Abstract: An apparatus of purifying exhaust gas of a hybrid vehicle includes an electric supercharger disposed on an air intake line, a post-treatment unit disposed on an exhaust gas line and including an electrically-heated catalyst, an exhaust gas recirculation unit including an exhaust gas recirculation cooler disposed on a recirculation line connecting the post-treatment unit and the intake line and an exhaust gas recirculation valve disposed on the recirculation line, a three-way valve disposed at a position at which the recirculation line diverges into a front end portion and a rear end portion of the intake line, and a controller electrically connected to the three-way valve and configured for controlling the three-way valve connecting the intake line and the recirculation line at the front end portion of the electric supercharger to be selectively opened or closed.

Abstract: A system and a process for producing gas and generating power is disclosed herein. The system may be configured to include a produced gas, a production pipe, an indirect heat exchange system, a heat exchange medium, a concentrated solar power system, an energy conversion device, and a heat exchange circulation system. The process may include producing a gas from a reservoir that has a first temperature, heating the produced, via indirect heat exchange with a heat exchange medium, to a second temperature. This indirect heat exchange may produce a cooled heat exchange medium that may be heated again via concentrated solar power. The heated produced gas may be then expanded across an energy conversion device to produce electricity.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade comprising an electro-thermal heating element with a tapering width. The electro-thermal heating element comprises: electrically resistive sheet material; a first electrode which is in electrical contact with the sheet material and positioned at a first end of the element; and a second electrode which is in electrical contact with the sheet material and positioned at a second end of the sheet material. An electrically conductive strip extends across a width of the element. The sheet material has a first part on a first side of the strip and a second part on a second side of the strip. The strip is in electrical contact with the first and second parts of the sheet material. The first part of the sheet material has a first width, and the second part of the sheet material has a second width which is different to the first width.

Abstract: An aircraft turbomachine having a longitudinal axis includes a high-pressure (HP) body, a low-pressure (LP) body, a fan, and a reduction gear having an epicyclic gear train. The turbomachine includes three modules: a first module having the LP turbine and the LP shaft, a second module having the LP compressor and a journal secured to the rotor of the LP compressor, and a third module having an input shaft of the reduction gear, this input shaft having an upstream end for coupling to a sun gear of the reduction gear and a downstream end comprising first splines that are oriented parallel to the axis and are configured to be engaged in second complementary splines of said second module.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to systems and/or methods for energy storage in desert environments. Various embodiments described herein include a system for subterranean energy storage. The system can comprise a subterranean flexible storage vessel coupled to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger can be configured to supply a cooled compressed gas stream to the subterranean flexible storage vessel. Further, the subterranean flexible storage vessel can be at least partially surrounded by sand. Additionally, the system can comprise a turbine generator coupled to the subterranean flexible storage vessel. The subterranean flexible storage vessel can be configured to supply a pressurized gas stream that is heated by the sand to the turbine generator.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for pump control of a closed thermodynamic cycle system, such as a Brayton cycle. Operational parameters such as working fluid temperature, thermal fluid temperature, stream pressure, and power generation may be the basis for controlling a thermal fluid pump rate.

Abstract: A method for converting heat to mechanical work including providing incoming heat transfer fluid (HTF) at a first temperature to a mixing chamber, providing incoming compressed gas at a second temperature to the mixing chamber, enabling the gas and the HTF to mix, producing a gas-and-HTF mix, enabling the HTF in the gas-and-HTF mix to heat the gas and isothermal expansion of the gas in the gas-and-HTF mix, limiting volume of the gas-and-HTF mix, thereby increasing pressure of the gas and causing acceleration of a flow of the gas-and-HTF mix, causing the gas-and-HTF mix to eject through a nozzle, thereby converting the heat of the HTF to kinetic energy, and using the kinetic energy to produce mechanical work. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A unique point absorber type wave energy conversion device is disclosed that includes a Power Take Off (PTO) which uses a torsion spring to return a vertical shaft to its original position after being rotated by a rope or cord that pulls a reel via a guide system. This spring return allows the PTO and housing to stay stationary under the wave energy while a buoy at the surface provides an oscillating linear movement. The oscillating rotary motion caused by the interaction of the buoy and spring is converted into a one directional motion via a one-way clutch and is transmitted to generators using a gearbox that increases rotational speed.

Abstract: Various embodiments that pertain to fuel processing are described. A fuel processor can produce an endothermic reaction that cools a substance and produces a processed fuel from a raw fuel. A generator can employ the processed fuel to produce an electricity. The generator can supply the electricity to a load that uses the electricity to function. The load can become hot due to its functioning and can benefit from being cooled. The substance cooled by the fuel processor can cool load and in the process the substance can rise in temperature. This warmer substance can be transferred to the fuel processor to be cooled again and this cycle can continue. Further, the fuel processor can use the warmer substance to achieve the endothermic reaction.

Abstract: A geothermal system is used for obtaining heated heat transfer fluid, such as steam, via heat transfer with an underground reservoir of magma. The geothermal system includes a wellbore extending between a surface and into an underground chamber formed in a reservoir of magma. The chamber may be formed by injecting a fluid at an increased pressure into underground magma to form a cavity that acts as the underground chamber.

