Abstract: A rotating-air-compressor moves ambient-air into a solar-smelter, which heats and compresses the ambient-air for a wind-chimney. Located in the wind-chimney is a rotating-helix that captures the ambient-air creating rotational energy. An over-spin-valve controls the velocity of the ambient-air to prevent over spinning of the rotating-helix. A rotating-shaft drives a rotating-machine. Attached to a parabolic-half-shell is a parabolic-overhang protecting a crucible in the solar-smelter from rain and wind.

Abstract: Invented is a solar smelter that also manufactures hot air or hot fluids. A curved parabolic-half-shell and curved-overhang focuses the sun's rays, sunlight, unto a crucible, which is buried into a thermal-mass, or the ground. Using a planar-reflector, or heliostat, the sunlight is reflected horizontally unto an interior reflective wall of the curved parabolic-half-shell and curved-overhang. Surrounding the crucible is a thermal-mass with embedded pipes, that manufacture hot and compress air, or heat a gas or fluid. On top of the thermal-mass is a clear transparent-and-insulating floor that captures any stray solar rays, sunlight, adding heat to the thermal-mass. At the foci of the parabolic-half-shell and curved-overhang is a crucible for melting rocks, sand, glass or metals, or processing chemicals.

Abstract: A concentrating solar energy device for use in buildings is configured to share structural elements with a building for cost savings. The device incorporates a shallow cylindrical trough mirror comprising mirrored sheets that are conformed to curved rafters, a receiver that is moveable within the cumulative area of focus of the cylindrical trough mirror, a secondary mirror integrated with the receiver that augments solar energy collection, and parallel linear tracking assemblies that move the receiver and that mount to a building's side walls.

Abstract: A solar collector system is provided that comprises an absorber tube, a primary reflector, and a secondary reflector. In certain embodiments, the primary and secondary reflectors are positioned on opposing sides of the absorber tube, such that their respective focal points converge upon a longitudinal axis of the absorber tube. The secondary reflector may be configured with a substantially transparent surface facing away from the absorber tube, so as to permit passage of light beams there-through. Opposing surfaces of the secondary and primary reflectors, namely those facing substantially toward the absorber tube contain a reflective coating thereon to facilitate redirection of light beams toward the absorber tube. The solar collector system includes in certain embodiments a frame assembly, whereby the primary reflector, the secondary reflector, and the absorber tube are all configured to unitarily rotate about a common pivot axis defined by at least a portion of the frame assembly.

Abstract: A system may include an optical element including a surface defining a recess, conductive material disposed within the recess, and a solder mask disposed over a portion of the conductive material. The solder mask may define an aperture through which light from the optical element may pass. Some aspects provide creation of an optical element including a surface defining a recess, deposition of conductive material on the surface such that a portion of the deposited conductive material is disposed within the recess, and substantial planarization of the surface to expose the portion of the conductive material disposed within the recess.

Abstract: Melting metals using the sun's energy is not new, but is new is making the technology ergonomic, and easy to use. Invented is a half-circular-planar-reflector with a cut-a-way-triangle, hinged and attached a half-shell-parabolic-reflector. When the sun is overhead, the sun's energy reflects off the flat half-circular-planar-reflector to a half-shell-parabolic-dish-reflector, which redirects the sun's energy to a crucible for smelting metals, which is also the focus of the sun's energy. The entire assembly rotates on top of a turntable, which can be steel wheel, floating on compressed air, bicycle wheels, or other suitable methods. The entire assembly rotates about a crucible located at the focal of the sun's energy. A smaller version of the smelter can be used for solar cooking.

Abstract: A solar energy device includes a first prism with a dichroic surface and a reflective surface opposite the dichroic surface. A first solar cell is positioned to receive light rays passing through the dichroic surface. A second solar cell positioned to receive light rays from the reflective surface.

