Abstract: The invention relates to a reprogrammable shape change sheet, a method of shaping a surface and a reprogrammable injection molding machine. The sheet comprises a plurality of muscle elements capable of changing shape upon electric stimulation, the elements being arranged in an array to define a surface. According to the invention, the muscle elements comprise two muscle material layers capable of changing shape upon electric stimulation and a flexible wiring layer sandwiched between the muscle material layers, the wiring layer being electrically connected to said muscle material layers for delivering electric stimulation signals to the muscle material layers for changing the shape of the muscle elements and further the topology of the surface. The invention provides a new shape change sheet structure, which can be made thin, accurate and durable for various uses.

Abstract: A steam cycle system comprises a boiler comprising a superheat section, a reheat section, and an economizer section, wherein the boiler is configured to receive a feedwater stream; a steam turbine system comprising a high pressure turbine and a lower pressure turbine, wherein the steam turbine system is configured to receive steam generated by the boiler; a condenser configured to receive at least a portion of the outlet steam from the steam turbine system and output the feedwater stream; a high pressure feedwater heat exchanger configured to receive at least a portion of the feedwater stream, allow for an energy exchange between the portion of the feedwater stream and a steam stream, and output the portion of the feedwater stream to the boiler; a steam extraction line configured to provide a steam flow from an outlet of the high pressure turbine to the high pressure feedwater heater; a feedwater temperature control device configured to control the temperature of the feedwater stream by modulating the energy

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotorcraft rotor (1) having a plurality of blades (3) movably mounted on a hub (2) via blade roots (4) that are respectively associated therewith. The rotor (1) is fitted with an information capture appliance having at least one measurement assembly (E1) comprising a flexible bar (11) interposed in engagement at its respective ends between the hub (2) and a blade root (4) that is allocated thereto. A strain gauge (7, 8) formed of a SAW transducer is implanted on the bar (11) and generates information relative to the bending of the bar (11) following tilting orientations of the blade root (4) in flapping (B) and/or in lag (T).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for safely handling an undesired blade event in an open rotor engine system. In one illustrative embodiment, an occurrence of an undesired blade event in an open rotor engine system is detected. Electrical energy is allowed to flow into a conductor embedded in the blade in response to the undesired blade event. The conductor is vaporized when the electrical energy flowing through the conductor heats the conductor to a temperature above a selected threshold.

Abstract: A turbine engine temperature control system configured to limit thermal gradients from being created within an outer casing surrounding a turbine airfoil assembly during shutdown of a gas turbine engine and for preheating an engine during a cold startup is disclosed. By reducing thermal gradients caused by hot air buoyancy within the mid-region cavities in the outer casing, arched and sway-back bending of the outer casing is prevented, thereby reducing the likelihood of blade tip rub, and potential blade damage, during a warm restart. The turbine engine temperature control system may also be used for cold startup conditions to heat engine components such that gaps between turbine airfoil tips and adjacent blade rings can be made larger from thermal expansion, thereby reducing the risk of damage. The turbine engine temperature control system may operate during turning gear system operation after shutdown of the gas turbine engine or during a cold startup.

Abstract: Systems and methods for concentrating and storing solar energy are provided. A solar energy receiver for use with the systems and methods may include a container for holding a solar absorption material, such as a phase change material, and a cooled cover disposed above the container for condensing and collecting vaporized phase change material collected along an underside of the cover.

Abstract: Embodiments for controlling exhaust air-fuel ratio are provided. In one example, an engine method comprises adjusting upstream exhaust air-fuel ratio to maintain a first emission control device at or below a threshold temperature, and when the upstream exhaust air-fuel ratio is below a threshold, injecting air into an exhaust passage between the first emission control device and a second emission control device to maintain downstream exhaust at a different, higher air-fuel ratio. In this way, excess emissions may be converted while maintaining the emission control devices below a maximum temperature.

Abstract: Provided is an exhaust apparatus provided in a construction machine with an engine and an engine room, the exhaust apparatus capable of suppressing vibration of an exhaust gas pipe and securing required strength thereof. The exhaust apparatus includes a duct provided in the engine room, a fan to suck air into the engine room and discharge through the duct the air to an outside as exhaust wind, and an exhaust gas pipe guiding exhaust gas of the engine into the duct. The exhaust gas pipe includes a duct inner portion inside the duct and a duct outer portion connected to the duct inner portion outside the duct. The duct inner portion has a plurality of discharge holes to allow the exhaust gas to be injected into the duct therethrough and discharged to the outside together with the exhaust wind. The duct inner portion is connected to the duct.

Abstract: A generator system uses compressed air as a power source and utilizes an electromagnetic auxiliary power unit. The generator system includes an engine (1), a multiple-column power distributor (2), a generator system (4), a controller system (6), an intake speed control valve (23), a high pressure gas tank (13), a constant pressure tank (16), an electronic control unit ECO (29), an electromagnetic auxiliary power unit (1000), a power distributor (1100) and an end gas recycle loop. The end gas recycle loop includes an air compressor (7), a condenser (11), an end gas recycle tank (9), an electro-drive turbine unidirectional suction pump (19) and an end gas muffler (22).

Abstract: A method of immobilizing a low pressure spool assembly including maintaining a body of the locking tool in the annular gas path, attaching a securing portion of the body across an aperture defined through an annular wall delimiting the gas path; positioning a stop connected to the body of the locking tool into a rotary path of a given one of the sets of blades of the low pressure spool assembly; and rotating the high pressure spool assembly thereby biasing a blade of the given set of blades of the low pressure spool assembly against the stop, thereby immobilizing the low pressure spool assembly. A locking tool and a method of performing engine maintenance are also provided.

