Abstract: The disclosure provides a system and method for absorbing clean heat, storing it at ambient temperature for transport or delayed use, and regenerating with high exergetic efficiency. The system and method can capture high quality heat at high temperatures from a source such as nuclear, concentrated sunlight, or geothermal, store that energy in chemical bonds at ambient temperature, and regenerate the heat at the same or similar temperatures. By storing at ambient temperature, the process allows heat to be transmitted over great distances or held long term with minimal losses. The chemical reaction uses the Boudouard reaction with metal carbonate and catalyst to generate a higher heat than a typical Boudouard reaction. The sensible heat that is lost in conventional steam piping by heat transfer to the environment can be reduced or replaced with the present invention that transports chemical heat at ambient temperatures with little sensible heat loss.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a diamagnetically stabilized magnetically levitated gravimeter and related method that allows measurements of relative gravity in a simple, low power consumption device based on a magnetic levitation principle using permanent magnets instead of using a mechanical spring. The gravimeter uses magnetic forces to balance a float magnet against the force of gravity, allowing for accurate measurements. The gravimeter includes a float magnet that floats between two diamagnetic materials, such as diamagnetic plates, without a need for external energy input due to the interaction between the magnetic forces of the float magnet lifted by the lift magnet but stabilized between upper and lower diamagnetic materials. The gravimeter is less sensitive to drift in response to stresses than a mechanical spring, have a lower temperature sensitivity, and lower energy and power requirements to take similarly reliable gravity measurements, which in turn simplify deployment and prolong operational lifetime.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a formulated conductive grease for an associated bearing that can be used in a drive system, such as a variable frequency drive system for motors having a formulation sufficient to reduce the voltage build up that causes damaging electric discharge machining (“EDM”) on rotational bearing supported surfaces, such as inner and outer races, while still maintaining a grease composition suitable for bearing long life at operational temperatures. The higher conductivity of the inventive grease results in lowering of the threshold voltage of pulse discharges, which consequently decreases the energy release in each pulse and the resulting bearing temperatures, avoiding bearing damage. The disclosure further provides a bearing lifetime prediction model given typical discharge conditions from both Si and SiC inverters using a bearing state of health (SOH) metric.

Abstract: An ocean wave energy converter system comprises an armature and a plurality of magnets which move relative to each other in response to ocean waves pushing on a spar and/or float to which the armature and the plurality of magnets are coupled. Components of the system comprise stacked rings and/or radial laminations. The armature can feature a variety of pole tips. Various methods can be used to assemble components from radial laminations. Air gaps in wire coils of the armatures can be filled with one or more materials that selectively alter the magnetic permeability of the wire coils.

Abstract: A system can comprise a screw and a nut, which are configured to move relative to each other. Each of the screw and the nut components can comprise one or more magnets configured to exert a repulsive force on one or more magnets of the other component as a result of the relative motion. Interactions between the one or more magnets of the screw and the one or more magnets of the nut can allow for conversion between linear motion and rotary motion. One or more tools can be used to aid in manufacturing the screw and/or the nut. In some embodiments additional components can aid in maintaining alignment of the screw and the nut.

Abstract: Motion of a first component in response to waves is converted to rotary motion of a member of a second component. The two components are magnetically coupled to each other. The relative linear motion of the components causes energy to be transmitted from waves between the two components via the magnetic coupling, and thus no mechanical connection is required for the transmission. This can allow for wave energy conversion without a need for hydraulic or pneumatic systems. Applications for technologies described herein include ocean wave energy converters (OWEC) for generating electricity from wave energy.

Abstract: A converter output filter for an induction drive system is provided. The converter output filter (40) comprises an L-R-C network (41) that can be coupled between each converter output (38a, 38b, and 38c) of a converter (16b) and a DC-link midpoint node (35) of the converter (16b). Each L-R-C network (41) comprises an inductive element (42a, 42b, and 42c), a resistive element (44a, 44b, and 44c), and a capacitive element (46a, 46b, and 46c) coupled in series. An electrical device (18) can be coupled to the L-R-C network (41) between the respective inductive element (42a, 42b, and 42c) and the respective resistive element (44a, 44b, and 44c).