A motorized system that allows for calibration by a user, and that features circuit protection and detection of motor stoppage. A motorized window-blind system is an example of such a system and is disclosed herein. In particular, a circuit is featured that comprises a TRIAC, or “triode for alternating current,” and TVS diodes, or “transient-voltage-suppression diodes,” providing voltage protection to various types of motor-related electronic components. A controller is disclosed that features measurement of voltage that is induced on a secondary winding of a motor, in order to detect certain events that occur during the operation of the motor. A calibration method is also disclosed that can account for one or both of the protection circuit and event-detecting controller. The calibration method accounts for human interaction and, in doing so, is intended toward making a calibration process of a motorized household system less prone to human error.

The present disclosure describes non-intrusive optical (NIO) characterization methods which efficiency measures optical errors (such as mirror surface slope error, mirror canting error, and heliostat tracking error) of a heliostat field. The methods utilize photogrammetry and deflectometry to analyze an image taken of a heliostat to determine optical errors and increase the amount of solar energy delivered by the heliostat to the receiver.

An automated self-contained solar panel system includes a weather-tight storage crate having a top side, bottom, and four vertical sides. The storage crate is used to house a first solar array having a primary solar panel mounted on a column and having at least one secondary solar panel slidably engaged with the primary solar panel, and at least one second solar array having a primary solar panel mounted on the column and having at least one secondary solar panel slidably engaged with the primary solar panel, the solar panels of the at least one secondary solar array overlapping the solar panels of the primary solar array in a stowed position, and the solar panels of the at least one secondary solar array extending beyond and not overlapping the solar panels of the primary solar array in a deployed position.

A solar tracker system comprising one or more tracker rotation control systems that include: a curved gear plate; and a locking element configured to lock the solar tracker system in a first configuration.

Powered retractable vehicle step assist systems and methods are provided. The steps systems are configured for installation (e.g., after market installation) and use with a vehicle. The system can include a stepping member movable between a retracted position and a deployed position with respect to the vehicle. The system can further include a vehicle interface. A controller of the step system can be configured to process information received from the vehicle interface and, based at least partly on the processing of the information, cause movement of the stepping member between the retracted position and the deployed position.

Powered retractable vehicle step assist systems and methods are provided. The steps systems are configured for installation (e.g., after market installation) and use with a vehicle. The system can include a stepping member movable between a retracted position and a deployed position with respect to the vehicle. The system can further include a vehicle interface. A controller of the step system can be configured to process information received from the vehicle interface and, based at least partly on the processing of the information, cause movement of the stepping member between the retracted position and the deployed position.

A measurement device which enables to determine the optimum angle values and orientations of collectors/cells and which enables to measure both direct radiation and diffuse radiation, essentially includes a main body; a solar cell which generates current from solar energy; an actuation mechanism which is adapted to move the solar cell in horizontal and vertical axis; an upper cover which prevents the sun beams reaching the solar cell by covering the upper part of the main body; a second cover on each one of the lateral walls of the upper cover; a current detector which measures the current generated by the solar cell, a control unit which includes a processing unit adapted to generate angle signals that will move the first motor and second motor and determine the optimum angle values according to current information corresponding to the angle signals and the angle information corresponding to the current information.

A method may include orienting a set of solar power units in a first position in which rows of solar power units are shaded by adjacent rows of solar power units; and monitoring energy generated by the set of solar power units over a window of time, that includes from when the set of solar power units are oriented in the first position until a sun angle corresponds to none of the rows being shaded by the adjacent rows. The method may include identifying a knee in energy generation during the first window of time, where the knee indicates a transition from higher to lower rates of change of energy generation at a given solar angle. The method may include plotting a trajectory of future orientation positions over time of the set of solar power units that include an orientation and time corresponding to the given solar angle.

A solar tracking carport comprises a supporting structure including a foundation and at least two columns connected or connectable to the foundation; a three-dimensionally rigid canopy deck having a length from a first edge to a second edge of at least one car, the three-dimensionally rigid canopy deck including one or more upper blocks, each of the upper blocks being rigid at least in its longitudinal direction, each of the upper blocks including at least one solar panel; a deck frame configured to support the one or more upper blocks, the deck frame including a torque transmitting member; a rotation enabling connection configured to rotatably connect at least the torque transmitting member of the three-dimensionally rigid canopy deck to the at least two columns of the supporting structure; and a drive system configured to control tilting of the three-dimensionally rigid canopy deck about the supporting structure over one axis of rotation to a first maximum angle in a first direction and to a second maximum angle in a second direction, the first maximum angle preventing the first edge of the three-dimensionally rigid canopy deck from going below a first minimum threshold height, the second maximum angle preventing the second edge of the three-dimensionally rigid canopy deck from going below a second minimum threshold height.

A landing gear controller (120) to control extension and retraction of a landing gear for an aircraft, the landing gear controller (120) configured to cause, during an aircraft take-off or landing procedure, a landing gear extension and retraction system (110) to perform only a first portion of a landing gear extension or retraction process, on the basis of a status of the aircraft and prior to receiving a command for the landing gear to be extended or retracted.