Abstract: A method for manufacturing a pressure vessel for a motor vehicle comprises the steps: providing a hollow basic body as a primary stage of the pressure vessel, wherein the basic body has an initial internal volume, and wherein the basic body has a wall, which extends fully around a longitudinal axis of the basic body, wherein the wall has an opening, which has an opening rim; providing a hollow auxiliary body, which has a base wall and a peripheral wall, wherein the peripheral wall is open on a side lying opposite the base wall; joining the auxiliary body with the basic body at the opening in the wall of the basic body, such that the pressure vessel having a desired final internal volume which is larger or smaller than the initial internal volume of the basic body is obtained. In addition, such a pressure vessel in the form of an air suspension pot of a suspension is described.

Abstract: A physical effect (optical effect), which may be observed in solar irradiance as shading due to a cloud passing overhead may be approaching a given location (e.g., a location at or proximate a solar power generator), has been discovered. This optical effect takes place prior to an occurrence of a solar obscuration event by the cloud, and thus this optical effect may be effectively sensed and processed in apparatuses, systems and methods to predict the occurrence of a solar obscuration of the power generator.

Abstract: A prediction system for predicting solar irradiance based on cloud characteristics includes a sky imager that includes a customized lens configured to capture one or more substantially planar images of the sky. The prediction system further includes an image processor coupled to the sky imager and configured to process the one or more substantially planar images. Moreover, the prediction system includes a computing system coupled to the image processor and configured to detect cloud characteristics based on the one or more substantially planar images, and predict the solar irradiance based on the cloud characteristics.

Abstract: A vehicle pressure vessel and manufacturing method which uses a vessel main part, an arched base, an arched cover, and one or more cross-webs connecting opposite walls of the vessel main part. The vessel main part is open at its top and bottom over which the cover and base respectively fit to close the vessel main part in a pressure-tight manner. A groove is embossed in the cross-webs where they connect to the opposite walls of the vessel main part. The cover and base each have an attachment rim that fits into the grooves when the cover and base are connected to the vessel main part.

Abstract: A vehicle pressure vessel and manufacturing method which uses a vessel main part, an arched base, an arched cover, and one or more cross-webs connecting opposite walls of the vessel main part. The vessel main part is open at its top and bottom over which the cover and base respectively fit to close the vessel main part in a pressure-tight manner. A groove is embossed in the cross-webs where they connect to the opposite walls of the vessel main part. The cover and base each have an attachment rim that fits into the grooves when the cover and base are connected to the vessel main part.

Abstract: A physical effect (optical effect), which may be observed in solar irradiance as shading due to a cloud passing overhead may be approaching a given location (e.g., a location at or proximate a solar power generator), has been discovered. This optical effect takes place prior to an occurrence of a solar obscuration event by the cloud, and thus this optical effect may be effectively sensed and processed in apparatuses, systems and methods to predict the occurrence of a solar obscuration of the power generator.

Abstract: A power generation system includes integrated photovoltaic (PV) panels. Each of the integrated PV panel includes photovoltaic cells, a junction coupler coupling the photovoltaic cells in series, in parallel, or in combinations thereof, output terminals, and a DC to AC converter coupled between the junction coupler and the output terminals. The DC to AC converter includes switching devices and the integrated PV panels are coupled in series at the respective output terminals. A controller is provided in the power generation system for generation switching command signals for the switching devices of the integrated PV panels to synthesize an output voltage of the power generation system.

Abstract: A prediction system for predicting solar irradiance based on cloud characteristics is presented. The system includes a sky imager that includes a customized lens configured to capture one or more substantially planar images of the sky. The prediction system further includes an image processor coupled to the sky imager and configured to process the one or more substantially planar images. Moreover, the prediction system includes a computing system coupled to the image processor and configured to detect cloud characteristics based on the one or more substantially planar images, and predict the solar irradiance based on the cloud characteristics. Methods and non-transitory computer readable medium configured to perform the method for predicting power output of one or more solar panels in a solar plant based on cloud characteristics are also presented.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) energy system includes a pulsed bus defined by a non-zero average value voltage that is proportional to a rectified utility grid AC supply voltage. The PV energy system also includes a plurality of PV modules, each PV module including a bucking circuit configured to convert a corresponding PV voltage into a pulsing current, wherein the pulsating bus is configured to sum the pulsing currents produced via the plurality of PV modules such that a resultant pulsing current is injected into the pulsating bus in phase with the non-zero average value voltage. A current unfolding circuit is configured to control the amount of AC current injected into the utility grid in response to the resultant pulsing current.

Abstract: A power generation system includes integrated photovoltaic (PV) panels. Each of the integrated PV panel includes photovoltaic cells, a junction coupler coupling the photovoltaic cells in series, in parallel, or in combinations thereof, output terminals, and a DC to AC converter coupled between the junction coupler and the output terminals. The DC to AC converter includes switching devices and the integrated PV panels are coupled in series at the respective output terminals. A controller is provided in the power generation system for generation switching command signals for the switching devices of the integrated PV panels to synthesize an output voltage of the power generation system.

