Abstract: Systems and methods capable of transferring items from a bin are described. A de-binning system includes an item transfer apparatus including a transfer conveyor configured to move a conveyor belt surface, and a bin sub-frame coupled to the transfer conveyor and configured to receive a bin. While an item-containing bin is secured to the bin sub-frame, the bin sub-frame and the transfer conveyor are inverted to transfer the items onto the transfer conveyor, which can move the items onto a second conveyor belt. Various aspects of the present systems and methods prevent damage to the surface of delicate items being transferred.

Abstract: Systems and methods capable of transferring items from a bin are described. A de-binning system includes an item transfer apparatus including a transfer conveyor configured to move a conveyor belt surface, and a bin sub-frame coupled to the transfer conveyor and configured to receive a bin. While an item-containing bin is secured to the bin sub-frame, the bin sub-frame and the transfer conveyor are inverted to transfer the items onto the transfer conveyor, which can move the items onto a second conveyor belt. Various aspects of the present systems and methods prevent damage to the surface of delicate items being transferred.

Abstract: An autonomous solar collector cleaning device includes at least one main shaft, a first driver attached to a first end of the at least one main shaft, and a second driver attached to a second end of the at least one main shaft. The first and second drivers propel the cleaning device along a surface of the solar collector. A first sensor is attached to the first driver to detect an edge of the solar collector, and a second sensor is attached to the second driver to detect the edge of the solar collector. A control circuit maintains alignment of the cleaning device with respect to the solar collector based on outputs from the first and second sensors.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module cleaning system can include a robotic cleaning device and a support system. The support system can be configured to provide a metered fill to the robotic cleaning device. In some embodiments, the robotic cleaning device and include a curved cleaning head. Various techniques for deploying a robotic cleaning device on PV modules include out-and-back, leapfrog, among others.

Abstract: Systems and methods capable of selecting and positively grasping objects of interest within a cluttered environment are described. Some aspects of the present disclosure provide for real-time control of a robot that uses various sensors and reacts to sensor input in real time to adjust the robots path. In some embodiments, a robotic item picker includes an end effector having a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end, a carriage configured to rotate about and translate along an intermediate portion of the shaft between a proximal position and a distal position, a suction device coupled to the distal end of the shaft, and a plurality of fingers spaced radially about the carriage. The robot may be a t-bot including a longitudinal member rotatable about a lengthwise axis of the longitudinal member, a carriage translatable along the lengthwise axis, and a radial member slidably mounted to the carriage.

Abstract: Solar tracker systems having several rows of photovoltaic strings individually actuated by respective tracker control systems, are described. In an example, a solar tracker system includes a tracker control system having a tracker controller powered by forward-fed power from a photovoltaic string, e.g., during daytime, and powered by back-fed power from a station hub, e.g., during nighttime. Methods of operating the solar tracker system to forward-feed or back-feed power to the tracker control system are also described.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module cleaning system can include a robotic cleaning device and a support system. The support system can be configured to provide a metered fill to the robotic cleaning device. In some embodiments, the robotic cleaning device and include a curved cleaning head. Various techniques for deploying a robotic cleaning device on PV modules include out-and-back, leapfrog, among others.

Abstract: A system and method for cleaning a collector surface of a solar collector. The system includes a first liquid-dispensing unit configured to deliver a first spray of liquid to the collector surface. The system also includes a brush element having a longitudinal side oriented along a first direction and disposed adjacent to the first liquid-dispensing unit. A first squeegee element is oriented along the first direction and adjacent to the brush element. The first squeegee element, the brush element, and the first liquid-dispensing unit define a first cleaning area. A second squeegee element is oriented along the first direction and separated from the first squeegee element by a gap to define a second cleaning area. The system also includes a second liquid-dispensing unit configured to deliver a second spray of liquid to the second cleaning area located between the first and second squeegees.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module cleaning system can include a robotic cleaning device and a support system. The support system can be configured to provide a metered fill to the robotic cleaning device.

Abstract: Solar tracker systems having several rows of photovoltaic strings individually actuated by respective tracker control systems, are described. In an example, a solar tracker system includes a tracker control system having a tracker controller powered by forward-fed power from a photovoltaic string, e.g., during daytime, and powered by back-fed power from a station hub, e.g., during nighttime. Methods of operating the solar tracker system to forward-feed or back-feed power to the tracker control system are also described.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) robotic cleaning device can include a cleaning head configured to apply a vaporized cleaning solution on a portion of a PV collector while the PV robotic cleaning device is traveling over the PV collector, where the vaporized cleaning solution can heat the portion of a PV collector while travelling. The photovoltaic (PV) robotic cleaning device can include a squeegee element coupled to the cleaning head, where the squeegee element can be configured to remove a cleaning solution formed by the vaporized cleaning solution.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module cleaning system can include a robotic cleaning device and a support system. The support system can be configured to provide a metered fill to the robotic cleaning device.

Abstract: A solar module cleaner can be configured for cleaning reflective surfaces of solar concentrator reflectors. The cleaner can include at least one cleaning module having a cleaning surface extending in a curved configuration corresponding to a curvature of the solar concentrator reflector. The cleaning surface can be configured to displace debris resting on the reflective surface. The cleaner can include fluid delivery devices for discharging a cleaning fluid onto the reflective surface. The cleaner can be configured to clean solar energy receivers associated with a solar concentrator reflector. Additionally, the cleaner can be configured to simultaneously clean a plurality of parallel solar concentrator reflectors. Optionally, the cleaner can be configured to simultaneously clean a plurality of solar energy receivers and a plurality of solar energy concentrators.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module cleaning system can include a robotic cleaning device and a support system. The support system can be configured to provide a metered fill to the robotic cleaning device. In some embodiments, the robotic cleaning device and include a curved cleaning head. Various techniques for deploying a robotic cleaning device on PV modules include out-and-back, leapfrog, among others.

Abstract: A system and method for cleaning a collector surface of a solar collector. The system includes a first liquid-dispensing unit configured to deliver a first spray of liquid to the collector surface. The system also includes a brush element having a longitudinal side oriented along a first direction and disposed adjacent to the first liquid-dispensing unit. A first squeegee element is oriented along the first direction and adjacent to the brush element. The first squeegee element, the brush element, and the first liquid-dispensing unit define a first cleaning area. A second squeegee element is oriented along the first direction and separated from the first squeegee element by a gap to define a second cleaning area. The system also includes a second liquid-dispensing unit configured to deliver a second spray of liquid to the second cleaning area located between the first and second squeegees.