zones and the condensation zones; condensed water conduits adapted to enable the fluid communication of condensed water between the condensation zones and the evaporation zones; wherein the evaporation zones and the condensation zones alternate in position along a water transportation path between a water source site and a water destination site for enabling the transport of water from the water source site to the water destination site through alternating processes of evaporation-condensation and condensation-evaporation of the water.

Abstract: Insulated solar panels that provide a solar thermal collector with means for limiting stagnation temperatures and preventing damage include: temperature limiting is provided by the insulated solar panel, isolating internal components from the environment, using passive closed systems within the sealed solar thermal collector, while also allowing alternative implementations as active systems and/or portions of the temperature limiting system outside the sealed solar thermal collector. A heat pipe can be used as a passive thermal switch, where the temperature induced action at a predetermined temperature causes an abrupt transition from a state of thermal isolation to a state of strong thermal coupling. Additionally, a set of siphon circulation pipes provides a passive closed system for temperature limiting.

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

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiant energy powered water heating methods and apparatus, particularly, to the open-loop solar radiation collection systems. At least one nozzle is directed against a reflection surface facing an evaporation surface to spray at least one jet with reflection to diffuse the fluid within the inner cavity in an atomized plume having the evaporation surface been moisturized by a part of the sprayed fluid and said moisturizing part of the sprayed fluid been sufficiently vaporized or evaporated (see FIG. 3).

Abstract: Insulated solar panels provide that provide a solar thermal collector with means for limiting stagnation temperatures and preventing damage include: temperature limiting is provided by the insulated solar panel, isolating internal components from the environment, using passive closed systems within the sealed solar thermal collector, while also allowing alternative implementations as active systems and/or portions of the temperature limiting system outside the sealed solar thermal collector. A heat pipe can be used as a passive thermal switch, where the temperature induced action at a predetermined temperature causes an abrupt transition from a state of thermal isolation to a state of strong thermal coupling. Additionally, a set of siphon circulation pipes provides a passive closed system for temperature limiting.

Abstract: A solar liquid-heating-and-cooling system (20) includes: 1. a hot-liquid storage-tank (22); 2. a hot-liquid manifold-tank (26); 3. a coaxial heating-and-cooling-tube (24) that connects downward from the hot-liquid storage-tank (22) to the hot-liquid manifold-tank (26); 4. a double layer heating-and-cooling collector-array-panel (32) located beneath the hot-liquid manifold-tank (26), the panel (32) including, connected to the hot-liquid manifold-tank (26) a. an upper layer of glazed heating-tubes (36); and b. a lower layer of unglazed cooling-tubes (56); 5. parabolic-trough mirror reflectors (64) that are located between the upper and lower layers of tubes (36, 56); 6. cold-liquid manifold-tank (92) located below the panel (32) connected to lower ends both of the glazed heating-tubes (36) and of the unglazed cooling-tubes (56); 7. a cold liquid storage tank (98); and 8.

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: This application discloses a heat driven liquid self-circulating device, system and method, means the liquid system formed by said devices according to said method can be circulated automatically to transfer the heat without external pump power. The heat driven self-circulating device for heated liquid which used with a liquid heat collector, comprises an airtight container for containing heated liquid, having a wall to separate its outer and inner spaces; said inner space is filled with heated liquid partially and having a upper air/vapor space above liquid level surface and lower liquid space under liquid level surface; a first inlet, a first outlet, a second inlet and a second outlet arranged on said wall of the container that both first inlet and first outlet are under the liquid level surface in said container, and said first inlet not lower than said first outlet.

Abstract: A solar energy collector produces electricity and heat using an optically transparent vessel containing one or more photovoltaic cells and a liquid that substantially fills the vessel. The vessel has a top with a flat exterior surface and a bottom with a concave exterior surface that is coated on the outside with a reflective material. Solar radiation traveling through the top of the vessel into the liquid and through the bottom strikes the reflective material on the outside of the vessel and is reflected back through the bottom, into the liquid and to a focal line adjacent to the interior surface of the top. Cooled liquid is fed into the vessel through an entry port and heated liquid is removed through an exit port. One or more photovoltaic solar cells are located adjacent to the interior surface of the top aligned with the focal line.

