Abstract: An orbital computation engine is used to provide ancillary computational data processing on an orbital vehicle and is mounted to or integral with the orbital vehicle. A computation circuit receives power from the orbital vehicle and is responsive to power availability from the orbital vehicle to selectively withdraw power for data processing from the orbital vehicle. A communication circuit provides communication with a terrestrial source, and may be a discrete circuit or integrated with the host satellite's communication system. The computation engine withdraws power for data processing from the orbital vehicle and provides the orbital computation engine with available power for ancillary computational data processing from the orbital computation engine's native power supply.

Abstract: An orbital computation engine is used to provide ancillary computational data processing on an orbital vehicle and is mounted to or integral with the orbital vehicle. A computation circuit receives power from the orbital vehicle and is responsive to power availability from the orbital vehicle to selectively withdraw power for data processing from the orbital vehicle. A communication circuit provides communication with a terrestrial source, and may be a discrete circuit or integrated with the host satellite's communication system. The computation engine withdraws power for data processing from the orbital vehicle and provides the orbital computation engine with available power for ancillary computational data processing from the orbital computation engine's native power supply.

Abstract: An airborne computational facility uses an energy collection system to provide energy for operation. An airborne balloon is provided with a photovoltaic collector array, and uses energy generated by the photovoltaic collector array to power an on-board computational facility. Data for computation is received by a communication module and computational results are transmitted by the communication module.

Abstract: An energy collection system uses one or more airborne energy collection vehicles having a lighter-than-air balloon structure. The balloon structure has an outer gas envelope formed of a substantially inelastic material and an inner gas envelope at least partially separate from the outer gas envelope, contained within the outer gas envelope and separated from the outer gas envelope by a flexible diaphragm. The space between the outer and inner gas envelopes is filled with air. An air chamber pressurization mechanism maintains the outer gas envelope gas pressure at a target value. An energy storage facility receives energy from a photovoltaic collector array and converts the received energy to stored energy. Storage of the received energy can be accomplished by conversion of a precursor to a high energy fuel as the stored energy, by use of storage batteries or by storage in an inertial mass.

Abstract: An airborne computational facility uses an energy collection system to provide energy for operation. An airborne balloon is provided with a photovoltaic collector array, and uses energy generated by the photovoltaic collector array to power an on-board computational facility. Data for computation is received by a communication module and computational results are transmitted by the communication module.

Abstract: A heliostat includes a heliostat frame and a plurality of reflective surfaces, each reflective surface is movably mounted within the heliostat frame. The heliostat also includes a plurality of actuators, wherein each individual actuator of the plurality of actuators is associated with a single reflective surface of the plurality reflective surfaces and capable of moving the single reflective surface.

Abstract: An energy collection system uses one or more airborne energy collection vehicles having a lighter-than-air balloon structure. The balloon structure has an outer gas envelope formed of a substantially inelastic material and an inner gas envelope at least partially separate from the outer gas envelope, contained within the outer gas envelope and separated from the outer gas envelope by a flexible diaphragm. The space between the outer and inner gas envelopes is filled with air. An air chamber pressurization mechanism maintains the outer gas envelope gas pressure at a target value. An energy storage facility receives energy from a photovoltaic collector array and converts the received energy to stored energy. Storage of the received energy can be accomplished by conversion of a precursor to a high energy fuel as the stored energy, by use of storage batteries or by storage in an inertial mass.

Abstract: A heliostat includes a heliostat frame and a plurality of reflective surfaces, each reflective surface is movably mounted within the heliostat frame. The heliostat also includes a plurality of actuators, wherein each individual actuator of the plurality of actuators is associated with a single reflective surface of the plurality reflective surfaces and capable of moving the single reflective surface.

Abstract: A power source affected by a geographically propagating condition (e.g. a weather-related condition) is monitored to detect changes in its power output. Characteristics of the monitored changes are analyzed to detect whether the changes are being caused by a geographically-propagating condition that could affect other power sources nearby. The information obtained from the measurements is used to extrapolate impending power-output changes in the same source, in one or more other sources, or in a collection of sources subject to effects of the propagating condition. The extrapolations enable one or more power generating systems associated with the source(s) to maintain the changes in its total power output within operating requirements.

Abstract: A system and method for the treatment of soot containing an insoluble metal. The soot is formed into a soot slurry and a characteristic of the soot slurry is maintained to solubilize at least a portion of the metal to act as a catalyst. The soot slurry with the soluble metal is wet oxidized.

