Abstract: A thermal storage unit is purposed to convert electrical energy and store the energy in the form of heat in a more efficient and cost-effective way. It may include a chamber having a predetermined amount of solid particulate. A chamber inlet may be in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid gas. A chamber outlet may allow the pressurized fluid gas to exit the chamber. A plenum disposed between the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet may pass the pressurized fluid from the chamber inlet to the solid particulate to form a fluidized bed of the solid particulate in the chamber prior to the pressurized fluid exiting the chamber outlet. A heating element may be thermally coupled to the fluidized bed, where the heating element is configured to convert electrical energy into thermal energy and transfer the thermal energy to the fluidized bed of the solid particulate.

Abstract: A wind turbine comprising a support structure for supporting a rotatable, substantially vertical hub wherein at least one substantially horizontal support arm is connected to the hub. At least one wind trap is connected to each of the at least one support arm, and each of the at least one wind trap supports at least one petal that may move between an open position, wherein wind is not blocked by the at least one petal, and a closed position, wherein the at least one petal blocks the wind thereby causing the wind to move the at least one wind trap and rotate the hub.

Abstract: A wind turbine comprising a support structure for supporting a rotatable, substantially vertical hub wherein at least one substantially horizontal support arm is connected to the hub. At least one wind trap is connected to each of the at least one support arm, and each of the at least one wind trap supports at least one petal that may move between an open position, wherein wind is not blocked by the at least one petal, and a closed position, wherein the at least one petal blocks the wind thereby causing the wind to move the at least one wind trap and rotate the hub.

Abstract: A wind turbine comprising a support structure for supporting a rotatable, substantially vertical hub wherein at least one substantially horizontal support arm is connected to the hub. At least one wind trap is connected to each of the at least one support arm, and each of the at least one wind trap supports at least one petal that may move between an open position, wherein wind is not blocked by the at least one petal, and a closed position, wherein the at least one petal blocks the wind thereby causing the wind to move the at least one wind trap and rotate the hub.

Abstract: A method of treating a preform consisting essentially FeNeB alloy particles to produce a magnet having superior magnetic properties, the steps:(a) removing O.sub.2 from the preform and applying an O.sub.2 resistant coating to the preform surface, or removing O.sub.2 and maintaining an O.sub.2 -free environment,(b) heating the coated preform to elevated temperature and in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, to facilitate subsequent bonding of the particles during their consolidation,(c) providing a consolidation zone containing a grain bed and transferring the heated and coated or uncoated preform to said zone to be embedded in the grain bed,(d) applying pressure to the grain bed sufficient to be transferred via the bed and to the heated preform, thereby to consolidate the preform.

Abstract: A method of treating a preform consisting essentially FeNeB alloy particles to produce a magnet having superior magnetic properties, the steps:(a) removing O.sub.2 from the preform and applying an O.sub.2 resistant coating to the preform surface, or removing O.sub.2 and maintaining an O.sub.2 -free environment,(b) heating the coated preform to elevated temperature and in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, to facilitate subsequent bonding of the particles during their consolidation,(c) providing a consolidation zone containing a grain bed and transferring the heated and coated or uncoated preform to said zone to be embedded in the grain bed,(d) applying pressure to the grain bed sufficient to be transferred via the bed and to the heated preform, thereby to consolidate the preform.

Abstract: A method of forming a deformable body to desired shape includes the steps(a) providing a bed of flowable particles within a contained zone,(b) relatively positioning said particles adjacent one side of said body,(c) and pressuring said bed to cause pressure transmission via said particles to said body, thereby to deform the body into desired shape.