Abstract: Ceramic particles for use in a solar power tower and methods for making and using the ceramic particles are disclosed. The ceramic particle can include a sintered ceramic material formed from a mixture of a ceramic raw material and a darkening component comprising MnO as Mn2+. The ceramic particle can have a size from about 8 mesh to about 170 mesh and a density of less than 4 g/cc.

Abstract: Apparatus for retaining a glass panel, comprising: an anchor member for attaching to a wall and including a channel into which an edge of the glass panel will extend and a header member for fitting into abutment to the anchor member and including a channel for retaining an edge of the glass panel.

Abstract: A cooling module for a photovoltaic unit, whereby a core is provided which is in the form of a panel-type 3D fabric, is designed as a knitted fabric spacer and can be penetrated by a fluid.

Abstract: Ceramic particles for use in a solar power tower and methods for making and using the ceramic particles are disclosed. The ceramic particle can include a sintered ceramic material formed from a mixture of a ceramic raw material and a darkening component comprising MnO as Mn2+. The ceramic particle can have a size from about 8 mesh to about 170 mesh and a density of less than 4 g/cc.

Abstract: A solar collector device is provided. The solar collector device includes an evacuated tube and a mini-channel tube mounted within the evacuated tube, the mini-channel tube comprising a first plurality of ports for inflow of a heat-transfer fluid and a second plurality of ports for outflow of the heat-transfer fluid to a heat exchange system. The mini-channel tube may have a hydraulic diameter in a range of approximately 3 millimeters to approximately 200 micrometers. The mini-channel tube may have a hydraulic diameter in a range of approximately 200 micrometers to approximately 10 micrometers.

Abstract: A solar panel has a plurality of heat collecting manifold, a water inlet tube and a water outlet tube that are formed as one body by plastic molding, so that the heat collecting manifold can be vertically arranged between the water inlet tube and water outlet tube, and connected therewith. The solar panel is also formed as one body by plastic molding, so a rib piece can be used to connect between the collecting manifold. In one embodiment, when the collecting manifold of the solar panel is formed, every sectional surface of the collecting manifold can be formed as hexagonal or octagonal, so every sectional surface thereof can be used as a force-receiving portion. Also, one side of the rib piece has a recessed portion to enable the other side thereof to relatively protrude to form a resilient portion, and the recessed portion and resilient portion are all V-shaped.

Abstract: A solar collector has a polygonal top panel forming a top face and having at least three edges, a similarly polygonal bottom panel forming a bottom face directed away from the top face and fitted congruently to the top panel to form a flow passage extending between the faces, and at least four connectors projecting from at least three of the edges.

Abstract: A solar energy collecting system and method suitable for hot water generation using solar energy. The system includes multiport tubes between inlet and outlet manifolds. The tubes are formed of a metallic material, each tube has oppositely-disposed first and second flat surfaces between lateral edges thereof, longitudinally-opposed first and second ends, and multiple fluid channels between the first and second ends that are in fluidic parallel to each other. The inlet and outlet manifolds are coupled to the first and second ends of the tubes so that chambers within the inlet and outlet manifolds are fluidically connected to the fluid channels of the multiport tubes. During operation of the system, a fluid flowing through the fluid channels of the tubes is heated by direct solar radiation impinging the first flat surfaces of the tubes and optionally by reflected solar radiation impinging the second flat surfaces of the tubes.

Abstract: An improved low-pressure, water-heating solar panel provides easier and safer initial installation because it is more resistant to damage by workmen during that installation. Further, after installation, the solar panel is more resistant to damage by high winds because it has a low profile and does not present a gap or space into which high winds can intrude to lift, cause flapping of, and damage to the solar panel. Also, during freezing weather the improved solar panel is not damaged by freezing of retained water due to its novel internal construction which allows substantially all water to completely drain from the solar panel and prevents any puddling of retained water. Methods of manufacturing the improved solar panel are disclosed.

Abstract: An insulation system for use in a greenhouse, comprising at least one insulation panel adapted to be mounted in the ceiling of a greenhouse, and means to move the at least one panel from a closed position to an open position, whereby when the panel or panels are closed, air below the panels remains in the area of the greenhouse below the panels, and when the panel or panels are open, air below the panels can move to a space in the greenhouse above the panels.

Abstract: A flexible solar absorbing means, which can be one or more extruded or molded plastic or rubber oval tubes which may or may not be connected to each other at the edges by a small webbing; communicating with a rounding connection adapter means communicating with a distribution and collecting header means which can be connected as separate parts or molded as a unit; communicating with the remainder of the solar systems, mounting, piping, pumping, control and storage means as well as frame and glazing means where appropriate.

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 heating apparatus for assisting in the curing of concrete includes a heater and pump for providing a supply of heated fluid to a network of tubing arranged on the back or non-working side of a concrete form. The heated fluid is used to maintain a desired temperature of the curing concrete to reduce the cure time and/or accelerate the strength gain of the curing concrete. In an alternative embodiment, a heated concrete blanket includes a flexible sheet material on the back side of which is arranged a network of tubing through which heated fluid is distributed. The flexible blanket is used to cover curing concrete and regulate the temperature adjacent to the curing concrete. In both embodiments, insulating material may be used to cover the network of tubing on the back side of the apparatus to prevent undesired heat loss.

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: A solar heat exchange system is disclosed which includes a header or manifold conduit which includes multiple radially disposed apertures therein. A flexible elastomeric mat which includes multiple elongate tubular elements is then mated to the conduit. Each tubular element includes an exterior wall having an octagonal cross-section such that multiple longitudinally disposed flat surfaces are provided, each capable of reflecting non-absorbed solar radiation onto an adjacent tubular element, greatly enhancing the heating efficiency of a solar heat exchange system utilizing this mat. In an alternate embodiment of the mat each tubular element includes an exterior wall having an octagonal cross section and one or more of the upper surfaces of the octagonal cross section include a number of mutually perpendicular facets, such that solar radiation reflected from each facet is reflected onto an adjacent facet.