Author: claimsbot

1. A photovoltaic cell comprising:
a semiconductor lamina having a first textured surface and a second surface substantially parallel to the first textured surface, wherein
at least 50 percent of the first textured surface area is first faces and second faces, wherein the first faces are at an angle between about 5 and about 30 degrees from horizontal, and the second faces are at least seventy degrees from horizontal, wherein the photovoltaic cell comprises the semiconductor lamina,
wherein the semiconductor lamina has a thickness between the first and second surfaces, the thickness averaging between about 1 and about 50 microns,
wherein the semiconductor lamina is substantially monocrystalline semiconductor material.
2. The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 wherein the semiconductor material is silicon.
3. The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 wherein the spacing of the first faces is periodic.
4. The photovoltaic cell of claim 3 wherein the first faces comprise a first subset of first faces having a first orientation, and a second subset of first faces having a second orientation different from the first orientation, wherein the first subset of first faces comprises about half of the first faces.
5. The photovoltaic cell of claim 3 wherein the first faces are at a pitch of between about 0.3 micron and about 3 microns.
6. The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 wherein the spacing of the first faces is not periodic.
7. The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 wherein vertical peak-to-valley distance of the first textured surface does not exceed about 3000 angstroms.
8. The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 wherein the semiconductor lamina comprises at least a portion of the base of the photovoltaic cell.
9. The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 wherein the second surface of the semiconductor lamina is affixed to a receiver element, and wherein the second surface of the semiconductor lamina, or a surface of the receiver element, or a layer disposed between the second surface and the receiver element, is reflective.
10. The photovoltaic cell of claim 9 wherein, in the completed photovoltaic cell, the majority of light initially enters the semiconductor lamina at the first textured surface.
11. The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 wherein, in the completed photovoltaic cell, the majority of light initially enters the semiconductor lamina at the second surface.
12. A photovoltaic cell comprising:
a semiconductor lamina having a first textured surface and a second surface substantially parallel to the first textured surface, wherein
at least 50 percent of the first textured surface comprises first faces and second faces, wherein
the first faces are at an angle between ten and twenty-five degrees from horizontal, and the second faces are at least seventy degrees from horizontal, wherein
distribution of the first faces is not periodic, wherein
the photovoltaic cell comprises the semiconductor lamina,
wherein the semiconductor lamina has a thickness between the first and second surfaces, the thickness averaging between about 1 and about 50 microns,
and wherein the semiconductor material is monocrystalline.
13. The photovoltaic cell of claim 12 wherein the semiconductor material is silicon.
14. The photovoltaic cell of claim 12 wherein the semiconductor lamina is between about 0.5 and about 20 microns thick.
15. The photovoltaic cell of claim 12 wherein the semiconductor lamina is between about 1 and about 10 microns thick.
16. The photovoltaic cell of claim 12 wherein, in the completed photovoltaic cell, the majority of light enters the semiconductor lamina at the first textured surface.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method of communicating with an ingestible capsule, comprising:
detecting the location of the ingestible capsule;
focusing a multi-sensor acoustic array on the ingestible capsule; and
communicating an acoustic information exchange with the ingestible capsule via the multi-sensor acoustic array.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the communicating step comprises at least one of:
transmitting, via the multi-sensor acoustic array, an acoustic information exchange to the ingestible capsule; and
receiving, via the multi-sensor acoustic array, an acoustic information exchange from the ingestible capsule.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the location comprises:
receiving an acoustic signal from the ingestible capsule;
determining a phase delay for each sensor in the multi-sensor array that produces a maximum gain of the acoustic signal; and
deriving the location of the ingestible capsule from the determined phase delays.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein determining a phase delay comprises:
detecting the acoustic signal; and
adjusting the phase delay for each sensor to maximize an amplitude of the acoustic signal.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein adjusting the phase delay comprises:
changing the phase delay by a given amount;
measuring the amplitude of the acoustic signal; and
repeating the changing and measuring steps until the amplitude of the acoustic signal is maximized.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein adjusting the phase delay comprises:
detecting the phase of the acoustic signal; and
adjusting the phase delay of each sensor until the signals received by each sensor are coherent.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the location comprises:
determining the location of the ingestible capsule through a successive approximation.
8. The method of claim 9, wherein determining the location further comprises:
determining the location of the ingestible capsule using a previously known location as a starting point for the successive approximation.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein communicating occurs periodically, continuously, or based on a given event.
