Abstract: The present invention relates to profiles for attaching rigid plates, especially photovoltaic modules, to a roof and to a method and system for attaching photovoltaic modules to a roof structure with the help of profiles.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for improved large-scale solar installations. In one embodiment, a junction-box free photovoltaic module is used comprising of a plurality of photovoltaic cells and a module support layer providing a mounting surface for the cells. The module has a first electrical lead extending outward from one of the photovoltaic cells, the lead coupled to an adjacent module without passing the lead through a central junction box. The module may have a second electrical lead extending outward from one of the photovoltaic cells, the lead coupled to another adjacent module without passing the lead through a central junction box. Without junction boxes, the module may use connectors along the edges of the modules which can substantially reduce the amount of wire or connector ribbon used for such connections.

Abstract: The present invention is a dye-sensitized solar cell module provided with a pair of mutually opposed electrodes, partitions that connect the pair of electrodes and form a plurality of cell spaces together with the pair of electrodes, and an electrolyte filled into the cell spaces, wherein one electrode of the pair of electrodes has oxide semiconductor portions that face each of the plurality of cell spaces and are loaded with a photosensitizing dye, at least one electrode of the pair of electrodes is composed of at least two layers, the thickest layer is a metal substrate having a thickness of 100 ?m or less or a resin film having a thickness of 500 ?m or less, and the electrode containing the metal substrate or the resin film has a bending portion that bends so as to protrude towards the opposing electrode.

Abstract: A solar cell concentrator structure includes a first concentrator element having a first aperture region and a first exit region including a first back surface region and a first corner region. The structure also includes a second concentrator element integrally formed with the first concentrator element. The second concentrator element includes a second aperture region and a second exit region-including a second back surface region and a second corner region. Additionally, the structure includes a first radius of curvature of 0.10 mm and less characterizing the first corner structure and the second corner structure, a first coupling region between the first exit region and a first surface region of a first photovoltaic device. The structure further includes a second radius of curvature of 0.10 mm and less characterizing a region between the first concentrator element and the second concentrator element.

Abstract: The photovoltaic module includes a string of serially connected solar cells. When the string direction of the serially connected solar cells is an “x” direction, the interval between the two solar cells in the x direction ranges from 4 mm to 6 mm so as to enhance light trapping.

Abstract: A system is disclosed, consisting of scalable array of distributed and networked control systems such as small heliostats, and orthogonal trackers capable of precise sun-position measurements, directing incident solar radiation to one or more predetermined targets. A method for implementing a scalable heliostat array for use in solar-energy applications, telescopy, etc., is also disclosed.

Abstract: Solar thin film modules are provided with reduced lateral dimensions of isolation trenches and contact trenches, which provide for a series connection of the individual solar cells. To this end lithography and etch techniques are applied to pattern the individual material layers, thereby reducing parasitic shunt leakages compared to conventional laser scribing techniques. In particular, there may be series connected solar cells formed on a flexible substrate material that are highly efficient in indoor applications.

Abstract: Provided are novel building integrable photovoltaic (BIP) modules having specially configured attachment structures for securing these modules to building structures and other BIP modules. In certain embodiments, a BIP module includes a base sheet supporting photovoltaic cells and having a rigid polymer portion and a flexible polymer portion. The flexible portion is designed to be penetrated with mechanical fasteners during installation. The flexible portion may include fastening pointers and/or through holes for identifying specific penetration locations. The rigid portion provides necessary structural rigidity and support to the module and more specifically to the photovoltaic cells. In certain other embodiments, a BIP module includes an adhesive bumper strip disposed along one edge of the module and configured for secure this module with respect to another module. During installation, the strip is positioned between a back sealing sheet of one module and a front sealing sheet of another module.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module conductor supporting structure that can be used to secure the conductor during manufacturing and in some situations to seal the terminal-area opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connection slider for attaching two adjacent frames of photovoltaic modules or collector modules on a profile rail, the connection slider comprising: a main element; two mandrels which extend from two surfaces of the main element oriented in opposite directions, wherein one respective mandrel is insertable into one of the adjacent frames; and a transversal element protruding from the main element, wherein the transversal element has an opposite profile adapted to a profile of the profile rail for providing a form locking connection with the profile rail.

