Abstract: An exemplary method involves operating a door operator coupled to a door. The door operator includes a motor operable to move the door in at least one direction and a controller operable to control the motor. The method generally involves a calibration procedure including: with the door at a first position and the door having an initial speed, initiating, by the controller, measurement of a time duration; in response to the door reaching a target speed different from the initial speed, ceasing, by the controller, measurement of the time duration; and determining, by the controller, a maximum speed based on the time duration. The method further includes performing at least one operation based upon the maximum speed.

Abstract: A retrofit module configured for use with a door closer having a pinion. The retrofit module generally includes a case, an output shaft, a motor, and a control assembly. The output shaft is rotatably mounted in the case, and is configured for rotational coupling with the pinion. The motor is mounted to the case, and is operable to rotate the output shaft in a door-opening direction. The control assembly is mounted to the case, and is configured to operate the motor to drive the output shaft in the door-opening direction in response to an actuating signal.

Abstract: An In-Process Diameter Gage comprises a Position Detection Subsystem, preferably an optical switch and trigger, a Dimension Measurement Subsystem, preferably comprising a wheel of known diameter and a rotation encoder, and a Data Processing Subsystem, all configured and arranged to determine a dimensional property of a rotating part, such as diameter.

Abstract: A retrofit module configured for use with a door closer having a pinion. The retrofit module generally includes a case, an output shaft, a motor, and a control assembly. The output shaft is rotatably mounted in the case, and is configured for rotational coupling with the pinion. The motor is mounted to the case, and is operable to rotate the output shaft in a door-opening direction. The control assembly is mounted to the case, and is configured to operate the motor to drive the output shaft in the door-opening direction in response to an actuating signal.

Abstract: An In-Process Diameter Gage comprises a Position Detection Subsystem, preferably an optical switch and trigger, a Dimension Measurement Subsystem, preferably comprising a wheel of known diameter and a rotation encoder, and a Data Processing Subsystem, all configured and arranged to determine a dimensional property of a rotating part, such as diameter.

Abstract: A retrofit module configured for use with a door closer having a pinion. The retrofit module generally includes a case, an output shaft, a motor, and a control assembly. The output shaft is rotatably mounted in the case, and is configured for rotational coupling with the pinion. The motor is mounted to the case, and is operable to rotate the output shaft in a door-opening direction. The control assembly is mounted to the case, and is configured to operate the motor to drive the output shaft in the door-opening direction in response to an actuating signal.

Abstract: An exemplary method involves operating a door operator coupled to a door. The door operator includes a motor operable to move the door in at least one direction and a controller operable to control the motor. The method generally involves a calibration procedure including: with the door at a first position and the door having an initial speed, initiating, by the controller, measurement of a time duration; in response to the door reaching a target speed different from the initial speed, ceasing, by the controller, measurement of the time duration; and determining, by the controller, a maximum speed based on the time duration. The method further includes performing at least one operation based upon the maximum speed.

Abstract: An In-Process Diameter Gage comprises a Position Detection Subsystem, preferably an optical switch and trigger, a Dimension Measurement Subsystem, preferably comprising a wheel of known diameter and a rotation encoder, and a Data Processing Subsystem, all configured and arranged to determine a dimensional property of a rotating part, such as diameter.

Abstract: A retrofit module configured for use with a door closer having a pinion. The retrofit module generally includes a case, an output shaft, a motor, and a control assembly. The output shaft is rotatably mounted in the case, and is configured for rotational coupling with the pinion. The motor is mounted to the case, and is operable to rotate the output shaft in a door-opening direction. The control assembly is mounted to the case, and is configured to operate the motor to drive the output shaft in the door-opening direction in response to an actuating signal.

Abstract: A dynamic energy harvesting and variable harvesting force system is disclosed. A boost converter increases a motor voltage as a motor current associated with the motor voltage propagates through the boost converter thereby generating a boost voltage associated with the changing motor current. A power storage device stores energy harvested by the boost converter when the boost voltage exceeds an energy storage threshold. A controller dynamically adjusts a harvesting force applied by the motor so that the harvesting force is relative to the force applied to the motor. The controller also dynamically adjusts the harvested energy stored by the power storage device by adjusting the charging of the power storage device, ensuring that the boost voltage threshold is maintained. The boost voltage when maintained within the boost voltage threshold enables the power storage device to store the harvested energy without impacting the harvesting force applied by the motor.

Abstract: A preassembled solar panel module includes a solar panel configured for receiving and converting solar radiation to produce electrical power. Multiple panel rails are coupled in preassembly to a backside surface of the solar panel, including at least two panel rails disposed halfway or more along opposing longest edges of the solar panel. Multiple snap connector components are each coupled to one of the at least two rails and are each configured to couple with a complementary snap connector component of an adjacent preassembled solar panel module. One or more mounting feet are each coupled at a selected location to one of the at least two panel rails and are each configured for coupling at a selected location to a roof or other sunlight receiving surface.

