Abstract: Methods to form cross-linked or sintered objects include forming walls for reservoir layers, with cross-linkable or sinterable materials deposited in the reservoir layers. The cross-linkable or sinterable materials can then be cross-linked, e.g., changing the structure of the deposited cross linkable materials, or sintered, e.g., heat treated to fused the sinterable materials together. The walls for the reservoir layers can be removed after the objects are formed.

Abstract: A cutting device including a blade with a first end with a cutting surface and a second end configured to be attached to a handle, wherein the blade can be attached to the handle without a user contacting the blade; and wherein the blade is configured to be locked in place in they handle by rotating said handle.

Abstract: A modular 3D printer system can include a base subsystem and multiple exchangeable components. The base subsystem can have a 3D motion module, a printhead module and a platform module. The multiple exchangeable components can include printheads having different configurations and functionalities, which can be exchangeably installed in the printhead module. The multiple exchangeable components can include platform supports having different configurations and functionalities, which can be exchangeably installed in the platform module.

Abstract: A lighting assembly with a lamp housing and a component housing which have corresponding mechanical connectors for releasably attaching the housings to one another and which have corresponding electrical connectors for releasably providing electrical connection between the housings. The lamp housing has a lamp frame, at least one lamp socket for receiving at least one lamp and lamp wiring for supplying power to the at least one lamp. The lamp housing has an electrical connector operably attached to the lamp wiring. The lamp housing further has a mechanical connector. Mounted to the component housing are electrical control components, electrical ballast and a power supply socket. The component housing has an electrical connector operable to releasably connect with the electrical connector of the lamp housing. The component housing has a mechanical connector operable to releasably attach to the mechanical connector of the lamp housing.

Abstract: A lighting assembly with a lamp housing and a component housing which have corresponding mechanical connectors for releasably attaching the housings to one another and which have corresponding electrical connectors for releasably providing electrical connection between the housings. The lamp housing has a lamp frame, at least one lamp socket for receiving at least one lamp and lamp wiring for supplying power to the at least one lamp. The lamp housing has an electrical connector operably attached to the lamp wiring. The lamp housing further has a mechanical connector. Mounted to the component housing are electrical control components, electrical ballast and a power supply socket. The component housing has an electrical connector operable to releasably connect with the electrical connector of the lamp housing. The component housing has a mechanical connector operable to releasably attach to the mechanical connector of the lamp housing.

Abstract: A wiper is provided for cleaning reactor tubes used in an ultraviolet-light reactor. The wiper has a circular opening sufficiently large to resiliently accommodate a reactor tube. A plurality of wipers can be connected to a wiper support to create a wiper assembly. A rod attached to the wiper assembly, or a wiper, can be moved from outside the reactor chamber for mechanically reciprocating the wiper assembly along the length of the reactor tube in the chamber, whereby, the wiper slides along the outer surface of the reactor tube to wipe off at least some of the fouling that may have accumulated on the outer surface of the reactor tube.

Abstract: A wiper assembly is provided for cleaning the reactor tubes of an ultraviolet-light reactor. The wiper assembly is positioned inside a reactor chamber of the ultraviolet-light reactor. The wiper assembly includes a wiper that has a circular opening sufficiently large to accommodate a reactor tube. A wiper blade is formed on the wiper circumferential of the opening and being deflected such that when the reactor tube is positioned through the opening, the blade engages the outer surface of the reactor tube. The wiper is formed of a plastic material. The wiper is connected to a platform positioned within the reactor chamber. The platform supports the wiper in the reactor chamber such that the reactor tube extends through the opening in the wiper. According to one aspect of the invention, at least one rod is connected to the platform. The rod extends out of the reactor chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for manufacturing at a manufacturing plant concave metallic membrane for concave reflectors such as solar energy collectors and antennas, rolling the concave metallic membrane onto a uniquely shaped mandrel for storage and transportation, transporting the rolled metallic membrane and mandrel to a site which is remote from the manufacturing plant, erecting a reflector support structure at the remote site, and attaching the concave metallic membrane to the reflector support structure. The invention includes a method for forming the concave metallic membrane into a paraboloid-like shape using non-uniform loading.

