Solfocus, Inc.

Palo Alto Research Center Inc.

Aquaseca Inc.

Other

Guide Technology, Inc.

Ariel Electronics, Inc.

Stephen John Horne

Gary D Conley

Robert L MacDonald

David Kirtland Fork

Marc A Finot

Eric Allen Moon

Amar N Neogi

Mark E McDonald

David P Warden

Peter Ronald Young

G Graham Allan

Mark S Schlosser

Kenneth N Bates

Mark A Spencer

Martin Vasquez

Gary A DeBardi

Ramzi F Hamade

Thomas L Jacobs

John E Rose

Manu C Patel

Joseph Alig

Robert B Erley

A fluid monitoring system has a plurality of sensors, the sensors being acoustically coupled to a pipe system containing interconnected fluid-transporting pipes. The sensors collect sensor data that is analyzed by an analysis system to provide leak identification on the pipe system. Each sensor in the plurality of sensors is configured to be programmed adaptively by the analysis system to improve system performance parameters. A method for analyzing fluid flow is also described in which data from a plurality of acoustic sensing devices is analyzed using learning algorithms.

Fluid flow detection and analysis device and system

Solar panels and assembled arrays thereof include a collection of relatively compact, high-capacity power units. Optical components of each power unit include a front window or surface glazing, a primary mirror, secondary mirror and receiver assembly. Primary and secondary mirrors are defined by respective perimeters, at least a portion of which may be substantially coplanar and in contact with the front window. Some primary mirrors are configured with a perimeter of alternating full and truncated sections, and are curved to a base portion forming a pilot hole therein. Receiver assembly mechanical components include an alignment tube for mating with the primary mirror's pilot hole and for housing a photovoltaic solar cell. A base plate provided adjacent to the alignment tube serves to radiate heat emitted by the solar cell, and in some embodiments an additional heat sink provides further passive cooling. A tapered optical rod also provided within the receiver assembly directs received sunlight to the solar cell where electrical current is generated.

Concentrator solar photovoltaic array with compact tailored imaging power units

The present invention is a contoured backpan for a solar concentrator array. The backpan has depressions integrally formed in its bottom surface for seating solar concentrator modules. The depressions, in combination connecting toughs, provide a structure which is able to support an array of solar concentrators. Optional stiffening members may be attached to fee backpan to provide additional structural rigidity, as well as to support a front panel for the array.

Solar concentrator backpan

A system may include acquisition of power information from a signal line in accordance with a first signal characteristic. The power information is associated with power generated by a solar collector, and the first signal characteristic is substantially orthogonal to a corresponding signal characteristic of at least one noise source associated with the signal line. In some aspects, a solar tracking error associated with the solar collector is determined based on the acquired power information, a servo feedback signal is determined based on the acquired power information, and determination of the solar tracking error includes determination of the solar tracking error based on the servo feedback signal.

System to increase SNR of CPV-generated power signal

A mount for a semiconductor device has a first surface with at least one contact region and a second surface. The mount has a substrate to receive the second surface of the semiconductor device and a planar element. The planar element has an aperture sized to surround the semiconductor. A first surface of the planar element is mounted to the substrate and is located to surround the semiconductor device such that the semiconductor device is aligned by the aperture. The mount further has means for mounting the semiconductor device to the substrate in an aligned position. Some embodiments include a method of making and/or using such a mount.

Semiconductor mount

A Cassegrain-type concentrating solar collector cell includes primary and secondary mirrors disposed on opposing convex and concave surfaces of a light-transparent (e.g., glass) optical element. Light enters an aperture surface surrounding the secondary mirror, and is reflected by the primary mirror toward the secondary mirror, which re-reflects the light onto a photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic cell is mounted on a central portion of heat spreader that extends over the primary mirror. The heat spreader transmits waste heat from the photovoltaic cell in a manner that evenly distributes the heat over the optical element, thereby maximizing the radiation of heat from the aperture surface into space. The heat spreader includes a thick copper layer formed on a flexible substrate (e.g., polyimide film) that is patterned with radial arms that facilitate mounting onto the convex surface of the optical element.

Passively cooled solar concentrating photovoltaic device

A solar concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) device in which concentrator elements (optics, PV cells and wiring) are laminated to form a composite, substantially planar structure. The concentrator optics are implemented by a solid (e.g. glass) optical element that defines a focal point at which solar light received by the optical element is concentrated. Using vacuum lamination techniques, a printed circuit structure attached by way of an adhesive layer onto a surface of the optical element. The printed circuit structure includes one or more non-conductive layers and conductors that are disposed on the non-conductive layers. The PV cell is connected to printed circuit structure, and is positioned at the focal point of the optical element. Optional front and/or back protective layers are also attached prior to the lamination process. A CPV array includes multiple devices formed on an optical tile using a string-like flexible printed circuit structure.

Laminated solar concentrating photovoltaic device

A solar concentrator may include a substantially planar surface, a curved primary mirror having a first perimeter, at least a portion of the first perimeter being in contact with the substantially planar surface, a secondary mirror disposed between the substantially planar surface and the curved primary mirror, the secondary mirror associated with a desired focal area, and a shield element disposed between the substantially planar surface and the curved primary mirror. The shield element is to prevent a portion of light reflected by the secondary mirror from reaching the primary mirror. In some aspects, a portion of the shield element may be disposed between the substantially planar surface and a plane which is substantially parallel to the substantially planar surface and which includes a portion of the desired focal area. The shield element may include a reflective surface to reflect light received from the secondary mirror toward the desired focal area.

Shield for solar radiation collector

The present technology involves an apparatus and method for calibrating a plurality of distinct signal paths connecting a device under test (DUT) to a time measurement device. The disclosed calibration circuit, which may be connected to the test setup throughout the testing process, measures the signal skew associated with each distinct signal path connecting a DUT, such as an integrated circuit, to a time measurement device, such as a time interval analyzer. The measured skew values, which may be collected throughout the testing process, are stored in memory. Such memory may be within the time measure device, an external storage device or a computing device that may be in communication with the time measurement device. The time measurement device uses the stored skew values to adjust the test signals to compensate for signal path related signal skew. In addition, the stored skew values are used to perform signal path diagnostics. This is accomplished by comparing newly measured skew values to stored skew values and generating a signal path failure signal when the newly measured skew values fall outside a user programmable range of acceptable skew values.

System and method for calibrating signal paths connecting a device under test to a test system

Circuit writer

Growing community of inventors

El Granada, CA, United States of America

Stephen John Horne