Abstract: A system may include an optical element including a surface defining a recess, conductive material disposed within the recess, and a solder mask disposed over a portion of the conductive material. The solder mask may define an aperture through which light from the optical element may pass. Some aspects provide creation of an optical element including a surface defining a recess, deposition of conductive material on the surface such that a portion of the deposited conductive material is disposed within the recess, and substantial planarization of the surface to expose the portion of the conductive material disposed within the recess.

Abstract: A fabricated structure for use with an associated marking device is provided. In one form, the fabricated structure includes a self-lifting spring finger having a nib for marking.

Abstract: A system may include an optical element including a surface defining a recess, conductive material disposed within the recess, and a solder mask disposed over a portion of the conductive material. The solder mask may define an aperture through which light from the optical element may pass. Some aspects provide creation of an optical element including a surface defining a recess, deposition of conductive material on the surface such that a portion of the deposited conductive material is disposed within the recess, and substantial planarization of the surface to expose the portion of the conductive material disposed within the recess.

Abstract: A system for positioning a heliostat mirror or a solar collector includes a support structure, a pivot mechanism adapted to pivot the heliostat mirror or solar collector about a first generally horizontal axis and about a second axis generally perpendicular to the first axis, the pivot mechanism is attached to a rear side of the heliostat mirror or solar collector and attached to the support structure. The system also includes a first cable drive actuator having a first motor, driving a first cable spool, and a first cable attached at a proximal end to the first cable spool and attached at a distal end to the heliostat mirror or solar collector, and a second cable drive actuator having a second motor driving a second cable spool, and a second cable attached at a proximal end to the second cable spool and attached to the heliostat mirror or solar collector.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes a T-shaped tubular connection that includes a first member with a first fluid passageway disposed in a first direction, a shoulder boss disposed on the first member, and a tubular member disposed on the boss. A second fluid passageway is disposed through the tubular member and through the boss in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and is fluidly connected to the first fluid passageway of the first member. The connection also includes a second member having a third passageway with a cylindrical bore located at a proximal end of the third passageway, the cylindrical bore being adapted to be received on the outer cylindrical surface of the first tubular member, and at least two ring seals adapted to be received in the at least two ring seal grooves.

Abstract: Methods and systems for solar energy capture. One of the systems includes a solar energy substrate mounted on a support member and one or more flap assemblies coupled to the solar energy substrate. The solar energy substrate is configured to receive solar rays from the Sun and is further configured to move in at least one direction such that an orientation of the solar energy substrate can be adjusted in accordance with a direction of the solar rays. The support member is configured to support the solar energy substrate. The one or more flap assemblies each include a flap and an actuator that is configured to move the flap relative to the solar energy substrate. Movement of the flap is controllable to counter a wind-induced moment acting on the solar energy substrate.

Abstract: A first fluid, e.g., a clear solvent, is printed in a subpixel of a color filter prior to printing droplets of a second fluid such as colored liquid into the subpixel areas. This first fluid could have surface wetting properties such that it is hydrophilic to the substrate (glass) but hydrophobic to the boundary (black matrix). Therefore, the first fluid would flow over the entire subpixel area, but not onto the black matrix. The first fluid would then allow color fluid to disperse uniformly throughout the subpixel. This first fluid may also be used in additional embodiments to re-liquify a dry or partially dry color subpixel, so that color non-uniformities can be corrected.

Abstract: A mobile system includes a vehicle operable to traverse a terranean surface; one or more installers mounted to the vehicle, each installer configured to move in at least two degrees of freedom relative to the terranean surface and install one or more system components; a power module coupled to the one or more installers, the power module configured to provide operating power to the one or more installers; and a computer module. The computer module includes a memory and one or more processors operable to execute a component installation module. The component installation module is operable to direct the vehicle to a plurality of locations on the terranean surface; and direct an operation of the one or more installers to install at least one system component at one of the plurality of locations.

Abstract: A system may include an optical element including a surface defining a recess, conductive material disposed within the recess, and a solder mask disposed over a portion of the conductive material. The solder mask may define an aperture through which light from the optical element may pass. Some aspects provide creation of an optical element including a surface defining a recess, deposition of conductive material on the surface such that a portion of the deposited conductive material is disposed within the recess, and substantial planarization of the surface to expose the portion of the conductive material disposed within the recess.

