Abstract: A system includes a load-following nuclear power generator including a nuclear reactor configured to generate variable amounts of electricity. The system also includes an electric drive and a propeller controlled by the electric drive.

Abstract: A power conversion system for converting thermal energy from a heat source to electricity is provided. The system includes a chamber including an inner shroud having an inlet and an outlet and defining an internal passageway between the inlet and the outlet through which a working fluid passes. The chamber also includes an outer shroud substantially surrounding the inner shroud. The chamber includes a source heat exchanger disposed in the internal passageway, the source heat exchanger being configured to receive a heat transmitting element associated with the heat source external to the chamber, and to transfer heat energy from the heat transmitting element to the working fluid. The system also includes a compressor disposed adjacent the inlet of the inner shroud and configured to transfer energy from the compressor to the working fluid, and an expander disposed adjacent the outlet of the inner shroud.

Abstract: A transportable nuclear power system is provided. The system includes a nuclear power generator. The nuclear power generator includes one or more fuel cartridges configured to form a critical core during a power generation operation, each of the one or more fuel cartridges containing a nuclear fuel. The nuclear power generator also includes a reactivity controller and one or more working fluid conduits, each work fluid conduit containing a working fluid circulating within each of the one or more fuel cartridges to cool the nuclear fuel and execute a thermodynamic cycle. The system also includes an Intermodal transport container including a support structure mounted inside the transport container to support at least the one or more fuel cartridges of the nuclear power generator. The one or more fuel cartridges of the nuclear power generator are contained in the transport container during the power generation operation.

Abstract: A power conversion system for converting thermal energy from a heat source to electricity is provided. The system includes a chamber including an inner shroud having an inlet and an outlet and defining an internal passageway between the inlet and the outlet through which a working fluid passes. The chamber also includes an outer shroud substantially surrounding the inner shroud. The chamber includes a source heat exchanger disposed in the internal passageway, the source heat exchanger being configured to receive a heat transmitting element associated with the heat source external to the chamber, and to transfer heat energy from the heat transmitting element to the working fluid. The system also includes a compressor disposed adjacent the inlet of the inner shroud and configured to transfer energy from the compressor to the working fluid, and an expander disposed adjacent the outlet of the inner shroud.

Abstract: Power conversion systems for converting thermal energy from a heat source to electricity are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the power conversion system may include a substantially sealed chamber having an inner shroud having an inlet and an outlet and defining an internal passageway between the inlet and the outlet through which a working fluid passes. The sealed chamber may also include an outer shroud substantially surrounding the inner shroud, such that the working fluid exiting the outlet of the inner shroud returns to the inlet of the inner shroud in a closed-loop via a return passageway formed between an external surface of the inner shroud and an internal surface of the outer shroud. The power conversion system may further include a source heat exchanger disposed in the internal passageway of the inner shroud, the source heat exchanger being configured to at least partially receive a heat transmitting element.

Abstract: The fuel cartridge may include a plurality of fuel channels, a first header disposed on a first side of a fuel matrix, a second header disposed on a second side of the fuel matrix opposite to the first side, and a plurality of cooling tubes through which a working fluid flows. Each of the plurality of cooling tubes may pass through each corresponding cooling channel of the plurality of cooling channels, where each of the plurality of cooling tubes has a first end connected to the first header and a second end connected to the second header. The fuel cartridge may include an interior space for sealingly containing the fuel matrix may include a pressure boundary independent from an interior of the plurality of cooling tubes, such that the interior space is not in fluid communication with the plurality of cooling tubes.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an autonomous rail vehicle that can travel ahead of a locomotive at a distance proportional to the locomotive's stopping capability are disclosed. The rail vehicle may scan its surroundings, gauges track conditions, and communicates with locomotive operators of the scanned results in real-time to timely enable activation of the locomotive's emergency brakes in case of detection of off-normal track conditions. The rail vehicle may paired with the locomotive and provides eyes to locomotive operators so that they can have information on tracks viability well ahead of the locomotive.

