A self-propelled robot that self-travels on a structure having a flat surface to perform a cleaning operation, the self-propelled robot includes a robot main body (2), a controller (30) that controls movement of the moving unit in a forward direction and a rearward direction, an operation unit (12a) that is controlled by the controller, and a pair of detection units that are first and second detection units, each of which functioning to detect if there is the flat surface of the structure beneath the detection unit. Wherein, seen from a top view of the robot, the first detection unit and the second detection unit (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d) are both arranged at the front end of the robot.

An apparatus (10) and method for the co-production of high temperature thermal energy and electrical energy from solar irradiance includes a photovoltaic cell (30) laminated to a metal extrusion device (40) and a transparent channel (20) in front of the photovoltaic cell (30). The transparent channel (20) contains a heat transfer fluid that is seeded with metallic, semiconducting, and/or non-metallic nanoparticles and absorbs wavelengths of solar energy that are not utilized or underutilized by the photovoltaic cell (30).

A modular, solar energy system comprising one or more modular solar panels. The solar panels include a pair of general planar, plates that are secured together to form a narrow channel therebetween for the circulation of a liquid. The solar panels have header assemblies affixed to opposite edges thereof and which control the entry of liquid into the channel and the exit therefrom. The inlet header assembly has a plurality of nozzles that are adjustable in size to control flow therethrough while the outlet header assembly has elongated nozzles to receive flow or liquid from the channel. The plates are preferably constructed of aluminum and one plate has a photovoltaic cell affixed thereto to face the sun and the other plate has a plurality of indentations that enhance the heat transfer characteristics with respect to the liquid flowing though the channel between the plates.

A machine for rotary driving screw anchors into underlying ground and related. The machine has a mast with a rotary driver and a mandrel driver oriented on a common axis. The mandrel driver passes a mandrel through the rotary driver and the screw anchor to allow the mandrel to be actuated ahead of the screw anchor while the rotary driver drives the screw anchor into the ground. Alternatively, the mandrel driver may also drive a hammering drill through the screw anchor to clear a path ahead of it through subsurface rocks.

A water tank that is used with a solar air conditioning system and provides a supply of cold water for in-dwellings radiators of the system. In one embodiment, the tank application can begin at 32 F degrees and drop down to many degrees colder, such as, but not limited to, minus 100 F degrees. In one non-limiting embodiment, the tank can hold 2000 gallons of water.

A measurement device which enables to determine the optimum angle values and orientations of collectors/cells and which enables to measure both direct radiation and diffuse radiation, essentially includes a main body; a solar cell which generates current from solar energy; an actuation mechanism which is adapted to move the solar cell in horizontal and vertical axis; an upper cover which prevents the sun beams reaching the solar cell by covering the upper part of the main body; a second cover on each one of the lateral walls of the upper cover; a current detector which measures the current generated by the solar cell, a control unit which includes a processing unit adapted to generate angle signals that will move the first motor and second motor and determine the optimum angle values according to current information corresponding to the angle signals and the angle information corresponding to the current information.

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods to control particle mass flow rate in solar receivers and associated heat exchangers based on feedback from one or more temperatures of particles in the system.

A machine for rotary driving screw anchors into underlying ground and related. The machine has a mast with a rotary driver and a mandrel driver oriented on a common axis. The mandrel driver passes a mandrel through the rotary driver and the screw anchor to allow the mandrel to be actuated ahead of the screw anchor while the rotary driver drives the screw anchor into the ground. Alternatively, the mandrel driver may also drive a hammering drill through the screw anchor to clear a path ahead of it through subsurface rocks.

A linear fresnel solar power system which is transportable in a goods container, wherein the solar power system comprises: a number of rows of reflective mirrors, and a support structure, the support structure comprising a base for assembling the support structure on a commercial goods container, and the container defining a volume, wherein the support structure further comprises: two foldable lateral platforms articulated to the base of the support structure; and two mirror-carrying banks, supported by the lateral platforms, wherein the rows of reflective mirrors are mounted on the mirror-carrying banks. The invention helps to save transportation and assembling costs.

A linear fresnel solar power system which is transportable in a goods container, wherein the solar power system comprises: a number of rows of reflective mirrors, and a support structure, the support structure comprising a base for assembling the support structure on a commercial goods container, and the container defining a volume, wherein the support structure further comprises: two foldable lateral platforms articulated to the base of the support structure; and two mirror-carrying banks, supported by the lateral platforms, wherein the rows of reflective mirrors are mounted on the mirror-carrying banks. The invention helps to save transportation and assembling costs.