Abstract: Methods are disclosed for extracting hydrogen from a biomass compound comprising carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. The biomass may include cellulose, lignin, and/or hemicellulose. Water is combined with the compound to produce a wet form of the compound. The wet form of the compound is transferred into a reaction processing chamber. The wet form of the compound is heated within the reaction chamber such that elements of the compound dissociate and react, with one reaction product comprising hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is processed to generate electrical power.

Abstract: An engine having a rotor including at least one slot and at least one combustion chamber used to form a cavity is provided. The engine also includes at least one vane rollably disposed in the slot, and a block for receiving the rotor, and having a first quadrant including an inlet port, a second quadrant, a third quadrant, and a fourth quadrant having an outlet port. The vane moves through the first quadrant, drawing air into the block and the cavity. The vane then moves through the second quadrant, compressing the air. The vane then moves through the third quadrant, combusting the air, and forcing the rotor to rotate. The vane then moves through the fourth quadrant, forcing the air out of the outlet port.

Abstract: The ribbon drive generation apparatus is comprised of a ribbon-like curved shape, composed either of metal or other suitable material, attached to a containment tube, peripheral rings, shaft, or porous central tube, with the complete apparatus being contained in a tube having a constant diameter for the length of the tube. The ribbon can be peripherally mounted to the containment tube and optionally to a central porous tube. In this form the containment tube rotates and can form part of a rotor for a generator apparatus. The optional central porous tube can also be used as a bearing surface or, if attached to the inside edge of the ribbon, a power take-off shaft.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus for harvesting electrical power from fluid motion are described. The apparatus includes a magnetostrictive component having an internal pre-stressed magnetostrictive core. A magnetic property of the magnetostrictive core is configured to change with changes in stress within the magnetostrictive core along at least one direction within the magnetostrictive component. Also, forces at least partially due to fluid motion results in changes of stress within the magnetostrictive core and consequently change the magnetic property. The magnetostrictive component is further configured such that the change in the magnetic property will result in a change in the magnetic flux, which can be used to generate electrical power.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for controlling the speed of flap retraction on aircraft, and alerts to the pilot of potentially unsafe flap position. The invention accepts direction from a pilot and senses operation of the aircraft to determine appropriate flap position and flap retraction speed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for the process optimization of a working fluid stream and energy recovery therefrom. A turbine in the working fluid stream is coupled to a variable speed generator for forming a turbine-generator pair. One controls the turbine speed for affecting the fluid stream for achieving a process objective including controlling fluid process conditions, power generation or both. One can select to achieve a primary process objective with optimization of power generation being secondary. The objectives can be controlled using a base lookup table of turbine performance. Further, actual performance can be gathered for adapting an updated lookup table for better control and optimization. Additional turbine-generator pairs can be arranged in series or parallel for flexible operation and control.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting energy is described. The apparatus includes a vibration component and a moving mass. The vibration component has a first and second end and further includes a magnetostrictive material. The vibration component further includes a conduction coil wrapped around the magnetostrictive material. The moving mass is coupled to the second end of the vibration assembly. The mass is configured to move in an oscillating path in response to forces acting on the vibration energy harvesting apparatus, inducing strain on the magnetostrictive material. The strain on the magnetostrictive material changes a magnetic property of the magnetostrictive material, inducing electrical energy in the conduction coil wrapped around the magnetostrictive material. Other embodiments of the apparatus are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses that reduce pilot workload and increase the performance and efficiency of the pilot's control of the aircraft. The present invention comprises methods and apparatuses for determining the presence and type of an emergency condition, for example by detecting corresponding sensor outputs or by accepting input from a pilot or a combination thereof; and then responding to that emergency by initiating a pre-determined set of actions specific to the determined emergency. Embodiments of the invention can include the ability to monitor engine conditions as well as control electrical functions such as the fuel boost pump, alternator field, battery contactor and other important electrical devices. Some examples described below assume a single-engine piston aircraft for ease of illustration. The invention can also be applied to multi engine and turbine powered aircraft as well.

Abstract: A fuel processor for producing a hydrogen-containing product stream from a fuel stream and an oxidant stream incorporates a particulate filter assembly comprising a plurality of filter segments separated by expansion joints to accommodate dimensional changes that result from temperature fluctuations. Other embodiments of a fuel processor incorporate, instead or in addition, one or more of: a flame rod as a temperature sensing device for a reforming reaction; a two-sleeve concentric type heat exchanger; a mixing tube manufactured from an alumina-silica based material; and a wet blanket type of insulation.

