Abstract: A device comprising a transparent window, an imaging unit, and a computing element coupled to said imaging unit, wherein said device is configured to allow soiling particles to accumulate on a surface of said transparent window, said imaging unit is configured to capture an image of said surface, and said computing element is configured to perform analysis of said image to determine a soiling level of said transparent window, wherein a surface of said transparent window may include reference marks enabling calibration of said image during said analysis. Additionally, a method of performing said analysis.

Abstract: A device comprising a transparent window, an imaging unit, and a computing element coupled to said imaging unit, wherein said device is configured to allow soiling particles to accumulate on a surface of said transparent window, said imaging unit is configured to capture an image of said surface, and said computing element is configured to perform analysis of said image to determine a soiling level of said transparent window, wherein a surface of said transparent window may include reference marks enabling calibration of said image during said analysis. Additionally, a method of performing said analysis.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring electrical characteristics of solar panels (photovoltaic modules) wherein the apparatus measures current versus voltage (“I-V”) relationships for both illuminated (“light I-V”) and/or non-illuminated (“dark I-V”) conditions; optionally provides single, dual, or four-quadrant source/sink capability; and measures one or more devices under test (DUTs). The apparatus comprises one or more source measurement units (SMUs), wherein each SMU is connected to one DUT, and optionally includes a positive high-voltage programmable power supply and/or a negative high-voltage programmable power supply. Additionally, the apparatus includes a controller which controls the functions of the SMUs, the high-voltage supplies, and other components of the apparatus, wherein the controller communicates with the SMUs over a signal bus.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring electrical characteristics of solar panels (photovoltaic modules) wherein the apparatus measures current versus voltage (“I-V”) relationships for both illuminated (“light I-V”) and/or non-illuminated (“dark I-V”) conditions; optionally provides single, dual, or four-quadrant source/sink capability; and measures one or more devices under test (DUTs). The apparatus comprises one or more source measurement units (SMUs), wherein each SMU is connected to one DUT, and optionally includes a positive high-voltage programmable power supply and/or a negative high-voltage programmable power supply. Additionally, the apparatus includes a controller which controls the functions of the SMUs, the high-voltage supplies, and other components of the apparatus, wherein the controller communicates with the SMUs over a signal bus.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring electrical characteristics of solar panels (photovoltaic modules) wherein the apparatus measures current versus voltage (“I-V”) relationships for both illuminated (“light I-V”) and/or non-illuminated (“dark I-V”) conditions; optionally provides single, dual, or four-quadrant source/sink capability; and measures one or more devices under test (DUTs). The apparatus comprises one or more source measurement units (SMUs), wherein each SMU is connected to one DUT, and optionally includes a positive high-voltage programmable power supply and/or a negative high-voltage programmable power supply. Additionally, the apparatus includes a controller which controls the functions of the SMUs, the high-voltage supplies, and other components of the apparatus, wherein the controller communicates with the SMUs over a signal bus.

Abstract: An EGR venturi for use in an EGR system of an IC engine includes a body defining a converging inlet section, a throat, and an interior liquid heat exchange chamber adjacent to the throat.

Abstract: An EGR venturi for use in an EGR system of an IC engine includes a body defining a converging inlet section, a throat, and an interior liquid heat exchange chamber adjacent to the throat.

Abstract: A top-down tiered process establishes an objective measure of the functional capacity of an asset to address a specified use. The process comprises: developing Issue Categories and lists of functional impact Sub-issue Types and specific issues under each type that may impact functionality of the asset for a specified use; providing the list to evaluators; employing evaluators to evaluate functionality, evaluators assigning a numerical Severity measure to each Sub-issue Type present during the evaluation; recording occurrences of issues under each Sub-issue Type discovered, summing occurrences to determine a Density of each Sub-issue Type; recording the evaluation in one or more engineering management systems (EMS); and using the recorded evaluation, calculating a value to be inserted on a numerical scale as a functionality index, FI. In select embodiments of the present invention, a numerical scale is used with values from 0-100.