Abstract: There is provided a method of driving a shape memory alloy haptic assembly comprising an actuator comprising shape memory alloy that is arranged on actuation to provide a haptic effect, the method comprising supplying drive current to the actuator successively during a pre-heating period in which the temperature of the shape memory alloy is raised without causing the shape memory alloy to provide the haptic effect and during an actuation period in which the temperature of the shape memory alloy is raised so as to cause the shape memory alloy to provide the haptic effect. A shape memory alloy haptic assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A geothermal district heating (DH) system includes a plurality of DH conduits each of the conduits extending to a corresponding heat consumer; means for delivering a DH-usable fluid through said plurality of DH conduits; a fluid circuit through which a geothermal fluid is flowable; and at least two heat exchangers, each of the heat exchangers configured to transfer heat directly or indirectly from the geothermal fluid to said DH-usable fluid with a total heat influx provided by the at least two heat exchangers to said DH-usable fluid that is sufficiently high to raise a temperature of the DH-usable fluid to a predetermined DH-usable temperature without need for any supplemental fossil fuel derived waste heat to be transferred to said DH-usable fluid.

Abstract: A compact axial turbine configured to operate with high density working fluid is described. The turbine comprises an axial majority cantilevered turbomachinery shaft. Rotor assemblies and nozzle spacers communicate torque through turbine shaft splines, allowing them to be slid off the shaft for quick replacement in the field. The compact axial turbine houses turbomachinery within a separable inner casing encircled by a cartridge sleeve, thereby forming a cartridge which can itself be removed as a single component.

Abstract: A reaction turbine operates on the heat released from the condensation of steam, combined with inherent steam pressure and temperature heads. A series of rotors, each containing multiple curved internal channels, provide compressive boosts between successive stages, while avoiding excessive self-compression. Compressive effects and shock waves generated within these channels provide high levels of condensation, thereby releasing immense amounts of heat. The resulting hot vapor and condensate droplets are then ejected tangentially at the periphery of the rotors to generate thrust. The exhaust steam from the last stage is then compressed and returned to the engine inlet to be mixed with the incoming fresh steam, thereby efficiently completing the system cycle without the need of large cooling towers for condensation.

Abstract: An arrangement reduces oscillation of an oscillatory structure. The arrangement has: a structure having at least one mode in at least one direction; and an oscillation-reducing device. The oscillation-reducing device includes a housing on the structure; a cavity; and a body. The body is configured to make impact contact with a first surface portion and a second surface portion of an inner wall of the housing and disposed is in the cavity such that the body can make impact contact with the first surface portion and the second surface portion of the inner wall of the housing at least temporarily for as long as the structure is excited in the at least one mode in the at least one direction. The first surface portion or the second surface portion of the inner wall of the housing has a curved profile.

Abstract: An artificial muscle device includes a plurality of intermuscular boards and a plurality of artificial muscles disposed between the intermuscular boards in an alternating pattern and communicatively coupled to a controller. Each of the one or more artificial muscles includes a housing comprising an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing, the electrode pair including a first electrode and a second electrode. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region, thereby applying pressure to the intermuscular boards.

Abstract: A heat exchange system of a turbomachine, includes a heat exchanger including a support wall, a plurality of fins each extending in a radial direction from a radially outer surface of the support wall, and a cover covering the fins, wherein the cover is connected, upstream in the direction of flow of the air flow, to a first profiled wall, and downstream to a second profiled wall, the first profiled wall being arranged upstream from the fins and configured to guide and slow down the flow of air entering the heat exchanger through the fins, and the second profiled wall being arranged downstream from the fins and configured so as to accelerate the flow of air leaving the heat exchanger, wherein the cover has an at least partially curvilinear aerodynamic profile and an outer peripheral surface having surface continuity with radially outer surfaces of the first and second walls.

Abstract: A method including: (i) operating a pumped-heat energy storage system (“PHES system”) in a charge mode to convert electricity into stored thermal energy in a hot thermal storage medium (“HTS medium”) by transferring heat from a working fluid to a warm HTS medium, resulting in a hot HTS medium, wherein the PHES system is further operable in a generation mode to convert at least a portion of the stored thermal energy into electricity; and (ii) heating the hot HTS medium with an electric heater above a temperature achievable by transferring heat from the working fluid to the warm HTS medium.

Abstract: At least one aspect of the technology provides a self-contained processing facility configured to convert organic, high water-content waste, such as fecal sludge and garbage, into electricity while also generating and collecting potable water.

Abstract: This steam turbine plant comprises: a boiler; a steam turbine; a condenser; a condensate pump; a main steam line that is capable of guiding, to the steam turbine, steam generated in the boiler; a bypass line that is branched from the main steam line and is connected to the condenser; a condensate line that is capable of guiding, to the condensate pump, water in the condenser; a condensate outlet valve that is provided in the condensate line; a water supply line that is capable of guiding, to the boiler, water having a pressure which has been increased in the condensate pump; a first connection unit that is, in the condensate line, branched from a position which is closer to the condenser than the condensate outlet valve is; and a second connection unit that is, in the condensate line, branched from a position which is closer to the condensate pump than the condensate outlet valve is. The first connection unit has a first connection seating that is connectable with a first line.