Abstract: Generally a power unit including an internal combustion engine and a Stirling engine engaged through a common power transmission system operable to offset an applied load. Specifically, a Stirling engine which uses heat discharged by an internal combustion engine as a heat source to drive the Stirling engine with the engine speed controlled by a combination of regulating fuel consumption of and application of an exhaust brake to the internal combustion engine transferring a compressive load of the internal combustion engine to the Stirling engine through the common power transmission system operable to offset an applied load.

Abstract: A steam power plant is suggested having, parallel to the preheater passage (VW1 to VW4), a heat reservoir (25) which is loaded with preheated condensate in weak-load times. This preheated condensate is taken from the heat reservoir (25) for generating peak-load and inserted downstream of the preheater passage into the condensate line (19.2) resp. the feed water container (8). Thus it is possible to quickly control the power generation of the power plant in a wide range without significantly having to change the heating output of the boiler of the steam generator (1). A steam power plant equipped according to the invention can thus be operated with bigger load modifications and also provide more control energy.

Abstract: A control method for an exhaust treatment system is provided. The method includes: selectively determining a fluid state from a plurality of fluid states based on a temperature of a fluid supply source; estimating an average consumption rate based on the fluid state; and evaluating a fluid supply within the fluid supply source based on the average consumption rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conversion of heat into liquid fluid power includes at least two hydropneumatic (hp) accumulators, each having a gas reservoir and a liquid reservoir therein separated by a movable separator. Liquid added to a liquid reservoir of a first accumulator causes gas compression in the gas reservoir of the accumulator. Gas is conducted from the first accumulator through a heat exchanger and into a gas reservoir of a second accumulator. Expansion of the gas in the second accumulator causes working liquid to be expelled from the second accumulator. After expansion of the gas in the second accumulator, working liquid is added to the liquid reservoir of the second accumulator gas is conducted through a cooling heat exchanger to the gas reservoir of the first accumulator, causing working liquid to be expelled. The fluid power produced through the expelled working liquid is stored or utilized to operate hydraulic devices.

Abstract: An exhaust gas collection system for capturing exhaust gas emitted by auxiliary engines, auxiliary boilers and other sources on an Ocean Going Vessel (OGV) while at berth or anchor, so that these gases may be carried to an emissions treatment system for removal of air pollutants and greenhouse gases. The exhaust gas collection system includes a diverter to redirect exhaust gas normally carried to the OGV's stack for release to the atmosphere, to an emissions treatment system. The emissions treatment system may be land-based, water-based, or on the OGV. When the emissions treatment system is land-based or water-based, the exhaust gas is carried to a connection location that accessible by a ducting system to carry the exhaust gas to the emissions treatment system. The exhaust gas collection system preferably includes parallel-flow ducts and a manifold to combine the parallel-flows into a single duct for more convenient routing through the vessel.

Abstract: A structure for operating a system for utilizing exhaust heat of a vehicle may include a high-temperature part with an exhaust pipe and a bypass passage installed in the exhaust pipe, a thermoelectric element attached to an exterior of the exhaust pipe for generating electricity, a low-temperature part attached to an exterior of the thermoelectric element for flowing a coolant, a first exhaust gas passage installed in the low-temperature part and having both ends connected to the exhaust pipe, a first valve to selectively open or close the first exhaust gas passage, a second exhaust gas passage formed in a space between the inner circumferential surface of the exhaust pipe and an outer circumferential surface of the bypass passage, a second valve disposed at a rear end of the bypass passage, coupled to a valve shaft and rotatable on the basis of the valve shaft, and an operating unit.

Abstract: A design of a dual energy solar thermal power plant is proposed. It can be built on a piece of land where sunshine is abundant and the moisture in the air is relatively low. The desert corridor starting at Las Vegas and to the south is the best in the whole U.S. The power plant design is simple, using the equipment and material commonly available at reasonable costs. No particularly complicated equipment and material are required. The optimized plant size will be one MVA up to 300 MVA depending on the available land size in acres. The transmission line voltage can be from 13.8 kV up to 230 kV, depending on the MVA capacity. The land for a plant can be up to 600 acres.

Abstract: A method of operating a piston expander, including introducing live steam into a cylinder space via an inlet valve; expanding the live steam during a power stroke in which a piston moves from an upper dead center position to a lower dead center position; opening an outlet opening as soon as the piston is in the region of the lower dead center position; after the piston reaches the lower dead center position, conveying the expanded steam out of the outlet opening and into a steam discharge; and subsequently closing the outlet opening before the piston in an exhaust stroke reaches the lower dead center position.

Abstract: A method of controlling an energy harvesting system that converts excess thermal energy into mechanical energy and includes a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) member, includes obtaining current operational parameters of the energy harvesting system, such as a maximum temperature, a minimum temperature and a cycle frequency of the SMA member. The current operational parameters are compared to a target operating condition of the energy harvesting system to determine if the current operational parameters are within a pre-defined range of the target operating condition. If the current operational parameters are not within the pre-defined range of the target operating condition, then a heat transfer rate to, a heat transfer rate from or a cycle frequency of the SMA member is adjusted to maintain operation of the energy harvesting system within the pre-defined range of the target operating condition to maximize efficiency of the energy harvesting system.

Abstract: A waste heat recovery system includes a heat recovery cycle system coupled to at least two separate heat sources having different temperatures. The heat recovery cycle system is coupled to a first heat source and at least one second heat source. The heat recovery cycle system is configured to circulate a working fluid. The at least one second heat source includes a lower temperature heat source than the first heat source. The working fluid is circulatable in heat exchange relationship through a first heat exchange unit, a second heat exchange unit for heating the working fluid in the heat recovery cycle system. The first heat exchange unit is coupled to the at least one second heat source to heat at least a portion of a cooled stream of working fluid to a substantially higher temperature.