Abstract: A nuclear power reactor may include a plurality of power modules, each including a nuclear fuel and a power conversion system configured to convert heat generated from the nuclear fuel to electricity, where the nuclear fuel of the plurality of power modules collectively forms a reactor core. The nuclear power reactor may also include a sleeve being disposed between the plurality of power modules, where the sleeve has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The nuclear power reactor may further include a reactivity booster having a neutron source and a reactivity quencher having a neutron absorber. The reactivity booster may be movable between a first location adjacent the first end of the sleeve and a second location adjacent the reactor core, and the reactivity quencher may be movable between a third location adjacent the second end and the second location adjacent the reactor core.

Abstract: A transportable nuclear power system is provided. The system includes a nuclear power generator. The nuclear power generator includes one or more fuel cartridges configured to form a critical core during a power generation operation, each of the one or more fuel cartridges containing a nuclear fuel. The nuclear power generator also includes a reactivity controller and one or more working fluid conduits, each work fluid conduit containing a working fluid circulating within each of the one or more fuel cartridges to cool the nuclear fuel and execute a thermodynamic cycle. The system also includes an ISO transport container including a support structure mounted inside the ISO transport container to support at least the one or more fuel cartridges of the nuclear power generator. The one or more fuel cartridges of the nuclear power generator are contained in the ISO transport container during the power generation operation.

Abstract: A transportable nuclear power generator assembly includes a first modular nuclear power generator unit and a second nuclear power generator unit. The first modular nuclear power generator unit includes a first transport container, a first nuclear power module positioned inside the first transport container, and a first supporting mechanism movably supports the first nuclear power module inside the first transport container. The second modular nuclear power generator unit includes a second transport container, a second nuclear power module positioned inside the second transport container, and a second supporting mechanism configured to support the second nuclear power module inside the second transport container. At least one of the first supporting mechanism and the second supporting mechanism is configured to move at least one of the first nuclear power module and the second nuclear power module relative to one another to result in an at least critical state or a subcritical state.

