Abstract: A method of separating solid particles from gaseous matter comprises rotating a spinner about a spinner axis in a rotational direction. The spinner has fluid passageways that operatively connect a gaseous inlet environment to a gaseous outlet environment. The fluid passageways circumferentially extending in a direction opposite the rotational direction as the fluid passageways extend radially inward. The method further comprises forcing gaseous matter radially inward through the rotating spinner by creating pressure differential that is such that the pressure of the gaseous inlet environment exceeds the pressure of the gaseous fluid outlet. An assembly comprises a spinner configured to rotate in a rotational direction. The spinner has fluid passageways that operatively connect a gaseous inlet environment to a gaseous outlet environment. A heating element is positioned adjacent to the spinner in a manner such that particles flung from the spinner can strike the heating element.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator comprises a filtered-gas passageway, a spinner, and a drive mechanism. The filtered-gas passageway has an inlet. The spinner is configured and adapted to rotate about a spinner axis relative to the filtered-gas passageway, and has an inner cavity, a gas permeable outer wall, and a plurality of protrusions that extend radially outward from the gas permeable outer wall relative to the spinner axis. The inner cavity of the spinner is operatively connected to the inlet of the filtered-gas passageway. The drive mechanism is adapted to rotate the spinner about the spinner axis at a rate such that the protrusions prevent particulates from passing through the gas permeable outer wall and into the inner cavity of the spinner and such that gaseous matter is able to pass through the gas permeable outer wall, into the inner cavity, and thereafter into the filtered-gas passageway via the inlet.

Abstract: A gasifier comprises an internal chamber, a slag collection region, a slag passageway, a slag breaker, and an actuator. The internal chamber comprises a main combustion region that is configured and adapted to gasify fuel. The slag collection region is located beneath the main combustion region. The slag passageway operatively connects the main combustion region to the slag collection region. The slag breaker comprises a face that is movable relative to the internal chamber. The face is configured and adapted to move within the slag passageway in a manner such that the face contacts and mechanically breaks solidified slag into chunks of solidified slag that then fall into the slag collection region. The actuator is connected to the slag breaker and is configured and adapted to move the face of the slag breaker.

Abstract: A gasifier comprises an internal chamber, a slag collection region, a slag passageway, a slag breaker, and an actuator. The internal chamber comprises a main combustion region that is configured and adapted to gasify fuel. The slag collection region is located beneath the main combustion region. The slag passageway operatively connects the main combustion region to the slag collection region. The slag breaker comprises a face that is movable relative to the internal chamber. The face is configured and adapted to move within the slag passageway in a manner such that the face contacts and mechanically breaks solidified slag into chunks of solidified slag that then fall into the slag collection region. The actuator is connected to the slag breaker and is configured and adapted to move the face of the slag breaker.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric device comprises a plurality of armatures arranged circumferentially about an axis, sets of electrically conductive winding members that extend axially through the stack of laminates and are positioned circumferentially between each adjacent pair of the armatures, and first and second layers of end-turn members. Each of the end-turn members of the first axial layer is connected to one of the winding members. Each of the end-turn members of the first axial layer extends clockwise circumferentially from its respective one of the winding members. Each of the end-turn members of the second axial layer is connected to one of the winding members and to each of the end-turn members of the first axial layer of end-turn members. Each of the end-turn members of the second axial layer extends counter-clockwise circumferentially from its respective one of the winding members. The winding members are each formed of Litz wire.