Abstract: A solar water-heating apparatus comprises an outer container sized and configured to receive a smaller inner container. The inner container includes an opening formed in an upright wall and an opening formed in a floor. A gap is located between the two containers. Once the device has been filled with a liquid, the liquid present within the gap may be heated by solar energy. The device may include a valve to prevent unintended flow of the liquid.

Abstract: A system for heating liquid using solar radiation, includes a plurality of solar panels (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), at least one reservoir for heated liquid and pipes for circulating liquid between the respective solar panel and the at least one liquid reservoir, the liquid circulating by gravity circulation. The present system is characterized in that a non-return valve (17) for controlling the flow of heated liquid from the respective solar panel is placed in a portion of the circulation pipe between the upper end of the solar panel and the at least one liquid reservoir, the non-return valve (17) being adapted to open and close at a predetermined pressure in the liquid flow from the solar panel.

Abstract: Insulated solar panels provide that provide a solar thermal collector with means for limiting stagnation temperatures and preventing damage include: temperature limiting is provided by the insulated solar panel, isolating internal components from the environment, using passive closed systems within the sealed solar thermal collector, while also allowing alternative implementations as active systems and/or portions of the temperature limiting system outside the sealed solar thermal collector. A heat pipe can be used as a passive thermal switch, where the temperature induced action at a predetermined temperature causes an abrupt transition from a state of thermal isolation to a state of strong thermal coupling. Additionally, a set of siphon circulation pipes provides a passive closed system for temperature limiting.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solar water-heating-and-cooling system (20) that included a collector array panel (32, 36) having thermosyphon coaxial heating/cooling tubes (52). The disclosed system (20) avoids damaging the collector array panel (32, 36) by filling the tubes (52): 1. only when environmental conditions ensure that damage won't occur,—and/or 2. using a filling method that ensures that damage won't occur. Thermosyphon coaxial heating/cooling tubes (52) disclosed herein may be open both at their upper and lower ends. Tubes (52) that are open at their, lower end enables capturing radiative cooling of liquid present within the tubes (52). A cold water storage tank (46) and cold radiator array (48) included in the water-heating-and-cooling system (20) permits preserving and using the radiative ‘cooling. Also disclosed are coaxial tubes (104, 106) that enable simpler and easier installation of the system (20), and also provide a less architecturally intrusive system (20).

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

Abstract: The invention relates to a solar receiver with natural circulation for generating saturated steam, which uses water/steam as a heat-transfer fluid and includes a combined circuit for fluid recirculation (forced circulation and natural circulation). The system comprises: water-walls which receive the radiation on the surface thereof and inside which the working fluid changes phase; riser pipes through which the water/steam mix exiting the pipes of the receiver rises towards the boiler; downpipes through which the recirculation water descends from the boiler to the receiver; and a support pump in order to increase the incident power in the receiver and start up the plant when necessary.

Abstract: This application discloses a heat driven liquid self-circulating device, system and method, means the liquid system formed by said devices according to said method can be circulated automatically to transfer the heat without external pump power. In one aspect, a heat driven self-circulating device for heated liquid which used with a liquid heat collector is disclosed.

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: A tank for holding water and incorporated into the tank, in at least one wall of the tank, are a plurality of undulating ridges that act as a solar collector. The tank/collector combination is housed in an insulated container with a glass top double glazed for insulation to prevent heat loss from the tank/collector at night, while not interfering with the radiated solar energy reaching the solar collector of the tank/collector. The material of the tank/collector could be a metal, glass, a type of plastic, transparent material or a combination of more than one material. Option to have a plurality of semi-spherical transparent bodies instead of undulating ridges. Option to have more than one tank/collector connected by a metal pipe that is a good heat conductor.

Abstract: An improved thermosiphon solar heater is disclosed. The thermosiphon solar heater includes a substantially planar collector including a plurality of heat exchanger channels that are positioned next to one another in a parallel relationship. The thermosiphoning solar heater also includes a pair of headers fluidly coupled to the collector. A first header is disposed at a top end of the collector. A second header is disposed at a bottom end of the collector. The thermosiphoning solar heater further includes one or more exposed storage tanks fluidly coupled to the header and positioned in a side by side relationship next to the collector.

