Thin film housing structures for collecting solar energy, and associated systems and methods. A representative system includes an enclosure having an interior region, the enclosure further having a support structure that includes a plurality of curved portions. The system further includes a flexible, thin film carried by, and fixed relative to, the curved portions, the thin film being positioned to transmit solar radiation into the interior region. A receiver is positioned in the interior region, the receiver carrying a working fluid. A solar concentrator is positioned in the interior region to direct the solar radiation to the receiver to heat the working fluid. A controller is operatively coupled to the solar concentrator and is configured to adjust a position of the solar concentrator based at least in part on a position of the sun.

An open-top gutter for cultivation of plants. In an example, the open-top gutter includes a space limited by two side walls and a bottom wall and divided into trough-like compartments by at least one dividing wall. The dividing wall includes at least one water space formed by a double wall, open at the bottom of the gutter.

The present invention relates to a non-arch-shaped rainproof water-collection greenhouse, characterized by: a matrix of upright galvanized steel pipe columns, with adjacent columns fixed by cables connected to their upper ends, forming cable grids. A square greenhouse film with support rods along its edges is installed onto these cable grids. A water-collecting funnel and collection bucket are mounted at the center of the square film. The weight of the collection bucket and rainwater causes the square film to sag into a conical shape. To prevent excessive sagging or tearing, sag-limiting ropes are attached from the top ends of the four steel pipe columns corresponding to the film's corners, supporting the film from below and suspending the funnel and bucket in midair, creating a smooth, controlled sag. This invention features a rational design, simple structure, and minimal steel usage.

A screen installation comprising a screen cloth assembly (22) with a screen cloth (7) and at least one flat strip (21) fastened to the screen cloth, as well as screen sections (8, 18), to opposite edges of the screen cloth, at least one screen section of which has an undercut chamber (20) and a longitudinal opening (23) that opens into this chamber, wherein the strip is accommodated in the chamber of the at least one screen section so that the screen cloth fastened to it can extend outwards from it through the longitudinal opening of the screen section. The strip (21) is fastened at a distance from the adjacent free edge of the screen cloth (7) in the form of a free screen cloth flap (19). The screen cloth flap extends from the strip and via the longitudinal opening (23) of the at least one screen section (8, 18) outwards from it.

The invention is a system for enhancing rain irrigation water of agricultural areas by rain diversion surfaces. The system is composed of at least two longitudinally connected rain diversion structure units (RDS-s) that divert rain water to an area adjacent to the RDS-s. Each RDS unit is composed of at least one supporting bar which connects a roof structure. The roof structure is composed of a relatively smooth and slanted rain diverting surfaces which are composed of rigid plates. At least two longitudinally connected RDS units are positioned in an approximate parallel configuration in a manner that divides an agricultural used area/land into alternating strips of RDS-s and plants growing. Rain water falls on the RDS-s strips and is diverted to the plant growing strips. The diverted rain water adds to the rain water that falls simultaneously on the plant growing strips. Optionally, the slanted rain diverting sheet-plates of the RDS-s are made of photo voltaic solar modules and serve for the dual purpose of rain water diverting and solar energy harvesting.

An open-top gutter for cultivation of plants. In an example, the open-top gutter includes a space limited by two side walls and a bottom wall and divided into trough-like compartments by at least one dividing wall. The dividing wall includes at least one water space formed by a double wall, open at the bottom of the gutter.

A crop production system (100) for a controlled plant growing environment is provided. A subassembly comprises a guide portion that includes passive guides (104, 504, 904, 1004) radiating outward from a central portion (102, 502, 520, 911). Each passive guide may be separated from two adjacent passive guides by respective angles. Each passive guide has a first end proximal to the central portion and a second end distal to the central portion. Each passive guide is configured to guide plant growth modules (210). The plant growth modules are movable between the first end and the second end of each passive guide. An active guide (406, 907, 1007) causes the plant growth modules to travel in a first direction along the passive guides as the active guide is moved.

The invention is directed to a ridge beam for use in a roof of a building and having an upper side and a lower side, wherein the ridge beam is comprised of an elongated middle section and two elongated side sections. The elongated middle section is provided with openings along its length such to fluidly connect an interior of the building with an exterior of the building. An elongated air permeable screen is present facing the upper side of the ridge beam and having two elongated sides which are connected to the two elongated side sections.

A method of applying a foil on an inclined roof structure having a ridge beam, a gutter, a plurality of parallel roof bars interconnecting the beam and the gutter and a ventilation opening frame which surrounds an opening that is located between the beam, the gutter and two neighboring bars, comprises: supplying a window frame that fits inside the ventilation opening frame, introducing the window frame within and holding the window frame at a fixed position with respect to the ventilation opening frame, laying a foil onto the roof structure such that it extends at least from the beam to the gutter and covers at least the neighboring roof bars, fixing the foil to the window frame and the ventilation opening frame along respective circumferential edges thereof, cutting the foil between the window frame and the ventilation opening frame, hence forming the window frame including the foil.