Abstract: A sump pump system may detect and utilize motion or acceleration of water in sump basins when implementing control of sump pumps. To detect the motion or acceleration, the sump pump system may utilize a sensor that is configured to detect motion or acceleration, such as an accelerometer or gyroscope. The sump pump system may identify a water level in a sump basin based on the detected motion or acceleration, which may be compared to a reading or expected signal from the sump pump system's “typical” sensor (e.g., float switch) that is used to detect one or more water levels. In this manner, the sump pump system may detect a malfunctioning level sensor that is used by the pump to detect high-water and low-water marks at which the sump pump activates and deactivates, respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of forming a multi-layered metallic part. The method comprises stacking at least two metallic layers, each made of a metallic material having a ductility, to form a multi-layered metallic assembly. The method also comprises interposing a diffusion-bond preventing element directly between adjacent ones of the at least two metallic layers of the multi-layered metallic assembly. The method further comprises diffusion bonding the at least two metallic layers to each other at locations other than a location contiguous with the diffusion-bond preventing element to produce a multi-layered metallic part having a non-bonded region between the at least two metallic layers at the location of the diffusion-bond preventing element.

Abstract: Methods of embedding an elongate susceptor within a thermoplastic body and systems that perform the methods are disclosed herein. The methods include extending the elongate susceptor such that an extended portion of the elongate susceptor extends between a guide structure and a body-contacting structure. The methods also include heating a segment of the elongate susceptor to produce a heated portion of the elongate susceptor. The methods further include pressing a leading region of the heated portion of the elongate susceptor through a body surface of the thermoplastic body and into the thermoplastic body. The methods also include operatively translating at least one of the guide structure, the body-contacting structure, and an application tool that includes the guide structure and the body-contacting structure along an embedment pathway for the elongate susceptor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first electrode exhibiting a first Seebeck coefficient, a second electrode exhibiting a second Seebeck coefficient greater than the first Seebeck coefficient, and particles between the first and second electrodes exhibiting a third Seebeck coefficient between the first and second Seebeck coefficients. An alternating current power supply is electrically connected to the first and second electrodes. Heat is generated due to the Peltier effect at a junction between the first electrode and the particles and at a junction between the second electrode and the particles. Heat is removed due to the Peltier effect at the junction between the first electrode and the particles and at the junction between the second electrode and the particles. The particles are densified due to heating and cooling phase transitions between a higher-temperature solid phase and a lower-temperature solid phase while compressing the particles.

Abstract: A system for acoustically detecting dielectric breakdown of, or partial discharge within, or on, an electrical device includes at least one electroacoustic (EA) transducer configured to detect an acoustic vibration of the electrical device, and a controller electrically connected to the at least one EA transducer. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the at least one EA transducer, and analyze the signal to determine whether the signal includes data associated with an acoustic vibration in a frequency range of dielectric breakdown and/or partial discharge of the electrical device. The applicability of such a system includes, but is not limited to, electronic parts or assembly screening, life characterization testing for materials and processes, diagnostic methods or aides, augmenting testing of components, assemblies or systems, and in service monitoring to support preventative or condition based maintenance to avert an in-service issues.

Abstract: An induction-heating system includes a susceptor located proximate to a flight surface of an aircraft. The susceptor comprises an array of wires arranged along a first axis. The array of wires is constructed of a ferromagnetic material having a selected Curie temperature. The induction-heating system also includes an electrically conductive coil including a plurality of coil windings oriented substantially perpendicular with respect to the first axis of the array of wires. The electrically conductive coil is configured to generate a magnetic field oriented substantially parallel with respect to the first axis of the array of wires. The electrically conductive coil is positioned to induce induction heating within the ferromagnetic material of the susceptor when the susceptor is below the selected Curie temperature.

Abstract: An induction welding coil includes a spine having a planar body with opposing ends, and a pair of prongs extending perpendicularly from the opposing ends of the spine. Each of the prongs has a planar body, wherein the spine and the pair of prongs are formed from a ferrite material to define a ferrite core. The induction welding coil further includes a coil wire having a plurality of winding that surround the planar body of the spine.

Abstract: A smart susceptor assembly, including a smart susceptor, and a cladding disposed on at least a portion of the smart susceptor, wherein the cladding includes an electrically conductive material.

Abstract: A system for generating an energy beam based laser includes an apparatus for receiving an energy beam and for generating an energy beam based laser. The apparatus is configurable or controllable for tuning an output wavelength of the laser generated by the apparatus using the energy beam. The apparatus includes a first component for producing a first magnetic field oriented in a first direction and a second component for producing a second magnetic field oriented in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction. A channel through the apparatus is defined by the first component and the second component through which the energy beam passes to generate the laser at an output of the apparatus. The apparatus is configurable or controllable for modifying at least one of the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field for tuning the output wavelength of the laser.

Abstract: Methods of embedding an elongate susceptor within a thermoplastic body and systems that perform the methods are disclosed herein. The methods include extending the elongate susceptor such that an extended portion of the elongate susceptor extends between a guide structure and a body-contacting structure. The methods also include heating a segment of the elongate susceptor to produce a heated portion of the elongate susceptor. The methods further include pressing a leading region of the heated portion of the elongate susceptor through a body surface of the thermoplastic body and into the thermoplastic body. The methods also include operatively translating at least one of the guide structure, the body-contacting structure, and an application tool that includes the guide structure and the body-contacting structure along an embedment pathway for the elongate susceptor.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are described for a flywheel system incorporating a rotor made from a high-strength material in an open-core flywheel architecture with a high-temperature superconductive (HTS) bearing technology to achieve the desired high energy density in the flywheel energy storage devices, to obtain superior results and performance, and that eliminates the material growth-matching problem and obviates radial growth and bending mode issues that otherwise occur at various high frequencies and speeds.

