A foldable parabolic solar collector includes a first panel having a semi-parabolic reflective inner surface, a central tube to which the first panel is fixed, and a second panel having a semi-parabolic reflective inner surface. The second panel is pivotably mounted to the central tube with the reflective inner surface of the second panel facing the reflective inner surface of the first panel. A receiver tube carries a heat transfer fluid. A tracking motor rotates the central tube. A torque sensor lies in between the tracking motor and the central tube and is configured to measure torque between the tracking motor and the central tube. A servomotor pivots the second panel about the central tube between an open position and a closed position when it is determined by a controller that the torque between the tracking motor and the central tube exceeds a predetermined torque threshold.

A foldable parabolic solar collector includes a first panel having a semi-parabolic reflective inner surface, a central tube to which the first panel is fixed, and a second panel having a semi-parabolic reflective inner surface. The second panel is pivotably mounted to the central tube with the reflective inner surface of the second panel facing the reflective inner surface of the first panel. A receiver tube carries a heat transfer fluid. A tracking motor rotates the central tube. A torque sensor lies in between the tracking motor and the central tube and is configured to measure torque between the tracking motor and the central tube. A servomotor pivots the second panel about the central tube between an open position and a closed position when it is determined by a controller that the torque between the tracking motor and the central tube exceeds a predetermined torque threshold.

The invention relates to a product for heating comprising at least one heating unit (2), which comprises a base material layer with an emission reducing structure on top of said an energy converting structure, combined together to form a selective absorber layer on at least one of the sides of the base material layer, at least one insulation layer (4, 5, 6, 7) of transparent flexible material located on the heating unit (2), which heating unit and the at least one insulation layer on the heating unit (2) of the product (1) are attached to each other air-tightly on the sides such that between at least some of the layers at least one closed air pocket (10, 11) is formed, characterized in that the content to be heated by the product is located below to the base material of the heating unit of the product (1), that temperature of the content of the product (1) will be 90 C.-160 C., as result of the placing the product (1) exposed to radiation of selected wavelengths, and that the energy converting structure in the selective absorber layer has an absorption factor (aS) of a minimum of 0.9 and the emission reducing structure has an emission factor (E) of a maximum of 0.1 and that ratio between the absorption factor (aS) and the emission factor (E) is equal or higher than 9 and that when the selective absorber is exposed to wavelengths ranging from 350 nm to 4000 nm, the energy converting structure converts the wavelengths to thermal energy ranging from 4000 nm to 40.000 nm and the emission of thermal energy is reduced by the emission reducing structure and the contained energy is being used for heating the content of the product (1).

In accordance with exemplary inventive practice, a catalytic system and a temperature swing adsorption system are thermally integrated. The temperature range of the adsorption system is lower than the catalyst operating temperature. Benefits of inventive practice include reduction of total energy consumption and of generated waste-heat. Total energy consumption is reduced by transferring some of the waste-heat generated by the catalytic system into the adsorption system during the sorbent heat-up portion of the sorbent regeneration cycle. The heat is transferred using a thermal reservoir, which accumulates heat from the catalytic apparatus and transfers it to the adsorption apparatus at a later time, and which is repeatedly cycled as the sorbent is cycled. The catalytic system and the adsorption system can be inventively integrated in various ways to reduce the total energy consumed, and/or to modify the sorbent regeneration temperature profile, and/or to obtain an optimum power load profile.

The invention relates to a swivel and fanning drive for solar panels, comprising a base support, a rotary table, which is mounted on the base support pivotingly about a substantially vertical first axis, a swivel plate, which is mounted on the rotary table pivotingly about a substantially horizontal second axis, and a fanning shaft, which is mounted on the swivel plate pivotingly about a third axis and on which the solar panels can be mounted so as to be able to be fanned in and out about the aforesaid third axis, wherein the rotary table mounts one end of the swivel plate about the aforesaid second axis and, at a distance therefrom, mounts at least one crank, which is coupled by means of a connecting rod to the other end of the swivel plate to form a crank-rocker linkage.

The invention relates to a swivel and fanning drive for solar panels, comprising a base support, a rotary table, which is mounted on the base support pivotingly about a substantially vertical first axis, a swivel plate, which is mounted on the rotary table pivotingly about a substantially horizontal second axis, and a fanning shaft, which is mounted on the swivel plate pivotingly about a third axis and on which the solar panels can be mounted so as to be able to be fanned in and out about the aforesaid third axis, wherein the rotary table mounts one end of the swivel plate about the aforesaid second axis and, at a distance therefrom, mounts at least one crank, which is coupled by means of a connecting rod to the other end of the swivel plate to form a crank-rocker linkage.

An electricity production system may include a solar energy collector for receiving sunlight and providing electricity to an electrical load. The system may include a battery for storing energy and providing electricity to the electrical load. The system may include a generator for providing electricity to the electrical load. The system may include a controller programmed to issue commands to distribute electrical output such that electricity required for the load is available from at least one of the solar energy collector, the battery, and the generator. The commands may reduce usage of the battery and generator based on at least one of an anticipated sun load and expected customer usage.

The present invention typically features integrative configurability for transportation/storage, and disintegrative configurability for operation. Two half-cases are coupled to obtain a case. A case is uncoupled to obtain two half-cases. Each half-case houses a solar panel (pivotably connected to the half-case) and a U-bar (pivotably connected to the solar panel). The solar panel is pivoted away from the half-case's interior to the angle-of-inclination desired for collecting solar energy. The U-bar is pivoted away from the solar panel's back to securely fit into one of plural parallel slots provided across the half-case's interior, the U-bar thereby holding the solar panel in place at the desired angle-of-inclination. The half-cases are laid flat individually to collect solar energy. A half-case is compacted by pivoting the U-bar proximate the solar panel's back and pivoting the solar panel proximate the half-case's interior. Two complementary half-cases, each compacted, are (re)attached to form a portable case.

The invention relates to a device for the concentration of solar radiation in an absorber, comprising an inflatable concentrator cushion, which comprises a cover film element comprising a light-permeable entry window for coupling in solar radiation and a reflector film, which sub-divides the concentrator cushion into at least two hollow spaces, for the concentration of solar radiation in an absorber, comprising a pivoting apparatus, by means of which the concentrator cushion can be pivoted, in particular about its longitudinal axis, and comprising a retaining apparatus secured (mounted) to the pivoting apparatus for retaining the concentrator cushion, which retaining apparatus comprising an upper longitudinal member extending in the longitudinal direction of the concentrator cushion, suspending the absorber, wherein the upper longitudinal member is arranged on a substantially air-tight closed upper passage opening of the concentrator cushion.

There is disclosed an Apparatus for unfolding a foldable collector module arrangement from a folded state to an unfolded state comprises a horizontal carrier (1, 2, 3), attachment means (17; 56), coupling means (13, 14; 60), and a pulling arrangement (4, 11; 50, 55). The attachment means (17; 56) releasably attaches hinged parts (22, 23, 24) of the module arrangement to the apparatus and are moveably arranged relative to the carrier. The coupling means (13, 14; 60) releasably couple collector modules (20, 21) of the collector module arrangement to the carrier. They are slideably arranged on the carrier. The pulling arrangement (4, 11; 50, 55) is attached to the attachment means (17; 56) and/or the coupling means (13, 14; 60) for moving the attachment means (17; 56) and/or the coupling means (13, 14; 60) relative to the carrier. When unfolding the collector module arrangement the pulling arrangement (4, 11; 50, 55) is activated for opening the hinged parts (22, 23, 24) of the collector module arrangement by movement of the attachment means (17; 56) and/or the coupling means (13, 14; 60).