Abstract: [Problem] In the case of further stacking a window layer or the like on a buffer layer, the buffer layer and the light absorption layer are likely to be damaged during the formation of the window layer due to inferior moisture resistance and plasma resistance, and photoelectric conversion elements sometimes fail to achieve any satisfactory conversion efficiency in terms of reliability. [Solving Means] Provided is a photoelectric conversion element including: a light absorption layer containing a I-B group element, a III-B group element, and a VI-B group element, which is provided on a lower electrode layer; a first semiconductor layer containing a III-B group element and a VI-B group element, which is provided on the light absorption layer; and a second semiconductor layer containing an oxide of a II-B group element, which is provided on the first semiconductor layer, wherein the light absorption layer comprises a doped layer region containing the II-B group element, on the first semiconductor layer side.

Abstract: A material includes a glass substrate provided on at least one portion of one of its faces with a photocatalytic coating based on titanium dioxide that covers at most 15% of the subjacent surface, the photocatalytic coating being in the form of a two-dimensional network of interconnected strands.

Abstract: A solar cell having a molded lead frame, and method of manufacture of same, is disclosed. Specifically, a plurality of solar cells is manufactured from a strip of lead-frames and soft solder techniques for die assembly and component assembly. After wire bonding, glass attachment and transfer molding, a trim and form process produces individual solar cells having a molded lead frame.

Abstract: Photovoltaic cells containing a novel electrode, as well as related systems, methods, modules, and components, are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a solar cell apparatus and a method of fabricating the same. The solar cell apparatus includes a substrate, a back electrode layer on the substrate, a light absorbing layer on the back electrode layer, and a front electrode layer on the light absorbing layer. The back electrode layer is provided therein with a through hole extending in one direction. The through hole includes a first region comprising first protrusions extending inwardly from an inner lateral side thereof, and a second region comprising a cutting surface formed more outward than an end portion of each first protrusion.

Abstract: A solar cell (1) including a silicon substrate (4), a textured structure (5) provided on a light-receiving surface of the silicon substrate (4), a light-receiving surface passivation film (13) provided on the textured structure (5), and an anti-reflection film (12) provided on the light-receiving surface passivation film (13), an average texture side length of the textured structure (5) being 7 ?m or greater.

Abstract: In a method and system consisting of a photovoltaic module and a connection housing or a junction box, wherein the photovoltaic module comprises at least one solar cell which is coupled at a rear side to an electrically conductive and structured layer for conducting away the electrical energy generated in a solar cell, and, furthermore, at least one transparent carrier layer and a covering layer are provided, wherein the electrically conducting layer can be contact-connected to connections of the connection housing, it is proposed that connections or connection elements of the connection housing can be coupled directly to partial regions having different polarities of the conducting layer via at least one through-opening in the covering layer, as a result of which contact-connection of a photovoltaic module to connection elements of a connection housing can be obtained in a simple and reliable manner.

Abstract: A mounting system for positioning at least one photovoltaic module of a PV-module unit on a planar flat roof in an inclined position defining an angle with the flat roof, comprising: a frame, wherein the frame defines a PV-module unit mounting side, a back side, two lateral sides, and a bottom side, which commonly define a prism, the base area of which corresponds to one of the lateral sides, the cover area of which corresponds to the other one of the lateral sides, and a jacket area of which corresponds to the mounting side, the back side and the bottom side. The mounting and back sides intersect along an imaginary line which defines a ridge arranged oppositely to the bottom side. A wind deflector may be attached to the back side such that an open ridge gap is formed and connects an interior of the prism to the environment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a 3,6-carbazle-containing copolymer, an organic solar cell comprising the copolymer in an organic material layer including a photoactive layer, and a method for fabricating the organic solar cell.