Abstract: A preassembled solar panel module includes a solar panel configured for receiving and converting solar radiation to produce electrical power. Multiple panel rails are coupled in preassembly to a backside surface of the solar panel, including at least two panel rails disposed halfway or more along opposing longest edges of the solar panel. Multiple snap connector components are each coupled to one of the at least two rails and are each configured to couple with a complimentary snap connector component of an adjacent preassembled solar panel module or of a wind deflector accessory, or both. One or more mounting feet are each coupled at a selected location to one of the at least two panel rails and are each configured for coupling at a selected location to a roof or to other sunlight receiving surface.

Abstract: A dynamic energy harvesting and variable harvesting force system is disclosed. A boost converter increases a motor voltage as a motor current associated with the motor voltage propagates through the boost converter thereby generating a boost voltage associated with the changing motor current. A power storage device stores energy harvested by the boost converter when the boost voltage exceeds an energy storage threshold. A controller dynamically adjusts a harvesting force applied by the motor so that the harvesting force is relative to the force applied to the motor. The controller also dynamically adjusts the harvested energy stored by the power storage device by adjusting the charging of the power storage device, ensuring that the boost voltage threshold is maintained. The boost voltage when maintained within the boost voltage threshold enables the power storage device to store the harvested energy without impacting the harvesting force applied by the motor.

Abstract: An In-Process Diameter Gage comprises a Position Detection Subsystem, preferably an optical switch and trigger, a Dimension Measurement Subsystem, preferably comprising a wheel of known diameter and a rotation encoder, and a Data Processing Subsystem, all configured and arranged to determine a dimensional property of a rotating part, such as diameter.

Abstract: A dynamic energy harvesting and variable harvesting force system is disclosed. A boost converter increases a motor voltage as a motor current associated with the motor voltage propagates through the boost converter thereby generating a boost voltage associated with the changing motor current. A power storage device stores energy harvested by the boost converter when the boost voltage exceeds an energy storage threshold. A controller dynamically adjusts a harvesting force applied by the motor so that the harvesting force is relative to the force applied to the motor. The controller also dynamically adjusts the harvested energy stored by the power storage device by adjusting the charging of the power storage device, ensuring that the boost voltage threshold is maintained. The boost voltage when maintained within the boost voltage threshold enables the power storage device to store the harvested energy without impacting the harvesting force applied by the motor.

Abstract: A preassembled solar panel module includes a solar panel configured for receiving and converting solar radiation to produce electrical power. Multiple panel rails are coupled in preassembly to a backside surface of the solar panel, including at least two panel rails disposed halfway or more along opposing longest edges of the solar panel. Multiple snap connector components are each coupled to one of the at least two rails and are each configured to couple with a complimentary snap connector component of an adjacent preassembled solar panel module or of a wind deflector accessory, or both. One or more mounting feet are each coupled at a selected location to one of the at least two panel rails and are each configured for coupling at a selected location to a roof or to other sunlight receiving surface.

Abstract: A mounting system and techniques for securing solar panels to a fixed structure including a plurality of mounting brackets and tracks and a plurality of mounting feet that connect to the tracks and anchor to the fixed structure. Each mounting bracket has a means to interconnect and interlock with the mounting brackets on adjacent solar modules. In addition, the mounting feet have a quick release mechanism to connect and disconnect from the track. The mounting feet are appropriately selected for the given fixed structure or roof type. The solar module system, in accordance with certain embodiments, has toggle anchors to reliably mount into sheathing plywood or OSB material. The solar module system, in accordance with certain embodiments, also describes an electrical conduction and coupling system for solar modules that integrates electrical coupling with mechanical coupling at the point of mechanical attachment.

Abstract: A label that includes an adhesive and is configured to be applied to an item, and related method. The adhesive is characterized as having a permanence that starts to develop upon contact of the label with the item and builds over time so eventually the label is permanently coupled to the item. The item can be damaged as a result of the label being removed from the item after the label is permanently coupled to the item. If the label is applied to the item in a first position, then the adhesive is configured to allow a removal of the label from the item without damaging the items and a reapplication of the label to the item in a second position within a limited period of time.

Abstract: A removable scraper blade attachment for a toothed bucket of an earth working machine, such as a backhoe bucket, to allow the bucket to remove debris from a smooth surface such as a paved surface. A plurality of tooth receiving pockets are space along the upper surface of the mounting plate and are sized to receiving a single tooth. A scraper blade extends across a leading edge of the mounting plate and includes a beveled edge to improve cutting and scraping of the blade. The scraper blade attachment is readily removably attachable to the bucket and does not require modification to the lower lip of the bucket or require removal of teeth from the bucket. A self tensioning system is provided to insure the scraper blade attachment remains tightly secured to the bucket.

Abstract: A removable scraper blade attachment for a toothed bucket of an earth working machine, such as a backhoe bucket, to allow the bucket to remove debris from a smooth surface such as a paved surface. A plurality of tooth receiving pockets are space along the upper surface of the mounting plate and are sized to receiving a single tooth. A scraper blade extends across a leading edge of the mounting plate and includes a beveled edge to improve cutting and scraping of the blade. The scraper blade attachment is readily removably attachable to the bucket and does not require modification to the lower lip of the bucket or require removal of teeth from the bucket. A self tensioning system is provided to insure the scraper blade attachment remains tightly secured to the bucket.