Abstract: Edge blocks for a PV array comprising fastener or component holes for anchoring the array bonding the array and protecting array cabling. Edge blocks provide a favorable aerodynamic shape to help deflect incoming wind, the channel rainwater and to protect edge of the array. Methods having steps of placing modules contacting native topography or a smoothed or substantially flat portion of the ground in an array and holding the array together and down are also disclosed.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator comprising a motor, communication circuitry configured to receive a control signal and communicate with a door lock associated with a passageway door, and a controller. The controller is configured to authenticate the control signal, wherein authenticating the control signal includes associating the signal with a first level of access or a second level of access. The controller is further configured to communicate with the door lock via the communication circuitry to permit opening of the passageway door in response to associating the control signal with the first level of access and inhibit opening of the passageway door in response to associating the control signal with the second level of access. The controller is configured to cause the motor to open the movable barrier regardless of association of the control signal with the first level of access or the second level of access.

Abstract: An earth mount utility-scale solar photovoltaic array with modules on the ground. The site can have support regions with an elevation between ?20 cm and 40 cm of the ground. Implementations may include elevations between ?10 cm and 30 cm of the ground surface; more than one row of modules; connectors joining adjacent modules; modules flexibly joined in one or two dimensions; connectors joining 2-4 modules; connectors electrically bonding some modules to adjacent modules; contact points controlling a direction of a ray normal to a plane of the modules; a dc output, and a DC:AC output voltage ratio is 1.02, 1.9, 1.21.8, or 1.31.7. These or other implementations may configure the module arrangement such that the arrangement can withstanding wind speeds greater than 150 mph without containing stowing or extreme dampening functionality. Implementations of the described techniques may include solar arrays and related methods.

Abstract: Presented herein is an interactive platform for judging an activity by a participant in an event. The platform includes a client application program downloadable to a mobile device. The program may include a database storing a mobile device identifier (ID), a user ID, user information, and location data of the device. The application may further be configured to display one or more events of the activity as well as an input for receiving a score of the activity from the user. The platform may additionally include a server system connected with the client application programs via a communication network. The server system may be configured for receiving the mobile device ID, the user ID, the user information, and the location data for the client program, and may further be configured to receive the scores from the users, and to adjust the scores according to determined bias of the associated user.

Abstract: A method for fabrication a multifiber cable assembly is provided. The method includes selecting a plurality of optical fibers that each have a respective cladding diameter, determining a maximum fiber core position error for the plurality of optical fibers in a plurality of configurations, and determining a desired order of the plurality of optical fibers that minimizes the maximum fiber position total error.

Abstract: In some implementations, the power plant may include an array having 200 or more modules. In addition, the array may have conterminous modules. Arrays may include modules having a contact point that rests on the ground or a contact surface of one or more structures. In some implementations, 90% of the power-plant arrays have 800 or more modules. In some plants, the ground supports 90 percent of the conterminous modules. In some plants, neither the plants nor the arrays do not contain stowing functionality or extreme dampening functionality.

Abstract: A method of detecting presence and location uses sensor data received from a plurality of thermopiles, each thermopile having a different field of view. In response to detecting a change in the sensor data, stored background values for each field of view are accessed and then the location of a body (e.g. a human or animal)is determined based on differences between the sensor data and sensor values predicted using a forward model and the stored background values for each field of view. Having determined the location, the stored background values are updated based on differences between the sensor data and the predicted sensor values for a body at the determined location.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hopper car gate assembly including a frame configured for attachment to a hopper car body. The frame defines an opening and includes a beam, wherein the beam has a slot formed therein. A stop plate is removably attached to the beam to selectively obstruct the slot. The assembly has a door supported by the frame. A stop block is attached to the door, wherein the stop block is located on the door such that when the door is inserted into the frame the stop block is aligned with the slot. With the stop plate attached to the beam, the stop block engages with the stop plate to define an open position and prevent further movement of the door in the open direction. With the stop plate detached from the beam, the stop block passes through the slot to allow removal of the door from the frame.

Abstract: A method for repairing composite components includes installing a plug within a feature defined by a composite component, with the plug being formed from one or more neutral materials. Furthermore, the method includes infiltrating the composite component with an infiltrant to densify a repair region of the composite component, with the plug blocking a flow of the infiltrant into the feature. Moreover, after infiltrating the composite component, the method includes removing the plug from the feature.

