Abstract: A wind turbine with an array of rotors arranged at various heights. Each rotor is optimized for the height at which it is located. Optimization of each rotor could include selection of rated power, solidity, tip speed, blade twist, blade taper, or rotor diameter. Each rotor can also be operated in a manner that is optimized for the wind speed it experiences. Optimized operation parameters could include blade pitch angle or rotor speed.

Abstract: A direct fired absorption chiller is combined with a microturbine engine that operates to power another medium includes a by-pass valve interconnecting the discharge end of the recuperator and the discharge end of the turbine so as to maintain a constant heat delivered to the chiller. A temperature monitoring sensor actuates the by-pass valve to assure that the proper heat is maintained in the chiller. In the preferred embodiment the microturbine powers an electrical generating system.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell capable of operating in pressure differentials exceeding about 2,000 psi, using a porous electrode. The porous electrode comprises a catalyst adsorbed on or in a porous support that is disposed in intimate contact and fluid communication with the electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vessel or pipeline closure. A closure 10 includes a hub 12 fixedly and sealingly secured to the vessel, and a cap 30 for threaded engagement with the hub 12. An anchor 22 may be fixedly secured to the hub and a tightening pulling stop 32 and a loosening pulling stop 132 each may be fixedly secured to the cap 30. A connector body 26 may be engaged with the anchor 22, and has a through bore 27 to accommodate a threaded rod 44. A flexible, elongate member 46 may be engaged at one end to the threaded rod 44, and selectively engaged with one of the pulling stops 32 or 132. A threaded collar 28 advances the threaded rod 44 axially, thereby rotating the cap 30 relative to the hub 12.

Abstract: An energy distribution network is provided including an energy source; a hydrogen production facility connected to the energy source; a recipient for hydrogen from the hydrogen production facility; and a controller. The controller controls the production of hydrogen by the hydrogen production facility based on inputs including energy resource availability.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring the levels of combustible gas in a gas stream. The system includes means for controlling the relative humidity of the the gas stream to maintain a humidity level in the performance range of combustible gas sensors. A number techniques are illustrated for achieving the humidity control, including, secondary phase separations, mixing the gas with dry air and adjusting of the gas stream temperature.

Abstract: The invention recites a microturbine system comprising a housing and a turbine including a rotary element having a shaft supported by the housing and rotatable about a rotary axis. A starter wheel is coupled to the shaft and rotatable in response to a stream of high-pressure fluid flowing from a high-pressure flow path. A pump is operable to provide a supply of lubricating fluid. The engine further includes a starter valve receiving the supply of lubricating fluid and being selectively operable to provide one of the stream of high-pressure fluid to the high-pressure flow path and a stream of low-pressure fluid to a low-pressure flow path.

Abstract: Air tubes are circumferentially spaced around the outer liner of an annular combustor for a microturbine engine in proximity to and downstream of a dam extending into the combustion chamber for reducing the emission of NOX. The air tubes are dimensioned so that the length to passage diameter is such that a swirling motion of the air injected into the combustion zone is normal to the center line of the annular combustor.

Abstract: A modular power supply. A plurality of power supply modules and a system control circuit for controlling the power supply modules are provided. Each power supply module has a power circuit coupled to a power input of the module for receiving an input power current and produces an output power current at a power output of the module. The power circuits each include at least one switching element for switching the input power current or the output power current of a module. The power circuits further include a control circuit input that is coupled directly to the respective said switching device. The system control circuit includes a control circuit output bus for connecting to the control circuit inputs of each of the power modules and provides a respective signal to each module for directly controlling the respective switching devices.

Abstract: A level sensing system includes a flow control device disposed in fluid communication with a liquid outlet stream of a hydrogen/water phase separation apparatus and a controller disposed in operable communication with the flow control device. The controller is configured to receive and quantify input data corresponding to a measure of the rate of generation of hydrogen gas from a proton exchange membrane electrolysis cell. A method of maintaining a liquid level in the hydrogen/water phase separation apparatus includes deriving the rate of generation of hydrogen gas from the electrolysis cell, transmitting a value corresponding to the rate of generation to the flow control device, and adjusting the flow rate of the liquid exiting the hydrogen/water phase separation apparatus correspondingly with the rate of generation of hydrogen gas.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, both devices and systems, for control of Zeldovich (thermal) NOx production in catalytic combustion systems during combustion of liquid or gaseous fuels in the post catalytic sections of gas turbines by reducing combustion residence time in the HC zone through control of the HC Wave, principally by adjusting the catalyst inlet temperature. As the fuel/air mixture inlet temperature (to the catalyst) is reduced, the HC Wave moves downstream (longer ignition delay time), shortens the residence time at high temperature, thereby reducing thermal NOx production. The countervailing increase in CO production by longer ignition delay times can be limited by selectively locating the HC Wave so that thermal NOx is reduced while power output and low CO production is maintained. NOx is reduced to on the order of <3 ppm, and preferably <2 ppm, while CO is maintained <100 ppm, typically <50 ppm, and preferably <5-10 ppm.

