Abstract: A system and method are provided for steering control during vehicle reverse operation when maneuvering a trailer in a reverse direction with a desired turn angle. The system has a P-I-D cascade structure and includes a rear video camera for providing images to determine a trailer angle, a yaw angle determination device, a steering angle sensor, a vehicle interior display with an input device, and a vehicle speed determination device. When a trajectory mode is selected and a desired turn angle value are received, an electronic processor determines a trailer trajectory based on the desired turn angle value, the trailer angle, vehicle yaw angle, and physical properties of the vehicle and trailer. The trailer trajectory is displayed on the vehicle interior display with the rear camera image. When a driver selects an automatic steering maneuver mode, the trailer tow assist system automatically controls steering of the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods of wireless sensing of physiological data includes obtaining physiological data from a patient with a wireless sensor. A patient location device determines a location of the patient. A location of the wireless sensor is obtained. The physiological data from the wireless sensor is associated to the patient based upon a determined proximity of the location of the wireless sensor to the location of the patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods of wireless sensing of physiological data includes obtaining physiological data from a patient with a wireless sensor. A patient location device determines a location of the patient. A location of the wireless sensor is obtained. The physiological data from the wireless sensor is associated to the patient based upon a determined proximity of the location of the wireless sensor to the location of the patient.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for steering control during vehicle reverse operation when maneuvering a trailer in a reverse direction with a desired turn angle. The system has a P-I-D cascade structure and includes a rear video camera for providing images to determine a trailer angle, a yaw angle determination device, a steering angle sensor, a vehicle interior display with an input device, and a vehicle speed determination device. When a trajectory mode is selected and a desired turn angle value are received, an electronic processor determines a trailer trajectory based on the desired turn angle value, the trailer angle, vehicle yaw angle, and physical properties of the vehicle and trailer. The trailer trajectory is displayed on the vehicle interior display with the rear camera image. When a driver selects an automatic steering maneuver mode, the trailer tow assist system automatically controls steering of the vehicle.

Abstract: A knee retainer for a vehicle includes at least one dissipating device configured to dissipate air, which has been tempered by an electronic element of the vehicle and is conducted on to the knee retainer. The at least one dissipating device is configured to dissipate the tempered air in such a manner that the tempered air is conducted past a region of the vehicle to be protected against temperature effects caused by the tempered air.

Abstract: Systems and methods of wireless sensing of physiological data includes obtaining physiological data from a patient with a wireless sensor. A patient location device determines a location of the patient. A location of the wireless sensor is obtained. The physiological data from the wireless sensor is associated to the patient based upon a determined proximity of the location of the wireless sensor to the location of the patient.

Abstract: A knee retainer for a vehicle includes at least one dissipating device configured to dissipate air, which has been tempered by an electronic element of the vehicle and is conducted on to the knee retainer. The at least one dissipating device is configured to dissipate the tempered air in such a manner that the tempered air is conducted past a region of the vehicle to be protected against temperature effects caused by the tempered air.

Abstract: A solar-based power generation system may include an array of components responsive to solar radiance. The components may be disposed over respective locations on a field. The system may further include a plurality of optical fibers having respective first ends coupled to the array of components and arranged to receive solar radiance. The plurality of optical fibers may have respective second ends arranged to output respective optical signals indicative of respective levels of solar radiance over the respective locations of the field. Opto-electrical circuitry may be coupled to receive the respective optical signals from the plurality of optical fibers and generate a respective signal indicative of a shadow condition present over at least one or more of the respective locations of the field.

Abstract: A solar-based power generation system may include an array of components responsive to solar radiance. The components may be disposed over respective locations on a field. The system may further include a plurality of optical fibers having respective first ends coupled to the array of components and arranged to receive solar radiance. The plurality of optical fibers may have respective second ends arranged to output respective optical signals indicative of respective levels of solar radiance over the respective locations of the field. Opto-electrical circuitry may be coupled to receive the respective optical signals from the plurality of optical fibers and generate a respective signal indicative of a shadow condition present over at least one or more of the respective locations of the field.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a power connector configured to mate with an electrical power grid receptacle and receive a grid power therefrom and a heating and cooling system electrically connected to the power connector to receive grid power therefrom and configured to modify a temperature the vehicle cabin. The vehicle also includes a temperature control loop configured to selectively activate and control the heating and cooling system and a controller configured to receive a first input signal comprising a desired vehicle activation time and a second input signal comprising a starting vehicle cabin temperature and a desired vehicle cabin temperature. The controller determines a temperature control loop activation time based on the first and second input signals that is prior to the desired vehicle activation time and transmits an activation signal to the temperature control loop at the temperature control loop activation time to activate the heating and cooling system.

