Abstract: A band spooling machine (1) including a small arbor (19) with protrusions (21) that rotate with the arbor. In an embodiment, the machine includes a table (3) having side rails (7) and a single rotating arbor (19) carrying two spaced-apart pins (21) having blocks (23) that rotate freely on the pins. The arbor is preferably mounted close to one end of the machine and substantially closer to one of the side rails than to the other. The blocks prevent the blade from kinking. The machine forms the band into a pretzel having a circle part (C) divided by a central reach (R) into two lobes, and a teardrop shaped tail (T).

Abstract: A band spooling machine (1) including a small arbor (19) with protrusions (21) that rotate with the arbor. In an embodiment, the machine includes a table (3) having side rails (7) and a single rotating arbor (19) carrying two spaced-apart pins (21) having blocks (23) that rotate freely on the pins. The arbor is preferably mounted close to one end of the machine and substantially closer to one of the side rails than to the other. The blocks prevent the blade from kinking The machine forms the band into a pretzel having a circle part (C) divided by a central reach (R) into two lobes, and a teardrop shaped tail (T).

Abstract: The method described provides a unique solar energy concentrating structure. This structure is intended to be employed in conjunction with complementary high efficiency solar cell elements to produce solar electric power. In its usual embodiment it contributes to a system of exterior window concentrators and solar cells that provide good visibility and control excess heat transmission providing benefits beyond low-e glass performance.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved solar cells. This patent teaches a particularly efficient method of device manufacture based on incorporating the solar cell fabrication into the widely used, high temperature, Float Glass manufacture process.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved devices such as transparent solar cells. This patent teaches a particularly efficient method of device manufacture based on incorporating the solar cell fabrication into the widely used, high temperature, Float Glass manufacture process.

Abstract: A method for producing a High Temperature Thin Film Layer On Glass (HTTFLOG) of silicon, which is a precursor component of thin film transistors (TFTs). The invention described here is a superior method of fabricating HTTFLOG precursor structures or components for liquid crystal displays (LCDs) with quicker production time and lower cost of manufacture while enabling a groundbreaking increase in small and large screen resolution. This invention is a new sub-assembly intended for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) consumption and inclusion in display products.

Abstract: The method described provides a unique solar energy concentrating structure. This structure is intended to be employed in conjunction with complementary high efficiency solar cell elements to produce solar electric power. In its usual embodiment it contributes to a system of exterior window concentrators and solar cells that provide good visibility and control excess heat transmission providing benefits beyond low-e glass performance.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved solar cells. This patent teaches a particularly efficient method of device manufacture based on incorporating the solar cell fabrication into the widely used, high temperature, Float Glass manufacture process.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved devices such as transparent solar cells. This patent teaches a particularly efficient method of device manufacture based on incorporating the solar cell fabrication into the widely used, high temperature, Float Glass manufacture process.

Abstract: A fluid consuming battery (10) is provided with a fluid regulating system (50) for regulating fluid entry into the battery. The battery (10) includes a fluid consuming cell (20) having a cell housing with fluid entry ports for the passage of a fluid into the cell housing. A first fluid consuming electrode and a second electrode are disposed within the cell housing. The fluid regulating system (50) includes a valve having a moving plate (66) disposed adjacent to a fixed plate (62). The moving plate and fixed plate both have fluid entry ports (68, 64) that align in an open valve position and are misaligned in a closed valve position. The fluid regulating system (50) also includes an actuator that may include one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) components (82a, 82b) for moving the moving plate (66) relative to the fixed plate (62) to open and close the valve.

Abstract: A fluid consuming battery (10) is provided with a fluid regulating system (50) for regulating fluid entry into the battery. The battery (10) includes a fluid consuming cell (20) having a cell housing with fluid entry ports for the passage of a fluid into the cell housing. A first fluid consuming electrode and a second electrode are disposed within the cell housing. The fluid regulating system (50) includes a valve having a moving plate (66) disposed adjacent to a fixed plate (62). The moving plate and fixed plate both have fluid entry ports (68, 64) that align in an open valve position and are misaligned in a closed valve position. The fluid regulating system (50) also includes an actuator that may include one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) components (82a, 82b) for moving the moving plate (66) relative to the fixed plate (62) to open and close the valve.