Abstract: A recuperator support includes a first pivot mount that defines a first pivot axis and a floating pivot mount that defines a floating pivot axis. The recuperator is coupled to the pivot mounts and pivotal about the pivot axes. The floating pivot mount accommodates thermal growth of the recuperator. The first pivot mount may be mounted to a frame such that the first pivot axis is fixed with respect to the frame.

Abstract: A gas/liquid phase separator for an electrolysis cell includes a vessel and a float in operable communication with each other. The vessel includes a fluid inlet and first and second fluid outlets. A fluid stream comprising gas and liquid is received in the vessel through the fluid inlet, and at least a portion of the gas exits the vessel through the second fluid outlet. The float is configured to interface with the first fluid outlet and either maintain or prevent fluid communication across the first fluid outlet when the float is in at least partial contact with the first fluid outlet.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell arrangement using a bipolar plate is disclosed, wherein the bipolar plates are formed from single or multiple sheets of metal foil, preferably titanium, embossed with the fluid fields. The bipolar plate, which forms the oxygen, hydrogen, and coolant passages and acts as a separator between adjacent cells of a cell stack, is lightweight, small compared to conventional bipolar plates, ductile, inexpensive, and easy to produce.

Abstract: A turbine engine system includes a turbine engine that burns fuel and generates heat exhaust. A thermoelectric generator is located downstream from the turbine engine. The thermoelectric generator has a first side facing the heat exhaust. A cooling module is coupled to a second side of the thermoelectric generator to provide cooling to the second side. A pump is provided to pump a cooling fluid through the cooling module.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating electricity for use with liquid hydrogen storage facility. The system includes a liquid hydrogen storage tank with a pressure relief. An energy conversion device is connected to the pressure relief valve an converts the hydrogen into rotational energy to operate an electrical generator. Electricity created by the generator can be fed back to operate ancillary loads in the facility, or sold for use in a main electrical grid.

Abstract: Catalyst structure, engine, and fuel injection system are disclosed, in which a catalyst structure is positioned between a fuel injector and a combustion chamber in which most or all combustion occurs. The catalyst structure typically promotes some combustion of the fuel, reforming of fuel to generate hydrogen and other reduced species of fuel molecules, or both. The catalyst structure may instead or additionally promote evaporation of fuel droplets. Benefits include reduced emissions of pollutants.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting a three-phase voltage system to a DC voltage is supported by an output capacitor and a star circuit. On the input side of filter capacitors is a controllable three-phase bridge and at a positive output of the bridge circuit, a current-stabilizing inductance is included, which, in conjunction with a step-up controller diode and a step-up controller transistor, forms a DC voltage/DC voltage step-up controller which is integrated in the converter structure. The phase arms of the three-phase bridge have an identical structure and their conductance state can be controlled by control switches. In order to produce an output voltage from the system which is below the mean value of the maximum output voltage of the bridge circuit, the step-up controller transistor remains in the switched-off state, and a voltage value which is above the maximum output voltage is formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for supplying heat to directly cooled electronics. To ensure that directly cooled electronics are maintained at a temperature above 0° C., a circulation fan is provided in a transverse junction between an outlet duct and an inlet duct, for a recirculation flow of supplied cooling air, whereby outgoing hot air from the electronics, when necessary, may be mixed with the cold air, so as to raise the temperature of the cooling air to be supplied to the electronics.

Abstract: An atomizer for use with a combustor in a gas turbine has a body with a fuel passageway extending through the center of the body. A plurality of channels extends within the body about the passageway centerline, and are oriented along a circumferential angle about the passageway centerline to deliver air at the discharge end of the passageway with an axially whirling motion. The channels are simultaneously oriented along an axial angle about the passageway centerline, thereby directing the flow of air to converge toward the passageway centerline, mix with the fuel, and then at least in part diverge from the passageway centerline. The whirling air intersects with the fuel at the exit of the nozzle to effectively atomize both the air and fuel thereby providing a homogeneous air/fuel mixture to the combustion chamber.