Abstract: A VTOL aircraft includes a plurality of lift propellers configured to rotated by lift motors to provide vertical thrust during takeoff, landing and hovering operations. The lift propellers are configured to generate a cooling airflow to cool the lift motors during use. During a cruise operation when the VTOL aircraft is in forward motion, the lift propellers may be stowed in a stationary position. Therefore, the cooling airflow may be reduced or eliminated when it is not needed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to an apparatus for organizing battery cells. The apparatus includes a block including: sleeves forming chambers, a first sheet configured to locate the sleeves, and a foam structure surrounding the sleeves. Each chamber is configured to accommodate a battery cell. The block is configured to: organize the battery cells into battery cell groups, separate each battery cell group from its adjacent battery cell groups using a thermally insulating material, and prevent gas from entering into each battery cell group from its adjacent battery cell groups. Each battery cell group includes a plurality of the battery cells, each of the battery cells in the battery cell group is adjacent to at least another of the battery cells in the battery cell group. Each battery cell group is adjacent to at least another battery cell group.

Abstract: A VTOL aircraft includes a lift propeller configured to provide lift during takeoff, landing and hover operations. The lift propeller is configured to be stowed close to a boom surface when not in use during, e.g., cruise flight, to minimize drag around propeller surfaces. The lift propeller may be displaced vertically with respect to the boom when switching to a lift configuration to provide greater separation from the boom to improve lift efficiency and reduce unwanted vibrations. The lift propeller may have a fail-safe configuration that allows the propeller to move passively between lift and stowed configurations, and to fully rotate even when fully retracted.

Abstract: A VTOL aircraft includes a plurality of tilt propellers configured to be rotated between a forward cruise configuration and a vertical lift configuration. A nacelle or other structure may be configured to form a low pressure zone from the wake of the tilt propellers when operating in the lift configuration. The low pressure zone may include an outlet side of a cooling path. Due to the low pressure, airflow may be induced through the cooling path even in the absence of strong air pressure at the inlet side. During a cruise operation when the VTOL aircraft is in forward motion, the nacelle or other structure may be aligned with a baffle to form an exhaust channel for the cooling airflow.

Abstract: A VTOL aircraft includes a plurality of lift propellers configured to rotated by lift motors to provide vertical thrust during takeoff, landing and hovering operations. The lift propellers are configured to generate a cooling airflow to cool the lift motors during use. During a cruise operation when the VTOL aircraft is in forward motion, the lift propellers may be stowed in a stationary position. Therefore, the cooling airflow may be reduced or eliminated when it is not needed.

Abstract: Solar collector modules and techniques for their construction are disclosed. In one aspect, a solar collector module includes a reflector and a three-dimensional structural frame that supports the reflector. The structural frame includes a set of primary structural shapes and a set of axial frame members connected between corners of the primary structural shapes forming helical paths for the transmission of torque from one end of the structural frame to the other. In another aspect, a method for assembling a solar collector module includes pre-assembling part of the module.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a ducted fan propulsion system comprises an outer cowling, adapted to form a duct. The duct houses one or more fan blades rotating about a central axis. One or more motors are in communication with the fan blades and in communication with a power source. The duct is transversed by a plurality of spokes. In an embodiment, multiple ducts are housed within an outer cowling, with each duct comprising one or more rotatable fan blades, one or more central axes, and one or more motors. In each embodiment, one or more members are attached to the ducted or multi-ducted fan propulsion system and extend to a user or vehicle. The members terminate in a handle further comprising a throttle adjuster.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing an impedance heat transfer fluid heating system in association with a parabolic trough solar concentrator are provided. The system includes an intermediate terminal connector that electrically interconnects a receiver tube of the parabolic trough solar concentrator to a power supply. The intermediate terminal connector can include a pair of plates running parallel to the receiver tube. The system additionally includes a pair of end terminal connectors. Each end terminal connector features a receiver tube plate having an aperture that completely surrounds the receiver tube assembly pipe. The end terminal connectors can additionally include a terminal connector extension that is at an angle to the receiver tube plate. A current return conductor extends between an end terminal connector and the power supply. The current return conductor is supported by the collector frame or structure and/or a receiver tube support structure.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include flexible joints configured to be positioned between the movable and stationary elements of a CSP heat transfer fluid circuit. Other embodiments include parabolic trough solar reflector modules, solar collectors or solar collector loops having joints between the movable and stationary elements of the heat transfer fluid circuit including at least one or more flexible pipes comprising a loop segment defining at least a partial loop around the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A vehicle body panel including a curved translucent panel having an interior surface and an exterior surface, a color layer disposed on at least a portion of the exterior surface, a blocking layer positioned between at least a portion of the color layer and the panel, and a light source attached to the interior surface.

