Abstract: A heat transfer system cycles between a first mode where a heat transfer fluid is directed to a first electrocaloric module and from the first electrocaloric module to a heat exchanger to a second electrocaloric module while one of the first and second electrocaloric modules is energized, and a second mode where the heat transfer fluid is directed to the second electrocaloric module and from the second electrocaloric module to the heat exchanger to the first electrocaloric module, while the other of the first and second electrocaloric modules is energized. The modes are repeatedly cycled in alternating order directing the heat transfer fluid to cause a temperature gradient in each of the first and second electrocaloric modules, and heat is rejected to the fluid from the heat exchanger or is absorbed by the heat exchanger from the fluid.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems, methods and apparatus for analyzing an infrastructure system including measurement of a parameter associated with the infrastructure system, electronically recording the measured parameter as a data, transferring the data to an infrastructure unit which may be remote from the infrastructure system, analyzing the data to generate a risk model, and predicting a characteristic of the infrastructure system according to the risk. An implementation plan may be generated, and/or maintenance services may be performed as per the characteristic that is predicted.

Abstract: A belt for an elevator system includes a plurality of tension members arranged along a belt width, a jacket material at least partially encapsulating the plurality of tension members defining a traction surface, a back surface opposite the traction surface together with the traction surface defining a belt thickness, and two end surfaces extending between the traction surface and the back surface defining the belt width. A metallic coating layer applied from a liquid solution is positioned over at least one end surface of the two end surfaces.

Abstract: A flow battery includes an electrochemical cell that has a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, and a separator layer arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode. The separator layer is formed of a polymer that has a polymer backbone with cyclic groups that are free of unsaturated nitrogen and one or more polar groups bonded between the cyclic groups.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed for transferring heat from a first material to a second material comprises a structural heat transfer member having a first surface in contact with the first material and a second surface in contact with the second material. The heat exchanger also has a coating on the first surface, the second surface, or on the first and second surfaces. The coating comprises filler particles dispersed in a polymer resin matrix.

Abstract: A belt for suspending and/or driving an elevator car includes a plurality of tension elements extending longitudinally along a length of the belt, and a jacket at least partially encapsulating the plurality of tension elements. The jacket defines a traction surface of the belt configured to be interactive with a drive sheave and a back surface opposite the traction surface. The jacket is formed from a first material. One or more material strips are located at one or more of the traction surface or the back surface to improve one or more operational characteristics of the belt. The one or more material strips formed from a second material different from the first material.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems, methods and apparatus for analyzing an infrastructure system including measurement of a parameter associated with the infrastructure system, electronically recording the measured parameter as a data, transferring the data to an infrastructure unit which may be remote from the infrastructure system, analyzing the data to generate a risk model, and predicting a characteristic of the infrastructure system according to the risk. An implementation plan may be generated, and/or maintenance services may be performed as per the characteristic that is predicted.

Abstract: A method of forming a belt for suspending and/or driving an elevator car includes arraying a plurality of tension elements longitudinally along a belt and interlacing a plurality of warp fibers and a plurality of weft fibers with the plurality of tension elements to form a composite belt structure. A coating is applied to at least partially encapsulate the composite belt structure. The coating includes a base coating material and at least one additive mixed with the base coating material to improve an operational characteristic of the belt.

Abstract: A servicing device for a belt of an elevator system is provided including a housing and a guide member coupled to the housing. The guide member and the housing are disposed on opposite sides of the belt. At least one reservoir is disposed within the housing. The at least one reservoir contains one or more restoring materials. An applicator is configured to apply the one or more restoring materials to an adjacent surface of the belt. Application of the one or more restoring materials is configured to modify the geometry of the belt such that the modified geometry is substantially identical to the original geometry of the belt.

Abstract: A belt for suspending and/or driving an elevator car extending longitudinally along a length of the belt. An inner belt layer formed from a first material is bonded to the plurality of tension elements at a first side of the belt. The inner belt layer forms an inner belt surface interactive with a traction sheave of an elevator system. An outer belt layer formed from a second material is bonded to the plurality of tension elements at a second side of the belt. The plurality of tension elements are located between the first side and the second side.

Abstract: A belt for suspending and/or driving an elevator car includes a plurality of tension elements extending along a length of the belt and a plurality of belt fibers transverse to the plurality of tension elements and interlaced therewith. The belt fibers define at least one traction surface of the belt. An edge fiber is located at a lateral end of the belt transverse to and secured to the plurality of belt fibers to secure the belt fibers in a selected position.

