Abstract: An apparatus includes a chimney cooler having a housing. The housing includes a base and sidewalls. The base is configured to support one or more heat-generating components. The sidewalls extend from the base, and each sidewall includes multiple channels. Each channel defines a serpentine flow path configured to receive a fluid coolant. The sidewalls may be lofted away from the heat-generating component(s) as the sidewalls extend from the base. An inlet for each channel may be contoured to promote inertial flow of the fluid coolant into the serpentine flow path. An outlet for each channel may be contoured to promote inertial flow of the fluid coolant exiting the serpentine flow path. Channels at and adjacent to primary objective surfaces of the housing may share a common inlet. The channels at the primary objective surfaces of the housing may have larger outlets relative to the channels adjacent to the primary objective surfaces of the housing.

Abstract: A cooling device for integrated circuits. The device includes: a plurality TEC cooling cells arranged in an array, wherein each of the cells includes a controller coupled to at least one TEC device; and a single power connector that provides power to all the cells in the array. The controller of each cell in the array is operable to control the at least one TEC it is coupled to with power received from the single power connector.

Abstract: A cooling device for integrated circuits. The device includes: a plurality TEC cooling cells arranged in an array, wherein each of the cells includes a controller coupled to at least one TEC device; and a single power connector that provides power to all the cells in the array. The controller of each cell in the array is operable to control the at least one TEC it is coupled to with power received from the single power connector.

Abstract: A system for allowing improved communication between parties. The system includes a consumer data module that is configured to receive data describing a consumer. The consumer data includes data input by the consumer and/or data obtained from third party sources. A financial services professional data module receives data describing a financial services professional. The financial services professional data includes data input by the financial services professional and/or data obtained from third party sources. Databases are configured to store the consumer data and the financial services professional data. A communication module is configured to receive a request from a consumer to engage a financial services professional. A consumer finances module is configured to access financial information of the consumer upon obtaining authorization by the consumer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a chimney cooler having a housing. The housing includes a base and sidewalls. The base is configured to support one or more heat-generating components. The sidewalls extend from the base, and each sidewall includes multiple channels. Each channel defines a serpentine flow path configured to receive a fluid coolant. The sidewalls may be lofted away from the heat-generating component(s) as the sidewalls extend from the base. An inlet for each channel may be contoured to promote inertial flow of the fluid coolant into the serpentine flow path. An outlet for each channel may be contoured to promote inertial flow of the fluid coolant exiting the serpentine flow path. Channels at and adjacent to primary objective surfaces of the housing may share a common inlet. The channels at the primary objective surfaces of the housing may have larger outlets relative to the channels adjacent to the primary objective surfaces of the housing.

Abstract: A turbine exhaust system including a bypass fluid duct that includes: an outer exit shroud and an inner mold line (IML) forming a channel from an inlet to an outlet of the bypass fluid duct, a moveable diffuser configured to move between a forward and aft locations, and a door configured to pivot between minimum and maximum door angles, wherein the moveable diffuser and the door together form the outer exit shroud. The bypass fluid duct is configured to: receive an incoming fluid stream in a first direction through the inlet; bypass the incoming fluid stream around a turbine generator; and direct a flow path of the incoming fluid stream from the inlet through the outlet to join an ambient fluid flow. A movement of the door and the diffuser, from an unextended position to a fully or partially extended position varies a shape and volume of the channel.

Abstract: A method of improving optical characteristics of an optical window operating in a flow of fluid and having first and second panes of optically transmissive material—each having an edge adjacent to, parallel with, and at least partially coextensive with each other—is described herein. The method includes inserting a thermally conductive blade between two adjacent edges of the first and second panes of optically transmissive material; and lifting an adverse flow stagnation zone forward of the optical window by protruding the thermally conductive blade into the flow of fluid from an outer surface of the panes of the optical window.

Abstract: A method of improving optical characteristics of an optical window operating in a flow of fluid and having first and second panes of optically transmissive material—each having an edge adjacent to, parallel with, and at least partially coextensive with each other—is described herein. The method includes inserting a thermally conductive blade between two adjacent edges of the first and second panes of optically transmissive material; and lifting an adverse flow stagnation zone forward of the optical window by protruding the thermally conductive blade into the flow of fluid from an outer surface of the panes of the optical window.

Abstract: A method includes creating a gas flow in a gas cell and cooling a portion of the gas flow to create a thermally-induced temperature gradient in the gas flow. The method also includes directing at least one laser beam through at least a portion of the gas flow with the thermally-induced temperature gradient. The gas flow can be directed axially along a length of the gas cell or transverse to the length of the gas cell, and the at least one laser beam can be directed axially along the length of the gas cell through at least the portion of the gas flow. The gas flow may represent a first gas flow, and the method may further include creating a second gas flow in the gas cell and cooling a portion of the second gas flow to create a thermally-induced temperature gradient in the second gas flow.

Abstract: A turbine exhaust system including a bypass fluid duct that includes: an outer exit shroud and an inner mold line (IML) forming a channel from an inlet to an outlet of the bypass fluid duct, a moveable diffuser configured to move between a forward and aft locations, and a door configured to pivot between minimum and maximum door angles, wherein the moveable diffuser and the door together form the outer exit shroud. The bypass fluid duct is configured to: receive an incoming fluid stream in a first direction through the inlet; bypass the incoming fluid stream around a turbine generator; and direct a flow path of the incoming fluid stream from the inlet through the outlet to join an ambient fluid flow. A movement of the door and the diffuser, from an unextended position to a fully or partially extended position varies a shape and volume of the channel.

Abstract: A method of improving optical characteristics of an optical window operating in a flow of fluid and having first and second panes of optically transmissive material—each having an edge adjacent to, parallel with, and at least partially coextensive with each other—is described herein. The method includes inserting a thermally conductive blade between two adjacent edges of the first and second panes of optically transmissive material; and lifting an adverse flow stagnation zone forward of the optical window by protruding the thermally conductive blade into the flow of fluid from an outer surface of the panes of the optical window.

Abstract: A method includes creating a gas flow in a gas cell and cooling a portion of the gas flow to create a thermally-induced temperature gradient in the gas flow. The method also includes directing at least one laser beam through at least a portion of the gas flow with the thermally-induced temperature gradient. The gas flow can be directed axially along a length of the gas cell or transverse to the length of the gas cell, and the at least one laser beam can be directed axially along the length of the gas cell through at least the portion of the gas flow. The gas flow may represent a first gas flow, and the method may further include creating a second gas flow in the gas cell and cooling a portion of the second gas flow to create a thermally-induced temperature gradient in the second gas flow.