Abstract: A renewable energy sponsorship and funding model may allow an entity (“sponsor”) to sponsor creation and/or operation of a renewable energy source without necessarily receiving power directly from the renewable energy source. The sponsor may engage in a contract for differences (CFD) with the renewable energy source through a service provider. The sponsor may periodically make payments or receive payments resulting from the differences determined under the CFD. The amounts of the differences are variable based at least on the production of renewable energy by the renewable energy source and the wholesale market rates used in the purchase of power produced by the renewable energy source. These variances may be difficult to accommodate in a financial budget implemented by the sponsor. Various techniques and systems are disclosed to offset and/or smooth these variances, including making purchases on a wholesale spot market, using a credit facility, and/or creating a forward contract.

Abstract: An inflatable curtain airbag is secured along an upper edge to a body structure of the motor vehicle and deploys downwardly when inflated. Prior to deployment, the lower edge of the curtain is not tethered to the vehicle body. When nearly or fully deployed, the lower edge of the curtain engages an adjacent part of the motor vehicle so as to form a virtual tether therebetween resisting relative movement between the curtain and the adjacent part.

Abstract: An inflatable curtain airbag is secured along an upper edge to a body structure of the motor vehicle and deploys downwardly when inflated. Prior to deployment, the lower edge of the curtain is not tethered to the vehicle body. When nearly or fully deployed, the lower edge of the curtain engages an adjacent part of the motor vehicle so as to form a virtual tether therebetween resisting relative movement between the curtain and the adjacent part.

Abstract: In various embodiments, systems and methods are provided for a wireless device to acquire a wireless channel in wireless communication system. In an embodiment, the wireless device obtains a first wireless communication channel to operate on a first wireless network from a first wireless channel table where the first wireless communication channel is associated with a geographic identifier. The wireless device saves the geographic identifier and obtains a second wireless communication channel to operate on a second wireless network from a second wireless channel table using the geographic identifier where the second wireless communication channel is associated with the geographic identifier.

Abstract: A curtain airbag assembly is provided having a number of airbags 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d arranged in a side by side relationship. Lower ends of the airbags 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d are linked to the adjacent airbag by an airbag tether connector assembly 10. Each of the tether connector assemblies includes first and second connectors 20, 30 that engage with one another and snap together to fasten together two tethers 26, 36. In the event that the first and second connectors 20, 30 are not correctly coupled together an indication of this fact is providing in one of a number of manners thereby reducing the risk that a vehicle 5 fitted with such a curtain airbag assembly can enter service with one or more tethers 26, 36 not connected.

Abstract: An inflatable curtain airbag is secured along an upper edge to a body structure of the motor vehicle and deploys downwardly when inflated. Prior to deployment, the lower edge of the curtain is not tethered to the vehicle body. When nearly or fully deployed, the lower edge of the curtain engages an adjacent part of the motor vehicle so as to form a virtual tether therebetween resisting relative movement between the curtain and the adjacent part.

Abstract: Mechanically stacked multijunction solar cells are provided. In one embodiment, a mechanically stacked, multijunction solar cell comprises: a first solar cell having a first bandgap; a second solar cell having a second bandgap; and a plurality of spaced apart metal pillars sandwiched between the first solar cell and the second solar cell.

Abstract: A device (10) comprises a semiconductor diode (12) and a switchable element (14) positioned in stacked adjacent relationship. The semiconductor diode (12) and the switchable element (14) are electrically connected in series with one another. The switchable element (14) is switchable from a low-conductance state to a high-conductance state in response to the application of a low-density forming current and/or a low voltage.