Abstract: An example space-based power generation panel arrangement includes a first reflective panel and at least one heat pipe configured to communicate thermal energy to the first reflective panel and a second reflective panel. The heat pipe is configured to hinge the first reflective panel to the second reflective panel.

Abstract: In a reflector dish, a small quantity of elongate mirror-surfaced reflector panels are structurally integrated with a support framework that is configured to enable convenient shipping and on-site assembly and erection of a reflector dish assembly with an effective reflecting surface that closely approximates a desired parabolic dish shape with short focal length, synthesized from combination of the reflector panels originally procured as flat rectangular sheet metal panels and formed to provide the desired dish curvature. The panels can be conveniently shipped to location along with a corresponding quantity of reinforced crescent-shaped support frames to which the panels are made to attach as structural elements, by novel attachment hardware, for erection at the operational site.

Abstract: Invented is a solar smelter that also manufactures hot air or hot fluids. A curved parabolic-half-shell focuses the sun's rays unto a crucible, which is buried into the ground. Using a heliostat, the sunlight is reflected horizontally unto an interior reflective wall of the curved parabolic-half-shell. Surrounding the crucible is a thermal-mass with embedded pipes, that manufacture hot and compressed air, or heated gas or fluid. On top of the thermal-mass is a clear transparent-and-insulating-glazing that captures any stray solar rays, adding heat to the thermal-mass. At the foci of the parabolic-half-shell is a crucible for melting rocks, sand, glass or metals, or processing chemicals.

Abstract: The invention discloses a solar concentrator that offers a low-cost option dimensioned for supplying energy to a household. The rays of the sun are reflected and concentrated to a point focus by a combination of fixed and movable reflectors, and the heat concentrated in that manner is directed to a stationary remote absorber from where it is used to generate energy to supply the house. A plurality of safety stoppers and barriers prevent accidental misdirection of the concentrated beam. The shape and geometric arrangement of the fixed portion of the reflector array is designed so that the average amount of light received by the stationary remote absorber is maximized for all solar positions within the system's working range.

Abstract: A solar collection apparatus includes a housing with a first opening, a second opening, and a partially-mirrored floor. The device includes fins with first and second end segments and curved bodies. Both sides of the fin bodies have the same curvature, and both sides are mirrored. The curved bodies of the fins all have the same curvature. The floor and the second end segments of the fins together define a light pipe. Light impinging on the first opening of the housing is directed into the light pipe by reflection between adjacent faces of adjacent fins. The second end segments of the fins prevent the light within the light pipe from exiting the light pipe in the first direction. Light within the light pipe exits the light pipe at the second opening, where it may be stored, or may be directed to a solar energy device such as a solar cell, turbine, or vehicle heater.

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. (123 words).

Abstract: Melting metals using solar energy is not new, but is new is making the technology ergonomic, and easy to use. Invented is a half-shell-parabolic-dish reflector, which has in front an adjustable flat planar reflector. When the sun is overhead, the sunlight reflects off the flat planar reflector to a half-shell-parabolic-dish, which redirects the light to a crucible for smelting metals, which is also the focus of the sunlight. The entire assembly rotates on top of a turntable, which can be steel wheel, floating on compressed air, bicycle wheels, or other suitable methods. The entire assembly rotates about a crucible located at the focal of the sun's rays. A smaller version of the smelter can be used for solar cooking.

Abstract: A device for focusing reflected light from a trough reflector onto a focal point in a longitudinal direction is disclosed. The device includes a focusing device disposed on a focal line of the trough reflector, the focusing device forming a longitudinal focal point with high light intensity in overlapping relationship to a transverse focus point provided by the trough reflector.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an absorber element for solar high-temperature heat generation. The absorber element includes a light focusing unit, an outer tube composed of a translucent material and an absorber which is arranged in the absorber element. The absorber is surrounded by at least one reflector channel having an opening gap. A focal line of the light focusing unit lies on a center axis of the outer tube and the absorber does not lie on the center axis of the outer tube. The opening gap of the at least one reflector channel, through which the solar rays fall on the absorber, lies on the center axis of the outer tube, and hence on the focal line.

