Abstract: A Koehler integrator device includes a collimating lens for collimating a light field from an incoherent or partially coherent light source, planar first and second micro-lens arrays for relaying portions of the collimated light field along separate imaging channels, wherein all the micro-lenses have equal focal length and pitch and the arrays are arranged with a mutual distance equal to the focal length, and a collecting Fourier lens having a Fourier lens diameter and focal length defining front and back focal planes, wherein the Fourier lens is for superimposing light from all imaging channels in the front focal plane and wherein the second micro-lens array is in the back focal plane, wherein a third micro-lens array is in the front focal plane for creating a wavelength independent array of illumination spots. Furthermore, a confocal microscope apparatus, including the device, and a method of using the apparatus are described.

Abstract: A solar tracker comprising: a bottom plate, a top plate, at least one assembly rotatably coupling the top and bottom plates, one or more bellows units disposed between the top plate and bottom plate and a locking mechanism.

Abstract: An actuator comprising a bottom plate, a top-plate and one or more hub assembly extending between and rotatably coupling the bottom and top plates. The actuator also includes one or more bellows units disposed between the top plate and bottom plate, the one or more bellows units comprising a first and second inflatable bellows coupled by a web extending between the first and second bellows, the first and second bellows defining respective and separate first and second bellows cavities, with the first bellows of the bellows units disposed on a first side of the bottom plate, and the second bellows of the bellows units disposed on a second side of the bottom plate, opposing the first side, and between the top and bottom plates.

Abstract: A Koehler integrator device (10) comprises a collimating lens (11) being arranged for collimating a light field created by an incoherent or partially coherent light source, a pair of planar first and second micro-lens arrays (12, 13) being arranged for relaying portions of the collimated light field along separate imaging channels, wherein all micro-lenses of the first and second micro-lens arrays (12, 13) have an equal micro-lens focal length and pitch and the micro-lens arrays (12, 13) are arranged with a mutual distance equal to the micro-lens focal length, and a collecting Fourier lens (4) having a Fourier lens diameter and a Fourier lens focal length defining a Fourier lens front focal plane and a Fourier lens back focal plane, wherein the Fourier lens (14) is arranged for superimposing light from all imaging channels in the Fourier lens front focal plane and wherein the second micro-lens array (13) is arranged in the Fourier lens back focal plane, wherein a third micro-lens array (15) is arranged in the

Abstract: A fluidic actuator including an angled bottom plate having a cap and first and second plate arms on opposing sides of and extending from the cap. The fluidic actuator further includes a top plate coupled about the cap of the angled bottom plate and a rotatable coupling of the angled bottom plate and top plate.

Abstract: A solar tracker system having one or more solar trackers that each include one or more panels and one or more actuators coupled to the one or more panels, the one or more actuators having a first and second vessel; and an electronic control unit configured to inflate the first vessel with fluid from a fluid source and configured to separately inflate the second vessel with fluid from the fluid source. The electronic control unit is configured to determine that a stow event is present based on a first set of environmental data obtained from an environmental sensor that indicates environmental conditions pose a threat to the one or more solar trackers, and in response to determining that the stow event is present, actuate the one or more panels toward a stow configuration target angle by at least inflating the first or second vessels with fluid from the fluid source.

Abstract: A pneumatic control unit configured to inflate a first and second set of bellows with fluid from a pneumatic fluid source via a pneumatic circuit, the first and second set of bellows associated with one or more pneumatic actuators. The pneumatic control unit determines a target configuration of the actuators based on a determined current position of the sun; determines a current configuration of the actuators; determines a difference between the determined current configuration and target configuration of the actuators; determines that the difference between current configuration and the target configuration of the actuators is outside of a tolerance range; and actuates the actuators toward the determined target configuration by at least one of inflating the first or second set of bellows with fluid from the pneumatic fluid source via the pneumatic circuit.

Abstract: An actuator that includes a bottom plate, a top-plate, and a first and second hub assembly extending between the bottom and top plates. The actuator can further include a first and second bellows disposed on opposing sides of the hub assemblies, the first and second bellows each extending between and coupled to the top plate and bottom plate. The actuator can also include a plurality of washers disposed between the top and bottom plates, with each of the washers coupled to the first and second hub assembly, a first set of the plurality of washers surrounding the first bellows and a second set of the plurality of washers surrounding the second bellows.

Abstract: An actuator comprising a bottom plate, a top-plate and one or more hub assembly extending between and rotatably coupling the bottom and top plates. The actuator also includes one or more bellows units disposed between the top plate and bottom plate, the one or more bellows units comprising a first and second inflatable bellows coupled by a web extending between the first and second bellows, the first and second bellows defining respective and separate first and second bellows cavities, with the first bellows of the bellows units disposed on a first side of the bottom plate, and the second bellows of the bellows units disposed on a second side of the bottom plate, opposing the first side, and between the top and bottom plates.

Abstract: A pneumatic control unit configured to inflate a first and second set of bellows with fluid from a pneumatic fluid source via a pneumatic circuit, the first and second set of bellows associated with one or more pneumatic actuators. The pneumatic control unit determines a target configuration of the actuators based on a determined current position of the sun; determines a current configuration of the actuators; determines a difference between the determined current configuration and target configuration of the actuators; determines that the difference between current configuration and the target configuration of the actuators is outside of a tolerance range; and actuates the actuators toward the determined target configuration by at least one of inflating the first or second set of bellows with fluid from the pneumatic fluid source via the pneumatic circuit.

Abstract: An actuator that includes a bottom plate, a top-plate, and a first and second hub assembly extending between the bottom and top plates. The actuator can further include a first and second bellows disposed on opposing sides of the hub assemblies, the first and second bellows each extending between and coupled to the top plate and bottom plate. The actuator can also include a plurality of washers disposed between the top and bottom plates, with each of the washers coupled to the first and second hub assembly, a first set of the plurality of washers surrounding the first bellows and a second set of the plurality of washers surrounding the second bellows.