Abstract: An atmospheric water harvesting system includes a water-harvesting unit with an air mover and a heat exchanger. The water-harvesting unit may also include one or more screens on which water can condense. The water-harvesting unit is supplied by a coolant pathway, in which a non-cryogenic fluid coolant flows. A cryogenic cell is in the coolant pathway. The cryogenic cell receives the fluid coolant and removes heat from it by causing or allowing a controlled heat transfer between the fluid coolant and a first cryogen sealed within an inner vessel in the cryogenic cell. The coolant may be a liquid at operating temperatures, and the cryogenic cell may cool it to an appropriate temperature without a phase change, essentially acting as a “cold battery” to remove heat from the coolant.

Abstract: Contaminants are removed from a raw natural gas stream and other types of mixed-gas streams by a separation system. The system is based on using a series of cryogenic cells, devices that can impose essentially any desired temperature and pressure conditions on a volume of incoming gas, down to cryogenic temperatures and up to multiple atmospheres of pressure. Used in succession at specific setpoints of temperature and pressure, the cryogenic cells cause gaseous contaminants in the raw gas stream to condense into liquid form, at which point, they can be separated from the stream. Flowmeters and component detectors, like mass spectrometers, are used to detect the state of the gas stream at various points in the system. The system may be divided into stages, each stage having cryogenic cells operating at different setpoints of temperature and pressure, in order to cause different contaminants to liquefy for separation.

Abstract: A liquid nitrogen-based cooling system features a cooling circuit and a liquid nitrogen-based heat sink. Heat absorbed by fluid flowing in the cooling circuit is subsequently absorbed by liquid nitrogen within the heat sink, which causes the liquid nitrogen to vaporize. The vaporized nitrogen is condensed back to liquid form, e.g., by means of a helium-based cryo-refrigeration system. The heat-sink includes at least a first vessel that contains the liquid nitrogen, with the cooling circuit including a series of coils passing around the first vessel in heat-exchanging contact with an exterior surface thereof so that heat can be transferred into the liquid nitrogen. The first vessel and coils may be contained within a second, outer vessel that minimizes heat transfer from the ambient environment to the fluid flowing in the cooling circuit and the liquid nitrogen within the first vessel.

Abstract: A mast climber, including a mast and a platform, is disclosed. The mast is comprised of at least two segments, including a bottom segment and one or more body segments. Each segment has a sidewall that is made of sheet metal, and most segments may be made of a lightweight metal, such as a aluminum. Each segment has at least one gear rail assembly, and may have two gear rails, disposed on opposite corners of the mast. A platform is adapted to be connected to the mast. The platform is equipped with a drive system that moves the platform up and down the mast. The drive system includes one or more electric motors on the platform and batteries to power the electric motors. Each motor has a gear that engages one of the gear rails. A backup power supply or generator may be provided.

Abstract: A high-speed projectile barrier is disclosed. The barrier includes a core structure and a layer or layers of insulation around the core, surrounded by outer skins. The core is made from liquid material that flows at room temperature and that solidifies at cryogenic temperatures, and filler material. The filler may be, e.g., cellulose, carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, or other high-strength polymeric fibers. Other contemplated filler materials include natural or artificial, layered silicate minerals. A viscosity-enhancing additive may be included. A heat transfer element runs through or around the core and is used to freeze (i.e., solidify) the core. The layers of insulation may be vacuum layers and/or layers of foam rubber, aerogel, glass fiber insulation, or other suitable materials.

Abstract: A liquid nitrogen-based cooling system features a cooling circuit and a liquid nitrogen-based heat sink. Heat absorbed by fluid flowing in the cooling circuit is subsequently absorbed by liquid nitrogen within the heat sink, which causes the liquid nitrogen to vaporize. The vaporized nitrogen is condensed back to liquid form, e.g., by means of a helium-based cryo-refrigeration system. The heat-sink includes at least a first vessel that contains the liquid nitrogen, with the cooling circuit including a series of coils passing around the first vessel in heat-exchanging contact with an exterior surface thereof so that heat can be transferred into the liquid nitrogen. The first vessel and coils may be contained within a second, outer vessel that minimizes heat transfer from the ambient environment to the fluid flowing in the cooling circuit and the liquid nitrogen within the first vessel.