Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for providing bend limits and cable protection on medium to large diameter (approx. 30 mm-300 mm) seismic towed arrays, umbilicals as well as medium and high voltage power and/or communications subsea cables. These medium to high voltage cables are typically used on stationary and floating wind turbines and other offshore platforms such as used by the oil and gas industries. This system is an improvement over existing designs and techniques commonly used for this bend limiting purpose.

Abstract: A wind hang off assembly and associated method secures an associated cable to an associated structure. The assembly includes a multi-part housing that when assembled forms first and second openings having cross-sectional dimensions that receive the associated cable therethrough at opposite, first and second ends. The openings communicate with an internal cavity. A multi-part insert receives the cable therethrough, and has an outer conformation dimensioned for receipt in the housing cavity and resists movement relative to the housing. Helical rods have an axial dimension received over an associated portion of the associated cable that is received in the housing. The assembly further includes a mounting member that operatively mounts the housing to the associated structure.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for securing remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and other similar underwater equipment that require an umbilical power and/or communications cable to a docking collar termination.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to power over fiber technology configured to provide electrical power and communications via fiber to one or more sensors of one or more varieties. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a sensor system comprising a laser data module operatively connected to a powered sensor module, wherein the powered sensor module receives a light, converts the light to electrical power, and powers a sensor with the electrical power, and wherein the powered sensor module transmits signals from the sensor to a laser data module.

Abstract: Provided is a photovoltaic power converter receiver, including a photovoltaic cell, a waveguide coupled to the photovoltaic cell, and an optical transmission device of which an end is coupled to the waveguide for transmitting an optical wave to the photovoltaic cell through the waveguide, wherein the end of the optical transmission device is offset from a longitudinal central axis of the waveguide by a distance Doffset.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to power over fiber technology configured to provide electrical power and communications via fiber to one or more sensors of one or more varieties. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a sensor system comprising a laser data module operatively connected to a powered sensor module, wherein the powered sensor module receives a light, converts the light to electrical power, and powers a sensor with the electrical power, and wherein the powered sensor module transmits signals from the sensor to a laser data module.

Abstract: Extremely fast dynamic control is allowed for hybrid PV/T (photovoltaic/thermal) distributed power production using concentrated solar power by manipulating the transmissive or reflective state of a capture element or mirror or lens that can pass highly concentrated solar light from one energy conversion device to another, such as a thermal collector and a photovoltaic receiver, such as a vertical multijunction cell array. This allows superior quality electrical backfeed into an electric utility, enhanced plant electrical production revenue, and responsiveness to a multitude of conditions to meet new stringent engineering requirements for distributed power plants. The mirror or lens can be physically articulated using fast changing of a spatial variable, or can be a fixed smart material that changes state. A mechanical jitter or variable state jitter can be applied to the capture element, including at utility electric grid line frequency.

Abstract: Provided is a photovoltaic power converter receiver, including a photovoltaic cell, a waveguide coupled to the photovoltaic cell, and an optical transmission device of which an end is coupled to the waveguide for transmitting an optical wave to the photovoltaic cell through the waveguide, wherein the end of the optical transmission device is offset from a longitudinal central axis of the waveguide by a distance Doffset.

Abstract: An energy conversion device in electrical communication with at least one fin is provided to output multiple voltages. The at least one fin which is originating from inside the energy conversion device, which is formed from a metal contact disposed between energy conversion device components, and which is spaced with a first end contact and a second end contact. A power transistor module includes at least one transistor, a gate driver and the energy conversion device. The gate driver is configured to drive the at least one transistor. The energy conversion device is configured to supply isolated voltages to the gate driver.

Abstract: Thermal, electrical and/or optical interfacing for three-dimensional optoelectronic devices, such as semiconductor device billets, allows high intensity operation, such as for receiving and transducing extremely high intensity light shined onto a small surface semiconductor optoelectronic device such as a photovoltaic receiver or cell, transducer, waveguide or splitter. This allows high intensity energy transfer for beam receiving, signal acquisition, and beam or signal generation for high intensity power beaming and wireless power transmission. Preferred embodiments include three-dimensional photovoltaic receiver billets capable of receiving thousands of suns intensity or high intensity laser light for power conversion, such as by using edge-illuminated vertical multijunction photovoltaic receivers. Heat sink holding structures assist in thermal and electromagnetic communication with opposing billet surfaces.

