Abstract: A water purification and recovery system and method are provided for treating unprocessed water to produce purified water suitable for any of several uses. The system and method include energy reduction and integration features which enhance cooperation between a sludge recovery module and water purification module. The modules of the system perform sequential separation of solid and dissolved contaminants and impurities, respectively, from the unprocessed water. The sludge recovery module includes two or more induction heaters which are operated at least in part by electricity produced using steam formed in the sludge recovery module by the induction heaters. Purified water and, optionally, one or more concentrated non-aqueous products are produced from the water purification module.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for detecting and removing microplastics from wastewater effluent. Both, automatic/remote and manual monitoring and sampling components are included to detect the presence of microplastics. The automatic monitoring and sampling component includes a TSS sensor and associated apparatus calibrated to account for non-plastic solids present in the wastewater and, thereby, more accurately determine the presence of microplastics. Efficient separation and removal of microplastics from wastewater effluent is performed by a specialized capture net apparatus having multiple sized mesh components and optional diffuser devices which perform size exclusion filtration of microplastics from the water.

Abstract: An automatic sampling device (autosampler) is provided for continuous water sample collection and visual inspection for the presence of particulate solids in water sources. The autosampler is capable of collecting larger water samples, over a longer period of time, than typical inline monitoring and sampling methods. This provides more accurate information regarding the presence and concentration of particulate solids in the water sample as compared to most inline methods. More particularly, the autosampler includes a plurality of plastic pellet and powder capture nets (P3CNs), each of which is designed with nested nets for catching and retaining particulate solids of sequentially diminishing particle size along the flow path of the water sample. This enables easy determination of the presence of particulate solids, as well as a quick assessment of the different sizes of particulate solids present in the water samples by visual inspection of the P3CNs.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for detecting and removing microplastics from wastewater effluent. Both, automatic/remote and manual monitoring and sampling components are included to detect the presence of microplastics. The automatic monitoring and sampling component includes a TSS sensor and associated apparatus calibrated to account for non-plastic solids present in the wastewater and, thereby, more accurately determine the presence of microplastics. Efficient separation and removal of microplastics from wastewater effluent is performed by a specialized capture net apparatus having multiple sized mesh components and optional diffuser devices which perform size exclusion filtration of microplastics from the water.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for detecting and removing microplastics from wastewater effluent. Both, automatic/remote and manual monitoring and sampling components are included to detect the presence of microplastics. The automatic monitoring and sampling component includes a TSS sensor and associated apparatus calibrated to account for non-plastic solids present in the wastewater and, thereby, more accurately determine the presence of microplastics. Efficient separation and removal of microplastics from wastewater effluent is performed by a specialized capture net apparatus having multiple sized mesh components and optional diffuser devices which perform size exclusion filtration of microplastics from the water.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a coupling device. In one example, the coupling device may be formed of a composite material and positioned between an exhaust system and a vehicle chassis. The composite material may include aluminum particles dispersed in an elastomer matrix to reduce an overall thermal absorptivity of the composite material.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for detecting and removing microplastics from wastewater effluent. Both, automatic/remote and manual monitoring and sampling components are included to detect the presence of microplastics. The automatic monitoring and sampling component includes a TSS sensor and associated apparatus calibrated to account for non-plastic solids present in the wastewater and, thereby, more accurately determine the presence of microplastics. Efficient separation and removal of microplastics from wastewater effluent is performed by a specialized capture net apparatus having multiple sized mesh components and optional diffuser devices which perform size exclusion filtration of microplastics from the water.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a coupling device. In one example, the coupling device may be formed of a composite material and positioned between an exhaust system and a vehicle chassis. The composite material may include aluminum particles dispersed in an elastomer matrix to reduce an overall thermal absorptivity of the composite material.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing tongue assembly for coupling a rotary cutter with a work vehicle includes a coupler configured to couple to the work vehicle, and a linkage mechanism having a proximal end at the rotary cutter and a distal end at the coupler. The linkage mechanism includes a suspension element configured to dampen energy transferred between the rotary cutter and the work vehicle, a primary linkage mechanism extending from the rotary cutter, and a secondary linkage mechanism extending between the primary linkage mechanism and the coupler. The secondary linkage mechanism is configured to rotate about the primary linkage mechanism while maintaining the coupler in a level condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for recovering thermal energy produced in pyrometallurgical process plants and converting said thermal energy into electrical energy. The system is characterised in that it comprises at least one heat transfer chamber (1) comprising a gas interface section (1A), for separating the subsystem from the corrosive power of, and incrustation generated by, the gases from the heat source or duct (5). The system also comprises a section (1B) for connecting to a Stirling engine (2), which is a thermal engine and which, by means of the cyclical compression and expansion of a gaseous working fluid, at different temperature levels, produces a net conversion of thermal energy into mechanical energy.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing tongue assembly for coupling a rotary cutter with a work vehicle includes a coupler configured to couple to the work vehicle, and a linkage mechanism having a proximal end at the rotary cutter and a distal end at the coupler. The linkage mechanism includes a suspension element configured to dampen energy transferred between the rotary cutter and the work vehicle, a primary linkage mechanism extending from the rotary cutter, and a secondary linkage mechanism extending between the primary linkage mechanism and the coupler. The secondary linkage mechanism is configured to rotate about the primary linkage mechanism while maintaining the coupler in a level condition.