Abstract: A method and high concentration central receiver system provide 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 compressive stresses.

Abstract: A solar radiation collection and distribution system includes a solar collection system which includes a primary reflector, a secondary reflector and a planar reflector. The focal points of the primary and secondary reflectors are offset by the same number of degrees, and the primary and secondary reflectors are rigidly fixed in an assembly such that their focal points lie along a common optical axis. The assembly is pivotable in elevation and rotatable in azimuth such that the primary reflector continuously tracks the sun. A pivotable planar reflector, which reflects downwardly the beam from the secondary reflector, pivots at one-half the angular rate at which the assembly pivots. This beam consists essentially of sunlight and is maintained in a substantially constant orientation independent of assembly elevation and azimuth.

Abstract: A solar concentrator includes high concentrating reflective or refractive optics concentrating collected solar light along a first axis and includes spectrum splitting reflective or refractive optics splitting collected solar light along a second axis for illuminating photovoltaic solar panels with spectrum split light having a plurality of frequency components respectively illuminating horizontally aligned subarrays of cells of associated bandgaps forming a panel matrix of cells for high concentration spectrum splitting solar power collection for efficient solar power conversion.

Abstract: Solar energy receiver having two or more regions for acceptance of solar radiation, and a means for splitting the solar radiation into two or more wavelength bands. A different band of radiation is incident upon each of the regions. At least one of the regions includes a means, such as a filter, to substantially prevent radiation having a wavelength longer than that incident on the region from leaving the region.

Abstract: Device for heating with solar energy, which device contains at least one mirror construction (1) which is mounted on a frame (3) in a movable manner and which be directed towards the sun, and at least one collector (4) extending parallel to the mirror construction (1) in order to collect the solar radiation reflected by the mirror construction (1), characterized in that the mirror construction (1) contains a number of almost flat mirror strips (2) extending next to one another in the longitudinal direction of the collector (4) and which are each provided on the frame (3) such that they can rotate around their longitudinal direction, whereas the collector (4) is stationary in relation to the frame (3), whereby the mirror strips (2) are situated in an almost horizontal plane with their axes of rotation, whereby the device contains means (16) to rotate the mirror strips (2) and the mirroring surface of the mirror strips (2) such that the solar rays coming in on said surface can be reflected towards the collector

Abstract: A double reflecting solar concentrator utilizing a primary reflective surface which reflects incident light toward a secondary surface. The incident light reflects off the secondary surface away from the primary surface's natural focus point toward a secondary focal point positioned on or substantially near the surface of the primary reflective surface.

Abstract: A double reflecting solar concentrator utilizing a primary parabolic reflective surface which reflects incident light toward a secondary surface. The incident light reflects off the secondary surface away from the primary parabolic surface's natural focus point toward a secondary focal point positioned on or substantially near the surface of the primary parabolic reflective surface.

Abstract: A device for directing a defined light beam onto a photosensitive area, for testing the performance of a photovoltaic module including said photosensitive area, comprising a support structure (1) which can be turned about a vertical central axis (4) in accordance with the actual azimuthal sun position. Housing (7) receives the photovoltaic module with the photosensitive area (6) of said module in a horizontal position, the housing being located in the lower portion of the support structure. A first mirror (2) which can be tilted about a horizontal axis (3) in order adapt its position continuously to the sun elevation position and to optimize the sun light impact thereon, and a second mirror (5) is fixed to the support structure (1) vertically above the photosensitive area (6) of the module and receives the light beam from the first mirror (2) for reflexion towards said area (6).