Abstract: A power source affected by a geographically propagating condition (e.g. a weather-related condition) is monitored to detect changes in its power output. Characteristics of the monitored changes are analyzed to detect whether the changes are being caused by a geographically-propagating condition that could affect other power sources nearby. The information obtained from the measurements is used to extrapolate impending power-output changes in the same source, in one or more other sources, or in a collection of sources subject to effects of the propagating condition. The extrapolations enable one or more power generating systems associated with the source(s) to maintain the changes in its total power output within operating requirements.

Abstract: Tracking movement of clouds is used to predict the effects of cloud cover on irradiation of a solar-powered distributed power generation system. The predictions enable a solar power plant to maintain the changes in its total power output within operating requirements with less or no dependence on energy storage, back up generation, or load control, use centralized and/or local coordination of solar farm control systems to use storage to its best advantage, alternately reduce power fluctuations without cloud knowledge and use real time solar output prediction capabilities to be able to provide utilities with advance information regarding power fluctuations.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for efficiently securing solar panels on a roof surface that does not require penetration of the roof membrane. Supports for the solar panels are designed with a small footprint with sufficient spacing to allow free drainage between the supports. A simple, low-cost attachment member or clip can be integrated with each support to attach the panel to the support, and in some instances the clip (or its mount on the support) can also be used to lift the support to the roof. The panels can include one or more rails that can slide through a loosened clip, but be held securely in place by a tightened clip. The panels can be installed initially with the clips grasping the rails loosely and once the supports and rails are in their final positions, the clips can be fully tightened to form a rigid solar panel array.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for producing sweet synthetic crude from a heavy hydrocarbon feed includes: an upgrader for receiving the heavy hydrocarbon feed and producing a distillate fraction including sour products, and high-carbon content by-products; a gasifier for receiving the high-carbon content by-products and producing synthetic fuel gas and sour by-products; a hydroprocessing unit for receiving the sour by-products and hydrogen gas, thereby producing gas and sweet crude; and a hydrogen recovery unit for receiving the synthetic fuel gas and producing further hydrogen gas and hydrogen-depleted synthetic fuel gas, the further hydrogen gas being supplied to the hydroprocessing unit.

Abstract: A system and method for the treatment of soot containing an insoluble metal. The soot is formed into a soot slurry and a characteristic of the soot slurry is maintained to solubilize at least a portion of the metal to act as a catalyst. The soot slurry with the soluble metal is wet oxidized.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for producing sweet synthetic crude from a heavy hydrocarbon feed comprising: an upgrader for receiving said heavy hydrocarbon feed and producing a distillate fraction including sour products, and high-carbon content by-products; a gasifier for receiving the high-carbon content by-products and producing synthetic fuel gas and sour by-products; a hydroprocessing unit for receiving the sour by-products and hydrogen gas, thereby producing gas and sweet crude; and a hydrogen recovery unit for receiving said synthetic fuel gas and producing further hydrogen gas and hydrogen-depleted synthetic fuel gas, said further hydrogen gas being supplied to said hydroprocessing unit.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for producing sweet synthetic crude from a heavy hydrocarbon feed comprising: an upgrader for receiving said heavy hydrocarbon feed and producing a distillate fraction including sour products, and high-carbon content by-products; a gasifier for receiving the high-carbon content by-products and producing synthetic fuel gas and sour by-products; a hydroprocessing unit for receiving the sour by-products and hydrogen gas, thereby producing gas and sweet crude; and a hydrogen recovery unit for receiving said synthetic fuel gas and producing further hydrogen gas and hydrogen-depleted synthetic fuel gas, said further hydrogen gas being supplied to said hydroprocessing unit.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for producing sweet synthetic crude from a heavy hydrocarbon feed comprising: an upgrader for receiving said heavy hydrocarbon feed and producing a distillate fraction including sour products, and high-carbon content by-products; a gasifier for receiving the high-carbon content by-products and producing synthetic fuel gas and sour by-products; a hydroprocessing unit for receiving the sour by-products and hydrogen gas, thereby producing gas and sweet crude; and a hydrogen recovery unit for receiving said synthetic fuel gas and producing further hydrogen gas and hydrogen-depleted synthetic fuel gas, said further hydrogen gas being supplied to said hydroprocessing unit.