Abstract: A dual-function system comprising a heat source and a Stirling engine movably secured to a motorized machine, where the Stirling engine is positionable to operate in a refrigeration mode and in a power generation mode. The Stirling engine is configured to transfer heat from an exhaust pipe of the motorized machine in the refrigeration mode, and to transfer heat from the heat source to generate electrical power in the power generation mode.

Abstract: A dual-function system comprising a heat source and a Stirling engine movably secured to a motorized machine, where the Stirling engine is positionable to operate in a refrigeration mode and in a power generation mode. The Stirling engine is configured to transfer heat from an exhaust pipe of the motorized machine in the refrigeration mode, and to transfer heat from the heat source to generate electrical power in the power generation mode.

Abstract: A heliostat includes a pedestal, a transmission system, a frame assembly, and a mirror assembly. The frame assembly generally includes a first frame set and a second frame set mounted to the transmission system which is mounted upon the pedestal. Each frame set includes a stackable inner frame assembly and a stackable outer frame assembly. Each stackable inner frame assembly is identical and each stackable outer frame assembly is identical such that a multiple of inner frames and a multiple of outer frames are readily stackable in a nested arrangement for storage and transport.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus for allowing pre-close-out access to the head of a Stirling machine and facilitating subsequent close-out welding of the head. The head is axially separable into removable and fixed portions, each portion having an end that engages the other. Each portion has an annular flange extending radially outwardly at its engaging end, and each flange has an annular groove. O-rings are seated in the grooves. A temporary sealing ring surrounds and engages the O-rings. Clamping rings, having axially facing end surfaces along their interfacing axial edges, seat against axially opposite sides of the abutting annular flanges. The clamping rings have a plurality of holes spaced annularly around the rings and the holes of one ring are axially aligned with the holes in the other. Fasteners pass through each pair of holes and draw the rings together when tightened, thereby drawing the fixed and removable portions of the head together and securing them against relative axial movement.

Abstract: A deployable electromagnetic concentrator comprises a facet stem hub assembly having at least one rotatable segment and a plurality of facets stems coupled thereto. At least one of the facet stems is coupled to at least one of the rotatable segments. The concentrator further comprises a plurality of facet stems, each being coupled to a different one of the rotatable segments for rotating the plurality of facets from a substantially overlapping configuration to a substantially non-overlapping configuration.

Abstract: A thruster device and associated methods are provided. The thruster device comprises a frustoconical inner layer and a frustoconical outer layer that surrounds the inner layer such that the inner and outer layers cooperate to define a spiral flow passage therebetween. An outlet, such as a nozzle, is attached to an exit end of the thruster device such that the outlet is in fluid communication with the spiral flow passage. In one embodiment, the thruster device includes an end flow cap that is also attached to the exit end and establishes the fluid communication between the spiral flow passage and the outlet. The end flow cap includes at least one channel for directing the propellant from the spiral flow passage to the outlet. The design of the thruster device allows the frustoconical inner and outer layers to be assembled without galling or damaging the spiral flow passage.

Abstract: A solar power collection system capable of operating with a positioning system that provides movement of the system about only a single axis of rotation. The solar power collection system includes a concentrator having at least one parabolic-trough-shaped mirror that focuses sun light reflected therefrom along a longitudinal focus line defined by a focus of the parabolic-trough shaped mirror. An absorber having a heat absorbing tube and a heat absorbing shoe is supported from the mirror such that the tube is positioned coaxially along the focus line to receive reflected sun light. The tube absorbs thermal from the sun light and conductively heats the shoe. The shoe supplies this thermal energy to an energy conversion engine. The engine, in one preferred form, is a Stirling engine that converts the thermal energy into electrical energy. A pointing system moves the concentrator about a single axis of rotation to track the sun across the horizon.

Abstract: A solar power collection system capable of operating with a positioning system that provides movement of the system about only a single axis of rotation. The solar power collection system includes a concentrator having at least one parabolic-trough-shaped mirror that focuses sun light reflected therefrom along a longitudinal focus line defined by a focus of the parabolic-trough shaped mirror. An absorber having a heat absorbing tube and a heat absorbing shoe is supported from the mirror such that the tube is positioned coaxially along the focus line to receive reflected sun light. The tube absorbs thermal from the sun light and conductively heats the shoe. The shoe supplies this thermal energy to an energy conversion engine. The engine, in one preferred form, is a Stirling engine that converts the thermal energy into electrical energy. A pointing system moves the concentrator about a single axis of rotation to track the sun across the horizon.

