A solar heating system for a swimming pool and the like isdisclosed. The system includes a circulation circuit having a pumpby which water is withdrawn from the pool, passed through a filter,and returned to the pool. A solar collector assembly is providedand has flow and return lines connected in said circuit.

A solar concentrator is disclosed herein and includes a modularizedpoint focusing solar concentrating panel which is movably mountedto track the sun. This panel has an overall parabolic reflectingsurface and a triangular or approximately triangular configurationwhich improves structural integrity, minimizes wind resistance,and permits rapid and easy stowing.

A focusing solar collector which utilizes an elongated parabolicshaped mirror made from a sheet of drapable material so that whendraped in a catenary-like curved configuration, the sun"srays may be focused on a linear target which is axially alignedwith the axis of the mirror. Means are provided for adjusting theangle of the drape of the catenary-like curve in order to maintainthe focus of the sun"s rays on the linear target as therelative diurnal positions of the sun to the collector changes. The optimum catenary like curve for the range of the drape anglesinvolved is achieved by using a nonlinear distribution of weightalong the cross-section of the draped mirror material.

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A solar collector includes a plurality of elongated parallelreflectors mounted for rotation about their respective longitudinalaxes, together with mechanism coupled to the reflectors for simultaneouslyrotating the same. An elongated absorber is arranged parallel tothe reflectors for collecting solar radiation focussed thereon bythe reflectors. Tracking means including two solar sensor reservoirscontaining a vaporizable/condensible liquid working mediumis provided for rotation of the reflectors to control the focussingof solar radiation on the absorber.

A solar energy conversion device is provided with simplifiedmeans for tracking a source of solar energy. In the preferred embodiment,the tracking means is a predeterminedly shaped, heat expandabledevice operatively connected to an energy concentrator. The energy concentratoris movably mounted and is adapted to direct concentrated energyeither towards a suitable energy conversion means in those positionsin which the concentration is aligned with respect to the solarenergy source, or towards the expandable device in those positionsin which the concentrator is misaligned with respect to the solarenergy source. Application of concentrated solar energy to theexpandable device causes its expansion, which expansion is utilizedto move the concentrator into alignment with the energy source. At alignment, concentrated energy is directed from the expandabledevice toward the energy conversion means.

Solar heating system. A solar connector. A double storagedevice connected to the collector to provide coolest possible heattransport medium at beginning of each day"s collectionand to control collector input temperature hence maximum collectionefficiency. The first storage device has a capacity for approximatelyone day"s operation. The second storage device has a capacityfor several days" operation. The operation of the storagedevices are controlled so that the first storage device is heatedfirst and when the first storage device is heated sufficiently thenthe second storage device is heated. The operation of the storagedevice is used first for heating and when the first storage deviceis depleted of useable heat then the second storage device is used.

A self-storing solar heater is disclosed installed on a housetrailer with the heater being extendable over a portion of the roofof the trailer to receive the rays of the sun during the day andis stored in a heated compartment on cold days and nights to preventthe water in the solar heater from freezing. A thermostaticallycontrolled motor driven reel retracts the solar heater into theheated storage compartment and a pulley system actuated by the samemotor extends the solar heater when heating rays are available fromthe sun.

A solar heating system is provided which utilizes the sun"srays to heat fluid in a solar panel, which heated fluid is releasedto a storage tank when it reaches a predetermined temperature, andwhere it is available for withdrawal from the tank for heat exchangeas desired.

A central computer calculates a commanded position for particulartime of particular day for the particular location of the body. A microprocessor incorporating respective software and hardwarethen calculates the position for the heliostat.

The present invention relates to automatic thermal/hydrauliclogic system for continuously positioning a heliostat in alignmentwith the sun in both horizontal and vertical planes. Solar radiationis monitored by phials which produce signal pressures of a magnitudethat varies with phial exposure to the rays of the sun. The producedsignal pressures are directed to thermally controlled valves whichare compared with mechanically controlled valves of similar designfeature. These control valves are centered so long as hydraulicfluid pressure signals on each end of a control valve are equal,but the valve spool is displaced to the left or to the right if andwhen a pressure differential is created (improper alignment). Whena specific differential sets in, a mechanical action takes placewhich moves the heliostat to its proper concentrating position. Movement ceases when the differential disappears (proper alignment).

Heater comprises a container divided into upper and lowerchambers by a perforated plate. The container is connected to receiveheated liquid from a solar collector and deliver it to radiatorsor the like. The container is equipped with an electrical heatingcoil for further heating the liquid when the solar heat supply isinadequate.