Abstract: A solar energy system comprises a solar absorber in the form of a solar boiler tank with a lower working liquid region having a liquid inlet and filled with a working liquid capable of boiling under a predetermined pressure, and an upper vapor accumulation region having a vapor outlet for withdrawing from the tank a vapor created in the tank. The system further comprises vapor utilization means associated with the vapor outlet. The solar boiler tank has at least one transparent window to receive and pass towards the working liquid highly concentrated solar radiation. The system also comprises means for controlling the pressure of vapor in the vapor accumulation region to make the working liquid boil at the predetermined pressure.

Abstract: An array of elongated concave parabolic trough-shaped reflectors is disclosed. The orientation of the array is biaxially kept essentially perpendicular to rays of the sun by an optical control such that sunlight is reflected and concentrated along a focal line of each elongated reflector by which (a) water in a tube disposed at the focal line is heated by reflected line focused sunlight impinged thereon and/or (b) line focused reflected sunlight is optically transformed into point focused reflected sunlight using Fresnel lenses from which electricity is generated using solar cells upon which the point focused reflected sunlight is impinged.

Abstract: A solar thermoaccumulator, including a parallel battery of closed-circuit vacuum solar pipes, and provided with a plurality of accumulation bulbs, which are either immersed in a primary conductive fluid that circulates in an annular chamber having an air space, whose internal wall is the containing wall of a reservoir containing a fluid to be heated; or are put in direct thermally conductive contact with tubular tangs that are attached to and inserted in a reservoir, is disclosed. The reservoir may be single reservoir, or may be associated with and sequentially in fluid communication with at least one other upstream, parallel aligned reservoir.

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.

Abstract: A loop counter-thermosyphon heat pipe solar collector includes a capillary in a loop heat pipe. The capillary has a top opening end with a damper attached thereon. Working fluid may be ejected through the top opening end and deflected by the damper and sprayed on the loop heat pipe wall located on a heating side to generate film evaporation for increasing thermal conduction effect. A partition is provided at an bottom opening end of the capillary to separate and balance working fluid to resolve the problem of liquid reversed flow carrying away heat energy at night time.

Abstract: An array of elongated concave parabolic trough-shaped reflectors is disclosed. The orientation of the array is biaxially kept essentially perpendicular to rays of the sun by an optical control such that sunlight is reflected and concentrated along a focal line of each elongated reflector by which (a) water in a tube disposed at the focal line is heated by reflected line focused sunlight impinged thereon and/or (b) line focused reflected sunlight is optically transformed into point focused reflected sunlight using Fresnel lenses from which electricity is generated using solar cells upon which the point focused reflected sunlight is impinged.

Abstract: An array of elongated concave parabolic trough-shaped reflectors is disclosed. The orientation of the array is biaxially kept essentially perpendicular to rays of the sun by an optical control such that sunlight is reflected and concentrated along a focal line of each elongated reflector by which (a) water in a tube disposed at the focal line is heated by reflected line focused sunlight impinged thereon and/or (b) line focused reflected sunlight is optically transformed into point focused reflected sunlight using Fresnel lenses from which electricity is generated using solar cells upon which the point focused reflected sunlight is impinged.

Abstract: A solar energy system comprises a solar absorber in the form of a solar boiler tank with a lower working liquid region having a liquid inlet and filled with a working liquid capable of boiling under a predetermined pressure, and an upper vapor accumulation region having a vapor outlet for withdrawing from the tank a vapor created in the tank. The system further comprises vapor utilization means associated with the vapor outlet. The solar boiler tank has at least one transparent window to receive and pass towards the working liquid highly concentrated solar radiation. The system also comprises means for controlling the pressure of vapor in the vapor accumulation region to make the working liquid boil at the predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device for converting radiation energy into electric power, includes a front side exposed to radiation from a radiation source, a backside; and a cooling unit having a liquid medium, e.g. water, arranged between the front side and the radiation source. The liquid medium is surrounded by an envelope, and forms with the envelope a selective filter allowing passage of radiation useful for the photovoltaic effect and converting the longer wave radiation into hear which is immediately dissipated to substantially prevent heating of the photovoltaic module.

