Abstract: An apparatus, which may be operated as a heat engine and/or a heat pump, includes moveable separators at a cold side and/or moveable separators at a hot side. Each separator divides a volume into two smaller volumes. Working fluid may be sequentially filled and emptied from volumes between the separators. The separators may move to maintain uniform pressure in the volumes. Hot-side separators may allow for near adiabatic compression/expansion of working fluid. Cold-side separators may allow for near adiabatic expansion/compression of working fluid. Two displacers are positioned between the cold-side separators and the hot-side separators. The displacers are independently actuatable to force working fluid into and out of the volumes between separators and into and out of a variable intermediate volume between the displacers. Heat exchangers, including a warming heat exchanger, are provided to heat, cool, and warm working fluid as it flows between separated volumes and the intermediate volume.

Abstract: A cascade organic Rankine cycle plant comprising a hot source, at least a first high temperature organic Rankine cycle and a second low temperature organic Rankine cycle, said cycles comprising at least one preheater, at least one vaporizer, at least one turbine, at least one condenser, wherein the hot source first supplies a vaporizer of the high temperature cycle, then the vaporizer of the low temperature cycle and finally it is divided into two flows which supply a first preheater of the high temperature cycle and a preheater of the low temperature cycle. The first high-temperature organic Rankine cycle comprises a further vaporizer operating at an intermediate pressure between the vaporizer pressure of the high temperature cycle and the vaporizer pressure of the low temperature cycle.

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. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability.

Abstract: This invention concerns a receiver unit (10) for a parabolic trough solar plant. The receiver unit (10) has a conduit (12) for conveying a heat transfer fluid (14) and a cover (16), which is located about the conduit (12) such that a vacuum is formed between the conduit and the cover. The conduit (12) is designed to absorb thermal radiation. The cover (16) has a first portion (26) defining a window (22) through which incoming solar radiation (24) passes into the vacuum and onto the conduit (12) and a second portion (28) carrying a reflective surface (20) so as to reflect thermal radiation back onto the conduit (12). The invention also concerns a method of reducing thermal radiation loss from a parabolic trough receiver.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuator assembly (2) is disclosed. The actuator assembly comprises a support (21), a first stage (22) moveable in at least two different non-parallel directions in a first plane relative to the support, a first set of at least two shape memory alloy wires (271) configured to move the first stage in the first plane, a second stage (23) moveable in at least two different non-parallel in a second plane parallel to or coplanar with the first plane relative to the first stage, and a second set of at least two shape memory alloy wires (272) configured to move the second stage in the second plane. The first stage is coupled to the support via the first set of shape memory alloy wires and the second stage is coupled to the first stage via the second set of shape memory alloy wires such that movement of the second stage in the second plane with respect to the support is a combination of movement of the first stage relative to support and the second stage relative to the first stage.

Abstract: An energy-recovery device comprises an engine, an immersion chamber, a drive, and a power module. The engine comprises a core comprising a core element that comprises working material, the core element comprising a fixed first end and a second end that is connected to the drive. The immersion chamber houses the engine and is configured to be sequentially filled with fluid to expand and contract the core element. The power module applies a controlled stress to the core element during at least one of a heating phase and a cooling phase of a power cycle carried out by the engine.

Abstract: Plastic-powered power generator. In an embodiment, the plastic-powered power generator comprises a primary reactor with an air-fuel distribution assembly configured to supply fluidized polymer, air, and oxidizer to a primary reactor chamber, and an ignition system configured to ignite a mixture of the fluidized polymer, air, and oxidizer. The primary reactor chamber extends into a secondary reactor, to, when ignited, heat air flowing through the secondary reactor from a blower to a heat exchanger. The heated air flow may convert fluid, in a coil within the heat exchanger, into steam, which can drive a turbine to generate electrical power.

Abstract: A shape memory actuator including: a monolithic shape memory alloy; a shape memory effect (SME) section of the alloy, configured for actuation; a pseudo-elastic (PE) section of the alloy, configured as a sensor for enabling position sensing; and a control system configured to control the actuator by controlling a current through at least the SME section based on the sensor results of the PE section. A method of controlling a shape memory actuator, the method including: applying a predetermined current through the actuator; measuring a first resistance of the SME section; measuring a second resistance of the PE section; calculating an estimated position of the actuator based on the first and second resistances; and adapting the current applied to the actuator based on the estimated position. A method of manufacturing a shape memory actuator, the method including: laser processing; thermomechanically treating; and training the shape memory alloy.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a propeller shaft, a lower case, an upper case, and a splash guard. The lower case houses the propeller shaft. The upper case is located above the lower case. The splash guard includes an upper plate that projects forward from the upper case. The splash guard is separate from the upper case and is attached to the upper case.

Abstract: Traditional power generation with a turbine may be inefficient, costly or inconvenient. The improvement disclosed herein involves the use of two fluids. A pressurizing fluid is vaporized, pressurized and fed into a pressure cylinder holding a liquid working fluid. The pressurizing fluid forces the working fluid out of the pressure cylinder and through a liquid turbine to generate electricity or perform work. The working fluid is recycled from the turbine into another pressure cylinder for re-use. The pressurizing fluid is condensed and then also recycled back to the evaporator where it is vaporized and pressurized again. Use of a liquid rather than gas turbine makes for improved efficiency and lower cost. The use of a separate pressurizing fluid, which may be volatile, allows for convenient use where the temperature of the thermal source is limited.

