Abstract: The invention is an electrical and mechanical roof underlayment which provides electrical and mechanical connection of solar shingles to a roof. The underlayment simplifies the installation of solar shingles allowing the shingles to be installed and connected together in the same step. The underlayment includes a membrane which has embedded electrical conductors and electrical connectors that provides an electrical connecting system extending to an electrical circuit. The membrane further has embedded mechanical members with mechanical connectors that secure the shingles to the membrane. The membrane is structurally attached to a roof surface. The structural attachment may be an adhesive attachment. Solar shingles are connected to the membrane by an integral clasping mechanism that mechanically and electrically connects the shingles to the membrane. No external wiring, connectors or devices are required to make the electrical connection between the shingles and the membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a roofing underlayment providing mechanical and electrical connection for solar shingles that includes a water-impervious membrane adapted to be attached to a roof. The underlayment also includes a mechanical attachment member configured to mechanically attach a solar shingle to the roof, as well as an electrical conductor having an electrical first portion of which is embedded within the membrane, having an electrical second portion which is configured to electrically connect to a solar shingle, and having an electrical third portion which is configured to electrically connect to an electrical circuit. An air gap is provided that allows for air flow below the solar shingles. The air gap comprises a space between a bottom surface of the solar shingles and a bottom surface of the membrane.

Abstract: A system for controlling motorized window coverings is described herein. The window coverings each have a processor, a network device and wireless transmitters enabling connection via a network. The network is controlled by one or more mobile devices which receive user input. The mobile devices wirelessly connect to a local area network (LAN) via a hub. One or more hubs are connected via the LAN. The window coverings are networked via a personal area network (PAN). The hubs convert the LAN protocol to the PAN protocol. Sensors send sensor data along with real time weather data to the processor. The processor uses this sensor data to update charts and schedules in memory, then sends commands to the controller based on these updated charts and schedules according to user defined and factory set parameters. The system includes both local and cloud based control.

Abstract: Modular solar systems comprise one or more module units that are connectable into a system/assembly for convenient installation on a roof or other surface that receives solar insolation. The modules are adapted for electrical, and preferably also mechanical, connection into a module assembly, with the number of modules and types of modules selected to handle the required loads. Each module is adapted and designed to handle the entire power of the assembly and to provide or receive control signals for cooperative performance between all the modules and for monitoring and communication regarding the assembly performance and condition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for determining tow equipment compatibility that includes a processing device having a processor and non-volatile memory. The system also includes a data input device configured to input at least one unique tow equipment identification code (UTEIC) identifying a specific piece of tow equipment and properties thereof. The processor is configured to receive the UTEIC from the data input device, receive a user input, determine tow equipment compatibility based on the user input and the UTEIC, and communicate tow equipment compatibility data to a user.

Abstract: In various example embodiments, a system and method for determining a power of a vehicle is disclosed. A method includes: providing predetermined calibration settings relating force to engine speed for a vehicle travelling at various speeds, altering accelerometer data based on filtered vehicle pitch and roll data, determining that one or more vehicle performance parameters fall within a threshold range, storing a plurality of data pairs that include longitudinal acceleration and drive force, and determining a slope of a line that linearly approximates the plurality of data pairs, the slope indicating a total weight of the vehicle including vehicle load; determining the vehicle power based on the total weight and drag force of the vehicle; and transmitting the total power to a display.

Abstract: In various example embodiments, an apparatus for installing a window covering is disclosed. A rotational cam member is provided for extending a first piston on one side of a headrail and compressing a second piston on the opposite side of the headrail between a window casing. A lever arm is provided for rotating the rotational cam. Spacers are provided to adjust the compression of the apparatus, along with indicators indicating whether spacers need to be added or removed. Easy installation of a window covering headrail may be achieved as one arm is used to hold the headrail while the other hand is able to actuate the lever arm. Mounting brackets are provided for easy window covering removal after installation.

Abstract: A portable transfer switch assembly for selecting power from a plurality of sources to supply to a load. The assembly contains a controller comprising logic that is defined by a user. The user defined switch controller allows an optimal power source to supply power to selected loads based on user input, sensors and pre-defined data. The assembly further provides load shedding of loads connected via one or more receptacles based on user input, sensors and pre-defined data.

Abstract: A distributed charge controller that matches a charging and power profile of each individual battery cell within a bank of batteries with one or more strings of photovoltaic (PV) cells in order to maintain battery health and performance. The charge controller further optimizes the performance of a solar module by allowing active unshaded strings of cells to operate independently of other strings within the module that may be shaded. Strings of PV cells are selectively matched to one or more battery cells as required.

Abstract: The invention is a system for optimizing a trailer path and a tow vehicle path. The system includes image sensors configured to capture images of a trailer and images of a path of travel both in front of and behind the trailer and tow vehicle, a weight determination system, accelerometers that sense acceleration of the tow vehicle and/or the trailer, a data input device configured to receive input data, and a processing device. The processing device includes a processor and non-volatile memory. The processor is configured to receive image data from the image sensors, receive weight data from the weight determination system, receive accelerometer data from the one or more accelerometers and receive the input data from the data input device. Additionally, the processor is configured to determine a trailer path and a tow vehicle path based on the image data, accelerometer data, and the input data.

