Abstract: Improved systems for locating and positioning using broadcast frequency modulation signals is provided for previous U.S. Pat. No. 7,990,314. In addition, three or more LPFM local broadcasting stations are used for determination for indoor and/or outdoor 2-D or 3-D locating and positioning system.

Abstract: Improved systems for locating and positioning using broadcast frequency modulation signals is provided for previous U.S. Pat. No. 7,990,314. In addition, three or more LPFM local broadcasting stations are used for determination for indoor and/or outdoor 2-D or 3-D locating and positioning system.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a one-axis solar tracker system and apparatus which is simple to install, lower cost and with the provision of an electric-magnetic locking device to resist from medium to strongest wind condition like hurricane or typhoon. Solar farms is more and more popular to use one-axis tracker due to lower cost, higher wind resistance and easier for large scale solar farm installation, especially at lower latitude tropic zones. This disclosure proposes a one-axis tracker with multiple posts support using a single or dual linear actuators driving mechanism for rotation. It is also equipped with a wind lock device to lock the solar tracker in horizontal neutral position during strong wind condition such as hurricane or typhoon. The stepwise wind lock device can further be applied to locking the solar tracker following each step of linear actuator activation enabling the disclosed solar tracker to operate in windy conditions.

Abstract: A tracker including an outer post having elongated bore and a lower end mounted on a sub-structure, an inner pole rotatably received in the elongated bore, a lower bearing in the bore adjacent a lower end of the outer post and attached thereto to be constrained from lateral movement and mounted on the sub-structure such that a lower end of the inner pole rests on and is supported by the lower bearing, an upper bearing near an upper end of the outer post, a circumferential drive supported on the outer post for rotating the inner pole relative to the outer post, such that substantially a full weight of a load on the inner pole is directly transmitted to the sub-structure and lateral force and torque leverage are placed on a full length of the outer post by way of the upper and lower bearing.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a one-axis solar tracker system and apparatus which is simple to install, lower cost and with the provision of an electric-magnetic locking device to resist from medium to strongest wind condition like hurricane or typhoon. Solar farms is more and more popular to use one-axis tracker due to lower cost, higher wind resistance and easier for large scale solar farm installation, especially at lower latitude tropic zones. This disclosure proposes a one-axis tracker with multiple posts support using a single or dual linear actuators driving mechanism for rotation. It is also equipped with a wind lock device to lock the solar tracker in horizontal neutral position during strong wind condition such as hurricane or typhoon. The stepwise wind lock device can further be applied to locking the solar tracker following each step of linear actuator activation enabling the disclosed solar tracker to operate in windy conditions.

Abstract: A method and system for locating and positioning using broadcast frequency modulation (FM) signals, is provided. One implementation involves receiving FM stereo signals from three FM stations at one or more receivers, each stereo signal including a modulated 19 KHz FM pilot tone; and determining a geographical position at each receiver based on the phase difference of the demodulated pilot tones in the received FM signals.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a hybrid methodology and apparatus between photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar panels to lower the photovoltaic solar energy production cost. In particular, the disclosed methodology addresses a simple quasi-parabolic trough PV (QPTPV) low concentration system with greater tolerance to tracker pointing errors. The quasi-parabolic trough (QPT) reflector is defocused to cover the width of a linear solar cells array, which is reduced from a large rectangular solar cells panel. In summary, the QPTPV system consists of low cost quasi-parabolic reflectors, a compact linear PV cells array and a lower cost relaxed pointing 2-axes tracker. The combination of these low cost technologies disclosed can achieve the lowest cost per kilowatt hour of photovoltaic energy production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simplified and lower cost two-axes tracker for solar PV (photovoltaic) or CPV (concentrated photovoltaic) solar panel, as well as heliostat solar reflectors and solar Stirling engine. In particular, the disclosure addresses a simplified and gravity centered tracker structure with low cost single or dual linear actuators mounted on the side of ground post which is easier for replacement and maintenance at lower cost.

Abstract: A method and system for locating and positioning using broadcast frequency modulation (FM) signals, is provided. One implementation involves receiving FM stereo signals from three FM stations at one or more receivers, each stereo signal including a modulated 19 KHz FM pilot tone; and determining a geographical position at each receiver based on the phase difference of the demodulated pilot tones in the received FM signals.

