Abstract: Passive optical Sagnac interferometers for current sensing, method of using the same and method of constructing the same. In one embodiment, the passive optical Sagnac interferometer for current sensing comprises an N×N fibre coupler, wherein N>=3; and a fibre coil disposed on a first side of the N×N fibre coupler, a first port of the N×N fibre coupler coupled to a first end of the fibre coil via a first linear polariser and a second port of the N×N fibre coupler coupled to a second end of the fibre coil via a second linear polariser; wherein the fibre coil is configured to support only one elliptical polarisation state in counter-propagating light signals in the fibre coil.

Abstract: Systems and methods involving one or more wearable components that obtain information about a surrounding environment and provide information to a user to assist user in retrieving objects from the surrounding environment. The information may include navigation information related to a route that the user may take to retrieve an object, as well as information about the object to be retrieved. The wearable components may be include ones that may be mounted on the head of the user, as well as components that the user may wear on other parts of the body or that attach to clothing. The wearable components may include image sensors, microphones, machine-readable symbol readers, range-finders, accelerometers, and/or gyroscopes that may collect information from and about the surroundings of the user. The wearable components may also include one or more of a set of speakers and/or a display subsystem to provide information to the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods involving one or more wearable components that obtain information about a surrounding environment and provide information to a user to assist user in retrieving objects from the surrounding environment. The information may include navigation information related to a route that the user may take to retrieve an object, as well as information about the object to be retrieved. The wearable components may be include ones that may be mounted on the head of the user, as well as components that the user may wear on other parts of the body or that attach to clothing The wearable components may include image sensors, microphones, machine-readable symbol readers, range-finders, accelerometers, and/or gyroscopes that may collect information from and about the surroundings of the user. The wearable components may also include one or more of a set of speakers and/or a display subsystem to provide information to the user.

Abstract: An integrated drive leg and mount suitable for solar power devices, such as trough solar concentrators or PV panels. A drive system including a linear actuator is integrated into the support structure. A pulley assembly converts the linear force into rotational motion, thereby providing tracking adjustments for a solar power device following the sun avoiding larger external electric drive motor which are situated between successive solar power devices. The integrated nature enables a smaller gap between solar power devices in solar installations, reduces the effect of induced shadowing, and enables greater collection of solar energy.

Abstract: End of arm tooling system and a method for manufacture is provided. The end or arm tooling system provides automated material handling, part manipulation, preforming and transferring of a pre-impregnated carbon fiber material. A robot is connected to end of arm tooling for automated material handling and transfer operations from at least a lower preform tool system where light compression is applied to a molding press. The end or arm tooling system includes a cured silicone membrane as well as vacuum and air blow off, allowing for robotically preforming, picking up and dropping-off pre-impregnated carbon fiber materials which are notoriously sticky and difficult to handle.

Abstract: A solar device alignment system enabling greater adjustment of solar devices during installation is provided. The alignment system enables both translational and rotational adjustments in multiple degrees of freedom, allowing solar device installers to make greater adjustments to allow greater tolerances in installing solar devices and limit the need for extensive and expensive surveying and/or redesign of the installation to account for those tolerances.

Abstract: End of arm tooling system and a method for manufacture is provided. The end or arm tooling system provides automated material handling, part manipulation, preforming and transferring of a pre-impregnated carbon fiber material. A robot is connected to end of arm tooling for automated material handling and transfer operations from at least a lower preform tool system where light compression is applied to a molding press. The end or arm tooling system includes a cured silicone membrane as well as vacuum and air blow off, allowing for robotically preforming, picking up and dropping-off pre-impregnated carbon fiber materials which are notoriously sticky and difficult to handle.

Abstract: A solar device alignment system enabling greater adjustment of solar devices during installation is provided. The alignment system enables both translational and rotational adjustments in multiple degrees of freedom, allowing solar device installers to make greater adjustments to allow greater tolerances in installing solar devices and limit the need for extensive and expensive surveying and/or redesign of the installation to account for those tolerances.

Abstract: An integrated drive leg and mount suitable for solar power devices, such as trough solar concentrators or PV panels. A drive system including a linear actuator is integrated into the support structure. A pulley assembly converts the linear force into rotational motion, thereby providing tracking adjustments for a solar power device following the sun avoiding larger external electric drive motor which are situated between successive solar power devices. The integrated nature enables a smaller gap between solar power devices in solar installations, reduces the effect of induced shadowing, and enables greater collection of solar energy.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument having a pickup system including at least one dual coil pickup, each coil having first and second end terminals and at least one tap to a portion of the coil between the first and second end terminals. A first or mode switch selectively connects first and second output terminals of a pickup circuit to (a) the first end terminals of both coils, (b) the first and a second end terminals of one of the coils, and (c) the at least one tap of both coils. Selection (c) allows for a selection of less than two full coils. The musical instrument includes additional pickups and a second or pickup selector switch to selectively connect the pickups and the first switch to the first output terminal of the pickup circuit.

Abstract: Described is a battery package (10) comprising: A housing (12) in which a plurality of batteries (18) are assembled, wherein each battery has a front side and a back side (22); aligned to fit into receptacles (16, 30) therefor, a blade (20), located on the front and back sides (22) of the batteries; and a printed circuit board (14, 24) at the front and back side of the batteries, each board having receptacles (16,30) for receiving the edge of the blades (20) of the batteries and for electrically connecting the batteries within the housing and providing mechanical support for the batteries.