Abstract: Highly weather and corrosion resistant flexible reflective films for solar energy applications and lighting reflectors are formed by vapor-depositing silver onto a flexible support sheet, e.g., biaxially oriented polyester film and adherently bonding a protective fluorocarbon film, e.g., poly(vinyl fluoride), poly(vinylidine fluoride), or poly(tetrafluoroethylene), to the surface of the silver distal to the flexible support sheet with a layer of adhesive. Fluorocarbon film is highly optically transmissive to visible, ultraviolet, and/or near infra-red light between about 300-2,500 nanometers, stable to ultraviolet light, impervious to moisture, non-hygroscopic, scratch resistant, and easy to keep clean. The adhesive is highly optically transmissive to light between about 300-2,500 nanometers and stable to ultraviolet light. Chemical corrosion inhibitors and UV absorbers incorporated into the flexible reflective film can increase its resistance to corrosion and degradation by ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for holding reflector elements of a solar collector array in a position protected from high wind and storm damage including locking bar means mounted between and rotating with pairs of reflectors, latching means mounted on support pylons between said reflectors and positioned to engage and hold said locking bar means thereby retaining the reflectors in the protected position, and a plurality of linked release means for simultaneous release of all said latching means.

Abstract: An improved monocoque parabolic solar collector which can be machine welded or fastened with rivets, bolts or other mechanical fasteners without the need for any blind fastening systems.

Abstract: An improved monocoque parabolic solar collector which can be machine welded or fastened with rivets, bolts or other mechanical fasteners without the need for any blind fastening systems.

Abstract: An extended width parabolic trough solar collector (12) is supported from pylons (14). Collector (12) is formed from a center module (30) and two wing modules (32) joined together along abutting edges by connecting means. A stressed skin monocoque construction is used for each of the modules.

Abstract: An extended width parabolic trough solar collector (12) is supported from pylons (14). Collector (12) is formed from a center module (30) and two wing modules (32) joined together along abutting edges by connecting means. A stressed skin monocoque construction is used for each of the modules.

Abstract: An extended width parabolic trough solar collector (12) is supported from pylons (14). Collector (12) is formed from a center module (30) and two wing modules (32) joined together along abutting edges by connecting means. A stressed skin monocoque construction is used for each of the modules.

Abstract: A solar collector system of the type having a movable surface for receiving solar radiation having improved means for rotatably supporting the movable surface and for rotating the collector surface. A support axle for the collector includes a ball at one end which is carried within a cylindrical sleeve in the solar collector to support the weight of the collector. A torque transmitting arm comprising a flexible flat strip is connected at one end to the axle and at the other end to the collector surface. An improved rotational drive mechanism includes a first sprocket wheel carried on the axle and a second sprocket wheel supported on a support pylon with a drive chain engaging both sprockets. A double acting piston also supported by the pylon is coupled to the chain so that the chain may be driven by a hydraulic control system to rotate the collector surfaces as required.

Abstract: An extended width parabolic trough solar collector (12) is supported from pylons (14). Collector (12) is formed from a center module (30) and two wing modules (32) joined together along abutting edges by connecting means. A stressed skin monocoque construction is used for each of the modules.

Abstract: An improved solar collector system includes a reflective surface to reflect solar radiation onto an energy receiver. The reflective surface is disposed along the surface of a movable support panel which is a monocoque sheet metal construction. Suitable control equipment is affixed to the support structure to enable the reflective surface to be oriented toward the sun to achieve maximum solar energy recovery.

Abstract: Processing apparatus includes a plurality of processing tanks with a separate film transport and agitating assembly for each tank. Each transport device receives film units, of the type having a plurality of disc-shaped film elements supported in spaced relation on an elongated shaft, and revolves the film units around a central axis, into and out of its processing tank. Each agitating device provides separate drive to rotate the film units on their shaft axes during movement in the tank. Successive transport devices can have different film unit capacities and move the film units at predetermined synchronous rates to facilitate a continuous throughput rate of film units into and out of the apparatus, but allow different processing periods in different processing tanks.