Abstract: A thruster device and associated methods are provided. The thruster device comprises a frustoconical inner layer and a frustoconical outer layer that surrounds the inner layer such that the inner and outer layers cooperate to define a spiral flow passage therebetween. An outlet, such as a nozzle, is attached to an exit end of the thruster device such that the outlet is in fluid communication with the spiral flow passage. In one embodiment, the thruster device includes an end flow cap that is also attached to the exit end and establishes the fluid communication between the spiral flow passage and the outlet. The end flow cap includes at least one channel for directing the propellant from the spiral flow passage to the outlet. The design of the thruster device allows the frustoconical inner and outer layers to be assembled without galling or damaging the spiral flow passage.

Abstract: A thruster device and associated methods are provided. The thruster device comprises a frustoconical inner layer and a frustoconical outer layer that surrounds the inner layer such that the inner and outer layers cooperate to define a spiral flow passage therebetween. An outlet, such as a nozzle, is attached to an exit end of the thruster device such that the outlet is in fluid communication with the spiral flow passage. In one embodiment, the thruster device includes an end flow cap that is also attached to the exit end and establishes the fluid communication between the spiral flow passage and the outlet. The end flow cap includes at least one channel for directing the propellant from the spiral flow passage to the outlet. The design of the thruster device allows the frustoconical inner and outer layers to be assembled without galling or damaging the spiral flow passage.

Abstract: A non-imaging solar concentrator having a primary concentrator and a turntable. The primary concentrator is mounted to the turntable such that it is rotatable about a turntable axis and a secondary axis that is orthogonal to the turntable axis. Rotation of the primary concentrator about the turntable and secondary axes permits the primary concentrator to be positioned anywhere within the visible sky, even when a solar offset angle of 90 degrees is not used.

Abstract: A thruster device and associated methods are provided. The thruster device comprises a frustoconical inner layer and a frustoconical outer layer that surrounds the inner layer such that the inner and outer layers cooperate to define a spiral flow passage therebetween. An outlet, such as a nozzle, is attached to an exit end of the thruster device such that the outlet is in fluid communication with the spiral flow passage. In one embodiment, the thruster device includes an end flow cap that is also attached to the exit end and establishes the fluid communication between the spiral flow passage and the outlet. The end flow cap includes at least one channel for directing the propellant from the spiral flow passage to the outlet. The design of the thruster device allows the frustoconical inner and outer layers to be assembled without galling or damaging the spiral flow passage.

Abstract: A thruster device and associated methods are provided. The thruster device comprises a frustoconical inner layer and a frustoconical outer layer that surrounds the inner layer such that the inner and outer layers cooperate to define a spiral flow passage therebetween. An outlet, such as a nozzle, is attached to an exit end of the thruster device such that the outlet is in fluid communication with the spiral flow passage. In one embodiment, the thruster device includes an end flow cap that is also attached to the exit end and establishes the fluid communication between the spiral flow passage and the outlet. The end flow cap includes at least one channel for directing the propellant from the spiral flow passage to the outlet. The design of the thruster device allows the frustoconical inner and outer layers to be assembled without galling or damaging the spiral flow passage.

Abstract: A display device for displaying selected portions of a plurality of sheet-like articles. The display device includes a base member mountable to a vertically-extending structure and retaining rails extending inwardly across the front surface of the base member from the elongate edges of the base member. The retaining rails define channels between the underside of the retaining rails and the front surface of the base member. The retaining rails are spaced from the front surface of the base member by a distance such that the retaining rails hold a plurality of articles in a selected display configuration independent of the orientation of the display device and such that the articles retained by the retaining rails are movable relative to the base member upon application of pressure to the portion of the articles exposed through the opening defined by the retaining rails to slide the articles along the channel.

Abstract: A modified locking-type wrench is combined with a disposable syringe and an injector barrel having a tapered tip to provide a mini-injector apparatus for injecting, under pressure, growth regulators and other solutions into the vascular systems of seedlings and branches of relatively small diameter woody plants.