Abstract: An electric water heater has a vertically disposed tank with a cold water inlet, a hot water outlet and at least one horizontally disposed elongated immersion heating element extending into the region of the tank between an upper region and a lower region. Each heating element is surrounded by an elongated closed end tubular sleeve having a plurality of lower openings distributed along the length of the sleeve below the heating element therein and a plurality of upper opening distributed along the length of the sleeve above the heating element. The total area of the upper openings is greater than the area of the lower openings to generate upon operation of the heating element an upwardly directed transverse flow of water in a direction from the lower openings to the upper openings along the entire length of the sleeve. A thermosiphon bypass check valve connected between the cold water inlet and the hot water outlet having a bypass conduit with one or more constrictions and a closure member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed by which the temperature of an enclosure can be prevented from reaching extremely high or extremely low points. The enclosure provides a functional area whose temperature is adjusted by heated or cooled water contained within a water container which is located above the functional area and below the ceiling of the enclosure. The water in the water container is heated or cooled, depending on the desired effect, by exposing the water to atmospheric conditions while passing through a radiator/absorber located on the roof of the enclosure. The radiator/absorber has an inclined configuration, with higher and lower ends. The water passes from the water container to the radiator/absorber and back again to the water container through a pair of conduits. A warm water conduit runs between one end of the water container and the higher end of the radiator/absorber, while a cold water conduit runs between the other end of the water container and the lower end of the radiator/absorber.

Abstract: A solar thermoaccumulator, including a parallel battery of closed-circuit vacuum solar pipes, and provided with a plurality of accumulation bulbs, which are either immersed in a primary conductive fluid that circulates in an annular chamber having an air space, whose internal wall is the containing wall of a reservoir containing a fluid to be heated; or are put in direct thermally conductive contact with tubular tangs that are attached to and inserted in a reservoir, is disclosed. The reservoir may be single reservoir, or may be associated with and sequentially in fluid communication with at least one other upstream, parallel aligned reservoir.

Abstract: The invention provides a low-profile, solar energy powered, thermosyphon-circulated water heater and storage device (10) comprising: a flat, tilted solar radiation absorber panel (12); an insulated hot fluid storage tank (18); a conduit (20) providing fluid communication between a lower area of said absorber panel (12) and said storage tank (18), and a further conduit (22) providing fluid communication between an upper area of said absorber panel (12) and an upper area of said storage tank (18) to complete a thermosyphonic path between said panel sand said tank.

Abstract: To provide a tracking-type solar module capable of high-performance sunlight-tracking with a simple configuration while simultaneously performing highly effective cooling of a solar cell, a solar cell is movably installed within a transparent cooling tube and is connected to a motor with a crank. A position detecting sensor is also installed inside the transparent cooling tube. Sunlight is refracted by a cooling medium filled inside the transparent cooling tube and is converged on the inner surface of the transparent cooling tube. The position detecting sensor detects the position at which sunlight is converged and the sunlight is tracked by the motor moving the solar cell to that position. Simultaneously, the cooling medium inside the transparent cooling tube directly cools the solar cell.

Abstract: A collector core (104) for a solar water-heating-system (100) includes a plurality of heat-absorbing pipes (108) each of which surrounds a cooler-water return-pipe (116). The heating-pipes (108) may connect directly to an insulated hot-water storage-tank (104) from which cooler water descends through the return-pipes (116) into the heating-pipes (108). Upon reaching the end of the return-pipes (116), the cooler water flows outward into the space between the surrounding heating-pipes (108) and the inner return-pipes (116). Upon warming, water between the two pipes (108, 116) rises upward back to the hot-water storage-tank (104) thus completing the thermosyphon flow cycle. Preferably, the inner return-pipe (116) is made of polyvinyl chloride ("PVC"), polybutelene ("PB"), or other compressible material which permits collector core (106) operation both in freezing and non-freezing environments.

