Abstract: In various embodiments, a system and method are provided for storing a liquid mixed refrigerant (MR) separated and stored as Low boiling point (LBP) and high boiling point (HBP) components. These storage components are later used in conjunction with heating and/or cooling sources in effecting the operation of a Rankine cycle to generate electric or mechanical power on a dispatch or when needed basis. The MR is reconstituted by combining the LBP and HBP. In a cycle, the LBP and HBP are later separated from the MR utilizing sporadically available energy sources (for example, solar, wind, hydro, etc.) or consistently available sources (for example geothermal).

Abstract: Energy storage and retrieval systems are disclosed, along with methods of storing and retrieving the energy. The systems include an energy storage system and a trilateral cycle. The energy storage system includes low- and high-temperature energy storage tanks storing one or more energy storage media that exchange heat with a working fluid in both a gradient heat exchanger and a substantially isothermal heat exchanger in the trilateral cycle. Pressure changing devices transport the energy storage medium/media between the storage tanks and through the heat exchangers. The working fluid rejects heat to the energy storage medium and drives a turbine when the system is charging, and the energy storage medium rejects heat to the working fluid when the system is discharging. In some embodiments, the energy storage medium drives a second turbine when the system is discharging.

Abstract: A moving part of a compressor, a compressor including the moving part, and a method of manufacturing the moving part, the moving part including a base material having a polished surface and including a steel material; an adhesive layer arranged on the polished surface; and a coating layer including diamond-like carbon. The adhesive layer may be arranged between the base material and the coating layer and bond the coating layer to the base material, and the base material may include an etching-processed area having a plurality of microgrooves (MG) extending in a downward direction into the base material from the polished surface.

Abstract: A method of controlling power delivered to a shape memory alloy, SMA, actuator wire arrangement, wherein the arrangement comprises a plurality of SMA actuator wires, comprising: the steps of: applying, at a PWM frequency, to each of the SMA actuator wires during respective active periods a succession of voltage pulses; and applying, during a resistance measurement period, to one of the plurality of SMA actuator wires a resistance measurement current pulse, wherein the resistance measurement period corresponds to the respective active period of one of the plurality of SMA actuator wires.

Abstract: A subterranean energy storage system configured to store and subsequently release potential energy. Storage of potential energy is achieved by the transfer of a pseudo fluid from a first storage tank to a second storage tank located above the first storage tank, and is subsequently released by the transfer of the pseudo fluid from the second storage tank to the first storage tank. To transfer the pseudo fluid between the first and second storage tanks, the subterranean energy storage system comprises at least one continuous conveyor mechanism extending through at least one transport shaft, wherein the at least one continuous conveyor mechanism comprises a plurality of vessels arranged along a length of the continuous conveyor mechanism. The subterranean energy storage system further comprises an energy transfer means operably connected to the at least one continuous conveyor mechanism to transfer power to and from the subterranean energy storage system.

Abstract: A method for a hybrid electric propulsion (HEP) system includes utilizing a soft actor-critic agent, which includes at least one neural network, and a control barrier function (CBF) filter to obtain a power splitting profile for an HEP system. The power splitting profile includes an electric motor power for an electric motor of the HEP system and a gas turbine power for a gas turbine of the HEP system. The electric motor power and gas turbine power collectively provide a combined HEP output power. The method also includes, during a flight of an aircraft that includes the HEP system, performing an output action for the HEP system based on the power splitting profile. The utilizing is performed based on a predefined fuel consumption objective and a state of charge of at least one battery that powers the electric motor. A system for a HEP system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. The delivered heat which may be used for processes including power generation and cogeneration. In one application, the energy storage system provides higher-temperature heat to a conventional lower-temperature heat source to boost the temperature of a thermal power cycle working fluid to a turbine, thereby increasing efficiency of the power cycle.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system and a method for generating energy from geothermal sources. The system includes an injection well and a production well extending underground into a rock formation, a first lateral section connected to the injection well and a second lateral section connected to the production well, the first and second lateral sections connected with a multilateral connector, defining a pressure-tested downhole well loop within the rock formation and in a heat transfer arrangement therewith. The downhole well loop cased in steel and cemented in place within the rock formation. The downhole well loop to receive working fluid capable of undergoing phase change between liquid and gas within the downhole well loop as a result of heat transferred from the rock formation. The system also includes a pump to circulate working fluid, a turbine system to convert the flow of working fluid into electricity, and a cooler.

