Abstract: Renewable geothermal energy harvesting methods may include distributing at least one working fluid from a ground surface into thermal contact with a subterranean geothermal formation; transferring thermal energy from the geothermal formation to the working fluid; distributing the working fluid to the ground surface; and distributing the working fluid directly to at least one thermal application system. Renewable geothermal energy harvesting systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An actuator and a manufacture method thereof, an operation method thereof, and a movable device. The actuator includes a photodeformation layer and a first driving unit, the first driving unit includes at least one first light emitting device, the first light emitting device is connected to a first side of the photodeformation layer, the first light emitting device is capable of emitting first light with a first wavelength to irradiate onto the photodeformation layer, and the photodeformation layer can generate a first deformation under irradiation of the first light.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and a controller for controlling generation of geothermal power in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) operation to thereby supply electrical power to one or more of in-field operational equipment, a grid power structure, and an energy storage device. In an embodiment, during hydrocarbon production, a temperature of a flow of heated fluid from a source or working fluid may be determined. If the temperature is above a vaporous phase change threshold of the working fluid, heat exchanger valves may be opened to divert flow of heated fluid to heat exchangers to facilitate heat transfer from the flow of wellhead fluid to working fluid through the heat exchangers, thereby to cause the working fluid to change from a liquid to vapor, the vapor to cause a generator to generate electrical power via rotation of an expander.

Abstract: An artificial muscle drive unit includes a base and an artificial muscle disposed on the base. The artificial muscle includes an expandable reservoir and a fluid. The fluid is movable within said expandable reservoir to switch the artificial muscle between a non-actuated state in which a dimension of the artificial muscle in a movement direction is a minimum value, and an actuated state, in which the dimension of the artificial muscle is a maximum value. The artificial muscle drive unit also includes a load-bearing support disposed on the base, the load-bearing support comprising a dimension in the movement direction that is greater than or equal to the minimum value.

Abstract: A solar actuator system comprising at least one actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes: a top coupler; an angled bottom coupler having a top-end and respective first and second faces on opposing first and second sides of the top-end, the angled bottom coupler coupled to the top coupler via a one-degree-of-freedom joint between the top coupler and the angled bottom coupler; and at least a first and second actuator, with the first actuator disposed on the first side of the angled bottom coupler and the second actuator disposed on the second side of the angled bottom coupler.

Abstract: A deep ocean water extraction apparatus has a collection pool having an outer shell with a maximum diameter, a lesser diameter at a mostly closed bottom, and an open top of a diameter smaller than the maximum diameter, outflow tubes with pumps extending horizontally from an opening through a side wall of the shell, an opening through the bottom covered by a rigid disk having a plurality of tube openings through which descending collection tubes of common length are connected, and flotation elements attached to the descending collection tubes at a plurality of points spaced down the depth of the collection tubes. The apparatus is characterized in that water is pumped out of the collection pool, and common pressure on the surfaces of the collection pool and the surrounding ocean water, causes water to flow up the collection tubes into the collection pool.

Abstract: Disclosed are actuators containing an active layer comprising at least one metal hydroxide, the active layer having a first volume under no stimulation and a second volume either greater than or smaller than the first volume under stimulation; and a passive layer comprising a porous polymer membrane, the passive layer having an elastic modulus at least half of an elastic modulus of the active layer.

Abstract: A modular PC cooling pump for use in a personal computer is disclosed, according to certain embodiments. The modular PC cooling pump comprises a plurality of stackable interchangeable modules, according to certain embodiments.

Abstract: A shape-memory actuator assembly, comprising a shape memory wire element; a first deflection body and a second deflection body, spaced apart from each other, wherein the shape memory wire element is wound around the first deflection body and the second deflection body several times and provides an actuator arrangement located between them. At least one wire holder on the respective deflection body and sections of the shape memory wire element, contacting the wire holder, are embedded in a casting compound.

Abstract: Apparatus for extracting useful work or electricity from low grade thermal sources comprising a chamber, a source of heated dense heat transfer fluid in communication with the chamber, a source of motive fluid in communication with the chamber, wherein the motive fluid comprises a liquid phase, a flow control mechanism cooperating with the source of heated dense heat transfer fluid and with the source of motive fluid to deliver said fluids into the chamber in a manner that said fluids come into direct contact with each other in the chamber to effect a phase change of the motive fluid from liquid to gas to increase the pressure within the chamber to yield pressurized fluids, and a work extracting mechanism in communication with the chamber that extracts work from the pressurized fluids by way of pressure let down.

