Abstract: A vertically collapsible weather resistant barrier for an opening, having a plurality of side frames secured along the height of side walls and/or an intermediate post defining the opening. Each side frame has a longitudinal channel along its length facing inward toward the opening. The channel accommodates sheaves extending from the barrier and by which a ceiling mounted pulley system may house and lower the barrier with the side frame. The barrier comprises a plurality of pantograph structures at opposite ends of a plurality of panels. The arms of the pantograph structure closest to the side walls house a locking mechanism thereon facing the side frame at either end of the arm that engages a latch in and a proximate arm to pull them into tight vertical alignment when substantially fully extended.

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: A device and a method for its fabrication. The device may include a first surface, a second surface to receive light into the device, a first photovoltaic cell between the first surface and the second surface, and a second photovoltaic cell between the first surface and the second surface. The first photovoltaic cell includes a first region of a first photovoltaic material exhibiting an excess of a first type of charge carrier and a second region of the first photovoltaic material exhibiting an excess of a second type of charge carrier, and the second photovoltaic cell includes a first region of a second photovoltaic material exhibiting an excess of the first type of charge carrier and a second region of the second photovoltaic material exhibiting an excess of the second type of charge carrier.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for improving the total power output from a field of solar energy systems. The invention provides a field level tracker controller which calculates an improved positioning of individual solar energy systems and communicates those configurations to trackers in the field. An algorithm stored in the controller calculates the improved configuration for the solar energy systems based on factors such as solar movement, shade patterns generated by surrounding structures, and measured output of the energy systems. Improved positioning may include individual energy systems being directed to a stowed position to maximize the power output of the field as a whole.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for improving the power output of a solar energy system. A field level inverter controller is described that may improve the power output of individual solar energy systems in a field of solar energy systems by controlling the inverter voltage applied to strings of solar energy units in a solar energy system connected in parallel to an inverter. An inverter load voltage for an improved power output may be calculated or derived empirically. An algorithm stored in the controller may calculate an improved load voltage for the inverters based on factors such as string geometry, solar movement and shade patterns generated by surrounding structures. Improved power output may be empirically determined by the field level inverter controller when the inverter controller directs an inverter to sweep a range of voltage values until a maximum output is detected.

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: The present invention is a heat conducting system for a solar energy device. The system includes a shield made of a heat conducting material that conforms to the convex side of a hollow curved mirror in a solar energy device. The present invention may reduce the temperature differential over an area of the mirror via passive heat conduction. The conductance of the shield of this invention is greater than the conductance of the mirror. The shield may be a layer of metal such as a metal tape. The tape may be applied as one or more strips that have ends which are separated by a seam or gap. The ends of the strips may be oriented in the same direction in an array of mirrors in a manner that provides for minimal exposure to concentrated solar irradiation at the gap or seam.

Abstract: Thermally tunable optical dispersion compensation (ODC) devices are disclosed. In one aspect, an ODC device may include multiple Gires-Tournois (G-T) etalons. The etalons may be optically coupled together. The etalons may compensate for optical dispersion by collectively delaying light. At least one of the G-T etalons may have a temperature dependent partial reflector. The ODC device may also include at least one thermal device to change the temperature of the G-T etalon having the temperature dependent partial reflector. Methods of making and using the ODC devices are also disclosed, as well as various systems including the ODC devices.

Abstract: A structured sub-mount assembly is disclosed to support a hybrid assembly of tunable filters. The sub-mount assembly is constructed to provide a high thermal resistance path and high mechanical resonance frequency. Optionally, the structured sub-mount assembly includes a temperature-controlled phase adjust component disposed approximately midway between the two tunable filters. The structured sub-mount assembly may be part of a tunable laser or other application.

Abstract: This is an interchangeable golf club system, which allows particular golf club heads to be interchanged on the shaft of a golf club. Additionally, the length of the golf club can be adjusted using this same device. A set of locking rings allow appropriate adjustment of the length of the club or the replacement of the golf club head are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an encapsulant material with a modified index of refraction for increasing the acceptance angle of a concentrated photovoltaic system. The encapsulant material may include filler material of a higher index of refraction than the encapsulant. The filler material may be particulates that are smaller than the wavelength of light converted to electricity by a solar cell.