Abstract: A squeeze film damper assembly for a compressor includes a damper sleeve configured to be disposed about a rotor shaft of the compressor. The damper sleeve includes a pressure dam pocket formed in an inner circumference of the damper sleeve. The pressure dam pocket is configured to receive a flow of lubricant and to pressurize the flow of lubricant via rotation of the rotor shaft. The damper sleeve includes an outlet passage extending from the pressure dam pocket to an outer circumference of the damper sleeve. The squeeze film damper assembly also includes a bearing housing disposed about the damper sleeve to form a damper gap extending between the outer circumference of the damper sleeve and the bearing housing. The damper gap is fluidly coupled to the outlet passage and is configured to receive the flow of lubricant from the pressure dam pocket.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a load bearing direct-drive system and a variable process control system for efficiently managing the operation of fans in a cooling system such as a wet-cooling tower, air-cooled heat exchanger (ACHE), HVAC system, blowers and centrifugal blowers, mechanical towers or chiller systems. In one embodiment, the load bearing direct-drive system comprises a load bearing torque multiplier device having an output rotatable shaft connected to a fan, and a load bearing motor comprising a rotatable shaft that drives the load bearing torque multiplier device.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor includes: a scroll housing including a scroll flow path; a shroud piece attached to the scroll housing at a position radially inside the scroll flow path and including a shroud portion that faces a compressor impeller in a radial direction; and a throttling portion arranged in a gap formed between the scroll housing and the shroud piece.

Abstract: Control systems and methods suitable for combination with power production systems and methods are provided herein. The control systems and methods may be used with, for example, closed power cycles as well as semi-closed power cycles. The combined control systems and methods and power production systems and methods can provide dynamic control of the power production systems and methods that can be carried out automatically based upon inputs received by controllers and outputs from the controllers to one or more components of the power production systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods for variable pressure inventory control of a closed thermodynamic cycle power generation system or energy storage system, such as a reversible Brayton cycle system, with at least a high pressure tank and an intermediate pressure tank are disclosed. Operational parameters of the system such as working fluid pressure, turbine torque, turbine RPM, generator torque, generator RPM, and current, voltage, phase, frequency, and/or quantity of electrical power generated and/or distributed by the generator may be the basis for controlling a quantity of working fluid that circulates through a closed cycle fluid path of the system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoelastic energy converter (1), in particular for use in a thermoelastic heating/cooling apparatus or in a combined heat-and-power coupling system, comprising: an arrangement comprising multiple converter devices (3a, 3b), wherein each of the converter devices (3a, 3b) has one or more thermoelastic elements (4) arranged in a direction of extension; a loading device, in order to load the thermoelastic elements (4) of each of the multiple converter devices (3a, 3b) so as to have a temporally variable power curve; a coupling which is designed such that the loading device actuates the converter devices (3a, 3b) in a phase-offset manner with respect to their cyclic loading and unloading.

Abstract: A driving mechanism is provided in the present disclosure, including a fixed portion, a first movable portion, and a first driving assembly. The first movable portion moves relative to the fixed portion in a first direction. The first driving assembly drives the first movable portion to move relative to the fixed portion in the first direction. The first driving assembly includes a coil and a magnetic element corresponding to the coil.

Abstract: A piston apparatus includes a plurality of piston assemblies respectively having a first piston body and a first piston disposed within a first volume defined by the first piston body, a second piston body and a second piston disposed within a second volume defined by the second piston body, and a connection member coupled to the first piston and the second piston. The first and second volume respectively include an expansion chamber and a compression chamber defined by opposite sides of the corresponding piston. The respective expansion chambers fluidly communicate with a corresponding compression chamber of another one of the piston assemblies. The first volume of a first piston assembly fluidly communicates with the first volume and the second volume of a second piston assembly, and the first volume of a third piston assembly fluidly communicate with the first volume and the second volume of the second piston assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method of producing unidirectional motion from a multidirectional source using magnets strategically placed to reduce the necessity of some physically interacting parts. Smoothened unidirectional motion can accomplish usable work in many applications.

Abstract: The invention discloses a power generating device and an operation method thereof based on ocean temperature difference, which belong to the field of ocean energy utilization, and include a negative thermal expansion body, a rope and a generator. The negative thermal expansion body is connected to the rope, and the rope is connected to the generator simultaneously. The negative thermal expansion body is in a contracted state when in the hotter upper seawater close to the sea surface, and the difference obtained by deducting buoyancy from gravity is relatively large. The negative thermal expansion body is in an expanded state when in colder deep seawater, and the difference obtained by deducting buoyancy from gravity is relatively small. The unbalanced force on the rope will drive the rope to move, and the generator will be driven to generate power through the rope.

Abstract: A scroll compressor for refrigerant-oil mixtures with oil return, including a housing element and a fixed scroll, wherein the housing element is connected to the fixed scroll by means of a seal in such a way that an outlet chamber is formed between the housing element and the fixed scroll, wherein, for oil separation and oil return purposes, an oil separation chamber, which has a high-pressure refrigerant outlet and an oil collection area, and an oil return channel towards a suction pressure chamber are arranged downstream of the outlet chamber, the scroll compressor being characterized in that an outlet chamber drain for draining oil into the oil return channel of the oil separation chamber is formed in the geodetic lower region of the outlet chamber.

Abstract: An actuator, a release device, and a method of actuating a release device are provided. The actuator comprises a housing defining a first path; an actuating element disposed within the first path, the actuating element being made from a shape memory alloy having a transition temperature, the actuating element being configured to couple with a power source, at least portion of the actuating element being further configured to not change shape when the power source applies a first current for a predetermined amount of time and moves at least a portion of the actuating element from the first position to a second position when the power source applies a second current; and a heat transfer material disposed in the first path between the actuating element and the housing.