Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for providing firearms, including handguns, with infrared sights and a camera which can be held in one shooter's hand. The camera can send live video which can display a target to a portable display, such as a smart phone, smart watch or smart glasses, that is held in another hand of the shooter, so that the shooter remains out of harms' way if the target is armed. The novel sight can include hybrids of combinations of infrared and bright white visible lights, and use all visible bright white light. A motion sensor or magnetometer sensor can be separately used to cause the novel sight to become activated. Wireless charging can be accomplished with charging circuits, charging pads and USB cables and ports. A multi-position locking system can allow for a rail key to be used for spacing the novel sight at up to twelve different positions relative to the firearm.

Abstract: An automated driving and assembly machine for driving foundation components, such as screw anchors, and for assembling foundations, such as truss foundations, using the driven screw anchors. The machine has a rotary driver and a hydraulic drilling tool. Sensors monitoring hydraulic pressure at the drilling tool will take incremental pressure readings during a driving operation. If the readings become clustered around a relative maximum, the controller will pause the driving operation and begin a drill stall mitigation sub-routine. This may involve retracting the drill and then hammering and releasing pressurized air to clear the stall. Clearance of the stall may also be derived by the controller from pressure readings.

Abstract: A portable crimping device and method of making such a crimping device is disclosed. A portable crimper transfers hydraulic forces back into the hydraulic cylinder and not just into a pinned or fixed connection supporting it. To withstand these forces, the cylinder is milled out of a single piece of source metal and the arm that transfers the forces is joined to the cylinder via pair of flanges extending the entire length of the cylinder to distribute them over a wider surface area.

Abstract: Automated systems and methods for drilling while driving foundation components are provided. In some cases, based on detected conditions, it may be desirable for an automated controller to change the bore diameter of a drill bit during a drilling and driving operation. The need for this may be determined based on monitoring the output of one or more sensors related to one or more corresponding performance metrics of the drilling and driving operation.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for providing firearms, including handguns, with infrared sights and a camera which can be held in one shooter's hand. The camera can send live video which can display a target to a portable display, such as a smart phone, smart watch or smart glasses, that is held in another hand of the shooter, so that the shooter remains out of harms' way if the target is armed.

Abstract: Solar cells with doped groove regions separated by ridges and methods of fabricating solar cells are described. In an example, a solar cell includes a substrate having a surface with a plurality of grooves and ridges. A first doped region of a first conductivity type is disposed in a first of the grooves. A second doped region of a second conductivity type, opposite the first conductivity type, is disposed in a second of the grooves. The first and second grooves are separated by one of the ridges.

Abstract: Solar cells with doped groove regions separated by ridges and methods of fabricating solar cells are described. In an example, a solar cell includes a substrate having a surface with a plurality of grooves and ridges. A first doped region of a first conductivity type is disposed in a first of the grooves. A second doped region of a second conductivity type, opposite the first conductivity type, is disposed in a second of the grooves. The first and second grooves are separated by one of the ridges.

Abstract: Photovoltaic systems with managed output and methods for managing variability of output from photovoltaic systems are described. A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules configured to receive and convert solar energy. The system also includes a sensor configured to determine an orientation for each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules, the orientations based on a maximum output from the photovoltaic system. The system also includes an orientation system configured to alter the orientation of one or more of the plurality of photovoltaic modules to provide a reduced output from the photovoltaic system, the reduced output less than the maximum output.

Abstract: Photovoltaic systems with managed output and methods for managing variability of output from photovoltaic systems are described. A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules configured to receive and convert solar energy. The system also includes a sensor configured to determine an orientation for each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules, the orientations based on a maximum output from the photovoltaic system. The system also includes an orientation system configured to alter the orientation of one or more of the plurality of photovoltaic modules to provide a reduced output from the photovoltaic system, the reduced output less than the maximum output.