Abstract: A time master and sensor data collection module for a robotic system such as an autonomous vehicle is disclosed. The module includes a processing device, one or more sensors, and programming instructions that are configured to cause the processing device to operate as a timer that generates a vehicle time, receive data from the one or more sensors contained within the housing, and synchronize the data from the one or more sensors contained within the housing with the vehicle time. The integrated sensors may include sensors such as a global positioning system (GPS) unit and/or an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The module may interface with external sensors such as a LiDAR system and/or cameras.

Abstract: A time master and sensor data collection module for a robotic system such as an autonomous vehicle is disclosed. The module includes a processing device, one or more sensors, and programming instructions that are configured to cause the processing device to operate as a timer that generates a vehicle time, receive data from the one or more sensors contained within the housing, and synchronize the data from the one or more sensors contained within the housing with the vehicle time. The integrated sensors may include sensors such as a global positioning system (GPS) unit and/or an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The module may interface with external sensors such as a LiDAR system and/or cameras.

Abstract: A building roof tile system and integrated solar energy system is disclosed that includes a solar thermal collector which is intended to replace a standard flat concrete roof tile or an S-tile type clay roof tile so as to be integrated with the concrete tiles and photovoltaic (“PV”) solar panels that are also designed to look like common concrete roof tiles. The solar thermal collector includes mounting components that allow the collector to be mounted in a manner similar to that of the concrete and PV roof tiles, so as to be discretely integrated with the other roof tiles.

Abstract: A bracket comprises a mounting base, a landing riser attached to the mounting base, a landing attached to the landing riser, a slot-defining structure riser attached to the mounting base and a slot-defining structure attached to the slot-defining structure riser. A first landing surface of the landing is parallel to at least a portion of a first mounting base surface of the mounting base. A slot is defined between first and second slot-defining surfaces of the slot-defining structure. The first slot-defining surface is parallel to the first landing surface. A method of making a bracket, comprises forming a unitary element and bending the unitary element to produce a bracket. A method of mounting a rooftop element on a rooftop structure comprises attaching at least two brackets to the rooftop structure, and positioning a rooftop element on the brackets. A rooftop array comprises a rooftop structure, a plurality of brackets attached to the rooftop structure and a plurality of rooftop elements.

Abstract: There are provided photovoltaic tiles (each containing at least one photovoltaic cell) which can be readily integrated into a roof structure constructed of standard roofing materials. The photovoltaic tiles have frames which hold photovoltaic elements, the frames having end portions which are engageable with opposite end portions of similarly-shaped photovoltaic tiles and/or with end portions of standard roofing tiles, and/or which are shaped similar to shapes of end portions of standard roofing tiles. There are also provided roofing systems including standard roofing tiles and such photovoltaic tiles. There are also provided methods of constructing a roof using such a roofing system.

Abstract: A bracket comprises a mounting base, a landing riser attached to the mounting base, a landing attached to the landing riser, a slot-defining structure riser attached to the mounting base and a slot-defining structure attached to the slot-defining structure riser. A first landing surface of the landing is parallel to at least a portion of a first mounting base surface of the mounting base. A slot is defined between first and second slot-defining surfaces of the slot-defining structure. The first slot-defining surface is parallel to the first landing surface. A method of making a bracket, comprises forming a unitary element and bending the unitary element to produce a bracket. A method of mounting a rooftop element on a rooftop structure comprises attaching at least two brackets to the rooftop structure, and positioning a rooftop element on the brackets. A rooftop array comprises a rooftop structure, a plurality of brackets attached to the rooftop structure and a plurality of rooftop elements.

Abstract: There are provided photovoltaic tiles (each containing at least one photovoltaic cell) which can be readily integrated into a roof structure constructed of standard roofing materials. The photovoltaic tiles have frames which hold photovoltaic elements, the frames having end portions which are engageable with opposite end portions of similarly-shaped photovoltaic tiles and/or with end portions of standard roofing tiles, and/or which are shaped similar to shapes of end portions of standard roofing tiles. There are also provided roofing systems including standard roofing tiles and such photovoltaic tiles. There are also provided methods of constructing a roof using such a roofing system.