Abstract: A carrier gas is directed through a humidification chamber in a humidifier, where the carrier gas flow is directly contacted with a feed liquid to humidify the carrier gas with water evaporated from the feed liquid, producing a humidified gas flow. The humidified gas flow is then compressed in a compressor and then directed through a dehumidification chamber in a dehumidifier, where the compressed humidified gas flow is dehumidified to condense water from the compressed humidified gas flow. The dehumidified gas flow is then expanded in an expander, wherein the expansion of the dehumidified gas flow generates motion (e.g., rotation of a shaft), and wherein the motion generated in the expander is transferred to the compressor, where the motion compresses the humidified gas flow. Heat is also removed from the expanded dehumidified gas flow and transferred to compressed dehumidified gas flow upstream from the expander.

Abstract: A carrier gas is directed through a humidification chamber in a humidifier, where the carrier gas flow is directly contacted with a feed liquid to humidify the carrier gas with water evaporated from the feed liquid, producing a humidified gas flow. The humidified gas flow is then compressed in a compressor and then directed through a dehumidification chamber in a dehumidifier, where the compressed humidified gas flow is dehumidified to condense water from the compressed humidified gas flow. The dehumidified gas flow is then expanded in an expander, wherein the expansion of the dehumidified gas flow generates motion (e.g., rotation of a shaft), and wherein the motion generated in the expander is transferred to the compressor, where the motion compresses the humidified gas flow. Heat is also removed from the expanded dehumidified gas flow and transferred to compressed dehumidified gas flow upstream from the expander.

Abstract: The solar collector with optimal profile for energy distribution on a tubular receiver collects and distributes solar energy. Solar energy received from the sun can be modified by either being re-directed (reflection) or being redistributed. In the present invention energy is reflected and redistributed in a manner that yields a required energy variation over a surface. The receiver is a cylinder of known length and diameter. Longitudinal distribution of energy is specified by a user defined function. Circumferential distribution is assumed to be constant. Energy distribution is required to vary along the z axis of the receiver but remain constant in the circumferential direction. An axi-symmetric approach is used in which only one plane of the receiver in r and Z plane is considered. A geometric solution determines a reflecting surface that gives a required energy distribution along the z-axis. A complete reflector is designed by expanding the axi-symmetric behavior.

Abstract: An apparatus for deicing a surface of an aircraft includes a pair of adjacent movable surface elements that lie in a common plane and cover a portion of an aircraft. The pair of surface elements are connected to a reciprocating actuator through a bell crank for reciprocal movement and in opposite directions to one another. The apparatus also includes a tie bar at one end of the surface elements for maintaining the surface elements in a parallel relationship. In a second embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a pair of coaxial, coplanar circular disc and a reciprocating actuator for rotating the disc in opposite directions relative to one another.

Abstract: A rotary vane combustion engine, having a compressor, a combustion chamber, an expander, sensors for sensing critical conditions, and a microprocessor for controlling the engine responsive to sensed conditions. Projection of vanes from the compressor or expander rotor is controlled by arms which include bearings riding in a cam or track formed in the compressor or expander housing. The track maintains a predetermined gap between the vanes and the respective housings, thereby reducing the friction between vane and housing and the possibility of binding of a vane against the housing. Valves vent the expander to the atmosphere and allow the expansion ratio of the expander to be controllably varied. These valves are controlled by the microprocessor.