Abstract: A solar power plant includes central receiver modules arranged in a regular pattern. Each central receiver module includes a tower, a central receiver mounted on the tower, and a heliostat array bounded by a polygon. The heliostat array includes heliostats with mirrors for reflecting sunlight to the central receiver. The heliostats are grouped in linear rows and each of the rows is parallel to another row. The locations of the heliostats are staggered between adjacent rows. The power plant also includes a power block for aggregating power from the central receivers and power conduits for transferring power from the central receivers to the power block.

Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing the startup, shutdown, and running operation of a multiple receiver concentrated solar power (CSP) plant comprising a predicted variable from at least one receiver model, a predicted variable from a plant model, and a determined target from an optimizer based on the predicted variable from the at least one receiver model and the predicted variable from the plant model.

Abstract: A heliostat array having a variable field density for use in a concentrating solar power (CSP) plant. Heliostats are arranged into subgroups and configured to track the sun and reflect light to a receiver tower. Heliostats are deployed onto structures, wherein the structures can be arranged in rows separated by a service gap. The structures can comprise cross members that can be varied in size. By altering the size of cross members in a structure, heliostats in one row can be deployed farther apart or closer together than heliostats in a different row. Heliostat field density can vary with distance from the receiver tower, wherein heliostats close to the receiver are more tightly packed and heliostats further from the receiver are spaced farther apart.

Abstract: Methods and systems for setting a throttle at a solar power plant, by a controller, the controller configured to select at least one aim point on a receiver of the solar power plant, calculate a desired energy to be delivered by two or more subgroups to each selected aim point via a search method based on an aiming scheme, and determine an optimum distribution of energy to be delivered to the receiver across the two or more subgroups via a search program based on the calculated desired energy.

Abstract: A system for regulating the temperature and flow rate of a heat transfer fluid for use in a hybrid steam-generating plant is described. A bypass section may be incorporated into the piping network of a primary steam-generating source to route heat transfer fluid from a hot source to a mixer downstream of at least one heat exchanger. Heat transfer fluid from the hot source may be mixed with cooler heat transfer fluid exiting the heat exchanger in the event that the supply from a secondary steam-generating source is lost or becomes intermittent. The result is a system that maintains a constant flow rate of heat transfer fluid through the heat exchangers while minimizing adverse temperature gradient effects that may result from steam production variability and plant operation outside of design point parameters.

Abstract: A solar power plant includes central receiver modules arranged in a regular pattern. Each central receiver module includes a tower, a central receiver mounted on the tower, and a heliostat array bounded by a polygon. The heliostat array includes heliostats with mirrors for reflecting sunlight to the central receiver. The heliostats are grouped in linear rows and each of the rows is parallel to another row. The locations of the heliostats are staggered between adjacent rows. The power plant also includes a power block for aggregating power from the central receivers and power conduits for transferring power from the central receivers to the power block.

Abstract: A solar power plant includes central receiver modules arranged in a regular pattern. Each central receiver module includes a tower, a central receiver mounted on the tower, and a heliostat array bounded by a polygon. The heliostat array includes heliostats with mirrors for reflecting sunlight to the central receiver. The heliostats are grouped in linear rows and each of the rows is parallel to another row. The locations of the heliostats are staggered between adjacent rows. The power plant also includes a power block for aggregating power from the central receivers and power conduits for transferring power from the central receivers to the power block.

Abstract: An interactive menu system and method of operating a menu display are disclosed. User-configurable targeting reticles and rangefinder information display methods are also disclosed. The systems and methods described herein are particularly suited for use with an aimed optical device, such as a laser rangefinder or riflescope, for example.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for automated morphological analysis of cells also known as phenotypic screening. The inventive methods are particularly useful in the rapid analysis of cells required in a biological screen or in the screening for agents with a particular mechanism of action. Agents which cause a particular phenotype in the cells can be identified using the inventive quantitative morphometric analysis of cells. The data gathered using the inventive method can also be quantified and analyzed later for various trends and classifications (e.g., Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistics, titration-invariant similarity scores). Characteristics of cells which can be determined using this method include number of nuclei, size of cell, size of nuclei, number of the centrosomes, shape of cells, size of centrosomes, perimeter of nucleus, shape of nucleus, staining for a particular protein, staining for an organelle, pattern of staining, and degree of staining.

Abstract: A single communication apparatus for alarm system control boxes that include the combination of a digital communicator and a remote communicating device. The communicating apparatus transmits status reports and events to a remote location. Remote login is permitted to access the control box through a external port or through the remote communication device.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for automated morphological analysis of cells. The inventive methods are particularly useful in the rapid analysis of cells required in a biological screen. Agents which cause a particular phenotype in the cells can be identified using the inventive quantitative morphometric analysis of cells. The data gathered using the inventive method can also be quantified and analyzed later for various trends and classifications. Characteristics of cells which can be determined using this method include number of nuclei, size of cell, size of nuclei, number of the centrosomes, shape of cells, size of centrosomes, perimeter of nucleus, shape of nucleus, pattern of staining, and degree of staining.

Abstract: A single communication apparatus for alarm system control boxes that include the combination of a digital communicator and a remote communicating device. The communicating apparatus transmits status reports and events to a remote location. Remote login is permitted to access the control box through a external port or through the remote communication device.