Abstract: Structural wall panels and methods and systems for controlling the interior temperature of a building are provided. The structural wall panels advantageously include a fluid conduit disposed within an interior concrete layer of the structural wall panel where the conduit is adapted to convey a thermal transfer fluid through the interior concrete layer. A thermal insulation layer is provided between the first concrete layer and a second concrete layer, which can be disposed on an exterior surface of the wall. The thermal transfer fluid can be heated and/or cooled to regulate the temperature of the interior concrete layer and thereby control the temperature of the interior of the building. The first concrete layer can have a high thermal mass to increase the efficiency of the system.

Abstract: A hot water circulating system capable of constantly ensuring smooth and effective supply of water from an open tank to a water boiler without causing an air lock phenomenon irrespective of a variation in operating conditions of the system. In the hot water circulating system, a connection pipe is arranged between the open tank and a second communication pipe for interconnecting the water boiler and a radiator so as to directly feed water of a low temperature from the open tank to the second communication pipe.

Abstract: A hot water circulating system capable of decreasing energy loss, increasing the amount of hot water to be circulated per unit time and reducing time required for each circulating cycle. The system includes a valve opened at the start of emptying of water out of a water boiler to supply water from an open tank to the water boiler. The water boiler is divided into a heated section and a hot water receiving section arranged above and communicated with the heated section.

Abstract: A hot water circulating system capable of increasing the amount of hot water to be circulated in each circulating cycle, decreasing energy loss and improving heat efficiency. The system includes an emptiness detecting switch which is adapted to detect start of emptying of water out of a water boiler being heated to a radiator. The switch is operatively connected directly or indirectly to an on-off valve so that the valve may be opened to flow water from an open tank to the water boiler when the switch detects start of the emptying.

Abstract: A device for passively transporting heat in any direction, particularly downwards, from a heat source to a heat sink, which device comprises a boiler for heating a working fluid, a container for condensing vapor of the heated working fluid, means for transferring the said vapor from the boiler to the condenser, and means for transferring the working fluid from the condenser to the boiler, the said working fluid being compelled from the condenser to the boiler, when the device is in use, by expansion of a compressible medium stored in the condenser, which medium is additionally compressed by the vapor of the working fluid when the device is in use.In one embodiment the heat source for the boiler or the boiler itself is a solar collector.

Abstract: A boiler tank (1) for a hot-water heating system comprises first (2) and second (7) partitions, defining first (4), second (9), and third (10) chambers. Inlet (6) and outlet (6') pipes communicate with the second chamber, a transfer conduit (3) intercommunicates the first and second chambers, and an opening (8) intercommunicates the second and third chambers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for heating and storing a fluid contain the fluid in a heat insulated space and prepare by heating of a heat transfer medium in a first region located at a distance from that space a vapor having a certain pressure and being condensable through transfer of heat to the contained fluid. A second region of a pressure lower than the mentioned vapor pressure is provided by heat transfer to the contained fluid in the mentioned space. The vapor is passed to the lower pressure second region into heat transfer relationship with, but physically separate from, the mentioned fluid and is converted by heat transfer to said fluid to a condensate in that lower pressure second region whereby the fluid is heated. The condensate is maintained physically separate from the fluid and is recycled from the second region to the first region.

Abstract: An arrangement for heating a liquid including a boiler, and a condenser located at least in part within the boiler and open at its inlet end which is located within the boiler such that the liquid/gas combination heated in the boiler passes directly into the open inlet of the condenser. The condenser and the boiler may be formed as concentric tubes, the inner tube forming the condenser and the space between the tubes forming the boiler. Valves or the like are provided for determining the direction of fluid flow.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for transferring heat from an elevated location to a lower location through a thermally circulated working liquid substantially without height limitation, in which heat is provided at the higher location to the liquid in a first stand pipe, the liquid is ejected as a result of such heat from the top of the first stand pipe into a collector communicating with a second stand pipe, the first and second stand pipes being connected at the bottom portions, thereby unbalancing the liquid levels in the two stand pipes, means for providing thermal equilibrium between the liquid in the stand pipes through the lengths thereof below the point at which the heat is added, and means for extracting heat from the liquid at the lower location.