10. A sensor array configured to communicate with a movable object, comprising:
a plurality of acoustic transducers configured to receive an acoustic signal from the movable object; and
a plurality of delays, each delay coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of acoustic transducers,
wherein each delay is adjusted according to a phase of an information signal received by the corresponding acoustic transducer.
11. The sensor array of claim 10, wherein the acoustic transducers are spaced apart by approximately one-half the wavelength of the received information signal.
12. The sensor array of claim 10, wherein each acoustic transducer has a width approximately equal to one-quarter the wavelength of the received information signal.
13. The sensor array of claim 10, wherein each delay is determined through a successive approximation.
14. An ingestible capsule, comprising:
a sensor that receives a stimulus inside the gastrointestinal tract of an animal;
a bidirectional acoustic information communications module that transmits an acoustic information signal containing information from the sensor; and
an acoustically transmissive encapsulation configured to have a size that is ingestible, wherein the acoustically transmissive encapsulation substantially encloses the sensor and communications module.
15. The device of claim 14, the communications module comprising:
a receiver that receives an acoustic information signal;
a modulator that modulates a carrier frequency with the sensor output signal to generate an acoustic information signal;
a transmitter that transmits an acoustic information signal generated by the modulator.
16. The device of claim 14, the communications module comprising:
a radiating element coupled to an output of the communications module.
17. The device of claim 16, wherein the radiating element is a piezoelectric element.
18. The device of claim 17, wherein the radiating element is two or more piezoelectric elements spaced apart by a distance that is half the wavelength of the modulated signal.
19. The device of claim 17, wherein the radiating element emits a locationing signal that allows a detector to locate the device.
20. The device of claim 14, wherein the communications module is configured to suspend transmission of the acoustic information signal while information is obtained by the sensor.
21. The device of claim 14, wherein the communications module is configured to transmit an acoustic locationing signal prior to transmission of the acoustic information signal.
22. The device of claim 14, wherein the communications module is configured to transmit and receive an electromechanically modulated acoustic information signal.
23. A method of transmitting information acoustically, comprising:
applying a base voltage to a piezoelectric device to cause the piezoelectric device to ring at a drone frequency;
applying a voltage higher than the base voltage to the piezoelectric device to cause the piezoelectric device to ring at a first frequency that is different from the drone frequency; and
applying a voltage lower than the base voltage to the piezoelectric device to cause the piezoelectric device to ring at a second frequency that is different from the first frequency and the drone frequency,
wherein the first frequency represents a \u201c1\u201d bit and the second frequency represents a \u201c0\u201d bit in the transmitted information signal.
24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:
receiving information to be modulated into a transmitted information signal; and
applying a higher voltage and a lower voltage in sequence to generate the transmitted information signal.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein the base voltage is applied to separate bits in the transmitted information signal.

1. A ramp assembly for a pontoon boat having a deck supported by at least two pontoons, the ramp assembly comprising:
a pair of ramp support members having a substantially vertically-oriented portion and an upper portion, the ramp support members being attached to the pontoon boat beneath the deck of the pontoon boat and between the at least two pontoons;
at least one of a roller and a guide bar attached to the substantially vertically-oriented portion of each ramp support member;
a ramp having a pair of side rails, one side rail being positioned on each side of the walkway, the side rails each having an upper rail member and a lower rail member joined by a web; and
wherein the ramp is received between the ramp support members such that the at least one of the roller and the guide bar is positioned between the upper rail member and the lower rail member.
2. A ramp assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ramp support members are z-shaped extrusions.
3. A ramp assembly according to claim 1, wherein:
the side rails of the ramp have an I-shaped cross-section, thereby forming an inboard pocket and an outboard pocket on each side of the web; and
the at least one of the roller and the guide bar is received by the outboard pocket of the side rail.
4. A ramp assembly according to claim 1, wherein:
the side rails of the ramp have an I-shaped cross-section, thereby forming an inboard pocket and an outboard pocket on each side of the web; and
the inboard pockets of the side rails receive a plurality of modular walkway members.
5. A ramp assembly according to claim 4, wherein the walkway members are extruded rectangular tubing.
6. A ramp assembly according to claim 1 further comprising:
an endcap leg disposed at an inboard end of the ramp; and
a lower ramp hanger connected to the ramp support members, the lower ramp hanger having a hanger slot for receiving the endcap leg of the ramp when the ramp is in an extended position.
7. A ramp assembly according to claim 1 further comprising:
an endcap leg disposed at an inboard end of the ramp;
an upper ramp hanger connected to the deck, the upper ramp hanger having a hanger slot for receiving the endcap leg of the ramp when the ramp is in an extended position; and
wherein a walkway surface of the ramp is substantially flush with an upper surface of the deck when the endcap leg engages the hanger slot.
