Abstract: Dissimilarly shaped aircraft nozzles with tandem mixing devices, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. An ejector nozzle in a representative embodiment includes a nozzle duct having a nozzle flow axis, a first axial position and a second axial position. The nozzle duct has a first cross-sectional shape at the first axial position, and a second cross-sectional shape at the second axial position, with the second shape being geometrically non-similar to the first shape. The nozzle further includes a fan flow duct portion and a core flow duct portion, both upstream of the first axial position. An ejector duct is positioned in fluid communication with the nozzle duct, and has at least one portion with a cross-sectional shape geometrically similar to the second cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: Lobed mixer nozzles for supersonic and subsonic aircraft, and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative lobe mixer nozzle includes a fan flow duct aligned along a longitudinal axis, and a core flow duct, also aligned along the longitudinal axis. At least one duct wall, for example, a splitter, forms, at least in part, a radially inner boundary of the fan flow duct, and a radially outer boundary of the core flow duct. The duct wall terminates at a reference exit plane, and has multiple first lobes extending radially inwardly, and multiple second lobes extending radially outwardly. At least one lobe is canted forward relative to the reference exit plane, and at least one lobe is canted aft relative to the reference exit plane.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include concentrating solar power (CSP) systems and solar receivers for CSP systems configured to provide inlet and outlet heat transfer material flow control. The disclosed embodiments feature heat transfer material flowing in and open heat transfer material circuit. Certain embodiments may be implemented with a solid-liquid phase change material as the heat transfer material. Alternative embodiments include methods of heat transfer material flow control in a CSP system and CSP systems configured as described.

Abstract: Reflector support arms for use in connection with parabolic trough solar concentrators are provided. The reflector support arms are constructed from multiple formed components. The use of multiple formed components enables the provision of a precisely constructed support arm. In addition, by using multiple components, the support arm can be produced using smaller forming machines than would otherwise be required.