Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for endoscopy or endosonography-guided transluminal interventions whereby two luminal structures in the body may be drawn toward each other and a fluid conduit formed in between. The device may have a hollow central member to which is coupled a distal retention member and in one embodiment a proximal retention member. The retention members may each be positioned inside one of the luminal structures and expanded from a first condition to an expanded second condition having an increased radius. The length of the central member may be shortened and its diameter expanded to approximate the two retention members and thereby the luminal structures.

Abstract: A solar power system having a solar concentrator for concentrating solar energy, a receiver for converting the solar energy into another form of energy, and a control system for controlling the flux input to the solar receiver. The control system includes a plurality of sensors and a controller. The solar receiver is divided into a plurality of discrete sectors, with at least one of the sensors being coupled to each sector and producing a sensor signal that is related to the magnitude of the flux input to that sector. The controller is coupled to the sensor monitors each of the sensor signals, calculates a differential.

Abstract: A method of forming finished piece-parts having a slight but variably adjusted three-dimensional bow from a continuous web. The method comprises the steps of advancing the web axially of its length by bowing the web in the same direction of desired bowing in the piece-part, laterally and/or axially of the web length, operable to impart set bows in the web slightly in excess of the desired finished piece-parts bowing, passing the bowed continuous web through a conventional stamping press, clamping and substantially flattening the bowed web between flat faces of cooperating die block and stripper plate components of the stamping press and stamping the clamped web between cooperating punch and die assemblies to deform the web to the desired configurations of the finished piece-parts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for precisely aligning individual facets on a dish concentrator located at most any location. The basic components of the present alignment system includes a camera and light assembly, an alignment device, an operator controller, and a support member for supporting the camera and light assembly. The camera and light assembly illuminate each facet individually and identifies the reflections using the camera in conjunction with a processor to compile a register of light reflection data. The operator controller processes this light data and calculates the normal vector for each facet. Once the facet normal vector is determined, the difference between the actual angular position of the facet and the optimum alignment position is determined. The facet may then be adjusted or aligned to a desired aimpoint on the concentrator. After each facet is aligned, the process may be repeated for increased accuracy.

Abstract: A light weight arcuate reflector facet, for a solar concentrator is disclosed, which comprises a thin mirrored glass sheet such as a microsheet, and a backing sheet or substrate, the glass sheet being bonded to the backing sheet, with the backing sheet providing a smooth surface to the glass sheet. A support member or support structure is attached to the backing sheet and maintains the mirrored glass sheet at a desired radius of curvature. The backing sheet is preferably a composite, and according to one embodiment of a fixed focal length light weight reflector facet, the support member is a resin-impregnated fiberglass sheet having a rib structure. In another embodiment of a variable focal length light weight reflector facet, the support member is a mechanical structure comprising a circular support structure having intersecting center support beams positioned diagonally across the circular support structure.

Abstract: The inventive apparatus allows for bowing a continuous web being advanced axially of its length, about either or both axes that lie parallel to or perpendicular to its length. The parallel axis bowing structures include a plurality of separate stations spaced axially apart of web travel, each station having a pair of cylindrical outer rollers and a convex inner roller, respectively supported on opposite sides of the web operable to engage the web faces generally opposite one another. All outer rollers can be substantially the same and all inner rollers can be substantially the same. Mounting structures set the orientation of or included angle between the outer rollers differently at the different stations, to be parallel to different portions of the inner roller. Threaded screws force the rollers against opposite web faces, yielding progressive web bowing up to the curvatures of the inner roller as the web proceeds past each station.

Abstract: Solar power is concentrated onto an absorptive surface of a body to heat the body to thus result in infrared emissions. The wavelength spectrum of the infrared emissions is tailored to match the optimal incident wavelength spectrum of photovoltaic cells. This tailoring is accomplished by use of an infrared filter and/or a coating material on an emissions surface of the body. The photovoltaic cells, constructed to match the radiation spectrum of the infrared emissions, convert the infrared emissions to electric energy.

