Dow Corning Corporation

Cedric G Currin

Donald M Bartos

Bernard Van Wert

Erhard Sirtl

This invention relates to a solar radiation reflector which can be fabricated from readily available, relatively low-cost materials with a minimum of effort and materials. The reflector consists essentially of a laminate of (A) at least one reflective metal foil layer possessing a weather-resistant protective coating on its reflective side and (B) at least one layer of cellulosic material impregnated with a weather-resistant cured polymer composition. Preferably, the metal foil is aluminum foil coated with a weather-resistant coating of silicone resin and the cellulosic material is a single layer of corrugated cardboard impregnated with a weather-resistant silicone resin composition.

Solar radiation reflector with a cellulosic substrate and method of

There is described a solar still comprising a pair of juxtaposed corrugated sheets which in a preferred embodiment are positioned at an angle to one another whereby the upper sheet rests on the raised portions of the lower sheet. A thermally insulating, solar energy transmitting window overlies the upper sheet. The upper sheet is made of solar energy absorbent material and the lower portions of the sheet are adapted to contain water to be distilled. A plurality of vents are provided in the uppermost portions of the upper sheet and the lower sheet and are adapted to be placed on the ground or a body of water for cooling and act as a condenser for vapor passing through the vents into the space below the upper sheet.

Solar still

A solar energy collector is made up of a first flat flexible sheet preferably of silicone, and a first sinuous sheet also preferably of silicone, sealingly adhered to the first sheet along a plurality of spaced parallel lines to provide a series of substantially parallel ducts which carry a liquid heat transfer medium. Either the first flat sheet or first sinuous sheet incorporates solar energy absorbent material. A backing member which may include a sheet of reflective foil and a layer of foam insulation is adhered to the opposite side of the first sinuous sheet to form a plurality of substantially parallel air channels under the ducts. Desirably, a solar window which includes a second sinuous sheet with a second flat sheet adhered to the upper amplitudes thereof is adhered to the first flat sheet along the lower amplitudes to space the second flat sheet from the first flat sheet thereby providing a multiplicity of insulative air channels.

Solar energy collector

Silicon semiconductor device array, e.g. solar cell device or array of devices; formed from bulk silicon deposited in the form of columnar crystallites bounded by substantially vertical grain boundaries. Junctions are formed across crystallites and along grain boundaries. The grain boundaries are made substantially non-conductive by diffusion from one side of the sheet. P.sup.+ and n.sup.+ layers are provided as contact areas for electrodes. Deposition of silicon takes place directly from decomposition of silicon-containing vapors onto a non-silicon substrate sheet.

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Midland, MI, United States of America

Cedric G Currin