Abstract: A kinematic mount with more than three mating elements. To function properly, the sum total of DOFs constrained by the mating elements is six. Mounts that have four mating elements—for example a Pivot and three Spacers, or two Sliders and two Spacers, are beneficial. Conditions are shown under which the four-legged mounts are kinematic, stable and can be assembled from one direction, kinematic mount connecting two subassemblies along a mating direction, comprised of four mating elements, each mating element having two components, each attached to a different subassembly, two of said mating elements being Slider mating elements each having a Slide Axis and constraining two degrees of motion, and the other two of said mating elements each being a Spacer mating element each having a Spacer Axis and constraining a single degree of motion, said mating elements configured to jointly constrain six independent degrees of motion.

Abstract: A kinematic mount with more than three mating elements. To function properly, the sum total of DOFs constrained by the mating elements is six. Mounts that have four mating elements—for example a Pivot and three Spacers, or two Sliders and two Spacers, are beneficial. Conditions are shown under which the four-legged mounts are kinematic, stable and can be assembled from one direction, kinematic mount connecting two subassemblies along a mating direction, comprised of four mating elements, each mating element having two components, each attached to a different subassembly, two of said mating elements being Slider mating elements each having a Slide Axis and constraining two degrees of motion, and the other two of said mating elements each being a Spacer mating element each having a Spacer Axis and constraining a single degree of motion, said mating elements configured to jointly constrain six independent degrees of motion.

Abstract: A kinematic mount in which mobile spheroid bodies belonging to one component mate with conical depressions in a second component. The mobility of the spheroid bodies is achieved using round shafts and tight-fitting holes.

Abstract: A system for fastening round objects, utilizing a bi-tapered groove for housing a clip ring, wherein the bi-tapered groove is formed by three separate elements: an open groove formed in the round object, a conical surface formed in a base plate, and a conical surface formed in a securing plate which is configured to be attached to the base plate. The clip ring is securely held inside the bi-tapered groove.

Abstract: A solar receiver having a power conversion layer in the shape of a ring, the ring having a first axis of revolution, a photovoltaic active front surface and a back surface, a width and a diameter. The power conversion layer is made of PV cells positioned to form a ring, the plurality of PV cells being divided into several interleaved groups to form a plurality of electrical circuits, with each electrical circuit having cells distributed uniformly around the ring.

Abstract: A system and method for maintenance of a reflector with. The system may be incorporated to be an integral part of the dish assembly and may be operated autonomously or remotely. The system may include a controller programmed to activate the system according to set schedule or according to reflectivity drop of the light from the dish. The system includes a foldable arm that is folded when not in use so as not to interfere with the operation of the dish. When in use, the arm unfolds and includes injectors to inject fluids, such as air and/or liquids to clean the surface of the dish. The arm may include water injectors followed by drying air injectors, such as air knife. The system may include waste liquid collection system, such as a gutter and reservoir.

Abstract: A lightweight reflector with a load bearing structure based on a tensile spoke-wheel. The spoke structure is especially compatible with dish parabolic mirrors, but has utility as a carrier structure for any round functional surface, including flat or slightly-curved mirrors used in central tower solar systems, parabolic dishes for radio telescopes and antennas, and for non-concentrating thin film solar panels. There are no radial members loaded in compression. All the spokes pull the rim inwards, and the rim is compressed in the circumferential direction. The imbalance in spoke tension results from the application of load provides the rigidity of the rim in respect to the hub, both for in-plane and out-of-plane forces. Ribs stiffen the spokes to resist wind and gravity, but are not structurally supported by either the hub or the rim. Lightweight reflector tiles match the wheel structure and create the reflective surface.

Abstract: Described is a planetary harmonic differential transmission, comprised of a rigid externally-toothed inner sprocket, a rigid internally-toothed outer sprocket, a deformable belt that is toothed on both its internal and external faces, and a set of free-rotating planetary sprockets that are mounted on a rotating carrier cage and cause the belt to progressively engage and disengage from successive portions of the rigid sprockets. The input to the transmission is the relative motion between the carrier cage and the inner sprocket, and the output is the relative motion between the outer sprocket and the inner sprocket, resulting in a differential transmission.

Abstract: Described is a planetary harmonic differential transmission, comprised of a rigid externally-toothed inner sprocket, a rigid internally-toothed outer sprocket, a deformable belt that is toothed on both its internal and external faces, and a set of free-rotating planetary sprockets that are mounted on a rotating carrier cage and cause the belt to progressively engage and disengage from successive portions of the rigid sprockets. The input to the transmission is the relative motion between the carrier cage and the inner sprocket, and the output is the relative motion between the outer sprocket and the inner sprocket, resulting in a differential transmission.

Abstract: A heat conveyance system particularly suitable for solar applications is described, based on the mechanical conveyance of heat-storage solid bodies containing a bulk that is capable of undergoing phase change. The invention covers the conveyance system itself, and means of inserting and extracting heat into and out of it.

Abstract: A lightweight reflector with a load bearing structure based on a tensile spoke-wheel. The spoke structure is especially compatible with dish parabolic mirrors, but has utility as a carrier structure for any round functional surface, including flat or slightly-curved mirrors used in central tower solar systems, parabolic dishes for radio telescopes and antennas, and for non-concentrating thin film solar panels. There are no radial members loaded in compression. All the spokes pull the rim inwards, and the rim is compressed in the circumferential direction. The imbalance in spoke tension results from the application of load provides the rigidity of the rim in respect to the hub, both for in-plane and out-of-plane forces. Ribs stiffen the spokes to resist wind and gravity, but are not structurally supported by either the hub or the rim. Lightweight reflector tiles match the wheel structure and create the reflective surface.

Abstract: Described is a locating system comprised of a locator and at least one target, the locator having a positioning subsystem such as a GPS receiver capable of determining its own location at any given time, a proximity subsystem such as an RFID reader capable of identifying targets and detecting whether they are within a predetermined threshold range, a memory subsystem capable of storing locations of targets for later recall, and a logic subsystem configured to record into the memory subsystem the last-known location of every target, so that whenever the locator is beyond the threshold range from the target, it can be queried for the last-known position of the target as stored in the memory.

Abstract: A kinematic mount is described in which mobile spheroid bodies belonging to one component mate with conical depressions in a second component. The mobility of the spheroid bodies is achieved using round shafts and tight-fitting holes.