Abstract: Disclosed herein is a photovoltaic-thermal hybrid apparatus. The photovoltaic-thermal hybrid apparatus includes a plurality of photovoltaic-thermal modules. Each photovoltaic-thermal module includes at least one condenser, a solar cell disposed at at least one side of the condenser, a frame to surround the condenser and the solar cell, and a channel disposed in the frame to cool the solar cell. The photovoltaic-thermal modules are arranged adjacent to one another, and the channel of each photovoltaic-thermal module is connected to the channel of at least one neighboring photovoltaic-thermal module.

Abstract: A solar battery is partially attached to each blade of a blind. The position of each blade is adjusted based on position information such that each blade tracks sunlight. Electric energy obtained by the generation of electricity using an indoor illumination source is used to charge a battery. In addition to the generation of electricity, some of the blades are folded to let in light.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a refrigerator capable of preventing frost from forming on an evaporator by mounting a dehumidifying unit and a recycling unit on both sides of the evaporator, respectively, and a controlling method thereof. Cold air in a storage chamber is dehumidified as the air passes through the dehumidifying unit and is sent to the evaporator. The cold air thermally exchanged in the evaporator is humidified as the air passes through the recycling unit and is sent to the storage chamber.

Abstract: A photovoltaic power generation system including a solar cell module having a plurality of layers and a sun tracking device to change an incident angle of solar energy upon the solar cell module. The sun tracking device is mounted at one of the layers such that the sun tracking device is combined with the solar cell module into a module.

Abstract: A positioning system having a plurality of transponder modules each located at a known location for receiving an electromagnetic signal and emitting a light signal, at least one transceiver module for emitting an electromagnetic signal and receiving the light signal, and apparatus processing the received light signal to determine a position of the at least one transceiver module.

Abstract: A stable air supply system in a fuel cell system produces heat and electricity by combining hydrogen modified from a major raw material selected from various hydrogen compounds, with oxygen existing in air. An air supply device and an air supply method in a fuel cell system, automate a lamda control, and achieve a fuel cell system operation efficiently and stably coping with pressure loss and pulsation occurring within the system, while using a minimum number of balance-of-plant (BOP) units. A method efficiently and precisely supplies air during the start-up and operation of the fuel cell system, while preventing flame failure of a burner and maintaining an appropriate carbon monoxide concentration even when an abrupt flow rate variation occurs. In this regard, an operating method is economical and stable in terms of the costs and configuration of the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A stable fuel supply system in a fuel cell system produces heat and electricity by combining hydrogen modified from a major raw material selected from various hydrogen compounds, with oxygen existing in air. A fuel supply device and a fuel supply method in a fuel cell system, which automate a steam to carbon ratio (S/C) control and a lamda control, and achieve a fuel cell system operation efficiently and stably coping with pressure loss and pulsation occurring within the system, while using a minimum number of balance-of-plant (BOP) units. A method more efficiently and precisely supplies fuel during the start-up and operation of the fuel cell system, while preventing flame failure of a burner and maintaining an appropriate carbon monoxide concentration even when an abrupt flow rate variation occurs.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a location having at least one sensor for sensing a change in at least one condition using voice tags to announce alarms. The system includes a registration process where a voice recorder and a digital conversion unit form digital voice tags from recorded speech representing the type and location of sensors. The voice tag is sent as part of an alarm message or pre-stored in a control panel for later retrieval such that the type and location of an alarm is reproduced vocally at the time of the alarm. The registration process may be completed with a registration module which may be a keypad or the voice recorder may be included in the sensors. Additional features include sensor location change notification to ensure the stored voice tag represents the current location of the sensor.

Abstract: An elevator system (10) includes a wireless batteryless hall call switch module (22) that transmits a unique wireless code when a person presses a hall call button (32, 34) requesting elevator service. A hall indicator module (24) includes an RF transceiver (64) that receives the wireless code from the switch module (22), activates a display to indicate that a button has been pushed, and transmits the hall call information to the elevator control system (14). When the elevator controller (14) informs the transceiver (64) of car arrival, the hall indicator module (24) causes the display to indicate car arrival.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a position of a moveable platform comprising a plurality of RFID tags encoded with location information situated at known locations and a plurality of visual markers situated at precise, known locations. An RF reader attached to a moveable platform reads the RFID tags to determine the approximate location of the platform. A camera apparatus attached to the moveable platform scans the visual marker. The scanned image is processed to provide the precise position information of the platform.