Abstract: A first pair of antennas are mounted on a satellite spaced along a first axis and a second pair of antennas are spaced along a second axis for receiving signals from another satellite in orbit with the satellite, the first and second axes being orthogonal to a yaw axis that points toward the centroid of the celestial body about which the satellite orbits. Each pair of antennas are used to derive phase angle and signal strength differences, and these differences are used for deducing a yaw orientation of the satellite about the yaw axis.

Abstract: A first pair of antennas are mounted on a satellite spaced along a first axis and a second pair of antennas are spaced along a second axis for receiving signals from another satellite in orbit with the satellite, the first and second axes being orthogonal to a yaw axis that points toward the centroid of the celestial body about which the satellite orbits. Each pair of antennas are used to derive phase angle and signal strength differences, and these differences are used for deducing a yaw orientation of the satellite about the yaw axis.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, a golf tool comprises an upper tee portion including a tee cup, and a lower green repair portion including a body portion adjacent to the upper tee portion and a pair of prongs extending downwardly from said body portion. A ball marker is removably attached to the body portion. In a second embodiment, the inner edges of the prongs comprise a range-finder for determining the distance between a golfer holding the tool and a pin of known height, and a golf tee is attached to the tee portion by a cord. The golf tee and cord function to position the range-finder a predetermined distance from the eyes of the golfer. In a third embodiment, the golf tool comprises first, second, and third members, and cords respectively attaching the second and third members to the first member. The first member includes a body portion and a pair of prongs extending downwardly from the body portion, the inner edges of the prongs comprising a range-finder.

Abstract: A lightweight and durable golf bag that is conventionally-shaped and is compact in its design for carrying golf clubs and accessories. The golf bag is open at the top end for insertion of golf clubs and has a shoulder strap which is used for carrying the gold bag over one's shoulder. The golf bag also has a pulling ring with a flexible strap which, when the golf bag is converted into a golf cart, is used to pull the golf bag. At the base of the bag is a rigidly constructed, T-shaped element oriented in a horizontal plane. The upper portion of the T-shaped element runs diagonally across the width of the bag, and the lower portion runs radially outward from the bag's center to its exterior. The upper portion of the T-shaped element has attached to it a metal tube into which the axles of the removable wheels can be inserted and attached. The lower portion of the T-shaped element has attached to it another metal tube into which a support stand is inserted and attached.

Abstract: A circuit to encode image data. The circuit receives image data in four bit nibbles which are either all-zero nibbles or terminating nibbles containing at least one non-zero bit. The circuit output is a series of code words, each a multiple of four bits and up to twenty-four bits long, packed into eight bit output words. Each code word contains a first part containing a run length specifying the number of received all-zero nibbles and a second part specifying the bit pattern of the terminating nibble. The circuit uses PROMs for the look-up and control elements and a pipeline of registers to allow high speed operation.

Abstract: A predictor bit pattern comprising selected bits of the current and previous raster scan lines and a method of predicting a plurality of bits per clock are disclosed. Generally, a predictor is used prior to the encoding of data to increase the compression. The current bit in a bit stream is compared to the predicted value and a one is output when the two values are not equal. An efficient predictor will reduce the number of ones in a bit stream, which increases the zero run lengths and increases the efficiency of a run length encoding system. The described bit pattern contains bits close to the current bit to efficiently predict text data, bits distant from the current bit to efficiently predict halftone data, and ignores a plurality of intermediate bits to reduce hardware costs. A two step process is also described to allow a plurality of bits to be predicted in parallel.

Abstract: A method for rescreening a halftone image to produce an edge-enhanced halftone copy from a halftone original. The halftone original is scanned by a raster input scanner and the resultant analog voltage is compared to a reference voltage to produce a one bit per pixel bit stream, where a pixel is defined as the smallest image (picture) element discernable by the system. For example, in a raster input scanner using a CCD array, the smallest picture element, pixel, is the analog voltage output of one CCD cell. This voltage subsequently can be converted to a digital gray scale representation requiring a plurality of bits per pixel, or either analog or digital representation can be compared to an analog or digital reference voltage to produce a one bit pixel. A six bit per pixel gray scale output is produced therefrom by adding an integrated value and an edge enhancement value for each input pixel received.