Abstract: Reflector support arms for use in connection with parabolic trough solar concentrators are provided. The reflector support arms are constructed from multiple formed components. The use of multiple formed components enables the provision of a precisely constructed support arm. In addition, by using multiple components, the support arm can be produced using smaller forming machines than would otherwise be required.

Abstract: Improvements in the design and construction of solar collector modules. Aspects of the invention include improvements in the layout of a frame for a solar collector module, and in the joining of structural members of the frame at nodes. In one example, a module of a solar collector includes a reflector and a three-dimensional structural frame that supports the reflector. The frame is made up of substantially rigid elongate frame members interconnected at nodes. Improved node connection components include hubs or frame members having tabs for receiving frame member connections. A tab may have a width that is substantial in relation to its height. The frame may incorporate asymmetry in its layout, in the size or presence of frame members, or in the positioning of the nodes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing an impedance heat transfer fluid heating system in association with a parabolic trough solar concentrator are provided. The system includes an intermediate terminal connector that electrically interconnects a receiver tube of the parabolic trough solar concentrator to a power supply. The intermediate terminal connector can include a pair of plates running parallel to the receiver tube. The system additionally includes a pair of end terminal connectors. Each end terminal connector features a receiver tube plate having an aperture that completely surrounds the receiver tube assembly pipe. The end terminal connectors can additionally include a terminal connector extension that is at an angle to the receiver tube plate. A current return conductor extends between an end terminal connector and the power supply. The current return conductor is supported by the collector frame or structure and/or a receiver tube support structure.

Abstract: Improvements in the design and construction of solar collector modules. Aspects of the invention include improvements in the layout of a frame for a solar collector module, and in the joining of structural members of the frame at nodes. In one example, a module of a solar collector includes a reflector and a three-dimensional structural frame that supports the reflector. The frame is made up of substantially rigid elongate frame members interconnected at nodes. Improved node connection components include hubs or frame members having tabs for receiving frame member connections. A tab may have a width that is substantial in relation to its height. The frame may incorporate asymmetry in its layout, in the size or presence of frame members, or in the positioning of the nodes.

Abstract: Solar collector modules and techniques for their construction are disclosed. In one aspect, a solar collector module includes a reflector and a three-dimensional structural frame that supports the reflector. The structural frame includes a set of primary structural shapes and a set of axial frame members connected between corners of the primary structural shapes forming helical paths for the transmission of torque from one end of the structural frame to the other. In another aspect, a method for assembling a solar collector module includes pre-assembling part of the module.

Abstract: Improvements in the design and construction of solar collector modules. Aspects of the invention include improvements in the layout of a frame for a solar collector module, and in the joining of structural members of the frame at nodes. In one example, a module of a solar collector includes a reflector and a three-dimensional structural frame that supports the reflector. The frame is made up of substantially rigid elongate frame members interconnected at nodes. Improved node connection components include hubs or frame members having tabs for receiving frame member connections. A tab may have a width that is substantial in relation to its height. The frame may incorporate asymmetry in its layout, in the size or presence of frame members, or in the positioning of the nodes.

Abstract: Improvements in the design and construction of solar collector modules. Aspects of the invention include improvements in the layout of a frame for a solar collector module, and in the joining of structural members of the frame at nodes. In one example, a module of a solar collector includes a reflector and a three-dimensional structural frame that supports the reflector. The frame is made up of substantially rigid elongate frame members interconnected at nodes. Improved node connection components include hubs or frame members having tabs for receiving frame member connections. A tab may have a width that is substantial in relation to its height. The frame may incorporate asymmetry in its layout, in the size or presence of frame members, or in the positioning of the nodes.