Abstract: A device and a method for its fabrication. The device may include a first at least partially transparent surface, a second at least partially transparent surface, a first photovoltaic cell between the first surface and the second surface and comprising a first photovoltaic material including a first p-n junction, a second photovoltaic cell between the first surface and the second surface and comprising a second photovoltaic material including a second p-n junction, and a third photovoltaic cell between the first surface and the second surface and comprising a third photovoltaic material including a third p-n junction a third p-n junction. A first bandgap associated with the first photovoltaic material is greater than a second bandgap associated with the second photovoltaic material, and a third bandgap associated with the third photovoltaic material is greater than the second bandgap associated with the second photovoltaic material.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for its fabrication. The device may include a bifacial solar cell comprising a partially-transparent first surface and a partially-transparent second surface opposite the first surface, and an optical element comprising a first partially-transparent dielectric portion in contact with the first surface and the second surface. The optical element may be configured to receive light, to direct a first portion of the received light to the first surface, and to direct a second portion of the received light to the second surface.

Abstract: A system may include acquisition of power information from a signal line in accordance with a first signal characteristic. The power information is associated with power generated by a solar collector, and the first signal characteristic is substantially orthogonal to a corresponding signal characteristic of at least one noise source associated with the signal line. In some aspects, a solar tracking error associated with the solar collector is determined based on the acquired power information, a servo feedback signal is determined based on the acquired power information, and determination of the solar tracking error includes determination of the solar tracking error based on the servo feedback signal.

Abstract: A system may include determination of power delivered to an intended load by a solar collector and determination of a solar tracking error of the solar collector based on the determined power. Some aspects include determination of a servo feedback signal based on the determined power, wherein determination of the solar tracking error includes determination of the solar tracking error based on the servo feedback signal. Determination of the solar tracking error may further include determination of the solar tracking error based on the servo feedback signal and on a relationship between a response of the solar collector and tracking error.

Abstract: A system may include determination of solar tracking error associated with a solar collector, and determination of a fault associated with the solar collector based on the determined solar tracking error. In some aspects, determination of the fault includes fitting a tracking error vs. time function to the determined solar tracking error and the plurality of previously-determined solar tracking errors, and determining that a derivative of the function exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A solar energy system is provided to capture an increased amount of solar energy in an area. Methods and devices to collect obscured solar radiation and covert it into usable electrical energy are described. The devices include a major concentrated solar energy system combined with a minor solar energy system. In one embodiment, the minor solar energy system includes a primary mirror, secondary mirror and a second photocell. Primary and secondary mirrors of a minor solar energy system are defined by their location, at least a portion of which may be substantially within the concave region of the secondary mirror of a major solar energy system. The electrical connection from the minor solar energy system to the major solar energy system is described. Methods for making minor solar energy system are provided.

Abstract: A system includes a solid light-transmissive element comprising a first surface and a second surface, first reflective material disposed on the second surface of the light-transmissive element, and a solar cell to convert light received at the first surface to electrical current. The light received at the first surface may pass through the light-transmissive element, reflect off the first reflective material and intercept an area of an interface between the first surface and an adjacent environment at an angle of incidence greater than arc sin(nx/ny), where nx=an index of refraction of the adjacent environment and ny=an index of refraction of the light-transmissive element at the first surface.

Abstract: A structured sub-mount assembly is disclosed to support a hybrid assembly of tunable filters. The sub-mount assembly is constructed to provide a high thermal resistance path and high mechanical resonance frequency. Optionally, the structured sub-mount assembly includes a temperature-controlled phase adjust component disposed approximately midway between the two tunable filters. The structured sub-mount assembly may be part of a tunable laser or other application.

Abstract: The present invention is a combination non-imaging concentrator in which at least one surface or volume is incorporated as an optical element to increase obliquity of reflection at walls of a light guide. The combination non-imaging concentrator may be used in a solar energy system to receive solar radiation from optical components and then output the solar radiation to a photovoltaic cell for conversion to electricity. One or more lenses may be formed integrally with the light guide, or may be used in conjunction with the light guide as separate components.