Massachusetts Institute of Technology

King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals

David E Hardt

Muhammad A Hawwa

Hussain M Al-Qahtani

M Wasim Raad

David C Gossard

Larissa F Nietner

R Davis Webb, Jr

John West

Kim A Stelson

Scott T Nill

Blair Allison

Steven G Lee

A photovoltaic (PV) cell health monitoring apparatus includes a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag mounted to the PV cell and having identifying information of the PV cell, and a sensor in communication with the RFID tag for measuring health information of the PV cell. The RFID tag stores the measured health information together with time and locality information of the PV cell and responds to an interrogation signal by transmitting the stored information together with the identifying information. A dust sensor in the form of a comb-like electrode array measures electrical capacitance as an indication of an amount of dust on an exposed surface of the PV cell. An RFID tag antenna arranged as a meander-line patch antenna covered with polyethylene has a dual function as a temperature sensor.

Photovoltaic cell with responsive surface film

Printed electronic film for dust sensing on PV cells and reporting via RFID tags

System for visualization of conformal contact. The system visualizes conformal contact between a patterned stamp and a transparent impression surface. A patterned stamp is provided that includes a fluorescent structure for contact with the impression surface. A source of UV light is provided for transmission through the transparent impression surface to interact with the fluorescent structure to generate visible light re-emitted by the fluorescent structure. An imaging system captures the visible light to form a high-contrast image of an area of conformal contact between the patterned stamp and the impression surface. The high-contrast image comprises bright and dark regions representing contact and no contact respectively.

Fluorescent contact imaging for in-process print sensing

A high-bandwidth continuous-flow arc furnace for stream welding applications includes a metal mass contained in a crucible having an orifice. A power source charges an electrode for generating an arc between the electrode and the mass. The arc heats the metal mass to a molten state. A pressurized gas source propels the molten metal mass through the crucible orifice in a continuous stream. As the metal is ejected, a metal feeder replenishes the molten metal bath. A control system regulates the electrode current, shielding gas pressure, and metal source to provide a continuous flow of molten metal at the crucible orifice. Independent control over the electrode current and shield gas pressure decouples the metal flow temperature and the molten metal flow rate, improving control over resultant weld characteristics.

High-bandwidth continuous-flow arc furnace

An electronic adaptive control system for use with hydraulic press brakes to provide compensation for material spring back to accurately produce a desired bend angle in the work piece with a single ram stroke. Fixed input parameters associated with the press brake and material properties, together with ram position and force data are continuously input to a digital computer which calculates the precise point of punch penetration necessary to reverse ram movement in order to produce the desired bend angle in the work piece. By using in-process measurements, a significant savings in machine set-up-time can be achieved in order to produce an accurate bend angle in the work piece the first time and every time.

Press brake having spring-back compensating adaptive control

Growing community of inventors

Cambridge, MA, United States of America

David E Hardt