Abstract: An energy storage device includes multiple bulk superconductor rings and at least one superconductor wire coil between the multiple bulk superconductor rings. The multiple bulk superconductor rings and the at least one superconductor wire coil are interconnected to define a closed geometric shape.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a system for operation in a generator mode comprises a cryocooler to cool a superconducting coil. The system further comprises a flux pump to provide flux to the superconducting coil. Also, the system comprises a shaft of a prime mover to receive torque to rotate a rotor. In addition, the system comprises the superconducting coil to electrically interact with a main stator coil through a rotating magnetic field. Further, the system comprises a control stator coil to receive a current from a controller and to electrically interact with a non-superconducting coil. In one or more embodiments, a magnitude, phase, and/or frequency of rotating magnetic fields of the superconducting coil and the non-superconducting coil is varied in comparison to a magnitude, phase, and/or frequency of the magnetic field produced by the superconducting coil alone to control a magnitude, phase, and/or frequency of an output voltage.

Abstract: A system for operation in a motor mode comprises a cryocooler to cool a superconducting coil of a rotor. The system further comprises a flux pump to provide flux to the superconducting coil to produce-a persistent current. Also, the system comprises a main stator coil. An alternating current within the main stator coil generates a rotating magnetic field, which interacts with the persistent current to generate an electromagnetic torque to rotate the rotor. The system also comprises a control stator coil to generate a current at a non-superconducting coil of the rotor. In one or more embodiments, a magnitude, phase, and/or frequency of the rotating magnetic field of the main stator coil and a magnetic field of the non-superconducting coil is varied in comparison a magnitude, phase, and/or frequency of the rotating magnetic field produced by the main stator coil alone to control a speed of the rotor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of forming a multi-layered metallic part. The method comprises stacking at least two metallic layers, each made of a metallic material having a ductility, to form a multi-layered metallic assembly. The method also comprises interposing a diffusion-bond preventing element directly between adjacent ones of the at least two metallic layers of the multi-layered metallic assembly. The method further comprises diffusion bonding the at least two metallic layers to each other at locations other than a location contiguous with the diffusion-bond preventing element to produce a multi-layered metallic part having a non-bonded region between the at least two metallic layers at the location of the diffusion-bond preventing element.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a chamber and a bulk superconductor disposed within the chamber. The apparatus also includes a heating element coupled to the bulk superconductor.

Abstract: A smart susceptor assembly including an electromagnetic flux source such as one or more inductors, a geometrically complex-shaped susceptor having one or more contours, and a cladding on or over the susceptor. The cladding can alter both the thermal performance and the electrical operation of the smart susceptor assembly. With regard to thermal performance, the cladding can function as a passive heat exchanger to dissipate thermal energy across the surface of the susceptor. With regard to electrical operation, the cladding can provide a current path after portions of the susceptor heat and become low or non-magnetic.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a system for operation in a generator mode comprises a cryocooler to cool a superconducting coil. The system further comprises a flux pump to provide flux to the superconducting coil. Also, the system comprises a shaft of a prime mover to receive torque to rotate a rotor. In addition, the system comprises the superconducting coil to electrically interact with a main stator coil through a rotating magnetic field. Further, the system comprises a control stator coil to receive a current from a controller and to electrically interact with a non-superconducting coil. In one or more embodiments, a magnitude, phase, and/or frequency of rotating magnetic fields of the superconducting coil and the non-superconducting coil is varied in comparison to a magnitude, phase, and/or frequency of the magnetic field produced by the superconducting coil alone to control a magnitude, phase, and/or frequency of an output voltage.

Abstract: A system for operation in a motor mode comprises a cryocooler to cool a superconducting coil of a rotor. The system further comprises a flux pump to provide flux to the superconducting coil to produce-a persistent current. Also, the system comprises a main stator coil. An alternating current within the main stator coil generates a rotating magnetic field, which interacts with the persistent current to generate an electromagnetic torque to rotate the rotor. The system also comprises a control stator coil to generate a current at a non-superconducting coil of the rotor. In one or more embodiments, a magnitude, phase, and/or frequency of the rotating magnetic field of the main stator coil and a magnetic field of the non-superconducting coil is varied in comparison a magnitude, phase, and/or frequency of the rotating magnetic field produced by the main stator coil alone to control a speed of the rotor.

Abstract: A system for acoustically detecting dielectric breakdown of, or partial discharge within, or on, an electrical device includes at least one electroacoustic (EA) transducer configured to detect an acoustic vibration of the electrical device, and a controller electrically connected to the at least one EA transducer. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the at least one EA transducer, and analyze the signal to determine whether the signal includes data associated with an acoustic vibration in a frequency range of dielectric breakdown and/or partial discharge of the electrical device. The applicability of such a system includes, but is not limited to, electronic parts or assembly screening, life characterization testing for materials and processes, diagnostic methods or aides, augmenting testing of components, assemblies or systems, and in service monitoring to support preventative or condition based maintenance to avert an in-service issues.