Abstract: A heat-pipe type solar collector includes a heat absorber portion adapted to absorb solar energy to evaporate a working fluid in heat tube elements; and a heat release portion communicating with the heat absorber portion and having a body of a semi-annular or annular cross-section. In the daytime, the vaporized working fluid exchanges heat with objects adjacent to the heat release portion. At night when temperature drops, the working fluid flows to the heat absorber portion to allow the body of the heat release portion to generate a vacuum for heat insulating purposes, thereby maintaining the temperature in the water reservoir.

Abstract: A solar water heating system includes a water storage tank to which a hot water outlet pipe and a cold water inlet pipe are connected. A solar-collector unit is mounted below the water storage tank. A downcomer pipe connects the water storage tank and the lower portion of the solar-collector unit. A return pipe connects the upper portion of the solar-collector unit and the water storage tank. A tube member is installed in the water storage tank and interconnects the downcomer pipe and the return pipe. The solar-collector unit, the downcomer pipe, the return pipe, and the tube member form a loop that is filled with deionized water.

Abstract: A solar water heater with integrated storage tank can be filled isothermally with water of which the temperature is freely selected and which, when the tank is full, passes into a thermosiphoning mode. A collector and the storage tank are housed compactly in one flat unit and, because of unpressurized operation, allows easy and economical assembly. Two principles of solar hot-water heating are combined in the invention: primarily cold water is raised to the desired final temperature in ONE PASS through the absorber, thereby achieving good collector efficiencies and rapid response; and, when the storage is full, thermosiphoning circulation sets-in automatically and further heats the storage content and/or compensates for heat losses.

Abstract: A system for coupling a plurality of solar powered bubble pumps in series is described. By controlling the boiling temperature of the circulating fluid contained in the system, the flow of liquid between the units of the series can be balanced and the pressure differential between the first and last units can be used to convert heat energy into kinetic energy by use of an external turbine or electrical generator.

Abstract: A solar energy based domestic hot water system which employs a columnar-type heat exchanger designated as a thermal booster having two columns, through one of which passes extremely warm water coming from the output of a solar collector to prewarm colder water coming from the solar storage tank and passing through the second of which columns, on its way to the conventional electric or gas domestic hot water heater. The thermal booster warms the water in the second column primarily during periods when no hot water faucet in the hot water delivery system is in an actuated condition. Optionally a coil heater exchanger may be disposed in the upper section of the storage tank to warm entering cold water from the cold water inlet source prior to its passage through the second pipe as above on its route to the domestic hot water heater. Operation of the system requires minor modification of the domestic hot water heater of the system at its input pipe and by the inclusion of an extra value controlled outlet.

Abstract: An electric water heater has a vertically disposed tank with a cold water inlet, a hot water outlet and at least one horizontally disposed elongated immersion heating element extending into the region of the tank between an upper region and a lower region. Each heating element is surrounded by an elongated closed end tubular sleeve having a plurality of lower openings distributed along the length of the sleeve below the heating element therein and a plurality of upper opening distributed along the length of the sleeve above the heating element. The total area of the upper openings is greater than the area of the lower openings to generate upon operation of the heating element an upwardly directed transverse flow of water in a direction from the lower openings to the upper openings along the entire length of the sleeve. A thermosiphon bypass check valve connected between the cold water inlet and the hot water outlet having a bypass conduit with one or more constrictions and a closure member.

Abstract: A collector core for a solar water-heating-system includes a plurality of heat-absorbing pipes each of which surrounds a cooler-water return-pipe. The heating-pipes may connect directly to an insulated hot-water storage-tank from which cooler water descends through the return-pipes into the heating-pipes. Upon reaching the end of the return-pipes, the cooler water flows outward into the space between the surrounding heating-pipes and the inner return-pipes. Upon warming, water between the two pipes rises upward back to the hot-water storage-tank thus completing the thermosyphon flow cycle. Preferably, the inner return-pipe is made of polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”), polybutelene (“PB”), or other compressible material which permits collector core operation both in freezing and non-freezing environments. Alternatively, the collector core may be added to an existing solar water-heating panel to improve its operation.