Abstract: A hybrid system includes a photovoltaic system configured to receive solar energy and convert the solar energy into electrical energy. A cooling system is coupled to the photovoltaic system and configured to circulate a cooling fluid through the cooling system so as to remove heat from the photovoltaic system to cool the photovoltaic system. A first device is coupled to the cooling system via a temperature booster and configured to receive the heated cooling fluid from the cooling system. The temperature booster is configured to substantially increase the temperature of the heated cooling fluid fed from the cooling system to the first device from a first temperature to a second temperature. The first device includes a waste heat recovery system configured to generate electric power, a vapor absorption machine configured to cool a second device, a hot water supply unit, a water distillation unit, a water desalination unit, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A resonator for an air intake system of a motor vehicle has a housing and at least one resonator chamber enclosed by the housing. At least one air intake opening for fresh air is provided in the housing and opens into the resonator chamber. At least one air exhaust opening for fresh air is provided in the housing and opens into the resonator chamber. The at least one air exhaust opening is also an intake opening of an auxiliary device, especially an air compressor.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, a power management system is provided that includes a control system to monitor the actual power output of one or more arrays of photovoltaic modules. The power management system includes a processor-based device to estimate the power output of the one or more arrays of photovoltaic modules and to compare the estimated power output to the actual power output measurement received from the control system. A method is provided for monitoring power generation. A method is provided for generating a model to estimate power generation.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) energy system includes a pulsed bus defined by a non-zero average value voltage that is proportional to a rectified utility grid AC supply voltage. The PV energy system also includes a plurality of PV modules, each PV module including a bucking circuit configured to convert a corresponding PV voltage into a pulsing current, wherein the pulsating bus is configured to sum the pulsing currents produced via the plurality of PV modules such that a resultant pulsing current is injected into the pulsating bus in phase with the non-zero average value voltage. A current unfolding circuit is configured to control the amount of AC current injected into the utility grid in response to the resultant pulsing current.

Abstract: A resonator for an air intake system of a motor vehicle has a housing and at least one resonator chamber enclosed by the housing. At least one air intake opening for fresh air is provided in the housing and opens into the resonator chamber. At least one air exhaust opening for fresh air is provided in the housing and opens into the resonator chamber. The at least one air exhaust opening is also an intake opening of an auxiliary device, especially an air compressor.

Abstract: A filter housing, in particular for an air filter for the air intake tract of an internal combustion engine, in which the filter housing (16) includes at least one upper housing section (12) and at least one lower housing section (11) which can be assembled to each other in a sealed manner. The housing sections (11, 12) are produced as centrifugally cast parts and have a geometrically defined outer face (A) and a geometrically defined inner face (I) configured such that the outer face of one of the housing sections (11, 12) can be connected to the inner face of the other housing section, whereby the housing sections can be manufactured in a cost-effective manner and can fit one another snugly.

Abstract: A solar tile system is disclosed. The solar tile system includes a fluorescence collector having multiple edges and configured to receive light through a face and configured to direct light towards the edges by total internal reflectance. The system also includes a photovoltaic cell coupled to at least one of the edges and configured to receive the light and convert the light to electrical power. The system further includes an optically matched interface layer disposed between the fluorescence collector and the photovoltaic cell at the at least one edge.

Abstract: A filter housing, in particular for an air filter for the air intake tract of an internal combustion engine, in which the filter housing (16) includes at least one upper housing section (12) and at least one lower housing section (11) which can be assembled to each other in a sealed manner. The housing sections (11, 12) are produced as centrifugally cast parts and have a geometrically defined outer face (A) and a geometrically defined inner face (I) configured such that the outer face of one of the housing sections (11, 12) can be connected to the inner face of the other housing section, whereby the housing sections can be manufactured in a cost-effective manner and can fit one another snugly.

Abstract: A building element such as a roof tile, window pane, or building façade element includes a fluorescence collector comprising a substrate and particles dispersed in the substrate to absorb light from a plurality of directions and radiate the absorbed light. The fluorescence collector has opposing surfaces and a connecting surface between the opposing surfaces. A solar energy converter is configured for receiving radiated light from the fluorescence collector.

Abstract: A filter cartridge (16), especially for installation in an air filter of an internal combustion engine having a housing (10) with an inlet (12) for untreated air and an outlet (13) for clean air, the filter cartridge preferably being made of a pleated filter medium, and being provided with sealing elements on end plates (18, 19) arranged at the axial end faces of the filter cartridge. A support body (17) is provided on the inner wall of the filter cartridge with support surfaces (23) for axially and radially positioning the filter cartridge. A seal element (26) extending axially along the support body is also provided in the area of the support body.