Abstract: An apparatus for selectively amplifying wind speed adjacent a turbine rotor includes a first deflection panel, having a curved front profile for selective placement laterally on a first side of turbine rotor in a working configuration. A second deflection panel has a curved front profile for selective placement laterally on a second side of the turbine rotor, laterally opposite the first side, in a working configuration. The first and second deflection panels are both configured to amplify wind speed adjacent the turbine rotor when in the working configuration, and to have minimal effect upon the wind speed adjacent the turbine rotor when in a stowed configuration. A method of selectively amplifying wind speed adjacent a turbine rotor is also described.

Abstract: A appliance immersion tank system comprising: a generally rectangular tank adapted to immerse in a dielectric fluid a plurality of appliances, each in a respective appliance slot distributed vertically along, and extending transverse to, the long axis of the tank; a primary circulation facility adapted to circulate the dielectric fluid through the tank; a secondary fluid circulation facility adapted to extract heat from the dielectric fluid circulating in the primary circulation facility, and to dissipate to the environment the heat so extracted; and a control facility adapted to coordinate the operation of the primary and secondary fluid circulation facilities as a function of the temperature of the dielectric fluid in the tank. A plenum, positioned adjacent the bottom of the tank, is adapted to dispense the dielectric fluid substantially uniformly upwardly through each appliance slot.

Abstract: A multiple display system having at least two mechanical arrangements such that in one of the at least two arrangements one of the multiple displays is stowed, out of the way mechanically and visually, when only a first display is in use; and one of the other of the at least two arrangements wherein the other of the multiple displays is substantially coplanar and adjacent to the one screen when both screens are in use. The other display in the one of the other of the at least two arrangements also runs the graphical user interface of an application, permitting the multiple display system to offer at least two programs running simultaneously, each with its own visual user-interface operating on its own display.

Abstract: A appliance immersion tank system comprising: a generally rectangular tank adapted to immerse in a dielectric fluid a plurality of appliances, each in a respective appliance slot distributed vertically along, and extending transverse to, the long axis of the tank; a primary circulation facility adapted to circulate the dielectric fluid through the tank; a secondary fluid circulation facility adapted to extract heat from the dielectric fluid circulating in the primary circulation facility, and to dissipate to the environment the heat so extracted; and a control facility adapted to coordinate the operation of the primary and secondary fluid circulation facilities as a function of the temperature of the dielectric fluid in the tank. A plenum, positioned adjacent the bottom of the tank, is adapted to dispense the dielectric fluid substantially uniformly upwardly through each appliance slot.

Abstract: A composition and method for producing an inorganic material with an inorganic coating. The inorganic coating may include ammonium sulfate. The present disclosure also provides a fertilizer having an inorganic coating. A method according to the present disclosure includes granulating an inorganic material and coating the organic material in situ with a reactive coating composition.

Abstract: A biodegradable biomass article for use in construction includes a cellulose biomass. The cellulose biomass includes an alkaline crystalline substance. An adhesive layer covers an outer surface of the biomass, and a sealing layer covers the adhesive layer. A method for manufacturing the biodegradable biomass article includes drying a cellulose biomass, and mixing the biomass with water into a slurry. The slurry is heated, and strained after the step of heating, resulting in a residual paste. The residual paste is compressed to form a biomass mat. The biomass mat is heated, and an adhesive layer is applied which covers the biomass mat. A sealing layer is applied over the adhesive layer.

Abstract: A multiple display system having at least two mechanical arrangements such that in one of the at least two arrangements one of the multiple displays is stowed, out of the way mechanically and visually, when only a first display is in use; and one of the other of the at least two arrangements wherein the other of the multiple displays is substantially coplanar and adjacent to the one screen when both screens are in use. The other display in the one of the other of the at least two arrangements also runs the graphical user interface of an application, permitting the multiple display system to offer at least two programs running simultaneously, each with its own visual user-interface operating on its own display.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting recoverable materials from source materials are provided. Source materials are introduced into a furnace. A condition is created within the furnace in which a gaseous pressure within the furnace is less than an atmospheric pressure outside of the furnace by removing at least a portion of air from within the furnace. Hydrocarbons contained within the source material are separated from the source material without using a significant amount of water by heating the source material to a temperature sufficient to cause the hydrocarbons to liquefy or vaporize. The liquefied hydrocarbons or vaporized hydrocarbons are then captured.

Abstract: An improved radiant heater and combustion chamber for use with radiant heating are described. The combustion chamber is made up of two different materials in different regions, an insulating portion and a conductive portion. Heat transfer is maximized through the conductive portion, whose shape can be altered to modify the radiant energy being emitted. The improved radiant heater radiates substantial amounts of heat in useful directions over large distances without the use of reflectors.

Abstract: The present technology relates generally systems and methods for providing motion amplification and compensation by fluid displacement in fuel injector systems. For example, some embodiments of gaseous fuel injectors include a piezoelectric actuator and a motion transfer system coupled to the piezoelectric actuator. The motion transfer system includes a housing, a first piston having a first effective area disposed in the housing, and a second piston having a second effective area disposed in the housing. The second effective area is less than the first effective area and the first and second pistons define a fluid chamber therebetween. The motion transfer system can amplify actuation of a fuel injector valve.