Abstract: Triboelectric nanogenerators that operate in a vertical contact separation mode and methods for fabricating the triboelectric generators are provided. Also provided are methods for using the triboelectric nanogenerators to harvest mechanical energy and convert it into electric energy. In the TENGs, one or both of the triboelectrically active layers comprises a cellulose that has been chemically treated to alter its electron affinity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for recovering thermal energy produced in pyrometallurgical process plants and converting said thermal energy into electrical energy. The system is characterised in that it comprises at least one heat transfer chamber (1) comprising a gas interface section (1A), for separating the subsystem from the corrosive power of, and incrustation generated by, the gases from the heat source or duct (5). The system also comprises a section (1B) for connecting to a Stirling engine (2), which is a thermal engine and which, by means of the cyclical compression and expansion of a gaseous working fluid, at different temperature levels, produces a net conversion of thermal energy into mechanical energy.

Abstract: A system for providing monitoring of automobiles includes a database comprising a plurality of automobile records, and a plurality of technician records. The system further includes a computing device comprising a network interface device, a sensor coupled to the automobile and a processor for reading the sensor data from the sensor and transmitting the sensor data to a server. The system further includes a server for receiving the sensor data, finding a technician within the vicinity that can service the automobile and sending a message to the technician including the sensor data and location of the automobile, so that the technician may service the automobile. The system is further configured for identifying the velocity of the automobile; correlating the velocity of the automobile with the speed limit associated with the automobile's location; assigning a level of severity to the traffic; and sending a message to customers.

Abstract: A radio base station system includes at least one Radio Equipment Control (REC) that comprises radio functions of a digital baseband domain, and at least one Radio Equipment (RE) that serves as an air interface and comprises analogue radio frequency functions. A Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) link connects the at least one REC and the at least one RE. CPRI traffic carried by the CPRI link leaves an amount of spare capacity. The CPRI link carries non-CPRI traffic encapsulated within the spare capacity.

Abstract: Triboelectric nanogenerators that operate in a vertical contact separation mode and methods for fabricating the triboelectric generators are provided. Also provided are methods for using the triboelectric nanogenerators to harvest mechanical energy and convert it into electric energy. In the TENGs, one or both of the triboelectrically active layers comprises a cellulose that has been chemically treated to alter its electron affinity.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for contemporaneous data recording and/or reliability modeling with a turbomachine service outage is provided. A database including impairment data for the turbomachine is provided. An impairment mode is recorded in the database for at least one of a part or an event from a plurality of predetermined impairment modes contemporaneously with a service outage of the turbomachine. The method also includes modeling a reliability of at least one of the part and the event based on the database contemporaneously with the service outage. Embodiments may also include using the reliability modeling to control operation of the turbomachine after the service outage.

Abstract: A power control system is provided that includes a receptacle and a module. The receptacle is hard-wired to a power distribution system, such as conventional 120 VAC. The module can be removable inserted into the receptacle and can provide desired functionality, such as power deliver, wireless communication and actuation. By providing a receptacle that accepts multiple modules that each can have different functionality and by allowing a user to readily remove replace modules in the receptacle, a useful and flexible control system can be set up.

Abstract: A power control system is provided that includes a receptacle and a module. The receptacle is hard-wired to a power distribution system, such as conventional 120 VAC. The module can be removable inserted into the receptacle and can provide desired functionality, such as power deliver, wireless communication and actuation. By providing a receptacle that accepts multiple modules that each can have different functionality and by allowing a user to readily remove replace modules in the receptacle, a useful and flexible control system can be set up.

Abstract: A system for providing monitoring of automobiles includes a database comprising a plurality of automobile records, and a plurality of technician records. The system further includes a computing device comprising a network interface device, a sensor coupled to the automobile and a processor for reading the sensor data from the sensor and transmitting the sensor data to a server. The system further includes a server for receiving the sensor data, finding a technician within the vicinity that can service the automobile and sending a message to the technician including the sensor data and location of the automobile, so that the technician may service the automobile. The system is further configured for identifying the velocity of the automobile; correlating the velocity of the automobile with the speed limit associated with the automobile's location; assigning a level of severity to the traffic; and sending a message to customers.