Abstract: A soft actuator includes an origami structure with an inflatable hollow body formed from at least one of Dyneema fabric or Kevlar fabric, and a plurality of TCPAs formed from at least one of polyethylene terephthalate, spandex, and nylon. The soft actuator also includes a plurality of heating wires disposed on the plurality of TCPAs and a controller configured to selectively heat the plurality of heating wires such that the plurality of TCPAs are selectively actuated by being heated by the plurality of heating wires.

Abstract: A bearing system for a compressor including an unloader at least partially received within a recess of a driveshaft. The unloader includes an outer surface that is engaged with a bearing. An inner surface of the unloader is curved such that the unloader is pivotable relative to the driveshaft unload forces on bearing caused by deflection of the driveshaft.

Abstract: A compressor wheel for a compressor of a turbocharger has a hub and a multiplicity of blades on the hub. In intermediate spaces of the multiplicity of blades, a channel is in each case formed between a suction side and a pressure side. The channel guides fluid that flows in axially in relation to a rotation axis radially or radially-axially outward. The hub in relation to the rotation axis is contoured such that the hub has a rotationally symmetrical portion and a non-rotationally symmetrical portion. On the non-rotationally symmetrical portion, a transition between the hub and each of the blades is embodied with a radiused connection and facing the suction side has a region of modified thickness. A region formed by control rays is generated in at least one channel between the suction side and the pressure side on the hub. A method produces the compressor wheel.

Abstract: A vacuum pump for supplying a machine assembly with negative pressure, the vacuum pump including a housing featuring a delivery chamber which includes a chamber inlet opening and a chamber outlet opening for a gaseous fluid; a suction port for establishing a fluid connection to the machine assembly; a suction channel which connects the delivery chamber to the suction port; and a relief channel which connects the delivery chamber to a relief opening of the housing; a delivery member which can rotate in the delivery chamber in a forward rotational direction and a reverse rotational direction. The fluid is suctioned into the delivery chamber through the chamber inlet opening and discharged through the chamber outlet opening by rotating the delivery member in the forward rotational direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for starting and rapidly decelerating a turbomachine in a power generation system that utilizes a supercritical fluid in a closed cycle.

Abstract: Provided with a power generator and a power generation method capable of generating electricity using water of river or the like with a simple facility without using large facilities required in a conventional hydroelectric power plant. A buoyancy power generator includes: a storage tank which is capable of storing water; an inlet port from which the water is introduced into the storage tank; an outlet port from which the water is discharged from the storage tank to an outside; an opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the outlet port; a floating body arranged in the storage tank so as to be vertically movable; and a power generator configured to convert a vertical motion of the floating body into electricity. A buoyancy power generation method using the above described power generator.

Abstract: A solution mined cavity system and method are disclosed. The system comprises an underground cavity created by solution mining in salt deposits, an upper water reservoir, tubing structure adapted to lead water from the upper water reservoir into the underground cavity and out of the underground cavity, and a pumping device adapted to contribute to pumping water from the upper water reservoir via the tubing structure out of the cavity.

Abstract: A heat exchanger has arcuate inlet and outlet manifolds and a plurality of tube banks, each tube bank coupling one of the inlet manifold outlets to an associated one of the outlet manifold inlets. Each tube bank partially nests with one or more others of the tube banks and has: a first header coupled to the associated inlet manifold outlet and the associated the outlet manifold inlet; a second header; and a plurality of tube bundles each having a first end coupled to the associated first header and a second end coupled to the associated second header. A flowpath from the each inlet manifold outlet passes sequentially through flowpath legs formed by each of the tube bundles in the associated tube bank to exit the tube bank to the associated outlet manifold inlet.

Abstract: A sliding component has an annular shape with a fluid facing inside and outside of the sliding component and has a sliding surface relatively sliding with eccentric rotation, in which the sliding surface includes a land and a plurality of dynamic pressure generation mechanisms arranged in a circumferential direction, the dynamic pressure generation mechanism includes a shallow groove portion and a deep groove portion, the shallow groove portion communicates with the deep groove portion, and a communication passage providing a communication between the deep groove portion and either an inside space or an outside space of the sliding component is formed in the sliding component.

Abstract: A groove is applied to one or more contact surfaces of a journal bearing of a pump to increase a force applied to the contact surface(s). Each groove has an end exposed to discharge pressure of the pump so that the groove communicates the discharge pressure across the contact surface. The groove reduces an area of the contact surface over which fluid leakage results in a pressure differential, thereby increasing a net force applied to the contact surface. Applying the groove to the axial end face of the journal bearing enhances an axial force applied to the journal bearing whereas applying the groove to a radially facing land reduces friction between the journal bearing and the outer housing.