8. A ramp assembly according to claim 1 further comprising:
a handle disposed at an outboard end of the ramp; and
a plank shoe pivotally connected to the handle, the plank shoe having an inclined surface for providing a smooth transition between a walkway surface of the ramp and an anchor surface on which the outboard end of the ramp rests when the ramp is in an extended position.
9. A ramp assembly according to claim 1 further comprising:
at least one hand railing;
a plurality of support legs pivotally connected to the hand railing;
a plurality of railing holes disposed in the ramp;
wherein in an assembled position, a portion of the support legs are received by the railing holes and the hand railing is substantially parallel to the walkway surface of the ramp; and
wherein in a collapsed position, the support legs are pivoted such to place the support legs adjacent to the hand railing for storage.
10. A ramp assembly for a pontoon boat having a deck supported by at least two pontoons, the ramp assembly comprising:
a pair of ramp support members having a substantially vertically-oriented portion and an upper portion, the ramp support members being attached to the pontoon boat beneath the deck of the pontoon boat and between the at least two pontoons;
at least one of a roller and a guide bar attached to the substantially vertically-oriented portion of each ramp support member;
a removable ramp having a pair of side rails, one side rail being positioned on each side of a walkway, the side rails each having an upper rail member and a lower rail member joined by a web;
a first deck hanger positioned at the bow of the pontoon boat;
a second deck hanger positioned at one of the port side and starboard side of the pontoon boat;
wherein the ramp is received between the ramp support members in a stowed position such that the at least one of the roller and the guide bar is positioned between the upper rail member and the lower rail member; and
wherein the ramp is adapted to be received by one of the first and second ramp hangers in an extended position, thereby providing the walkway for one of the bow, port side, and starboard side of the pontoon boat.
11. A ramp assembly according to claim 10, wherein:
the side rails of the ramp having an I-shaped cross-section, thereby forming an inboard pocket and an outboard pocket on each side of the web; and
the at least one of the rollers and the guide bar is received by the outboard pocket of the side rail.
12. A ramp assembly according to claim 10, wherein:
the side rails of the ramp have an I-shaped cross-section, thereby forming an inboard pocket and an outboard pocket on each side of the web;
the at least one of the roller and the guide bar is received by the outboard pocket of the side rail; and
the inboard pockets of the side rails receive a plurality of modular walkway members.
13. A ramp according to claim 12, wherein the walkway members are extruded tubing having a rectangular cross-section.
14. A ramp assembly according to claim 10 further comprising:
an endcap leg disposed at an inboard end of the ramp; and
wherein the endcap leg is received by one of the first hanger and the second hanger when the ramp is placed in the extended position.
15. A ramp assembly according to claim 10, wherein the first and second ramp hangers are mounted to the deck such that the ramp is capable of being positioned in the extended position with the walkway substantially flush with the deck.
16. A ramp assembly according to claim 10 further comprising:
an endcap leg disposed at an inboard end of the ramp;
wherein the endcap leg is received by one of the first hanger and the second hanger when the ramp is placed in the extended position; and
wherein the first and second ramp hangers are mounted to the deck such that the ramp is capable of being positioned in the extended position with the walkway substantially flush with the deck.
17. A ramp assembly according to claim 10 further comprising:
at least one hand railing;
a plurality of support legs pivotally connected to the hand railing;
a plurality of railing holes disposed in the ramp;
wherein in an assembled position, a portion of the support legs are received by the railing holes and the hand railing is substantially parallel to the walkway of the ramp; and
wherein in a collapsed position, the support legs are pivoted such to place the support legs adjacent to the hand railing for storage.
18. A ramp assembly according to claim 10 further comprising:
a handle disposed near an outboard end of the ramp; and
a plank shoe pivotally connected to the handle, the plank shoe having an inclined surface providing a smooth transition between the walkway surface of the ramp and an anchor surface on which the outboard end of the ramp rests when the ramp is in the extended position.
19. A ramp assembly for a pontoon boat having a deck supported by at least two pontoons, the ramp assembly comprising:
a pair of ramp support members having a substantially vertically-oriented portion and an upper portion, the ramp support members being attached to the pontoon boat beneath the deck of the pontoon boat and between the at least two pontoons;
a pair of guide bars attached to the substantially vertically-oriented portion of each ramp support member;
a ramp having a pair of side rails, one side rail being positioned on each side of the walkway, the side rails each having an upper rail member and a lower rail member joined by a web; and
wherein the ramp is received between the ramp support members such that the pair of guide bars is positioned between the upper rail member and the lower rail member of each side rail.
