Abstract: The present invention provides an actuator, comprising a fiber and a temperature regulator capable of at least one of heating and cooling the fiber. The fiber is twisted around a longitudinal axis thereof. The fiber is folded so as to have a shape of a cylindrical coil. The fiber is formed of linear low-density polyethylene. The following mathematical formula (I) is satisfied: D/d<1 (I), where D represents a mean diameter of the cylindrical coil; and d represents a diameter of the fiber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vacuum heat transfer type efficient solar panel heat absorption system, including a flat plate collector, wherein a heat absorption coil is arranged in the flat plate collector, and a heat absorption coil valve is arranged on the heat absorption coil stretching out from the flat plate collector; a heat exchange coil is arranged in a pressure bearing water tank, a water inlet and a water outlet are formed in the pressure bearing water tank, a vacuum pump is arranged on a heat transfer pipeline, the heat absorption coil, the heat transfer pipeline and the heat exchange coil are all copper tubes, the interiors of the copper tubes are in vacuum states, and heat absorption coating is coated on an outer surface of the heat absorption coil.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, a shaft including at least one bearing, a speed change device in communication with the shaft, a first lubrication system in communication with the at least one bearing and a second lubrication system in communication with the speed change device.

Abstract: Device for storing energy using a physical object, such as a mass of greater than 10,000 kg, or buoyant object, floating in fluid, capable of displacing 10,000 kg. A mass is repositioned to greater altitude in a gravitational field to a position of higher potential energy. A buoyant object is forcibly submerged into a fluid, displacing greater than 10,000 kg of fluid, to a position of higher potential energy. The stored potential energy may be recovered with extremely low loss regardless of the state of charge of the system, or length of time of the storage.

Abstract: A method of fabricating airfoil cluster includes providing an airfoil cluster that has a pair of spaced-apart airfoils that extend from a common platform wall. The airfoil cluster is then divided through the common platform wall to provide separate first and second airfoil segments. At least one cooling hole is then formed in at least one of the first and second airfoil segments. The segments are then metallurgically fused together in a distinct metallurgical joint in the common platform wall.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor which can be stably operated in a wide range by increasing an operating range on a low-flow-rate side and on a high-flow-rate side, with a simple structure of combining a recirculation flow path and a reverse swirling flow generation unit including fixed blades, without providing a complicated movable mechanism for a guide vane.

Abstract: A hydrostatic seal and vibration damping apparatus for a gas turbine engine adapted to reduce vibrations during cold engine start-ups is disclosed. In one disclosed configuration, the vibration damping apparatus is comprised of a temperature sensitive control ring having a relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion adapted to expand quickly at relatively low temperatures to protect the hydrostatic seal during such gas turbine engine startups. At operational temperatures, the control ring is adapted to become separated from the hydrostatic sea.

Abstract: A modular egress seal assembly includes an annular plate with an axially extending aperture. A base plate is mountable to the annular plate. The base plate includes an aperture extending along the axis when said base plate is mounted to the annular plate thereby forming an axial passageway and a cover plate mountable to said annular plate.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan section, a shaft including a bearing system, a turbine section in communication with the shaft, a speed change mechanism coupling the fan section to the turbine section and a biasing device configured to apply a biasing force against the shaft.

Abstract: An engine has spherical pressure vessels attached to a continuous vertical conveyor. Each spherical pressure vessel has an operating pressure sufficient to hold gas at a pre-defined pressure. At least one gas compressor is in communication with each spherical pressure vessel, and the gas compressor is capable of compressing a gas in each pressure vessel to the pre-defined pressure. A pressure relief mechanism is in communication with each spherical pressure vessel. The pressure relief mechanism is capable of returning the gas in each vessel to atmospheric pressure. A plurality of reciprocating electrical generators is disposed in each spherical pressure vessel to convert the heat generated during pressurization to electrical power.

Abstract: An object is to provide a fluid machine whereby it is possible to improve performance, for example, expand a flow-rate operation rage with a simplified shape of an intake pipe. A fluid machine includes an impeller mounted to a rotation shaft, a housing which houses the impeller rotatably, and an intake pipe for supplying a fluid to the housing. The intake pipe includes at least a first bend portion disposed on a first plane, and a second bend portion disposed at a downstream side of the first bend portion and on a second plane which is different from the first plane. The second bend portion includes an upstream section having a center axis oriented along a center axis of a downstream section of the first bend portion and a downstream section having a center axis oriented along an axial direction of the impeller at a front of the impeller. The intake pipe has a constant cross-sectional shape from an upstream end of the first bend portion to a downstream end of the second bend portion.

Abstract: An engine exhaust apparatus includes an exhaust passage for flowing exhaust gas emitted from an engine, a flow rectifier for rectifying the flow of the exhaust gas, and an exhaust heat recovery unit disposed in the exhaust passage downstream of the flow rectifier. The exhaust heat recovery unit is provided with an exhaust heat recovery portion and a cooling portion to cool the exhaust heat recovery portion. The engine exhaust apparatus further includes a first diameter reducing portion gradually reduced in diameter toward the exhaust heat recovery unit from the flow rectifier, and a second diameter reducing portion gradually reduced in diameter toward the downstream from the exhaust heat recovery unit.

