Abstract: For economical and energy-efficient use of a PV system having upright, in particular bifacial, PV modules and to substantially avoid shading of the PV modules, a supporting structure which is simple to manufacture and install is provided, that has vertical posts, which are connected to one another at intersecting points, and horizontally running cross-members such that rectangular mounting areas are provided for individual PV modules. The posts and cross-members are formed in a material-saving manner by conventional profiles, and dividing the posts into two interconnectable sections substantially facilitates the assembly. An electrical connection is provided such that active surfaces which are arranged one above another can be operated at different electrical operating points and such that electrical lines are formed which are operated separately from one another and are arranged in a horizontally running manner. This minimizes effects of shading of PV modules on the efficiency of the energy conversion.

Abstract: A cushioning article comprises a flap-cut sheet with a plurality of discrete sets of flaps, with each discrete set of flaps having a plurality of flaps extending outward from the sheet. A plurality of the outwardly extending flaps of each discrete set of flaps are affixed to a discrete cap member, resulting in a composite dome sheet having a plurality of composite domes extending from the flap-cut sheet. A cushioning and thermal protection packaging article for packaging a thermally-sensitive product utilizes a plurality of the layers of the composite dome sheet with each layer separated by a separating sheet. Both the composite dome sheet and the separating sheet can be made of paper.

Abstract: A cushioning article comprises a flap-cut sheet with a plurality of discrete sets of flaps, with each discrete set of flaps having a plurality of flaps extending outward from the sheet. A plurality of the outwardly extending flaps of each discrete set of flaps are affixed to a discrete cap member, resulting in a composite dome sheet having a plurality of composite domes extending from the flap-cut sheet. A cushioning and thermal protection packaging article for packaging a thermally-sensitive product utilizes a plurality of the layers of the composite dome sheet with each layer separated by a separating sheet. Both the composite dome sheet and the separating sheet can be made of paper.

Abstract: A condition management system monitors a variety of biological and environmental conditions for individuals, locations, and objects. Information collected with respect to the various conditions monitored is processed to create an information hierarchy that controls the operation of various alert devices. The alert devices may operate via wired or wireless technology. Quantitative measurements can be made with respect to the monitored conditions in order to create the information hierarchy. Important or critical conditions can take precedent over less critical conditions both in terms of the nature of the alert and the processing order.

Abstract: A condition management system monitors a variety of biological and environmental conditions. Information collected with respect to conditions monitored are processed to create an information hierarchy that controls the operation of various alert devices. Important or critical conditions take precedent over less critical conditions both in terms of the nature of the alert and the processing order.

Abstract: A rain cap or protective cover device for an exhaust stack of an internal combustion engine is disclosed that is movable between a standby protective position and an operating position. In the standby position a pair of rearwardly extending arms cause a fairing of the rain cap to cover an outlet of an exhaust stack to which the rain cap is pivotally connected. In the operating position, winglets connected to the arm interact with air flow past the stack to raise the arms and move the fairing to a conformable position about the exhaust stack. The fairing is shaped to aerodynamically interact with the air flow to establish a low pressure area at the outlet of the exhaust stack.

Abstract: A muffler and exhaust extractor especially adapted for internal combustion engine powered vehicles such as over the road diesel tractors. The muffler and exhaust extractor generally stated comprises a pair of spaced curved airfoils for directing the airstream produced by the moving vehicle through an open ended converging-diverging passage to form a low pressure area for gas extraction, and means for mounting the airfoils such that the low pressure area is adjacent to and in communication with the exhaust outlet of the vehicle.

Abstract: A solar heat collector adapted to be mounted in an exterior doorway of a structure. The solar heat collector generally stated comprises a heat absorbant inner door, a transparent outer door mounted in spaced relation to the heat absorbant inner door, and means for circulating air between the inner and outer doors or through the inner door for extracting the absorbed heat for distribution and use.