Abstract: A solar panel installation includes a plurality of bifacial solar panels and a plurality of reflective panels separated from and opposing a back side of the bifacial panels to reflect sunlight onto the back side of the panels. Each of the reflective panels may include a plurality of projections to improve the reflectivity onto the back side of the bifacial solar panels.

Abstract: A fixed tilt solar panel racking assembly includes gimbled mounting plate mounted atop a stationary structural member that provides a plurality of degrees of freedom during mounting plate installation. In addition, the mounting plate is configured to transfer horizontal load from one solar panel to an adjacent solar panel supported on the same plate, such that the array of panels and plates acts as a horizontal diaphragm. Horizontal load may be transferred from one side of the solar array to another where a stiffer stationary support may be located.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a digital surface model of an area for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) navigation. The digital surface model represents an environmental surface in the area. The method includes determining, for each grid cell of a plurality of grid cells in the area, a confidence value of an altitude of the environmental surface at the grid cell and determining a terrain clearance value based at least on the confidence value of the altitude of the environmental surface at the grid cell. The method includes determining a route for a UAV through the area such that the altitude of the UAV is above the altitude of the environmental surface at each grid cell of a sequence of grid cells of the route by at least the terrain clearance value determined for the grid cell. The method includes causing the UAV to navigate through the area using the determined route.

Abstract: An in-home method for treating a fabric article in need of treatment and a new to the world, in-home, self-contained, stand alone fabric article treating apparatus, such as a “cabinet”-type of apparatus, useful in such method is provided.

Abstract: A fabric article treating apparatus for dispensing a benefit composition through a nozzle that directs the benefit composition as droplets or particles into the chamber of the fabric article drying appliance. The droplets or particles provide benefits to the fabric articles within the drying appliance. The treating apparatus includes one or more safety features, and/or it includes beneficial control concepts that enhance the effects of the benefit composition being dispensed through the nozzle.

Abstract: A dispensing device for use in combination with a clothes dryer wherein the device is designed to uniformly treat fabric. The invention further relates to a method for treating a fabric article in need of treatment that combines a clothes dryer and liquid dispensing system designed to uniformly treat fabric.

Abstract: A fabric article treating apparatus for dispensing a benefit composition through a nozzle that directs the benefit composition as droplets or particles into the chamber of the fabric article drying appliance. The droplets or particles provide benefits to the fabric articles within the drying appliance. The treating apparatus includes one or more safety features, and/or it includes beneficial control concepts that enhance the effects of the benefit composition being dispensed through the nozzle.

Abstract: A dispensing device for use in combination with a clothes dryer wherein the device is designed to uniformly treat fabric. The invention further relates to a method for treating a fabric article in need of treatment that combines a clothes dryer and liquid dispensing system designed to uniformly treat fabric.

Abstract: A portable, self-contained, device for dosing and/or dispensing at least one product into an appliance for treating laundry or dishes is disclosed. The device includes a housing with at least one compartment for containing at least one product. The compartment(s) can be closed by at least one corresponding cover. The device further includes at least one means for storing and releasing energy, so that the product to be dispensed may be released at one or more predetermined point(s) in time during a wash cycle. In one embodiment, the means may be a battery, such as a rechargeable battery. The device may also include at least one sensor and/or at least one actuator for detecting when the wash conditions are optimal and open at least one of the compartments for releasing a product.

Abstract: A method and device for monitoring a body activity. The device has an actimetry sensor for measuring the activity and storage means for receiving data from the actimetry sensor. The data are analysed according to a method using summation algorithm, where a plurality of parameters relating to the activity are summed to provide advisory information relating to that activity. The analysis may include pre-programmed biasing constants or user supplied biasing constants.

Abstract: A dispensing device for use in combination with a clothes dryer wherein the device is designed to uniformly treat fabric. The invention further relates to a method for treating a fabric article in need of treatment that combines a clothes dryer and liquid dispensing system designed to uniformly treat fabric.

Abstract: A method and equipment for applying a liquid product onto a household article or plant for purpose of cleaning, wetting, coating, polishing, fabric treatment, plant watering and the like, the method comprising discharging the liquid through a spray nozzle in the form of an upwardly or downwardly directed spray of droplets having an average droplet size of at least about 40 &mgr;m and preferably in the range from about 75 to about 500 &mgr;m and at a proximal distance of from about 0.1 to about 1 m from the household article or plant, the liquid being discharged through the spray nozzle at an exit velocity in the range from about 3 to about 80 m/s, preferably from about 3 to about 20 m/s (when the spray droplets are upwardly directed) and from about 0 to about 2 m/s (when the spray droplets are downwardly directed) and at an applied potential in the range from about 0.2 to about 50 kV, whereby the overspray is less than about 40%.

Abstract: A portable, self-contained, device for dosing and/or dispensing at least one product into an appliance for treating laundry or dishes is disclosed. The device includes a housing with at least one compartment for containing at least one product. The compartment(s) can be closed by at least one corresponding cover. The device further includes at least one means for storing and releasing energy, so that the product to be dispensed may be released at one or more predetermined point(s) in time during a wash cycle. In one embodiment, the means may be a battery, such as a rechargeable battery. The device may also include at least one sensor and/or at least one actuator for detecting when the wash conditions are optimal and open at least one of the compartments for releasing a product.

Abstract: An in-home method for treating a fabric article in need of treatment and a new to the world, in-home, self-contained, stand alone fabric article treating apparatus, such as a “cabinet”-type of apparatus, useful in such method is provided.

Abstract: A fabric article treating system, and more particularly to a fabric article treating system comprising at least a fabric article active delivery stage and a fabric article transporter capable of passing a fabric article in need of treatment through the fabric article active delivery stage such that a fabric article active is delivered to the fabric article is provided. Methods of treating fabric articles, especially with the fabric article treating system is also provided.

Abstract: A kit provides improved use of a consumer product by including a consumer product composition and a hand-held conductivity meter calibrated to the consumer product composition. The hand-held conductivity meter has a user-perceivable indicator which is used to indicate when a consumer product solution formed with the cleaning composition has the appropriate concentration of cleaning composition. A method of use employs the hand-held conductivity meter to measure the conductivity of a consumer product solution.

Abstract: A dry cleaning process is conducted in a hot air clothes dryer using a containment bag. The bag is constructed using heat resistant polymers, such as nylon, to avoid unanticipated hot spots in the dryer. The bag retains its integrity and can be re-used in subsequent dry cleaning operations.