Abstract: Methods and systems for photovoltaic (PV) panel power control are disclosed. In an aspect, a PV panel comprises one or more PV cells wired in parallel and/or in series to produce an output voltage, and a controllable-opacity layer disposed on the sunward-facing surface of the PV cell, wherein in a transparent mode, photons pass through the controllable-opacity layer to reach the one or more PV cells, and wherein in an opaque mode, photons are restricted from passing through the controllable-opacity layer to reach the one or more PV cells. In an aspect, a method for PV panel power control comprises determining that a PV panel is in an error condition or dangerous state, and controlling a controllable-opacity layer associated with the PV panel to an opaque state to block photons from reaching the PV panel.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a method for remote monitoring of electrical equipment includes acquiring a set of data points, each data point representing a temperature associated with a piece of electrical equipment or a component thereof, assigning each data point to one or more groups of data points, and defining an alarm metric for each group. Each group's alarm metric may be defined independently of other group's metrics. The defined alarm metrics are used to determine the health of the electrical equipment. The data may be determined from virtual probes within an infrared sensor and/or received from RFID devices containing temperature sensor, which are attached to or near the equipment to be monitored, for example. The methods described herein do not require conversion of sensor data into temperature values, and thus obviate the need for expensive sensors and/or computationally demanding conversion, compensation, and calibration routines.

Abstract: A dampener for an exit device may be disposed between a portion of an exit device actuator and an exit device chassis so that the dampener dampens vibrations to reduce noise of the exit device and/or inhibit unintentional movement of the actuator to an actuated position. The dampener may be composed at least partially of a viscoelastic material.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a method for remote monitoring of electrical equipment includes acquiring a set of data points, each data point representing a temperature associated with a piece of electrical equipment or a component thereof, assigning each data point to one or more groups of data points, and defining an alarm metric for each group. Each group's alarm metric may be defined independently of other group's metrics. The defined alarm metrics are used to determine the health of the electrical equipment. The data may be determined from virtual probes within an infrared sensor and/or received from RFID devices containing temperature sensor, which are attached to or near the equipment to be monitored, for example. The methods described herein do not require conversion of sensor data into temperature values, and thus obviate the need for expensive sensors and/or computationally demanding conversion, compensation, and calibration routines.

Abstract: The inclusion of a galvanneal material with a door protection plate and methods of manufacturing thereof are disclosed. In some embodiments, a door protection plate may include a substrate, a plurality of holes, a first coating of zirconium polymer, and a second powder coating. Incorporating a galvanneal material as a first coating provides a conductive surface for adhesion of the powder coating, and additional corrosion prevention for the door protection plate.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for concave footpads for a personal transport device. In one example, the concave footpads may be coupled to the personal transport device, arranged between an operator's feet and an upper surface of the personal transport device, the upper surface including a pressure transducer.

Abstract: A retrofit latch adapter is configured to replace a pre-existing roller head latch assembly of a pre-existing exit device. The retrofit latch adapter may include a flat latch head that may provide additional security for a door compared with the pre-existing roller head pre-existing latch assembly.

Abstract: A door latch slide for engagement with a strike plate in a doorjamb. The door latch slide comprises a latch slide body engageable with an actuator device mounted on the door for moving the latch slide toward and away from the strike plate, the latch slide body being adjustable with respect to the door to adjust extension distance toward the strike plate. A latchbolt extends from the latch slide body and has a non-flat sweep side for contacting an outside of the strike plate to cause retraction of the latchbolt away from the strike plate as the door is closing and an opposite flat face for contacting an inside of an opening in a face of the strike plate to prevent the door from opening when the latchbolt is extended toward and into the strike plate opening.

Abstract: A dampener for an exit device may be disposed between a portion of an exit device actuator and an exit device chassis so that the dampener dampens vibrations to reduce noise of the exit device and/or inhibit unintentional movement of the actuator to an actuated position. The dampener may be composed at least partially of a viscoelastic material.