Abstract: A variety of illumination devices are disclosed that are configured to manipulate light provided by one or more light-emitting elements (LEEs). In general, embodiments of the illumination devices feature one or more optical couplers that redirect illumination from the LEEs to a reflector which then directs the light into a range of angles. In some embodiments, the illumination device includes a second reflector that reflects at least some of the light from the first reflector. In certain embodiments, the illumination device includes a light guide that guides light from the collector to the first reflector. The components of the illumination device can be configured to provide illumination devices that can provide a variety of intensity distributions. Such illumination devices can be configured to provide light for particular lighting applications, including office lighting, task lighting, cabinet lighting, garage lighting, wall wash, stack lighting, and downlighting.

Abstract: A system is provided for synthetic aperture radar image formation within a distributed network. A radar antenna receives successive echoes of a plurality of pulses of radio waves transmitted in an environment of a target. A processing system defines, from the successive echoes, an array of data elements representing a density of a reflective surface of the target at locations within the environment. The processing system also partitions the array into a plurality of subarrays based on a predefined array partitioning scheme. A respective node of a plurality of nodes receives and applies at least one algorithmic transform to a subarray of the plurality of subarrays, and determines a respective portion of a volume of space occupied by the target based thereon. The respective portion is combinable with other respective portions to determine the volume of space and thereby form an image of the target.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to techniques for processing complex-valued array data representing an image. The techniques may include obtaining an electronic representation of an array of complex numbers representing an image, converting the array of complex numbers to an array of scaled coordinate pair values in a magnitude-phase plane, replacing each coordinate pair value with data representing a respective nearest node in a quantized magnitude-phase plane, such that an array of scaled quantized coordinate value pairs is produced, arranging into a sequence of bit values ordered according to decreasing bit significance, from most-significant bit values to least-significant bit values, the scaled quantized coordinate value pairs, and transmitting the sequence of bit values to a receiver, such that the receiver rearranges and rescales the sequence of bit values and obtains the image represented by the array of complex numbers.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to techniques for processing complex-valued array data representing an image. The techniques may include obtaining an electronic representation of an array of complex numbers representing an image, converting the array of complex numbers to an array of scaled coordinate pair values in a magnitude-phase plane, replacing each coordinate pair value with data representing a respective nearest node in a quantized magnitude-phase plane, such that an array of scaled quantized coordinate value pairs is produced, arranging into a sequence of bit values ordered according to decreasing bit significance, from most-significant bit values to least-significant bit values, the scaled quantized coordinate value pairs, and transmitting the sequence of bit values to a receiver, such that the receiver rearranges and rescales the sequence of bit values and obtains the image represented by the array of complex numbers.

Abstract: A system is provided for synthetic aperture radar image formation within a distributed network. A radar antenna receives successive echoes of a plurality of pulses of radio waves transmitted in an environment of a target. A processing system defines, from the successive echoes, an array of data elements representing a density of a reflective surface of the target at locations within the environment. The processing system also partitions the array into a plurality of subarrays based on a predefined array partitioning scheme. A respective node of a plurality of nodes receives and applies at least one algorithmic transform to a subarray of the plurality of subarrays, and determines a respective portion of a volume of space occupied by the target based thereon. The respective portion is combinable with other respective portions to determine the volume of space and thereby form an image of the target.

Abstract: A sliding door with a sliding panel and a fixed panel allows for the sliding panel to pivot with respect to the fixed panel regardless of the position of the sliding panel and allows both the panel and fixed panel to pivot with respect to an outer frame in which the panels are mounted when the sliding panel is fully open or nearly fully open without requiring a floor track. The sliding panel may move linearly with respect to the fixed panel and outer frame along the length of a header, and a guide bracket cooperatively engaged with the sliding panel may be partially positioned in a guide track formed in the fixed panel bottom rail. A floor plate may be secured to the floor surface adjacent the bottom end of a first jamb to provide support/stability to the panels.

Abstract: A sliding door with a sliding panel and a fixed panel allows for the sliding panel to pivot with respect to the fixed panel regardless of the position of the sliding panel and allows both the sliding panel and fixed panel to pivot with respect to an outer frame in which the panels are mounted when the sliding panel is fully open or nearly fully open without requiring a floor track. The sliding panel may move linearly with respect to the fixed panel and outer frame along the length of a header, and a guide bracket cooperatively engaged with the sliding panel may be partially positioned in a guide track formed in the fixed panel bottom rail. A floor plate may be secured to the floor surface adjacent the bottom end of a first jamb to provide support/stability to the panels.

Abstract: A sliding door with a sliding panel and a fixed panel allows for the sliding panel to pivot with respect to the fixed panel regardless of the position of the sliding panel and allows both the sliding panel and fixed panel to pivot with respect to an outer frame in which the panels are mounted when the sliding panel is fully open or nearly fully open without requiring a floor track. The sliding panel may move linearly with respect to the fixed panel and outer frame along the length of a header, and a guide bracket cooperatively engaged with the sliding panel may be partially positioned in a guide track formed in the fixed panel bottom rail. A floor plate may be secured to the floor surface adjacent the bottom end of a first jamb to provide support/stability to the panels.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an area that involves transmitting a first electromagnetic wave signal from a mobile platform moving over a ground surface, toward the ground surface. A receiver is used that is located remote from the mobile platform to receive the first electromagnetic wave signal after the signal is reflected from the ground surface. The first electromagnetic wave signal is processed to form a first synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image. Subsequently the receiver is used to receive a second electromagnetic wave signal transmitted from the mobile platform at a time subsequent to transmission of the first electromagnetic wave signal. The second electromagnetic wave signal is then processed to obtain a second SAR image. The first and second SAR images are then coherently analyzed to determine areas of non-correlation between the images.