Abstract: A compressor includes a housing and a mixed-flow rotor mounted within the housing. The mixed-flow rotor includes a blade and a rotor hub with an interior flow passage. The blade includes an internal channel between a pressure surface and a suction surface of the blade. The internal channel extends radially within the blade and is in fluidic communication with the interior flow passage. The blade also includes a plurality of air outlets formed on the blade proximate a leading edge of the blade. The plurality of air outlets extends into the blade to fluidically connect with the internal channel.

Abstract: A monolithic heat exchanger body for inputting heat to a closed-cycle engine includes heating walls and heat sink, such as heat transfer regions. The heating walls are configured and arranged in an array of spirals or spiral arcs relative to a longitudinal axis of an inlet plenum. Adjacent portions of the heating walls respectively define corresponding heating fluid pathways fluidly communicating with the inlet plenum. At least a portion of the heat sink is disposed about at least a portion of the monolithic heat exchanger body. The heat sink includes working-fluid bodies including working-fluid pathways that have a heat transfer relationship with the heating fluid pathways. Respective ones of the heat transfer regions have a heat transfer relationship with a corresponding semiannular portion of the heating fluid pathways. Respective ones of the heat transfer regions include working-fluid pathways fluidly communicating between a heat input region and a heat extraction region.

Abstract: In the operation of a refueling screw compressor, when load conditions constantly fluctuate or when the rotation speed control of a cooling fan is performed, it is difficult to accurately perform a diagnosis predicted from measurement results of devices inside the compressor, so a diagnostic mode stably creates an operating condition under which an accurate diagnosis can be performed. In the refueling screw compressor, a discharge electric valve is provided downstream of an air cooler, and an air release electric valve and a dedicated orifice are provided to connect an oil separator inner space and a suction throttle valve space. In the diagnostic mode, the discharge electric valve is closed, the air release electric valve is opened, and while an upstream pressure of the oil separator is maintained at a specified pressure, a rotation speed control operation of a compressor body and the diagnosis of internal devices are performed.

Abstract: SMA actuators and related methods are described. One embodiment of an actuator includes a base; a plurality of buckle arms; and at least a first shape memory alloy wire coupled with a pair of buckle arms of the plurality of buckle arms. Another embodiment of an actuator includes a base and at least one bimorph actuator including a shape memory alloy material. The bimorph actuator attached to the base.

Abstract: A system for the generation of mechanical or electrical energy from heat energy, where increasing a height or pressure in a liquid chamber of the system containing a liquid increases an efficiency of the system up to a hundred percent or increases such efficiency until a critical temperature or pressure of the vapor (gas) is reached at the bottom of liquid chamber or in the boiler of the system depending upon the increment in height, pressure and the type of liquid used in the system. An increase in height of the system for such increased efficiency can be adjusted to a smaller height by maintaining a series of liquid and gas chambers where the vapor flows through the series of chambers or by adding pressure valves. The heat energy from high to low temperature sources can be convened to mechanical and electrical energy.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring and converting heat to a power cycle using a plurality of heat transfer fluids, loops and heat exchange devices to convert heat to useful work and/or power. Power is generated using intermediate heat transfer loops (IHTL) and an intermediate heat transfer fluid (IHTF) to cool the hot exhaust power cycle fluid (PCF) stream that is at or above its critical conditions. The temperature of the IHTF can be increased by 100° C., 150° C., 200° C., 250° C., 300° C., 350° C., 400° C., 450° C., 500° C., 550° C. or more by exchanging heat with the PCF, either directly or indirectly.

Abstract: A main bearing housing assembly for a scroll compressor and a scroll compressor having the main bearing housing assembly. The main bearing housing assembly comprises: a main bearing housing; and a thrust plates, the thrust plate being provided at the top of the main bearing housing, and comprising a thrust surface located at the top and in surface contact with the bottom end surface of a scroll assembly of the scroll compressor; the thrust plate comprises: at least one oil inlet hole; a closed oil chamber, the closed oil chamber being formed in the thrust plate; and at least one oil outlet hole, the opening of the at least one oil outlet hole being exposed to the thrust surface; and the at least one oil inlet hole is in communication with the at least one oil outlet hole by means of the closed oil chamber.

Abstract: Direct-fired supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) power cycle that generates hydrogen. More specifically, the discharge of a direct fired supercritical CO2 power cycle is converted to carbon dioxide and hydrogen where the hydrogen and/or carbon dioxide can be separated and stored/utilized in another application.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing energy from a geothermal formation. A heat exchanger can be disposed within a well to absorb heat from a geothermal formation. The heat exchanger can be supported within the well using a high thermal conductivity material. The heat exchanger is connected to an organic Rankine cycle engine including a secondary heat exchanger and a turbine. The primary and secondary heat transfer fluids are chosen to maximize efficiency of the organic Rankine cycle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a scroll pump comprising a pressure sensor integrated into the scroll pump.