Abstract: A solar cooker in the form of a pot with double-walled body and lid configured to collectively constitute a near-hermetic thermal enclosure including a closed, solar radiation-absorbing and heat-retaining vessel surrounded by a vacuum insulation shield encased in a transparent peripheral jacket. The device intercepts solar energy omnidirectionally, and collects and retains it with sufficient efficiency to pasteurize water and cook food without resorting to outside reflectors, refractors, conductors, or insulators, thereby escaping from the dual requirements of solar concentration and orientation that universally govern the construction and operation of existing solar cookers. Freedom from these restrictions enables designs that are inexpensive, simple, compact, lightweight, sturdy, accessible, and applicable in varied geographic, climatic, economic, social, and culinary contexts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reflector (24) for a solar energy collection system (20). The reflector (24) is arranged for diverting light received from solar energy collectors (22). The solar energy collectors (22) are arranged for focusing the collected light to an elongate focal region of the reflector (24) wherein, the light is further diverted away.

Abstract: A solar-powered grill is assembled from a kit which includes a set of generally flat, foldable components, made of an inexpensive material such as cardboard. The grill includes a flexible, reflective sheet, held by a bottom piece and a pair of side panels, to define a generally parabolic curvature. The side panels define slots for mounting a food item in a region into which sunlight will be focused by the reflective sheet. A pair of tabs forms an aiming device, to insure correct orientation of the body of the grill. The orientation may be altered by placement of the body in a different position on a separate base, or by adjusting the height of one end of the base. The grill may be quickly assembled, without the need for tools, and may be discarded after a single use, or may be disassembled for later re-use.

Abstract: A high concentration central receiver system and method provides improved reflectors and a unique heat removal system. The central receiver has a plurality of interconnected reflectors coupled to a tower structure at a predetermined height above ground for reflecting solar radiation. A plurality of concentrators are disposed between the reflectors and the ground such that the concentrators receive reflective solar radiation from the reflectors. The central receiver system further includes a heat removal system for removing heat from the reflectors and an area immediately adjacent the concentrators. Each reflector includes a mirror, a facet, and an adhesive compound. The adhesive compound is disposed between the mirror and the facet such that the mirror is fixed to the facet under a compressive stress.

Abstract: A portable concave reflector assembly having a hub member, a plurality of blade members radiating from the hub member, hub interlocking means for holding each of the blade members in selectively locked and secured relation with respect to the hub member, and blade interlocking means for holding each of the blade members in selectively locked and secured relation with respect to each adjacent one of the blade members. Each one of the blade members is identical in size and shape to each other one of the blade members. Together, the hub member and the blade members of the portable concave reflector assembly form a continuous reflective front face in three hundred and sixty degrees about the hub member. The reflector assembly has a concave, dish-shaped profile that is capable of directing incident radiant and electromagnetic energy to a focal area and has utility as a portable cooking apparatus.

Abstract: Solar cooker of the concentrating type, using Compound Parabolic Concentrator type optics (2, 2′) comprising a box (1), inside which all its accessories and cooking utensils can be carried; the box being essentially made of plastic compatible with the production of complicated curves characteristic of the referred optics. The present invention includes a version in which electrical energy is used as backup for days without sunshine. Its application extends to other areas beyond the cooking of foodstuffs, in particular to the pasteurisation of water, milk and other products and its usage as a drying system.

Abstract: A solar oven that includes a multiple zone concentrator and a diffuse focal zone is disclosed. The solar oven may include at least one element of symmetry. In such a case, the diffuse focal zone substantially aligns with the oven symmetry element. The diffuse focal zone may include a central region and a peripheral region. The multiple zone concentrator has at least one reflective member for directing radiation to a plurality of portions of the diffuse reflective zone. The reflective member has a first reflective zone and a second reflective zone. The first reflective zone may include at least one of zonal element of symmetry offset from the oven symmetry element. Also, the first reflective zone has a profile that captures and directs radiation to at least a portion of the peripheral region of the diffuse focal zone.