Abstract: The solar concentrator system includes a generally parabolic-shaped primary reflector having a flat region at the center thereof, so that the focus of the primary reflector is a ring about the center axis of the reflector, in the plane of the rim thereof. A receiver, in the shape of an inverted, truncated cone, is positioned so that the peripheral surface of the receiver is approximately coincident with the ring focus. Solar cells are positioned in lines on the peripheral surface of the receiver. Prefilter tubular secondary concentrator elements are positioned just in front of the lines of solar cells, providing an additional focusing capability and improving the concentration of the solar rays, while being spaced sufficiently that the unilluminated areas between the lines of solar cells can accommodate electrical interconnectors.

Abstract: A directing and concentrating solar energy collector with a concentrating reflector and one or more cooperating directing reflectors concentrates solar radiation to a substantially narrow and straight line of concentration. The directing reflectors, being perpendicular to the concentrating reflector, confine the zones of concentration at the line of concentration. A stationary optimizing energy converter having multiple energy conversion sections receives the concentrated radiation, converts part of it to electricity, with another part to thermal energy. A building includes multiple collectors in an energy collection system, with one variation of the collectors used under a transparent roof and another inside a transparent wall. The concentrating reflector is provided either with single axis tracking, or with no tracking at all, enabling different installations and having different advantages.

Abstract: A radiant energy collecting apparatus for collecting and concentrating solar energy having a primary parabolic reflector which focuses the sun's rays on a focal line and has a principal axis passing through the focal line and a secondary concentrating assembly located adjacent the focal line of the primary reflector. The secondary concentrating assembly, includes a pair of planar reflectors arranged on opposite sides of the principle axis of the primary reflector and a series of secondary parabolic reflectors between the planar reflectors, the secondary parabolic reflectors having focal lines which extend normal to the planar reflectors and to the principal axis of the primary reflector. The secondary reflectors are mounted for rotation about their focal lines and concentrate energy on targets extending along their focal lines.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns various improvements in a solar energy plant of the kind in which incoming solar radiation is concentrated by a Fresnel reflector, i.e. a field of concentrating mirrors, and the concentrated radiation is focused into a solar receiver. By one improvement a dielectric mirror is provided at a suitable level above the solar collector, to reflect the concentrated solar radiation into the collector. By another disclosed improvement a plurality of non-imaging secondary concentrators arranged in concentric zones is provided intermediary between the dielectric mirror and receiver. By yet another improvement the solar receiver is directly attached to a heat storage system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solar electric power system that utilizes multiple reflectors to concentrate sun light onto a panel of photovoltaic (PV) cells. The power system, consisting of multiple reflectors, mounted PV cells, and a heat dissipation component, is mounted on a tracker that keeps the system directed to the sun. A noteworthy feature of this system is its designed-in capability of being retrofitted with advanced reflectors, PV components, and heat dissipation components during the system's multi-year operating life. The common axes design feature of the system allows for low cost materials and manufacturing concepts. The system can operate on either a single or a dual axis tracker with active or passive cooling.

Abstract: A light guidance system for the illumination of an interior area with a light deflection device which reflects daylight coming from outside of the interior area as well as artificial light coming from inside of the interior area. The light deflection device comprises several elements disposed parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another such that light from outside of the interior area can penetrate through the space into the interior area, and each of said several elements has at least one reflector surface and is impervious to light.

Abstract: A polar column solar collector for use in association with a building, the system having a concave mirror located on the exterior of the building and defining a focal point and a central axis, a mounting column secured to the mirror coaxial therewith, a polar axis column, a hinge swingably connecting the mounting column to the polar axis column for moving the concave mirror to aim it directly at the sun at least over a predetermined period of the daylight hours, a secondary reflector located at the focal point of the concave mirror to receive the sun's rays reflected from the concave mirror, an opening in the concave mirror to receive a concentrated beam of the sun's rays reflected from the secondary reflector and to direct the beam along the mounting column, a third reflector movably located at the junction of the mounting column and the polar axis column to receive the concentrated beam of the sun's rays from the secondary reflector reflected through the opening, and to redirect it along the polar axis colu