Abstract: This invention is embodied in an energy yield optimization device that can be used to optimize energy yields for a utility-scale photovoltaic power plant. More specifically, this solution is directed to utility-scale photovoltaic power plants that have undulating (non-planar) topography. Because of the undulating topography, the rotating axles of the solar trackers will not necessarily be horizontal and would be expected to be different for each independent rotating axle in the field. The preferred solution claimed herein deploys a marching algorithm to find the preferred optimum solution.

Abstract: This invention is embodied in a cost-optimization device for the layout and construction of a utility-scale photovoltaic (“PV”) power plant. The optimization device employs a set of algorithms designed to find the most cost-effective solution under given conditions. The algorithms are written in computer machine readable code and are highly customizable for the specific tracker equipment requirements and owner/builder/maintainer specifications or preferences. The preferred optimization device comprises three principal stages (or “units”) of computing: (1) an objective-state unit, (2) an optimum-feasible unit, and (3) a grading unit. In the first stage, the objective-state unit cost-optimizes site grading by orienting a ruling line between a maximum and a minimum pile reveal length for each tracker in the project (the objective-state solution”). When compared to the existing site topography, the ruling line indicates cost-optimized cut and fill locations.

Abstract: Various roof vent adaptors are disclosed. The roof vent adaptors can be used to seal penetrations on buildings, such as vent penetrations on metal or non-metal roofs. In various embodiments, the roof vent adaptor includes a sealing member, an outer securing unit and an inner securing unit. The roof vent adaptor can be secured to the roof to provide a generally liquid-tight seal around the roof vent, thereby inhibiting or preventing water intrusion into the building.

Abstract: Various roof vent adaptors are disclosed. The roof vent adaptors can be used to seal penetrations on buildings, such as vent penetrations on metal or non-metal roofs. In various embodiments, the roof vent adaptor includes a sealing member, an outer securing unit and an inner securing unit. The roof vent adaptor can be secured to the roof to provide a generally liquid-tight seal around the roof vent, thereby inhibiting or preventing water intrusion into the building.

Abstract: Various roof vent adaptors are disclosed. The roof vent adaptors can be used to seal penetrations on buildings, such as vent penetrations on metal or non-metal roofs. In various embodiments, the roof vent adaptor includes a sealing member, an outer securing unit and an inner securing unit. The roof vent adaptor can be secured to the roof to provide a generally liquid-tight seal around the roof vent, thereby inhibiting or preventing water intrusion into the building.

Abstract: A surface relief structure includes a recording medium configured to be structurally modified when exposed to interfering and non-interfering portions of radiation beams, the structurally modified recording medium including, when viewed in a two-dimensional cross-section along one of the axes of the recording medium a plurality of equally spaced steps of fine-sized periodicity superimposed upon a plurality of deep depressions of substantially coarse-sized periodicity. The structurally modified recording medium is configured to produce in reflection single and multiple colors in a broad spectral range when illuminated by a source of light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a frame (1) which is to be mounted onto a ski slope maintenance vehicle (15) having a winch (17), and which supports a jib (3) for directing a cable (21) between a reeling drum (23) of the winch (17) and a point for attaching the cable (21) for pulling the vehicle (15), wherein said frame (1) includes a deformable quadrilateral structure (5) that makes it possible to vary the height of the jib (3).

Abstract: A flashing strip can include a body and at least one reinforcing member. The flashing strip can include a viscoelastic body deformable by a manual force between at least a first configuration and a second configuration. The flashing strip can also include at least one reinforcing member being deformable by the manual force. The reinforcing member can be configured to maintain a first shape of the body when the body is in the first configuration and when the manual force is not applied to the body and can be configured to maintain a second shape of the body when the body is in the second configuration and when the manual force is not applied to the body.

Abstract: A method of generating a topology for a material includes parametrizing one or more material properties of the material using virtual testing and generating a topology for the material based on the parametrizing.