Abstract: A collapsible pop-open solar heating system having a heating enclosure with an open configuration and a collapsed configuration. The enclosure is made of substantially opaque flexible fabric having reflective interior surfaces, and it includes a region of transparent flexible material for the passage of light. When placed in an open configuration, the enclosure is shaped so as to reflect and focus light into a focal region in the interior space defined by said enclosure. To facilitate rapid erection, preferred embodiments include a collapsible flexible spring frame contained within at least one sleeve in the fabric enclosure. The sleeve confines the spring frame and when the enclosure is unrestrained, the spring frame urges the enclosure into an open configuration. A door in the enclosure permits placement and removal of heating and cooking vessels in the enclosure.

Abstract: A solar powered bat warmer having a container which has openings for receiving at least one baseball bat. The container has an open side which is covered with plexiglass to accumulate solar rays and the back of the container has a support to angle the plexiglass to receive the sun's rays.

Abstract: A concentrator for focusing solar radiation onto an elongate absorber, comprising a plurality of transverse supports arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction, stabilizing the concentrator in the transverse direction and defining the shape of the concentrator profile, and a thin-walled support structure resting on said transverse supports and having a plurality of adjacent longitudinally extending ribs stabilizing the concentrator in the longitudinal direction. In the transverse direction, the support structure adapts to the curved profile of the transverse supports and forms a light-weight and strong bearing for a reflector plate.

Abstract: A solar energy baking apparatus comprises one or more baking containers for receiving material to be baked or dried; reflectors with respect to the baking containers for reflecting solar energy and collecting and focusing the light on the baking containers; and a driving device for moving the reflectors to locate above or below the baking container. The present device may be used to set the baking temperature and the operating time. Through monitoring the controlling device, two driving devices are controlled respectively for operating the baking container, and for causing the reflectors to move to the lower portion of the baking container for reflecting and collecting solar energy, or rotate to the upper portion of the baking container so as to prevent the solar energy to radiate the baking containers. Thus the baking temperature and time are controlled and the process of baking by solar energy is improved.

Abstract: A solar cooker which has at least one biconvex lens which can concentrate solar rays onto an item to be cooked. In addition, the solar cooker utilizes a series of pulleys to rotate the lens from an angle of 45.degree. on each side of the sun's zenith in order to effectively collect the sun's rays at different times of the day.

Abstract: A solar heat collecting apparatus includes a first, inner glass dome, and a second, larger outer glass dome disposed outwardly from the inner dome. Both of the inner and outer domes have respective inner and outer surfaces and an open end, and an infrared reflective coating is adhered to the inner surface of the outer dome. A solder glass seal joins the open ends of the inner and outer domes together, thereby forming a void between said inner and outer domes. Means are provided for rechargeably forming a vacuum in the void, and an absorber plate is disposed beneath and covered by the inner and outer domes. Solar radiation entering the solar heat collecting apparatus according to the present invention is absorbed by the absorber plate, and transferred to a remote storage system by conventional heat transfer means, such as an array of conduits placed in thermal contact with the absorber plate and containing a suitable fluid.

Abstract: A portable, solar powered golf ball warming device includes a hollow black tube as a warming chamber for golf balls. The black tube has separate elastomer loading and dispensing apertures disposed at opposite ends thereof. The black tube is disposed within a transparent housing which also supports a parabolic reflector shield. The parabolic reflector shield reflects solar energy to thereby warm the black tube. During sunny weather conditions, the device provides continuous heat to modern golf balls including those of two piece construction. The golf balls serially move within the warming device such that ambient air does not breach the warming chamber.

Abstract: This invention reduces a molten salt, solar central receiver's size, pressure loss and cost by using a loose-tight-loose twist, twisted-tape insert inside the receiver's tubes to enhance the tube's heat transfer coefficient. This twist staging is designed to provide a higher heat transfer coefficient in the receiver's central region where the solar flux is high and a reduced pressure loss at the low solar flux entrance and exit end regions. Because the twisted-tape enhances the tube's heat transfer ability it can be made larger in diameter than a smooth bore tube at an equivalent pressure loss. This reduces the number of tubes which results in a substantial reduction in receiver cost.

