Abstract: Magnetic fiber structures include a fiber and a plurality of permanent magnet particles carried by the fiber.

Abstract: Methods and systems for protecting a duct joint are provided. An assembly for protecting a joint formed between a first duct and an adjacent second duct includes a first coupling element coupled about the first duct and a second coupling element coupled about the second duct. The assembly also includes a plurality of axial straps coupled between the first coupling element and the second coupling element such that each axial strap of the plurality of straps forms a loop that encircles a portion of each of the first coupling element and the second coupling element.

Abstract: Magnetic fiber structures include a fiber and a plurality of permanent magnet particles carried by the fiber.

Abstract: Motion-damping systems and methods that include motion-damping systems are disclosed herein. The motion-damping systems are configured to damp relative motion between a base structure and an attached component that define a gap therebetween. The systems include an at least substantially rigid tubular structure that defines an internal volume and extends within the gap. The systems also include a magnetic assembly and a magnetically active body. One of the magnetic assembly and the magnetically active body is located within the tubular structure and the other of the magnetic assembly and the magnetically active body is operatively attached to a selected one of the base structure and the attached component. The magnetic assembly is in magnetic communication with the magnetically active body such that a magnetic interaction therebetween resists motion of the attached component relative to the base structure. The methods include dissipating energy with the motion-damping system.

Abstract: A system and method for operating an ice detection and deicing system are provided herein. The ice detection and deicing system may use changing magnetic properties of various components caused by temperature changes to detect conditions conducive to, or indicating, ice formation. The ice detection and deicing system may further use eddy currents induced in one or more layers of the system to increase the temperature of the one or more layers to reduce the amount of ice formation or reduce the probability of ice being formed.

Abstract: Motion-damping systems and methods that include motion-damping systems are disclosed herein. The motion-damping systems include a flexible body that is configured to extend within a gap that is defined between a base structure and an attached component. The motion-damping systems further include a magnetic assembly and a ferromagnetic body. One of the magnetic assembly and the ferromagnetic body is located within the flexible body and the other of the magnetic assembly and the ferromagnetic body is operatively affixed to a selected one of the base structure and the attached component. The magnetic assembly and the ferromagnetic body are oriented such that a magnetic force therebetween retains the flexible body in physical contact with the selected one of the base structure and the attached component. The methods include methods of installing and/or operating the motion-dampening systems.

Abstract: A composite tube is made by applying a mixture of individual reinforcing fibers and a resin onto the interior cylindrical wall of the spinning mandrel.

Abstract: A composite tube is made by applying a mixture of individual reinforcing fibers and a resin onto the interior cylindrical wall of the spinning mandrel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for incorporating a plurality of independently rotating rotors made from high-strength materials with a high-temperature superconductive (HTS) bearing technology into an open-core flywheel architecture to achieve a desired high energy density in the flywheel energy storage devices and to obtain superior results and performance.

Abstract: A process for mechanically strengthening a permanent magnet includes providing nanofibers or nanotubes, providing a ferromagnetic metal, defining a mixture by mixing the ferromagnetic metal with the nanofibers or nanotubes and sintering the mixture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electromagnetic acoustic transducer. An apparatus comprises a conductive material and a current inducer. The conductive material is configured to generate a magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field has magnetic flux lines that are substantially fixed and the conductive material has a temperature that is equal to or less than a critical temperature at which the conductive material has substantially zero electrical resistance. The current inducer is configured to cause an electric current to flow in a test object that interacts with the magnetic field, wherein the electric current has a frequency that generates an acoustic wave in the test object.

Abstract: Apparatuses are disclosed and directed to a substantially cylindrical containment layer, and methods for containment, for a flywheel apparatus comprising a plurality of predictably deformable brackets oriented to contain an impact. The brackets each have a plurality of layers and a surface for absorbing an impact, with the surface providing a glancing angle in the direction of an impact of from about 0.1° to about 5°.

Abstract: Device and methods associated with underwater pumped-hydro energy storage are disclosed. An underwater pumped-hydro energy storage device includes a submersible tank that includes an inlet and an outlet. A pump is disposed at the outlet of the submersible tank to evacuate water from the submersible tank in a surrounding body of water. A valve is disposed at the inlet of the at least one submersible tank to control a flow of the water into the submersible tank from the surrounding body of water. Moreover, a turbine power unit is to generate output electrical power from the flow water into the submersible tank.

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: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for incorporating a plurality of independently rotating rotors made from high-strength materials with a high-temperature superconductive (HTS) bearing technology into an open-core flywheel architecture to achieve a desired high energy density in the flywheel energy storage devices and to obtain superior results and performance.

Abstract: Apparatuses are disclosed and directed to a substantially cylindrical containment layer, and methods for containment, for a flywheel apparatus comprising a plurality of predictably deformable brackets oriented to contain an impact. The brackets each have a plurality of layers and a surface for absorbing an impact, with the surface providing a glancing angle in the direction of an impact of from about 0.1° to about 5°.

Abstract: Device and methods associated with underwater pumped-hydro energy storage are disclosed. An underwater pumped-hydro energy storage device includes a submersible tank that includes an inlet and an outlet. A pump is disposed at the outlet of the submersible tank to evacuate water from the submersible tank in a surrounding body of water. A valve is disposed at the inlet of the at least one submersible tank to control a flow of the water into the submersible tank from the surrounding body of water. Moreover, a turbine power unit is to generate output electrical power from the flow water into the submersible tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electromagnetic acoustic transducer. An apparatus comprises a conductive material and a current inducer. The conductive material is configured to generate a magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field has magnetic flux lines that are substantially fixed and the conductive material has a temperature that is equal to or less than a critical temperature at which the conductive material has substantially zero electrical resistance. The current inducer is configured to cause an electric current to flow in a test object that interacts with the magnetic field, wherein the electric current has a frequency that generates an acoustic wave in the test object.

Abstract: A ferromagnetic latching support system for positioning a surface is disclosed. The latching support system includes a mechanical support and a ferromagnetic device.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method for making a glass preform with nanofiber reinforcement. The apparatus comprises a container for melting one or more glass components in a mixture comprising the glass components and one or more nanofibers. The container has an opening that allows escape of any gas released from the glass components when the glass components are melted in the container. The apparatus further comprises one or more heating elements for heating the container. The apparatus further comprises one or more electric field devices, positioned exterior to the glass components, that create an electric field in a volume of the mixture in order to orient the nanofibers within the glass components when the glass components are melted in the container.