Abstract: Methods of manufacturing electrochromic windows are described. An electrochromic device is fabricated to substantially cover a glass sheet, for example float glass, and a cutting pattern is defined based on one or more low-defectivity areas in the device from which one or more electrochromic panes are cut. Laser scribes and/or bus bars may be added prior to cutting the panes or after. Edge deletion can also be performed prior to or after cutting the electrochromic panes from the glass sheet. Insulated glass units (IGUs) are fabricated from the electrochromic panes and optionally one or more of the panes of the IGU are strengthened.

Abstract: This disclosure provides spacers for smart windows. In one aspect, a window assembly includes a first substantially transparent substrate having an optically switchable device on a surface of the first substrate. The optically switchable device includes electrodes. A first electrode of the electrodes has a length about the length of a side of the optically switchable device. The window assembly further includes a second substantially transparent substrate a metal spacer between the first and the second substrates. The metal spacer has a substantially rectangular cross section, with one side of the metal spacer including a recess configured to accommodate the length of the first electrode such that there is no contact between the first electrode and the metal spacer. A primary seal material bonds the first substrate to the metal spacer and bonds the second substrate to the metal spacer.

Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating electrochromic devices that mitigate formation of short circuits under a top bus bar without predetermining where top bus bars will be applied on the device. Devices fabricated using such methods may be deactivated under the top bus bar, or may include active material under the top bus bar. Methods of fabricating devices with active material under a top bus bar include depositing a modified top bus bar, fabricating self-healing layers in the electrochromic device, and modifying a top transparent conductive layer of the device prior to applying bus bars.

Abstract: A connector including coupling and sleeve flanges defining opposing recesses separated by an axial gap along an elongate axis. The connector also includes a arcuate bridge member radially biased outwardly against at least one of the internal contact surfaces of the opposing recesses and spanning the axial gap. The arcuate bridge member maintains electrical conductivity across the axial gap even when the sleeve does not electrically contact the coupling member. At least one of the contact surfaces defines a conical surface which is responsive to the radially biased conductive bridge member to produce a radial force against the internal contact surfaces. The radial force produces an axial force component along the elongate axis.

Abstract: A connector including coupling and sleeve flanges defining opposing recesses separated by an axial gap along an elongate axis. The connector also includes a arcuate bridge member radially biased outwardly against at least one of the internal contact surfaces of the opposing recesses and spanning the axial gap. The arcuate bridge member maintains electrical conductivity across the axial gap even when the sleeve does not electrically contact the coupling member. At least one of the contact surfaces defines a conical surface which is responsive to the radially biased conductive bridge member to produce a radial force against the internal contact surfaces. The radial force produces an axial force component along the elongate axis.

Abstract: A connector including coupling and sleeve flanges defining opposing recesses separated by an axial gap along an elongate axis. The connector also includes a arcuate bridge member radially biased outwardly against at least one of the internal contact surfaces of the opposing recesses and spanning the axial gap. The arcuate bridge member maintains electrical conductivity across the axial gap even when the sleeve does not electrically contact the coupling member. At least one of the contact surfaces defines a conical surface which is responsive to the radially biased conductive bridge member to produce a radial force against the internal contact surfaces. The radial force produces an axial force component along the elongate axis.

Abstract: A freeze-drying system includes a vented cart for operation in a pressure-controlled chamber, and a plurality of heated shelves disposed in the vented cart. Each heated shelf includes a planar sheet made from a thermally conductive material. The planar sheet is folded to provide a top portion configured to conduct heat to a tray resting on the top portion, a bottom portion disposed opposite the top portion, and a folded leading edge. A heating element is secured between the top portion and the bottom portion so as to be disposed in thermally conductive contact with either the top portion or the bottom portion. The top portion is configured to conduct heat to a tray resting on the top portion. The leading folded edge permits food items to slide out of the freeze-drying system, even though pressing along the bottom portion of the heated shelf, without catching on the food.

Abstract: A freeze-drying system includes a vented cart for operation in a pressure-controlled chamber, and a plurality of heated shelves disposed in the vented cart. Each heated shelf includes a planar sheet made from a thermally conductive material. The planar sheet is folded to provide a top portion configured to conduct heat to a tray resting on the top portion, a bottom portion disposed opposite the top portion, and a folded leading edge. A heating element is secured between the top portion and the bottom portion so as to be disposed in thermally conductive contact with either the top portion or the bottom portion. The top portion is configured to conduct heat to a tray resting on the top portion. The leading folded edge permits food items to slide out of the freeze-drying system, even though pressing along the bottom portion of the heated shelf, without catching on the food.

Abstract: A freeze-drying system is disclosed which includes a vented cart configured for operation in a pressure-controlled chamber, and a plurality of heated shelves disposed in the vented cart. At least one heated shelf of the plurality of heated shelves is provided. The heated shelf includes a first planar sheet formed from a thermally conductive material having a top configured to conduct heat to a tray resting on the top, a second planar sheet disposed opposite the first planar sheet, and a heating element secured between the first and second planar sheets. The heating element has a surface disposed in thermally conductive contact with the first planar sheet.

