Abstract: An apparatus for the distillation of air by cryogenic distillation is provided. The apparatus can include an enclosure; a first distillation column configured to operate at a first pressure; a second distillation column configured to operate at a second pressure that is lower than the first pressure, the second distillation column being placed above the first distillation column and forming therewith a double column; a subcooling heat exchanger configured to cool at least one liquid from the first distillation column upstream of the second distillation column and configured to warm a gaseous nitrogen stream from the second distillation column; and an argon column configured to separate an argon enriched stream from the second distillation column and configured to produce an argon rich stream.

Abstract: A clip for attachment as an edge. The clip having two symmetric sides, each side composed of five arcs. A first arc of the side starting at the midpoint of the nose having a radius of 0.2476 inches and an arc length of 0.22395 inches. A second arc connected to the first arc having a radius of 0.5832 inches and an arc length of 0.0947 inches. A third arc connected to the second arc having a radius of 0.4636 inches and an arc length of 0.1682 inches. A fourth arc connected to the third arc having a radius of 0.3822 inches and an arc length of 0.2263 inches. A fifth arc connected to the fourth arc having an arc having a radius of 0.3291 inches and an arc length of 0.1917 inches. The fifth arc of each side forming the slot end on the clip.

Abstract: A spoolie manifold including two or more spaced apart caps including outlets and one pair of caps connected together in flow communication by a jumper tube assembly. Jumper tube assembly including a jumper tube having first and second spoolies attached to opposite ends of the jumper tube. Ends may be welded into counterbores of the spoolies having spherical spoolie ends press-fitted into first and second sleeves in bores in pair of the caps and sleeves retained in bores with retainer clips. A duct connected in flow communication to an inlet of one of the caps. Spoolie manifold may include three spaced apart caps including a distributor cap between two port caps connected in flow communication to distributor cap by jumper tube assembly. Cap outlets may be feed strut ports in casing of turbine frame including hub spaced inwardly from casing and having spaced apart hollow struts with strut ports.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for extracting geothermal energy, by providing salt into a well shaft that ends in a chamber in the Earth surrounded by a source of geothermal energy. The salt melts and heats up to the temperature within the chamber. The hot molten salt is then extracted and the heat from the molten salt is used as a source of energy to generate electricity or drive an industrial process. The salt can be re-used once the heat is extracted in a closed-loop system. According to some techniques, the salt is conveyed down the well by a pneumatic conveyer system or in other cases by using a mechanical system, such as a screw drive. Once returned to the surface, the molten salt can be used to heat graphite blocks for energy storage or be stored and transported to remote locations to extract the heat energy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a motor vehicle for diagnosing an exhaust gas catalytic converter (28), which is arranged in an exhaust gas tract (20) of an internal combustion engine (12) and is suitable for converting at least one exhaust gas component, wherein the exhaust gas tract (20) has an exhaust gas sensor (48) arranged upstream of the exhaust gas catalytic converter (28) and has an exhaust gas recirculation system (38), which is designed to remove at least part of the exhaust gas from an exhaust gas duct (24) of the exhaust gas tract (20) downstream of the exhaust gas catalytic converter (28) and to feed the removed exhaust gas to the internal combustion engine (12).

Abstract: Disclosed is an energy collector system applicable to internal combustion engines. It may include: a) a collector of thermal energy from the exhaust gases; b) a thermal tank covered by helical tubes to gain heat by the exhaust gases; c) a heat exchanger; and d) an outer element capable of converting thermal energy into mechanical energy, such as a closed Brayton cycle turbine, a Stirling engine, a Rankine turbine or an open loop air motor for converting mechanical energy (coupling the difference in rpm) into electrical energy with an electrical generator. The thermal energy collector may be composed of a heat exchanger that collects energy from the exhaust gases. The electrical energy generated may be used for driving a hybrid vehicle. The thermal tank is capable of storing energy as heat, as well.