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: A control method for optimizing a solar-to-power efficiency of a solar-aided coal-fired power system under off-design working conditions is provided. Through reading the relevant information of the solar collecting system, the coal-fired power generation system, the environmental conditions, and the working conditions of the solar-aided coal-fired power system, the water flow rate range able to be heated by the solar collecting unit and the solar-coal feedwater flow distribution ratio range are determined; through establishing the relationship between the solar-to-power efficiency and the solar-coal feedwater flow distribution ratio, the solar-coal feedwater flow distribution ratio is regulated, so that a flow rate of water entering the solar collecting system to be heated is controlled, thereby maximizing the solar-to-power efficiency and improving the economy of the solar-aided coal-fired power system.

Abstract: The wind-wave complementary energy integrated system based on fixed foundation and generation and transmission method thereof pertains to the field of ocean renewable energy utilization, solving the problem of combining the wind and wave energy in a support structure, including a wind turbine, a tower, a wave energy device and a single pile foundation, the wind turbine is connected to the tower, and the single pile foundation is at the bottom of the tower, the single pile foundation is connected to the seabed, and the wave energy device is mounted on the tower near the sea surface. The effect is the renewable energy utilization rate and the energy conversion rate are effectively improved, thus reducing the cost to a certain extent and having high utility.

Abstract: A plant includes a fuel supply line for supplying high-pressure fuel gas; and at least one expander disposed in the fuel supply line and configured to extract power from the high-pressure fuel gas by expanding the high-pressure fuel gas.

Abstract: A method of extracting natural gas from an underground storage formation and has the steps of: (a) recovering natural gas stored in a first underground formation at a first pressure to the ground surface and forming a first natural gas flow; (b) separating liquid from the first natural gas flow and forming second natural gas flow; (c) heating said second natural gas flow to form a heated, third natural gas flow having a sufficient temperature to prevent hydrate formation when the third gas flow is expanded to a second pressure that is lower than the first pressure; and (d) expanding the third natural gas flow across an expansion turbine to generate electricity and form a fourth natural gas flow having the second pressure.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold for use with an internal combustion engine, the exhaust manifold including a body, one or more fluid passageways defined by the body, a valve in fluid communication with at least one of the one or more fluid passageways, the valve being adjustable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, a mounting bracket supported by the body, and an actuator in operable communication with the valve and configured to adjust the valve between the open and closed configurations, and wherein the actuator is coupled to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: An injection unit for an injection molding machine includes a cylindrical body rotatably supported in a housing interior for rotational coupling with a plasticizing screw. The cylindrical body is fixed to rotate with the plasticizing screw about an injection axis. A gear train in the housing includes a central gear mounted about, and fixed to rotate with, the cylindrical body, the central gear having an uppermost extent vertically above the injection axis and opposed first and second lateral extents on horizontally opposed sides of the injection axis. A rotary drive for powering rotation of the plasticizing screw includes a first motor having a first motor shaft rotatable about a first motor axis, the first motor axis parallel to the injection axis, the first motor axis at a first elevation below the uppermost extent of the central gear, and laterally outboard of the first lateral extent of the central gear.

Abstract: A system and method for removing nitrogen from natural gas using two fractionating columns, that may be stacked, and a plurality of separators and heat exchangers, with horsepower requirements that are 50-80% of requirements for prior art systems. The fractionating columns operate at different pressures. A feed stream is separated with a vapor portion feeding the first column to produce a first column bottoms stream that is split into multiple portions at different pressures and first column overhead stream that is cooled and separated into vapor and liquid portions to control subcooling of the vapor portion prior to feeding the second column. Heat exchange between first column and second column streams provides first column reflux and reboil heat for a second column ascending vapor stream. Three sales gas streams are produced, each at a different pressure.

Abstract: A system including a pump, a boiler coupled to the pump, a turbine coupled to the boiler, a two-phase expander coupled to the turbine, and a condenser coupled to the two-phase expander and the pump.

Abstract: The steam valve driving apparatus according to an embodiment is a steam valve driving apparatus regulating open and close position of a valve body. The steam valve driving apparatus includes: a plurality of hydraulic cylinders that presses the valve body in an opening direction. Each of the hydraulic cylinders includes: a piston rod extending outward from a piston in the opening direction; and an open-side cylinder chamber arranged in the opposite side of the piston with respect to the piston and to which hydraulic oil is supplied. The hydraulic cylinder is disposed on a side opposite to the valve body with respect to a closing spring pressing the valve body in a closing direction.