Abstract: A solar receiver for a solar thermal power system includes a silicon carbide body having a passage therethrough. A coating on an outer surface of the silicon carbide body may increase absorption of solar radiation relative to the silicon carbide body. A plurality of silicon carbide fins may extend outwardly from the silicon carbide body, the fins oriented such that when the receiver is placed on a tower of a solar thermal power system having a plurality of heliostats, the fins are substantially perpendicularly to solar radiation received on the silicon carbide body from the plurality of heliostats.

Abstract: A solar tracker includes a base having an upper surface, a collector support structure having a lower surface adjacent to the upper surface of the base, a conduit in fluidical communication with a space between the upper surface of the base and the lower surface of the collector support structure, a pump for pumping fluid into or out of the conduit, wherein injecting fluid into the conduit forms a fluid layer between the collector support structure and the base, and a solar collector supported by the collector support structure.

Abstract: In one aspect of the presently described embodiments, the system comprises an inlet to receive at least a portion of the fluid containing algae, a curved channel within which the fluid containing algae flows in a manner such that the neutrally buoyant algae flow in a band offset from a center of the curved channel, a first outlet for the fluid with algae within which the band flows, and, a second outlet for the remaining fluid.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on one or more computer storage devices, for collecting solar energy using heliostats arranged about a collection of solar energy receivers. For each heliostat, estimated efficiencies of the heliostat in directing solar rays to two or more receivers at various times of day are determined. Each heliostat is assigned to direct solar rays to two or more different receivers at two or more different times of day, wherein each heliostat directs solar rays to one receiver at a time and the assigning is based on the determined estimated efficiencies for the heliostat at the various of times of day. In some implementations, the receivers are repositionable.

Abstract: A solar tracker system includes a solar collector, a track, a movable assembly supporting the mirror, the movable assembly including track-traveling mechanism configured to move along the track when actuated by a first actuator to adjust an azimuth of the mirror, and a second actuator to adjust an elevation of the mirror.

Abstract: A heliostat control system includes a heliostat having a reflective surface and at least one reflective element, the reflective surface having a different radius of curvature than the at least one reflective element, a receiver configured to receive sunlight reflected from the reflective surface, and a camera configured to receive sunlight reflected from the at least one reflective element and to generate an image including pixels having a brightness dependent on an orientation of the reflective surface.

Abstract: A mirror and method for making the mirror are described. The mirror includes at least three layers. The first layer has an outer surface and an opposed inner surface, the outer surface being a reflective surface. The second layer is positioned between the inner surface of the first layer and an inner surface of a third layer. The second layer includes a structural member adhered to the inner surface of the first layer and to the inner surface of the third layer and is configured to resist changes in geometry of the first layer. The third layer has an outer surface opposed to the inner surface, and is formed from a material having properties and dimensions such that temperature induced changes in geometry of the first layer are substantially the same as temperature induced changes in geometry of the third layer.

Abstract: A fabricated structure for use with an associated marking device is provided. In one form, the fabricated structure includes a self-lifting spring finger having a nib for marking.

Abstract: A heliostat control system includes a receiver located within a receiver volume and a view port located proximate to the receiver volume. The receiver is configured to receive sunlight reflected from a mirror of a heliostat. The view port is optically connected to a camera, and the camera is configured to generate an image including pixels having a brightness dependent on an orientation of the mirror.

Abstract: A system may include an optical element including a surface defining a recess, conductive material disposed within the recess, and a solder mask disposed over a portion of the conductive material. The solder mask may define an aperture through which light from the optical element may pass. Some aspects provide creation of an optical element including a surface defining a recess, deposition of conductive material on the surface such that a portion of the deposited conductive material is disposed within the recess, and substantial planarization of the surface to expose the portion of the conductive material disposed within the recess.

Abstract: In one aspect of the presently described embodiments, the system comprises an inlet to receive at least a portion of the fluid containing algae, a curved channel within which the fluid containing algae flows in a manner such that the neutrally buoyant algae flow in a band offset from a center of the curved channel, a first outlet for the fluid with algae within which the band flows, and, a second outlet for the remaining fluid.