Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for actively controlling the steam-to-carbon ratio in hydrogen-producing fuel processing systems that include a feedstock delivery system. The feedstock delivery system supplies a combined feedstock stream including steam and carbon-containing feedstock to a hydrogen-producing region, which produces a mixed gas stream including hydrogen gas as a majority component therefrom. The systems and methods may include measuring a thermodynamic property of a steam stream, a carbon-containing feedstock stream, and/or the combined feedstock stream and controlling the flow rate and/or pressure of a water stream, the steam stream, and/or the carbon-containing feedstock stream based on a desired steam-to-carbon ratio in the combined feedstock stream and/or a desired flow rate of the mixed gas stream and may include feedforward and/or feedback control strategies.

Abstract: The support and guidance structure includes a support (14) equipped with means of guidance (24) in translation in a raising direction (Z) for at least two masts (12), delimiting a respective housing (22) for each of these masts (12), and means of fixation (29) of the support to a structural part (15) of the underwater vehicle. Each housing (22) is open, on substantially all planes perpendicular to the raising direction (Z), in a second direction (Y) perpendicular to this raising direction (Z).

Abstract: This floating support for an offshore structure such as a wind generator in particular, of the type including an element in the form of a support mast (16), the upper part of winch is associated with the structure and the lower part of winch is associated with elements (18) in the form of float and with ballast-forming elements (17), is characterized in that the elements (18) in the form of a float have an overall shape winch widens out from the lower part of the element (16) in the form of a mast, allowing two stable positions of the support to be defined, one of the positions being a lying-down position and the other a position standing up on the elements in the form of a float.

Abstract: The module according to the invention includes means in the form of an elongated cylindrical box (12) in which means are integrated forming an electricity production unit including means forming a nuclear boiler (30), associated with electricity production means (37) connected to an external electricity distribution station by electrical cables, is wherein the nuclear boiler-forming means (30) are placed in a dry chamber (19) of the reactor compartment (18) associated with the chamber forming a safety water storage reservoir (20) of the reactor whereof at least the radial wall (53) is in a heat exchange relationship with the marine environment and in that the nuclear boiler-forming means (30) include a reactor container (32), placed in a reactor pit (90) whereof the lower portion is connected to the lower portion of the safety water storage reservoir chamber (20) of the reactor through means forming a water inlet duct (91) placed along the radial wall (53) of the module (12) and whereof the upper portion is c

Abstract: A harpoon head (6) for a system for anchoring an aircraft on a grating (4) is characterized in that a distal end of the harpoon head has an interchangeable insert (20).

Abstract: The module according to the invention includes means in the form of an elongated cylindrical box (12) in which means are integrated forming an electricity production unit including means forming a nuclear boiler (30), associated with electricity production means (37) connected to an external electricity distribution station (7) by electrical cables (6), is characterized in that the nuclear boiler-forming means (30) are placed in a dry chamber (19) of the reactor compartment (18) associated with the chamber forming a safety water storage reservoir (20) of the reactor whereof at least the radial wall (53) is in a heat exchange relationship with the marine environment and in that the dry chamber (19) of the reactor compartment is associated with a compartment (21) receiving electricity production means (37), and in that the latter includes means (100) for introducing quenching water of the dry chamber (19) receiving the reactor, placed in its lower portion and including a seawater inlet (101) formed in the radia

Abstract: The invention relates to an underwater electricity generation module provided with a base. The electricity generation module is of the type that comprises an elongate cylindrical casing (12) incorporating an electricity generation unit (25a, 25b) comprising a nuclear boiler (28, 29) associated with electricity generation means (30, 31) connected to an external electricity distribution post (7) by means of electric cables (6). The lower portion of the casing (12) is provided with a base (14) that rests on the bed of the water body and anchoring means (15) for anchoring the module (1) to the bed. The invention is characterised in that the base (14) is essentially in the form of a sledge which extends from one end of the casing (12) to the other and the ends (50, 51) of which are curved in the form of a spatula at each end of the casing (12), said base including zones for absorbing variations in the length of the casing (12), linked to the variation in the pressure applied thereto when submerged or surfaced.

Abstract: Thermal and hydration management systems and methods for fuel cell systems, including control of electrolytic membrane hydration levels. In some embodiments, the thermal properties of the fuel cell are controlled based on a variable associated with the oxidant supply stream and/or a variable associated with the fuel cell energy output. In some embodiments, the temperature of the fuel cell is controlled based on the temperature of the oxidant supply stream. In some embodiments, the temperature range across the fuel cell stack is controlled based on the flow rate of the oxidant stream and the electrical output generated by the fuel cell stack. In some embodiments, the humidity within the fuel cell stack is controlled. In some embodiments, the liquid water content of the cathode exhaust stream is controlled.

Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) assemblies with optimized startup times, as well as to hydrogen-generation assemblies and/or fuel cell systems containing the same, and methods of operating the same. Startup and shutdown methods for a PSA assembly, and optionally an associated fuel processing system, are disclosed to provide for shortened startup times. The PSA assemblies may be in fluid communication with a hydrogen source that may be used or otherwise configured or controlled to purge the PSA adsorbent columns of adsorbents during startup and/or shutdown procedures, the hydrogen source additionally or alternatively may be used or otherwise configured or controlled to charge the columns with hydrogen for idling in a pressurized state. The use of this hydrogen source, together with specific startup and shutdown methodologies, provides for reducing the startup time of the PSA assembly.

Abstract: An anchoring harpoon (1) intended in particular for an aircraft, capable of cooperating with an anchoring grate (2) of a platform, includes a jack member (3) including a cylinder element (4) containing a mobile piston element (5) provided with a rod (6) that extends beyond the cylinder element, the free end of which includes a harpoon head (7) that is hooked in the grate and includes retaining fingers (8, 13, 14) that can be moved between a retracted position and an active position by control elements (9). The jack member is connected to a pressurized fluid source (30) by the control elements (31) and the pressurized fluid source includes a consumable gas cartridge (30).