Abstract: A connector including coupling and sleeve flanges defining opposing recesses separated by an axial gap along an elongate axis. The connector also includes a arcuate bridge member radially biased outwardly against at least one of the internal contact surfaces of the opposing recesses and spanning the axial gap. The arcuate bridge member maintains electrical conductivity across the axial gap even when the sleeve does not electrically contact the coupling member. At least one of the contact surfaces defines a conical surface which is responsive to the radially biased conductive bridge member to produce a radial force against the internal contact surfaces. The radial force produces an axial force component along the elongate axis.

Abstract: A connector including coupling and sleeve flanges defining opposing recesses separated by an axial gap along an elongate axis. The connector also includes a conductive band radially biased outwardly against at least one of the internal contact surfaces of the opposing recesses and spanning the axial gap. The conductive band maintains electrical conductivity across the axial gap even when the sleeve does not electrically contact the coupling member. At least one of the contact surfaces defines a conical surface which is responsive to the radially biased conductive member to produce a radial force against the internal contact surfaces. The radial force produces an axial force component along the elongate axis.

Abstract: A freeze-drying system is disclosed which includes a vented cart configured for operation in a pressure-controlled chamber, and a plurality of heated shelves disposed in the vented cart. At least one heated shelf of the plurality of heated shelves is provided. The heated shelf includes a first planar sheet formed from a thermally conductive material having a top configured to conduct heat to a tray resting on the top, a second planar sheet disposed opposite the first planar sheet, and a heating element secured between the first and second planar sheets. The heating element has a surface disposed in thermally conductive contact with the first planar sheet.

Abstract: A connector including coupling and sleeve flanges defining opposing recesses separated by an axial gap along an elongate axis. The connector also includes a conductive band radially biased outwardly against at least one of the internal contact surfaces of the opposing recesses and spanning the axial gap. The conductive band maintains electrical conductivity across the axial gap even when the sleeve does not electrically contact the coupling member. At least one of the contact surfaces defines a conical surface which is responsive to the radially biased conductive member to produce a radial force against the internal contact surfaces. The radial force produces an axial force component along the elongate axis.

Abstract: A coaxial cable connector for connection to a terminal includes inner and outer spaced concentric sleeves configured to cooperate in retaining an end of a coaxial cable, at least one of the inner and outer sleeves having a flange at its forward end and a coupling member configured to draw the flange toward an end of the terminal. The coupling member and the flange have confronting surface portions therebetween. The connector further includes an annular electrically conductive member disposed between the confronting surface portions for establishing conductivity between the coupling member and the flange when the coupling member and the flange are drawn into proximity with one another.

Abstract: A coaxial cable connector, in one embodiment, includes a first housing, a second housing and an inner body. The inner body is fixed or stationary relative to the first housing based on the position of the second housing. The inner body configured to be moveable relative to the first housing when the second housing is in the first position; and stationary relative to the first housing when the second housing is in the second position.

Abstract: A coaxial cable connector, in one embodiment, includes a first housing, a second housing and an inner body. The inner body is fixed or stationary relative to the first housing based on the position of the second housing.

Abstract: A solar powered generator assembly is provided for driving a turbine using steam produced by solar power. The assembly includes a fluid tank and a fluid line having a first end and a second end each in fluid communication with the fluid tank. A fluid is positioned in the fluid tank and the fluid line. A lens focuses solar rays into a heat collector coupled to the lens. The heat collector has a reflective curved interior surface configured for reflecting solar rays to facilitate heating the heat collector. A medial portion of the fluid line is wrapped around and heated by the heat collector converting the fluid into a gaseous state. A turbine is operationally coupled to the fluid line driving the turbine to produce electrical current.

Abstract: A coaxial cable connector includes a forward outer housing having at least one slot and a rearward threaded portion, the at least one slot configured to receive a corresponding pin of a mating connector; a rear outer housing having a forward threaded portion configured to threadingly engage the rearward threaded portion of the forward outer housing such that the rear outer housing is moveable between a first position and a second position relative to the forward outer housing; and an inner body extending through at least a portion of the forward outer housing and the rear outer housing. The inner body is longitudinally displaceable relative to the forward outer housing when the rear outer housing is in the first position, and the inner body is longitudinally fixed relative to the forward outer housing when the rear outer housing is in the second position.

Abstract: A compression tool for connecting a cable fitting to the end of a cable includes a plunger having a chuck at one end together with an extension member releasably connected to the end of the chuck and aligned with enlarged recesses in spaced guideways, dies on the tool can be expanded to permit insertion of the connector fitting and cable into engagement with the end of the chuck or the extension member and contracted to apply a uniform crimping force to the fitting in response to axial force applied to the chuck, and the spaced guideways have angled guide slots to correlate the advancement of the dies with the effective length of the chuck to cause the cable fitting to be contracted into crimping engagement with the end of the cable; and a special cable fitting is provided for smaller cables to compensate for the difference in diameter between standard cables and the smaller cables.

Abstract: A coaxial cable connector includes a forward outer housing having at least one slot and a rearward threaded portion, the at least one slot configured to receive a corresponding pin of a mating connector; a rear outer housing having a forward threaded portion configured to threadingly engage the rearward threaded portion of the forward outer housing such that the rear outer housing is moveable between a first position and a second position relative to the forward outer housing; and an inner body extending through at least a portion of the forward outer housing and the rear outer housing. The inner body is longitudinally displaceable relative to the forward outer housing when the rear outer housing is in the first position, and the inner body is longitudinally fixed relative to the forward outer housing when the rear outer housing is in the second position.