Abstract: The invention comprises a solar assembly for heating a stove with solar energy. The assembly includes a foundation pipe having an opening. A substantially vertical pipe is positioned in the opening and the vertical pipe is capable of rotation relative to the foundation pipe. A stove is releasably attached to the vertical pole. A downward sloping arm is fixed to the top end of the vertical pole. A vertical adjustment member is slidably positionable on the downward sloping arm. The vertical adjustment member is capable of adjustment in height. A frame supporting a solar lens is pivotally attached to the vertical adjustment member. The vertical adjustment member is used to adjust the frame, and the solar lens, so that the solar lens directs solar energy to the stove. It is also contemplated that a solar panel or solar collector be positioned in place of the solar lens.

Abstract: In an electronic blood pressure measurement device which is arranged to extract pulse waves from the measured cuff pressure, a pulse wave pattern is generated from the pulse wave amplitude and pulse wave interval data and this pulse wave pattern is compared with reference patterns to classify the pattern in order to accurately obtain biological information other than the blood pressure. Blood pressure amplitudes PA(i) are computed from the measured cuff pressures C(i) and a pulse wave pattern is generated (35) on the basis of this pulse wave amplitude data and this pulse wave pattern is classified into a plurality of reference patterns (37) according to reference patterns or reference values (36). Here, the reference patterns or reference values are set as hemodynamic references based on dynamic characteristics of the blood vessel or cardiac output characteristics.

Abstract: A solar energy collector for cooking food or sterilizing liquids or articles is described, which may be fixed in place or portable. The device includes a heating (cooking or sterilization) chamber with a double-walled solar radiation concentrator with an outer transparent wall and an inner radiation absorptive wall, with the walls forming a space therebetween which is partially evacuated, means for retaining the food, liquid or articles within the chamber, an apertured casing attached to and surrounding the concentrator, and a support for the device. There may also be a radiation absorptive coating on the surface of the inner wall facing the evacuated space. Sunlight falling on the concentrator through the casing's aperture generates heat within the chamber to cook food or sterilze the liquid or articles.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting and adjusting a solar oven with respect to the sun, the apparatus having a horizontally disposed main frame and a pair of vertical, spaced apart supports mounted to the main frame, the solar oven being pivotally mounted to the vertical supports; with means to lock the solar oven in a variety of positions with respect to the sun.

Abstract: A system for drying fruits, spices, vegetables and the like comprises a heating compartment having an inlet for introducing a flow of drying gas and heating arrangement for elevating the temperature of the drying gas. A drying compartment is connected to and in communication with the heating compartment for holding the material to be dried. A driving arrangement is disposed in the heating compartment for directing heated drying gas through the heating compartment and into drying relationship with the material to be dried in the drying compartment. An exhaust arrangement is provided in the drying compartment for withdrawing a portion of the spent drying gas and recirculating another portion of the spent drying gas back onto the drying compartment.

Abstract: A power generating system comprises a solar concentrator defining an effectively concave reflective surface on a surface of the earth for concentrating incoming solar energy. A solar collector is disposed in an underground chamber provided with an access opening. The solar collector receives solar energy concentrated by the concentrator and converting the concentrated solar energy to another energy form, generally thermal energy, which is subsequently convertible to electrical power. Directional componentry is provided for directing concentrated solar energy from the concentrator along a predefined folded transmission path through the access opening to the collector.

Abstract: A central solar receiver comprising a housing with a frusto-conical window for the admission of incident concentrated solar radiation, a volumetric solar absorber within the housing surrounding the window, means for the injection of working fluid into contact with the volumetric solar absorber and means for the withdrawal of heated working fluid. The frusto-conical window makes the receiver suitable for operation at elevated pressure.

Abstract: A central solar receiver comprising a housing with a window for the admission of incident concentrated solar radiation, a volumetric solar absorber within the housing comprising a base body holding an array of absorber members spaced from each other and projecting from one face thereof with their free ends facing said window, means for the injection of working fluid into the volumetric solar absorber in flow directions which intersect the absorber members and means for the withdrawal of heated working fluid. The window of the central solar receiver is a tubular frusto-conical body coaxial with the housing, whereby the receiver is adapted for operation at elevated pressure.

Abstract: A cooking panel member formed of a plurality of individual panel reflector plates includes first and second inner rows of individual panel plates hingedly mounted together, with first and second outer rows of panel plates interconnected to the inner rows of plates to provide a completed arcuate member having a concave surface to reflect heat to a cooking vessel.