Abstract: An integrated microfluidic device has at least at least one active element controlled by pneumatic signals, and at least one electrostatic actuator integrated in the device for generating the pneumatic signals within the device from an external supply of pressure or vacuum. In one embodiment the pressure supply may be generated internally on chip using an integrated pump.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an air compression system having a characteristic of storing unstable energy and a method for controlling the same. The air compression system comprises an energy conversion system, an energy storage device, a compression device, and an air storage device. The control method comprises the steps of: the energy conversion system collecting the unstable natural energy and converting the unstable energy into a mechanical energy; the energy conversion system transmitting the mechanical energy to the energy storage device for storage; the energy storage device transmitting the energy to the compression device; the compression device utilizing the energy for compressing air for at least one whole stroke; and the compression device storing the compressed air in the air storage device.

Abstract: In an electromagnetically controlled inlet valve actuator provided to a high pressure fuel pump, an impinging sound which is generated at the time of operating the mechanism is reduced. In a high pressure fuel pump provided with an electromagnetically controlled inlet valve (operated by way of a plunger rod), a current supply period includes a 1st current supply period for performing an operation of attracting the plunger rod in a valve closing direction, a 2nd current supply period for alleviating a speed at which the plunger rod moves in a valve opening direction, and a limited current supply period disposed between the 1st current supply period and the 2nd current supply period in the form of spanning a pump top dead center.

Abstract: An exemplary paint material switching path includes first and second valve means each having an inlet and an outlet, and a hollow cylindrical intermediate piece arranged between the outlet of the first valve means and the inlet of the second valve means. The inlet of the first valve means is configured to be connected to a continuously pressurised paint material supply, and a manifold channel which is configured to be pressurised and into which the outlet of the second valve means opens. Furthermore, means are provided for measuring the pressure prevailing in the hollow cylindrical intermediate piece and an evaluation device for detecting leaks in at least one of the two valve means based on the measured pressure with respect to time for a given pressure difference between the inlet of the first valve means and the outlet of the second valve means at the beginning of the leak detection.

Abstract: The method according to the invention is a method for controlling the purging of a sélective catalytic réduction System (1) for a vehicle. The sélective catalytic réduction System (1) has a pump (4) for reducing agent (3), at least one supply line (5) supplying reducing agent (3) to an exhaust line (10) of the vehicle, and a purge fluid suction device. The method is characterized in that it involves determining a purge duration as a fonction of a state of fill of the supply line (5) prior to activation of the purge phase, and in that the method forther comprises the updating of the purge duration during purging.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for preserving fluid systems, for example of a fuel system and an oil system of a turbine engine, with at least one drive for driving at least one fuel pump and at least one oil pump, wherein a valve arrangement is provided, which makes transfer-pumping a fluid between the fluid systems possible, an engine having such a device as well as a method for triggering such a device or for preserving fluid systems.

Abstract: An electronic faucet (10) comprises a spout (12) having a passageway configured to conduct fluid flow through the spout, an electrically operable valve coupled to the passageway, and a single capacitive sensor (26) coupled to a portion of the faucet. The single capacitive sensor provides both a touch sensor and a proximity sensor for the electronic faucet.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for level loop control are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes determining via a sensor a first pressure of a liquid in a tank, determining via a turbine flow meter a second pressure of the liquid in the tank, determining if the first pressure is within a specified range of deviation from the second pressure to determine an operational state of the turbine flow meter, and transmitting a diagnostic message indicating that the turbine flow meter needs to be serviced based on the state of the turbine flow meter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for controlling the mass flow rate of a sonic gas stream in a pipe. To carry out the above operation, an electric discharge is applied inside the pipe so as to create a plasma in the pipe. The electric discharge allows for an increase in the temperature of the gas stream and thus a variation in the mass flow rate or the pressure of the gas stream. By periodically emitting the electric discharge, a pulsed or adjustable gas jet is obtained at the outlet of the device. The gas jet can then be used to control a main stream.

