An aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a method for printed circuit board (PCB) component placement comprising: graphically displaying, on a display device, PCB design features of a PCB design; and providing a user interface control for designating one or more of the PCB design features as electrical contacts for a first selected electrical component. Other aspects are disclosed.

Systems, methods and apparatuses for inspecting a tank containing a flammable fluid are provided. The system includes a vehicle having a propeller, a latch mechanism, a pressure switch, and an inspection device. The system includes a control unit in communication with the propeller, the latch mechanism, and the inspection device, and electrically connected to the pressure switch. The control unit powers on responsive to the pressure switch detecting an ambient pressure greater than a minimum threshold. The control unit receives, from the latch mechanism, an indication of a state of the latch mechanism. The control unit determines that the cable used to lower the vehicle into the tank containing the flammable fluid is detached from the vehicle. The control unit commands the propeller to move the vehicle through the flammable fluid. The control unit determines a quality metric of a portion of the tank.

Systems, methods and apparatuses for inspecting a tank containing a flammable fluid are provided. The system includes a vehicle having a propeller, a latch mechanism, a pressure switch, and an inspection device. The system includes a control unit in communication with the propeller, the latch mechanism, and the inspection device, and electrically connected to the pressure switch. The control unit powers on responsive to the pressure switch detecting an ambient pressure greater than a minimum threshold. The control unit receives, from the latch mechanism, an indication of a state of the latch mechanism. The control unit determines that the cable used to lower the vehicle into the tank containing the flammable fluid is detached from the vehicle. The control unit commands the propeller to move the vehicle through the flammable fluid. The control unit determines a quality metric of a portion of the tank.

A solar tracker system includes a photovoltaic panel and an actuator coupled to the photovoltaic panel and configured to actuate to rotate the photovoltaic panel around a base. A controller communicatively coupled to the actuator is configured to detect a direction from which wind is incident on the photovoltaic panel. Based on the direction from which wind is incident on the photovoltaic panel, the controller adaptively controls the actuator to set a stow position of the photovoltaic panel.

A method may include calculating a solar position of the Sun and a projected solar zenith (PSZ) relative to a position of a photovoltaic (PV) module. The method may include determining whether an orientation of the PV module is configurable to prevent shading of an upper substring of the PV module while shading a lower substring of the PV module. Responsive to determining that such an orientation is not configurable, the method may include determining whether the orientation of the PV module is configurable to prevent shading of both the upper substring and the lower substring. Responsive to determining that such an orientation is not configurable, the method may include determining whether the PSZ is within a maximum tracker angle range. A target tracker angle may be identified based on the PSZ and the maximum tracker angle range and used as a tracker angle control setpoint.

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to solar tracking apparatuses, systems that include the same, and methods of operating the same. An example solar tracking apparatus includes a structure attachment portion configured to be attached to a structure (e.g., a moveable or stationary structure) and to remain relatively stationary relative to the structure. The structure attachment portion may include one or more mounts configured to attach the structure attachment portion to the structure. The solar tracking apparatus also includes at least one solar panel portion coupled to the structure attachment portion. The solar panel portion may be configured to move relative to the structure attachment portion and the structure. For example, the solar tracking apparatus may include one or more actuators coupled to solar panel portion configured to move at least a portion of the solar panel portion relative to the structure attachment portion.

The invention involves a cargo carrier for vehicles that facilitates loading and unloading of items onto an enclosure; the cargo carrier may be automated and self-loading via actuators and a motorized mechanism that may be remotely controlled. The actuators may be configured to tilt the enclosure or a component thereof and one or more motors may be configured to deploy a deployable tray housed within the enclosure, which minimizes user loading or unloading labor. Typically, on a front end of the enclosure, one or more actuators may couple the enclosure to a portion of a vehicle support structure. The deployable tray may include a tiltable mechanism to further facilitate loading or unloading.

The invention involves a cargo carrier for vehicles that facilitates loading and unloading of items onto an enclosure; the cargo carrier may be automated and self-loading via actuators and a motorized mechanism that may be remotely controlled. The actuators may be configured to tilt the enclosure or a component thereof and one or more motors may be configured to deploy a deployable tray housed within the enclosure, which minimizes user loading or unloading labor. Typically, on a front end of the enclosure, one or more actuators may couple the enclosure to a portion of a vehicle support structure. The deployable tray may include a tiltable mechanism to further facilitate loading or unloading.

Provided is a method for relocating a solar power unit in response to a redeployment event. A first location of a deployed solar power unit may be determined. A processor may detect a redeployment event for the solar power unit at the first location. In response to the redeployment event, the processor may determine a new location for the solar power unit. The method may further comprise relocating the solar power unit to the new location.

The present disclosure relates to an autonomous traveling vehicle having a loading space for loading a package and/or a user. The autonomous traveling vehicle includes: a partition apparatus for performing switching between a partitioned state where the loading space is partitioned into a plurality of spaces separated from each other and a communicating state where the loading space forms one continuous space; and a control unit that controls the partition apparatus such that the loading space is brought into the communicating state when only any one of the package and the user is loaded in the loading space and the loading space is brought into the partitioned state when both of the package and the user are loaded in the loading space.