Abstract: A fluid consuming battery (10) is provided with a fluid regulating system (50) for regulating fluid entry into the battery. The battery (10) includes a fluid consuming cell (20) having a cell housing with fluid entry ports for the passage of a fluid into the cell housing. A first fluid consuming electrode and a second electrode are disposed within the cell housing. The fluid regulating system (50) includes a valve having a moving plate (66) disposed adjacent to a fixed plate (62). The moving plate and fixed plate both have fluid entry ports (68, 64) that align in an open valve position and are misaligned in a closed valve position. The fluid regulating system (50) also includes an actuator that may include one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) components (82a, 82b) for moving the moving plate (66) relative to the fixed plate (62) to open and close the valve.

Abstract: A system for relocating elements within a storage library is provided, the library comprising plurality of adjacent horizontal arrays of storage cells and at least one robot that moves along the horizontal arrays and can retrieve objects from and place objects into the storage cells. The present invention comprises a cross-cabinet guide rail that is placed at the end of the adjacent horizontal arrays and serves as a means 1) to move media elements and robots between adjacent arrays of storage cells, 2) to provide an easy access method for the entry and removal of components from the library, and 3) to provide a method for movement of cartridges and robots between separate library enclosures.

Abstract: A method for scaling a storage library is provided, the library comprising at least one horizontal array of storage cells arranged in rows and columns, and at least one robot that moves on guide rails along the length of the horizontal array and can retrieve objects from and place objects into the storage cells. The present invention comprises expanding the library longitudinally along the guide rails and/or expanding the width of the library. Longitudinal expansion is accomplished by adding more horizontal storage cell arrays end-to-end. Width expansion is accomplished by means of side-by-side accumulation of additional horizontal storage cell arrays.

Abstract: A coarse wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer for combining and splitting different frequencies that are not as tightly separated as commonly known dense wavelength systems. Long-pass or short-pass optical filters are used to reflect certain wavelengths while passing others. In an embodiment, dual capillary GRIN lenses are coupled together to split off certain wavelengths while allowing others to pass.

Abstract: A media storage library using a horizontal cell array structure is provided. The library comprises an enclosure containing at least one horizontal array of storage cells and at least one picker robot that can move horizontally over the cell array by means of guide rails. Multiple horizontal cell arrays may be stacked vertically in separate rows, wherein the space between the rows is limited by the vertical height of the picker robot. The horizontal arrays may slide horizontally out of the library enclosure, creating an access pathway for human operators. In addition, multiple horizontal arrays may be arranged end to end within each row.

Abstract: A backplane is disclosed for attaching storage devices to the backplane that utilize removable media. The backplane is distributed and scalable. The backplane includes a generally horizontal portion for distributing electronic signals to the storage devices and a plurality of connectors coupled to said generally horizontal portion for receiving the storage devices. The storage devices are coupled to the backplane utilizing the generally horizontal portion. The storage devices are not coupled to the backplane utilizing a front or a back of any one of the storage devices such that the front and back of each storage device remain accessible when the storage devices are coupled to the backplane.

Abstract: A system for directing robot movement in a storage library is provided, the library comprising at least one horizontal array of storage cells and at least one robot that moves along the horizontal array and can retrieve objects from and place objects into the storage cells. The system comprises a guide rail that runs along the length of the horizontal array and loops around from one end of the horizontal array to the other end. The robot may move along the guide rail in a continuous, unidirectional loop. If multiple robots are added to the library, they can be made to move in the same direction along looping guide rail, thus elimination contention among robot movements. If multiple horizontal arrays are stacked vertically within the library, the looping guide rail allows robots to loop around and return to the same level or move onto a different horizontal level.

Abstract: A media storage library using a horizontal cell array structure is provided. The library comprises an enclosure containing at least one horizontal array of storage cells and at least one picker robot that can move horizontally over the cell array by means of guide rails. Multiple horizontal cell arrays may be stacked vertically in separate rows, wherein the space between the rows is limited by the vertical height of the picker robot. The horizontal arrays may slide horizontally out of the library enclosure, creating an access pathway for human operators. In addition, multiple horizontal arrays may be arranged end to end within each row.

Abstract: A system for directing robot movement in a storage library is provided, the library comprising at least one horizontal array of storage cells and at least one robot that moves along the horizontal array and can retrieve objects from and place objects into the storage cells. The system comprises a guide rail that runs along the length of the horizontal array and loops around from one end of the horizontal array to the other end. The robot may move along the guide rail in a continuous, unidirectional loop. If multiple robots are added to the library, they can be made to move in the same direction along looping guide rail, thus elimination contention among robot movements. If multiple horizontal arrays are stacked vertically within the library, the looping guide rail allows robots to loop around and return to the same level or move onto a different horizontal level.