Abstract: An inflatable curtain airbag is secured along an upper edge to a body structure of the motor vehicle and deploys downwardly when inflated. Prior to deployment, the lower edge of the curtain is not tethered to the vehicle body. When nearly or fully deployed, the lower edge of the curtain engages an adjacent part of the motor vehicle so as to form a virtual tether therebetween resisting relative movement between the curtain and the adjacent part.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a motor vehicle is disclosed having lower and upper steering column members that are slidingly interengaged. The upper column member is attached to a structural part of the motor vehicle by a ride down mechanism that allows the upper steering column to move in the event of a collision. A load transfer means is provided to bypass the ride down mechanism when an adjustment lever is moved to a position allowing the position of the upper steering column member to be adjusted thereby preventing accidental damage occurring to the ride down mechanism due to operator abuse.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a motor vehicle is disclosed having lower and upper steering column members that are slidingly interengaged. The upper column member is attached to a structural part of the motor vehicle by a ride down mechanism that allows the upper steering column to move in the event of a collision. A load transfer means is provided to bypass the ride down mechanism when an adjustment lever is moved to a position allowing the position of the upper steering column member to be adjusted thereby preventing accidental damage occurring to the ride down mechanism due to operator abuse.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a motor vehicle is disclosed having lower and upper steering column members that are slidingly interengaged. The upper column member is attached to a structural part of the motor vehicle by a ride down mechanism that allows the upper steering column to move in the event of a collision. A load transfer means is provided to bypass the ride down mechanism when an adjustment lever is moved to a position allowing the position of the upper steering column member to be adjusted thereby preventing accidental damage occurring to the ride down mechanism due to operator abuse.

Abstract: Installation system for fastening a side curtain airbag to a motor vehicle comprising an airbag with a hollow filling portion which may be inflated by a gas generator and a fastening edge. The installation system has a laterally open fastening profile with a continuous groove which may correspond to the length of the airbag. The fastening profile is arranged on the vehicle and defines a slit-like opening. A thickened guide extends along the fastening edge and is configured to be inserted into the fastening profile. The thickened guide is received in the groove and has a cross section that is at least partially larger than the slit-like opening of the fastening profile.

Abstract: A curtain airbag assembly is provided having a number of airbags 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d arranged in a side by side relationship. Lower ends of the airbags 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d are linked to the adjacent airbag by an airbag tether connector assembly 10. Each of the tether connector assemblies includes first and second connectors 20, 30 that engage with one another and snap together to fasten together two tethers 26, 36. In the event that the first and second connectors 20, 30 are not correctly coupled together an indication of this fact is providing in one of a number of manners thereby reducing the risk that a vehicle 5 fitted with such a curtain airbag assembly can enter service with one or more tethers 26, 36 not connected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to provide electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection to electronic circuits using a combination of low voltage and high voltage transistors.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a motor vehicle is disclosed having lower and upper steering column members that are slidingly interengaged. The upper column member is attached to a structural part of the motor vehicle by a ride down mechanism that allows the upper steering column to move in the event of a collision. A load transfer means is provided to bypass the ride down mechanism when an adjustment lever is moved to a position allowing the position of the upper steering column member to be adjusted thereby preventing accidental damage occurring to the ride down mechanism due to operator abuse.

Abstract: A device (10) comprises a semiconductor diode (12) and a switchable element (14) positioned in stacked adjacent relationship. The semiconductor diode (12) and the switchable element (14) are electrically connected in series with one another. The switchable element (14) is switchable from a low-conductance state to a high-conductance state in response to the application of a low-density forming current and/or a low voltage.

Abstract: A method for performing an electronic transaction is disclosed. The method provides authentication data and authentication software to an electronic device and preferably stored in a secure storage location or other location inaccessible to the user or the operating system of the device. When digital data is requested from a transaction party that requests a digital signature, the authentication software is activated to generate said digital signature from the authentication data. Next, the digital signature is provided to the other transaction party, which then provides the requested digital data. The digital signature may be embedded in the requested and provided digital data. Further, a method for performing a verification of legitimate use of digital data is disclosed.

Abstract: A pressure compensated shear seal solenoid valve for use in subsea control systems is disclosed utilizing an arcuate cross section fluid passageway to improve flow rates, ease of serviceability and reduce size.

Abstract: A mount for use in the outdoors to support a camera for recording images of flora, fauna, and participants in outdoors-recreational activities. The camera mount comprises a pivot and a rotatable support plate atop a clamping mechanism, which will clamp upon square, rectangular, and round shaped shafts. A camera is statically fastened to the rotatable support plate by a thumbscrew extending through a round hole and tightened. The pivot and rotatable support plate mount to the clamping mechanism with a bolt extending through holes aligned in each and a threaded knob, that when tightened or loosened on the bolt adjusts compressive tension on the clamping mechanism; also, securing the desired angle of rotation. An embodiment is shown of an alternate position of the bottom of the clamping mechanism for mounting on smaller round shafts. A method of mounting a camera for use in the recording of flora, fauna, and participants in outdoors-recreational activities is disclosed.