Abstract: A system for inspecting the hull of a vessel includes a movable machine which moves on the hull and a positioning element to determine an instantaneous position of the machine in a reference point. The positioning element includes: —first and second coaxial encoding wheels separated from each other by an inter-wheel spacing and in contact with the hull, and are capable of measuring first and second linear movements of the machine; —first and second inclinometers arranged so as to measure inclinations, relative to a reference direction, of a first axis and a second axis of a frame of reference linked to the machine; and, —a processing element, which receives data measured in order to calculate a variation of the position of the machine in the frame of reference, and in order to integrate the successive position variations in order to obtain the instantaneous position of the machine.

Abstract: Disclosed is an underwater craft having an electrochemical battery activated by an electrolyte, including: an electrochemical cell; a tank (13) intended to contain the electrolyte; a seawater flow rate regulator (37) arranged upstream of the tank (13). The flow rate regulator includes: a fixed housing (60) including first ports (64); a slide (62) including second ports (66); the slide (62) being movable, in relation to the fixed housing (60), under the effect of the pressure of the seawater entering the regulator (37), to a balanced position in which the first and second ports (64, 66) define outlet openings (70) for seawater to flow to the tank (13), the slide (62) being movable between a maximum opening position, in which the area of the openings is at a maximum, and a maximum restriction position, in which the area of the openings (70) is at a minimum.

Abstract: This device comprises a spray assembly (40) for spraying fluid into the chamber, and a fluid feed pipe (42) intended to feed fluid to the spray assembly (40). It comprises a fluid-distributing intermediate receptacle (46) positioned between the feed pipe (42) and the spray assembly (40), the intermediate receptacle (46) being connected upstream to the feed pipe (42) and comprising a fluid-evacuating sidewall (52) delimiting through orifices (60) connected to the spray assembly (40). It comprises at least one pipe (44A to 44D) for evacuating fluid towards the chamber (19) and projecting into the intermediate receptacle (46) opposite the sidewall (52).

Abstract: The underwater electricity production module according to the invention includes means in the form of an elongated cylindrical box (12) in which means are integrated forming an electricity production unit including means forming a nuclear boiler (30), associated with electricity production means (37) connected to an external electricity distribution station (7) by electrical cables (6), is characterized in that the nuclear boiler-forming means (30) include a secondary circuit (36) associated with the electricity production means (37) and a secondary backup circuit (60) in parallel on that secondary circuit and including at least one secondary passive heat exchanger (61) placed outside the underwater module (12) in the marine environment.

Abstract: The support and guidance structure includes a support (14) equipped with means of guidance (16) of the mast (12) in a raising direction (Z), including a wall (32) extending in this direction (Z), and delimiting a housing (33) for the mast (12). The guidance means (16) include two guide rails (18), borne by the support (14), and two additional guidance elements (20), borne by the mast (12), each operating in tandem with a respective rail (18). Each rail (18) forms stops (18A) immobilising the related guidance element (20) in a second direction (Y) perpendicular to the raising direction (Z) and the wall (32). The guidance means (16) include another guide rail (18), borne by the support (14), and another additional guidance element (20), borne by the mast (12), and operating in tandem with the other rail (18). The other rail (18) forms stops (18A) immobilising the other guidance element (20) in a third direction (X) perpendicular to the raising direction (Z) and the second direction (Y).

Abstract: A system for optimizing the purge cycle of a fuel cell stack responsive to the performance of the fuel cell. The system includes a controller that measures a process parameter indicative of the rate at which water is being produced in the fuel cell. If the measured value exceeds a threshold value, then the purge assembly is automatically actuated.

Abstract: An anchoring harpoon intended in particular for an aircraft, capable of cooperating with an anchoring grate of a platform, includes jack elements including a cylinder element containing mobile piston elements provided with a rod that extends beyond the cylinder element, the free end of which includes a harpoon head (7) that is hooked in the grate and includes retaining fingers (8, 13, 14) that can be moved between a retracted position and an active position by control elements (9). The control element (9) for controlling the movements of the fingers include a control piston (18) which can slide inside the rod of the jack and which is associated with a bistable actuator (19) of the fingers, capable of moving between a retracted position and an active position in which the fingers are deployed with the application of successive pressure pulses in the jack elements.

Abstract: This underwater vehicle includes an electrolyte-activated electrochemical fuel cell to supply it with electrical power, which fuel cell includes: an electrochemical power production cell (3), a reservoir (4) to contain the electrolyte. means of circulation (7) of the electrolyte between the electrochemical cell (3) and the reservoir (4), comprising a semi-axial flow pump arranged axially in the reservoir and comprising a motorised wheel rotatably mounted in a diffuser, characterised in that the diffuser has the general shape of a dome to direct the flow of the electrolyte coming out of the pump in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the pump, and thus of the reservoir.

Abstract: The invention relates to a float for an offshore structure such as in particular a wind turbine, characterised in that it comprises means in the form of a support beam (1) the exterior surface of which comprises means (2) of attachment for individual buoyancy tanks (3).

Abstract: The submersible according to the invention comprising an electrochemical battery activated by an electrolyte, designed to produce the electrical power for powering said submersible, the electrochemical battery comprising: an electrochemical cell (3) for producing electrical power, a tank (4) for containing the electrolyte, means (7) for reducing the flow of the electrolyte between the electrochemical cell (3) and the tank (4), said flow-inducing means including an axial flow pump axially arranged in the tank and including a motor-driven wheel rotatably mounted in a diffuser, is characterized in that the wheel of the pump is not asymmetric.