Abstract: A fluid monitoring system has a plurality of sensors, the sensors being acoustically coupled to a pipe system containing interconnected fluid-transporting pipes. The sensors collect sensor data that is analyzed by an analysis system to provide leak identification on the pipe system. Each sensor in the plurality of sensors is configured to be programmed adaptively by the analysis system to improve system performance parameters. A method for analyzing fluid flow is also described in which data from a plurality of acoustic sensing devices is analyzed using learning algorithms.

Abstract: A fluid monitoring system has a plurality of sensors, the sensors being acoustically coupled to a pipe system containing interconnected fluid-transporting pipes. The sensors collect sensor data that is analyzed by an analysis system to provide leak identification on the pipe system. Each sensor in the plurality of sensors is configured to be programmed adaptively by the analysis system to improve system performance parameters. A method for analyzing fluid flow is also described in which data from a plurality of acoustic sensing devices is analyzed using learning algorithms.

Abstract: A fluid monitoring system has a plurality of sensors, the sensors being acoustically coupled to a pipe system containing interconnected fluid-transporting pipes. The sensors collect sensor data that is analyzed by an analysis system to provide leak identification on the pipe system. Each sensor in the plurality of sensors is configured to be programmed adaptively by the analysis system to improve system performance parameters. A method for analyzing fluid flow is also described in which data from a plurality of acoustic sensing devices is analyzed using learning algorithms.

Abstract: A slider for heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) is provided. The slider includes a writer for writing data to a HAMR medium, a reader for reading data stored on the HAMR medium, a near field transducer (NFT), a first waveguide optically coupled to the NFT, a slider laser configured to generate and transmit a first light energy to the first waveguide such that the NFT causes a portion of the HAMR medium to heat up, to assist the writer for writing data to the HAMR medium, and a second waveguide optically coupled to the NFT, for transmitting a light energy from an external laser to the NFT to optically anneal the NFT during a fabrication process of the slider.

Abstract: A write pole in a heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) head for writing to a HAMR medium is provided that includes a recessed part proximal to a near field transducer (NFT) in the HAMR head to protect the write pole from corrosion. The recessed part extends from a portion of a bottom surface of the write pole along a portion of a side of the write pole proximal to the NFT. Within the recessed part, a pole pedestal may be formed of a material that is resistant to corrosion. The pole pedestal may have a rectangular, chamfered, or L-shape. The recessed part may further be induced on the portion of bottom surface of the write pole that extends along the portion of the side of the write pole.

Abstract: A hermetically sealable package may be formed from a top portion and a bottom portion mated along a seam at or near a plane of an optical fiber. A completed pill assembly may be positioned directly into the enclosure base without requiring the fiber to be threaded through the feed through or “snout”. The top potion may then be mated with the bottom portion to form the package. A glass solder ring may be placed coaxial with the fiber in the feed through. The seam may be sealed by laser welding and the glass solder ring reflowed by laser heating, for example, with a same laser as used to weld the seam or by resistive or induction heating.

Abstract: A heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) writer is described. The HAMR writer is coupled with a laser and has an air-bearing surface (ABS) that resides near a media during use. The HAMR writer includes a waveguide, a near-field transducer (NFT), a main pole, coil(s) and at least one of a first and a second diffusion barrier layer. The waveguide is optically coupled with the laser and directs energy from the laser toward the ABS. The NFT is optically coupled with the waveguide and focuses the energy onto a region of the media. The main pole writes to the region of the media. The main pole has a top, a bottom, and a plurality of sides. The first diffusion barrier layer is between at least the NFT and the bottom of the pole. The second diffusion barrier layer is adjacent to the plurality of sides of the main pole.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) transducer is coupled with a laser for providing energy and has an air-bearing surface (ABS) configured to reside in proximity to a media during use. The HAMR transducer includes a waveguide optically coupled with the laser and an optical power monitor optically coupled with the waveguide. The waveguide directs energy from the laser toward the media. The optical power monitor is optically coupled with the waveguide. The optical power monitor for captures a portion of the energy, converts the portion of the energy to heat and measures a local temperature proximate to the optical power monitor.

Abstract: A method comprising forming two or more frames from a first wafer, forming two or more etalons from a second wafer, disposing a resistive thermal device on each of the two or more frames, dicing the first wafer and the second wafer, and bonding each of the frames to a corresponding one of the etalons to form optical subassemblies of optical filters.

Abstract: A method comprising generating an optical beam with a laser, filtering the optical beam to select a desired wavelength with an etalon positioned in a path of the optical beam, heating the etalon to an operational temperature using a heater, monitoring the operational temperature of the etalon with a resistive thermal device disposed in or on a thermally conductive frame bonded to the etalon, and applying feedback control of the heater based on the monitoring to select the desired wavelength.