Abstract: A gas barrier fabric is disclosed. The barrier fabric includes a fabric substrate. A heat-resistant coating layer disposed over a first side of the fabric substrate. A first gas barrier layer (also referred to herein as simply as a barrier layer) including a polymer is disposed over a second side of the fabric substrate. A second gas barrier layer is disposed over the first air barrier coating layer of the fabric substrate. The second barrier layer has a thickness of 5 nm to 1000 nm and includes aligned nanoplatelets.

Abstract: An abradable seal includes a seal element that is formed of a polymer matrix with thermally conductive microspheres dispersed through the polymer matrix. The polymer matrix has a polymer matrix thermal conductivity and the microspheres have a microsphere thermal conductivity that is greater than the polymer matrix thermal conductivity.

Abstract: The cable embedding device is used to install a cable, such as a copper cable, together with filler material within a void trenched into the surrounding land area. The cable embedding device has a hopper, and a chute extending from a lower end of the hopper. The chute includes a plowing edge attached to a leading edge of the chute. A tube is connected to the device inside the hopper and extending along a major axis of the chute. An arch is formed at a lower edge of the chute.

Abstract: A retention system for a plurality of turbine buckets located in respective mating slots in a turbine rotor wheel includes a plurality of first retention slots formed in outer peripheral portions of the turbine wheel, and a plurality of second retention slots formed in wheel mounting portions of the buckets. The first and second retention slots are aligned to form an annular retention slot extending about a peripheral portion of the rotor wheel. A lockwire is located within the annular retention slot, the lockwire having engaged free ends. A plurality of axially-oriented retaining pins are fixed in the rotor wheel to hold the lockwire in the annular retention slot, and various techniques are employed for at least limiting or substantially preventing circumferential rotation of the lockwire within the annular slot.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems, methods and apparatus for analyzing an infrastructure system including measurement of a parameter associated with the infrastructure system, electronically recording the measured parameter as a data, transferring the data to an infrastructure unit which may be remote from the infrastructure system, analyzing the data to generate a risk model, and predicting a characteristic of the infrastructure system according to the risk. An implementation plan may be generated, and/or maintenance services may be performed as per the characteristic that is predicted.

Abstract: A retention system for a plurality of turbine buckets located in respective mating slots in a turbine rotor wheel includes a plurality of first retention slots formed in outer peripheral portions of the turbine wheel, and a plurality of second retention slots formed in wheel mounting portions of the buckets. The first and second retention slots are aligned to form an annular retention slot extending about a peripheral portion of the rotor wheel. A lockwire is located within the annular retention slot, the lockwire having engaged free ends. A plurality of axially-oriented retaining pins are fixed in the rotor wheel to hold the lockwire in the annular retention slot, and various techniques are employed for at least limiting or substantially preventing circumferential rotation of the lockwire within the annular slot.

Abstract: A stator shroud segment is provided that includes an outer shroud having a leading edge groove and a trailing edge groove; and a plurality of inner shrouds each having a leading edge hook and a trailing edge hook, the leading and trailing hooks of each of the inner shrouds being respectively engaged with the leading and trailing edge grooves of the outer shroud so as to axially and radially lock the inner shrouds to the outer shrouds. At least one of the trailing edge hook of the inner shroud and the trailing edge groove of the outer shroud includes a sloped surface disposed at an angle to an axial direction of the rotor and to a radial direction of the rotor and facing the other of the inner and outer shrouds whereby a radial inward force on the inner shroud is transformed into a force in axial and radial directions to force the inner shroud to tightly seal a radial gap between the inner and outer shrouds.

Abstract: A turbine blade includes a shank portion and an airfoil portion with leading and trailing edges and a radially outer tip. An internal closed-loop cooling circuit is formed within the airfoil portion and includes at least one radial outflow passage and at least one radial inflow passage connected by at least one respective tip turn at the radially outer end of the airfoil portion. At least one tip turn is provided with a single turbulence-enhancement device on an underside of the radially outer tip, projecting into the tip turn.

Abstract: A stator shroud segment is provided that includes an outer shroud having a leading edge groove and a trailing edge groove; and a plurality of inner shrouds each having a leading edge hook and a trailing edge hook, the leading and trailing hooks of each of the inner shrouds being respectively engaged with the leading and trailing edge grooves of the outer shroud so as to axially and radially lock the inner shrouds to the outer shrouds. At least one of the trailing edge hook of the inner shroud and the trailing edge groove of the outer shroud includes a sloped surface disposed at an angle to an axial direction of the rotor and to a radial direction of the rotor and facing the other of the inner and outer shrouds whereby a radial inward force on the inner shroud is transformed into a force in axial and radial directions to force the inner shroud to tightly seal a radial gap between the inner and outer shrouds.