Abstract: A DC power plant generating DC power from a variety of engines including a Stirling cycle engine. The DC power plant includes a relatively small start-up power source that is discontinued after the engine is running. A method for producing DC power for a load including starting up an engine using power supplied by a relatively small power supply supplemented by a capacitor bank, providing output from the engine to a generator, producing alternating current (AC) power by the generator, converting the AC power to direct current (DC) power, disabling output of the DC power during a first set of pre-selected conditions, limiting a rate of change of current of the DC power during a second set of pre-selected conditions, reducing conducted and radiated emissions of the DC power, disconnecting the DC power from the load under a third set of pre-selected conditions, and providing the DC power to the load.

Abstract: A Contoured Radius Continuously Variable Transmission (CRCVT) varies the torque and speed of an output component relative to the torque and speed of the input component by forming the contour of a belt-like component so that the belt-like component's radial distance from the input and/or output axis is gradually altered from being uniform throughout its length to being varied for different periods along its length.

Abstract: A rotary turbine including at least one blade is disclosed. The rotary turbine includes a blade arrangement in which the orientation of the at least one blade movably changes relative to the fluid flow and also changes relative to an orbital path taken by the rotary turbine thereby increasing flow area usage and minimizing friction. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure include a rotary turbine with blade orientations that are linearly coupled to the orbital orientation of the turbine. Other embodiments of the present disclosure include a rotary turbine with blade orientations that are non-linearly coupled to the orbital orientation of the turbine.

Abstract: By way of surface contact between a segmented race and a non-segmented race and using wedge-like locking forces to fix the eccentricity of the segmented race, a Surface Contact One Way Clutch (SC1C) actively drives a second race in a single direction and at a fixed speed relative to the first race unless the speed of the second race exceeds that of the first race in the single direction in which case the second race is free to “overrun” or passively exceed the speed of the first race.

Abstract: A Contoured Radius Continuously Variable Transmission (CRCVT) varies the torque and speed of an output component relative to the torque and speed of the input component by forming the contour of a belt-like component so that the belt-like component's radial distance from the input and/or output axis is gradually altered from being uniform throughout its length to being varied for different periods along its length.

Abstract: A Molecular Transformation Energy Conversion System (MTECS), converts thermal energy to work energy. Unlike Rankine cycle engines that typically use a liquid to gas state change to extract work from the system, the MTECS uses a liquid to solid and/or austenite to martensite state change to extract work. Operation of the system involves extracting work from a thermally reactive material that changes in crystalline structure over a relatively small temperature range (as compared to Rankine cycle systems). Input thermal energy is transferred into either or both the thermal transfer component (typically a gas/liquid refrigerant) and/or the molecular transformation component (typically either water/ice or a shape memory material) to power the system. Sources of input thermal energy and methods of their transference into the system may be numerous.

Abstract: A rotary turbine including at least one blade is disclosed. The rotary turbine includes a blade arrangement in which the orientation of the at least one blade movably changes relative to the fluid flow and also changes relative to an orbital path taken by the rotary turbine thereby increasing flow area usage and minimizing friction. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure include a rotary turbine with blade orientations that are linearly coupled to the orbital orientation of the turbine. Other embodiments of the present disclosure include a rotary turbine with blade orientations that are non-linearly coupled to the orbital orientation of the turbine.

Abstract: A puzzle and a method of solving thereof are disclosed. The puzzle includes a block defining an interior and an exterior, the block including at least three panels arranged perpendicularly to each other, wherein each panel defines a wall and wherein each panel defines at least one slot through each wall. A plurality of keys, each configured to be fully insertable through each slot on each wall from the exterior toward the interior when there are no other keys in the block are provided. The keys and the slots are configured such that, if each key is inserted into a correct slot and in a correct sequence with respect to the others keys, all of the plurality of keys can be fully inserted into the block, and, if at least one of the plurality of keys is inserted into an incorrect slot or in an incorrect sequence with respect to the other keys, at least one of the keys cannot be fully inserted into the block.