Abstract: A turbine power unit for a power tool having a turbine housing with an interior space configured to receive therein a fluid powered turbine supported for rotation on a bearing within the turbine housing. A service opening through the turbine housing into the interior space thereof, the service opening configured to permit installation and removal of a bearing into and out of the interior space of the turbine housing. A removable cover releasably securable to the turbine housing over the service opening and transitionable between an open configuration in which a bearing can be installed into and removed from the interior space of the turbine housing through the service opening and a closed configuration in which an installed bearing within the interior space is secured for operation in the turbine housing.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention generally provide a heat engine system and a method for activating a turbopump within the heat engine system during a start-up process. The heat engine system utilizes a working fluid circulated within a working fluid circuit for capturing thermal energy. In one exemplary aspect, a start-up process for a turbopump in the heat engine system is provided such that the turbopump achieves self-sustained operation in a supercritical Rankine cycle. Bypass and check valves of a start pump and the turbopump, a drive turbine throttle valve, and other valves, lines, or pumps within the working fluid circuit are controlled during the turbopump start-up process. A process control system may utilize advanced control techniques of the control sequence to provide a successful start-up process of the turbopump without over pressurizing the working fluid circuit or damaging the turbopump via low bearing pressure.

Abstract: A method for coupling a gas turbine connected to a generator and a steam turbine, wherein the generator has an excitation winding, the excitation of which can be changed by changing an excitation current flowing through the excitation winding, the method having the following steps: a) accelerating and/or decelerating the steam turbine in such a way that the coupling takes place with a target coupling angle; b) if necessary, changing the excitation current such that the excitation of the excitation winding changed in this way leads to a changed polar wheel angle, wherein the polar wheel angle is changed in such a way that the achieving of the target coupling angle is supported. In an analogous method, the polar wheel angle is changed for the purposes of improved decoupling. A corresponding control device is for coupling a gas turbine connected to a generator.

Abstract: A water wave-type power generating device is mounted on a shore, and includes a hub, a power generating unit, a transmitting track unit surrounding and movable relative to the hub along an endless course to generate a rotational force, a rotation transmitting unit coupled with the transmitting track unit and receiving the rotational force to generate the torque that is transmitted to the power generating unit by a torque transmitting unit, and a plurality of wave heading members disposed on the transmitting track unit and each having a heading surface that is subjected to waves of water in a wave ascending direction so as to actuate the movement of the transmitting track unit.

Abstract: A scroll compressor is provided. The scroll compressor may include a fixed scroll having a fixed wrap and a plurality of first key recesses, an orbiting scroll engaged with the fixed scroll to define a compression chambers and having an orbiting wrap and a plurality of second key recesses, the orbiting scroll performing an orbiting motion with respect to the fixed scroll, a drive having a rotation shaft coupled to the orbiting scroll such that one end portion thereof overlaps the orbiting wrap in a lateral direction, and an Oldham ring having a plurality of first and second keys coupled to the plurality of first key recesses and the plurality of second key recesses, respectively. The plurality of second keys may at least temporarily protrude from the plurality of second key recesses in a radial direction during the orbiting motion. Further, the plurality of second key recesses and the plurality of second keys may be disposed to obtain maximum contact areas therebetween at a moment of start of discharging.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed to isolate operation vibration of a compressor to reduce operational sound. A compressor may include an external shell, and one or more isolators that separate a compression mechanism of a compressor from the external shell. The isolator can help isolate the vibration of the compression mechanism from the external shell. The isolator can also support a weight of the compression mechanism. The external shell can also include one or more internal seals. The internal seals can help separate a low-pressure side (e.g., a suction side) and a high-pressure side (e.g., a discharge side) of the compression mechanism. The compressor may also include a pressure balancing mechanism configured to help reduce a pressure difference between, for example, two ends of the compression mechanism, so as to reduce/eliminate the compression mechanism from physical shift in position due to the pressure difference.

