The present disclosure is generally directed to mounting components on a corrugated metal roof. The disclosed systems and devices utilize a multi-surface clip (e.g., multi-planar) to securely attaching components such as rails to the corrugated metal roof while increasing the pullout strength of mounted structures and more evenly spreading the load of such mounted structures over the corrugated metal roof. In one embodiment, the multi-surface clip allows attaching a rail to the top of a rib of the corrugated metal roof while a fastener mechanically attaches the clip to a side surface of the rib. This allows the fastener to experience shear forces when upward forces (e.g., normal to the top surface of the rib) are applied to the rail or a structure supported by the rail.

Disclosed are methods and functional elements for enhanced thermal management of predominantly enclosed spaces. In particular, the invention enables the construction of buildings with reduced power requirements for heating and/or air-conditioning systems since under certain conditions less energy for heating or cooling is required to maintain, within certain boundaries, desirable temperatures inside such buildings, habitats, or other enclosed spaces.

In some instances the invention is in part based on dynamically changing functional elements with variable properties, or effective properties, in terms of their electromagnetic radiative behavior and/or their thermal energy storage properties, or the spatial distribution of the stored thermal energy, which permits the application of methods and algorithms to control the overall thermal behavior of the entire structure in such a way that desired levels of inside temperature can be reached with reduced consumption of external energy (typically electricity, gas, oil, or coal).

In some instances no conventional heating of cooling is required at all, whereas in other instances the expenditure of external energy for conventional heating or cooling is reduced. In some instances the invention enables the reduction of the time to reach desired temperatures inside such buildings, habitats, or other predominantly enclosed spaces.

Disclosed are methods and functional elements for enhanced thermal management of predominantly enclosed spaces. In particular, the invention enables the construction of buildings with reduced power requirements for heating and/or air-conditioning systems since under certain conditions less energy for heating or cooling is required to maintain, within certain boundaries, desirable temperatures inside such buildings, habitats, or other enclosed spaces.

In some instances the invention is in part based on dynamically changing functional elements with variable properties, or effective properties, in terms of their electromagnetic radiative behavior and/or their thermal energy storage properties, or the spatial distribution of the stored thermal energy, which permits the application of methods and algorithms to control the overall thermal behavior of the entire structure in such a way that desired levels of inside temperature can be reached with reduced consumption of external energy (typically electricity, gas, oil, or coal).

In some instances no conventional heating of cooling is required at all, whereas in other instances the expenditure of external energy for conventional heating or cooling is reduced. In some instances the invention enables the reduction of the time to reach desired temperatures inside such buildings, habitats, or other predominantly enclosed spaces.

The particle-to-working fluid heat exchanger is a particle-to-working fluid counter-flow direct contact heat exchanger formed from a heat exchange chamber having opposed upper and lower ends. A diameter of the heat exchange chamber decreases from the upper end to the lower end, with a fluid inlet positioned adjacent the lower end for receiving a stream of fluid. The stream of fluid is tangentially and upwardly directed within the heat exchange chamber. The heat exchange chamber also has a fluid outlet positioned adjacent the upper end thereof. A distribution manifold for the heat exchange chamber produces a plurality of streams of heated particles which exchange thermal energy with the stream of fluid to generate a stream of heated fluid and a volume of cooled particles. A solar power generator, in the form of a solar tower, is further provided, which incorporates the particle-to-working fluid counter-flow direct contact heat exchanger.

The particle-to-working fluid heat exchanger is a particle-to-working fluid counter-flow direct contact heat exchanger formed from a heat exchange chamber having opposed upper and lower ends. A diameter of the heat exchange chamber decreases from the upper end to the lower end, with a fluid inlet positioned adjacent the lower end for receiving a stream of fluid. The stream of fluid is tangentially and upwardly directed within the heat exchange chamber. The heat exchange chamber also has a fluid outlet positioned adjacent the upper end thereof. A distribution manifold for the heat exchange chamber produces a plurality of streams of heated particles which exchange thermal energy with the stream of fluid to generate a stream of heated fluid and a volume of cooled particles. A solar power generator, in the form of a solar tower, is further provided, which incorporates the particle-to-working fluid counter-flow direct contact heat exchanger.

The present invention is related to using a plasmonic energy conversion device comprised of a non-permeable substrate and of a plurality of nanorods, either free standing or embedded in aluminum matrix, that utilizes plasmons to generate vapor from a fluid as a result of being exposed to radiation. Methods of manufacturing the plasmonic energy converter device are described.

The present invention is related to using a plasmonic energy conversion device comprised of a non-permeable substrate and of a plurality of nanorods, either free standing or embedded in aluminum matrix, that utilizes plasmons to generate vapor from a fluid as a result of being exposed to radiation. Methods of manufacturing the plasmonic energy converter device are described.

In various representative aspects, the present invention relates generally to a system and apparatuses for sealing a structural attachment to a flat or shingle roof. More specifically, the invention relates to providing the system for sealing structural attachments for solar panel mounts for rail guides. The invention utilizes an adhesive sealant to create a permanent watertight seal at any surface penetration. The system may be used for any structural attachment, fastener, mount, or other penetration that requires sealing. Typical building applications include roof penetrations and wall penetrations for cases such as roof vents, structural attachment, conduit or pipe penetrations, or electrical mounts to name a few.

In various representative aspects, the present invention relates generally to a system and apparatuses for sealing a structural attachment to a flat or shingle roof. More specifically, the invention relates to providing the system for sealing structural attachments for solar panel mounts for rail guides. The invention utilizes an adhesive sealant to create a permanent watertight seal at any surface penetration. The system may be used for any structural attachment, fastener, mount, or other penetration that requires sealing. Typical building applications include roof penetrations and wall penetrations for cases such as roof vents, structural attachment, conduit or pipe penetrations, or electrical mounts to name a few.

The disclosed technology relates to a solar water heating system including a tank configured to store heat transfer fluid, a solar collector in fluid communication with the tank, and a pump system in fluid communication with the tank and the solar collector. The pump system can include a first pump, a second pump, and a valve assembly. The valve assembly can direct the heat transfer fluid from an outlet of the first pump to the solar collector when the first pump is operating and can direct the heat transfer fluid from an outlet of the second pump to the solar collector when the second pump is operating. The first pump and the second pump can transfer the heat transfer fluid from the solar collector back to the tank when the first pump and the second pump are not operating.