Abstract: A water-driven turbine has an elongated endless conveyor with down and up streaming straightaways connected by travel-reversing turns. Paddles mounted on the conveyor present high resistance to waterflow on the downstream straightaway and low resistance to waterflow or the atmosphere on the upstream straightaway, the differential allowing the flow of water to continuously drive the conveyor which is connected to a power take-off shaft facilitating connection to a variety of energy-harnessing systems. The turbine can be towed, self-driven or mooring line manipulated to a flow site and is operable in unidirectional flows such as rivers and reversing flows such as tides at depths from surface to bottom. The paddles can be mounted or changed on shore, at the flow site and anywhere in between. The turbine is efficient in low and high velocity water flow, not easily damaged by floating debris, cavitation free and fish, mammal and environmentally friendly.

Abstract: Marine propellers for coupling to a propeller drive shaft may include a propeller hub. A plurality of propeller blades may extend from the propeller hub. A shearable drive assembly may include a drive core. The drive core may include a drive core wall configured to be drivingly engaged by the propeller drive shaft. At least one drive rib may extend from the drive core wall. At least one shear cavity may be provided in the at least one drive rib. A drive sleeve may be drivingly engaged for rotation by the drive core and configured to drivingly engage the propeller hub of the marine propeller for rotation. The drive sleeve may have at least one rib slot receiving the at least one drive rib of the drive core. Other marine propellers with shearable drive assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bypass air/fluid heat exchanger (2) for a turbofan engine. According to the invention, this exchanger (2) comprises: —an annular outer shroud (3) with two walls, an inner wall (32) and an outer wall (31), —an annular inner shroud (4) concentric with the outer shroud (3), —a series of OGV guide vanes (5) which connect said outer shroud to said inner shroud, —and a circulation circuit (6) for circulating said fluid, the two shrouds delimiting a bypass air flow path, the fluid circulation circuit (6) is formed in the body of the outer shroud (3) and in the body of at least one of the OGV guide vanes (5), this circulation circuit (6) opening at the two respective ends thereof into an inlet opening (34) and into an outlet opening (35), formed through said outer wall (31) of the outer shroud, and the two shrouds (3, 4), the OGV guide vanes (5) and the circulation circuit (6) of said fluid are integral.

Abstract: Damper assemblies suitable for coupling a drive to an output may include a hub for coupling to the output. The hub may include a hub drive sleeve. A drive adaptor may be configured for coupling to the drive. The drive adaptor may include an adaptor shaft disposed in the hub drive sleeve of the hub. At least one continuous circumferential damper member may encircle the adaptor shaft of the drive adaptor. The at least one circumferential damper member may be drivingly engaged by the adaptor shaft of the drive adaptor and drivingly engage the hub drive sleeve of the hub. At least one deformation space may be disposed adjacent to the at least one continuous circumferential damper member. The at least one deformation space may at least partially coincide in circumference with the at least one circumferential damper member. Marine propellers having damper assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A buoyancy energy conversion system and method for converting buoyant forces to rotational energy may comprise a pair of reciprocating buoyancy tanks connected to a common drive cable. The pair of buoyancy tanks may be alternatively filled and emptied of compressed gas to alternately raise and lower the pair of buoyancy tanks within a water column. The ends of the drive cable are connected to opposed sides of a drive assembly such that the rising and lowering of the pair of buoyancy tanks within the water column rotates the drive assembly. The buoyancy energy conversion system may include an upper frame assembly mounted to a floating structure and supporting the drive assembly and a weighted lower frame assembly supporting said drive cable. A source and system of compressed gas and valves may force compressed gas and water into and out of the pair of buoyancy tanks.

Abstract: A wave power generation apparatus is disclosed. A wave power generation apparatus according to one embodiment can comprise: a floating body floating on the surface of the sea; a power transmission part, which is connected to the floating body so as to receive power generated according to the movement of the floating body, and moors the floating body on the surface of the sea; and a mooring angle adjustment module for adjusting the mooring angle of the floating body for the power transmission part according to the state of the waves acting on the floating body.

Abstract: An integrated hybrid energy recovery and storage system for recovering and storing energy from multiple energy sources is disclosed. The system includes an accumulator unit having a high pressure accumulator and a low pressure accumulator. At least one piston is mounted for reciprocation in the high pressure accumulator. The accumulator unit is configured to receive, store, and transfer energy from the hydraulic fluid to the energy storage media. The system further includes two or more rotational directional control valves, in which at least one rotational directional control valve is positioned on each side of the accumulator unit. Each rotational directional control valve includes multiple ports. The system also includes two or more variable displacement hydraulic rotational units. At least one variable displacement hydraulic rotational unit is positioned adjacent each of the rotational directional control valves.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes heat exchangers for converting thermal energy stored in solid particles to electricity. Electro-thermal energy storage converts off-peak electricity into heat for thermal energy storage, which may be converted back to electricity, for example during peak-hour power generation. The heat exchanger for converting thermal energy stored in solid particles to electricity enables the conversion of thermal energy into electrical energy for redistribution to the grid. In some embodiments, pressurized fluidized-bed heat exchangers may achieve efficient conversion of thermal energy to electricity by providing direct contact of the solid particles with a gas stream.

Abstract: The invention provides a SolarHearth, a passive solar heating system that includes a work of art that can be mounted on a building, to bring warmed air into the building. The system includes a heat exchange chamber having a display window that contains the work of art, and is is configured to create a passive solar environment to create a natural vacuum. The system further includes means for moving air through the heat exchange chamber, such as an air plenum or fans.

Abstract: An arrangement for storing energy, the arrangement comprising a heat-charging mass (4) and a heat-transfer channeling (3), the arrangement also comprising a heating member (11) adapted to heat up the heat-charging mass (4). The arrangement comprises a boiler belonging to a discarded combustion power plant and converted to a thermal energy storage (2) by at least partly filling the boiler with the heat-charging mass (4).