Abstract: A fixation system includes a rod, a fastener with a spherical head, a tulip housing and a cap within the tulip housing. The housing includes a pair of arms that define a rod channel, and each arm defines an upper locking opening and a lower locking opening, all of which open to the interior of the housing. The cap includes a main body defining a spherical cavity for receiving the spherical head of the fastener, and a plurality of legs that can flex to receive the spherical head and to clamp the spherical head within ta conical bore of the tulip housing. The cap includes a pair of wings with locking tabs, each locking tab configured to engage a corresponding upper and lower locking opening. When the tabs are engaged in the upper locking openings, the cap is in an unlocked state in which the spherical head of the fastener can be introduced into the spherical cavity of the cap from the bottom of the tulip housing.

Abstract: A fixation system includes a rod, a fastener with a spherical head, a tulip housing and a cap within the tulip housing. The housing includes a pair of arms that define a rod channel, and each arm defines an upper locking opening and a lower locking opening, all of which open to the interior of the housing. The cap includes a main body defining a spherical cavity for receiving the spherical head of the fastener, and a plurality of legs that can flex to receive the spherical head and to clamp the spherical head within ta conical bore of the tulip housing. The cap includes a pair of wings with locking tabs, each locking tab configured to engage a corresponding upper and lower locking opening. When the tabs are engaged in the upper locking openings, the cap is in an unlocked state in which the spherical head of the fastener can be introduced into the spherical cavity of the cap from the bottom of the tulip housing.

Abstract: The use of photovoltaic (PV) cells to convert solar energy to electricity is becoming increasingly prevalent; however, there are still significant limitations associated with the widespread adoption of PV cells for electricity needs. There is a clear need for a high efficiency solar power system that supplies electricity at a competitive cost and that provides for an on-demand supply of electricity as well as energy storage. By combining aspects of concentrated solar power and concentrated photovoltaics, the present invention provides a device that enables the conversion of sunlight to electricity at very high efficiencies and that enables the transmission of thermal energy to heat storage devices for later use. The disclosed device enables transmissive CPV through the use of a multijunction PV cell mounted on a transparent base. The use of a multijunction cell allows for highly efficient absorption of light above the bandgap of the lowest bandgap subcell.

Abstract: The use of photovoltaic (PV) cells to convert solar energy to electricity is becoming increasingly prevalent; however, there are still significant limitations associated with the widespread adoption of PV cells for electricity needs. There is a clear need for a high efficiency solar power system that supplies electricity at a competitive cost and that provides for an on-demand supply of electricity as well as energy storage. By combining aspects of concentrated solar power and concentrated photovoltaics, the present invention provides a device that enables the conversion of sunlight to electricity at very high efficiencies and that enables the transmission of thermal energy to heat storage devices for later use. The disclosed device enables transmissive CPV through the use of a multijunction PV cell mounted on a transparent base. The use of a multijunction cell allows for highly efficient absorption of light above the bandgap of the lowest bandgap subcell.