Abstract: An apparatus for generating electricity with the ability to distill a liquid and/or expand a working fluid and/or produce mechanical energy and/or produce thermal energy and/or produce chemical transformations through separately utilizing light in the infrared (IR) region and light within the visible and ultraviolet (UV) regions. The apparatus uses methods to capture diffuse and direct polychromatic light, concentration and multiplication of that light up to 1000 times or more, collimation of light, separation of the spectrum into the IR and UV/visible bands, generation of electricity through conversion of at least UV/visible light, and useful conversion of infrared light into applications to generate a distilled liquid or compound, expand a working fluid, produce mechanical energy, produce thermal energy, produce chemical energy and/or generate additional electricity. Non-reflected radiant energy may be used to operate a suitable photovoltaic cell or stack of cells.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating electricity with the ability to distill a liquid and/or expand a working fluid and/or produce mechanical energy and/or produce thermal energy and/or produce chemical energy through separately utilizing light in the infrared (IR) region and light within the visible and ultraviolet (UV) regions. The apparatus uses polychromatic light concentration and multiplication, light collimation, spectral separation, photoelectric generation through conversion of visible light, and useful conversion of infrared light into applications to generate a distilled liquid, expand a working fluid, produce mechanical energy, produce thermal energy, produce chemical energy and/or generate electricity. Non-reflected radiant energy may be used to operate a suitable photovoltaic cell or stack of cells.

Abstract: Portable polishers and buffs are provided for surface preparation or for surface repair of substrates such as sheet aluminum. The polisher and buffs are particularly well suited for restoring the polished finish of aluminum aircraft skin that has been dulled by normal use and to repair blemishes on polished aluminum that occur during handling and fabrication. Elongated polishing rolls or buffs counter-rotate such that one polishing buff rotates in a clockwise direction about its elongated axis and another polishing buff rotates in a counterclockwise direction about its elongated axis. The buffs, which include a plurality of fabric disks that are axially compacted and secured onto a disposable sleeve, provide a buff having substantially enhanced polishing attributes. A universal mount assembly is also provided to facilitate use of the portable polisher in combination with a power-assisted lift assembly.

Abstract: A portable polisher is provided for surface preparation or for surface repair of substrates such as sheet aluminum. The polisher is particularly well suited for restoring the polished finish of aluminum aircraft skin that has been dulled by normal use and to repair blemishes on polished aluminum that occur during handling and fabrication. This apparatus includes elongated polishing rolls that are driven by a motor in conjunction with a suitable counter-rotating drive arrangement such that one polishing roll rotates in a clockwise direction about its elongated axis and another polishing roll rotates in a counterclockwise direction about its elongated axis. The apparatus may also include features for counter-oscillating the polishing rolls about their respective longitudinal axes.