Abstract: The invention is a roofing underlayment for solar shingles that includes a water-impervious membrane adapted to be attached to a roof. The underlayment also includes a mechanical attachment member having a mechanical first portion embedded within the membrane and having a mechanical second portion extending above the membrane, wherein the mechanical second portion of the mechanical attachment member is configured to mechanically attach a solar shingle to the roof. The underlayment also includes an electrical conductor having an electrical first portion of which is embedded within the membrane, having an electrical second portion which is configured to electrically connect to a solar shingle, and having an electrical third portion which is configured to electrically connect to an electrical circuit. An air gap area is also provided that allows for air flow below the solar shingles. The air gap area comprises an area between a bottom surface of the solar shingles and a top surface of the membrane.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is a solar shingle roofing assembly that includes a roofing underlayment providing mechanical and electrical connection for solar shingles. The system also includes an array of rectangular solar shingles, each solar shingle with a first side edge, a second side edge, a bottom edge and a top edge. Each solar shingle is shaped to form at least one channel on an upper surface running from the top edge to the bottom edge and shaped to form at least two air gaps between the bottom surface of the shingle and the top surface of the underlayment and running parallel to the at least one channel. In the array of shingles, the air gaps of vertically adjacent shingles are aligned to thereby form continuous air gaps running from a bottom of the array to a top of the array. The solar shingles are mechanically and electrically connected to the roofing underlayment.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is a system for installing solar shingles on a slanted roof, the system, which includes a roofing underlayment on top of the roof and providing mechanical and electrical connection for solar shingles. The system also includes a plurality of rectangular solar shingles, each shingle with a top edge and a bottom edge. A plurality of shingle support brackets rise from the underlayment, with at least some of the brackets having a first channel opening generally downward and at least some others of the brackets having a second channel opening generally upward. In the system, the top edge of each shingle is received into the first channel of at least one bracket and the bottom edge of each shingle is received into the second channel of at least one other bracket.

Abstract: The invention is a system for optimizing a trailer path. The system includes an image sensor configured to capture images of a trailer attached to a tow vehicle, accelerometers that sense acceleration of at least one of the tow vehicle and the trailer, a data input device configured to receive input data, and a processing device. The processing device includes a processor and non-volatile memory. The processor is configured to receive image data from the image sensor, receive accelerometer data from the one or more accelerometers and receive the input data from the data input device. Additionally, the processor is configured to determine a trailer path based on the image data, accelerometer data, and the input data. The processor is also configured to communicate the trailer path to a user or vehicle control system, thereby prompting adjustments to the tow vehicle path and or acceleration when the trailer path is not optimum.

Abstract: The invention is a monitoring system for determining a vehicle maintenance condition based on weight. The system includes a monitoring station, a weight determination system, a data input device configured to receive input data, and a processing device. The processing device includes a processor and non-volatile memory. The processor is configured to receive load ratings for a tow vehicle and tow equipment, receive maintenance requirements for the tow vehicle and the tow equipment, receive vehicle use requirements for the tow vehicle and the tow equipment, receive weight data from the weight determination system, and receive the input data from the data input device. Additionally, the processor is configured to determine at least one maintenance condition based on the load ratings, the weight data, and the input data. The processor is also configured to send the maintenance condition data to the monitoring system and communicate the maintenance condition to a user.

Abstract: The invention is a monitoring system for determining a vehicle safety setting based on weight. The system includes a monitoring station, a weight determination system, a data input device configured to receive input data, and a processing device. The processing devices includes a processor and non-volatile memory. The processor is configured to receive load ratings for a tow vehicle and tow equipment, receive weight data from the weight determination system, and receive the input data from the data input device. The processor is also configured to determine at least one safety setting based on the load ratings, the weight data, and the input data, send the safety setting data to the monitoring system, and communicate the safety setting to a user.

Abstract: A photovoltaic modular connector system is disclosed. Electrically conductive contacts embedded into the surface of each of one or more photovoltaic (PV) modules provide the connection point for two PV modules to be connected together. PV modules are connected together by removing a protective backing material from an adhesive area surrounding a first set of contacts of a first PV module, and adhering to an adhesive area surrounding a second set of contacts of a second PV module, the adhesive making the connection and sealing and protecting the contact area. No external wiring, connectors or devices are required to make the electrical connection between two PV modules. Contacts are integral and embedded into the surface of each individual PV module. The PV modules have adhesive on the back to allow them to be adhesively attached to a surface without additional mounting hardware.

Abstract: The invention is a system for automatically adjusting drive modes based on weight. The system includes a weight determination system, a data input device configured to receive input data, and a processing device. The processing devices includes a processor and non-volatile memory. The processor is configured to receive weight data from the weight determination system, receive the input data from the data input device, and receive a user input. The processor is also configured to determine at least one drive mode setting based on the weight data, the input data and the user input, send the drive mode setting data to a vehicle control system, and communicate the drive mode setting to a user.

Abstract: A photovoltaic modular system is disclosed. One or more photovoltaic (PV) modules are connected together with embedded parallel wiring that facilitates the sharing of power from a plurality of PV modules to power one or more electrical devices. Control electronics within each individual PV module allows the isolation of PV modules that are shaded or otherwise not productive. No external connecting wiring, or devices are required to make the system functional. All wiring, connectors and electronics are integral and embedded within each individual PV module. The PV modules have adhesive on the back to allow them to be installed without additional mounting hardware. All PV module system components are completely encapsulated together in one modular component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for determining tow equipment compatibility that includes a processing device having a processor and non-volatile memory. The system also includes a data input device configured to input at least one unique tow equipment identification code (UTEIC) identifying a specific piece of tow equipment and properties thereof. The processor is configured to receive the UTEIC from the data input device, receive a user input, determine tow equipment compatibility based on the user input and the UTEIC, and communicate tow equipment compatibility data to a user.