Abstract: A slide-top tent retrofit system for converting a frame tent to a slide-top tent is described. In some embodiments, the system comprises a retrofit end crown fitting that can attach to an original crown fitting using an original attachment means. In some embodiments this retrofit end crown fitting comprises a sliding channel and attaches to retrofit rafter beams, also comprising a sliding channel, which replace original rafter beams. The retrofit rafter beams can also attach to retrofit side eave fittings, which replace original side eave fittings. In larger tents comprising one or more original mid crown fittings, retrofit mid crown fittings can replace the original fittings and attach to retrofit rafter beams. In one embodiment, the retrofit end crown fitting attaches to the original end crown fitting using a pin and hole attachment system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sapphire single crystal growing apparatus using the Kyropoulos method, and more particularly, is a Kyropoulos sapphire single crystal growing apparatus using an elliptic crucible, which can increase the recovery rate by the elliptic crucible and anisotropic heating.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surface relief structure. The structure includes a recording medium configured to be structurally modified when exposed to interfering and non-interfering portions of radiation beams, the structurally modified recording medium including, when viewed in a two-dimensional cross-section along one of the axes of the recording medium a plurality of equally spaced steps of fine-sized periodicity superimposed upon a plurality of deep depressions of substantially coarse-sized periodicity. The structurally modified recording medium is configured to produce in reflection single and multiple colors in a broad spectral range when illuminated by a source of light.

Abstract: A surface relief structure includes a recording medium configured to be structurally modified when exposed to interfering and non-interfering portions of radiation beams, the structurally modified recording medium including, when viewed in a two-dimensional cross-section along one of the axes of the recording medium a plurality of equally spaced steps of fine-sized periodicity superimposed upon a plurality of deep depressions of substantially coarse-sized periodicity. The structurally modified recording medium is configured to produce in reflection single and multiple colors in a broad spectral range when illuminated by a source of light.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sapphire single crystal growing apparatus using the Kyropoulos method, and more particularly, is a Kyropoulos sapphire single crystal growing apparatus using an elliptic crucible, which can increase the recovery rate by the elliptic crucible and anisotropic heating.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an object having a potential {x} which is generated in response to a field {f} applied thereto is provided. The method includes the step of designing a geometric model of the object. A computerized mathematical model of the object is generated by discretizing the geometric model of the object into a plurality of finite elements and defining nodes at boundaries of the elements, wherein values of the field {f} and potential {x} are specified at the nodes. A material property matrix [k] is then calculated based on the relationship {f}=[k] {x}. Material property coefficients are then extracted from the material property matrix [k] for each finite element in the computerized mathematical model and the extracted material property coefficients are compared to material property coefficients for known materials to match the extracted material property coefficients to the material property coefficients for known materials.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an object having a potential {x} which is generated in response to a field {f} applied thereto is provided. The method includes the step of designing a geometric model of the object. A computerized mathematical model of the object is generated by discretizing the geometric model of the object into a plurality of finite elements and defining nodes at boundaries of the elements, wherein values of the field {f} and potential {x} are specified at the nodes. A material property matrix [k] is then calculated based on the relationship {f}=[k]{x}. Material property coefficients are then extracted from the material property matrix [k] for each finite element in the computerized mathematical model and the extracted material property coefficients are compared to material property coefficients for known materials to match the extracted material property coefficients to the material property coefficients for known materials.

Abstract: Washers incorporating a vulcanized rubber deformable layer and methods of making the same. For example, a roofing washer can include an aperture for receiving a fastener, a deformable layer configured to conform to the surface of a roof, and an oppositely positioned backing layer. The backing layer can comprise a metallic material and the deformable layer can comprise a vulcanizate, for example, vulcanized ethylene propylene diene M-class (EPDM) rubber. A method of manufacturing a roofing washer can include providing a backing layer with a deformable vulcanizate layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and system for peer-to-peer advertising between mobile communication devices. A subsidy program is set up based on a profile of an advertiser having at least one advertising media. A qualified subscriber is identified for the advertiser based on a profile of a subscriber. One or more advertisers and subsidy programs for the qualified subscriber is selected. In addition, when a communication transmission is received from a source communication device, at least one advertising media is associated with the communication transmission and the communication transmission is transmitted from a source communication device to a destination communication device.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an object having a potential {x} which is generated in response to a field {f} applied thereto is provided. The method includes the step of designing a geometric model of the object. A computerized mathematical model of the object is generated by discretizing the geometric model of the object into a plurality of finite elements and defining nodes at boundaries of the elements, wherein values of the field {f} and potential {x} are specified at the nodes. A material property matrix [k] is then calculated based on the relationship {f}=[k]{x}. Material property coefficients are then extracted from the material property matrix [k] for each finite element in the computerized mathematical model and the extracted material property coefficients are compared to material property coefficients for known materials to match the extracted material property coefficients to the material property coefficients for known materials.