Abstract: A solar module mounting bracket including a rail, having a box section configuration to support a solar module and a pair of arms each having a first end portion movably coupled to the rail. The pair of arms are movable relative to the rail between a first parallel configuration, and a second substantially configuration, in which the pair of arms define an opening configured to receive a torque tube. The arms each have a hole formed in a second end portion opposite the first end portion to receive a fastener to secure the rail to the torque tube.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a soot load estimating function for a diesel particulate filter uses radio frequency attenuation measurement and temperature measurements. The method comprises identifying a minimum mean attenuation value associated with a standard deviation that exceeds a standard deviation threshold and using this minimum mean attenuation value as a reference value. The method further comprises using a data library that contains gradient values for each of a range of possible temperature values to obtain a first gradient value, the first gradient value corresponding to the first temperature value, wherein each gradient value relates to the gradient of a linear approximation between mean attenuation and soot load at the corresponding temperature. The method involves using the reference value and the first gradient value to determine an axis intercept value for use as an offset value and adopting the offset value as a temperature-independent calibration value for the diesel particulate filter.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a soot load estimating function for a diesel particulate filter uses radio frequency attenuation measurement and temperature measurements. The method comprises identifying a minimum mean attenuation value associated with a standard deviation that exceeds a standard deviation threshold and using this minimum mean attenuation value as a reference value. The method further comprises using a data library that contains gradient values for each of a range of possible temperature values to obtain a first gradient value, the first gradient value corresponding to the first temperature value, wherein each gradient value relates to the gradient of a linear approximation between mean attenuation and soot load at the corresponding temperature. The method involves using the reference value and the first gradient value to determine an axis intercept value for use as an offset value and adopting the offset value as a temperature-independent calibration value for the diesel particulate filter.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and processes for collecting solar energy. According to particular embodiments, a solar collector device comprises a primary reflector, and a receiver assembly mounted on a frame structure. The receiver assembly comprises a heat transfer tube. The primary reflector comprises an elongated curved mirror mounted on a structural backing that is rotatably coupled to the frame structure such that the primary reflector may pivot around a pivot axis. The receiver assembly and/or the primary reflector may translate along the frame structure in a direction that is parallel to the pivot axis of the primary reflector. The one or more primary reflectors reflect light focused upon the receiver assembly such that heat energy from the reflected light is transferred to a heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer tube.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and processes for collecting solar energy. According to particular embodiments, a solar collector device comprises one or more primary reflectors, and a receiver assembly mounted on a frame structure. The receiver assembly comprises one or more secondary concentrators and a heat transfer tube. Each primary reflector comprises a flat elongated mirror mounted on a structural backing that is rotatably coupled to the frame structure such that each primary reflector may pivot around a pivot axis. The receiver assembly may translate along the frame structure in a direction that is parallel to the pivot axes of the one or more primary reflectors. The one or more primary reflectors reflect light focused upon the receiver assembly such that heat energy from the reflected light is transferred to a heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer tube.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and processes for collecting solar energy. According to particular embodiments, a solar collector device comprises a primary reflector, and a receiver assembly mounted on a frame structure. The receiver assembly comprises a heat transfer tube. The primary reflector comprises an elongated curved mirror mounted on a structural backing that is rotatably coupled to the frame structure such that the primary reflector may pivot around a pivot axis. The receiver assembly and/or the primary reflector may translate along the frame structure in a direction that is parallel to the pivot axis of the primary reflector. The one or more primary reflectors reflect light focused upon the receiver assembly such that heat energy from the reflected light is transferred to a heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer tube.

Abstract: An inlet apparatus for a gas turbine engine includes: a fan duct adapted to surround at least one row of rotating fan blades, the fan duct having a circular frontal area, and defining a first inlet plane; and an outer duct surrounding the fan duct, the outer duct including: a first frontal area shape at the first inlet plane which defines, cooperatively with an exterior of the fan duct, at least one lobe through which air can pass; and a second frontal area shape at a second inlet plane located axially downstream from the forward end which is circular, and which defines, cooperatively with an exterior of the fan duct, an annulus through which air can pass.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and processes for collecting solar energy. According to particular embodiments, a solar collector device comprises one or more primary reflectors, and a receiver assembly mounted on a frame structure. The receiver assembly comprises one or more secondary concentrators and a heat transfer tube. Each primary reflector comprises a flat elongated mirror mounted on a structural backing that is rotatably coupled to the frame structure such that each primary reflector may pivot around a pivot axis. The receiver assembly may translate along the frame structure in a direction that is parallel to the pivot axes of the one or more primary reflectors. The one or more primary reflectors reflect light focused upon the receiver assembly such that heat energy from the reflected light is transferred to a heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer tube.

Abstract: A method of generating steam using a combination of fuel and solar energy includes delivering liquid to a fuel-fired steam generator operating at least at partial load during a first time period, delivering liquid to a solar steam generator operating at least at partial load during a second time period, delivering saturated steam to a steam separator from at least one of the operating fuel-fired or solar steam generator, and delivering saturated vapor from the steam separator to a steam distribution system.

Abstract: An inlet apparatus for a gas turbine engine includes: a fan duct adapted to surround at least one row of rotating fan blades, the fan duct having a circular frontal area, and defining a first inlet plane; and an outer duct surrounding the fan duct, the outer duct including: a first frontal area shape at the first inlet plane which defines, cooperatively with an exterior of the fan duct, at least one lobe through which air can pass; and a second frontal area shape at a second inlet plane located axially downstream from the forward end which is circular, and which defines, cooperatively with an exterior of the fan duct, an annulus through which air can pass.

Abstract: According to a first aspect, a novel method of performing an eight point quantization is developed. The eight point quantization consists of selecting one eight specific points depending upon the phase of the measured complex error signal. According to a second aspect, a novel method of performing eight-point quantization of an error signal by rotating a measured complex sample point by positive pi/8 and by negative pi/8. Two sign comparisons results in two control signals. These control signals used in conjunction with the signs of the real and imaginary parts of the variable being quantized results in all the information necessary to select one of eight equal and radially symmetric decision regions. According to a third aspect, an efficient hardware circuit implements the complex coefficient update algorithm using the quantization method according to the first aspect on the error signal.

Abstract: A liquid-vapor separator for two-phase fluids in general and specifically a steam-water separator in a steam drum of a steam generator includes axial or radial spinner blades to create a centrifugal motion which causes liquid to be forced outward against the outer wall and the vapor to be concentrated in the center. Conical extraction skimmers systematically extract and discharge the liquid outwardly and downwardly through the side walls such that it impinges on an oval discharge screen surrounding the skimmers. The vapor flows out the top through a central opening and enters a secondary separator packed with crimped wire mesh encased in a perforated enclosure.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for learning to play a musical instrument retrieve a stored sequence of musical notes and other data from a source, and determine locations on the musical instrument corresponding to the sequential music data from the source, and then indicate to the user upon the musical instrument the locations thereon where the instrument should be engaged to produce the note or chord to be played in the sequence.