Abstract: Concentrating solar collector systems that utilize a concentrating reflector to direct incident solar radiation to a solar receiver are described. In one aspect, the reflective surface is arranged to direct light to the receiver in a non-imaging manner in which the solar rays reflected from the opposing edges of the reflective surface are generally directed towards a central portion of the solar receiver. Rays reflected from selected central portions of the reflective surface are directed closer to the edges of the receiver than the solar rays reflected from the edges of the reflective surface. The described reflectors are generally intended for use in solar collector systems that track movements of the sun along at least one axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar energy collector suitable for use in a solar energy collection system. The solar energy collection system includes the collector, a stand that supports the collector and a tracking system that causes the collector to track movements of the sun along at least one axis. The collector includes one or more reflector panels, one or more solar receivers, and a space frame support structure that physically supports the reflector panels and solar receivers. In a particular embodiment, the space frame support structure includes struts that extend through a gap between the reflector panels to support the one or more receivers.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a thermally controlled optical filter comprises a frame coupled to an etalon where the frame includes a resistive thermal device disposed on the frame to obtain thermal measurements of the etalon during operation. The frame may be generally L-shaped or generally square-shaped. The frame may include a fillet that is generally planar, generally beveled or trapezoidal, or generally circular in shape. A heater may be additionally disposed on the frame. The etalon and frame subassembly may be bonded to a micro hot plate that is capable of heating the etalon to an operational temperature.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a reflector for use in a solar collector will be described. The reflector includes a thin film reflective coating that is positioned on a layer. For example, the layer may be a substrate that physically supports the reflective coating or a protective layer. There are multiple spaced apart pinning regions that are distributed through an interface between the layer and the thin film reflective coating. The pinning regions locally anchor the reflective coating to the layer. Some aspects of the present invention relate to the use of pinning regions in other types of optical or electrical components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar energy collector suitable for use in a solar energy collection system. The solar energy collection system includes the collector, a stand that supports the collector and a tracking system that causes the collector to track movements of the sun along at least one axis. The collector includes one or more reflector panels, one or more solar receivers, and a support structure that physically supports the reflector panels and solar receivers. Some designs involve a reflector panel that has a compound curvature. That is, the reflector panel has a convex shape along one direction and a concave shape in another direction. In another aspect of the invention, the collector includes a space frame support structure.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a photovoltaic cell for use in a solar collector is described. The photovoltaic cell includes two electrically conductive layers that are positioned on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. The first conductive layer is adhered to and in direct contact with a surface of the semiconductor substrate. The second conductive layer has a different composition from and is substantially more electrically conductive than the first conductive layer. There are multiple spaced apart pinning regions that are distributed through an interface between the first and second conductive layers. The pinning regions, help locally anchor the two layers. Some aspects of the present invention relate to the use of pinning regions in other types of optical or electrical components.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a concentrating solar energy collector, which tracks movements of the sun along one axis has a reflective trough, at least one solar receiver mounted above the reflective trough and configured so that incident sunlight striking the reflective trough is directed toward the at least one solar receiver, and a reflector extender coupled to a first end of the reflective trough and configured to capture and direct incident sunlight towards the at least one solar receiver. In another embodiment, one or more extended end reflectors is attached with a reflective trough of a solar energy collector.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a reflector for use in a solar collector will be described. The reflector includes a thin film reflective coating that is positioned on a layer. For example, the layer may be a substrate that physically supports the reflective coating or a protective layer. There are multiple spaced apart pinning regions that are distributed through an interface between the layer and the thin film reflective coating. The pinning regions locally anchor the reflective coating to the layer. Some aspects of the present invention relate to the use of pinning regions in other types of optical or electrical components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar energy collector suitable for use in a solar energy collection system. The solar energy collection system includes the collector, a stand that supports the collector and a tracking system that causes the collector to track movements of the sun along at least one axis. The collector includes one or more reflector panels, one or more solar receivers, and a support structure that physically supports the reflector panels and solar receivers. Some designs involve a reflector panel that has a compound curvature. That is, the reflector panel has a convex shape along one direction and a concave shape in another direction. In another aspect of the invention, the collector includes a space frame support structure.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a solar energy collection system that includes multiple longitudinally adjacent collectors is described. The collectors are coupled end to end to form a collector row. Each collector includes a reflector, one or more solar receivers and a support structure. There is a space between the support structures of adjacent collectors in the collector row, where the reflectors of the adjacent collectors extend beyond the underlying support structures to form a substantially continuous reflective surface over the space. A coupling device is positioned in the space between the tube assemblies. The coupling device connects and helps to rotate the support structures of the adjacent collectors. Some embodiments relate to various types of coupling devices and collector arrangements.