Abstract: New high energy operating regimes for high intensity energy transfer for beam receiving, signal acquisition, and beam or signal generation for power beaming and wireless power transmission are made possible by new direct thermal pathways for heat sinking, where an energy conversion device comprises a plurality of fins [1] originating from inside the energy conversion device; [2] formed from an energy conversion device component; and where those fins [3] individually support traffic in energy carriers essential to the function of the energy conversion device. This allows high energy thermal interfacing and high intensity energy conversion, such as for receiving and transducing extremely high intensity light shined onto a small surface semiconductor device such as a vertical multijunction photovoltaic receiver. This allows high intensity energy transfer for beam receiving, signal acquisition, and beam or signal generation for high intensity power beaming and wireless power transmission.

Abstract: Extremely fast dynamic control is allowed for hybrid PV/T (photovoltaic/thermal) distributed power production using concentrated solar power by manipulating the transmissive or reflective state of a capture element or mirror or lens that can pass highly concentrated solar light from one energy conversion device to another, such as a thermal collector and a photovoltaic receiver, such as a vertical multijunction cell array. This allows superior quality electrical backfeed into an electric utility, enhanced plant electrical production revenue, and responsiveness to a multitude of conditions to meet new stringent engineering requirements for distributed power plants. The mirror or lens can be physically articulated using fast changing of a spatial variable, or can be a fixed smart material that changes state. A mechanical jitter or variable state jitter can be applied to the capture element, including at utility electric grid line frequency.

Abstract: A voltage source generator includes a light-transmissive component and a plurality of vertical multi junction (VMJ) cells. The light-transmissive component includes an inner space. The VMJ cells are disposed within the inner space of the light-transmissive component to receive light and perform light-to-electricity conversion. The VMJ cells are connected in series. The voltage source generator can generate a kV-level voltage and meet small-sized and low-cost demands. A voltage source module includes at least two voltage source generators connected to at least one electrical connector.

Abstract: A force measuring apparatus includes a housing located with respect to an axis and having axially front and rear sections. A plunger is centered on the axis, supported by the housing for axial movement, and has axially front and rear spring supports. A load cell is fixed to the housing behind the rear spring support. A front spring structure is compressed between the front section of the housing and the front spring support of the plunger, urging the plunger rearward. A rear spring structure is compressed between the load cell and the rear spring support. The rear spring structure urges the plunger forward and applies against the load cell a force that is measurable by the load cell.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning apparatus includes a vacuum cleaner base and a handle configured to be attached to the base. A nozzle is configured for the base to draw air through the nozzle to clean the floor as the nozzle is moved along the floor by a user pushing the base by the handle. A power head assembly includes a power head having a brushroll and an electric motor that drives the brushroll. The assembly further includes a tube structure configured to connect the power head to the base for the base to draw air through the power head and the tube structure to clean the floor as the power head is moved along the floor by a user pushing the tube structure.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle, an air-filtering dirt receptacle, and a motor. A fan is configured to be driven by the motor to drive a flow of air that carries dirt from a surface through the nozzle and into the receptacle to clean the surface. A controller is configured to provide a notification to a user when the speed of the motor exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A handle stem extends along an axis and has an axially extending slot. A handgrip extends circumferentially about the stem and the slot. A prong extends from the handgrip diametrically through the slot for the slot to channel movement of the prong relative to the stem along the axis.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes a base. The base has a bottom surface, an access opening in the bottom surface, and wheels for wheeling the base over a floor while the bottom surface faces the floor. A cleaning attachment is configured to be attached to the base and moved against a household surface to clean the surface. An electronic controller is configured to be inserted through the opening into an installed position in the base from which to control an operating condition of the apparatus.

Abstract: A filter bag apparatus includes a filter bag and a panel. The panel is adhered to the bag and has an opening configured to receive a fill tube for the fill tube to exhaust dirt laden air into the bag. The opening has notches configured to pass over ears of the fill tube and then rotate out of alignment with the notches to capture the panel behind the ears to mount the bag to the fill tube. The panel has a longest dimension and a shortest dimension perpendicular to the longest dimension.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes a base, a cleaning head and a handle. The cleaning head is configured to be attached to the base and moved against a household surface to clean the surface. The handle is configured to be removably attached to the base for manually moving the base by the handle. The handle has an electronic user interface with which a user can control or monitor operation of the base.