Abstract: A method to minimize applying joint compound and sanding by illuminating an area of the gypsum board to show anomalies thereon includes a step of providing a plurality of wireless lighting devices operable by a common remote controller, a step of removably attaching these devices in a spaced-apart arrangement and using the remote controller to energize all lighting devices to identify remaining anomalies. All lighting devices are turned off once the next coat of joint compound is applied and then turned on after it dries to illuminate the remaining surface anomalies. Operation of lighting devices is accomplished without removing or repositioning thereof to assure consistency of illumination over the entire work period.

Abstract: Software configuration deployment techniques for disaggregated computing architectures, platforms, and systems are provided herein. In one example, a method includes presenting a user interface configured to receive instructions related to deployment of software to compute units, and receiving user selections of a software element for deployment to a compute unit comprising a processing element and a storage element.

Abstract: Fiber optic connectors and junctions between fiber optic connectors include ferrules terminating a plurality of optical fibers, the ferrules having a ferrule keying portion that rotationally aligns and constrains the ferrules with a guide keying portion of an annular guide tube. The ferrules may further aligned and constrained and aligned in a lateral direction with a ferrule sleeve in the junction of connectors. Each of the ferrule sleeve and the guide keying portion individually constrain movement of the ferrules in different dimensions, the guide keying portion rotationally aligning and constraining the ferrules, while allowing freedom of movement in a lateral direction, and the ferrule sleeve aligning and constraining the ferrules in the lateral direction, while allowing rotational freedom of movement.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to lensed optical fiber connector ferrule end faces having molded contact surfaces. The contact surfaces reduce ferrule end face contact area and thereby reduce the influence of trapped dust and debris on lens angular misalignment.

Abstract: A module and a process for forming a monolithic substantially closed-porosity silicon carbide fluidic module having a tortuous fluid passage extending through the module, the tortuous fluid passage having an interior surface, the interior surface having a surface roughness in the range of from 0.1 to 10 ?m Ra. The process includes positioning a positive fluid passage mold within a volume of silicon carbide powder, the powder coated with a binder; pressing the volume of silicon carbide powder with the mold inside to form a pressed body; heating the pressed body to remove the mold; and sintering the pressed body.

Abstract: According to at least some example embodiments, a dome collector separation stage includes an inner side wall that defines an inner channel; and an outer side wall that, together with the inner side wall, defines an outer channel, the inner channel being configured to receive a two-phase flow stream (FS) of water and steam, and pass the two-phase FS to the outer channel via inlets included in the inner side wall, the outer channel being configured to separate at least some water from the two-phase FS, and pass moisture-reduced steam out of the steam separator stage via outlets included in the outer side wall.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes stacked planar lightwave circuit (PLC) members each having a plurality of waveguides in a respective plane, to provide optical connections to two-dimensional arrays of external optical waveguides (e.g., optical fiber cores), with one array including non-coplanar groups of waveguides having group members that are alternately arranged in a lateral direction. An optical assembly may provide optical connections between array of cores having a different pitch and/or orientation to serve as a fanout interface. Methods for fabricating an optical assembly are further provided.

Abstract: A process of repairing a component includes identifying a void in a component; determining at least one approximate physical configuration of the void; inserting borescope into the component in order to view the void; providing a repair rod approximately equivalent to at least one of the least one approximate physical configuration of the void; inserting the repair rod into component; confirming insertion of the repair rod in the void; separating the repair rod to leave a repair plug in the void; and depositing braze paste over the repair plug in the void.

Abstract: A frac dart includes a body having an outer surface and an end including at least one opening. A cutter support is mounted at the end adjacent the at least one opening. A cutter is moveably mounted at the cutter support. A counter support is slideably mounted on the outer surface, and a counter is arranged between the counter support and the cutter support. The cutter is operable to sever a portion of the counter.

Abstract: A downhole cutting tool (13) for perforating a tubular (14) in an oil or gas well comprises a body (4); radially moveable cutting members (3) mounted on the body (4); a helical profiled member (1) rotatable relative to the body (4); and activation members (2) axially movable relative to the body (4). Rotation of the helical profiled member (1) generates axial movement of the activation members (2), and the activation members (2) configured to actuate the cutting members (3) from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration.

Abstract: Methods for selecting polypeptides or proteins having one or more desired properties from a library of sequences expressed in eukaryotic cells, including: encapsulating the cells by photopolymerization; solubilizing the encapsulated cells to produce semipermeable microcapsules; optionally contacting the cells and/or the microcapsules with one or more agents to facilitate detection of activity or function of polypeptides or proteins of interest; and selecting polypeptides or proteins of interest having one or more desired properties. Also provided are methods for encapsulating eukaryotic cells for use in the selection of polypeptides and proteins as described above.