Abstract: A appliance immersion tank system comprising: a generally rectangular tank adapted to immerse in a dielectric fluid a plurality of appliances, each in a respective appliance slot distributed vertically along, and extending transverse to, the long axis of the tank; a primary circulation facility adapted to circulate the dielectric fluid through the tank; a secondary fluid circulation facility adapted to extract heat from the dielectric fluid circulating in the primary circulation facility, and to dissipate to the environment the heat so extracted; and a control facility adapted to coordinate the operation of the primary and secondary fluid circulation facilities as a function of the temperature of the dielectric fluid in the tank. A plenum, positioned adjacent the bottom of the tank, is adapted to dispense the dielectric fluid substantially uniformly upwardly through each appliance slot.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting recoverable materials from source materials are provided. Source materials are introduced into a furnace. A condition is created within the furnace in which a gaseous pressure within the furnace is less than an atmospheric pressure outside of the furnace by removing at least a portion of air from within the furnace. Hydrocarbons contained within the source material are separated from the source material without using a significant amount of water by heating the source material to a temperature sufficient to cause the hydrocarbons to liquefy or vaporize. The liquefied hydrocarbons or vaporized hydrocarbons are then captured.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting recoverable materials from source materials are provided. Source materials are introduced into a furnace. A condition is created within the furnace in which a gaseous pressure within the furnace is less than an atmospheric pressure outside of the furnace by removing air from within the furnace with a vacuum pump. Hydrocarbons contained within the source material are separated from the source material without using a significant amount of water by heating the source material to a temperature sufficient to cause the hydrocarbons to liquefy or vaporize. The liquefied hydrocarbons or vaporized hydrocarbons are then captured.

Abstract: A multiple display system having at least two mechanical arrangements such that in one of the at least two arrangements one of the multiple displays is stowed, out of the way mechanically and visually, when only a first display is in use; and one of the other of the at least two arrangements wherein the other of the multiple displays is substantially coplanar and adjacent to the one screen when both screens are in use. The other display in the one of the other of the at least two arrangements also runs the graphical user interface of an application, permitting the multiple display system to offer at least two programs running simultaneously, each with its own visual user-interface operating on its own display.

Abstract: Advanced gas turbines and associated components, systems and methods are disclosed herein. A gas turbine configured in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a rotor operably coupled to a shaft and a stator positioned adjacent to the rotor. A coolant line extends at least partially through the stator to transfer heat out of an air flow within a compressor section of the gas turbine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting recoverable materials from source materials are provided. Source materials are introduced into a furnace. A condition is created within the furnace in which a gaseous pressure within the furnace is less than an atmospheric pressure outside of the furnace by removing air from within the furnace with a vacuum pump. Hydrocarbons contained within the source material are separated from the source material without using a significant amount of water by heating the source material to a temperature sufficient to cause the hydrocarbons to liquefy or vaporize. The liquefied hydrocarbons or vaporized hydrocarbons are then captured.

Abstract: A system for transferring and igniting a fuel comprising a fuel supply and a cryogenic fuel processor connected to the fuel supply and operative to remove impurities from the fuel. The system includes a power supply and an injector-igniter. The injector-igniter includes an injector housing connected to the power supply and having a fuel inlet connected to the fuel processor. An actuator body is disposed in the housing and a conductor sleeve is connected to the power supply and supported between the actuator body and injector housing with a first annular gap between the injector housing and the conductor sleeve. There is also a second annular gap between the actuator body and conductor sleeve, wherein the first and second annular gaps are in fluid communication with the fuel inlet, whereby fuel provides a dielectric between the conductor sleeve and the injector housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coal liquefaction are provided. According to one embodiment, coal is introduced into a plasma furnace. A plasma energy field is generated within the plasma furnace by causing an electrical discharge between a pair of arc rods located within the plasma furnace and positioned above the coal. Hydrocarbons contained within the coal are separated from the coal by causing the plasma energy field to penetrate the coal and heat the coal to a temperature sufficient to liquefy the hydrocarbons by focusing and drawing the plasma energy field through the coal with a magnetic field created proximate to the coal. The liquefied hydrocarbons are then captured.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coal liquefaction are provided. According to one embodiment, coal is introduced into a plasma furnace. A plasma energy field is generated within the plasma furnace by causing an electrical discharge between a pair of arc rods located within the plasma furnace and positioned above the coal. Hydrocarbons contained within the coal are separated from the coal by causing the plasma energy field to penetrate the coal and heat the coal to a temperature sufficient to liquefy the hydrocarbons by focusing and drawing the plasma energy field through the coal with a magnetic field created proximate to the coal. The liquefied hydrocarbons are then captured.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting recoverable materials from source materials are provided. According to one embodiment, a plasma furnace includes an open-faced tray, a pair of arc rods, Faraday coils and a smooth interior surface. The open-faced tray carries tar sands from one end of the plasma furnace to another. The arc rods are disposed above the open-faced tray and are operable to generate a plasma energy field for vaporizing bitumen contained within the tar sands. The Faraday coils are positioned underneath the open-faced tray to create a magnetic field proximate to the tar sands and cause the plasma energy field to penetrate and heat the tar sands to a temperature sufficient to release a bond between the bitumen and the tar sands by focusing and drawing the plasma energy field through the tar sands. Vaporized bitumen condenses on the smooth interior surface from which it is collected.