Abstract: A pressure compensation device for compensating an internal pressure in a housing of an electrochemical device is provided, including at least one gas through-opening and at least one membrane element with a gas-permeable membrane, which is deformable depending on a change in the internal pressure and by which the gas through-opening is blocked, and a protective degassing element, which is configured and arranged in such a way that when a critical deformation of the membrane is reached, it damages the membrane in such a way that the membrane at least partially opens the gas through-opening for protective degassing of the housing. The pressure compensation device allows both reliable pressure compensation between the interior of the housing and the exterior of the housing of an electrochemical device during normal operation of the electrochemical device and also ensures reliable bursting protection in the event of excess internal pressure in the housing.

Abstract: A service station, for the filling, emptying and flushing of an air conditioning system in a vehicle, is coupled to the air conditioning system and includes: a cabinet in which a pipeline for transporting the coolant connects a first port with a compressor, cooling unit, an internal cylinder for storing the coolant, as well as a second port. A heated flushing accumulator is arranged inside the service station between the first port and the compressor.

Abstract: A thermal pressure relief device (TPRD) including a housing having a movable member and a retainer disposed therein. The movable member is movable between an open position and a closed position. A trigger mechanism is disposed between the movable member and the retainer. The trigger mechanism holds the movable member in the closed position and includes a substantially spherical shaped body and a temperature sensitive material disposed in the body. The temperature sensitive material volumetrically expands with an increase in temperature until a predetermined temperature is attained and a breakage of the body occurs. When the body of the trigger mechanism breaks, the movable member is displaced from the closed position to the open position, allowing a fluid to flow through the TPRD.

Abstract: A unitary stacked shuttle valve body assembly 100 is disclosed that may be used in a well drilling blow out preventer circuit. The assembly includes substantially similar shuttle valves 9, 109 and 209 that may be assembled and arranged in various configurations to accommodate the requirements and restrictions of the particular circuit in which the assembly 100 may be used. The inlet ports 70, 170, 270 and the outlet ports 72, 172, 272 are substantially coaxial and are assembled with central seal connectors 76, 176 and 276 that permit rotation of the valve bodies 10, 110, 210 relative to one another. Feed passages 56, 156, 256, connector passages 59, 60, 159, 160, 259 and 260, and main passages 25, 125, 225 are provided with plugs of different configuration to permit changing port configuration to accommodate the requirements and restrictions of the circuit in which the assembly 100 is used.

Abstract: A fluid mixer in the form of a Venturi tube includes a divergent section (A2) with a steady contour curve having at least two inflection points (W1, W2) to reduce flow separations.

Abstract: A basement floor drain for use in basement waterproofing systems. The floor drain contains an upper chamber for collecting water, and an air resistant lower chamber to promote the establishment of a closed waterproofing system. A valve regulates flow of water from the upper chamber to the lower chamber. An outlet in the lower chamber may be fluidly connected to a basement sump to facilitate extraction of collected water. A basket may be included in a base of the upper chamber to protect the valve from clogging, and the basket may be removable to aid cleaning. The floor drain may be a modular assembly, multiple components of which may be coupled for customizable size and functionality.

Abstract: A pressure control valve is provided. The pressure control valve includes a sleeve having an inlet port receiving hydraulic fluid and a low-pressure path communicating with a hydraulic tank, a main poppet opening and closing the low-pressure path with respect to the inlet port, a main poppet spring elastically biasing the main poppet in an initial state by pressing the main poppet, a pilot poppet having an orifice flow path to control pressure in the pressure chamber while maintaining a sliding state against a valve seat when pressure that exceeds a predetermined pressure is generated in the pressure chamber to open an internal flow path of the valve seat, and a pilot poppet spring elastically biasing the pilot poppet in an initial state by pressing the pilot poppet to maintain the internal flow path of the valve seat closed.

Abstract: A gas lift apparatus has a gas lift valve that disposes in a mandrel. A housing of the valve has a chamber, and a seat disposes between the inlet and outlet. A piston movably disposed in the housing has one end exposed to the chamber. A distal end can selectively seal with the seat to close the valve. A first edge-welded bellows disposed on the piston separates the inlet and chamber pressures and can fully compress to a stacked height when the distal end of the piston seals with the seat. A dynamic seal can be achieved at closing by using a captive sliding seal between the piston's distal end and the seat. A second edge-welded bellows can also be disposed on the piston, and the two bellows can operate in tandem. Oil filing the interiors and the passage can move from one bellows to the other to transfer the pressure differential between the inlet and the chamber pressures. The second bellows fully compresses to a stacked height and stops opening of the valve.

