Abstract: A multi-speed transmission for transmitting power between a first shaft and a second shaft which includes a plurality of gear sets, a plurality of connector gears corresponding to the plurality of gear sets and a shifting mechanism. Each gear set includes a first gear rotatably disposed about the first shaft, a uni-directional free wheeling mechanism between the first gear and the first shaft, and a second gear coupled to the second shaft. The uni-directional free wheeling mechanism permits the first gear to freely rotate about the shaft when the first gear rotates in a preselected direction relative to the rotation of the first shaft and locks the first gear to the first shaft at all other times. The first and second gears are spaced apart from one another but may be interconnected by one of the plurality of connector gears. Each connector gear is movable between an engaged position, which mutually engages the first gear and the second gear, and a disengaged position.

Abstract: A multi-speed transmission for transmitting power between a first shaft and a second shaft includes a plurality of gear sets, a plurality of connector gears corresponding to the plurality of gear sets and a shifting mechanism. Each gear set includes a first gear rotatably disposed about the first shaft, a uni-directional free wheeling mechanism between the first gear and the first shaft, and a second gear coupled to the second shaft. The uni-directional free wheeling mechanism permits the first gear to freely rotate about the shaft when the first gear rotates in a preselected direction relative to the rotation of the first shaft and locks the first gear to the first shaft at all other times. The first and second gears are spaced apart from one another but may be interconnected by one of the plurality of connector gears. Each connector gear is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position.

Abstract: Automatic alignment adjustments are incorporated into the tracking control program of a concentrating solar collector apparatus to skew the alignment of aspheric, nonparabolic reflectors slightly off the half angle between the sun and fixed receivers. The automatic alignment adjustments are predetermined for each day of the year specific to the latitude of the installation and provide flexibility in the location of the reflector's pivot axes and in the design of the reflector's support framing system, reduce tracking error efficiency losses, and allow replicated reflectors and standardized support framing systems to be utilized over a wide range of latitudes.

Abstract: The solar energy apparatus of the present invention collects, concentrates, and transmits solar radiation to a light converter, which converts solar radiation to another energy form. The apparatus includes aspheric reflectors which are used in conjunction with azimuth and altitude tracking means, which controls the position of the aspheric reflectors so that each reflector focuses the solar radiation to a proximate a fixed first position as the sun's position changes during the day. Optical waveguides have their first ends located at the fixed first position. The second ends of the optical waveguides terminate at a light converter. Solar radiation received at the first ends of the optical waveguides is transmitted through the optical waveguides to the second ends, where it is converted to thermal energy by the light converter.