Abstract: Baler devices, systems, and methods are shown and described. In one embodiment, the device includes an access door that is generally repositionable about a maintenance opening in a compression chamber. A chamber maintenance assembly may include a repositionable chamber access door, a pair of opposing hydraulic actuators, and a pair of extension arms connecting the access door and the hydraulic actuators. The result is devices, systems, and methods to provide improved access to the compression chamber to attend to jamming maintenance.

Abstract: Baler devices, systems, and methods are shown and described. In one embodiment, the device includes an access door that is generally repositionable about a maintenance opening in a compression chamber. A chamber maintenance assembly may include a repositionable chamber access door, a pair of opposing hydraulic actuators, and a pair of extension arms connecting the access door and the hydraulic actuators. The result is devices, systems, and methods to provide improved access to the compression chamber to attend to jamming maintenance.

Abstract: A vertically folding wall partition with a set of foldable panel assemblies serially and pivotally connected through a series of vertically spaced apart supports, and a moving mechanism varying a distance between opposed ends of each panel assembly following a downwardly progressing sequence starting with the uppermost panel assembly as the panel assemblies are moved from the deployed position to the folded position, and the moving mechanism varying the distance between the opposed ends of each panel assembly following an upwardly progressing sequence starting with the lowermost of the panel assemblies as the panel assemblies are moved from the folded position to the deployed position.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for use in analyzing discrete reactions are provided. The analytical devices of the invention use an array of nanoscale regions (a chip) that has discrete patches of nanoscale regions. The chip mates with a collection device comprising an array of compact lens trains (CLTs) where each of the CLTs corresponds to a single patch of nanoscale regions. Each CLT collects the emitted light from a patch on the chip, collimates the light, performs color separation on the collimated emitted light, and focuses the separated light onto a portion of pixels on the detector below the CLT. Such systems are useful for monitoring many analytical reactions at one time including single molecule sequencing reactions.

Abstract: A vertically folding wall partition with a set of foldable panel assemblies serially and pivotally connected through a series of vertically spaced apart supports, and a moving mechanism varying a distance between opposed ends of each panel assembly following a downwardly progressing sequence starting with the uppermost panel assembly as the panel assemblies are moved from the deployed position to the folded position, and the moving mechanism varying the distance between the opposed ends of each panel assembly following an upwardly progressing sequence starting with the lowermost of the panel assemblies as the panel assemblies are moved from the folded position to the deployed position.

Abstract: An approach to the design of the set of filters which allows for the collection of a larger portion of the optical signal while still distinguishing the presence of the various fluorophores is described. In some embodiments, the filter sets of the invention each block a smaller portion of the spectrum, allowing for a larger portion of the emitted light to be detected. The combined information from the light passing through two or more of the filters is then used to determine the presence of a given fluorophore. The filter sets of the invention can be particularly useful in integrated devices in which the light from a single molecule reaction in a small reaction region is directed to a detector or to a specific portion of a detector.

Abstract: A method comprising forming two or more frames from a first wafer, forming two or more etalons from a second wafer, disposing a resistive thermal device on each of the two or more frames, dicing the first wafer and the second wafer, and bonding each of the frames to a corresponding one of the etalons to form optical subassemblies of optical filters.

Abstract: A telescoping floor seal assembly comprising an attachment portion adapted to be mounted to a bottom edge of a vertically displaceable partition, and a displaceable sealing portion slideably mounted within the attachment portion for relative displacement therewith between a fully collapsed position and a fully extended position and described. The displaceable sealing portion has at least one longitudinal sealing edge member at a base thereof for contacting a floor when the vertical partition is displaced to a closed position. The attachment portion is substantially vertically displaceable with the vertically displaceable partition while the sealing edge member of the displaceable sealing portion remains in sealing contact with the floor within a predetermined displacement range of vertical movement of the vertical partition.

Abstract: A vertically collapsible wall partition is comprised of a plurality of interconnected horizontal wall panels pivotally interconnected to one another and forming horizontal panel joints therebetween. The panels are operated by an overhead lifting mechanism. The wall panels each have opposed spaced-apart composite walls each having perimeter seals to provide acoustic sound damping. The composite walls are formed by a face sheet secured to a front face of a core material and a backer sheet is secured to core material with an insulation material secured to the back of the backer sheet. Top and bottom horizontal seals are secured to the wall partition top and bottom horizontal wall panels. The seals and joints of the horizontal wall panels are such as to exhibit improved acoustic performance.

