Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a parabolic trough concentrator to harness the sun's energy. The parabolic trough concentrator 5 comprises a trough concentrator structure 6, two semi-rigid reflecting sheets 50, a receiver 60, a support stand 80 and a telescopic mechanism 90. The parabolic trough concentrator 5 is designed to have a large reflecting surface area when it is in its extended state, and have a very compact footprint when it is disassembled, folded and collapsed to its retracted state.

Abstract: A dual cooking mode barbecue grill includes a grill body which defines an open top cooking chamber, a cooking shelf for supporting food to be cooked and located above the open top cooking chamber, and a rotatable cooking unit located inside the open top cooking chamber. The rotatable cooking unit has a first cooking mode and a second cooking mode. The first and second cooking modes are alternatively selected by rotating the rotatable cooking unit with respect to the grill body.

Abstract: A solar oven designed for year-round use is readily-accessible and easy to use by simply removing a protective oven cover. The solar oven replicates the mainstream cook's current pattern with standard stoves, requiring little set-up or storage. Access to the solar oven is from the front and solar heat is stored in an upper oven chamber. By changing the solar oven chamber above the door, heat remains in the trapezoidal-pyramid cover during transfers and condensation is reduced to a minimum. By raising and lowering the floor, the solar oven allows the gasketed oven chamber to perform food cooking while being protected to prevent loss of heat. The solar oven remains available in all weather, does not fade in color and is attractive to most mainstream cooks.

Abstract: A solar concentrator assembly includes a tripod, a base, a reflective dish, a receptacle, and a thermoelectric module or a heat transfer module. The tripod includes legs and a top tripod connector coupled to top portions thereof. The base includes a rod coupled to the tripod; a bottom support structure coupled to the rod; a top support structure coupled to the bottom support structure; an extension coupled to the bottom support structure and the top support structure; and a cap with recesses mounted to the top support structure. The reflective dish includes support rods received within the recesses; a pliable material forms panels, wherein the support rods are inserted into seams between the panels; and a reflective material disposed on the pliable material. The receptacle is connected to the base and disposed within the reflective dish. The thermoelectric module or the heat transfer module is partially disposed within the receptacle.

Abstract: A foldable solar energy collector has a base and a panel body. The base has an elevatable telescopic shaft mounted thereon. The panel body has a bottom board and multiple side panels pivotally mounted around a perimeter of the bottom board. Two foldable panels are respectively and pivotally mounted on two edges of each side panel. A link assembly is pivotally mounted between the panel body and the telescopic shaft and has multiple inside and outside links pivotally connected to each other. One end of each inside link away from a corresponding outside link is pivotally mounted on the telescopic shaft. One end of each outside link away from a corresponding inside link is pivotally mounted between adjacent two of the foldable panels. When the telescopic shaft is elevated, the link assembly is pulled to drive the panel body to unfold or fold, rendering convenience in operation and storage.

Abstract: An improved solar concentrating system (100) uses a two-stage arrangement of mirrors wherein the rays of the sun are reflected and concentrated to a point focus. The solar concentrator (100) may be used to increase the temperature of a substance such as metal, for use in a variety of applications including the melting of metals in a foundry furnace. The solar concentrating system (100) comprises at least two single-curved parabolic mirrors (10, 20) connected in an operable arrangement. The rays of the sun are reflected from a first single-curved parabolic mirror (10) to a second single-curved parabolic mirror (20). The plane of symmetry of the second single-curved parabolic mirror is arranged substantially orthogonal to the plane of symmetry of the first single-curved parabolic mirror thereby concentrating the rays of the sun to a point focus.

Abstract: A curved surface structure for reflecting solar light, heat or electromagnetic radiation is made by scoring two opposing pairs of curved bend lines along one pair of opposing edges of a sheet of bendable material, dividing it into a center section joined by curved bend lines to curved ribs, joined by curved bend lines to respective curved edges; bending the curved ribs down and curved edges up along the bend lines to nominally right angles to form a curved surface supported by two curved ribs and two curved edges. Two straight ribs and respective straight edges may be scored and formed on the other pair of opposing edges of the sheet. A backside sheet may be applied to the four edges. A widthwise corrugated, elongate right angle reinforcement member may be employed for strengthening the formed bend lines.

