Abstract: Systems and methods for recovery of gaseous substances from molten salt electrolysis are generally described. Certain systems comprise a cell configured for molten salt electrolysis; a collector fluidically connected to the cell and configured to collect volatilized molten salt from the cell; and a gas scrubber fluidically connected to the collector and configured to at least partially remove a gas from an effluent stream of the cell. Some methods comprise, using a pressure gradient: transporting a gas comprising molten salt vapor from an electrolytic cell to and through a collector such that at least a portion of the molten salt vapor forms a solid within the collector; and transporting some or all of the gas from the collector through a gas scrubber.

Abstract: A partial stroke pump or motor includes a piston coupled to a rotating shaft to evacuate a fluid within a cylinder during an upstroke. A latching check valve includes an actuator piston that is displaceable within a center cavity to bypass a blocking member in a bypass state. The actuator piston is driven by a latch supply line. A spool of a rotary valve selectively couples one of the low and pilot pressure supplies to the latch supply line over different timing angle ranges of the rotating shaft. Coupling of the pilot pressure to the latch supply line causes the bypass state. When operating as a pump, the bypass state causes the pressure in the cylinder to fall below the high pressure during part of the upstroke. When operating as a motor, the bypass state allows the fluid to be evacuated from the cylinder during the upstroke.

Abstract: A fluidic control valve configured to control a flow of fluid through a conduit includes a piezostack actuator, a seal plate having a sealing face, an orifice plate including a plurality of orifices, and a suspension connected to the seal plate. The piezostack actuator is configured to displace the seal plate along a longitudinal axis of the conduit between a closed position, in which the sealing face engages the orifice plate, seals the orifices of the orifice plate and closes the valve, and an open position, in which the seal plate is displaced from the orifice plate to open the valve. The suspension is configured to flex and adjust an orientation of the sealing face relative to the orifice plate during movement of the seal plate from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: A fluidic control valve configured to control a flow of fluid through a conduit includes a piezostack actuator, a seal plate having a sealing face, an orifice plate including a plurality of orifices, and a suspension connected to the seal plate. The piezostack actuator is configured to displace the seal plate along a longitudinal axis of the conduit between a closed position, in which the sealing face engages the orifice plate, seals the orifices of the orifice plate and closes the valve, and an open position, in which the seal plate is displaced from the orifice plate to open the valve. The suspension is configured to flex and adjust an orientation of the sealing face relative to the orifice plate during movement of the seal plate from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: A method of controlling the temperature of autothermal microchannel reactors is disclosed. A hierarchical control structure employs a distributed temperature controller including a phase change material and a supervisory control system including the control of one or more inputs into the reactor. The phase change material acts as a fast, distributed controller, and the supervisory controller acts over a longer time horizon to mitigate persistent disturbances. A stochastic optimization method for selecting the phase change layer thickness is employed.

Abstract: Thermochemical reactor systems that may be used to produce a fuel, and methods of using the thermochemical reactor systems, utilizing a reactive cylindrical element, an optional energy transfer cylindrical element, an inlet gas management system, and an outlet gas management system.

Abstract: A method of controlling the temperature of autothermal microchannel reactors is disclosed. A hierarchical control structure employs a distributed temperature controller including a phase change material and a supervisory control system including the control of one or more inputs into the reactor. The phase change material acts as a fast, distributed controller, and the supervisory controller acts over a longer time horizon to mitigate persistent disturbances. A stochastic optimization method for selecting the phase change layer thickness is employed.

Abstract: Thermochemical reactor systems that may be used to produce a fuel, and methods of using the thermochemical reactor systems, utilizing a reactive cylindrical element, an optional energy transfer cylindrical element, an inlet gas management system, and an outlet gas management system.

Abstract: A modular storage system for a vehicle is disclosed. The modular storage system includes an adjustable frame having a plurality of first posts, a plurality of second posts, a first beam connecting one of the plurality of first posts to another of the plurality of first posts, and a second beam connecting one of the plurality of second posts to another of the plurality of second posts. The first posts and second posts are each secured to a curved member. The modular storage system is attached to a rail on an interior of a vehicle. Various off-the-shelf storage components can be used with the system.

Abstract: A modular storage system for a vehicle is disclosed. The modular storage system includes an adjustable frame having a plurality of first posts, a plurality of second posts, a first beam connecting one of the plurality of first posts to another of the plurality of first posts, and a second beam connecting one of the plurality of second posts to another of the plurality of second posts. The first posts and second posts are each secured to a curved member. The modular storage system is attached to a rail on an interior of a vehicle. Various off-the-shelf storage components can be used with the system.

Abstract: An interactive development toy for infants and children is provided comprising a flexible fabric envelope filled with a crumpled plastic film to provide a three-dimensional structure to the envelope. The envelope may include a fabric mesh through which the crumpled plastic film may by easily viewed when inserted. The shape of the envelope is immaterial, although in the preferred embodiment the envelope includes at least one edge element that may be easily grasped by an infant. Also in the preferred embodiment, the crumpled plastic film comprises a thin plastic film. Biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (boPET) polyester film has been found to be effective for this application due to its high tensile strength, iridescence, reflectivity, safety, springiness (memory), light weight, and crackling sound on handling. Many other plastic films also have these features, and perform comparably.

Abstract: A tape automated bonding tape segment carries on its top surface a printed circuit interconnect conductor high-density array having a plurality of signal, power and ground conductors. Burn-in testing pads are formed on either the top surface or the bottom surface of the tape segment, or both, and are connected to selected conductors. The testing pads are spaced apart and have a relatively low density to facilitate contact with test equipment, whereby a die connected to the printed circuit array can be tested.

Abstract: A puzzle toy is provided comprising a plurality of pieces which can be easily gripped and manipulated by a young child and which can be assembled and disassembled into various structural combinations. The puzzle comprises pieces of various sizes having an aperture therein for fitting around a post upstanding from the base. The pieces are so designed so as to allow them to be placed randomly on the post and by manipulating and jogging the pieces, the puzzle solver may order the pieces in size order about the post.

Abstract: An infant development toy comprising a plurality of rings of varying diameter connected to each other and to a central object by a flexible connecting means. Optionally, the connecting means may be extended outside the rings to form a primary handle and a bell may be contained within the central object or the primary handle. The rings and central object are of a size, and are spaced along the connecting means in such a manner that, when the toy is held aloft by and suspended from the point of connection of the largest ring and the connecting means, the rings are concentric and surround the central object.