Abstract: A nuclear power reactor may include a plurality of power modules, each including a nuclear fuel and a power conversion system configured to convert heat generated from the nuclear fuel to electricity, where the nuclear fuel of the plurality of power modules collectively forms a reactor core. The nuclear power reactor may also include a sleeve being disposed between the plurality of power modules, where the sleeve has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The nuclear power reactor may further include a reactivity booster having a neutron source and a reactivity quencher having a neutron absorber. The reactivity booster may be movable between a first location adjacent the first end of the sleeve and a second location adjacent the reactor core, and the reactivity quencher may be movable between a third location adjacent the second end and the second location adjacent the reactor core.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a transportable nuclear power generator having a plurality of subcritical power modules are disclosed. Each of the plurality of subcritical power modules includes a fuel cartridge, a power conversion unit, and a housing substantially enclosing the fuel cartridge and the power conversion unit. The fuel cartridge contains a nuclear fuel and has a proximal end and a distal end. The power conversion unit includes a compressor turbine disposed at the proximal end of the fuel cartridge and a power turbine disposed at the distal end of the fuel cartridge. At least one of the plurality of subcritical power modules is movable with respect to the other of the plurality of subcritical power modules between a first position and a second position to control criticality of the nuclear fuel contained in the fuel cartridges of the plurality of subcritical power modules.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments of a power conversion system for converting thermal energy from a heat source to electricity are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the power conversion system may include a substantially sealed chamber having an inner shroud having an inlet and an outlet and defining an internal passageway between the inlet and the outlet through which a working fluid passes. The sealed chamber may also include an outer shroud substantially surrounding the inner shroud, such that the working fluid exiting the outlet of the inner shroud returns to the inlet of the inner shroud in a closed-loop via a return passageway formed between an external surface of the inner shroud and an internal surface of the outer shroud. The power conversion system may further include a source heat exchanger disposed in the internal passageway of the inner shroud, the source heat exchanger being configured to at least partially receive a heat transmitting element.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a locomotive waste heat recovery system for charging an auxiliary battery, independent of the locomotive electric generator, are disclosed. The auxiliary battery is charged by a locomotive waste heat recovery system to supplement and supply the electric power normally provided by the locomotive battery during a shutdown condition caused by a locomotive auto engine start stop (AESS) system. The auxiliary battery is charged by recovery and conversion of waste thermal energy during locomotive engine operations, and its stored electric power is utilized to supply selected electrical loads during a prolonged engine shutdown condition. Accordingly, the locomotive battery can preserve its stored power to be exclusively utilized for locomotive engine start, which may decrease operational disruptions and increase the life of the locomotive battery, and thereby reducing the overall operating costs associated with the battery maintenance efforts.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure provide systems and methods for a waste heat recovery and conversion. The waste heat recovery and conversion system includes a housing non-invasively mountable onto an engine. The waste heat recovery and conversion system also includes a power conversion unit (PCU) entirely within the housing. The PCU includes heat exchangers, an expander, an electrical power generator, and a fluid pump. The heat exchangers, the expander, the fluid pump, and the fluid reservoir form a thermodynamic loop that drives the electrical power generator using thermal energy from waste heat. Under various configurations the waste heat recovery and conversion system offer pollutant reduction features all together with fuel savings.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure provide systems and methods for a waste heat recovery and conversion. The waste heat recovery and conversion system includes a housing non-invasively mountable onto an engine. The waste heat recovery and conversion system also includes a power conversion unit (PCU) entirely within the housing. The PCU includes heat exchangers, an expander, an electrical power generator, and a fluid pump. The heat exchangers, the expander, the fluid pump, and the fluid reservoir form a thermodynamic loop that drives the electrical power generator using thermal energy from waste heat. Under various configurations the waste heat recovery and conversion system offer pollutant reduction features all together with fuel savings.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an autonomous rail vehicle that can travel ahead of a locomotive at a distance proportional to the locomotive's stopping capability are disclosed. The rail vehicle may scan its surroundings, gauges track conditions, and communicates with locomotive operators of the scanned results in real-time to timely enable activation of the locomotive's emergency brakes in case of detection of off-normal track conditions. The rail vehicle may paired with the locomotive and provides eyes to locomotive operators so that they can have information on tracks viability well ahead of the locomotive.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a medical device for displacing a bodily fluid inside a patient's body and the related methods are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the medical device may include a source heat exchanger containing a heat generating in source and being configured to transfer heat from the heat generating source to a working fluid. The medical device also includes a hollow shaft comprising a plurality of permanent magnets, an impeller shroud disposed inside the hollow shaft, where the impeller shroud defines an internal passageway through which the bodily fluid passes through. The medical device further includes an impeller disposed inside the internal passageway of the impeller shroud, where the impeller is magnetically coupled to the permanent magnets of the hollow shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to electric power and process heat generation using a modular, compact, transportable, hardened nuclear generator rapidly deployable and retrievable, comprising power conversion and electric generation equipment fully integrated within a single pressure vessel housing a nuclear core. The resulting transportable nuclear generator does not require costly site-preparation, and can be transported fully operational. The transportable nuclear generator requires an emergency evacuation area substantially reduced with respect to other nuclear generators as it may be configured for operation with a melt-proof conductive ceramic core which allows decay heat removal even under total loss of coolant scenarios.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a waste heat recovery and conversion system are disclosed. The system may include a modular heat exchanger whose energy source is provided by waste heat energy transporting fluids transferring their energy to a working fluid. The working fluid may be in a liquid state contained in a reservoir hydraulically connected to a high-pressure heat transfer chamber. The high-pressure heat transfer chamber may be configured to receive thermal energy utilized to convert the working fluid into a superheated vapor.