Abstract: Developed is a solar cooker with triangle reflective sides. Above and below are two movable solar reflecting panels that can be adjusted to focus light onto a frying pan using a glass lid, an insulating pad, and a surrounding plastic bag to trap solar light for cooking. The triangle reflective sides are used also to adjust and support the two movable solar reflecting panels via movable pegs. In the corners adjacent to the triangle sides, back reflective plate and reflective floor plate is an invented reflective-tilted-equilateral-triangle-plate with each of the three angles at 60 degrees in all three horizontal and vertical dimensions, to capture and reflect light towards the solar cooking area dishware. At night the entire solar cooker can be folded down to form a storage space. The entire solar cooker is foldable for shipping.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to concentrating solar radiation using an assembly of at least one clear and one reflective film that inflates into a shape reflecting parallel rays of light to a concentrated focus in the interior or immediate proximity of the assembly. Embodiments of the present invention can be assembled in a substantially flat stack with bonds or welds between the films, compatible with conventional high-throughput film manufacturing processes. Embodiments in accordance with the present invention may employ external circumferential rings or a “harness” assembly to support and point the balloon against wind forces and the like without severe stress localization. Embodiments in accordance with the present invention may also employ film attachments to facilitate feedthroughs, reduce stress concentrations, and modify the inflated shape. Embodiments in accordance with the present invention may also employ film modifiers, including laminated films, adhesives, printing, etc.

Abstract: Developed is a solar cooker with triangle reflective sides. Above and below are two movable solar reflecting panels, that can be adjusted to focus light onto an invented frying pan using a glass lid, an insulating pad, and a surrounding plastic bag to trap solar light for cooking. The triangle reflective sides are used also to adjust and support the two movable solar reflecting panels via movable pegs. In the corners adjacent to the triangle sides, back reflective plate and reflective floor plate is an invented reflective equilateral triangle, to capture and reflect light towards the solar frying pan assembly. At night the entire solar cooker can be folded down to form a storage space. The entire solar cooker is foldable for shipping.

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 central solar receiver comprises an axisymmetric housing having front and rear ends and having an aperture at the front end, an elongated tubular window mounted in the aperture co-axially with the housing, a volumetric solar absorber disposed within the housing and extending around and along the elongated window for absorbing solar radiation that has passed therethrough; and working fluid ingress and egress formed in the housing so as to, respectively, inject thereto, and withdraw therefrom, a pressurized working fluid in a manner enabling the working fluid interaction with the volumetric absorber. The window has an open front end which is secured to the housing at the front end thereof, and a closed rear end which is disposed adjacent the rear end of the housing and is free of any securing thereto.

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 central solar receiver comprises an axisymmetric housing having front and rear ends and having an aperture at the front end, an elongated tubular window mounted in the aperture co-axially with the housing, a volumetric solar absorber disposed within the housing and extending around and along the elongated window for absorbing solar radiation, that has passed therethrough; and working fluid ingress and egress formed in the housing so as to, respectively, inject thereto, and withdraw therefrom, a pressurized working fluid in a manner enabling the working fluid interaction with the volumetric absorber. The window has an open front end which is secured to the housing at the front end thereof, and a closed rear end which is disposed adjacent the rear end of the housing and is free of any securing thereto.

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 cooking device cooks food by using solar radiation, charcoal or similar solid burnable fuels, heating candles, gas, or electricity. The cooker includes a base and solar reflectors along opposite sides of the base. The reflectors pivot with respect to the base to focus solar radiation along an axis extending parallel to the reflectors. Food is supported along or adjacent the axis for cooking. A grate within the base supports charcoal or similar fuels and a gas burner and electric heating element are also supported by the base for use in cooking. A container can be mounted within the base for holding food to be cooked.

Abstract: An improved affordable, rugged, but light-weight box-oven-type solar cooker with the ability to overcome the recognized prior art limitations, such as: difficulty in achieving cooking temperatures in morning, evening and winter; restriction in reflector adjustment; heat loss through glazier cover; the inability to produce high temperatures in a short period of time and, more importantly, the inability of heat storage to continue cooking after sundown. The cooker assembly comprises a revolutionary round or hemispherical shaped cooking chamber (16) allowing the maximum amount of sunlight to cover its inner surface, creating a higher and more even heat distribution for cooking; an unhinged reflector frame (30) is pivotally mounted by arms (38R; 38L) to the housing (10) and can adjust through a 360.degree. angle. With this unlimited mobility the sun's rays can be focused into the cooking chamber (16) substantially at any angle of the sun's position regardless of time of day, or geographic location.