Abstract: A power generation system including a plurality of isolated power converters and a plurality of first weatherable units is provided. Each of the isolated power converters includes a primary stage, a secondary stage and a transformer providing an electrically contactless connection between the primary and secondary stages. The first weatherable unit includes a photovoltaic module coupled to the primary stage of a respective one of the plurality of isolated power converters and a primary side of the transformer. The system further includes a plurality of second units, each having a second side of the transformer coupled to the secondary stage of a respective one of the plurality of isolated power converters. The system also includes a direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) inverter and a connection unit for coupling the secondary stages of the isolated power converter and the DC to AC inverter. The DC to AC inverter is configured to transfer power from the photovoltaic module to a power grid.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a power connector configured to mate with an electrical power grid receptacle and receive a grid power therefrom and a heating and cooling system electrically connected to the power connector to receive grid power therefrom and configured to modify a temperature the vehicle cabin. The vehicle also includes a temperature control loop configured to selectively activate and control the heating and cooling system and a controller configured to receive a first input signal comprising a desired vehicle activation time and a second input signal comprising a starting vehicle cabin temperature and a desired vehicle cabin temperature. The controller determines a temperature control loop activation time based on the first and second input signals that is prior to the desired vehicle activation time and transmits an activation signal to the temperature control loop at the temperature control loop activation time to activate the heating and cooling system.

Abstract: A tamper and/or intrusion detection system is provided for making a structure tamperproof. The tamper and/or intrusion detection system includes an energy source for transmitting energy through an energy-transmitting layer, and a detector for detecting a change in energy distribution within the energy-transmitting layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are articles for converting electromagnetic radiation to a useful form of energy such as electricity. The articles comprise double-sided photovoltaic cells and/or single-sided photovoltaic cells that can absorb electromagnetic radiation and can convert this radiation into electricity. In one embodiment, the article can comprise opposingly disposed single-sided photovoltaic cells that have a photoactive side and an inactive face respectively. The photovoltaic cells are therefore disposed between two panels or are disposed into a slot that is located on a panel surface that is opposed to the panel surface that is directly impinged by electromagnetic radiation. The articles can be used efficiently as solar panels.

Abstract: A side channel compressor comprises an inlet port (42) for gas and an outlet port (44) for compressed gas as well as a side channel (32) which provides a flow connection between the inlet port (42) and the outlet port (44), the cross-section of the side channel (32) diminishing between the inlet port (42) and the outlet port (44). The side channel (32) has at least one section in which it has a cross-section in the form of a half ellipse and in which the maximum depth of the channel (32) continuously diminishes towards the outlet port (44).

Abstract: A method for measuring and determining a rotation angle of a rotating object in which a clock track corresponding to a desired angular resolution is applied on a magnetic, optical or optomagnetic storage medium. The storage medium is then rotated synchronously with the rotating object, and during the operation a pulse sequence corresponding to the clock track is read from said storage medium. The read pulse sequence is then supplied for further processing to following electronics in which the actual rotation angle is firstly stored in a FIFO memory and secondly directly available for further uses. Furthermore, the invention provides an apparatus for measuring and determining a path difference in Michelson interferometers in which path difference are generated via a rotary movement, for example of a rotating retroreflector.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for determining a path difference in a Michelson interferometer which comprises at least one reciprocably moving mirror element and an analog to digital converter, and which is provided for the determination of an electromagnetic spectrum without a laser having to be permanently used for that purpose. On the contrary, magnetic, optical and optomagnetical storage media are arranged parallelly to the travel path of the mirror element of the interferometer. A clock track is written on the storage medium in accordance with the sample theorem. In operation a pulse sequence derived from the clock track is read by a read head mounted on the movable mirror element and the desired clock pulse and thus the path information is derived therefrom.

Abstract: In a Michelson interferometer for producing optical path differences, from a beam divider, a deflection mirror, an externally silvered corner mirror, a collective lens and a radiation detector an input/output module is formed, from two rotating retroreflectors and two stationary retroreflectors an intermediate module is formed, and from two further rotating retroreflectors and from a bilaterally silvered plane-parallel plate a termination module is formed.