Abstract: A hydraulic feed-rate control apparatus pushes out a fluid by a main piston to a reservoir chamber via feed-rate adjustment mechanisms and flow passages and adjusts a feed rate of a reciprocating body; the adjustment mechanisms comprises first and second throttle valves arranged at front ends of a cylinder and adjusting flow rates of the fluid flowing into the flow passages; the main piston comprises an auxiliary piston integrally moving, and opening and closing the second throttle valve; and the auxiliary piston comprises an outer peripheral portion fitted in the second throttle valve and closed, a concave portion formed between a front portion and rear portion of the outer peripheral portion, a circulation hole formed in an inner peripheral portion of the auxiliary piston, rear-portion escape holes communicating the rear portion and the circulation hole, and concave-portion escape holes communicating the concave portion with the circulation hole.

Abstract: A household tap water monitor includes a water meter, an electrical control valve, a single chip micyoco, an LCD, an electrical source circuit, a photoelectric detector connected to a first input port of the SCM, a reset switch connected to a second input port of the SCM and a keyboard connected to a third input port of the SCM. The water meter and the electrical control valve are connected in series between a tap water pipe and a main tap water inlet pipe. A control port of the electrical control valve is connected to a first output port of the SCM, and the LCD is connected to a second output port of the SCM. The photoelectric detector is used for monitoring the rotation of a small impeller in the water meter. The electrical source circuit is used to supply electricity for the components mentioned above.

Abstract: An orifice plate apparatus for an engine mount filled with magnetorheological (MR) fluid may include a coil assembly having a coil wound thereon and being annular in shape, a core assembly unit housing the coil assembly, formed in a discoid shape, and defining a flow path of which an upper passage may be disposed in a top surface of the core assembly unit, and a lower passage may be disposed in a bottom surface of the core assembly unit, wherein the flow path may be formed annularly along a perimeter of the coil assembly, and a flow path separator installed between the upper passage and the lower passage, such that only a unidirectional circulation may be enabled for the MR fluid passing through the flow path.

Abstract: A flow distributor for distributing a flow of fluid through a cooling body, the flow distributor comprising: an inlet manifold; an outlet manifold; and one or more flow cells, each being arranged to fluidly interconnect the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold, each flow cell comprising a cell inlet in fluid communication with the inlet manifold, a cell outlet in fluid communication with the outlet manifold, and a flow channel for guiding a flow of fluid from the cell inlet to the cell outlet, wherein the flow distributor is formed within a solid layer which is bonded directly to an insulating layer to be cooled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flow regulator (1) having a flow regulator housing, with a rotor disk (9) being supported in a rotary fashion in the interior space of its housing, which is embodied at least in a partial section of the disk in a liquid-permeable fashion and (9) is in a driven connection with a rotor disk drive, which transfers the flow of the water flowing through the flow regulator housing into a rotary drive force used for a rotary motion of the rotor disk (9). Using the flow regulator according to the invention considerable water savings can be achieved without here any reduction of the volume flow being clearly discernible (cf. FIG. 1).

Abstract: A pump system includes a pump unit an assembly frame that receives first and second pumps. A first and second pedal respectively couples to a first and second pump actuating portion. A rocker arrangement has a rocker that pivotally couples the first and second pedals, so a pushing movement of the first pedal in one direction causes a pulling movement of the second pedal in an opposite direction, and vice versa. The first and second pedals respond to a pushing force, respectively move the first and second pump actuating portions for pumping a fluid from the first and second pumps, and correspondingly move the first and second pump actuating portions for drawing the fluid to be pumped into the first and second pumps.