Abstract: A variety of arrangements and methods relating to a solar water heating system are described. Various implementations involve a relatively lightweight, affordable, low-pressure solar water heating system that is easier to ship and assemble and that is resistant to overheating and freezing damage. In one aspect of the invention, a solar water heating system includes a solar collector panel, a piping system and an improved, self-regulating expansion reservoir. Some designs involve automatic filtration, push fittings, a method for regulating power from a photovoltaic panel, UV resistant polymer components and/or other features. In a particular embodiment of the invention, multiple pumps, a heat exchanger and a controller for a solar water heating system are integrated into a single, compact module.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an area that involves transmitting a first electromagnetic wave signal from a mobile platform moving over a ground surface, toward the ground surface. A receiver is used that is located remote from the mobile platform to receive the first electromagnetic wave signal after the signal is reflected from the ground surface. The first electromagnetic wave signal is processed to form a first synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image. Subsequently the receiver is used to receive a second electromagnetic wave signal transmitted from the mobile platform at a time subsequent to transmission of the first electromagnetic wave signal. The second electromagnetic wave signal is then processed to obtain a second SAR image. The first and second SAR images are then coherently analyzed to determine areas of non-correlation between the images.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods, apparatuses, and articles for receiving phase history data collected from synthetic aperture radar imaging of a terrain, dividing the received phase history data into a plurality of subsets corresponding to a plurality of subaperture intervals, computing for each of a plurality of points of the terrain, a contribution of each of the plurality of subaperture intervals, each contribution including a magnitude and a phase calculated by interpolating the subaperture interval, using the corresponding subset of phase history interval data, and based at least in part on an arbitrary reference surface's elevation at the point, summing for each of the plurality of points of the terrain, the contributions of the plurality of subaperture intervals, and forming an image of the terrain based at least in part on the summed contributions of the plurality of subaperture intervals to the plurality of points of the terrain, are described herein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dimensioning and, optionally, weighing a cuboidal object. Four distance sensors are employed, one downwardly facing the top of the object, one facing one side thereof and two respectively facing mutually parallel sides of the object perpendicular to the one side. Distances are measured between the sensors and the top and sides of the object and subtracted from known distances to determine the length, width, height and spatial volume of the object. The object may be weighed as it is being dimensioned. Spatial volume and a “dim weight” for the object may be calculated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dimensioning and, optionally, weighing a cuboidal object. Four distance sensors are employed, one downwardly facing the top of the object, one facing one side thereof and two respectively facing mutually parallel sides of the object perpendicular to the one side. Distances are measured between the sensors and the top and sides of the object, and subtracted from known distances to determine the length, width, height and spatial volume of the object. The object may be weighed as it is being dimensioned. Spatial volume and a “dim weight” for the object may be calculated.

Abstract: A method of minimizing leakage energy in a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system is based a Lagrangian function constructed from image-domain magnitude, and a "penalty function" based upon the choice of aperture. Broadly, the choice of penalty function is related to an estimate of undesirable energy lying outside of the main lobe of the impulse response introduced by the given aperture. Since there are no non-analytic constraints, the output image is purely an analytic function of the input, resulting in a more straightforward analysis and implementation while lessening the likelihood of pseudo-random phenomena. A tunable relative coefficient betveen the sidelobe energy estimate and the output magnitude allows control over a physically well-understood tradeoff between clutter contrast and point resolution. The generality of the technique may be extended to a multi-parameter minimization with possible applications in super-resolution, gap-filling, interferometry, and ultrasonic imaging, and ATR.

Abstract: An electric vehicle propulsion system having a motor with first and second electrically isolated windings and a system control unit for controlling the motor, wherein the system control unit includes a first power bridge for driving the first windings and a second power bridge for driving the second windings.

Abstract: A power bridge assembly for providing electric current to stator windings of an electric motor used in an electric propulsion system for an electric vehicle. The power bridge is assembled on a laminated bus bar. An upper plate of the bus bar connects to one side of a high voltage battery, a lower plate of the bus bar connects to the other side of the high voltage battery, and an insulation layer is sandwiched between the upper and lower plates. Electrical switches and capacitors sandwich the laminated bus bar. With this structure, two fasteners, one for positive voltage and one for negative voltage, can connect the bus bar, capacitors, and switches both electrically and mechanically. The sandwich structure eliminates parasitic inductance from the electrical connections.

Abstract: An electric vehicle power distribution module including a chassis containing electric power distribution components. A battery connector is disposed on the chassis for electrically connecting the power distribution components to a battery. A safety cover is secured to the chassis and includes an aperature in a side wall for receiving an electric cable from the battery to be selectively engaged with the battery connector. The aperture is positioned with respect to the battery connector so as to preclude removal of the safety cover from the chassis without disengagement of the electric cable from the battery connector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the dimensions and determining the three-dimensional, spatial volume of objects. In the preferred embodiment, a light curtain and ultrasonic sensing are employed in combination with the travel time of linearly moving objects to ascertain object dimensions. The preferred embodiment is particularly suitable for measurement of moving, rectangular objects of random orientation with respect to the direction of travel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dimensioning and, optionally, weighing a cuboidal object. Four distance sensors are employed, one downwardly facing the top of the object, one facing one side thereof and two respectively facing mutually parallel sides of the object perpendicular to the one side. Distances are measured between the sensors and the top and sides of the object and subtracted from known distances to determine the length, width, height and spatial volume of the object. The object may be weighed as it is being dimensioned. Spatial volume and a “dim weight” for the object may be calculated.