Abstract: Intelligent safety disconnect switching methods and arrangements for PhotoVoltaic (PV) panels are disclosed. A switching device that is connected between a PV panel and a PV panel string detects a low current condition or an arc fault condition in the PV panel string. The switching device is automatically controlled to disconnect the PV panel from the PV panel string responsive to detection of the low current condition or the arc fault condition. Switching device control could also be responsive to a disconnect command. For example, such a command could be generated by a grid sensor responsive to determining that an inverter, to which the PV panel string is connected, is not connected to an electrical grid.

Abstract: An axle hub puller as provided includes a puller body. The puller body includes at least two counter sink holes and a threaded puller screw hole located in the center. The puller body is operable to removably attach to hub with a plurality of wheel lugs by having the plurality of wheel lugs pass through the plurality of counter sink holes. A puller screw is inserted into the threaded puller screw hole. The puller screw is turned against a hub axle center allowing for the removal of the hub and a brake rotor.

Abstract: Intelligent safety disconnect switching methods and arrangements for PhotoVoltaic (PV) panels are disclosed. A determination is made as to whether a reconnect condition, for reconnecting a PV panel to a power system from which the PV panel is disconnected, is satisfied. The PV panel is automatically reconnected to the power system responsive to determining that the reconnect condition is satisfied. A determination is then made as to whether a power system operating condition is satisfied on reconnection of the PV panel, and the PV panel is automatically disconnected from the power system responsive to determining that the power system operating condition is not satisfied on reconnection of the PV panel.

Abstract: A method for determining a shape of a substantially cylindrical specular reflective surface includes the step of obtaining calibration data and the step of obtaining target data about a target structure. The method further includes the step of defining a target line from the target data, where the target line represents a feature of the target structure and the step of capturing a reflected image of the target structure in the specular reflective surface. The method further includes the step of obtaining reflected data from the reflected image and the step of defining a reflected line from the reflected data, where the reflected line represents a reflection of the feature of the target structure. The method also includes the step of determining a correspondence between the target line and the reflected line and using the correspondence and the calibration data to determine the shape of the specular reflective surface.

Abstract: An embodiment is directed to a method and a connector for mounting on a substrate. Terminal receiving recesses extend through a bottom wall of the connector. Contacts are positioned in the terminal receiving recesses. The contacts have securing sections for securing the contacts in the terminal receiving recesses and substrate mating sections which extend from the bottom wall of the housing in a direction away from the top wall. At least one stabilization member extends from the bottom wall of the housing in a direction away from the top wall. The at least one stabilization member is movable between a first position and a second position. The at least one stabilization member engages the substrate when the at least one stabilization member is in the first position to maintain the connector in a stable position relative to the substrate.

Abstract: An axle hub puller as provided includes a puller body. The puller body includes at least two counter sink holes and a threaded puller screw hole located in the center. The puller body is operable to removably attach to hub with a plurality of wheel lugs by having the plurality of wheel lugs pass through the plurality of counter sink holes. A puller screw is inserted into the threaded puller screw hole. The puller screw is turned against a hub axle center allowing for the removal of the hub and a brake rotor.

Abstract: A device (10) administers a fluid (23) from a container (12) into a human cavity or animal cavity (66). The device includes a nozzle (20) configured to be placed in external contact with tissue surrounding an orifice (58) without penetrating the orifice. The nozzle includes a discharge opening (40), through which the fluid is ejected into the cavity, a base (24) disposed opposing the discharge opening, and a side wall (26) that extends from the discharge opening towards the base and configured so that the tissue surrounding the orifice conforms to the shape of the side wall to form a leaktight seal between the tissue and the orifice. An interior conduit (30) is disposed within the side wall and configured to deliver the fluid from the container to the discharge opening.

Abstract: A clearing system removes water and other obstructions from an external-mounted rear-view camera of a vehicle. The system includes an air line connected to a compressed-air source and routed to the camera, and a control valve operable to selectively release compressed air from the air source through the air line. A discharge nozzle of the air line is positioned adjacent a lens cover of the camera to deliver an air blast across the lens cover to remove adhered water. The nozzle is positioned outside of the field of view of the camera so that it does not obstruct the view of the camera. In various embodiments, the compressed-air source and the camera are preexisting and the clearing system is retrofit onto the vehicle, the compressed-air source and/or the camera are provided with the clearing system as a kit, and/or the clearing system is installed as original equipment on the vehicle.