Abstract: hydraulic control valve for a construction machine is provided. The hydraulic control valve includes a boom spool slidingly coupled into a valve block to be shifted to control the hydraulic fluid supplied from a first hydraulic pump and a second hydraulic pump to the actuator and provided with an internal path, a supply path of the first hydraulic pump and a supply path of the second hydraulic pump which are formed to be vertically symmetrical about the boom spool, check valves elastically supported to open and close the supply path of the first hydraulic pump and the supply path of the second hydraulic pump, respectively, bridge paths formed to be horizontally and vertically symmetrical with respect to a path formed on a sliding surface of the valve block to supply the hydraulic fluid, cylinder paths supplying the hydraulic fluid from the first hydraulic pump to the actuator.

Abstract: A quick connect coupling includes female and male assemblies. The female and male assemblies include first and second valves, respectively, operable between open and closed positions. The male assembly connects to the female assembly by axial movement and relative rotation, wherein the male assembly disconnects from the female assembly by relative rotation and axial separation, wherein relative rotation of the assemblies moves the second valve between the open and closed positions. Moving the second valve from the closed to the open position allows the first valve to be movable from the closed position to the open position and moving the first valve from the closed to the open position limits relative rotation between the assemblies and prevents disconnection. Disconnection can only occur when the first valve has been moved to the closed position. Disconnection moves the second valve from the open to the closed position.

Abstract: An integrated microfluidic check valve has a first chamber having inlet and outlet ports and divided by a barrier the said inlet and outlet ports into first and second subchambers. A membrane forms a wall of the first chamber and co-operates with the barrier to selectively permit and prevent fluid flow between the inlet and outlet ports. A second chamber adjoining the first chamber and has a wall formed by the membrane. A microfluidic channel establishes fluid communication between the second chamber and the first subchamber. The membrane deflects to permit fluid flow around the barrier when the pressure in the first subchamber is lower than the pressure in the second subchamber. Two such valves can be combined into a peristaltic pump.

Abstract: A dual-purpose fluid control valve for controlling the flow of fluid to separate systems supplied by the valve. The control valve includes a body having an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The valve further includes means for controlling a rate of fluid through one outlet based on a fluid demand at the outlet while controlling the rate of fluid flow through the other outlet.

Abstract: A mobile compressed gas dispensing device, in particular a mobile hydrogen filling station, which is transported by means of a vehicle is disclosed. The device contains a drive unit, which serves to drive the vehicle, which transports the compressed gas dispensing device; at least one storage container, which is suitable for storing a compressed medium; at least one line, via which the storage container or the storage containers, respectively, can be connected to an external storage container, which is to be filled by the compressed gas dispensing device, and at least one compressor. The compressor is operatively connected to the drive unit of the vehicle in such a manner that it can be driven by said drive unit.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a stop flange is provided with a screw having a head with at least one circumferential channel, and a screw gasket disposed on the at least one circumferential channel. A bushing receives the head in a cavity that forms a housing for the head and screw gasket. The bushing may be provided with a lip that engages a shoulder on a radial bore in a stop flange.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible pipe having a multi-layered structure comprising unbonded layers, comprising an inner lining having the following layer arrangement: a) an innermost layer made of a fluoropolymer molding compound, b) an intermediate layer made of a molding compound on the basis of an olefinic polymer, which is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, isotactic polypropylene, syndiotactic polypropylene and syndiotactic polystyrene, c) an outer layer made of a polyamide molding compound, wherein the layer made of a polyamide molding compound is particularly efficiently protected against hydrolysis. The pipe is thus particularly suited for offshore applications in oil or gas production.

Abstract: In a flexible pipe of multilayer structure with unbonded layers, where the pipe has an interior lining which comprises the following layers: a) at least one layer of which the material has been selected from the group of polyolefin moulding composition, polyamide moulding composition and polyvinylidene fluoride moulding composition, and also b) at least one layer of which the material is composed of a moulding composition based on a polymer selected from the group of polyarylene ether ketone, polyphenylene sulphide, polyarylene ether ketone/polyphenylene sulphide blend, polyphenyl sulphone and polyalkylene naphthalate, the exterior reinforcement has particularly efficient protection from corrosion due to aggressive constituents which diffuse outwards from the fluid conveyed. The pipe therefore has particular suitability for offshore applications in the production of oil or of gas.