Abstract: A structure of an electromagnetic machine includes an outer support member configured to support a conductive winding or a magnet. The structure further includes an inner support member, a first elongate compression member, a second elongate compression member, and an elongate tension member. The first elongate compression member and the second elongate compression member each include a first end portion coupled to the outer support member and a second end portion coupled to the inner support member to resist radial and axial deflection of the outer support member relative inner support member. The elongate tension member includes a first end portion coupled to the first compression member and a second end portion coupled to one of the inner support or the second elongate compression member to resist rotational deflection of the outer support member relative to the inner support member.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using a dual-path fluid routing system that uses a flow restriction device to enhance temperature and pressure control of fluid are provided. Systems and methods for using a setpoint pressure control system to accurately control the setpoint pressure of a regulator are also provided.

Abstract: A solar power system is mounted to a solar power componentry support structure suspended above a pre-existing surface by a collective of solar collector suspension base supports. Suspended solar power system row support structure members and suspended solar power system column support structure members may for a solar component position lattice to which a matrix of individual solar power components such as solar panels can be attached. Solar module quick-fasten assemblages may serve also as solar componentry emergency releases and may include loose axis retainers and firm axis fasteners such as dual component, single point operative emergency releases and fasteners. Slide-in retainers and corner slot tabs can be included as well as frame alignment notches. Fulcrum pivot fasteners and slide wedge releases can aid in installation and release.

Abstract: A method and device for energy conversion from a moving fluid to electrical energy. The device includes at least one magnetic structure, at least one coil structure, a rotating component, and a rotary to linear motion conversion mechanism. The at least one coil structure includes electrically conductive material. The rotating component rotates relative to a corresponding axis of rotation in response to forces applied by the moving fluid on a structure coupled to the rotating component. The rotary to linear motion conversion mechanism is coupled to the rotating component. Rotation of the rotating component around the corresponding axis of rotation generates a relative linear displacement between the at least one magnetic structure and at least one coil in the at least one coil structure. The relative linear displacement between the at least one magnetic structure and the at least one coil generates electrical energy in the at least one coil structure.

Abstract: A dual-crankshaft, opposed-piston, internal combustion engine includes one or more ported cylinders. Each cylinder has exhaust and intake ports, and the cylinders are juxtaposed and oriented with exhaust and intake ports mutually aligned. The crankshafts are rotatably mounted at respective exhaust and intake ends of the cylinders and are coupled by a multi-gear train. A pair of pistons is disposed for opposed sliding movement in the bore of each cylinder. All of the pistons controlling the exhaust ports are coupled by connecting rods to the crankshaft mounted near at the exhaust ends of the cylinders, and all of the pistons controlling the intake ports are coupled by connecting rods to the crankshaft mounted near at the intake ends of the cylinders. The crankshafts are connected by a timing belt operative to change the rotational timing between the crankshafts. The gear train support structure is stiffened to suppress gear train vibration.

Abstract: A photovoltaic solar cell for producing energy from the sun including a germanium substrate including a first photoactive junction and forming a bottom solar subcell; a gallium arsenide middle cell disposed on said substrate; an indium gallium phosphide top cell disposed over the middle cell; and a surface grid including a plurality of spaced apart grid lines, wherein the grid lines have a thickness greater than 7 microns, and each grid line has a cross-section in the shape of a trapezoid with a cross-sectional area between 45 and 55 square microns.

Abstract: A solar panel overlay for mounting on an underlying roof deck comprises a substrate and at least one row of photovoltaic cells on the substrate. The photovoltaic cells define a solar collecting surface having an appearance mimicking that of the underlying roof deck. A solar panel overlay assembly comprising a plurality of interconnect solar panel overlays is also provided.

Abstract: Exchangeable stator components are selected and exchangeable rotor components are selected to transform a motor from one motor class to another motor class. A motor class includes a switched reluctance (SR) motor class, a parallel path magnetic technology (PPMT) motor class, or an interior permanent magnet (IPM) motor class.

Abstract: A KHP system turbine for the production of energy in an underwater environment including a yaw stop arrangement for use in flowing steams where the flow direction of water therein is changeable, including bi-directional and multi-directional current flows, so that a rotatably mounted turbine remains in an optimal position within such changing flow conditions. The KHP turbine includes a rotational portion and one or two passive yaw stop assemblies that will control turbine yaw and keep the turbine oriented to capture energy from changeable underwater current flows.