20. A ramp assembly according to claim 19, wherein the ramp support members are z-shaped extrusions.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A rear structure of an all terrain vehicle, the all terrain vehicle including:
a vehicle body;
a vehicle body frame having left and right frame members connected integrally to each other;
an engine unit including a belt transmission on one side thereof and mounted to a central lower portion of the vehicle body frame;
an inlet duct for introducing a cooling air, the inlet duct forcibly freshening an air within a belt case in which the belt transmission is accommodated so as to cool the belt transmission;
an exhaust duct for discharging an exhaust air which has cooled the belt transmission; and
an exhaust muffler device disposed at a portion outward of one side of a rear portion of the vehicle body frame, wherein
the belt transmission is arranged in a manner offset on a same side as the exhaust muffler device in a width direction,
the exhaust duct extends rearward from a rear portion of the belt transmission so as to be disposed on the same side as the belt transmission and is detachably supported by the vehicle body frame,
a fuel tank is arranged in a manner offset on a side opposite to the belt transmission and the exhaust duct with respect to a center line of the vehicle in a plan view,
the exhaust duct is arranged in a space formed between an inside surface to a bottom portion of the fuel tank in the width direction of the vehicle body and the exhaust muffler device provided so as to face the inside surface of the fuel tank, and
the exhaust duct is composed of a plurality of constituent members coupled to one another along an exhaust direction of the exhaust air flowing in the exhaust duct.
2. The rear structure of the all terrain vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the constituent members distanced from one another comprise a high rigidity material holding an own shape thereof, and the constituent members are detachably coupled to one another through a coupling member formed of an elastic material.
3. The rear structure of the all terrain vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the frame members are coupled by a plurality of cross members which are arranged in parallel to one another, the constituent members are formed in a bent shape by intersecting one another in an axial direction of the exhaust duct, and the bent portion is disposed relative to the cross members so that the exhaust duct is arranged in a meandering manner among the adjacent cross members, and the exhaust duct is detachably engaged with and positioned relative to the cross members while maintaining an own shape of the exhaust duct.
4. The rear structure of the all terrain vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the exhaust duct is arranged in a space above a rear wheel driving system arranged on the center line of the vehicle body in a plan view, and the exhaust duct is arranged to be proximate to the respective constituent members of the vehicle body frame which form the space, in which the coupling member is arranged.
5. The rear structure of the all terrain vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the exhaust muffler device and the rear wheel driving system are arranged with a distance vertically from each other, and a coupled portion of the exhaust duct extending rearward and upward from the rear portion of the belt transmission is arranged so as to face a space formed between the exhaust muffler device or the rear wheel driving system and a portion above rear wheels.
6. The rear structure of the all terrain vehicle according to claim 4, wherein a guide plate including a guide hole is formed integrally with the exhaust duct, and a breather hose extending from the rear wheel driving system is inserted into the guide hole to thereby position the breather hose.
7. The rear structure of the all terrain vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the coupling member coupling the constituent members of the exhaust duct to one another is arranged at a distance from a portion along the inside surface and the bottom portion of the fuel tank.
8. A rear structure of an all terrain vehicle, the all terrain vehicle including:
a vehicle body;
a vehicle body frame having left and right frame members connected integrally to each other;
an engine unit including a belt transmission on one side thereof and mounted to a central lower portion of the vehicle body frame;
an inlet duct for introducing a cooling air, the inlet duct forcibly freshening an air within a belt case in which the belt transmission is accommodated so as to cool the belt transmission;
an exhaust duct for discharging an exhaust air which has cooled the belt transmission; and
an exhaust muffler device disposed at a portion outward of one side of a rear portion of the vehicle body frame, wherein
the exhaust duct extends rearward from a rear portion of the belt transmission and is detachably supported by the vehicle body frame,
the exhaust duct is composed of a plurality of constituent members coupled to one another along an exhaust direction of the exhaust air flowing in the exhaust duct,
the constituent members distanced from one another are formed from a high rigidity material holding an own shape thereof,
the constituent members are detachably coupled to one another through a coupling member formed of an elastic material,
the exhaust duct is arranged in a space above a rear wheel driving system arranged on the center line of the vehicle body in a plan view, and the exhaust duct is arranged to be proximate to the respective constituent members of the vehicle body frame which form the space, in which the coupling member is arranged, and
a guide plate including a guide hole is formed integrally with the exhaust duct, and a breather hose extending from the rear wheel driving system is inserted into the guide hole to thereby position the breather hose.