A thermal energy storage system comprising a germaniumphase change material and a graphite container.

Solar heating system, wherein solar heating assemblies areadapted to form the roof of a structure. The solar heating assembliesmay not occupy the entire surface area of a roof, but the uppersheathing elements of the solar heating assemblies may extend overthe entire roof area so that no other provision for roofing of thestructure is necessary.

A form-molded synthetic foam roofing section or structurehaving a solar-collecting insert or panel incorporated therein witha relatively broad undersurface and an exposed surface configuredto resemble interlocked and overlapping roofing shingles which areunited to support a surface such as wood, metal, etc. during themolding process. The roofing structure may be affixed by any conventionalmeans, such as nails or adhesives, to roof boards, rafters, or overold existing roof structure with adjacent roofing section interconnectedby appropriate inlets and outlets for the solar panel insert. Solar heat-collectingfluid may be circulated through the solar panel inserts in a conventionalmanner. Connecting tubes are provided for connecting the solarpanel inserts in adjacent roofing sections and terminal connectorsare compatible with all circulating systems.

The invention relates to a roof and wall covering, in particularfor heat-insulating house walls or roofs, consisting of board-likehollow plastic sections with several through profile chambers extendingin longitudinal direction and of edge profiles insertable flushinto each other.

Method and apparatus for converting solar radiation to thermalenergy for heating a gaseous stream such as air to be used for heatingor drying purposes. The air or other gaseous passage defined byplastic film formed of solar radiation absorbing or opaque (black)material and the film is inflated by the fluid pressure for thegaseous stream passing therethrough.

A solar heating system in which the heating transfer mediumis circulated from the heat absorbing member through the heat exchangearea by means of gravitational forces which are augmented by theuse of a transfer medium containing additives which change in state fromfluid to gaseous as they move through the system.

Fluent medium

A device called Solar Trap for concentrating and collectingthe solar energy is disclosed. Said Solar Trap employs, firstly,the principle of the light funneling as means for concentratingthe sunlight and secondly, the principle of the repeated incidenceas means for enhancing the absorption of the concentrated sunlight.

The disclosure relates to a solar radiation converting methodand means whereby the addition of a halogen within a hermeticallysealed space receives and converts solar or synthetic radiant spectrainto heat energy; its principal advantage being the conversion ofthe visible portion of the light spectra into additional heat.

A solar collector which includes a radiation-absorbing panelhaving a surface provided with integral fluid-conducting conduitswhereby heat absorbed by the panel may be efficiently transferreddirectly to fluid circulating in the conduits.

A solar stove having a casing with four rectangular reflectivepanels foldably attached and surrounding the perimeter of the upperedge of the casing, the panels being foldable against the casingto form a neat package. Each panel is attached to an opposite panelby a flexible cord, the cords crossing each other when the panelsare opened to aid the user in aiming the solar stove directly intothe sun. Triangular panels are removably attached to the side ofadjacent rectangular panels to fill the space created when the rectangularpanels are opened to approximately 45° past vertical. The oven is a drawer fitting in the casing and removable eitherhorizontally or vertically, the drawer having multiple layer construction forheat retention and a dark interior surface for converting solarrays to heat.

A solar dish concentrator is provided having a rotationallysymmetrical elliptical shape for focusing a uniform flux densityof solar radiation on a receiver. The solar flux pattern reflectedto the receiver is evenly distributed over the four quadrants ofthe receiver without containing any hot spots.

A solar concentrator with wide effective aperture is disclosed,which comprises at least one linear echelon reflector element whichis inclined with respect to the direction of incident solar radiationto direct incident solar radiation to a line focus.

An apparatus for heating water by solar rays in which a pluralityof spherical lenses are used to enable solar rays to be convergedwhenever there is sunlight present. Also incorporating a superheatresisting carbon impregnated cloth to cover that area of metal whichis subjected to the intensive heat of the focused rays.

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Converter for use in a location adjacent to the insideof a window to receive solar energy and change it to useful heat.

Solar energy collector assembly including a solar energy collectorin an enclosed space housing with bottom closure member securedby a snap-fit spring channel and low thermal conductivity matingprojection therefor, a collector member securing means comprisinga plurality of stiff low thermal conductivity wire retainers andtop cover securing and sealing means comprising a seal and clampengaging the top cover just inward of its periphery, to preventintrusion of condensate in the enclosed space of the housing.