Abstract: A method of providing non-contact data selection, comprising the steps of providing at least one data selection, transmitting at least one signal in proximity to the at least one data selection, altering the path of the at least one transmitted signal through interaction with a selection device, detecting at least one altered signal, and determining selection of the selection device from the at least one altered signal.

Abstract: A brake mechanism (10) for an elevator (2) is activated in response to an electronic control signal to prevent movement of an elevator car (16) under predetermined conditions. The brake mechanism is preferably a safety mechanism (10) and does not require a governor sheave, a governor rope, or a tension sheave. The safety mechanism in one disclosed example utilizes a solenoid actuator (22b) and an electric motor (40) and gear box assembly (42) to move safety wedges (18) into engagement with a guide rail (20) to stop the elevator car (16). The safety wedges (18) are held in a non-deployed position during normal elevator operation. If there is a power loss or if elevator car speed exceeds a predetermined threshold, an electronic control signal activates the safety mechanism (10) causing the solenoid to release, which causes the safety wedges (18) move in a direction opposite to that of a safety housing (12) mounted for movement with the elevator car (16).

Abstract: A positioning system for a moveable platform comprising at least one active array comprised of at least one light emitting element for transmitting a binary encoded identification, where the encoding may be spatial or temporal, positioned at a known location, at least one camera for acquiring an image of the at least one active array, component for receiving the binary encoded identification from the image, component for processing the image to determine the position of the active array with respect to the moveable platform, and component for combining the received binary encoded identification and the determined position to calculate a position of the moveable platform.

Abstract: A position reference system for use with a conveyance, such as an elevator (12). The system includes a code affixed to or embedded within a suspension device or primary motion coupling such as a rope or coated steel belt (16). A reader (28) in a fixed location determines the position of the conveyance.

Abstract: An ambient energy harvesting system, and method of use thereof, includes a magnetic flux-generating assembly (28), a coil (30) positioned adjacent to the magnetic flux-generating assembly (28), and a cantilevered arm (24). Vibration of the cantilevered arm (24) enables relative movement between the magnetic flux- generating assembly (28) and the coil (30) to generate an electric current in the coil (30). An effective flexible length (L) of the cantilevered arm (24) is selected such that applied kinetic energy causes the cantilevered arm (24) to vibrate at approximately its resonant frequency.

Abstract: A positioning system for an elevator cab (37) includes transponder modules (10) having a unique ID for receiving a signal (39) and emitting an ultrasonic signal when the signal is equivalent to the unique ID with a determination of position based on the time duration of the signals.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a position of a moveable platform includes a plurality of transponder modules. The transponder modules include an electromagnetic transmitter adapted to emit an electromagnetic signal, and an acoustic receiver adapted to receive an acoustic signal. At least two of the plurality of transponders are disposed about the position to be measured. The apparatus also includes at least one transceiver module affixed to the moveable platform, which transceiver modules includes an acoustic transmitter adapted to emit an acoustic signal, an electromagnetic receiver adapted to receive an electromagnetic signal. The apparatus also includes a timing mechanism for measuring a plurality of durations between an emission of the acoustic signal and a receipt of the electromagnetic signal, and a computing mechanism for processing the plurality of durations to compute the position.

Abstract: A positioning system comprising a plurality of transponder modules each located at a known location for receiving an electromagnetic signal and emitting a light signal, at least one transceiver module for emitting an electromagnetic signal and receiving the light signal, and apparatus processing the received light signal to determine a position of the at least one transceiver module.

Abstract: A method of providing non-contact data selection, comprising the steps of providing at least one data selection, transmitting at least one signal in proximity to the at least one data selection, altering the path of the at least one transmitted signal through interaction with a selection device, detecting at least one altered signal, and determining selection of the selection device from the at least one altered signal.

Abstract: A passenger interface device (20) includes at least one input member (22, 24, 26) having a contact surface (28) that is adapted to be touched by an individual. A disinfectant (30) is on the contact surface (28). The disinfectant (30) comprises a radiation-activated material. A source of radiation (32) irradiates the disinfectant (30) to disinfect the contact surface of the passenger interface device. In one example, titanium dioxide is used as a photocatalyst that disinfects the contact surface responsive to ultraviolet light radiation.