Abstract: A solar tracker which has a pneumatic motor that moves a reflective surface. The pneumatic motor is power by pressurized air stored in a pedestal of the tracker. The pressurized air is replenished by a compressor that draws in air from the atmosphere. The pneumatic motor and compressor are controlled by a microcontroller. The controller, compressor and pneumatic motor are all powered by an energy system that converts solar energy into electric power, thereby providing a self-contained tracker. The output shaft of the pneumatic motor is coupled to a reflective surface support structure by a drive system which has intermediate gears and an incremental encoder. The incremental encoder provides a reference point for the position of the reflective surface. The gear is much smaller than the gimbal so that the reference point can be found with a relatively small incremental movement of the reflective surface.

Abstract: A solar to mechanical or electric power conversion system which has a controller that varies the speed of a cooling fan and cooling fluid pump fan in accordance with the available solar energy intensity, ambient temperature surrounding the system and other operating conditions. The system includes a suitable heat source such as an isotope heat source, fuel combustor, or a solar concentrator that delivers solar energy to a focal point by reflection from mirrors or by Fresnel lens. A suitable solar concentrator may also be based upon on densifying the solar photon count by a Winston concentrator. For solar heated devices based on concentrated solar energy, a receiver is located at the focal point. This receiver is heated by concentrated solar energy. Heat is transferred to a working fluid which powers a heat engine. The heat engine converts the thermal energy into mechanical energy. The mechanical energy is transmitted to a load coupled to the engine.

Abstract: A light weight arcuate reflector facet, for a solar concentrator comprises a thin mirrored glass sheet such as a microsheet, and a backing sheet or substrate, the glass sheet being bonded to the backing sheet, with the backing sheet providing a smooth surface to the glass sheet. A support member or support structure is attached to the backing sheet and maintains the mirrored glass sheet at a desired radius of curvature. The backing sheet is preferably a composite, and according to one embodiment of a fixed focal length light weight reflector facet, the support member is a resin-impregnated fiberglass sheet having a rib structure. In another embodiment of a variable focal length light weight reflector facet, the support member is a mechanical structure comprising a circular support structure having intersecting center support beams positioned diagonally across the circular support structure.

Abstract: The system includes a reflector assembly mounted on a first one of a pair of spacecraft. The reflector assembly includes a mirror around which are positioned a mirror and retroreflectors. A light source mounted on the second spacecraft illuminates the assembly the reflections from which are directed into a radiometer which is also mounted on the second spacecraft. The mirror has a known curvature, and the known curvature in conjunction with the retroreflectors allow calculation of the position and motion parameters of the first spacecraft relative to the second.

Abstract: A computer controlled system for determining various physical surface characteristics of an object includes a light source array, positioned to illuminate a surface for evaluation, in which individual lights in the array illuminate the object on a mutually exclusive basis, a radiometer, positioned to receive light from the object, producing image data relative to positions of the light pixels and a computer apparatus that, among other functions in the system, interprets the image data and determines at least the surface waviness, radius of curvature and cant angle of the surface.

Abstract: A photovoltaic electric power system for use in space. A self contained sun powered electric power generating system comprising a fresnel mirror array made up of a plurality of quadrilateral mirrors individually mounted on a generally flat supporting structure with the mirrors aimed at a common point above the structure, a photovoltaic array positioned at the common point by a movable strut mechanism, heat exchanger means at the PV array to draw excess heat therefrom, coolant lines from the heat exchanger means running through the struts to transfer heat to heat pipes configured as flat panels at the edges of and perpendicular to the supporting structure, and positioning means attached to a separate structure to enable the system to track the sun. The system is designed to fold into itself in the form of an elongate box for launch, maneuvering and protection.

Abstract: A method of automatically aligning heliostats by comparing the actual sunbeam centroid position on a target to a command reference position to determine the error in the sunbeam centroid location.The sunbeam centroid position error is then analyzed to correlate the error to errors in the heliostats' track alignment system. New coefficients are established for the heliostats' track alignment system to automatically correct for errors in the system, this eliminates the need for resurveying and field work normally associated with aligning heliostats.