Abstract: A gravity power generation device comprises a geothermal well, a hollow heat conducting post, a power generating unit, a steam guiding unit, a condensing unit and a water distribution unit. By discharging and filling the water alternately and repetitively, a first tank and a second tank of the power generating unit can be continuously movable back and forth between a first and a second power generation positions so that a shaft of the power generating unit can continuously rotate to drive a generator of the power generating unit to generate electric power, thereby the heat energy of the geothermal steam can be converted into the potential energy of the water, and then be converted to electric energy so as to meet the demand for power generation by natural energy.

Abstract: A cooling system for a gas turbine engine turbine section includes a rotor supporting a blade having a cooling passage. A disc is secured relative to the rotor and it forms a cavity between the rotor and the disc. A bleed air source is in fluid communication with the cavity. An impeller is arranged in the cavity. The impeller is configured to increase a fluid pressure within the cavity to drive bleed air from the bleed air source and thereby provide a pressurized cooling fluid to the cooling passage.

Abstract: The displacer 2d . . . has a gas retention space Hg . . . formed therein. The gas retention space Hg . . . enables a working gas G to be alternately moved between a heating unit 3h side and a cooling unit 3c side of a displacer cylinder 2c . . . by the movement of the displacer 2d . . . . The displacer 2d . . . and the displacer cylinder 2c . . . have an outer circumferential surface 2df and an inner circumferential surface 2ci, respectively, formed into such shapes as to be able to permit the movement of the displacer 2d . . . and inhibit passage of the working gas G. The displacer 2d . . . has a gas passageway 7 which is formed on its outer circumferential surface 2df and includes a gas passage groove that allows the gas retention space Hg to communicate with a working gas inlet/outlet 6 . . . provided in the displacer cylinder 2c . . . and connected to a power cylinder 5c.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus which can heat water using a Fresnel lens or magnifying glass to focus and concentrate sunlight on water-filled radiator-like tubes which move water, by the water pressure from a water spigot/bib (without pumping), to: (1) move the heated water through tubes to heat any space inside any building, and (2) provide steam to power a steam-powered electricity generator to provide electricity, and charge a battery, during daylight hours, and then use the charged battery to supply electricity during the night hours, and (3) move water, cooled by the subsurface ground, by water pressure from a water spigot/bib, without pumping, into proximity with any air space inside any building to cool the air space.

Abstract: A geared turbofan engine includes a first rotor, a fan, a second rotor, a gear train, a fan casing, a nacelle and a plurality of discrete acoustic liner segments. The fan is connected to the first rotor and is capable of rotation at frequencies between 200 and 6000 Hz and has a fan pressure ratio of between 1.25 and 1.60. The gear train connects the first rotor to the second rotor. The fan casing and nacelle are arranged circumferentially about a centerline and define a bypass flow duct in which the fan is disposed. The plurality of discrete acoustic liner segments with varied geometric properties are disposed along the bypass flow duct.

Abstract: An external solar receiver for a tower solar concentration thermodynamic plant and a field of heliostats includes a plurality of panels wherein each panel with heat exchanger tubes is connected to an interior support element, with an axis substantially perpendicular to the panel, the interior support element being furthermore connected in a rotary manner to a support element belonging to the internal structure by means of at least two parallel, substantially horizontal connecting rods. The connecting rods are each articulated at a first end on the interior support element and at a second end on the support element, respectively, so that under the effect of thermal expansion or contraction of the panels with heat exchangers, each of the panels moves substantially parallel to itself and without deformation of the surface thereof, and in such a way that the polygonal or circular cross-section of the receiver undergoes a homothetic transformation.

Abstract: A novel cost effective low profile structure that converts and stores solar radiation into heat and electricity for controlled utilization. The inventive material incorporates a large insulated vault or chamber of substantial thermal mass connected to a series of inlet passages and to a solar collector assembly. As solar radiation is collected by the solar collector assembly a temperature gradient is created between the collector and the air that is within the vault resulting in air being drawn out of the chamber and through the collector assembly. This air movement is utilized to rotate turbines that are coupled to the inlet passages generating electricity. The hot air is also captured and utilized. The system provides for an efficient, economical process of harnessing and utilizing solar energy by capitalizing on not only on its thermal nature, but its motive nature as well.

Abstract: A hydroelectric power system and pump suitable for the system are disclosed which can make efficient use of the energy available in water flows with considerably variable flow rates. A simple, compact variable displacement axial piston pump can be operated so as to provide an essentially constant output pumping pressure and variable output volume that varies efficiently in accordance with water flow rate. The system is particularly suitable for shoreline tidal power generation and provides firm power output throughout the tidal slacks occurring during the tidal reversals.