Abstract: Self forming microgrids are disclosed. An electrical microgrid includes multiple power domains and power cables coupling the power domains together. Each power domain includes an intelligent distribution panel, and the power domains are coupled to the power cables through the intelligent distribution panels. An intelligent distribution panel includes sockets, an internal power bus coupled to the sockets, and a controller. The sockets enable connection of the intelligent distribution panel to one or more components within a power domain and to one or more other power domains through respective power connections. Power connections between power domains are through power cables coupled to the sockets. The controller is also coupled to the sockets, to control connectivity of the one or more components and the respective power connections with the internal power bus.

Abstract: Example apparatus and methods provide metadata for a file system operation from a multi-level data store. The data store may include an in-memory level one (L1) cache, an in-memory level two (L2) cache, and an external metadata store not located in the memory associated with the L1 and L2 caches. The L1 cache stores metadata in a non-compressed format that can directly service a file system operation while the L2 cache stores metadata in a compressed format that cannot directly service an operation. Metadata to support a file system operation may be sought in the L1 cache first, then in the L2 cache, and then finally in the external metadata store. When metadata is provided from the L2 cache, it is decompressed before being provided to the L1 cache. Metadata added to the L2 cache may be compressed after or in parallel with being provided to the L1 cache.

Abstract: A system for packaging a foam product includes a first lateral compressor that applies pressure to a first lateral side of the foam product in a second lateral compressor that applies pressure to a second lateral side of the foam product so as to compress the foam product to a reduced width. The system also includes a roller device configured to roll the compressed foam product into a cylindrical packaged product.

Abstract: Example apparatus and methods provide metadata for a file system operation from a multi-level data store. The data store may include an in-memory level one (L1) cache, an in-memory level two (L2) cache, and an external metadata store not located in the memory associated with the L1 and L2 caches. The L1 cache stores metadata in a non-compressed format that can directly service a file system operation while the L2 cache stores metadata in a compressed format that cannot directly service an operation. Metadata to support a file system operation may be sought in the L1 cache first, then in the L2 cache, and then finally in the external metadata store. When metadata is provided from the L2 cache, it is decompressed before being provided to the L1 cache. Metadata added to the L2 cache may be compressed after or in parallel with being provided to the L1 cache.

Abstract: A method for converting electrical power includes providing a modular power converter having a mode control module and a plurality of autonomously operating power conversion modules operatively connected to a first power bus; selecting, by the mode control module, individual modes of operation for the plurality of power conversion modules to meet a power conversion requirement; receiving electrical power of a first power type from the first power bus by at least one of the power conversion modules; and converting the received electrical power into electrical power of a second power type by the at least one power conversion module.

Abstract: An axle hub puller may include a puller body. The puller body may include a plurality of counter sink holes and a threaded puller screw hole. The puller body may be operable to removably attach to hub with a plurality of wheel lugs by having the plurality of wheel lugs pass through the plurality of counter sink holes. A puller screw may be inserted into the threaded puller screw hole. The puller screw may be turned against a hub axle center allowing for the removal of the hub and a brake rotor.

Abstract: A shock absorber assembly comprises a piston and cylinder arrangement, a damping-fluid chamber and a damping valve arrangement which is located in the damping fluid chamber and serves to divide the chamber into sub-chambers. The assembly is such that in use the valve arrangement regulates the flow of fluid between the sub-chambers.

Abstract: A PhotoVoltaic (PV) panel switching arrangement includes a first switch and a second switch, which in some embodiments are in a DC converter. The first switch is to be coupled between a power system and a first end of a circuit path of the PV panel, and the second switch is to be coupled between (i) a point between the first switch and the power system and (ii) a point between a second end of the circuit path and the power system. The switches are controlled for DC conversion of PV panel output where the circuit path of the PV panel is not to be bypassed, and to disconnect the first end of the circuit path from the power system and to close a bypass circuit path that bypasses the circuit path on a determination that the circuit path of the PV panel is to be bypassed.

Abstract: An energy storage system includes a battery management system that has a plurality of loads connected in electrical series with one another, and a controller operatively connected to the plurality of loads. A first battery pack has battery cells connected in electrical series with respect to one another to establish a system voltage. The first battery pack is connected in electrical parallel to the plurality of loads. The controller is operable to balance charges of the battery cells by activating selected ones of the loads. The battery management system and the first battery pack are configured such that an additional battery pack with additional battery cells connected in electrical series with respect to one another or an additional load pack with additional loads connected in electrical series with respect to one another is connectable to the battery management system. A method of managing battery capacity is also provided.

Abstract: A gateway controller allows a plurality of individual power generation units coupled to an electrical distribution grid to be controlled in a coordinated fashion. The gateway controller allows control of the plurality of individual power generation units as a single power generation unit. The gateway controller may determine required control parameters of the power generation units that will provide a desired combined behavior, such as combined alternating current injected into the grid, and issues commands to the power generation units based on the determined control parameters.