Abstract: A supersonic compressor provided may include an axial inlet and a centrifugal impeller fluidly coupled to the axial inlet. The centrifugal impeller may have a periphery and may be configured to impart energy to process fluid received via the axial inlet and discharge the process fluid from the periphery in at least a partially radial direction. The supersonic compressor may further include a static diffuser circumferentially disposed about the periphery of the centrifugal impeller and configured to receive the process fluid from the centrifugal impeller and convert the energy imparted. The static diffuser may include a plurality of diffuser vanes defining diffuser passageways therebetween. A supersonic ramp may be formed at an end of the at least one diffuser vane proximate the periphery of the centrifugal impeller. The supersonic ramp may be configured to generate a shock wave from the process fluid.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine (20) and method for containing a fan inside an engine after a fan thrust bearing assembly failure. The engine (20) may comprise a fan (42), a housing (100) including a compartment (102), a fan shaft (104) inside the compartment (102) and comprising a bowl (108), a support structure (110) inside the compartment (102), a speed sensor pickup (114) mounted on the outer surface (120) of the bowl (108), a speed sensor (112) mounted on the support structure (110), and a fan thrust bearing assembly (41) disposed forward of the bowl (108). The fan thrust bearing assembly (41) including a bearing (126). The speed sensor (112) and the sensor pickup (114) define a defining a sensor gap (116). The bearing (126) and the outer surface (120) defining a fan thrust bearing gap (130), wherein the sensor gap (116) is less than the fan thrust bearing gap.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a rotor for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The rotor may include a rotor disk and a plurality of blade extending radially outward from the rotor disk. At least one of the blades may have a physical nonuniformity. The blades may be distributed about the rotor disk based on any physical nonuniformities of the blades to generate at least one decay-resistant harmonic.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes first and second scroll bodies having respective bases and respective scroll ribs that project from the respective bases such that the scroll ribs mutually engage. The second scroll body is movable relative to the first scroll body for compressing fluid. A drive shaft has a longitudinal axis and an eccentric drive pin configured to engage a drive hub on the second scroll body. A counterweight has a hub portion, and a perimeter portion positioned radially outward from the hub portion. A radial axis divides the counterweight into a first and second regions. The mass of the hub portion in the first region being roughly equal to the mass of the hub portion in the second region, and the mass in the perimeter portion being distributed between the first and second regions such that the center of mass of the counterweight is located along the radial axis.

Abstract: A two-sided turbocharger compressor wheel and a housing forming a diffuser for the compressor. A first side and a second side of the compressor wheel are characterized by different values of a trim and of an annulus area. A first side of the diffuser surrounds the first side of the compressor wheel, and a second side of the diffuser surrounds the second side of the compressor wheel. The first and second sides of the diffuser are characterized by different annulus area ratios. The blades of the first and second sides of the compressor wheel are angularly offset from one another. The compressor wheel is configured for greater flow through the side of the compressor wheel that faces away from a related turbine wheel.

Abstract: A particulate filter (1) is provided having a first wall flow region (2) and a second flow through region (3). The filter is provided with a catalytic washcoat, whereby the filter can be used to remove both particulate matter and harmful gaseous emissions from an exhaust gas stream.

Abstract: A heat-driven engine having a first, thermally conductive, pump to which a working medium is admitted and within which the working medium subsequently absorbs its latent heat while undergoing a phase change from low to high enthalpy phase before being expelled from the first pump. Also, a restrictive cooling element accepts the working medium in its high enthalpy phase and allows it to release its latent heat and undergo a phase change from a liquid to a low enthalpy phase. A first and a second passage, through which the working medium traverses, connects the first pump and the cooling element. The second passage incorporates a thermally conductive element, placing the working medium in thermal contact with a heat source or sink. Also, a heat pump is in thermal contact with the first pump and the cooling element. Finally, a power transmission element links the first pump to the heat pump.

Abstract: A thermoacoustic engine is provided that uses acoustic energy to operate a piston in a double-acting action. The acoustic energy is amplified as a sound wave travels through the thermoacoustic engine. The amplified acoustic energy is extracted and converted into usable electrical energy.