Abstract: A low cost mass-produced solar module that extracts both electricity and heat from the sun. One or more reflectors held by a frame reflect the sun's heat into an absorber. Each reflector rotates about its axle to keep its reflected solar energy focused on the absorber. In one embodiment, solar heat is focused to heat fluid that flows to thermodynamic engines that convert the heat to electricity. Engine waste heat is also captured for use as building heat, home hot water or industrial process heat. In another embodiment, solar heat is focused onto photovoltaic devices that directly convert light into electricity. The fluid that cools the photovoltaic devices can be used for building heat, home hot water or industrial process heat. The frame shields the reflectors from ambient wind loads, supports reflector axles accurately and simplifies installation on roofs or walls of buildings.

Abstract: A low cost mass-produced solar module that extracts both electricity and heat from the sun. One or more reflectors held by a frame reflect the sun's heat into an absorber. Each reflector rotates about its axle to keep its reflected solar energy focused on the absorber. In one embodiment, solar heat is focused to heat fluid that flows to thermodynamic engines that convert the heat to electricity. Engine waste heat is also captured for use as building heat, home hot water or industrial process heat. In another embodiment, solar heat is focused onto photovoltaic devices that directly convert light into electricity. The fluid that cools the photovoltaic devices can be used for building heat, home hot water or industrial process heat. The frame shields the reflectors from ambient wind loads, supports reflector axles accurately and simplifies installation on roofs or walls of buildings.

Abstract: An automatic inspection method and apparatus using structured light and machine vision cameras to inspect an object in conjunction with the geometric model of the object is disclosed. Camera images of the object are analyzed by computer to produce the location of points on the object's surfaces in three dimensions. During a setup phase before object inspection, the points are analyzed with respect to the geometric model computer file of the object. Many points are eliminated to reduce data-taking and analysis time to a minimum and to prevent extraneous reflections from producing errors. When similar objects are subsequently inspected, points from each surface of interest are spatially averaged to give high accuracy measurements of object dimensions. The inspection device uses several multiplexed sensors, each composed of a camera and a structured light source, to measure all sides of the object on a single pass. Calibration and compensation methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A self-organizing system providing improved performance is composed of node subcircuits in two or three dimensional arrays of nodes which behave like neurons in the brain. Improvements in the learning rules use the time-filtered output of nodes to define memory traces. Spatial summation and spatial difference functions then determine how node branches will compete to produce various memory trace topologies such as roots and junctions. Roots begin as input patterns at the lowest level of the circuit and grow towards output nodes at the highest level; roots are attracted to output nodes and to other roots as they grow. Roots connect or branch at junctions which are identified by spatial functions. By modifying node properties and branch competition of nodes at root junctions, roots interact to create Boolean logic roles. Unsupervised (classical) learning results when roots associate with each other.

Abstract: A self-organizing circuit providing improved performance and reduction in costs. The improvements are of two basic types: those that apply to improved circuit design and those that apply to improved "teaching" of the circuit. A method to allow the circuit elements to learn new patterns quickly is provided. Also, a mechanism by which serial or sequential information can be learned is disclosed. Finally, the invention includes mechanisms by which the circuits can be simplified by reducing the number of interconnections within the circuit. Improved teaching of the circuit includes ways by which the self-organizing circuit can be quickly taught new patterns. First by making each input to a subcircuit compete against the many other inputs to that subcircuit, by weighting each input according to simple Boolean functions, and lastly by incorporating a method by which information can be added to the circuit after the circuit has already learned some information.

Abstract: Self-organizing circuits to receive input signals from transducers and the like and operable, under guidance from modifying inputs thereto, operate in a learning mode and systems embodying such self-organizing circuits. The circuits include mechanisms to change the modifying inputs based upon Boolean functions and further mechanisms to change the modifying inputs based upon competition among the input signals. Burst, bias, clipping and share circuits have been added to the system for the purpose of improving the "teaching" of the system. The present invention incorporates burst function circuits which amplify the influence of sub-circuits which fire in short bursts or randomly. Bias circuits ensure that sub-circuits fire consistently by specifying the number of other sub-circuits input that will be required to cause the biased sub-circuit to fire. Clipping circuits provide a method by which a sub-circuit will not fire if too many other sub-circuits influence it.

Abstract: An automated inspection system for identifying geometric or electromagnetic characteristics of parts includes a rotary feeder that arranges bulk parts in a single-file stream on its rim. A first deflector mechanism is connected to the feeder for providing predetermined minimum spacing between the parts on the rim. The first deflector mechanism includes, for example, a detector for detecting parts travelling on the rim, a gate for diverting parts from the rim when the spacing between consecutive parts is less than the predetermined minimum spacing, and an actuator responsive to signals from the detector to selectively pivot the gate. Further, the inspection system includes an inspection device for inspecting parts fed by the feeder means past the deflector mechanism.

Abstract: An acoustic inspection system includes acoustic transducers to transmit and receive continuous acoustic waves at a constant frequency. Changes in phase and/or amplitude of acoustic waves reflected at different times from a fixed reference target through an isothermal transmission medium are detected. The temperature of the acoustic transmission path is controlled in response to the detected phase changes to maintain the wavelength of acoustic waves constant independent of changes in humidity and barometric pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus (and method) for parts sorting and the like wherein parts and the like are transported into an interaction region and irradiated with wave energy which interacts with the parts and the like to provide wave energy that emits from the interaction region. The positions of the parts and the like as they move through the interaction region are detected at spaced locations along the path of travel therethrough. The wave energy that emits from the interaction region is sensed to derive a characteristic of the parts and the like at each of the spaced locations to provide signals from which the characteristic can be determined. The signals are analyzed for each spaced location to derive data representative of the characteristic which serves as the basis for sorting.

Abstract: A system for achieving inspecting and/or positioning of an object that includes: an array that is operable to generate acoustic or low-frequency electromagnetic wave energy of a single or narrow band of frequencies, to transmit the wave energy to an interaction region where it interacts with the object and to transmit the wave energy, after interaction, to sensing means, sensors of the array being disposed to receive the wave energy and being operable to convert the wave energy to electric signals representative of the received wave energy; a processor connected to receive the electric signal and adapted to process the signals into amplitude and/or phase information for each sensor; and an analyzer to interpret the amplitude and/or phase information to derive therefrom a characteristic of the object, e.g., a geometric characteristic or an electromagnetic characteristic.

Abstract: A unidirectional valve for use, e.g., in a thermosyphon solar heating system including a collector, a storage tank, and a liquid having a transfer portion in the collector and a storage portion in the tank, the valve comprising a partition, having a predetermined vertical extent, transversely separating the portions, the partition being transversely spaced such that the surface area of the transfer portion is much less than the surface area of the storage portion, whereby changes in the density of the transfer portion cause the surface thereof to travel vertically along the partition, permitting the transfer portion to flow around the end of the partition into the tank, but changes in the density of the storage portion cause only inconsequential movement of the surface thereof along the partition preventing flow of the storage portion around the end of the partition into the collector.