Abstract: A vertically collapsible weather resistant barrier for an opening, having a plurality of side frames secured along the height of side walls and/or an intermediate post defining the opening. Each side frame has a longitudinal channel along its length facing inward toward the opening. The channel accommodates sheaves extending from the barrier and by which a ceiling mounted pulley system may house and lower the barrier with the side frame. The barrier comprises a plurality of pantograph structures at opposite ends of a plurality of panels. The arms of the pantograph structure closest to the side walls house a locking mechanism thereon facing the side frame at either end of the arm that engages a latch in and a proximate arm to pull them into tight vertical alignment when substantially fully extended. The locking mechanisms are covered by an expandable bulb seal that bulges outwardly when the locking mechanism is engaged to create a seal between the pantograph and the channel in the side wall.

Abstract: A method comprising generating an optical beam with a laser, filtering the optical beam to select a desired wavelength with an etalon positioned in a path of the optical beam, heating the etalon to an operational temperature using a heater, monitoring the operational temperature of the etalon with a resistive thermal device disposed in or on a thermally conductive frame bonded to the etalon, and applying feedback control of the heater based on the monitoring to select the desired wavelength.

Abstract: A vertically collapsible wall partition is comprised of a plurality of interconnected horizontal wall panels pivotally interconnected to one another and forming horizontal panel joints therebetween. The panels are operated by an overhead lifting mechanism. The wall panels each have opposed spaced-apart composite walls each having perimeter seals to provide acoustic sound damping. The composite walls are formed by a face sheet secured to a front face of a core material and a backer sheet is secured to core material with an insulation material secured to the back of the backer sheet. Top and bottom horizontal seals are secured to the wall partition top and bottom horizontal wall panels. The seals and joints of the horizontal wall panels are such as to exhibit improved acoustic performance.

Abstract: The present invention is a combination non-imaging concentrator in which at least one surface or volume is incorporated as an optical element to increase obliquity of reflection at walls of a light guide. The combination non-imaging concentrator may be used in a solar energy system to receive solar radiation from optical components and then output the solar radiation to a photovoltaic cell for conversion to electricity. One or more lenses may be formed integrally with the light guide, or may be used in conjunction with the light guide as separate components.

Abstract: A telescoping floor seal assembly comprising an attachment portion adapted to be mounted to a bottom edge of a vertically displaceable partition, and a displaceable sealing portion slideably mounted within the attachment portion for relative displacement therewith between a fully collapsed position and a fully extended position and described. The displaceable sealing portion has at least one longitudinal sealing edge member at a base thereof for contacting a floor when the vertical partition is displaced to a closed position. The attachment portion is substantially vertically displaceable with the vertically displaceable partition while the sealing edge member of the displaceable sealing portion remains in sealing contact with the floor within a predetermined displacement range of vertical movement of the vertical partition.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a thermally controlled optical filter comprises a frame coupled to an etalon where the frame includes a resistive thermal device disposed on the frame to obtain thermal measurements of the etalon during operation. The frame may be generally L-shaped or generally square-shaped. The frame may include a fillet that is generally planar, generally beveled or trapezoidal, or generally circular in shape. A heater may be additionally disposed on the frame. The etalon and frame subassembly may be bonded to a micro hot plate that is capable of heating the etalon to an operational temperature.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for improving the total power output from a field of solar energy systems. The invention provides a field level tracker controller which calculates an improved positioning of individual solar energy systems and communicates those configurations to trackers in the field. An algorithm stored in the controller calculates the improved configuration for the solar energy systems based on factors such as solar movement, shade patterns generated by surrounding structures, and measured output of the energy systems. Improved positioning may include individual energy systems being directed to a stowed position to maximize the power output of the field as a whole.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a thermally controlled optical filter comprises a frame coupled to an etalon where the frame includes a resistive thermal device disposed on the frame to obtain thermal measurements of the etalon during operation. The frame may be generally L-shaped or generally square-shaped. The frame may include a fillet that is generally planar, generally beveled or trapezoidal, or generally circular in shape. A heater may be additionally disposed on the frame. The etalon and frame subassembly may be bonded to a micro hot plate that is capable of heating the etalon to an operational temperature.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises a housing, at least one heat generating component in the housing, and at least one thermal management device in thermal communication with the at least one heat generating component, wherein the at least one thermal management device selectively allocates heat flow to one or more portions of the housing. Other embodiments may be described.